They know what’s good for us

Posted on December 9, 2014 by BrownhillsBob
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Some stuff never changes. It doesn’t have to be like this. Cartoon by Ros Asquith.

This post will probably raise a few eyebrows, but I’d just like to draw the attention of readers who live in the Aldridge-Brownhills constituency to the fact that the person very likely to be their next MP is currently being selected by the local Conservative Party as Tory prospective parliamentary candidate for the 2015 general election.

This is happening because our current MP, Richard Shepherd, is stepping down at the next election. Shepherd was returned last time with a majority of over 15,000, which is pretty much unassailable, and even with UKIP circling around like flies around a fresh cowpat, it’s hard to envisage our next parliamentary representative being anything other than a Tory. Particularly since their candidate seems to be the first living survivor of a charm bypass operation.

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Pelsall MP hopeful posing outside public loos whilst brandishing a well-used tool. I find it inexplicable, but the ladies of Pelsall seem to enjoy it.

With that in mind, I noted this post on the Tory Pravda ConservativeHome yesterday. This risible bit of ‘journalism’ which searches far an wide for it’s description of candidates and their ‘hobbies’ (well, as far as Twitter biographies) points out the Tory shortlist is now down to four: three outsiders, and one local. The local is Councillor Marco Longhi, currently a serving Walsall Councillor, living in and representing Pelsall (which is in the Aldridge-Brownhills constituency).

The comments on the Conservative Home post are telling: we, as a constituency don’t need or want a local; a local could barely tie their own shoelaces. An observer who thinks a man who knows the area would be most suited to the role is accused of not being a real Tory.

These people – and from what I’m hearing, the central party – want to foist on us a candidate who doesn’t know the area. We’ve had one of those for the last 35 years – Richard Shepherd. Richard has always made it clear whom he serves, and I really would like to see someone who knows and cares about the constituency represent us for a change.

Marco Longhi is a eurosceptic Tory. I personally wouldn’t vote for him, and am diametrically opposed to him politically. But I know, deep down, a Tory is most likely to win here, and although I’m holding my nose, if I were to choose the next Tory candidate, I’d prefer it was him. Marco is open to debate, passionate about serving the public, doesn’t run away when challenged on social media and has the decency to face down those who disagree with him. I have challenged him many times and he’s always had the decency to debate with me.

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Somewhere in Walsall, The Plastic Hippo is reading this. His mouth is opening and closing, but not saying anything.

Marco knows the area and his kids are at school here, and he doesn’t need an A-Z to find Brownhills. Although a Tory, I believe him to be a decent chap – with whom I’m politically at odds, but nonetheless, I respect him. He works hard for Pelsall and I believe he’s more likely to do that for Aldridge-Brownhills than any of the other three careerist opportunists.

From the comment on the ConservativeHome post, it’s clear that the lumpen Tory party don’t share my view. Perhaps local Tories who’re selecting their candidate this Saturday would reflect on this: what matters most – the careers of outsiders and party conniving, or local representation for local people?

Selection is not a public matter and we don’t get a vote or say. But I do get to voice an opinion publicly, and this is it. I want the next MP here to be Labour. I will vote Labour. But if we’re to end up with a Tory MP, I’d rather it was Marco Longhi, because frankly, he gives a shit – and I’ve seen enough of the slimy, insincere parachute candidates in other Walsall seats already. It’s going to be a long, long time until May.

Of course, one of the side effects of Marco becoming MP would be Pelsall’s crowing would reach almost unbearable levels. Those people really need to understand they really only exist to stop Brownhills and Blakenall meeting…

Thankfully, the hapless Dr. Teck Khong doesn’t seem to have made the shortlist. Can’t think why…

I’m off for a lie down, I’ve come over all peculiar.

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

The boys are back in town this Wednesday!

Posted on December 9, 2014 by BrownhillsBob

If the kids are re-united: The Brigade faithful reassemble for a group photo in March, 2012. The cream of Walsall Wood. Assemble your own joke here… Image supplied by an anonymous reader(!).

Here’s a great thing happening this Wednesday (10th December 2014) at Oak Park Football Clubhouse, from 7:30pm – the Christmas reunion of Walsall Wood Boys Brigade.

The young David Evans dropped me a line a couple of days ago and asked me to give it a plug – it will be a fine night, and one of several such events held at the club in recent years.

David wrote:

HI Bob,

Local lad Ivor Osborne has asked me I would contact your blog, which I am delighted to do.

There is to be a Christmas Reunion of the good old boys of Walsall Wood Boys Brigade on Wednesday 10th December, in Walsall Wood Football Club’s posh clubhouse, from 7.30pm until way past cocoa time.

I am told that all old Walsall Wood brigaders, regardless of their present shape and condition will be very welcome to join in this joyful regular festive celebration, and that there will be ample parking space for mobility scooters, zimmer frames etc by the clubhouse in Oak Park, Walsall Wood.

I would be delighted if you are able to put this notice on your blog

kind regards, and my sincere thanks,
David

Readers may well remember the photo of the Brigade football team from the 1960s: any common faces spanning the years? Fine looking bunch of chaps, it would seem, in both pictures…

Comments here please, or by email if you prefer to BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com. Cheers.

Image of a happy looking soccer team from Walsall Wood Boys Brigade, some time in the 1960s. Reader David Evans sent this in for a previous post, linked above.

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Events, Features, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

High Standards

Posted on December 7, 2014 by BrownhillsBob

Sometimes I get material in to the blog that unexpectedly surprises and delights – and after a horrid week of too much work stuff, technical troubles and unreliable hardware this great contribution from John and Paul Anlsow is just what the local history doctor ordered.

The Anslow chaps have made some astounding  contributions to our record of local history and have created so much interest and debate here on the blog – they have worked on, and contributed to many absolutely remarkable articles on Walsall Wood history over the years here; from the movers and boneshakers of times passed, to the solemn gravity of child labour.

Yesterday, they sent me the following wonderful image of a group of children at St. John’s School in Walsall Wood, which they think is from the Edwardian era – but they really are open to contributions.

Take a look, what do you know? Comment here, or mail me – BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com. Cheers.

I’d like to thank Paul and John not only for a great piece of the local history jigsaw, but for restoring my faith after a troublesome week. Thanks, lads.

John Anslow wrote:

standards 6 & 7

Probably St. John’s School, Walsall Wood. Possibly in the Edwardian era. What do you think? Click for a larger version. Image courtesy of John and Paul Anslow.

Hello Bob,

Paul and I have been rummaging through boxes of old photographs again and we found this one that might be of interest. (attached)

Last June, you posted a photograph from the 1890s showing children at St John’s school near Streets Corner. I’m ashamed to say that I failed to identify my grandmother correctly in that picture: Paul assures me she is the child in the second row from the front, fourth from the left. She appears to be a little younger than the girl I pointed out, so the photograph might be older than I thought, possibly as early as 1897.

St John's School Walsall Wood 1900

Pretty sure this is the one in question. A wonderful image courtesy of John and Paul Anslow.

The picture that has come to light is of children in Standards 6 and 7, and we are convinced it too was taken at St John’s School, possibly in the Edwardian era. If you look at the brickwork and the windows, they appear identical to those in the picture you posted six months ago.

Neither of us remembers seeing this photograph when we were young, it wasn’t passed round at family gatherings as the first one was, and we can only guess, therefore, that it might have been given to our mother in more recent years, following the death of one of her cousins.

Paul thinks that it might have been among the possessions Ethel Lewis (née Jackson), who lived at Shire Oak and who died, we believe, in the 1970s.

Ethel (born 1895) was the daughter of our grandmother’s much older half-brother, Joe Jackson. The 1901 census shows his family living at Bradbury Cottage (It’s That Man Again!) two doors further up the hill from the Thatched Cottage at Streets Corner. There were three daughters and another three on the 1911 census, though one child, Laura, had died in 1908, aged 11.

1898

Image from John Anslow.

If the photograph dates from early 1900s, it might well include Ethel and one or more of her sisters; the only clues we have to the year are the hairstyles and dress of the older girls and teachers. An Internet search revealed this image of Parisian haute coiffure from 1898 (attached) so it might be possible to estimate the date of the school photograph from that. I realise  of course, it might have taken a few years for Paris to catch up with Walsall Wood!

As with all photographs of the period, everyone appears very solemn; there’s only one little girl in the middle of the fifth row back who shows even the hint of a smile. Contrary to rumours put about by the Americans, this had nothing to do with poor teeth: it was just that showing one’s teeth was thought to be a sign of aggression or even lunacy. Studying the picture carefully, I can see resemblances between some children and suspect there are several groups of sisters here.

I imagine that any current primary school teachers seeing this photograph will immediately recognize similarities between these children and their own classes: in some respects the past is not such a foreign country after all.

Thank you once again, Bob, for providing this forum for us to share and discuss our history.

Best wishes,

John Anslow

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

February 1991 – Senior Citizens fight for better lighting and attack Market Traders over parking

Posted on December 7, 2014 by BrownhillsBob
Brownhills Gazette Fbruary 1991 issue 17_000001

Brownhills Gazette February 1991 issue 17 – Back up to a storming 24 pages, some great stuff in here – Brownhills OAPs were in conflict with market traders, the extension to St. James Church was beset by difficulties, there was a successful blood donation drive plus a mention of the Local History Society… Please click for a larger version.

Continuing the scans of the Brownhills Gazette – I present issue 17 of the long lost freesheet, from February 1991 for you to peruse and download. I’ve had an incredible response to featuring these long, lost publications here on the blog.

David Evans, very kindly granted access to the archive held by former editor and contributor Brian Stringer, has been assiduously and conscientiously scanning them all. Every single issue. Every few days, I’m going to feature the next in the series.

I love the headline on this one – I trust the local OAPs weren’t literally attacking the traders, but this being Brownhills, anything is possible…

The cover article is good; there’s some outrage over the St. James Church extension works, a coupe of interesting letters from former ‘Conservative Independent’ group Councillor Ted Moorman and Cllr Doug Tomlinson, a picture from Aladdin that may prove embarrassing, more from Sally Davies in Africa and the blood donor drive Brian Stringer was so proud of.

There’s also an advert asking if we were ready for the year 2000. How long ago that seems now, and when this was published, there were still 9 years to go!

Brian Stringer was a brilliant editor who still knows his stuff, and campaigns relentlessly for the place he loves. Brian was clearly working hard and getting into his stride here.

The history of how the Brownhills Gazette came to exist has been detailed in this post thanks to the wonderful John Sylvester.

If other bloggers want to use this material, can you please drop me a line first? I don’t mind, there’s just sone stuff I’d like to clear about the usage, thanks.

Cheers to Brian and David for sharing a wonderful thing, that’s part of our community history.

If you have any memories, questions or observations please do comment or mail me – BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com.

Brownhills Gazette issue 17 February 1991 – PDF format

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Walsall Wood fight hard to beat Fenmen

Posted on December 7, 2014 by BrownhillsBob
Image courtesy David Evans.
Image courtesy David Evans.
Image courtesy David Evans.
Image courtesy David Evans.
Image courtesy David Evans.
Image courtesy David Evans.
Image courtesy David Evans.
Image courtesy David Evans.
Image courtesy David Evans.
Image courtesy David Evans.
Image courtesy David Evans.

Yesterday afternoon,  (Saturday, 6th December 2014), Walsall Wood FC travelled to the Fenland Stadium, and after yet another tense but enthralling match, Walsall Wood triumphed over the home side.

Bill Shaw submitted the following match report:

Hiya Bob,

Walsall Wood marched on, on the road to Wembley. Now only five games away, but this pulsating encounter could have gone either way. Every player on the park could stake a legitimate claim for man of the match but like last season’s encounter, it was the away team keeper, this time Mario Kisiel, who gave his team the win with a string of superlative saves.

Wisbech Town 2 v 3 Walsall Wood
F.A. Vase Round 3.

The Fenmen started the better, Steven Reid firing a first time effort over on five minutes. They had the ball in the net four minutes later, Neal Spafford tapping in a right wing free kick at the far post but it was ruled out by an offside flag.

For Wood, Harry Harris fired a free kick over the left angle on 13 minutes after a foul on Corey Currithers. Three minutes later Scott Johnson won a ball wide left and released Matthew Lunn into the box, Lee Stretton saving Walsall Wood with a superbly timed tackle.

Kisiel’s first superb save came on 20 minutes, a ball over the top into the left of the Wood box was collected at pace by Danny Beaumont, who cut back inside and hit a low drive towards the far post, the keeper making a full length stop.

On 25 minutes a lovely chip by Harry Harris over a static home defence gave Joey Butlin the chance to race for goal, only for him to be tripped 25 yards out; he fired the free kick into the defensive wall and then fired the rebound inches wide. The 30 minute mark saw Beaumont collect a ball on the right of the box, cut back across the face but Shawn Boothe got a touch on the ball and Stretton completed the clearance.

The opening goal came on 36 minutes, Butlin won the ball in the centre and made ground before finding Harris, he played the ball to the right edge to pick out Ben Evans who came back into the centre and fired a drive into the right hand corner past the despairing dive of keeper Lea Jordan.

Both sides played some neat approach play but it was Wood who went in ahead at the break.

It only took the Fenmen four minutes of the second half to equalise, a foul in the centre of the D saw Billy Smith fire an inch perfect free kick into the top left hand corner. It was now a humdinger of a cup tie with both sides looking dangerous, on 65 minutes Currithers worked a classic 1-2 wide left with Andre Gonzales and raced into the box but a great tackle by Nathan Horne stopped him in his tracks, the defender picking up an injury that saw him leave the field. The reply was immediate, Johnson crossing from wide left, Reid racing in to power a header goalwards, Kisiel making an amazing one handed save to push the ball over the bar.

The threatened breakthrough came on 79 minutes. Tom Evans won a right wing free kick which Harris delivered to the far post, Currithers headed the ball down only for keeper Jordan to somehow keep the effort out. Max Black was first to react to force the ball over the line, but  the lead lasted just two minutes. A right wing corner was delivered to the near post and was hit first time through a packed area, Kisiel pushing the ball away somehow, but only as far as Beaumont on the edge of the six yard box to boot home the second equaliser through a crowd of players.

A minute later Fraser Bayliss fired in a cross from the left, Stuart Cobb’s first time effort from 12 yards  brilliantly saved by a full length Kisiel, the ball fell awkwardly for skipper Jon Fairweather who could only screw the ball wide.

With both sets of supporters relishing another 30 minutes of extra time, Currithers cut inside from the left, played the ball across the face of the box to Butlin, he held the ball up superbly, turned outside his marker and drilled an unstoppable shot into the bottom right hand corner to put Wood in dreamland and break Town hearts.

This was a brilliant encounter that could have gone either way, but revenge is sweet and it was the Wood supporters who went home happy. Kisiel was outstanding, last season the Wisbech Town keeper was the saviour, it was the away team keeper again the star in 2014.

Seven days rest for Walsall Wood then, before Loughborough University visit Oak Park next Saturday.

Next round of the FA Vase – Saturday January 17th – draw takes place 12 noon Monday December 8th.

Bill Shaw.

My thanks to Bill for a great report – and for all those he selflessly writes and send to me after every match. They really are popular, and a credit to Bill and the club. Walsall Wood have a reputation for being a great, community spirited group of people and these reports demonstrate that – it’s an honour and joy to feature them here.

For the good of the Wood!

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Frozen Charity Christmas Party this afternoon in memory of Jamey Coleman

Posted on December 7, 2014 by BrownhillsBob

I’m indebted to the Walsall Advertiser for reminding me that this afternoon you can meet Anna and Elsa from Frozen and really let it go at a Frozen Christmas Party in aid of the Headway Charity, in memory of Brownhills hit and run victim Jamey Coleman.

