BrownhillsBob's Brownhills Blog

Alan Pye, four decades at Tildesley Ford on Northgate. Images Kindly supplied by Jamie Norgrove.

Old pal of the blog and human dynamo behind Brownhills Musical Theatre Company Jamie Norgrove has been in touch to share some sad news – Jamie’s Grandfather, Alan Pye who worked for years at Tildesley Ford in Aldridge passed away on the 23rd of July, and Jamie would like to invite anyone who knew Alan to the funeral, which takes place on Tuesday.

My sincerest condolences to Jamie and all of Alan’s family and friends – he was clearly a very popular and respected man from the outpouring of respect on social media. Many ford owners will remember Alan from the dealership days on Northgate.

Jamie explained:

Hi Bob

I’m after a favour. I’m trying to get in touch with anyone who worked at Tildesley Ford in Aldridge who would’ve known my Grandad, Alan Pye, affectionately known as ‘Apple’.

He sadly passed away on 23rd July 2017 and it’s his funeral on Tuesday 15th August at 2:15pm at Streetly Crem.

Grandad worked at Tildesley’s for over 40 years and we’d like to let folks know.

I include a picture of the staff at Tildesley Ford on the Northgate around 1980. My Grandad worked there for over forty years.

All welcome at the service or at Barons Court afterwards.

Cheers
Jamie

Thanks to Jamie for sharing the innovation and my sympathies to all for their loss.

All the staff of this large dealership in 1980, Alan central. Image Kindly supplied by Jamie Norgrove.

In fond memory of Mark Blackstock, creator of The YamYam, without whom this blog would have died in infancy.

Mark sadly died following a heart attack on Thursday, 3rd August 2017 at the age of 55. 

Mark, I owe you so very much. A friend in successful times, but also in the very dark, very small, very bleak hours. You were the thread that bound the Walsall online community together, though rarely visible within it.

The soul of discretion, the initiator of mischief.

I always thought I’d see you again. 

Walsall has lost an adopted son, this blog has lost a godparent.

Rest in peace you old bugger.

I know you lived like you fucking meant it. 

Somewhere, in the distance, we’ll have a pint again and bitch about professional PR, badly formatted RSS and the perils of being opinionated.

Goodbye old lad – you will always be here in my heart, in spirit.

It’s a great facility and this looks like a wonderful day!

Another late one (I’m having trouble keeping up this week, can you tell?) reaches me from Oak Park Active Living Centre who this Wednesday are having a first anniversary fun day for all the family.

It kicks off at 10am running through to 4pm, and wristbands to cover all activities are a pocket pleasing £2. There’s loads to see and do inside and out with a sports and activity theme.

Walsall Council wrote:

Have you visited Oak Park Active Living Centre yet? Come along to our jam packed day of fun this Wednesday for only £2!

Oak Park Active Living Centre is celebrating its one year anniversary on Wednesday (9th August 2017). We have organised a family fun day for all our customers to celebrate with us.

Children’s £2 wristbands allows them to try out different sports including racket sports, ball games & swimming.

Children will get the chance to play on the new 3G pitch with cross bar challenge, penalty shoot out and football skills and games.

There’s also fun activities such as; a bouncy castle, kiddies trikes, balance bikes, face painting, fun competitions, fire engine, tombola and the chance to meet ‘Stanley Seal’.

Activities start at 10am and finish at 4pm so come along, enjoy the day and bring all the family!

Plenty to see and do at this great local centre.

A fun day in school holidays – what’s not to love?

Just a headsup to point out there’s a Big Bounce family fud day taking place at Holland Park, Brownhills this Wednesday, 9th August 2017, as well as others over the school holidays throughout the area, including on the 22nd August at Pelsall Common.

It’s £6 per child, with under fives at £5 – there are two sessions, 11-1:30pm and 2-4:30pm.

There will be rides, inflatables, slides, go-karts and all sorts of fun, including a toddler zone.

You can check out the Facebook page of the event operator here.

The organisers said:

Big Bounce Walsall is heading to Holland Park, Brownhills this summer holiday on Wednesday 9th August.

The cheap and affordable fun day hosts more rides & inflatables than ever before with over a dozen inflatables & interactive games for all ages of children to play, slide, bounce, jump and race, you will never want the fun to end!