It takes place from 2:30pm today (Sunday, 7th December 2014) at the Chase Inn, just on the A5 opposite the former Terrace Restaurant in Newtown, Brownhills. It’s £2 entry per child, and there will be loads of fun stuff – faceprinting, games, tombola and more.

If you’ve a little one who’d Frozen-mad it could be just the thing for an otherwise gloomy Sunday afternoon, and it’s all for a good cause.

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Let it gooOOOOOO…

Walsall pub’s Frozen fund-raiser held in memory of Brownhills hit-and-run victim Jamey Coleman
By Walsall Advertiser | Posted: December 06, 2014

Fund-raisers will be held at a Walsall pub in memory of a Brownhills hit-and-run victim.

Jamey Coleman was knocked down by a car on the A5 near Watling Street as he walked home from a night out on March 30.

Despite the best efforts of medics, Mr Coleman passed away in hospital after suffering serious head injuries. He was aged just 24.

Since the incident, his family have thrown their efforts behind fund-raising for Headway – the brain injury association.

So far, the family have raised almost £4,000 – and plan to raise more at a Frozen-themed charity Christmas party that takes place tomorrow (Sunday).

The Chase Inn, on Watling Street, will host the event from 2.30pm, which is £2 entry per child.

Families will be able to meet Princess Elsa and Anna and enjoy face painting, games and tombola.

And at 9pm on December 20, the pub will be raffling off a Christmas hamper worth over £100 and hosting further entertainment.

Tickets cost £5.

Tributes poured into popular Mr Coleman following his tragic death.

Bethany Ward, who was behind the wheel of the vehicle that struck Mr Coleman, was given a 16-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, in connection with the incident.

The 23-year-old had admitted failing to stop at a road accident, failing to report an accident and driving other than in accordance with her licence during a hearing at Walsall Magistrates’ Court in September.

Anyone who wants to donate to the family’s Justgiving page should visit https://www.justgiving.com/Jamey-Coleman/

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Please help find Caddy the cat!

Posted on December 6, 2014 by BrownhillsBob
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Have you seen Caddy? Image from Therese Gitner.

 

Here’s an urgent appeal for a lost cat that’s come in from Theresa Gitner on Facebook via Kathryn Reynolds of the Shire Oak group.

Lost ‘Caddy’, a white and black male shorthair cat, no collar, microchipped.

He’s people, dog and children friendly and has been neutered.

Last seen Brownhills Road near Walsall Wood JMI School, near Streets Corner, Walsall Wood.

Doesn’t normally wander at all. Please check garden sheds, garages, outbuildings etc.

Reward offered for information leading to getting Caddy home.

Call Theresa 07717 884 117

If you find puss, please dial the number above, comment here, mail me on BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com, or contact Theresa direct via Facebook.

Cheers all…

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Help get Caddy back to his family! Image from Theresa Gitner.

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Accident up on the A5 last night?

Posted on December 6, 2014 by BrownhillsBob

Anybody know what happened last night (Friday, 5th December 2014) – there seems to have been an accident?

This form the twitter feed of @BurntwoodCFR (that’s Burntwood’s fine Community First Responders – paramedic support).

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Walsall Wood away at Wisbech Town this afternoon

Posted on December 6, 2014 by BrownhillsBob
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Walsall Wood are playing a crunch match at the Fenland Stadium this afternoon. Image from the Wisbech Standard.

The Wood are away to Wisbech Town FC!

Stay tuned for news of this crucial FA Vase match!

Best of luck to the Woodmen from me and all the readers

Kick off is 3:00pm

Hopefully, a match report will follow…

For the Good of the Wood!

Check out Walsall Wood FC’s website here.

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I hear the Wood supporters have started to roll in…

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Isn’t technology wonderful?

Posted on December 6, 2014 by BrownhillsBob

Just a quick note – those who come to the blog via WordPress Reader, RSS and other feed-based systems (don’t worry if you don’t know what the hell I’m on about) may currently be experiencing difficulties reading the blog.

Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere. There are currently technical issues with the blog platform, which I’m assured the very best bespectacled, beard-stroking geeks are working hard to fix.

For those that keep an eye on the stats, you’ll have noticed they’re all over the place too. They are part of the problem. 

It’s been a frustrating couple of days, as much of the invisible stuff that supports the blog has been a bit shonky. Hopefully, things will return to normal soon.

Cheers
Bob

 

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January 1991 – Inspiration from cancer victim John

Posted on December 5, 2014 by BrownhillsBob
Brownhills Gazette January 1991 issue 16_000001

Brownhills Gazette January 1991 issue 16 – a slimmer issue of 16 pages following the Christmas rush. Fantastic cover story about a local cancer patient, local character Bill Ward and more from the bickering councillors. Please click for a larger version.

Continuing the scans of the Brownhills Gazette – I present issue 16 of the long lost freesheet, from January 1991 for you to peruse and download. I’ve had an incredible response to featuring these long, lost publications here on the blog.

David Evans, very kindly granted access to the archive held by former editor and contributor Brian Stringer, has been assiduously and conscientiously scanning them all. Every single issue. Every few days, I’m going to feature the next in the series.

This is an interesting issue – the Councillors were still bickering about the Wake Up Brownhills issue, and there’s more from Glyn Holloway on that. There was a heartwarming and positive lead story about local cancer patient John Edwards, and the archive section featured a very unusual police outing photo from 1950. Again, the adverts are worth a look. I’m curious about the ‘Brownhills Society’ on the front page, too.

Brian Stringer was a brilliant editor who still knows his stuff, and campaigns relentlessly for the place he loves. Brian was clearly working hard and getting into his stride here.

The history of how the Brownhills Gazette came to exist has been detailed in this post thanks to the wonderful John Sylvester.

If other bloggers want to use this material, can you please drop me a line first? I don’t mind, there’s just sone stuff I’d like to clear about the usage, thanks.

Cheers to Brian and David for sharing a wonderful thing, that’s part of our community history.

If you have any memories, questions or observations please do comment or mail me – BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com.

Brownhills Gazette issue 16 January 1991 – PDF format

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Pelsall Christmas Fayre this Saturday!

Posted on December 5, 2014 by BrownhillsBob
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Pelsall is famous for it’s carolling garden gnomes… Image from the event’s Facebook page.

Dawn Hadley and others from Pelsall have contacted me to ask me to give a plug for the Annual Christmas Fayre in aid of the Pelsall Branch of the Royal British Legion and the Poppy Appeal.

As many of you will know, I love a good fair and this one is always a cracker – I’ll be going if I get chance!

It takes place at the Community Centre in the village (Station Road, Pelsall WS3 4BQ),  Tomorrow, Saturday 6th December 2014 from 10am-4pm, and entry is free.

There will be loads of stalls, activities, refreshments – and no Christmas Fayre would be complete without Santa!

Dawn Hadley said:

Free admission for everyone, first 20 children through the door get a FREE selection box, many, many stalls, face painter and Santas Grotto… plus refreshments available

If you’ve any events you’d like me to give a plug to, just drop me an email at BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com. Cheers. Here to help.

Posted in Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Magic beans

Posted on December 4, 2014 by BrownhillsBob
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Ravens Court. Jam tomorrow, or it could just be a hill of beans. You decide.

Well, it seems congratulations are in order – Steve Craddock, UKIP councillor for Brownhills and the man whose holiday was more important than political control of a borough governing 269,000 people – has apparently brought us the bacon.

Or it could be a sack of magic beans, it’s hard to tell the difference.

Last week (24th November 2014) at Walsall Council there was a meeting of the bogglingly titled Business, Employment and Local Economy Scrutiny and Performance Panel, which was to consider a report on the possibility of compulsory purchase of Ravens Court, the embarrassingly derelict shopping precinct in Brownhills.

Ravens Court is privately owned by Mayfair based property company Lightquote, who having done a deal to sell the rotting edifice to Tesco for a new store in 2010, fell foul of the retail behemoth when they abandoned their plan.

The dingy, derelict square was steadily vacated, and still stands five years later, a testament to regeneration failure.

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Here’s the complexity of the ownership of Ravens Court. Walsall Council have agreed that they’d concede the central area to aid development if necessary.

Steve Craddock, UKIPs man on the ground gained councillorship in Brownhills last May, and has decided to take on the problem as his own, bless him. Despite previous petitions to request Walsall Council compulsory purchase the site, Steve’s big idea was yet another, as suggested earlier in the year by the Tory prospective councillor Vivienne Aston – and sunk in the water by John Bird earlier this year.

This was detailed in a report in the Express & Star on  the day of  the meeting:

Action to be taken against run-down Brownhills shopping centre if redevelopment plans not submitted

Enforcement action will be taken against owners of a run-down shopping centre in Brownhills if plans to redevelop the site are not submitted within six months, it has been proposed.

Ravenscourt Shopping Centre was at the centre of a failed multi-million pound supermarket revamp and now more than 500 people have signed a petition calling on Walsall Council to compulsory purchase the site with a view to ‘re-develop in keeping with Brownhills High Street’.

…

The petition, submitted by Brownhills councillor Stephen Craddock, was due to be discussed by the council’s business, employment and local economy scrutiny and performance panel at a meeting tonight.

…

Now, councillors are recommended to instruct officers to continue to work with the owners but to serve the planning enforcement notice if a planning application is not submitted within six months.

The compulsory purchase order to acquire the site would cost about £3 million, before anything was even done with it, and Walsall Council don’t have that kind of money – although, as is normal in such cases, they could well facilitate a deal if something was on the table. To buy the centre without a plan would be madness, and the authority just doesn’t have the cash.

It’s funny how small state Monetarist Capitalists like Vivienne Aston and Steve Craddock don’t believe the state should be involved in the free market until the free market they love bites them or their own communities on the backside, as it is doing here… then they’re all for public money bailing them out.

The phrase Merchant Bankers springs to mind.

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There might be an application in the next six months. Let’s all dance around our handbags.

At the moment, the site owners are under threat of legal action by Walsall Council, to force them to repair and return Ravens Court to good order. This is from the report to the committee:

Section 215 (Amenity Notice)

Planning officers have corresponded with the owners agents for several years regarding the appearance of the site but as negotiations failed to produce a solution on site it was considered necessary for the Council to take formal enforcement action to address impact upon amenity. Consequently a report was presented to the Planning Committee on 14th April 2014 under section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 which required:

  • Remove from the land to an authorised place of disposal all litter and fly tipped rubbish.
  • Repair or replace all of the existing timber security boarding on all elevations of the buildings and paint the exterior of the boards with a minimum of two coats of British Standard colour BS 18 B25 (Dark Grey). Ensure all openings are securely fixed to make certain the security of the building is not compromised.
  • Repair or replace all weathered fascias along the frontage of the overhanging canopies above the shop fronts.
  • Repair or replace all weathered fascia boarding on the front, side and rear elevations of the building. Paint the exterior of the fascia boarding with a minimum of two coats of external white paint.
  • Ensure all of the poorly maintained disused advertisement signage is either removed or repaired.
  • Remove all graffiti from the roller shutters and all external walls of the site.

The notice has not been served as the owner’s agents have met with officers and members in order to explore potential redevelopment of the site. However an appeal against the issue of a Section 215 notice can be made to the Magistrates Court and could be subject to an application for a full or partial award of the appellant’s costs in making an appeal if it was considered that the Council had acted unreasonably in issuing a notice.

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Anybody seen our Jack? From the Express & Star, Wednesday November 26th 2014.

Anyway, I digress. The meeting having taken place, at which the site agents presented a letter stating the intention of the owners to submit a planning application for redevelopment in 2015 – therefore, the Council held off the legal action under threat that if an application was not submitted within six months, they’re progress the legal action.

Not to be outdone, Steve was back in the paper the very next day, claiming responsibility for that, too – Steve says he’s been working with former Tory regeneration bumbler Adrian Andrew on this, although quite what they’ve actually done is a mystery.

So it seems Steve was apparently campaigning to have the council buy the site at the same time that he claims to have been sweet talking the owners into redeveloping it.

Er, wow.

Interesting to see such a close relationship between Walsall Tories and UKIP. That’s instructive. It’s doubly ironic, since many feel Adrian Andrew demonstrated his previous skill with the Tesco deal.

Since before Steve was a councillor, a plan has been talked about – my earliest recollection is January 2014. Walsall Council’s planning team will tell anyone who asks that they’ve already offered maximum concessions to the owners and agents to move any revamp forward. They cannot legally do any more.

Therefore, what the dynamic duo of Andrew and Craddock could possibly do above and beyond the existing offer is a total mystery.

Of course, all that has happened is that the owners have forestalled legal action for 6 months. There is no guarantee of an application, no guarantee that having submitted one that will be acted upon. Lightquote have had 3 years or more to do this, and come up with it just as they’re threatened with action? They must be praying they can sell the whole lot on – in which case, the whole process starts over. Either way, any development of this site is over a year away at best.

We are apparently to celebrate this achievement.

Meanwhile, the people really making a difference to Ravens court on the ground are Brownhills Town Centre Partnership who’ve bravely obtained donations of paint and equipment from local businesses to spruce the place up for the Christmas Market, for which I salute and thank them. The volunteers that are doing this are truly community spirited and should be publicly thanked.

I wonder if Lightquote donated to this?

Cyrus Vance, eat your heart out, boy…

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It’s hard to see who’d want to develop anything here now.

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Sandhills quarry consultation – get your objection in quickly

Posted on December 4, 2014 by BrownhillsBob
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JPE would like to expand Shire Oak Quarry. This is your chance to get in an objection. Imagery from Bing! Maps.

Heads up folks – here’s one I overlooked, but there’s still time to act as responses to the Sandhills Quarry inclusion in the Staffordshire New Minerals Local Plan closes on Friday 5th December 2014 – but it’s easy to respond online, and you can do it right now.

This is not a clear cut issue, so bear with me. Every council has to form several new local planning development policy documents by law. Last year, there was a bit of manufactured alarmism over the development plan for Walsall which was very similar in nature to this one, and had to consider a suggested development at Lanes Farm, Shire Oak.

Staffordshire County Council are currently consulting on a development plan for mineral extraction within the county. In this plan – which is a policy document – sites in which plans for such activity will be looked at favourably by later planning process are decided.

There will probably be pre-existing sites which the Authority will outline, but part of the process involves the compulsory opening to suggestion by anyone interested of any site at all. The Council then has to consider whether these additionally suggested sites will be included in the plan. If a site is suggested, and denied listing on the final plan, mineral extraction, quarrying or related activities will not be treated preferentially there, and most like be denied in any future application as non compliant with the plan.

One such site is at Sandhills, just on the south and east of Shire Oak. The former Hoveringham Quarry behind the Golds Garage is currently undergoing landfill with inert, pulverised rubble, due to finish in 2019, and is currently being operated by JPE.

JPE have proposed the expansion of the site into two areas – one immediately behind the houses at Sandhills and one on the east side towards Stonnall.

Minerals Plan1

The areas hatched in read are the proposed expansion to Sandhills Quarry. Image from letter sent to nearby residents by Staffordshire County Council.

Note that this is not a planning application, it’s not been approved and there’s no actual intention yet – this is purely a request by JPE to Staffordshire County Council for inclusion of the sites marked to be preferential in future applications – during which a separate planning process would still have to happen.

You can read more on the Council website here, and read the site profiles (Including Shire Oak) here.

There was a huge fuss earlier in the process when Tarmac LaFarge suggested the inclusion of the valuable and ecologically important Hopwas Hayes Wood. Unusually, this was withdrawn before consideration after public outrage.Sadly, many news sources reported this as a definite planning application (which it wasn’t) and completely misreported the process.  This has had the effect of dulling reaction of other applications for consideration, including one that would otherwise have caused outrage at nearby Hints Quarry.

A cynic may well suggest that was the intention all along.

It’s very much worthwhile objecting to the Sandhills application now; if Sandhills is not included in the finalMinerals Local Plan for Staffordshire, expansion of the quarry is highly unlikely to happen in future.

You can respond to the plan by following this link and filling out the survey – it’s quick and easy. You can also email the council your response by clicking here planning@staffordshire.gov.uk.

The letter sent to nearby residents says the following:

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to you because developers have recently submitted a site option situated near to where you live at Shire Oak Quarry (see plan overleaf), for consideration in the preparation of the new Minerals Local Plan.

The new Minerals Local Plan for Staffordshire will provide policies to be used in deciding planning applications for mineral development and will identify suitable land for mineral working. The County Council has recently consulted on a draft Minerals Local Plan and in response, developers have proposed the site option at Shire Oak Quarry for inclusion in the Plan.

We want to ensure that information about the additional site options are made available to local residents and invite you to send your comments on the site options before the County Council prepares its final draft of the new Minerals Local Plan. For more information about the site options, please refer to www.staffordshire.gov.uk/planning and use the link to our ‘Consultation Portal’.

Comments can be submitted directly by using the online survey form or alternatively you can send your comments via email or post using the above contact details. Please note that you can use IT facilities free of charge in the reception area of Staffordshire Place, and at local libraries.

We would be pleased to receive your comments by Friday, 5 December 2014.

Yours faithfully,

Matthew Griffin
Team Leader- Minerals Planning Policy

Minerals Plan

Letter sent to residents. Participate if you can – it’s quick and easy. Click for a larger version.

Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, It makes me mad!, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

December 1990 – Villagers fight traffic nightmare (and a Very Merry Christmas!)

Posted on December 2, 2014 by BrownhillsBob
Brownhills Gazette November 1990 issue 14 – Biggest issue yet at 28 pages, and lots of follow-upcontent about the 'Wake Up Brownhills' campaign, Please click for a larger version.

Brownhills Gazette December 1990 issue 15 – 28 pages, and of course, it was Christmas. Still great campaigning, ‘Wake Up Brownhills’ followup, and a letter from local charity fundraiser and character Reg Morris. Please click for a larger version.

[Update 1:56am, 4th December 2014: Now with missing page 6 restored, and a remarkable rant for Graham Walker is revealed – Bob]

Continuing the scans of the Brownhills Gazette – I present issue 15 of the long lost freesheet, from December 1990 for you to peruse and download. I’ve had an incredible response to featuring these long, lost publications here on the blog.

David Evans, very kindly granted access to the archive held by former editor and contributor Brian Stringer, has been assiduously and conscientiously scanning them all. Every single issue. Every few days, I’m going to feature the next in the series.

This is another huge issue that covered a lot of ground – including a letter in support of local Councillors by Reg Morris. Note that Reg was incorrect on one point – the Council never bought Ravens Court and it’s still in private ownership.

Brian Stringer was a brilliant editor who still knows his stuff, and campaigns relentlessly for the place he loves. Brian was clearly working hard and getting into his stride here.

The history of how the Brownhills Gazette came to exist has been detailed in this post thanks to the wonderful John Sylvester.

If other bloggers want to use this material, can you please drop me a line first? I don’t mind, there’s just sone stuff I’d like to clear about the usage, thanks.

Cheers to Brian and David for sharing a wonderful thing, that’s part of our community history.

If you have any memories, questions or observations please do comment or mail me – BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com.

Brownhills Gazette issue 15 December 1990 – PDF format

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

The lost Howdles Lane dam

Posted on November 30, 2014 by BrownhillsBob
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The history of Chasewater and it’s canal feeder arrangements are complex, opaques and oft-debated.

In a remarkable instance of coincidence, last Friday, reader and top local history ferret Andy Dennis sent me an astounding piece on a lost reservoir near Howdles Lane, in north Brownhills, between Chasewater and the Watling Street.

As it happened, that very night Gerald Reece mentioned the same lost pool in his local history talk – so while it’s all fresh and up in the air, this seems like a great time to feature the article here.

This is a remarkable piece of physical geography investigation from Andy, whose work is always of the very best quality, but with this he has excelled himself. I am pleased and honoured to be able to feature material of this excellence here – thanks old chap.

As to the little reservoir itself – it’s been staring me in the face for years, but I never noticed it; it’s a salutary warning to read stuff closely. There’s always something you miss.

If you have anything at all to add, please feel free to comment or mail me: BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com.

Andy Dennis wrote:

Howdles Lane Dam

In Gerald Reece’s book, Brownhills A Walk into History, there is reproduced on page 93 a plan of the reservoir (Chasewater) and canal feeder dated 1818 (the relevant article is reproduced on the blog here – When the Dam Burst).

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Remarkable plan of the original ‘Chasewater’ reservoir and feeder, as copied from Gerald Reece from an original document. Click for a larger version – sadly, the original book print rendered some text illegible.

One intriguing aspect of this plan is that it shows a dam near to where Anglesey Road meets Howdles Lane today. Neither road was there at the time, but an Old Ironstone Road is shown and this, I believe, followed the line of today’s Howdles Lane from Watling Street as far as the bend. The title is clearly a misnomer as Howdles Lane did not then exist, but it does at least give some idea of location.

But where exactly was this dam, what impact could it have had on the landscape and are there any remains today? History has obliterated all remains, but using Gerald Reece’s map and combining it with modern maps it is possible to locate the dam and the reservoir it created.

To achieve this I traced relevant elements of the 1818 plan, added some colour, and then placed a modern map behind it. The latter is not especially clear, but it is sufficient to locate the feeder, dam and reservoir relative to current development. I have assumed that the feeder contoured round the valley and would therefore have defined the limit of the reservoir and, although it may not necessarily have been true, the lie of the land today suggests this is about right.

howdles lane 1818 old dam

Based on the 1818 plan.

howdles lane 1818 old dam 10k

With OS 1:10,000 base – not to scale.

 

The 1818 plan says ‘dam’ and ‘site of old reservoir’. From this I infer that the dam structure was still in place, but disused, and the brook, my mother said ‘Brownhllls Brook’, flowed unchecked to the Crane Brook. At that time this watercourse would probably have been natural and more than likely meandered to some extent across a flood plain about 80 or 90 metres wide. It would have been straightened following the Inclosure Act of 1853.

What purpose did the dam serve? Well, we know that the main dam burst in 1799 and this would have left the Wyrley & Essington Canal short of water. I suggest that the Brownhills Brook was dammed as a makeshift, stop-gap measure to supply at least some water to help with the locks down to Lichfield. The main dam was repaired by 1800, so it may be that the smaller dam was used for just one or two years. A lot of effort, but the canal network was vital to the economy in the early Industrial Revolution.

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Extract from the 1797 Yates map of Staffordshire; terribly non-linear and not consistently to scale, it does show two bodies of water (highlighted) in the area of what is now Chasewater.

However, the Yates map of 1798 shows two substantial areas of water roughly where Chasewater and Howdles Lane are today. The ‘Chasewater’ reservoir was in operation by the time the map was published. Could the second area of water be a mistake, or, albeit clearly the wrong shape, was it the ‘Howdles Lane’ reservoir? But why would it have been there so early? If it had been for watering cattle at the drovers’ stop-off at the Welsh Harp, then it would surely appear on the 1760 manuscript plan (Reece, p91). My stop-gap theory certainly makes more sense, but there is nothing conclusive.

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Plan showing part of Cannock Chase before it was flooded in 1797 to create the reservoir. Original drawing by Gerald Reece, and featured in his book ‘Brownhills a walk into history’.

The dam is shown inside the course of the feeder. This indicates that the high water level would not have been above the feeder. Water would not therefore flow naturally, but would have to be pumped into the downstream feeder, especially when the reservoir was not full.

How much water would the dam have held? I could find only two relevant spot heights on the Ordnance Survey mapping. The low point of Howdles Lane is at 141.7 metres. Approximately three quarters of the way up the hill towards Whitehorse Road is at 146.6 metres. At most the west end of the dam was half way between and could not have been higher than the average, that is about 144.2 metres. The brook course is some way below the road, I think about 1 metre. This suggests the maximum depth of water at that point was about 3.5 metres and this seems about right to the eye.

howdles lane westward (1024x768)

Howdles lane looking north of west from the bend. Image courtesy Andy Dennis.

The old dam stood to the right of the lane, its centre more or less opposite the speed bump, behind the house with solar panels. The far end was where the house stands to the right of the second speed bump (nearest parked car) about one third of the way up the hill. The east (near) end was where the canal is to the right of the picture, with the water’s edge roughly where the inspection cover is in the foreground.

The bottom of my garden is in what used to be the flood plain and about 2’6” (0.77 m) deep is a solid pebble layer that could have been stream bed (I discovered this when creating a pond). This ties in with the depth at the south end of the reservoir being almost zero and, therefore, an average depth of about 1.75 metres. The surface area is approximately 28,500 square metres, which implies a capacity of about 50,000 cubic metres. I gather that a narrow lock consumes about 140 cubic metres, so this small reservoir would cater for about 350 lock operations.

This does not seem very much when considering the amount of traffic, but it may have been replenished from the Crane Brook or even by pumping from the main reservoir water that had not been lost in the breach.

What would the photographer have seen back then? He would be standing on heath, looking across about 100 metres of water beyond which more open heath rose to the horizon. Angling off to the right would be a low earth bank about 100 metres long holding back the water, with the eastern end anout ninety degrees to his right. There would have been a sluice to release surplus water, and some kind of pumping engine.

Well, maybe …
Andrew Dennis, 28 Nov 2014.

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Shared memories, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Happy talk

Posted on November 30, 2014 by BrownhillsBob
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Gerald Reece delivered his talk with humour and passion. Image kindly supplied by David Evans.

Yesterday, I received a wonderful email from David Evans, who did such a fine job of organising and hosting Gerald Reece’s talk on Brownhills last Friday evening at the Methodist Church in Silver Street, Brownhills.

This is the second such talk Gerald has given in the last few years, and since he lives in Devon, this is no small thing for him. Gerald does this purely out of passion for the area, and I’m very sad to have had to miss the talk due to work commitments; however, those who did attend heard a very interesting, unique discussion of local history from a man who has dedicated a large portion of his life to the town he loves.

Gerald’s willingness to accept my ham-fisted questions, jokes and downright impudence over the years have really marked him out as being different to the majority of local historians. He is a rare and generous man indeed.

Coming up later, I have a lovely piece of lost history from Andy Dennis, that was apparently discussed by Gerald on Friday. Just lately, everyone is talking about synchronicity…

David and I would both like to thank all those who turned out on a grim November evening and raised £300 for MacMillan – but none of it would have been possible without the generosity of time and spirit of the wonderful, entertaining and fascinating Gerald Reece.

Hi Bob

I am pleased to send you this report on Friday’s wonderful talk given by our lLocal Historian par excellence, Gerald Reece. We were delighted to learn more of another part of Brownhills history, where Gerald drew from his many years of research to give us a detailed and captivating look back to Brownhills in the mid 19th century. Gerald has a charming and delightful way of delivering his talk in a way that both informs and entertains. His book, Brownhills, a walk into history remains the one truly original source of information, and in his latest talk he revealed much more, unpublished and original material.

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An enthralled audience gathered to hear Gerald speak. Image kindly supplied by David Evans.

I attach photos of ‘Professor’ Gerald, sportingly donning a morter board for a few minutes, and a photo of one of the amazingly original prizes in the raffle. My sincere thanks go to dear Gerald who readily accepted the invitation yet again, and travelled up from his home in Devon to come to Brownhills to bring our history to life in this memorable talk.

I would like to pay my personal thanks to Deacon Annie Trembling, who sourced and set up the excellent projector and sound system and helped to serve the refreshments, all of which helped to make the evening a successful one for the audience, and especially for Macmillan Cancer Support Charity. The evening raised £300 for the charity.

Lastly, my thanks to Brownhills Bob’s blog for the superb support given. I do appreciate this.

kind regards
David

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A little bird on Facebook tells me Lisa Ashby (formerly Downes, late of this parish and a great friend of the blog) won this framed map in the raffle! Image supplied by David Evans.

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Walsall Wood beat Long Eaton in close match

Posted on November 30, 2014 by BrownhillsBob
So close, again, by Walsall Wood. Image courtesy David Evans.
Early pressure by Walsall Wood resulting in the first goal a thrilling sporting contest at Oak Park. Image courtesy David Evans.
Visitors Long Eaton shake hand with Walsall Wood players before playing. Image courtesy David Evans.
An excellent game where all players gave their all throughout. Image courtesy David Evans.

Yesterday afternoon,  (Saturday, 15th November 2014), Walsall Wood FC entertained Long Eaton United at home, and after what proved to be a great match, the mighty Woodmen emerged victorious.

Bill Shaw submitted the following match report:

Hiya Bob,

This is what non-league club football is all about! The score reflects how tight the game was, Walsall Wood are the first team this season to lower the colours of the league leaders away from home (now second on goal difference to Basford United). There was no Clinton Morrison, who signed for Division 2 Exeter City on Thursday, but you could see why they topped  the table after 18 games.

Walsall Wood 2 V 1 Long Eaton United

Wood went ahead on 18 minutes, a lovely tight left wing move ending with Max Black slipping the ball into the path of Tom Evans as he raced into the box to hammer the ball into the roof of the net. Tom Cooper-Richards was causing Wood problems wide left, his first cross was hit first time over on 23 minutes by Gerard Moran. Two minutes later from another left wing cross Ben Watkis saw his first time low drive comfortably saved by Mario Kisiel.

On 31 minutes Ben Evans raced into the right of the box, rolled the ball to Black on the edge of the six yard box, Ross Parker brilliantly blocking his goalbound effort. The last action of the half saw Ben Evans chip a ball over a static defence, keeper O’Brien racing from his area to head clear from Leon Taylor.

Both sides worked hard at the start of the second half but it was Kisiel who saved from Watkis on 60 minutes. Seven minutes later he made a superb full length save to push away a swinging cross shot from substitute Lee Fell.

On 80 minutes the hard working Cooper-Richards won a tussle in the right corner, rolled the ball back to David Baofo to cross first time, Ross Parker climbing highest to power home a header to equalise. Within a minute Wood were back ahead, Craig Deakin won a right wing corner, the flag kick was played short to him to cross first time, Black timing his run to perfection to head home.

Bang on 90 minutes a long ball out of defence found Cooper-Richards who ran on to beat the advancing Kisiel with a drive. Deakin raced back to make an acrobatic sliding stop on the line.

The last action of the game saw Aaron Cole fire a 20 yard central free kick into the Wood defensive wall and the final whistle went.

The game was a great rehearsal for next Saturday’s FA Vase visit to the cauldron that is the Fenland Stadium in Wisbech. No place for the faint hearted, we hear!

Good luck to the lads and to the Wood faithful. Incidentally, the Stoke City Staffs Senior Cup tie has now been pencilled in for Tuesday 20th January at Oak Park.

Bill Shaw.

My thanks to Bill for a great report – and for all those he selflessly writes and send to me after every match. They really are popular, and a credit to Bill and the club. Walsall Wood have a reputation for being a great, community spirited group of people and these reports demonstrate that – it’s an honour and joy to feature them here.

For the good of the Wood!