Here are just a few:
– **New** 100ft Energy Assault Course
– **New** Chair-O-Planes
– **New** Helter Skelter Slide
– Junior Go-Karts
– Wipeout Sweeper
– The Ultimate Challenge Assault Course
– Gladiator Duel
– 30ft High Mega Slide
– Toddler Zone
– Disco Dome
– Plus Much More!
Oh, and don’t forget the character meet & greet

I’m fairly sure British Reinforced Concrete were the creators of the ‘Beehive’ system prefabs, common in Staffordshire like these at Hints Lane, Hopwas, many of which have now been re-skinned. Imagery from Google Streetview.

I’m on the cadge, please for information to help another historian who’s on the scent of something interesting, and could do with reader assistance if possible.

Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler is interested in the history of The British Reinforced Concrete Company in Queensville, Stafford which appears to have wound down in the late 1980s.

Peter is after information as to the details of it’s closure, and anything related to their business operations, customers or workforce, particularly social history.

I have a feeling they may have suffered from bad publicity related to the failure of the system building boom in the postwar period, but can’t confirm this. Can anyone help, please?

If you can assist, please do comment here or mail me: BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com.

There’s this wonderful Aerofilms photo on Staffordshire Past Track with some details which may jog memories…

Image from Staffordshire Past Track and held by the Aerofilms Archive.

The notes on Staffordshire Past Track read:

Date:1936 – 1937 (c.)

Description:The British Reinforced Concrete Engineering Company manufactured reinforced concrete structures and made steel mesh for reinforcing concrete. The company moved from Manchester to Stafford in 1926, building a new factory in Queensville.

Business declined in the 1980s, and the factory closed in 1990.

Radford Bank and Baswich can be seen in the background.

Copyright and ownership of this image is retained by Aerofilms Ltd.

If you’ve an under 18 kicking about the house making things untidy, and if they’re into football, why not get them out of the house on Thursday evenings to try out for Walsall Wood Under 18s who train at the Oak Park Active Living Centre from 6:30-8pm?

Dylan Somel wrote:

Have you got an under 18 year old into football? They could platy for The Wood! Image for Walsall Wood Football Club.

This year Walsall Wood Football Club are implementing youth side, who will play in the Midland Floodlit League. This has been made possible with the support from the youth section at the club and also George and Justin, who have made a great platform for the lads to succeed under the Wood banner.

Walsall Wood Under 18s Football Team need you!

We train Thursdays 6:30-8pm at Oak Park Active Living Centre 

Our league games coming up are 

Wrens Nest: Home 7:45pm Kick-off on the 15th August
Dudley Town: Home 7:45pm  Kick-off  on the 28th August

Please could you include special thanks to our Home Kit Sponsor Guy’s Dental based in Lichfield and our trainingwear sponsor Stonnall Fish Bar.. Thanks so much.

Manager is myself Dylan Somel and 07446348126 is my number for any players interested. 

The team have some great sponsorship. Can particularly vouch for the chip shop at Stonnal, which does great chips and most excellent kebabage! Image supplied by Dylan Somel.

Old friend of the blog Andy Dennis has asked if I’d share his quest to find out what became of local artist Joan Jackson and her husband Les who lived near Newtown, Brownhills: A painting created by Joan hangs in Stonnall church and one of Andy’s readers, Wendy Cooke, is trying to find out more about this talented and accomplished artist who was a friend of Andy’s parents.

Joan has previously been mentioned in several posts on Andy’s blog.

This is yet another great article on Andy’s fascinating blog, which I commend to all readers with an interest not just in local history but wider genealogy too.

If you can help Andy and Wendy, please do: As a random suggestion, has anyone tried Walsall Society of Artists who may well have known Joan?

Andy Dennis wrote:

A remarkable and beautiful picture by a lost local artist. Can you help find out what became of Joan and her work? Image originally posted on Andrews Kindred by Andy Dennis.

This original oil painting was based on a photograph, probably black and white, taken before Joan and her husband were forced to move after the house was condemned in about 1967.

Recently, I received a request from Wendy Cooke, who wrote:

I am interested in finding out about a picture of St Peter’s Church Stonnall painted by a Joan Jackson of Brownhills and which hangs in the vestry of St. Peter’s Church, Stonnall.

I am doing voluntary work as a Church Recorder for NADFAS (National Society for Decorative and Fine Arts). I would be interested in finding out any History about the artist and her work.

I have looked on the internet and came across your website.

Thank you in anticipation.

I don’t know very much about Joan, as we visited infrequently, and I tended to gravitate more towards her husband, Les.

What do I think I know?