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

November 1990 – Not a word from our local elected representatives

Posted on November 29, 2014 by BrownhillsBob
Brownhills Gazette November 1990 issue 14_000001

Brownhills Gazette November 1990 issue 14 – Biggest issue yet at 28 pages, and lots of follow-upcontent about the ‘Wake Up Brownhills’ campaign, Please click for a larger version.

Continuing the scans of the Brownhills Gazette – I present issue 14 of the long lost freesheet, from November 1990 for you to peruse and download. I’ve had an incredible response to featuring these long, lost publications here on the blog.

David Evans, very kindly granted access to the archive held by former editor and contributor Brian Stringer, has been assiduously and conscientiously scanning them all. Every single issue. Every few days, I’m going to feature the next in the series.

This issue is remarkable in that it collated responses to the ‘Wake Up Brownhills’ campaign in the previous issue – and clearly caught a lot of the establishment on the back foot, including the letter from Richard Shepherd MP, which says basically it’s nothing to do with him and anyway, he’s one of the ten top backbench MPs, and is therefore beyond reproach.

The observation made in the previous issue regarding surgeries in Brownhills clearly stung, too.

There is an interesting old photo in the archive section, and also, some of the adverts are real memory-joggers. I note BeeJay no longer were advertising their ‘Vodaphone’ number – wonder why?

Brian Stringer was a brilliant editor who still knows his stuff, and campaigns relentlessly for the place he loves. Brian was clearly working hard and getting into his stride here.

The history of how the Brownhills Gazette came to exist has been detailed in this post thanks to the wonderful John Sylvester.

If other bloggers want to use this material, can you please drop me a line first? I don’t mind, there’s just sone stuff I’d like to clear about the usage, thanks.

Cheers to Brian and David for sharing a wonderful thing, that’s part of our community history.

If you have any memories, questions or observations please do comment or mail me – BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com.

Brownhills Gazette issue 14 November 1990 – PDF format

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Walsall Wood face Long Eaton at Oak Park this afternoon

Posted on November 29, 2014 by BrownhillsBob
P1000426

Oak Park – home to the mighty Woodmen!

Saturday 29th November 2014

Following a pitch inspection the game is on!

Walsall Wood versus Long Eaton United

Come watch the lads at Oak Park for a great afternoon of football

Kick off is 3:00pm

Hopefully, a match report will follow…

For the Good of the Wood!

Check out Walsall Wood FC’s website here.

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Lose, and you’re in the drink!

Posted on November 28, 2014 by BrownhillsBob
Red Lion tug of war team

A fantastic period photo of a tug of war team outside the Red Lion (now the Boatmans Rest) in Walsall Wood High Street. 1970s, I reckon, from judging by the hair. Image kgenerously supplied Linda Robottom via Godfrey ‘Oakparkrunner’ Hucker.

Here’s a rather wonderful, quick photo to get the grey matter going amongst the readership – yesterday, fellow local blogger Godfrey ‘Oakparkrunner’ Hucker sent me the above excellent photo, sourced from Linda Robottom, of a Walsall Wood tug of war team.

He had this to say:

Hello Bob

This photo is of the Red Lion Walsall Wood, tug of war team.

I am not sure of the year possibly the 1960’s or 1970’s. They used to pull across the canal with the losers getting wet, and the Lion were unbeatable.

The photo was emailed to me by Linda Robottom, daughter of David and Lucy Ray, who kept the Red Lion for many years.

Kind regards
Godfrey (oakparkrunner)

There seems to be an existing history of tug of war in Walsall Wood as we discovered a couple of years ago following an oddly wonderful enquiry by reader Peter…

You know what I’m going to ask – Who? When? Matches? Who were the opponents? Any memories? They look like an ace bunch of lads.

Please comment here or mail me -BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com.

Thanks to Godfrey and Linda for a lovely bit of ephemera.

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Howdles Lane convenience store saved!

Posted on November 28, 2014 by BrownhillsBob
McColls

Saved – that’s a relief. The Tamworth Co-op store off Howdles lane, Brownhills, is now a McColl’s. Use it or lose it! Image kindly supplied by Andy Dennis.

Back at the beginning of October, I had a somewhat concerning enquiry from reader Dave about the Co-operative convenience store in the small precinct just off the A5 in Brownhills by Howdles Lane – reports were that the Co-op were closing it and the future for the store was uncertain.

I’ve not had any further concrete news on that since the story ran, as Tamworth Co-op, the people who operate the store, not only failed to answer the five emails I sent on the matter, but didn’t even acknowledge them. I find that lack of community engagement sad, regrettable and pisspoor, to be honest.

Top reader and contributor Andy Dennis has been keeping an eye on the situation though, and the store is saved – it’s now a McColls, and seems to be operating with the same staff.

Andy wrote:

Hello Bob

Here is a picture of the new frontage to what used to be Coop, Howdles Lane.

As you can see, it’s now McColl’s. They were still refitting and stocking, but open. As I understand it the staff have retained their jobs.

Andy

McColls are a large retain chain with a fair history of running this kind of store – I wish them well in their new venture, and I’m glad such a vital local amenity has been retained for a community that otherwise would be really quite isolated. I know the old folks particularly rely on that shop.

Thanks to Andy for monitoring the situation, and for all the hard work he does for the blog.

If anyone has anything to add, please do comment or mail me if you’d rather: BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com.

Untitled 9

The parade of shops up on Watling Street supports the local community. Imagery from Bing! Maps.

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Walsall Wood crash out of Midland League Cup

Posted on November 28, 2014 by BrownhillsBob
CoppiceCollieryGround

The Coppice Colliery Ground – home of Heath Hayes FC. Image from Wikimedia commons.

Walsall Wood FC snatched defeat from the jaws of victory last Tuesday evening (25th November 2014) at Heath Hayes, where a somewhat intemperate and distracted match clearly disappointed match reporter Bill Shaw…

(Sorry for the delay with this report: I could make loads of excuses, but in the deluge I just forgot it. My apologies to Bill and all at Walsall Wood FC).

Hiya Bob,

Another  cup exit for Wood on what is becoming Nightmare Tuesday, as far as they are concerned. It hadn’t been easy but goals from Ben Evans and Max Black had put them 2 up and in the driving seat after 64 minutes, but a controversial booking for scorer Black after his goal seemed to unsettle them (Incidentally the Referee’s interpretation of the rule was correct, it is an offence to take off or cover your head with your shirt – says the rule book [Blimey! – Bob]). The Wood players forgot about football however and just wanted to argue with the officials, paying the penalty when they conceded 3 goals in the last 15 minutes to exit their  second cup competition in a week.

Heath Hayes 3 v 2 Walsall Wood 
Midland League Cup Round 2.

The home side had the better of a dour, or should that be dire first 30 minutes with Wood keeper Dale Faultless first having to race from his area to kick clear from Joe Pickering on 17 minutes as the game briefly threatened to come to life. He then made a stunning block to deny Daniel Scragg 6 minutes later.

On 28 minutes Pickering collected the ball left of centre, ran at the Wood defence and hit a rising drive that Faultless clawed out of the top corner, the ball fell to Scragg who hit a first time effort high and wide.

Wood took the lead against the run of play on 37 minutes with an exquisitely crafted goal, Lee Stretton broke up an attack and came out of defence with the ball before hitting a pinpoint shot out wide left to find Drew Aiton, who completely bamboozled three defenders as he cut inside and played a slide rule pass across the face of the six yard box to Ben Evans, who scored with a low drive.

It was Aiton four minutes later crossing from the left, keeper Matt Cottrell fingertipping the ball off the head of Joey Butlin to beyond the far post, but into the path of Ben Evans. His first time drive was heroically blocked by Ryan Burgwin, who took the pace off the shot and Cotttrell was able to make a comfortable save.

At the start of the second half Wood took control, on 57 minutes Ben Evans came in from the right, laid the ball back into the path of Black whose first time shot bounced off the inside of the left hand post and into the grateful hands of the beaten Cottrell. Five minutes later Black turned provider, setting up Butlin right of the box to fire into the side netting.

The threatened second goal came on 64 minutes, with Tom Evans racing forward  wide right, his low ball inside to Butlin was laid back into the path of Black to score with a low drive. He went on a lap of honour pulling his shirt up to cover his head in the process and picked up a booking that was later proved to be correct.

Butlin was replaced at this juncture by Leon Taylor. It all started to go wrong for an argumentative Wood when on 76 minutes, Liam Degville won the ball on halfway and went on a diagonal right to left run at the Wood defence. He played a ball through to substitute Ryan Burns whose neat flick on was collected in his stride by Pickering who calmly lobbed the advancing Faultless to pull a goal back.

Five minutes later Scragg raced onto a ball into the left of the box and powered a rising drive into the roof of the net, to tie the game up. This momentarily woke Wood out of their lethargy with them winning a right wing corner on 84 minutes, the flag kick was half cleared out to Anthony Juxon 30 yards out, his rising drive bouncing to safety off the crossbar with Cottrell clutching thin air.

On 89 minutes Craig Deakin and Ben Evans carved open the left of the home defence, the ball was played into the centre of the box to Leon Taylor who tamely shot straight at Cottrell who couldn’t believe his luck. In injury time Scragg raced onto a ball right of the box, he was forced wide but cut back inside before scoring with a stunning cross shot into the roof of the net.

At  2 – 0 ahead Wood looked in total control, but good grief that last 15 minutes left a lot to be desired as they totally lost their composure and paid the ultimate price.

It’s leaders Long Eaton United with ex Blues striker Clinton Morrisson, in town on Saturday (weather permitting).

It’s then a few days off before the revenge mission to Wisbech Town on Saturday December 6th in the 3rd round of the FA Vase. Coach travel has been arranged from Oak Park, why not keep the faith with Swanny’s cygnets?

Bill Shaw.

My thanks to Bill for a great report – and for all those he selflessly writes and send to me after every match. They really are popular, and a credit to Bill and the club. Walsall Wood have a reputation for being a great, community spirited group of people and these reports demonstrate that – it’s an honour and joy to feature them here.

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gerald Reece talk: on tonight!

Posted on November 28, 2014 by BrownhillsBob
Gerald Reece flyer

Looks set to be a fantastic talk.

Top contributor, commentor and all round good egg David Evans has been busy over the last few weeks organising a treat for local history buffs in Brownhills and the wider community.

David has been back in correspondence with the elder statesman of Brownhills local history Gerald Reece, who last gave a talk in Brownhills in 2012. That event was also organised by David and raised £520 for MacMillan Cancer Support, and now the two have got together and organised another presentation on local history.

Gerald will give his talk at Brownhills Methodist Church in Silver Street, Brownhills tonight, Friday 28th November, 2014. Gerald, of course, wrote that definitive work on our town, ‘Brownhills: A walk into history’, a book upon which this blog has leant quite heavily over the years.

This time, the presentation will be amplified, as I gather a few had trouble hearing last time, and there will also be a visual display along with the talk. The first part of this one will be concentrating on the Manor of Ogley Hay, and the second on the planned Brownhills new town in the mid nineteenth century.

Gerald is a fascinating and engaging man, expert in his field, and from what I can ascertain, has plenty of remarkable and new material to share. Seats for the 7:30pm talk are a snip at £3 a pop, and all proceeds will be going to Macmillan Cancer Support, a charity which I feel we all can get behind in their essential work.

I’d like to publicly thank both David and Gerald for their efforts and selfless contribution to the continued preservation and investigation of our local history. This will be a cracking night and I implore anyone interested in our communal past to attend.

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

October 1990 – Wake up Brownhills – does anyone care?

Posted on November 27, 2014 by BrownhillsBob
Brownhills Gazette October 1990 issue 13_000001

Brownhills Gazette October 1990 issue 13 – A huge issue at 24 pages, with a very strong campaigning lead, that still resonates today. This shows the decay in Brownhills started earlier than commonly held. Please click for a larger version.

Continuing the scans of the Brownhills Gazette – I present issue 13 of the long lost freesheet, from October 1990 for you to peruse and download. I’ve had an incredible response to featuring these long, lost publications here on the blog.

David Evans, very kindly granted access to the archive held by former editor and contributor Brian Stringer, has been assiduously and conscientiously scanning them all. Every single issue. Every few days, I’m going to feature the next in the series.

This issue is a real cracker – there’s a very strong lead story with an edge that still resonates. It’s clear that by 1990 the rot on the High Street had already set in, and the neglect of public spaces like Ravens Court and Silver Court was a major issue – most issues were fixed after this campaign by locals led by the Gazette; this was a paper that could actually get things done.

Brian Stringer was a brilliant editor who still knows his stuff, and campaigns relentlessly for the place he loves. Brian was clearly working hard and getting into his stride here.

Note the point about Richard Shepherd still holds true, too.

In other articles, a couple of great letters, a group photo from the lost Streets Corner Day Centre, more about the revamp of Silver Court Gardens, a great archive article and a lovely poem by Are Reg.

The history of how the Brownhills Gazette came to exist has been detailed in this post thanks to the wonderful John Sylvester.

If other bloggers want to use this material, can you please drop me a line first? I don’t mind, there’s just sone stuff I’d like to clear about the usage, thanks.

Cheers to Brian and David for sharing a wonderful thing, that’s part of our community history.

If you have any memories, questions or observations please do comment or mail me – BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com.

Brownhills Gazette issue 13 October 1990 – PDF format

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Just William

Posted on November 26, 2014 by BrownhillsBob
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Marklews Pond: unlike the water, the history is opaque and a bit muddy.

The interesting history of William Roberts – the father of modern Brownhills – continues, and this time, Peter ‘pedro’ Cutler has taken issue with some other, intersecting local history, and just when exactly William Roberts came to Brownhills as a lad, and where he lived when his family moved here.

This thread started a few weeks ago, when I featured scans of the April 1990 edition of the Brownhills Gazette, which contained an article by local lady Gwen James, detailing her version of the history of the Station Hotel. As I expected, that article raised some eyebrows in the dress circle, and a further version of the history was detailed in ‘Brownhills Past and Present’, the book issued by Brownhills School in 1985.

Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler then waded in with his own research, after which I ran the excellent piece of work on Roberts by Gerald Reece, which was first published in 1995 in his book ‘Brownhills: a walk into history’.

Peter, as is his wont, paid great attention to the accumulated work, and has a question or two. I commend you to this this article, it goes to the heart of some other remarkable history recounted here, and shows that the Venn diagram of interconnected history is wonderfully complex in Brownhills.

I thank everyone for their contributions to this research, but particularly Peter, whose gimlet-eye for detail and astounding memory are invaluable, impressive and scary.

William Roberts – sometime railway plate layer, ganger, publican, entrepreneur, civic stalwart, JP and philanthropist was a very rare man in his time, and appears to have been generous, considerate, imbued with a real sense of social justice, and was undoubtedly a sharp-dealing rogue too.

I am terribly sad this fine gentleman has not even a plaque in his honour in Brownhills, and I’d really like one of the successes of this blog to be achieving some kind of memorial or civic recognition no matter how small, to the original Mr. Brownhills.

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William Roberts himself. Image from ‘Brownhills: A walk into history’ by Gerald Reece.

Peter wrote:

Having an interest in the Truck System I noticed a link between two articles on the Blog that posed a few questions, some of which are still unanswered.

The article Death of a big, big man, shows the Lichfield Mercury (1906) stating that the family of William Roberts (born 1828) removed from Shenstone to reside at a Brownhills farm house known as the ‘Tommy Shop’. (Gerald Reece in the article ‘Such was his devotion’ says the family moved to Coppice Side). The Roberts family were still at Hook End, Sutton Coldfield in 1841, and therefore William Roberts would have spent only around 6 years in the locality before he left in 1847 for his adventures up North.

In an earlier article A token of my respect the writer informs that a William Marklew was born (1858) in a very old historic house that the family had rented from Squire MacPherson for over 100 years, known as Coppice Farm, and that William some time after 1881, moved with his wife Harriet to a very old historic building known as ‘The Old Tommy Shop’. He ran the shop and was reputed to have been the last operator of a Tommy Shop in the UK! At the age of 40, being around 1898, William moved back to the family farm house.

Was the Old Tommy Shop the same place that William Robert’s parents had moved to, and just where was Coppice Farm? The more I looked at the story of William Marklew, the more I began to think that, in many ways, it did not add up. Could this be yet another example of how the history can get mixed up over time?

The Squire MacPherson referred to would be Lachlan Andrew Macpherson. Elizabeth, daughter of Phineas Fowke Hussey, had inherited the Hussey estate after her father’s death in 1867; she married the Squire.

Taking the 1861 census, when William Marklew would be 3 years old, he is recorded as living with his father Charles (Brick maker with 7 children) and mother Catherine at household schedule 24 Brownhills. I am not sure where this would be, but it is in the middle of a schedule and nothing at all seems special. Going back to the 1851 census Charles has 3 children and registered in Athestone district and living at 60 Dordon.

In the 1871 census William Marklew (13) is recorded with his father Charles (Brick maker) at schedule 49, Brick Kiln Lane. The lane schedule goes from 45 to 76, and again there is nothing special.

(44 is the last number in Wolverhampton Lane, 57 says Farm buildings, 59 Bug Row starts, 76 down as a Tommy shop and Thomas Simmonds?…there is another Tommy shop at 82 in Engine Lane.)

Moving to the 1881 census, William Marklew (23) is still recorded with his father at schedule 37 Chester Road.

(28 is the Hussey Arms, 32 is Rising Sun, 33 is nr Methodist Chapel, 34 is White House, 35 is Old Tommy Shop, Chester Road, 39 is Engine Lane Cottage… Interesting that under the Tommy Shop (35) there are numbers 1 to 4, and Charles Marklew is 37…3!]

On to the 1891 census and William, coal miner, has indeed moved from the family and is located at 102 Wolverhampton Road with 6 children.

(It is a bit puzzling here as the Schedule numbers suddenly change from 49 to 80, however 80 is the Jolly Collier, 85 Fair View, 96 Yew Tree Tavern, 105 is Big House Farm, 106 Slough, 109 Coppice House, 110 Coombe House, 111 Tommy Shop, 116 Coppice Cottages… Charles Marklew was still living at what is now shown as Tommy Shop buildings!)

The 1901 census should give the whereabouts of William Marklew (coal miner hewer) at the age of 43, and he resides at schedule 70, Coppice Side, Coppice Cottages with 11 children, and in the 1911 William was still at Coppice Side.

At this point I had not found any mention of a Coppice Farm, and the Old Tommy Shop, Chester Road had at least four families recorded as resident there.

At last I found a reference to a Coppice Side Farm, Brownhills, from the Lichfield Mercury of September 1917. It confirmed William Marklew as being at the Farm, but sadly it was news that his son had been killed in France. More sad news is received in October of 1936, William whose wife is now deceased, learns that his son Frank, who had emigrated to Australia, had been tragically killed. After the death of William Marklew the Dairy Utensils from Coppice Side Farm were sold at auction.

So where was the Brownhills Farm that the William Roberts moved to sometime after 1841? Big House Farm is mentioned in the Census, but no Coppice Farm, just where was it?

station hotel

The dying days of the Station Hotel, probably around 1986. Image supplied by Mike Leonard.

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 43 Comments

September 1990 – Vandals & dumpers causing problems on old track bed

Posted on November 25, 2014 by BrownhillsBob
Brownhills Gazette September 1990 issue 12_000001

Brownhills Gazette September 1990 issue 12 – Vandals and flytippers plague the old railway line; that bridge used to be behind Taylors Cafe. Click for a larger version.

Continuing the scans of the Brownhills Gazette – I present issue 12 of the long lost freesheet, from September 1990 for you to peruse and download. I’ve had an incredible response to featuring these long, lost publications here on the blog.

David Evans, very kindly granted access to the archive held by former editor and contributor Brian Stringer, has been assiduously and conscientiously scanning them all. Every single issue. Every few days, I’m going to feature the next in the series.

The Gazette was 12 months old here, and had truly evolved; the local advertising was strong, and the  issues were now bolder. Great coverage of the state of the old rail line and Brownhills Rail Action Group, a wonderful bit about the new play park at Silver Court Gardens (with photos) and Brownhills School Activity Week.

The history of how the Brownhills Gazette came to exist has been detailed in this post thanks to the wonderful John Sylvester.

If other bloggers want to use this material, can you please drop me a line first? I don’t mind, there’s just sone stuff I’d like to clear about the usage, thanks.

Cheers to Brian and David for sharing a wonderful thing, that’s part of our community history.

If you have any memories, questions or observations please do comment or mail me – BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com.

Brownhills Gazette issue 12 September 1990 – PDF format

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Your chance to meet a local history legend next Friday!

Posted on November 24, 2014 by BrownhillsBob
Gerald Reece flyer

Why not print out a few of these flyers and pass them around?

This is a reminder that this coming Friday, the elder statesman of Brownhills local history Gerald Reece will be giving a talk in Brownhills on the subject. This popular and knowledgable historian last gave a talk in Brownhills in 2012, an event which is very fondly remembered and raised £520 for MacMillan Cancer Support.

Gerald will give his talk at Brownhills Methodist Church in Silver Street, Brownhills on 28th November, 2014… Gerald, of course, wrote that definitive work on our town, ‘Brownhills: A walk into history’, a book upon which this blog has leant quite heavily over the years.

This time, the presentation will be amplified, as I gather a few had trouble hearing last time, and there will also be a visual display along with the talk. The first part of this one will be concentrating on the Manor of Ogley Hay, and the second on the planned Brownhills new town in the mid nineteenth century.

Gerald is a fascinating and engaging man, expert in his field, and from what I can ascertain, has plenty of remarkable and new material to share. Seats for the 7:30pm talk are a snip at £3 a pop, and all proceeds will be going to Macmillan Cancer Support, a charity which I feel we all can get behind in their essential work.

If you’re not sure why Gerald is so highly regarded, read this fantastic section of his book ‘Brownhills:  A walk into history’ about Catshill, and it’s origins. It really is excellent.

XI
CATSHILL

From Ogley Road to the Anchor Bridge the area on both sides of the High Street was known as Catshill in Under or Lower Stonnal in the Parish of Shenstone. The Common and Waste lands here were Inclosed in 1811.

A small area of land adjoining the canal on High Street side was known as Catshill in Walsall Wood in the Township of Walsall Foreign. The common and waste lands of Walsall Wood were inclosed in 1876. Shire Oak Common had been inclosed previous to this by John Smyth, Lord of the Manor, with the consent of the freeholders.

Catshill is the oldest inhabited area of Brownhills. Much speculation has been made concerning the origin of its name. Take your pick from the following authoritative accounts:-

  • Catshill or Canutes Hill, here were two barrows (burial mounds) of Roman or British
    construction.
  • The Tumuli is Prehistoric.
  • Cutha, an Anglo-Saxon Chief, is buriedhere. He was the brother of Caewlin, King of Wessex. He was killed in battle in 594 AD.
  • The brother of Caewlin is buried here,he was killed in the battle of Cutha.
  • Cattshill or Cutteslowe or Catteslowe.
  • Catshill was a hill frequented by cats.

The remains of the ancient inclosure and any burial mounds that may have existed were
destroyed in 1797 when the Wyrley and Essington Canal cut through the area.

At Catshill Bridge the Wyrley and Essington Canal forks. The right branch is the Hay Head
Extension that passes through the Brickyards of Walsall Wood and the Limestone Workings at Daw End before joining the Tame Valley Canal at Rushall Junction. This forms a 21 mile circuitous route via Wolverhampton. Near to Catshill Bridge was the Canal Toll Post. The following charges were suggested when the Canal opened in 1797:

For all Coals, (except Slack or small and inferior Coal for the Purpose of burning Limestone or Bricks), Coak, Iron, Ironstone, Rockstone, Bricks, Tiles, and other Minerals, (except such as shall have been brought from the said Wyrley and Essington Canal, and for which the Sum of Nine-pence per Ton shall have been paid as aforesaid), which shall be carried or conveyed upon the said intended Canal or Cut, and not pass through a Lock to be erected at or near Catshill aforefaid, the Sum of Nine-pence per Ton, and so in Proportion for any greater or less Quantity than a Ton :

For all Coals, Coak, Iron, Ironstone, Rockstone, Bricks, Tiles, and other Minerals, for which the Sum of Nine-pence per Ton shall have been paid upon the Wyrley and Essington Canal, or upon the said intended Canal, and shall afterwards pass through any Lock to be erected at or near Catshill the further Sum of One Shilling and Three-pence per Ton, and so in
Proportion for any greater or less Quantity than a Ton :

For all Coals, Coak, Iron, Ironstone, Rockstone, Bricks, Tiles, and other Minerals, which shall be produced or gotten from or
out of any Lands or Grounds situate below the Lock at or near Catshill and shall be carried or conveyed upon any Part of the said Canal between Catshill and Huddlesford, the Sum of Two Shillings per Ton, and so in Proportion for any greater or less Quantity than a Ton :

For all Slack or small and inferior Coal for the Purpose of burning Limestone or Bricks, Limestone and Lime, which shall be carried or conveyed upon the said Canal or Cut, and not pass through a Lock to be erected at or near Catshill aforesaid, the Sum of Sixpence per Ton, and so in Proportion for any greater or less Quantity than a Ton :

For all Lime for which the Sum of Sixpence per Ton shall have been paid upon the Wyrley and Essington Canal, or upon the said intended Canal or Cut, and shall afterwards pass any Lock to be erected at or near Catshill aforesaid, the further Sum of Nine-pence per Ton, and so in Proportion for any greater or less Quantity than a Ton.

Although it is outside the bounds of Catshill, The Brownhills Brick Works merit a mention. It stood near to the present Clayhanger Bridge and had loading wharves at the canal side. Amongst its products was a building brick with a distinctive impression.

Francis Harry Gordon was the entrepreneur who established the Brick Works here in the 1870’s. He also had other business interests in North Staffordshire. The Brick Works covered an area of 7 acres. The large crater made during the excavation of the clay can still be seen. The clay measure here was 30 ft. thick. The buildings of the works included three drying sheds, the largest one measured 150 ft. x 30 ft. and had a cast iron plated floor.

There were three 7 holed burning kilns, two dwelling houses and an Engine and Mill House. The machinery and plant included a Cornish Steam Boiler measuring 20 ft. X 6 ft. 3 ins. A Horizontal High Pressure Steam Engine with a 16 ins. Cylinder. This had a stroke of 2 ft. 10 ins. And a 9 ft. Ry-wheel. There were also two Capital Cameron Steam Pumps and a Brick Cutting-Off machine. The Brick Works were closed down in 1896, its trade had been undercut by the neighbouring Walsall Wood Colliery Brick Works. After several abortive attempts to reopen the Works as a going concern it was finally sold for its plant and machinery by William F. Gordon, J.P. of Lichfield, he was the son of Francis Harry. Many buildings in the area can be dated from their usage of F. H. Gordon bricks.

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The impression on a F.H. Gordon brick, as drawn by Gerald Reece.

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A lesson in local history

Posted on November 23, 2014 by BrownhillsBob
Brownhills Past and Present - 1985 optimised

Teastained and a bit musty, I discovered this 30 year old book in a bookshop some way from Brownhills. It’s a remarkable thing. Click to download a copy in PDF form.

A couple of weeks ago, I featured here scans of a local history book I’d unexpectedly found in a bookshop – it was a real cracker, and at the same time, a valuable and overlooked bit of Brownhills social history.

Brownhills: Past and Present was the product of a school project undertaken in 1985 by five pupils – Mark Staples, Kelth Jackaman, Alison Preece, Elizabeth Pike and Kate Wilkinson – and my featuring it here reawakened memories of this wonderful work, and the kids and environment that produced it.

Through Facebook, I was lucky to make contact with Mark Staples who was good enough to write a little about the project, and he’s also kindly supplied press cuttings and articles about it.

It’s a huge pleasure to be able to feature this material here, and to preserve a remarkable piece of work, which spoke so well both of the kids involved and of the quality of their school. I said it in the original article, and will say so again – if only such care and passion went into some of local history books that appear.

Thank you again Mark, and if any of the others would like to join the conversation, you’d be most welcome.

You can comment here, or BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com. Cheers.

Mark wrote:

Dear Bob,

Below, a few words on my memories of ‘Brownhills: Past and Present’ which we wrote at the age of 13-14.

Best wishes
Mark

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Remarkable press coverage of ‘Brownhills: Past & Present’ from the mid 1980s: some great period hair in their. A wonderful collection supplied by Mark Staples/

Brownhills: Past and Present

Mark Staples, Keith Jackaman, Kate Wilkinson, Alison Preece and Elizabeth Pike

‘Brownhills: Past and Present’ grew out of our desire for us to take some information about our hometown on exchange visit to Wittelsheim, near Mulhouse in France. We initially called our project ‘Brownhills: Past, Present and Future’. We divided up areas of research between us and set about gathering information. Of course, we did not have access to the Internet back then and relied on local history books and exhibitions, and interviews with parents, grandparents and other residents of the town. I recall endless trips to the Walsall Archives and remember there being an excellent pictorial exhibition in the ‘Annexe’. As a keen artist, I produced some of the illustrations in the book, and Keith and I stayed a number of nights after school to type up the group’s research.

When we returned from France, we were keen to sell our work to raise money for the school and local charities. We had the full support of our headteacher, Mr Chris Hunt. Mrs Audrey Jackson, the head’s secretary, retyped the book, Mr Dave Senior, our art teacher, gave us advice about the layout and Mrs Joan Archer of the reprographics department printed the book. We had such fun with the project; we were interviewed by the local press and even appeared on Radio WM! One Saturday, we put together a display and sold our book in Hillards, later to become Tesco. If my memory serves me well, the book cost £1 a copy!

Today I live in Bury St Edmunds, in Suffolk, where I teach French and German. I still take a keen interest in the area in which I live; not so long back, I produced a photographic book entitled ‘Portrait of Suffolk’. As for the rest of the group, I am no longer in touch with them, but would love to know what they are all up to.

The book even made Local History magazine! Image kindly supplied by Mark Staples.
That fingerpost is still outside the old Rising Sun. Image kindly supplied by Mark Staples.
Wonder what happened to the magazine? Looks like it was a good read. Image kindly supplied by Mark Staples.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Woodmen thrash beleagured Causeway

Posted on November 23, 2014 by BrownhillsBob
the grove 1

Causeway United play at the wonderful Halesowen Town club – The Grove in Old Hawne Lane. Image from Halesowen Town FC’s website.

Walsall Wood FC consolidated their domination of Causeway United with another stonking victory over them at Halesowen yesterday (22nd November 2014) beating the home side 5-1 at The Grove.

Bill Shaw submitted the following match report:

Hiya Bob,

A much changed side, a much changed attitude and it was job done against an injury affected and suspension riddled Causeway United. Wood strolled comfortably into Round 3 with this 5 goal demolition,  Shawn Boothe scoring his second goal of the season (in consecutive games), this one however a contender for goal of the season (ironically just 20 yards from the position of Harry Harris’s contender in the league game of 2 weeks ago).

Causeway United 1 v 5 Walsall Wood
FA Vase Round 2  

With less than one minute on the clock Corey Currithers cut in from wide left, went through 2 tackles as he raced across the face of the home box, before being hacked down from behind in the centre of the D, he received lengthy treatment before Harry Harris fired in a free kick that took 2 slight deflections before flying past keeper Tom Turner.