The birth of Joan Davies was registered in the first quarter of 1920 at Cannock, Staffordshire, indicating date of birth in that quarter or towards the end of 1919, though I believe a period of six months was allowed.  From recollection, Joan was local to Brownhills, so she was probably born somewhere north of Watling Street and west of Howdles Lane.  The precise date and location could be found out by obtaining a copy of the Entry of Birth from the General Register Office (GRO), reference:  1920 Jan-Feb-Mar Cannock 6b 1193.

In the spring of 1946 Joan married Leslie Albert Jackson (GRO ref:  1946 Apr-May-Jun Cannock 6b 1171).  After marrying, Joan and Les moved into number 43 Chapel Street, generally known as the back lane, which I believe Les had inherited from his grandmother.

Les (1919-1996) was an engineer of some considerable ability and was suitably rewarded by his employer Parsons, for whom he designed, among other things, turbines for generating electricity in power stations.  As a hobby, he also made astronomical telescopes, including the lenses, from scratch. While there they were close friends with my parents and together they would go dinghy sailing, walk on Cannock Chase, and play cards, a favourite being canasta.

Joan, I think I recall, had some kind of office job that was also quite well paid, so, having no children and no mortgage, they were comfortably off, though ostentation was not their thing. Joan was relatively tall, slender and had fair hair, which she always wore short: definitely a practical sort, but although she stood for little nonsense, always seemed warm and friendly.

There were no children, and I never knew anything about family on either side.

As I recall it, Joan only took up painting upon retirement, probably in 1985.  By then they had moved to 9 Watling Street, at the eastern corner of Watling Street, Dawes Lane, just down from Knaves Castle.  I only went there a few times, the last when Joan was rather tipsy, but I do remember there was a wall covered with her works, all framed by Les.  They included landscapes, among which were several in Wales, local scenes and still life. After that we lost touch and when I enquired someone else was living at 9 Watling Street, but they were unable to say what happened to them.

I am reasonably confident that Les died aged 77 in 1996 (GRO ref: 1996 Oct Walsall A52A 0751A 84).

What became of Joan, or her paintings, or, indeed, Les’s telescopes, I have no idea.

So, does anyone know more?  If you can help, please contact me through the contact page, or directly to andrewskindred at gmail dot com.

The Hussey Estate is normally a peaceful corner of Brownhills. Image kindly shared by Steve Martin.

Worrying news from a good pal of the blog Simon who lives on the Hussey Estate in Brownhills – on Thursday night (3rd August 2017) he had his car vandalised, with two tires punctured and the paintwork keyed.

Simon said:

Hi Bob.

Not sure whether you want to put a message on the blog but I’ve woken up this morning to find my car has been key scratched and two tyres sabotaged meaning I have to get replacements.

Parked outside by house on the Hussey Estate and clearly deliberate damage.

Simon

Simon would like to warn other readers about this and is enquiring to see if anyone else suffered similar damage? The Hussey Estate is normally a peaceful place and this seems unusual to me – the damage has cost nearly £500 and seems pointless and unwarranted.

This is a fairly unusual local development and it really does need nipping in the bud as soon as possible. Anyone with information on this particular incident or any others is urged to contact West Midlands Police by dialling 101 or you can speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Birch Coppice is all that remains of woodland that once stretched all the way to the old railway at Engine Lane, but was obliterated by the clay pit. Imagery from Bing! Maps.

I’ve had a really interesting enquiry in from reader Luke Statham, who’s a geocacher and would like to place some caches in Birch Coppice, the woodland that sits behind the Hussey Estate off Coppice Lane, Brownhills, wedged in there between the old railway at the back of the Potclays former landfill site.

Luke wrote:

Good Morning Bob,

I’m reaching our for your help if possible. I’m trying to find out who owns the woodland behind my grandad’s house in Albion Road, Brownhills. I have attached a map showing the area. I wondered with your local knowledge, whether you would know who the land belongs too? I’m not sure whether it is privately owned or owned by Walsall Council.

The reason for my query is, myself, wife and son are into Geocaching – and we would like to place some caches around the area. Before placing we have to sought permission from the land owner first. Walsall Council, do sound quite obliging towards Geocachers but i’m not sure if they own this piece of land?

Hope that you can help.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,
Luke Statham

I’ll be absolutely honest here: I have no idea whatsoever. I don’t believe it’s the council, as I’ve never seen it referred to by the Greenspaces team, nor have I ever seen the area maintained by them; for my money it’s either owned by Potclays (see their site here) or Wallace Estates of Little Wyrley, who I believe own much of the common between Brownhills and Lime Lane.

This one’s a bit of a faff to try the Land Registry, so if anyone knows that would be a real help cheers.