The ‘Cause’ were back on terms after just 10 minutes with Currithers the unwilling provider when he inexplicably headed a ball back into the centre of the Wood box for Nicholas Fellows to power a header home.

Walsall Wood were back in front within five minutes, a superb 50 yard left to right crossfield ball from Leon Taylor picked out Ben Evans on the right of the box, he took the ball in his stride and scored with a powerful low drive across the keeper. Three minutes later Currithers made amends for his earlier error, gleefully tucking away the rebound after Max Black’s low drive came back off the foot of the left hand post. The striker wrapped the game up as a contest when on 39 minutes keeper Turner made a full length save to deny Taylor, but could only push the ball away and the ever alert Currithers was first to react to calmly tuck the chance away.

The home side rallied briefly at the end of the half with Lee Stretton making a timely tackle to halt the run of Wisdom Machangani and then right on time Mario Kisiel comfortably saving Anthony Robinson’s header.

The goal of the game came on 53 minutes, Harry Harris delivered a right wing free kick into the box, Joey Butlin flicked a header to the left edge  and Shawn Boothe hit a howitzer volley into the top right hand corner. A strike that I don’t think three keepers would have kept out, never mind the shell shocked Turner.

There was a down side to the victory however, with both Currithers and Lewis Taylor Boyce limping off, Taylor Boyce leaving Wood down to 10 men with 21 minutes left after having used all 3 substitutes. With just seconds remaining Craig Deakin picked up his 5th booking of the season thus missing the 3rd Round game on Saturday December 6th.

Strangely enough this wasn’t Wood at their best, but to be frank they didn’t need to be much more than mediocre to see off the decimated struggling opposition.

It’s Heath Hayes away on Tuesday night in the League Cup  (weather permitting) before Wood face another really big challenge on Saturday when leaders Long Eaton United with ex Blues striker Clinton Morrisin come a calling to complete an enthralling November.

Incidentally the Stoke City Staffs Senior Cup tie, pencilled in for Monday December 8th is OFF, it would appear they forgot they have another game on that night. No comment.

Bill Shaw

My thanks to Bill for a great report – and for all those he selflessly writes and send to me after every match. They really are popular, and a credit to Bill and the club. Walsall Wood have a reputation for being a great, community spirited group of people and these reports demonstrate that – it’s an honour and joy to feature them here.

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The Pride of Brownhills, restored

Posted on November 23, 2014 by BrownhillsBob
plaqueunveilingbrownhills

A picture that was puzzling Bill Mayo showed the unveiling of a plaque – readers helped in not only identifying the event, but the plaque turned up too! Image from the Bill Mayo collection.

A couple of days ago I belatedly flagged up the wonderful installation and unveiling ceremony for the once misplaced, but now found British Legion memorial plague to the dead of two wars, located after local historian and top chap Bill Mayo asked for help with a photo here on the Brownhills Blog.

David Evans the blog roving reporter, was out with his camera at the ceremony, and took some lovely pictures and wrote a nice report for readers, which I thank him for and present here.

This whole story is an example of local community in action and it’s great to see lost history being restored to community prominence in this way. My thanks and congratulations to all the people who mad this possible and worked so hard.

You are the pride of our community. Thank you, not just for this, but everything.

David wrote:

Standard bearer, Mr Brian Bennett. Image kindly supplied by David Evans.
The plague, ready for its re-unveiling, in its new home; Brownhills Library entrance. Image kindly supplied by David Evans.
Mr Brian Bennett, Mr John Bird , and Mr Bill Wright, key movers in the restoration of the plaque. Image kindly supplied by David Evans.
Sir Richard Shepherd, just about to unveil the plaque. Image kindly supplied by David Evans.
The plague, ready for its re-unveiling, in its new home; Brownhills Library entrance. Image kindly supplied by David Evans.
Mr Ken Rae, who made the fine new frame for this beautifully restored plaque. Image kindly supplied by David Evans.
Mr John Bird who gave some of the background story of the plaque. Image kindly supplied by David Evans.
Mr Brian Bennett and Mr John Bird, pictured at last summer’s Canal festival. Image kindly supplied by David Evans.
Some of the large number of British Legion members who respectfully attended this unveiling ceremony in Brownhills Library. Image kindly supplied by David Evans.
The lost plaque, as it was found. Image kindly supplied by David Evans.
The headstone insignia from the original plaque. Image kindly supplied by David Evans.

We will remember them

Some while ago Bill Mayo, a well-known and respected local historian whose photo books have provided so many images of the local area from years ago, contacted me.

He had among the vast collection of his photos, one which showed the unveiling of the British Legion plaque in Lichfield Road, Brownhills after the Second World War and wanted to see if the people in the photo could be identified. With the generous help of Brownhills Blog readers this was accomplished.

Bill then phoned me some while later to take me on ‘a discrete mission’. This very plaque, which had been lost for quite a few years after the British Legion had vacated their club in Lichfield Road, and had subsequently held their meetings in the Goat pub, Hednesford Road, Brownhills West had been discovered lying among among other things, in a back storage room of the Goat Public House.

I was taken to see this battered and worn plaque, and to meet two of the British legion men who had resolved to restore the plaque and to reinstall it in a public place in Brownhills.

I was delighted to attend the unveiling ceremony on Saturday 22nd, 2014, and to meet those whose quiet resolve and endeavour was being honoured. Our local Member of Parliament, Sir Richard Shepherd gave a personal and moving short speech, in which he paid tribute to the achievement of these gentlemen of the British Legion and the community spirit of Brownhills that it and this plaque reflected, and then unveiled the beautifully restored plaque.

David, 22 November 2014

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Stacked

Posted on November 22, 2014 by BrownhillsBob

A few weeks ago, I shared here a mining plan of how workings in the Robbins coal seam under Walsall Wood, Clayhanger and Brownhills affected the railway line above it, showing the coal mine excavations in great detail under the village.

After some chopping and changing, I got the plan scanned in high resolution and published it again properly. At the same time, I acquired a second, slightly earlier drawing of the workings in the Six Foot seam by the same colliery, which were above the Robbins Seam.

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Over six feet long, drawn on velum, the workings in the Six Foot Seam at Walsall Wood Colliery as they affected the railway line between Walsall Wood and Brownhills. A remarkable document. Click for a larger version, or see the full detail scan below.

Download the 200 DPI high quality PDF version of the above here – 31 megabytes

Download the 400 DPI Ultra high quality PDF version of the above here – 111 megabytes

Both plans cover an identical area and clearly came out of the same drawing office.

There were a number of coal seams that the Walsall Wood Colliery worked, and the interactions between these layers were complex and labyrinthine in nature. When the plan talks about a ‘cross measure drift’, that’s an angled shaft or roadway ramping between excavations in two or more seams. You’ll see some others mentioned.

The whole mine lay in layers like this as if it had been stacked in the strata; and these plans  still only represent a fraction of the whole thing. Look out again for the exploratory digs, where miners worked chasing where new measures may lie – that they are small suggests they were not successful.

I’ve created a Google Earth overlay for readers to orient the plan. Because it’s on fabric, it’s only geometrically well aligned at the Walsall Wood end, however it’s good enough at the Clayhanger end to give a reasonable idea.

Overlay trans

The plan overlaid on Google Earth – note Walsall Wood, left, and Clayhanger, right. At the Brownhills end, the plot was so distorted, I cropped it short.. You can’t accurately maintain geometric with a fabric plan this long! Click for a larger version.

You can download this overlay to use in Google Earth by clicking the link below – it can also be used as a basemap in Garmin GPS devices. Instructions on the use of this in Google Earth can be found in this post.

Walsall Wood Colliery Plan Six Foot Google Earth overlay 19.2 megabytes

Please note that this is an indication only; this plan could be wrong, or metres out. Please don’t use it for anything serious. It’s for information only.

Note the main shafts are again marked, and one is under the building that was constructed as the sluice house for tipping the chemical waste into the mine after it’s closure in 1964.

Think about the fact that these are the workings in just one seam – there were several others – so it goes to illustrate the huge number of voids and their span that existed below our area where the black gold was dug out. Most of this was backfilled with spoil after the mine ceased production; after that, the remainder was filled with industrial waste.

Overlay

I’d love to know who Mr. Thornhill & J.G. Jessop were, and the nature of their jobs. This plan was clearly modified after this date.

Consider also that this huge area would have been dug either by hand, or fairly minimal mechanisation; by the time Walsall Wood Colliery closed in 1964, it was not modernised and it didn’t employ the modern cutting machinery that other mines did.

This is local history gold – and bear in mind this is only one seam: there would e separate drawings for each one.

Please do comment or mail me: BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com.

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

August 1990 – How much longer must we wait for some action?

Posted on November 22, 2014 by BrownhillsBob
Brownhills Gazette August 1990 issue 11_000001

Brownhills Gazette August 1990 issue 11 – Complaints and a great campaigning piece on local foundry pollution. Click for a larger version.

Continuing the scans of the Brownhills Gazette – I present issue 11 of the long lost freesheet, from June 1990 for you to peruse and download. I’ve had an incredible response to featuring these long, lost publications here on the blog.

David Evans, very kindly granted access to the archive held by former editor and contributor Brian Stringer, has been assiduously and conscientiously scanning them all. Every single issue. Every few days, I’m going to feature the next in the series.

Note that this issue is slim at 12 pages compared to 20 in the previous issue – suggesting maybe Brian was on holiday. There’s still plenty of good stuff, though, including Brian experiencing a dunking in Chasewater, good local history and the headline story campaigning on what remains a somewhat vexed issue today.

One thing that someone pointed out to me – not the BeeJay advert on the front page. They note they have a ‘Direct line – Vodaphone’ (sic) – these were the days when a mobile phone really was an unusual selling point. How old I suddenly feel!

The history of how the Brownhills Gazette came to exist has been detailed in this post thanks to the wonderful John Sylvester.

If other bloggers want to use this material, can you please drop me a line first? I don’t mind, there’s just sone stuff I’d like to clear about the usage, thanks.

Cheers to Brian and David for sharing a wonderful thing, that’s part of our community history.

If you have any memories, questions or observations please do comment or mail me – BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com.

Brownhills Gazette issue 11 August 1990 – PDF format

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Walsall Wood FC v Causeway United FC away match this afternoon!

Posted on November 22, 2014 by BrownhillsBob

the grove 1

Causeway United play at the wonderful Halesowen Town club – The Grove in Old Hawne Lane. Image from Halesowen Town FC’s website.

Saturday 22nd November 2014

Walsall Wood F.C. v Causeway United F.C.

Away at Old Grove Lane, Halesowen.

 Don’t break your Wood vows, be there, be faithful to your local heroes

3:00pm kickoff

For The Good Of The Wood!

Looking forward to the match report… 

Check out Walsall Wood FC’s website here.

Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Hednesford Road hit and run: John Thomason sentenced

Posted on November 21, 2014 by BrownhillsBob
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The incident occurred near the Thai Lanna restaurant. Imagery from Bing! maps.

At 12:50am, Sunday 10th August 2014, there was a hit and run incident in Brownhills West, in which a white van hit two men on the pavement – it caused quite a stir locally as many readers will no doubt recall.

Court proceedings have been ongoing for a while, and the story recently made the Express & Star, when the relatives of one of the victims were concerned about the nature of charges in the case.

There’s now a full report online here.

I note this evening that Lisa O’Brien, senior reporter with the Express & Star, had tweeted the following at 7:35pm Friday:

John Thomason who seriously injured Gareth James in a hit and run in #Brownhills has been jailed for 7yrs 4months. Read tomorrow’s E&S.

I feature this here for reader information only, as I know many were interested in the outcome of this case – those wanting to learn more should buy Saturday’s Express & Star.

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An awful incident. Image with thanks to David Marler.

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Followups, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Did any of you know Alan John Pickering?

Posted on November 21, 2014 by BrownhillsBob
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Alan John Pickering, sadly deceased. Image supplied by Walsall Council.

Yet again, this is one of those requests that Walsall Council make periodically, and was issued by the Communication Team at Walsall Council on Friday, November 21st 2014 and I’d like all locals to have a think about it, and if any of you can do so, please help.

These appeals do make me quite sad and I’ll continue to feature them here – imagine passing away and leaving so little information of yourself known. How terribly tragic.

Appeal for help to find deceased pensioner’s family

An appeal has been launched to find the relatives of a Walsall pensioner who died recently.

Alan John Pickering, aged 72, was found at his home on Wednesbury Road on 14 October. His date of birth was 15 September 1942.

Environmental health officers are now keen to trace the family of Mr Pickering or speak to anyone who knew him.

A number of photographs showing Mr Pickering, possibly with members of his family, were found at his home but there were no contact details. Among the images are one of him at a wedding possibly around 2000, another one of him and a woman in 1999 and a picture going back a few years of Mr Pickering with a woman and three children.

Other documents found at the property indicate he may have worked in the machine shop at Bloxwich Engineering, Bell Lane, until 2006.

Rebecca Evans, of Walsall Council’s environmental health team, said: ‘We would like to pass our condolences on to Mr Pickering’s family and friends.

‘We would be grateful to hear from any relatives of Mr Pickering, or anyone who might have helpful information about his family, so that they can make proper arrangements for his funeral.’

‘Even if you are not sure if the information is relevant please let us know as it is useful in helping us build up a picture of his life and add to the information we have managed to gather from his belongings.’

To pass on information contact Rebecca Evans in the environmental health team on 01922 653052.

Thanks in advance. If anyone would prefer no to contact the council directly for whatever reason, email me at BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot come and I’ll pass any messages on. 

Thanks.

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The pride of Brownhills unveiled this Saturday!

Posted on November 21, 2014 by BrownhillsBob

I’m a wee bit late with this (for which I apologise, things are a bit hectic of late) but here’s some great news from reader and longtime friend of the blog Martin, who writes concerning the Royal British Legion plaque that resurfaced following a photo article here on the blog last year.

plaqueunveilingbrownhills

A picture that was puzzling Bill Mayoshowed the unveiling of a plaque – readers helped in not only identifying the event, but the plaque turned up too! Image from the Bill Mayo collection.

Martin writes to tell me that the plaque in the picture is to be unveiled at it’s new home in Brownhills Library at the Parkview Centre tomorrow, Saturday 22nd November 2014 at 12 noon.

This really is a wonderful thing and please pop along if you can. I think the Library is an excellent place for this important piece of history, and look forward to having a look myself. Well done to all involved.

Reader Martin wrote:

Hi Bob,

I’m sure that you will be interested that the Plaque in the photo that was on your blog a year or so ago has had a face lift (and I believe a very good job as been done on it) and it will be unveiled in the Brownhills Library this Saturday, November 22nd 2014 at 12 noon, Sir Richard Shepherd MP will do the honours with the Brownhills British Legion Branch.

They have done a wonderful job this year for the Poppy Appeal and have beaten by a good amount previous years totals, thanks to the generosity of the people of Brownhills.

The plaque as Mr. Bill Wright Secretary of the British Legion Brownhills Branch says ‘…is for all the people of Brownhills’, and it is hoped that local folk will go along to view it and pay their respects..

Bob on this occasion please do not mention me by name, all the credit must go to the Brownhills British Legion for all their hard work!

Kind regards,
Martin

Thanks to Martin for letting us know – sorry, should have posted this up last night, but other stuff got in the way. My apologies to martin. Please share this post as widely as possible so others get to hear.

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Walsall Wood crash out of Seniors Cup

Posted on November 20, 2014 by BrownhillsBob
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Evans Park, Stafford – scene of a tragedy. Image from Stafford Town FC website.

Last Tuesday evening (18th November 2014), Walsall Wood FC were away to face Stafford Town – and after a long drawn out and somewhat tense match, they sadly crashed out of the Walsall Senior Cup.

One of the things I love about Bill  Shaw’s reports is that he’s not afraid to tell it like he is. The brutal honesty of this report is refreshing.

Bill Shaw wrote:

Hiya Bob,

Not the expected result, as a pumped up Alex Barnfather inspired Stafford Town who outfought and outlasted a strangely lethargic, albeit much changed and dare I say it complacent Walsall Wood.

Stafford Town 4 v 3 Walsall Wood
Walsall Senior Cup Round 2 (After extra time)

Wood started brightly, dominating the early exchanges with Max Black and Harry Harris bringing full length saves from keeper Richard Stone. In their first real attack on 7 minutes Town went ahead, sloppy defending on the right edge of the box saw Craig Hulme win the ball, cut back inside and his low drive came back off the foot of the far post, straight to Alex Barnfather who tapped home from 5 yards.

It was Hulme again creating problems on 14 minutes, cutting inside from wide left, Dale Faultless saving at the foot of the near post. 3 minutes later Hulme raced across the face of the Wood box from left to right, Scott Cooper got in a tackle but the ball went straight to Barnfather who took one touch and buried the ball in the corner of the net.

Hulme was causing the Wood defence all kinds of problems and just a minute later he raced clear on the left, his cross headed just wide by Steven Bennett.

Wood pulled a goal back on 32 minutes, Leon Taylor powering down the right before crossing into the centre, Lewis Taylor Boyce losing his marker and heading back across the keeper to reduce the deficit.

When 2 minutes into the second half Corey Currithers came in from wide left, went across the face of the Town box and neatly set up Black to score with a crisp low drive to bring the scores level, we sat back and waited for the Town collapse, but it never came, as Town rolled up their sleeves and worked even harder.

Both sides had chances but the closest to a goal came in the 83rd minute, Jamel Fuller racing clear on the Wood left, finding Ben Evans inside to hit a first time effort that bounced to safety off the foot of the left hand post with Stone beaten. No one could break the deadlock so the game entered extra time with Wood dominating the first half, Taylor Boyce, Evans and Currithers all going close, but it was all square at the break.

A minute into the second period a left wing corner was only half cleared to Chris Greaves on the left of the box, his cross to the far post picked out the unmarked Darryll Johns who calmly headed home. Wood went looking for the equaliser which duly arrived on 24 minutes when from a left wing corner Shawn Boothe bundled the ball home in a packed penalty area.

With 3 minutes remaining Fuller made space on the left, his square ball inside was hit first time by Evans, Stone making a great full length save. The reply was almost immediate, skipper James Cresswell crossing from wide on the right to the far post, Barnfather lost his marker before picking his spot to head home, completing his hat trcik and sending Wood crashing out of this season’s Walsall Senior Cup.

We kept expecting Town to run out of steam, but they were working just as hard at the end of 2 gruelling hours of enthralling football. Another thriller, full of goals but this time the wrong result as far as Wood were concerned, but all credit to Town for staying in there and progressing to the 3rd round.

It’s FA Vase action at Causeway on Saturday for Wood, so stay confident – no cause for alarm yet.

Bill Shaw

My thanks to Bill for a great report – and for all those he selflessly writes and send to me after every match. They really are popular, and a credit to Bill and the club. Walsall Wood have a reputation for being a great, community spirited group of people and these reports demonstrate that – it’s an honour and joy to feature them here.

For the good of the Wood!

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July 1990 – Callous closure of Job Club

Posted on November 20, 2014 by BrownhillsBob
Brownhills Gazette July 1990 issue 10_000001

Brownhills Gazette July 1990 issue 10 – The local job club was under threat – they were a useful means of supporting the unemployed to work. Click for a larger version.

Continuing the scans of the Brownhills Gazette – I present issue 10 of the long lost freesheet, from July 1990 for you to peruse and download. I’ve had an incredible response to featuring these long, lost publications here on the blog.

David Evans, very kindly granted access to the archive held by former editor and contributor Brian Stringer, has been assiduously and conscientiously scanning them all. Every single issue. Every few days, I’m going to feature the next in the series.

Note that this issue romps home at 20 pages and was really in it’s stride. There are Brownhills Carnival photos and history, and good stuff on Clayhanger, Brownhills Choral Society and a fashion show that I’m sure will make some readers cringe.

The history of how the Brownhills Gazette came to exist has been detailed in this post thanks to the wonderful John Sylvester.

If other bloggers want to use this material, can you please drop me a line first? I don’t mind, there’s just sone stuff I’d like to clear about the usage, thanks.

Cheers to Brian and David for sharing a wonderful thing, that’s part of our community history.

If you have any memories, questions or observations please do comment or mail me – BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com.

Brownhills Gazette issue 10 July 1990 – PDF format

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Brownhills Christmas market: it’s on – and an appeal for help!

Posted on November 19, 2014 by BrownhillsBob
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A great thing for Brownhills…

Well, it’s going ahead – despite the negativity and naysayers, there are sufficient stalls now signed up to make the planned Christmas Market in Brownhills this year a reality. The organisers still have spaces for this two-day extravaganza, so if you’d like to join in the fun, get your application in sharpish!

The two day Christmas market is planned for Brownhills over the weekend of 13-14 December 2014, and the organisers are interested in hearing from anyone who’d like to hire a pitch.

At only £10 for non-food and £20 for food stalls, this could well be a brilliant event – and last year’s Christmas Magic day was wonderful. The Walsall night markets were excellent, and I hope some of the same traders could attend.

You can download an application form to print out here, or make any enquiries with Nicki Rolls who’s organising the event. You can contact her via the Brownhills Town Centre Partnership Facebook Page, email on RollsN@walsall.gov.uk or by good old fashioned telephone on 07904 264920.

There’s also been an appeal from the Town Centre Partnership for help sprucing up Ravens Court for the Christmas event:

Great news for the Brownhills Christmas Market on 13th and 14h of December. Tesco have donated their time as well as Various other things, and today we have had permission from the Ravens Court site owners to spruce the place up in time for our event.

We urgently need volunteers to help with the cleaning, painting etc.

If Anyone has a contact in DIY trade for some shutter paint, please get in touch. Let’s make this event really great and get the town’s eyesore tidied up…

If you can help contact Nicki Rolls on07904 264920

Please folks – it’s easy to run down our town and say nothing ever happens, but this is a real chance to come together and stage something we can all enjoy.

Walsall Council said:

A festive market selling niche goods including crafts, jewellery and hot food will be brought to Brownhills this Christmas.

Organisers for the market – a first for the town – have confirmed they have enough traders to stage the event on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 December. Around 20 stalls were needed to turn the market into reality, but enough space is available for 40 traders.

Council chiefs say the event could be a regular one for the town.

Organiser Nikki Rolls, from the Council’s district centre management team, said: “We’re delighted to confirm that we have enough traders to hold Brownhills’ first ever festive market.

‘We’re really pleased with the response and are looking forward to hosting a fabulous event in the town.

‘At least 20 stalls have now been confirmed, with traders selling handmade jewellery, bespoke and novelty Christmas gifts, crafts, beauty products, cupcakes and homemade cakes, unique Christmas wreaths and a hot chocolate counter.

‘We have enough space for 40 stalls so if you’re interested in trading at this event please get in touch.’

Space will be erected in Ravenscourt Precinct in High Street and stallholders will be charged a fee of £10 for non-food items and £20 to sell food. Fees are the same for one or both days.

Stall holders who are interested in supporting the event must bring their own facilities including table and chairs, marquee and lighting is desired. You must provide a copy of your public liability insurance is required and the necessary documentation if you are a food trader.

To find out more contact Nikki on 07904 264920 or email RollsN@walsall.gov.uk

Meanwhile, if you’re organising anything for Christmas at all, please do drop me a line. I do like to promote local stuff wherever possible. It’s an easy way for you to reach thousands of readers a week, absolutely free of charge.

Please mail your details to BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com. Cheers.

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

More great local theatre this week!

Posted on November 19, 2014 by BrownhillsBob

Recently I note lots of people complaining on the internet and in local papers that Walsall has no theatre, and somebody really should do something about it – what’s annoying about this is Walsall has 3 theatres (even more if you count the small venues in schools) and even more theatre companies, performing some top notch shows, seemingly unknown to many.

In Walsall, there’s the popular Grange Playhouse, Forest Arts Centre and the Aldridge Youth Theatre, as well as Bookmark Bloxwich and other community venues.

Local theatre companies make use of all these facilities, and others in nearby areas; earlier this month Brownhills Musical Theatre Company performed at the Prince of Wales Theatre in cannock, and this week, it’s the turn of Aldridge Musical Comedy Society who are performing Jesus Christ Superstar there this coming Thursday, Friday and Saturday (20th-22nd November 2014).

Performances are at 7:30pm each evening, and are £12 per adult, £10 for concessions and £6 for kids.

Best of luck to all the performers, crew and supporters.

For tickets and other information, please contact a member of the company or contact the ticket secretary Paula Garratt via the following methods:

Email: mgbeechcroft@aol.com
Tel: 01543 480626
Mob: 07932 688485

jcs_flyer

Looks set to be a great show…

From their website:

The Aldridge Musical Comedy Society was formed back in 1967. The original society put on their first production of Calamity Jane in 1968, which wowed those 60’s audiences.

The Society currently has a base of around 35 members of various ages and vocal groups, but are still looking for new, young (or young at heart!) and vibrant performers to compliment the exceptional talents of the actors, singers and dancers that the Society has become well renown for.

We rehearse on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at the Keeling School of Dance, High St. Aldridge and would welcome any prospective members to come and meet us at any one of our rehearsals.

The Society have a production every May and every November, at either the exceptionally well facilitated Brownhills Community School Theatre or the well established and prestigious Prince of Wales Centre in Cannock.

In addition to the shows and concerts, AMCS also performs at private functions and for other groups who wish to be entertained by the multi-talented actors, singers and dancers.

As a registered charity, the Society supports other charities by performing and raising funds whenever possible and has recently joined forces with Chadsmoor Choral Society and the Bridgtown Brass Band to raise funds for the Katharine House Hospice in Stafford.

AMCS has a very specific aim…

The Aldridge Musical Comedy Society is a registered charity and it is our main aim to promote musical theatre for the benefit of all and to encourage new, young, local talent to the stage.

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

On the beach – the web that’s woven

Posted on November 18, 2014 by BrownhillsBob
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What a fantastic period photo – supplied very kindly by Julie Le-Moine.

Here’s a great example of me getting things wrong, and of how local oral history works with the community correcting me – last week I featured the great picture above from Julie Le Moine of herself as a baby with her mum, and ‘uncle’ Paddy (Walker) and ‘auntie’ Clarice’ on a beach in Blackpool in September 1966.

It seems originally, Julie thought Paddy survived the Grove Pit Disaster – which, considering it was 36 years before the picture was taken, looking at Paddy, I considered this feasible. Julie since contacted me with a correction:

Hi Bob

I’ve been doing some research and reading your blogs… there is a photo of Lionel Walker being carried out of the Coppy Pit ..the sole survivor of the accident there. It wasn’t the Grove pit at all.

Your blog post on it was dated 09/08/2012 called The Rescuers.

Julie

I also thank Rob Brownhills for raising this in the comments to the original post – and no, I have no idea how they got that majestic, huge pram there either!

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Lionel ‘Paddy’ Walker is carried injured out of the Coppy Pit. Image taken from ‘Coal Mining in the North East Section of Walsall Metropolitan Borough’ by Brian Rollins. Click for a larger version.

It doesn’t end there, though. Yesterday, I had a great message from Brian ‘Clayhanger Kid’ Stringer who had this to say, about his times and involvement in the Walsall Wood incident:

Hi Bob.

Just came across the photo sent in by Julie Le Moine. I knew Paddy Walker well and remember his wife Clarice working in Walsall Wood Colliery canteen. The only pleasure we got from working the night shift, was coming up the pit at the end of our shift, having a shower and heading straight to the canteen. As soon as we went in Clarice started making us a mug of Horlicks before handing us a large pork pie each which we smothered with brown sauce. Although breakfast time, it was our supper. Big pork pie, swilled down with Horlicks always guaranteed a good day’s sleep. Oh happy memories.

I suppose its possible that Paddy (Lionel) could have been involved in the Grove disaster, but I suspect a mix up somewhere, because on page 94/95 in my second book I gave an account of the 1956 Walsall Wood mining disaster and how Paddy was rescued.

I last spoke to him at the 50 year memorial service at Walsall Wood Church, and used to chat regularly to him at Walsall Wood Football matches.

This blog sure stirs some memories up, and long may it continue.

Cheers mate,
Brian

I’m always happy (if sometimes embarrassed) to correct errors here – and thanks to everyone who helped – I should have researched that more thoroughly, but sometimes, I just don’t get time. However, correspondence on such matters is always welcome.

What it also shows is how there’s no single, isolated thread of history. A happy photo on a beach in the 1960s is intertwined inextricably with the pain and horror of a terrible industrial accident.

You can always comment, or mail me: BrownhillsBob at googlemmil dot com. Thanks.

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Council consultation event in Brownhills today!

Posted on November 18, 2014 by BrownhillsBob
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You can admire the recently restored clock while you’re there…

Sorry this is late, I was working on something else last night, but today, Tuesday 18th November 2014 from 10am-12noon, there’s a Walsall Council budget Consultation event in Brownhills Library at The Parkview Centre in Brownhills. Everyone is invited to attend and offer their view on prospect cuts to the local council budget, and Council Officers will be on hand to discuss matters.

If you have concerns about cuts to services, this is your opportunity to express them and get your voice heard.

A list of dates of upcoming events is presented below, so even if you can’t make this one, there will be others. It’s worth pointing out that feedback from last year’s consultations did make a difference, so this is well worth participating in.

It’s also worth noting that there’s a library consultation going on too:

Everyone from regular library visitors to those who never use the service are being urged to have their say on helping shape its future as part of a proposed restructure.

An online consultation asking people for their views on the library service is now available at http://www.walsall.gov.uk/budgethaveyoursay (please scroll to the bottom of the page to access the link).Printed copies are also available in the borough’s libraries.

People are being asked to fill in the survey as part of the council’s budget consultation which is now underway.

The authority needs to save £86 million over the next four years.The draft budget proposals include plans to close five libraries(Beechdale, Pheasey, South Walsall, Streetly and Walsall Wood in 2015/16 and a further three(Blakenall, New Invention and Rushall) in 2016/17.

Councillor Khizar Hussain, portfolio holder for community, leisure and culture, at Walsall Council, said: “Difficult decisions and, ultimately, unpopular ones have to be made in the coming years if we are to achieve the level of savings needed.

‘With regards to libraries there is a proposal on the table for 2015/16 and 2016/17 but I would stress this is only a suggestion and could change in the light of consultation feedback.

‘The consultation is aimed at everyone from supporters of the libraries named in the draft proposals, to a complete non-user or someone that uses the online services only. We want to hear what the people have to say in terms of their ideas for how the borough’s library service should be delivered,within the available budget,to alternative savings suggestions.

‘If you live, work visit or do business in Walsall please take this opportunity to give us your feedback.’

As part of the consultation telephone interviews will also be carried out with a random sample of library and non-library users.

The consultation runs until 4 January 2015. All the information received will be fed back to help shape the final proposals which will go before full council for approval in February.

Dates, times and venues are detailed below.