Thanks to Luke for a really interesting question – if you can help, please do. Either comment here or mail me: BorwnhillsBob at Googlemail dot com. Thanks.

Looking like a great event! Get your tickets fast.

Long term readers will remember the annual music and fun festival that’s taken place on the smallholding just off the A5 at Newtown, Brownhills – formerly called Cockfest (because it took place on a chicken farm).

This year it’s seen some changes and is now called A5 live, and takes place from Friday 4th August to Sunday 6th August 2017, and tickets are now on sale.

Martin Payton, the organiser, had this to say:

Hi Bob

With only a few weeks to go until A5live 2017 attention is all on ticket sales and promotion, tickets are selling fast but we only can have 499 people on site so I would advise prior purchase of tickets to guarantee your admittance!

Do not miss out and forget it as its for Macmillan Cancer Support and will be a great local event.

The event will feature live music Friday, Saturday and Sunday and there will also be a classic/motorsport car display, custom bikes and scooters along with live mobile firing range, a falconry display as well as other things to be confirmed.

Line up for A5live 2017

Friday August 4th, start 6pm

• Arran page (acoustic music)
• Pollen (punk, jazz, hip hop)
• Big Wolf Band ( Blues rock)
• The live wire (britpop, ska,soul, 90s)

Saturday August 5th, Start 4pm

• Soul child (soul with blues twist)
• Ties unbroken (indie, 60s to present)
• Skyfoil (acoustic rock)
• White Tyger (classic rock/soft metal classics)
• Funk & disorderly (funky soul and blues)

Large bar and restaurant will cater for food and drink.

Tickets now on sale via PayPal – Friday evening £5, a Saturday day pass is £10, Sunday until close £5 and a weekend pass just £17.50.

For tickets, mail a5livefestival@hotmail.com

Email confirmation will be sent with unique ticket number for wristband

You can get also get tickets from the Chase Inn, call the hotline on  07487 770008 or contact the crew via the A5 Live Facebook page here.

I wish everyone the best for this and it’s always good to see money raised for MacMillan, one of my favourite charities.

Okenty to see and do at this great family festival – and it’s right here in Brownhills.

Update 5:45pm – Thanks to reader Scott for letting us know that traffic on the Pelsall Road is now moving freely.

However, old pal of the blog Barry Carpenter has posted that there’s been a serious RTA in Aldridge:

Massive RTA just now corner Anchor Meadow Leighswood Road. 31/07/2017 approx. 17.30 hrs please avoid if possible.

Thanks for all the info, and people, be careful out there.

Cheers
Bob

The scene of the accident. Image kindly supplied by Vicky Devine.

Late this afternoon Monday 31st July 2017, there has been a road traffic accident between two cars at the junction of Pelsall Road and Coppice Side, Brownhills.

Considerable delays are building up in the area, which is best avoided.

It appears that an Audi collided with a Vauxhall Meriva at the junction, hitting a telegraph pole in the process. This has caused a local loss of telephone and broadband connections.

Emergency services have been in attendance and there are not currently thought to be any serious injuries.

Thanks to the divine Vicky for the tipoff.

Ian Neville is surely worthy of a local hero award. Image from the Pride of Britain website.

Anyone from Brownhills or the surrounding area will know local fundraiser, poet and character Ian Neville – well, this is an invitation from Ian’s friend Pete Sutton, who’s suggested we all nominate Ian for the Pride of Birmingham 2018 awards, in recognition of his fundraising efforts.

Ian works hard for a number of charities, particularly the Midlands Air Ambulance and the local Remembrance Parade Appeal. You’ll all remember Ian’s book of poetry he compiled for charity, and of events like his sponsored bike ride into Birmingham on the canal.

A great national recognition scheme for people working hard in the community.

I think Ian is highly deserving of this award, and agree wholeheartedly with Pete, who said:

Ladies and Gentlemen of Brownhills…

I have today nominated Ian NEV Neville for a Pride of Britain local hero award.

Don’t forget Ian’s book of poetry is still available too!

Ian’s a well known local lad and top bloke! Image from his Facebook page.

I admire Linda’s writing: Unflincing, straight up and to the point.

It’s time, I think for one of my period posts to draw attention to the excellent, incisive and beautifully written work of fellow local blogger and old online pal Linda Mason, aka The Mad Old Baggage.

Linda has written a couple of blog posts recently that I think are worth reading if you have any interest in local, current affairs. I’m sure readers will be aware that following a sudden rash of serious crime in Aldridge including bank robberies and the tragic, awful murder of James Brindley there has been a great deal of concern about law and order in the area, with a particular focus on policing.

To this end, there has been a very well attended community meeting at Aldridge Community Centre which was very professionally organised; there has also been much discussion, particularly on Facebook. Linda wrote up her experience of the meeting, and some of her views upon it, to a generally positive reception, although the article appeared to cause disquiet in some quarters.

That post is well worth a read. and you can read it by clicking here.

In the context of this, and of Linda’s other current concern, the proposed sundial on The Croft, Linda has written a subsequent post about the nature of community, activism and the general community conversation, and those who seek to represent us and out views. I commend this to anyone with an interest in democracy and community.

Years ago, what seems to be a lifetime ago, I wrote the following of politicians, and appointed ‘community leaders’, those who I saw as self-appointed or otherwise:

Remember, none of these people were elected by a majority of their constituents; they are mostly complete amateurs and make decisions about how to spend large amounts of your cash, with little experience of development. We need to keep an eye on what they’re up to.

Whilst this clumsy, lumbering paragraph hasn’t become any more elegant over time (like my writing skills, which if anything have worsened) the sentiment remains true: Democracy and accountability are key to community harmony, and that means involving everyone we can when listening to, and speaking for our communities and not just serving the people in our immediate audience.

I salute anyone working for the community, particularly those working hard to heal and address community concerns in Aldridge and understand how hard it is, but like Linda posits, that doesn’t come without responsibilities and some concerns.

Read Linda’s wonderfully eloquent piece by clicking here, and whilst you may or may not agree you will. I feel, acknowledge that it’s a thought provoking, sharply observed piece of work that requires consideration.

Linda remains one of the best local writers and I stand with her in the view she expressed here. It’s great when communities come together, and that’s the way to effect change. But we must be considerate, accountable and democratic in our approach, and above all, totally open.

A fun day in school holidays – what’s not to love?

Just a heads to point out there’s a Big Bounce family fud day taking place at Holland Park, Brownhills on Wednesday, 9th August 2017, as well as others over the school holidays throughout the area, including next Monday 31st August at Aldridge.

It’s £6 per child, with under fives at £5 – there are two sessions, 11-1:30pm and 2-4:30pm.

There will be rides, inflatables, slides, go-karts and all sorts of fun, including a toddler zone.

You can check out the Facebook page of the event operator here.

The organisers said:

Big Bounce Walsall is heading to Holland Park, Brownhills this summer holiday on Wednesday 9th August.

The cheap and affordable fun day hosts more rides & inflatables than ever before with over a dozen inflatables & interactive games for all ages of children to play, slide, bounce, jump and race, you will never want the fun to end!

Here are just a few:
– **New** 100ft Energy Assault Course
– **New** Chair-O-Planes
– **New** Helter Skelter Slide
– Junior Go-Karts
– Wipeout Sweeper
– The Ultimate Challenge Assault Course
– Gladiator Duel
– 30ft High Mega Slide
– Toddler Zone
– Disco Dome
– Plus Much More!
Oh, and don’t forget the character meet & greet

This is not to be missed. If I were not at work, I’d be there.

I’d like to share the following event with readers that takes place this coming Monday (31st July 2017) at Aldridge Library – an illustrated talk on Passchendaele and it’s local connections by Aldridge Great War historians Sue Satterthwaite and Len Boulton.

Aldridge Library said:

On Monday 31st July, 10.30am Aldridge Library will host a special event to coincide with the 100th Anniversary of the Third Battle of Passchendaele –  an illustrated talk by Sue Satterthwaite and Len Boulton of the Aldridge Great War Project which will consider the moving stories of local people who took part in the battle.

These two historians are remarkable in both knowledge and dedication, and the talk is sure to be fascinating. It takes place at Aldridge Library in Rookery Lane and starts at 10:30am. The talk is free, but booking is advised: either call in or phone 01922 655569.

Once again I am indebted to Linda Mason, who drew my attention to this and who, with regard to other matters has written a couple of really important blog posts in the last few weeks, which I shall address over the coming weekend. Stay tuned.

The A461 Brownhills High Street is a busy, heavily used road. Good to see it finally getting some love. Archive image from 365days.

Thanks to top bloke and local Councillor Steve Wade who’s sent me copies of letters to residents, I can share the news that throughout August, with Brownhills High Street and the Miner Island and it’s junctions will be resurfaced.

This is great news as both have been in a bad state for a very long time and I’m pleased particularly that the potholes the island will be sorted at last.

All work will take place overnight between the hours of 8pm-6am to minimise disruption, which will be a bit awkward for residents, but noisy work is to be kept to pre-midnight schedules where possible.

No work will take place at weekends.

The first package of work on the island on the Chester Road side will run from 1st-7th August 2017, with the second batch on the Pelsall Road side from 8th-11th August 2017.

The work on High Street will be from Tuesday 15th August to Friday 25th August 2017.

I have included the letter to residents below – don’t hesitate to contact the man in charge, Gary Chalk with any enquires or questions. You can call Gary on (01922) 654393 or email him hereGary.chalk@walsall.gov.uk.

I must say I welcome the current road improvements and resurfacing work throughout Walsall. it’s very much overdue. My thanks to the Council for finally getting a handle on it.

Overnights for a couple of weeks in August, this chap will be watching over heavy machinery. Wonder if they’ll borrow his pickaxe? Archive image from 365days.

THE OCCUPIER
Our Ref:: GC 01
Date: 21st July 2017
Please Ask For: Gary Chalk
Direct Line: (01922) 654393
Email: Gary.chalk@walsall.gov.uk

Dear Resident / Business

Carriageway Resurfacing Work: A452 Tin Man roundabout Brownhills.

Walsall MBC is to carry out carriageway resurfacing at the above location as part of its highway maintenance programme. The works have been organised by the Council’s Highways Maintenance Group and will be carried out by Tarmac Ltd.

The aim of the work is to strengthen the road construction and provide a new running surface along with all the associated road markings. The planned works will make use of modern surfacing materials, which will reduce road noise and spray.

To ensure the safety of our employees and the general public the above work will be carried out in two phases by completing work on one half of the roundabout at a time.

Phase 1: B4155 Lichfield Road Side of Roundabout.

The roundabout will be closed at its junction with Chester Road North and Lichfield Road.
Traffic will be diverted to access the roundabout from A4124 Pelsall Road and A452 High St.

Temporary traffic signals will be in operation to manage vehicles across the roundabout.

Please beware that The Parade will also be closed at its junction with Chester Road North due to the resurfacing extending a short distance along the Chester Road North during this phase.

Work will commence on Tuesday 1st August to Monday 7th August 2017 from 8.00pm to 06.00am

No work is planned to be carried out at weekends, however this may be subject to change to ensure that we meet the target finish date.

Phase 2 A4124 Pelsall Road side of Roundabout.

The roundabout will be closed at is its junction with A4124 Pelsall Road. Traffic will be diverted to access the roundabout from A452 Chester Road North, B4155 Lichfield Road and A452 High St Brownhills.

Temporary traffic signals will be in operation to manage vehicles across the roundabout

Work will commence on Tuesday 8th August to Friday 11th August 2017 from 8.00pm to 06.00am.

No work is planned to be carried out at weekends, however this may be subject to change to ensure that we meet our ongoing maintenance programme.

Our aim is carry out the more disruptive and noisier part of our operation, i.e. removing the existing carriageway surface from 8.00pm to 12 midnight, with the much quieter operation of laying the new surface taking place from midnight onwards. We will endeavour to complete the work within the given time scale, providing that weather conditions are favourable.

Access for emergency services will be maintained at all times where possible.

Every effort will be made to ensure noise pollution is kept to a minimum, we would ask for your understanding and co-operation to allow the works to be carried out safely. If you should have any queries or anticipate problems caused by the works please contact Gary Chalk on the above telephone number.

As the sun sets, work will begin. Unpleasant while it lasts, but the benefit should be worthwhile. Archive image from 365days.

Our Ref:: GC 01
Date: 21st July 2017
Please Ask For: Gary Chalk
Direct Line: (01922) 654393
Email: Gary.chalk@walsall.gov.uk

Dear Resident / Business

Carriageway Resurfacing Work: A452 High St, Brownhills.
From: Tin Man Roundabout to Silver St.

Walsall MBC is to carry out carriageway resurfacing at the above location as part of its highway maintenance programme. The works have been organised by the Council’s Highways Maintenance Group and will be carried out by Tarmac Ltd.

The aim of the work is to strengthen the road construction and provide a new running surface along with all the associated road markings. The planned works will make use of modern surfacing materials, which will reduce road noise and spray.

To ensure the safety of our employees and the general public, the above work will be carried out by utilising a night time only road closure. Localised diversion routes will be in operation for through traffic.

Work will commence on Monday 14th August to Friday 25th August 2017 from 8:00pm to 6:00am.

It is anticipated that no work will be carried out at weekends.

Our aim is carry out the more disruptive and noisier part of our operation, i.e. removing the existing carriageway surface from 8.00pm to 12 midnight, with the much quieter operation of laying the new surface taking place from midnight onwards. We will endeavour to complete the work within the given time scale, providing that weather conditions are favourable.

Access for emergency services will be maintained at all times where possible. Please note there will be no on street parking along High St during the above working hours.

Every effort will be made to ensure noise pollution is kept to a minimum, we would ask for your understanding and co-operation to allow the works to be carried out safely. If you should have any queries or anticipate problems caused by the works please contact Gary Chalk on the above telephone number.

Walsall Wood High Street – could be tricky today. Archive image from 365days.

Thanks to the press folks at Walsall Council for flagging this one up this afternoon – sadly I’m only just able to post it on the blog, but there will be temporary traffic signals operating on the A461 Walsall Wood High Street today (Thursday, 27th July 2017).

They will be functional by 9:30am and will continue throughout the day, for as long as they are needed to allow an emergency culvert repair.

I’m not sure how or if this work will impact the resurfacing going on here at nights currently, but it’s good to see them digging it up before, not after the new surface is laid.

It’s possible delays will be caused to peak time journeys, so if you can avoid the area on the way home, it’s suggested you do so.

Sorry for the late notice.

Hot off the press unit at Walsall Council.

1993: Tracey Taundry, Syvlia Myatt and Paul Burton as the Executioner

1993: David Capewell as Cardinal Wolsey

1993: Miriam Downes and Myself

1996: Newspaper clipping showing Paul Burton and Jean Taundry

1996: Paul Burton as Merlin, Myself and Miriam Downes

1993: Sue Capewell as Henry 8th

1996: Newspaper clipping showing Jean Taundry on the float

1993: Sue Capewll having her beard put on

A couple of weeks ago, old pal of the blog Lisa Ashby sent in a wonderful article with some great supporting pictures showing her involvement in the Brownhills Carnivals of the late 80s and early 90s.

There was a very positive reaction to Lisa’s warm and evocative recollections, and I’m pleased to be able top feature the second part today, detailing Lisa’s memories of the 1993 and 1996 parades.

Lisa of course sent in the wonderful footage of Reg Morris eating daffodils and also undertook the remarkable photo restoration for reader Janet I posted a few weeks ago.

We have surprisingly little material relating to local carnivals – we have the early Pritchard footage of course, so wonderfully lit up by Great Grandfather of the blog Aer Reg Fullelove, and the stunning gallery by Peter Booth, but not much else.

Thanks to Lisa who’s contributed so much to the blog over the years – she really is a star.

If you can add to it, or have any other material you’d like to share, I’d love to see it. Comment here or mail me: BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com. Thanks!

Lisa Ashby wrote:

1996: Putting the float together

Hi Bob,

Following on from my first article, here are some photos from the 1993 and 1994 carnivals which the B-CASS Disabled Centre entered.

In 1993 we decided to do a float based on the Court of Henry VIII. For weeks leading up to the carnival my mum, Miriam Downes and I made the costumes. We scoured all the charity chops and jumble sales we could to find any curtains pretty enough to make the dresses. I made the ladies’ hats by covering cardboard in material that matched the dresses and sewing them to a load of headbands we had bought from Ray’s Indoor Market. We spent an awful lot of time on the costumes to make sure they looked authentic and just as long getting the float decorations ready.

Our friend and long term member, Susan Capewell, wanted to play Henry VIII and as she was in a wheel chair my dad used a child’s wooden cot to make a frame that went around her and we decorated it to look like a throne. As Sue had to look the like Henry, she had her hair cut and we saved the clippings and on carnival day we glued them to her face to make a beard. I made her costume out of velvet and she truly looked amazing. Her husband, David Capewell, played Cardinal Wolsey.

So on carnival day, after all the hard work we had put in, we were very disappointed to be given 2nd place. We were told later that it was because we had ‘hired our costumes’. Although I was a bit put out that we had come 2nd because of ‘hired costumes’ I couldn’t help but feel a bit fabulous that they thought our hand sewn costumes looked so professional.

In 1996, which was the last we entered, and may be the last Brownhills Carnival, we finally won with our King Arthur float. Our friend Jean Taundry played King Arthur and I created her ‘chain mail’ outfit my knitting her a tunic, seemed like a great idea at the time, but with the blazing sun, Jean was cooking under her costume. My dad made Excalibur and my mum made a ‘rock’ cunningly crafted from a box, chicken wire and papier mache. Not much planning was needed for this float as the decorations and dresses were salvaged from previous carnivals.

Apart from Arthur’s costume, all that had to be made was Merlin’s (played by Paul Burton) costume and I again hand sewed it and made the beard, Merlin’s staff was a branch off one of the trees which we had cut down as it hung over our centre in Lindon Drive.

Hope you and your readers found this interesting, it has been great revisiting all those great times.

All the best,
Lisa

Looking like a great event! Get your tickets fast.

Long term readers will remember the annual music and fun festival that’s taken place on the smallholding just off the A5 at Newtown, Brownhills – formerly called Cockfest (because it took place on a chicken farm).

This year it’s seen some changes and is now called A5 live, and takes place from Friday 4th August to Sunday 6th August 2017, and tickets are now on sale.

Martin Payton, the organiser, had this to say:

Hi Bob

With only a few weeks to go until A5live 2017 attention is all on ticket sales and promotion, tickets are selling fast but we only can have 499 people on site so I would advise prior purchase of tickets to guarantee your admittance!

Do not miss out and forget it as its for Macmillan Cancer Support and will be a great local event.

The event will feature live music Friday, Saturday and Sunday and there will also be a classic/motorsport car display, custom bikes and scooters along with live mobile firing range, a falconry display as well as other things to be confirmed.

Line up for A5live 2017

Friday August 4th, start 6pm

• Arran page (acoustic music)
• Pollen (punk, jazz, hip hop)
• Big Wolf Band ( Blues rock)
• The live wire (britpop, ska,soul, 90s)

Saturday August 5th, Start 4pm

• Soul child (soul with blues twist)
• Ties unbroken (indie, 60s to present)
• Skyfoil (acoustic rock)
• White Tyger (classic rock/soft metal classics)
• Funk & disorderly (funky soul and blues)

Large bar and restaurant will cater for food and drink.

Tickets now on sale via PayPal – Friday evening £5, a Saturday day pass is £10, Sunday until close £5 and a weekend pass just £17.50.

For tickets, mail a5livefestival@hotmail.com

Email confirmation will be sent with unique ticket number for wristband

You can get also get tickets from the Chase Inn, call the hotline on  07487 770008 or contact the crew via the A5 Live Facebook page here.

I wish everyone the best for this and it’s always good to see money raised for MacMillan, one of my favourite charities.

Okenty to see and do at this great family festival – and it’s right here in Brownhills.

Walsall Wood Remembrance Parade and Service are always well attended. Image from the Parade Appeal Facebook page.

Here’s a very important appeal from Lee Bragginton of the 1st Walsall Wood Scout Group, who like all other folks involved with local Remembrance Parades, is appealing for help and donations so the Walsall Wood Parade can take place this year.

Options are available for individual donations online or by post, and Lee is also interested in any businesses locally who may be able to assist with sponsorship or other means.

Walsall Wood is unique in the area in being the only afternoon parade and one of the few that has no associated British Legion help.

The rights and wrongs of the current situation have been gone over many times, but we are where we are and donations are required. For my take on this situation, see this post and those linked from it.

Lee said:

Bob

Like other parades in the Walsall Borough, Walsall Wood parade needs to raise funds in order to continue in it’s traditional format.

Unlike other parades however, we have no Royal British Legion involvement in our parade and it is organised and funded by the youth organisations themselves.

We welcome any contact from any local businesses, organisations and individuals who may be willing to support our cause in any way.

See details of how to help below.

We will be holding a joint youth organisation fundraising car wash later in the year towards the parade.  Details will follow.

Thanks
Lee Bragginton

Group Scout Leader
1St Walsall Wood Scout Group
WWW.WALSALLWOODSCOUTS.ORG.UK

It’s not a huge event, but small, intimate and very community focused. . Image from the Parade Appeal Facebook page.

Walsall Wood Remembrance Parade needs your support to continue!

Our parade only receives a small contribution from Walsall Council in order for our parade to take place; we rely on donations in order to pay for this event to take place for the benefit of the youth and other members of our local community.

You can donate on our MyDonate page here.

You can also keep updated on our Facebook page here.

If you prefer, postal donations can be made using the form available here (also at the foot of this post).

Contact Lee Braggibnton: gsl@walsallwoodscouts.org.uk or call on 0844 414 2438

38th Walsall (1st Walsall Wood) Scout Group; Registered charity 1133604. C/0 50 Longacres, Hednesford, Cannock, WS121LD

You can print this form out and use for postal donations – please send to 38th Walsall (1st Walsall Wood) Scout Group, C/0 50 Longacres, Hednesford, Cannock, WS121LD