Venue Date Time
Brownhills Library, Park View Centre, Chester Road North 18 Nov 10.00 to 12.00
Central Library, Lichfield Street, Walsall 20 Nov 12.00 to 14.00
Darlaston Library, 1 King Street, Darlaston 21 Nov 14.00 to 16.00
First Stop Shop, Civic Centre, Darwall Street, Walsall 24 Nov 10.00 to 12.00
Council House Room 4, Lichfield Street, Walsall 25 Nov 18.00 to 20.00
First Stop Express, Park Street, Walsall 26 Nov 10.00 to 16.00
Bloxwich Library, Elmore Row, Bloxwich 28 Nov 14.00 to 16.00
First Stop Shop, Civic Centre, Darwall Street, Walsall 1 Dec 14.00 to 16.00
First Stop Express, Willenhall Town Centre 2 Dec 09.30 to 12.30
First Stop Express, King Street, Darlaston 2 Dec 13.30 to 16.00
Central Library, Lichfield Street, Walsall 4 Dec 16.00 to 18.00
Willenhall Library, Walsall Street, Willenhall 5 Dec 10.00 to 12.00
First Stop Express, Willenhall Town Centre 9 Dec 09.30 to 12.30
First Stop Express, King Street, Darlaston 9 Dec 13.30 to 16.00
First Stop Shop, Civic Centre, Darwall Street, Walsall 9 Dec 14.00 to 16.00

The First Stop Express bus stops in Willenhall and Darlaston every Tuesday (execpt on 18 November due to maintenance).

You can read about the consultations on the council website here.

Please do take part in the consultations if you can. The cuts will massively affect not just Brownhills, but the whole borough and I’d like to think we can all have our say.

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Brownhills press gang

Posted on November 16, 2014 by BrownhillsBob
The press room run by Ian, David & Mark Sylvester with the presses used at the time to produce the Brownhills Gazette. Image very kindly supplied by John Sylvester.

The press room run by Ian, David & Mark Sylvester with the presses used at the time to produce the Brownhills Gazette. Image very kindly supplied by John Sylvester.

Occasionally on the Brownhills Blog we strike a little bit of gold that sets things alight for a bit – this has happened over a variety of disparate topics; the Brownhills Carnival video, and the later cinefilm from the Brownhills Camera Club; the studies of the Harrison Empire, and the Lost Stonnall Hoard.

I rarely know what’s coming next, but there always seems to be something good not too far away.

When the young David Evans unearthed a copy of the Brownhills Gazette a few weeks ago, I was really, really pleased; little did I realise this would lead, through the generosity of Brian Stringer, to the whole cannon of this lost newspaper being scanned and made available via the blog.

What has surprised me is the continued interest; we’ve had 8 issues now, and the interest remains as keen and has actually increased, where I had imagined it might wane. I’m so pleased, as the brownhills Gazette was a major inspiration behind this blog and I read every issue.

John Sylvester was the motive force behind Baker Bond, the company that produced the Gazette and sister titles from the print shop in Laburnum Cottage, on the corner of High Street and New Road in Brownhills, and he recently sent some lovely photos and had this to say:

Front of premises (Laburnum Cottage) we purchased in Brownhills in 1986. Image very kindly supplied by John Sylvester.
Pauline Jacks showing visitors the Brownhills Gazette being collated. Image very kindly supplied by John Sylvester.
Renovation of building undertaken by Ron Bailey’s building company, Ron being a resident living in Friezland Lane. Image very kindly supplied by John Sylvester.
Back of premises (Laburnum Cottage) we purchased in Brownhills in 1986. Image very kindly supplied by John Sylvester.
Keys of renovated building being handed over by the builders to John Sylvester with fellow directors Pauline Jacks and Brian Bishop looking on. Image very kindly supplied by John Sylvester.
Renovation of building undertaken by Ron Bailey’s building company, Ron being a resident living in Friezland Lane. Image very kindly supplied by John Sylvester.
The press room of Excel print today at Aldridge which the Sylvester brothers now own and which printed the latest copy of the ‘Clayhanger Kid’. Image very kindly supplied by John Sylvester.
The press room run by Ian, David & Mark Sylvester with the presses used at the time to produce the Brownhills Gazette. Image very kindly supplied by John Sylvester.
Baker Bond first premises at Rushall from which we started in 1982. Image very kindly supplied by John Sylvester.

Dear Bob

I was delighted to see you are showing copies of the Brownhills Gazette on your web site a publication I started not long after leaving the Post & Mail Group after 25 years’ service and starting my own company Baker Bond along with three colleagues who joined me in the venture.

I left the Post & Mail group for a similar reason to you starting the web site, I had lost faith in the way local newspapers were going, today is even worse and in my opinion the local weekly newspaper is dead, and web sites like yours will grow in importance to the community.

I attach 9 pictures for you should you wish to use any of them I also enclose a press cutting of a picture taken at the now defunct Brownhills cricket club. I do have a number of other photographs along with a considerable number taken at Walsall Wood Fc a club that was and in fact still is very dear to me.

Brian Stringer and I are still friends and still meet on a regular basis so feel sure we will be able to help with any further information you may need.

John Sylvester

Special thanks to John, Brian Stringer and to David Evans, without any of which none of this would have been possible, and my particular gratitude to them for sharing a wonderful thing, that’s part of our community history.

There is one last image John sent, that’s really of interest to local sports fans – it’s a celebration at Brownhills Cricket Club in 1979:

A celebration at Brownhills Cricket Club in 1979. Image very kindly supplied by John Sylvester.

A celebration at Brownhills Cricket Club in 1979. Image very kindly supplied by John Sylvester.

That has to be worth a comment from local cricket fans! If you have any memories, questions or observations please do comment or mail me – BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com.

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 67 Comments

On a clear day

Posted on November 16, 2014 by BrownhillsBob
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Lichfield Road, Great Charles Street and lower High Street 19th June 1952. Note the Station Hotel, remains of the brewery and canal wharf bottom right. Holland Park, bottom left, seems to have been partially created. Click for a larger version. Image generously supplied by Gerald Reece.

The wonderfully generous and knowledgable Sir Gerald of Reece recently sent me some scans of aerial images dating from 1948-52, taken of Brownhills and and stored on transparency, which I feature here today.

They are quite, quite remarkable.

I first saw them at Gerald’s last talk in Brownhills in 2012, when he had prints of them in an album; I mentioned them to him recently and he was good enough to dropbox me some scans. They’re every bit as wonderful as I remembered.

I shan’t waffle on, but note the remains of the Roberts Brewery and the wharf behind; a very undeveloped Shire Oak – is that The Fold visible? Claynager’s Spot is flooded and Anglesey Wharf looks busy.

Once again, thanks to Gerald. Piece by piece, we are building a fine record of our history – and you can come and hear another great talk by the man himself at the end of November.

These images are huge, so please be patient. It’s taken me over two hours to upload them.

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Shire Oak and Walsall Wood Colliery (The Coppy Pit) on 27th March 1948. Clay hanger bottom central; not no Shire Oak School, and the Saddler Road estate yet to be built. Click for a larger version. Image generously supplied by Gerald Reece.

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Brownhills Central, common and the Whitehorse Road estate 27th March 1948. The Hussey Estate is bottom right, lower corner of Chasewater and the Nine-Foot bottom left. Centre right Ogley Hay. Click for a larger version. Image generously supplied by Gerald Reece.

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

No, it’s not about us

Posted on November 16, 2014 by BrownhillsBob

This is just a quick one that snagged my attention in the wee small hours, which has actually quite surprised me, but on reflections seems par for the course – it’s interesting in light of Conservative Party attempts to get coverage of their propaganda on local blogs that I was so annoyed about on Friday.

 As readers will no doubt know, our long standing MP in Aldridge Brownhills – Richard Shepherd – is standing down at the next election. There has been some chatter locally that the replacement candidate – most likely to be next MP in this safe Tory seat – would be one of two local councillors, either Pelsall poster boy Garry Perry or the self-basting former regeneration head honcho Adrian Andrew.

However, a now-deleted request popped up in my running search for Brownhills on twitter in the wee small hours of this morning from a Dr. Teck Khong, who in his twitter bio (user information) describes himself thus:

Doctor & former Police Surgeon. Varied interests. Conservative, Parliamentary Candidates List. Views own, RTs to discuss not necessarily endorse.

This is a gentleman on the list to be a Conservative candidate, but clearly not yet selected for a seat. It seems he’s looking at Aldridge Brownhills, as he’s taking the precaution of asking for info about the place:

Untitled 9

The importance of local knowledge. This man could be our next MP, and he’s asking for sociological opinion. Blimey. This tweet has since been deleted.

So, the next MP here could well be a parachuted in candidate with no connections to our area who had to resort clumsily to twitter to find out a few rudiments about us. Minimal local knowledge seemingly only considered important for getting the gig.

This may be shocking, but Old Shep himself was parachuted in, as is the prospective Tory candidate for Walsall North, Douglas Hansen-Luke. Dougie is a man also without previous connections to Walsall, but seems intent on ingratiating himself by the power of slime alone. He’s a former financial wonk from down south.

Labour of course aren’t exempt from this tomfoolery, with Valerie Vaz bravely gaining the seat of Walsall South, despite being unfortunately related to her brother Keith. She was flown in here from Leicester.

Is it any wonder people are disillusioned with politics?

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Walsall Wood sail past Shepshed

Posted on November 16, 2014 by BrownhillsBob
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A rather wet, grey Oak Park saw a great match in very hard conditions.

Yesterday afternoon,  (Saturday, 15th November 2014), Walsall Wood FC faced Shepshed Dynamo at home, and the Woodmen proved themselves far the superior to the visitors in what were very tough conditions.

Bill Shaw submitted the following match report:

Hiya Bob,

Hiya Bob,

A convincing win for Wood in another entertaining 90 minutes at Oak Park. Both sides made light of the difficult heavy conditions but it was the Shepshed Dynamo choir who stole the show with a witty virtuoso performance.

Walsall Wood 4 v 1 Shepshed Dynamo

The visitors had the better of the opening 20 minutes, but it was Walsall Wood who took the lead on 28, Leon Taylor powering in along the byeline from wide right before laying the ball back to Joey Butlin who scored with a crisp low drive. Four minutes later it was 2-0, Harry Harris won the ball left of centre, hit a ball beyond the far post that Butlin volleyed in off the keeper on the post.

The visitors put the Wood defence under pressure in the last 10 minutes of the first half, Scott Staniland firing wide and then seeing a central free kick brilliantly saved by keeper Mario Kisiel.

Six minutes into the second half a lovely through ball by Harris into the right of the box was collected at speed by Taylor, keeper Luke Pickering taking the pace off his powerful low drive, the striker running on to tap the ball into an empty net.

A neat left wing move by the visitors on 57 minutes saw Staniland play a ball across the face of the Wood box, Courtney Meade calmly reducing the deficit.

Wood sewed things up on 68 minutes, Corey Currithers crossing from the left to the right of the box, Drew Aiton hitting a curling volley to give keeper Pickering no chance. Both defences were on top until on 90 minutes, returning Lewis Taylor Boyce released Aiton into the right of the box, keeper Pickering making a superb full length save.

It’s Walsall Senior Cup action on Tuesday night at Stafford Town, before it’s FA Vase action on Saturday 22nd at Causeway United.

Exciting times at the Wood, with the Stoke City Staffs Senior Cup game switched to Oak Park and will be played on Monday December 8th.

Bill Shaw.

My thanks to Bill for a great report – and for all those he selflessly writes and send to me after every match. They really are popular, and a credit to Bill and the club. Walsall Wood have a reputation for being a great, community spirited group of people and these reports demonstrate that – it’s an honour and joy to feature them here.

For the good of the Wood!

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Stroll this way to tots play – this morning!

Posted on November 15, 2014 by BrownhillsBob
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Oops… forgot to mention this last week…

For some time now I’ve been promoting the brilliant parent and toddler walking and social group that takes place weekly at Chasewater – Chasewater Strollers, who continue to grow in number and recently made an appeal for toys and equipment to set up a playgroup.

I know this is late notice, but Sunday morning at 10:00am (16th November 2014), they have a special event happening at the Innovation Centre at Chasewater.

Stroll this way to tots play!

An extra special Chasewater Strollers walk and event. Not only a lovely buggy walk at Chasewater Country Park but also a free session of Tots Play Lichfield and Cannock following the walk.

Please RSVP if you plan to come so we can make sure there are enough places for Tots Play. Tots Play is a mixture of baby massage, yoga, signing, sensory play, physical play and lots of fun! http://www.totsplay.co.uk

Meet inside the Innovation Centre at 10.00am to begin the walk at 10.10. The event will finish by 12:15. This event will suit babies up to the age of 2 and a half. You don’t need to have attended a Chasewater Strollers Walk before.

Details of the walk:

Chasewater Strollers is a buggy walking group for anyone with a little one to exercise in the fresh air at the lovely Chasewater Country Park Reservoir. Moms, dads, grandparents, carers, childminders; everyone is welcome. All you need is a small child, a pushchair/stroller/pram and some comfortable footwear.

We are a friendly group and you will be made very welcome. For Moms -come along and work off the post-baby weight and exercise without having to find childcare for your little one. Walking with a baby/toddler is great for them and you and exercising outdoors is great for your physical and mental health. Meet other likeminded parents and grandparents, make new friends and have a good chat along the route.

We will walk about 3 miles which takes just under one hour at a medium pace. We will walk in all weathers so bring appropriate footwear, coats, hats, sunscreen etc! The route we take is flat and the paths are mostly tarmac and hard surfaces. Occasionally small areas of the path can get a bit muddy in winter so don’t bring a treasured pram that you would mind getting a little dirty! (You don’t need a fancy special off-road all terrain buggy.)

The walk is free. It is led voluntarily. So you come on the walk at your own risk!

All the info you need:
You can park for free by the Innovation Centre. There are baby change and toilet facilities inside..

Don’t forget to bring:
• Appropriate footwear
• Waterproof coats if the weather looks iffy
• Raincover for the pushchair
• A drink
• Your baby!

Contact details:

Any questions please send us an email or facebook message. Otherwise just turn up and you will be made very welcome!

Chasewater Innovation Centre 01543 370737

Search for Chasewater Strollers on Facebook

chasewaterstrollers@outlook.com

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

June 1990 – Avenues fight on

Posted on November 15, 2014 by BrownhillsBob
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Brownhills Gazette June 1990 issue 9 – The Avenues Estate was in a terrible condition. Click for a larger version.

Continuing the scans of the Brownhills Gazette – I present issue 9 of the long lost freesheet, from June 1990 for you to peruse and download. I’ve had an incredible response to featuring these long, lost publications here on the blog.

David Evans, very kindly granted access to the archive held by former editor and contributor Brian Stringer, has been assiduously and conscientiously scanning them all. Every single issue. Every few days, I’m going to feature the next in the series.

If other bloggers want to use this material, can you please drop me a line first? I don’t mind, there’s just sone stuff I’d like to clear about the usage, thanks.

Cheers to Brian and David for sharing a wonderful thing, that’s part of our community history.

If you have any memories, questions or observations please do comment or mail me – BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com.

Brownhills Gazette issue 9 June 1990 – PDF format

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Walsall Wood face Shepshed Dynamo at Oak Park this afternoon

Posted on November 15, 2014 by BrownhillsBob
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Oak Park – home to the mighty Woodmen!

Saturday 15th November 2014

Walsall Wood versus Shepshed Dynamo

Come watch the lads at Oak Park for a great afternoon of football

Kick off is 3:00pm

Hopefully, a match report will follow…

For the Good of the Wood!

Check out Walsall Wood FC’s website here.

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment