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Tag Archives: Aldridge
The gnomons of Aldridge
Here’s just a quick note to regular readers not on social media or who perhaps haven’t noticed that Linda Mason, ‘The Mad Old Baggage’ has a new post up about a very interesting situation in Aldridge, concerning planning and a curious bullishness evident in some quarters, and it’s rather curious stuff.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Aldridge, Facebook, Lichfield, Linda Mason, local blogs, Local History, Mad Old Baggage, Mason, planning, Sundial, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Wood
7 Comments
Distraction theft at Morrisons car park, Aldridge – be careful, folks.
People are being warned to be on their guard after a distraction theft incident in the car park of Morrisons in Aldridge on Friday, 17th March 2017 in which a debit card was stolen from a car while the driver was being asked for directions, and subsequently used fraudulently.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, It makes me mad!, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aldridge, Brownhills, crime, directions, distraction, Events, Facebook, lady, Lichfield, Morrisons, Police, Robbery, snatch, Theft, Twitter, Walsall Wood
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Models at the museum – a great event happening this Sunday
I see from the events list that Aston Manor Road Transport Museum in Aldridge have a ‘Models at the Museum’ event this Sunday, 26th March 2017 -It starts at 10:00am and should be just the thing for modellers, transport enthusiasts, petrol heads and big kids of all kinds.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2017, 26 March, Aldridge, AMRTM, Aston Manor, at the museum, Brownhills, bus, Bus Museum, Collectors fair, event, Events, Facebook, free busses, Local History, Models, programme, Shenstone Drive, STeam, Transport Museum, Walsall Wood
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Horsebox fire in Walsall Wood yesterday evening
I’ve had a few enquiries about an incident up on Castlehill, Walsall Wood yesterday evening (Wednesday, 1st March 2017) that saw fire engines attend to a callout in the area.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1 March, 2017, Aldridge, Brownhills, Events, Facebook, Fire, Fire Service, horsebox, incident, Lichfield, red watch, rescue, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Wood, West Midlands, WMFS
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Appeal – did you know Kathleen Coley?
Hi folks, an unusual enquiry please but I hope it’s one the readership might be able to help with.
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Posted in Environment, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Aldridge, Bentley, Family, help, Hospital appeal, Kathleen Coley, Lichfield, Manor Hospital, Norton Canes, Patient, releatives, request, search, Staffordshire, Walsall, Walsall Council, West Midlands
5 Comments
Urgent appeal: Walsall NHS Trust looking for relatives of several patients
Another important appeal for readers of the blog – this request was posted by the Communication Team at Walsall Manor Hospital yesterday, Tuesday 31st January 2017 and I’d like all locals to have a think about it, and if any of you can, please do help.
Posted in Environment, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Aldridge, Bentley, Family, help, Hospital appeal, Julie Venables, Lichfield, Manor Hospital, Norton Canes, Patient, releatives, request, search, Staffordshire, Walsall, Walsall Council, West Midlands
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Subaru car stolen from Aldridge – keep an eye out folks
Diane Mansell, of Aldridge Village Partnership has asked that readers could please be on the lookout for this somewhat distinctive Subaru car (registration K23DHN) which was stolen from Aldridge last night (21st January 2017).
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, It makes me mad!, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aldridge, Brownhills, Car burglary, Car Crime, Car Theft, Clayhanger, crime, Diane Mansell, Events, Facebook, local blogs, Police, public safety, Stonnall, Village Parnership, Walsall Police, West Midlands Police
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Wyre Close house fire appeal – it’s all systems go!
You may recall the unfortunate house fire in Wyre Close, Walsall Wood last December, and the subsequent appeal to folks who could maybe donate unwanted household items when the couple found a house again.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 3 December, Abigail Claire, Aldridge, appeal, Brownhills, Events, Facebook, Fire, Fire Service, household Items, incident, Lichfield, red watch, rescue, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Wood, West Midlands, WMFS, Wyre Close
1 Comment
Demolition of derelict Oak Park Leisure Centre imminent
Yesterday, roving Walsall Wood current affairs correspondent Stephen Hill sent me the above collection of images and the following observations about what is currently happening at Oak Park.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aldridge, Brownhills, Derelict, Events, Facebook, Fire, Fire Service, incident, Lichfield, Oak Park, rescue, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Wood, West Midlands, WMFS
2 Comments
Serious fire ongoing at derelict former Oak Park Recreation Centre Walsall Wood
There’s currently a serious fire occurring at the the derelict former Oak Park Recreation Centre in Walsall Wood.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2017, Aldridge, Brownhills, Derelict, Events, Facebook, Fire, Fire Service, incident, Lichfield, Oak Park, rescue, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Wood, West Midlands, WMFS
1 Comment
2016 Christmas bin collection information
Hi folks – I’m getting a lot of enquiries regarding Christmas bin collection arrangements in the borough of Walsall, and thought I’d post the official guidance for those that seem concerned about when the guys in orange will come and collect their rubbish.
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2016, Aldridge, bin collections, Bins, Brownhills, Christmas, Clayhanger, collection, collection day, Events, household waste, information, Leaflet, Local politics, new, Recycling, Refuse, rubbish, schedule, Silly, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
3 Comments
Jordan Gaddu is safe and well
Sorry, bit late with the news, but Christmas Eve seems a good time to tell you that it seems Jordan Gaddu, who was missing for several days last week has been in contact with friends and family and is safe and well.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged 20, 2016, 22 Decenber, Aldridge, appeal, boy, Facebook, father, Jordan gaddu, lad, Lost, missing, Son, toni ann rolls, Walsall, West Midlands Police
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Jordan Gaddu safe and well
This is an important one that came in yesterday evening (Thursday, 22nd December 2016), via reader and friend of the blog Ian – the lad pictured above, Jordan Gaddu is missing and his family would like to hear from him or anyone who knows where he might be.

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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged 20, 2016, 22 Decenber, Aldridge, appeal, boy, Facebook, father, Jordan gaddu, lad, Lost, missing, Son, toni ann rolls, Walsall, West Midlands Police
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Our Village – a great new local history book for Aldridge – out now and selling fast!
There are a handful of great local history books out at the moment, just in time for Christmas, that would makes great gifts for those with a local interest – last week I noted the new book on Brownhills pubs by Clive Roberts, and I’m posting today to point up the new book by Sue Satterthwaite and Len Boulton covering Aldridge.
Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 2016, Aldridge, Book, ceremony, December, Events, House, Len Boulton, Library, Lichfield, Linda Mason, local blogs, Local History, Manor, Our Village, Somme, Staffordshire, Sue Satterthwaite, Things to do, Walsall Council
3 Comments
Appeal made for household items in aid of couple affected by Wyre Close fire
Following the unfortunate house fire in Wyre Close, Walsall Wood on Saturday evening (3rd December 2016) friend of the couple affected, Abigail Claire has been appealing for anyone that may be discarding useful household items to donate them if they can.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2016, 3 December, Abigail Claire, Aldridge, appeal, Brownhills, Events, Facebook, Fire, Fire Service, household Items, incident, Lichfield, red watch, rescue, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Wood, West Midlands, WMFS, Wyre Close
1 Comment
House fire in Walsall Wood yesterday evening
Sad to report a house fire occurred yesterday evening (Saturday, 3rd December 2016) – apparently in Wyre Close, Walsall Wood.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2016, 3 December, Aldridge, Brownhills, Events, Facebook, Fire, Fire Service, incident, Lichfield, red watch, rescue, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Wood, West Midlands, WMFS, Wyre Close
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Aldridge Christmas Tree Festival – on all weekend!
Continuing the burst of Christmas events (Where the devil did Christmas come from all of a sudden?) there’s a wonderful Christmas Tree Festival at Aldridge Methodist Church running today (Saturday 3rd December 2016) right up until 6pm tonight, and from 12-4pm tomorrow.
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Posted in News
Tagged 2016, 3 December, 4 December, Aldridge, Christmas, Events, Festival, Festive, festivities, Linda Mason, local blogs, Methodist Church, New Photos, tree
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Details of 2016 local Remembrance events
Following my request for information to make a list of local Remembrance events, I can again share with readers a list of local Remembrance services taking place locally this Remembrance Sunday, 13th November 2016.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 13th November, 2016, Aldridge, Bloxwich, Brownhills, Clayhanger, Details, Events, Heath Hayes, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Remembrance, Service, Staffordshire, Things to do, time, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
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Another burglary this week in Brownhills – be on your guard
It seems the shed, garage and outbuilding burglars are still out and about in Brownhills and the wider area, so please take care – in the last few days, friend of the blog Jane Booth has written to me to tell me that her garage was broken into this week.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 2016, Aldridge, bikes, Booth, Brownhills, Burglary, crime, Events, garage, garages, home security, Jane, Lichfield Road, local blogs, Pelsall, Peter, Police, Shed, Sheds, Stolen, vehicle, Walsall, West Midlands
2 Comments
2016 Remembrance services – let’s make a list – can you help please?
This is just a quick request for help – in past years, we have crowdsourced from readers a list of local Remembrance parades and events taking place throughout the area, that was popular and useful to many of the readership.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2016, Aldridge, Bloxwich, Brownhills, Clayhanger, Details, Events, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Parade, Remembrance, Service, Staffordshire, Things to do, time, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
4 Comments
Wise Council
One of the most important institutions in the development of Brownhills as a town is one we have scant record of – that is Brownhills Urban District Council, which existed as a separate entity before merger with Aldridge in 1966, the merged Council itself disbanded in 1974.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1960's, Aldridge, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cawley, Council Urban District, Events, Jonah Deakin, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, Staffordshire, Steve, Trevor
12 Comments
Blooming Aldridge!
A couple of fun events coming up in Aldridge this weekend from Aldridge Village Partnership and the wonderful Diane Mansell, who you’ll know also runs the Brownhills Town Centre partnership.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 2016, Aldridge, Ball, Britain in Bloom, Brownhills, Brownhills Town Centre Partnership, BULB PLANTING, Darlaston, Events, Facebook, FAIRLAWNS, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, September, Things to do, Vickie Heydon-Matterface, Vivienne Aston, Walsall, Walsall Council, World Record
1 Comment
A remarkable local rail journey – stepping right out of time
There’s currently a buzz in the local rail community and in some groups on Facebook about a 1968 cinefilm recently converted to digital and uploaded online by rail historian and blog regular, Ian Pell – it’s a remarkable, wonderful thing, and Ian has written a fascinating account of the film and line it covers especially for the blog, which I feature below.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1966, Aldridge, Brawn, brickworks, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, Conduit, Coppice, Coppice Colliery, Film, House, Ian Pell, joberns, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, planet, Railway, Redevelopment, Simon Briercliffe, Staffordshire, Utopia, Walsall Wood
9 Comments
Beware – garage and shed burglaries occurring again locally
It’s time, I’m very much afraid, to issue another warning – it seems local burglars are at is again – In the last few weeks there have been a number of break-ins to sheds and outbuildings in the Brownhills, Walsall Wood, Pelsall and High Heath areas in particular.

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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 2016, Aldridge, Brownhills, Burglary, crime, Events, garage, garages, home security, local blogs, Pelsall, Police, Shed, Sheds, Shire Oak, vehicle, Walsall, West Midlands
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Urgent appeal: Walsall NHS Trust looking for relatives Norman Smith
Another important appeal for readers of the blog – this request was posted by the Communication Team at Walsall Manor Hospital Tuesday (19th August 2016) and I’d like all locals to have a think about it, and if any of you can, please do help.
Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 19 August, 2016, Aldridge, Bentley, Family, help, Hospital appeal, Julie Venables, Lichfield, Manor Hospital, Navy, Norman Smith, Norton Canes, Patient, releatives, request, search, Staffordshire, Walsall, Walsall Council, West Midlands
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Urgent appeal: Walsall NHS Trust looking for relatives of a patient
This is very unusual, but I think is somewhat important – this request was posted by the Communication Team at Walsall Manor Hospital Tuesday (19th July 2016) and I’d like all locals to have a think about it, and if any … Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 19 July, 2016, Aldridge, Bentley, Constance Collett, Family, help, Hospital appeal, Julie Venables, Lichfield, Manor Hospital, Norton Canes, Patient, releatives, request, search, Staffordshire, Walsall, Walsall Council, Wednesbury, West Midlands
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Rosie’s Charity Walk this Sunday!
Sunday 17th July 2016 sees the last ever Rosie’s Charity Walk in aid of the wonderful Rosie’s Helping Hands Charity -I’m sure readers know the story of how the charity started, and out of tragedy, this event has raised a whole lot of cash for local good causes and proves that good things really can come from heartbreak.
Posted in Churches, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged 17 July, 2016, Airfield, Airport, Aldridge, charity, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Festival, fun day, Karen Ross, memorial, Rosie Ross, Rosie's Helping Hands, sponsored, Sunday, Things to do, walk, Walsall
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Get your Freakley on…
Just recently we’ve talked extensively about the Midland Railway through Walsall Wood and Brownhills, and the notorious rail tour that seems to have been the last passenger train along it – but we’ve also discussed local brick making too, and I think this is an excellent time to feature this article by top local historian Gerald Reece.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged A Walk Into History, Aldridge, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Freakily Bricks, FreakleyG, Gerald Reece, House, local blogs, Local History, Midland Railway, Mr, New Photos, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, Utopia, Walsall Wood
12 Comments
Urgent appeal: Walsall NHS Trust looking for relatives of two patients
This is very unusual, but I think is somewhat important – this request was posted by the Communication Team at Walsall Manor Hospital Tuesday (28th June 2016) and I’d like all locals to have a think about it, and if any of you can, please do help.

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Posted in Environment, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 1928, 1938, 1952, 2016, Aldridge, Blackpool, Bloxwixh, Family, help, Julie Venables, Kenneth Lloyd, Lichfield, Manor Hospital, Melvyn Jones, Norton Canes, Patient, releatives, request, search, Sid, Staffordshire, Walsall, Walsall Council, Wednesbury, West Midlands
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Fired up
Last week, we looked at early evidence of local brick making on an industrial scale, after a remarkable passage describing a local brickworks was spotted in an 1850 book by the wonderful Simon Briercliffe.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aldridge, Brawn, brickworks, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Coppice, Coppice Colliery, House, Ian Pell, joberns, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Redevelopment, Simon Briercliffe, Staffordshire, Utopia, Walsall Wood
13 Comments
Aldridge Remembers the Great War – coming soon
There is a vey interesting pair of Great War Remembrance events coming to Aldridge in a couple of weeks for people who wish to pay respects, those who had family involvement or perhaps historical interest in the Battle of the Somme.
Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 1st july, 2016, Aldridge, Blue, ceremony, Events, House, Len Boulton, Library, Lichfield, Linda Mason, local blogs, Local History, Manor, Plaque, Somme, Staffordshire, Sue Satterthwaite, Talk, Things to do, Walsall Council, whistle
1 Comment
Urgent appeal: Walsall NHS Trust looking for relatives of three patients
This is very unusual, but I think is somewhat important – this request was posted by the Communication Team at Walsall Manor Hospital Tuesday (7th June 2016) and I’d like all locals to have a think about it, and if any of you can, please do help.
Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 1928, 1938, 1952, 2016, Aldridge, Arthur Povey, Blackpool, Family, help, Jaqueline Flood, Julie Venables, Leonard Baggott, Lichfield, Manor Hospital, Patient, releatives, request, search, Staffordshire, Walsall, Walsall Council, Wednesbury, West Midlands
2 Comments
Great news – missing Aldridge lady Ruth Anne Smith found safe and well
This is wonderful news for those concerned for the welfare of Aldridge resident Ruth Anne Smith, who went missing on Friday, 15th April 2016 – West Midlands Police this morning (Friday, 20th May 2016) announced that Ruth is safe and well, and has been located in Blackpool.
Posted in Environment, Events, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 15th April, 2, 2016, Aldridge, appeal, concern, Croft, Environment, Events, found, happy, hunt, Interesting photos, Local media, located, Lost, misper, missing, News, Police, Reader enquiries, resolution, Ruth Anne Smith, search, Shared media, Social media, Walsall, West Midlands, WMP
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Parents of schoolchildren warned after incidents in Brownhills and Aldridge
I notice from a number of sources and circulating social media that schools in Aldridge and Brownhills are warning parents about two incidents where children have been approached by a male in his 20s or 30s in a white BMW X1 car.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 10 September 2013, 2016, Aldridge, Attempted, BMTC, Brownhills, crime, Events, Facebook, Friday, incident, Letter, Lichfield, Police, schools, text, van, Walsall Wood, warning, white, x1
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Police make new appeal: Community could be key to finding Ruth Anne Smith
This very important appeal from West Midlands Police in Walsall has been renewed – they’re very concerned for the welfare of Aldridge resident Ruth Anne Smith, who has been missing since Friday, 15th April 2016.
Posted in Environment, Events, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 15th April, 2, 2016, Aldridge, appeal, concern, Croft, Environment, Events, hunt, Interesting photos, Local media, Lost, misper, missing, News, Police, Reader enquiries, Ruth Anne Smith, search, Shared media, Social media, Walsall, West Midlands, WMP
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Finally my bin will go out less than I do…
As predicted here a couple of weeks ago, the announcement by Walsall Council has now been made, and a leaflet is currently being circulated regarding reducing collections of your grey non-recycling bin to once every two weeks – interestingly, the announce meant is directly following the local elections. Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2016, Aldridge, bi-weekly, bin collections, Bins, Brownhills, changes, Clayhanger, collection, collection day, Events, household waste, information, Leaflet, Local politics, new, panic, Recycling, Refuse, rubbish, schedule, Silly, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
2016 Walsall local election results
It’s late, I’m knackered – but a big night for Labour in Walsall: Steve Wade held Brownhills by a fairly sizeable majority; Keith Sears held Walsall Wood and a shock result for Blakenall where Labour’s Matt Ward beat Pete Smith. … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2016, Aldridge, Aldridge North, Brownhills, Conservative, Council, Council Election, Councillors, Election, election results, Labour, Local, Local Election, Local politics, Mike Bird, North, Politics, results, Tory, Twitter, UKIP, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Ward
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Police appeal: please help find Ruth Anne Smith
This is a very important appeal from West Midlands Police in Walsall, who are currently very concerned for the welfare of Aldridge resident Ruth Anne Smith, who has been missing since Friday, 15th April 2016.
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Posted in Environment, Events, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 15th April, 2, 2016, Aldridge, appeal, concern, Croft, Environment, Events, hunt, Interesting photos, Local media, Lost, misper, missing, News, Police, Reader enquiries, Ruth Anne Smith, search, Shared media, Social media, Walsall, West Midlands, WMP
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Binned off
Like most of the households in the borough, we’ve received a leaflet from Walsall Council recently in place of the normal bin collection calendar/schedule we normally receive at this time of year – the leaflet says a new calendar won’t be issued until ‘Late summer, 2016’ – I wonder why that might be?

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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2016, Aldridge, bin collections, Bins, Brownhills, Clayhanger, collection, collection day, Events, household waste, information, Leaflet, Local politics, new, Recycling, Refuse, rubbish, schedule, Silly, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
8 Comments
Search continues for ‘Bill’ Baker – more information now available
Ive been trying for a while to get any information on, or contact William John Baker, once resident in Walsall Wood for a while now, and as news information comes to light, I periodically re-run the appeal for the reader trying to locate him – last month they found a picture of Bill, above.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1943, 1965, Aldridge, Baker, Bill, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Facebook, John William Baker, Lichfield, Local History, looking, Lost, searching, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Wood
1 Comment
Aldridge Carnival – late 1960’s
This is a quick one that’s popped up via Facebook and the hero behind the Aldridge Cinema project: Russell Smith, who’s found and converted some cinefilm of Aldridge Carnival in the late 1960s – it’s really rather wonderful and very high quality.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged 1960's, 1968, 1970's, Aldridge, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, carnical, carnival footage, Cine film, local blogs, Local History, Pigblog, Reg Fullelove, Rushall, RushallCarnival, RusjallT, Russell Smith, The Stymaster, Twitter
3 Comments
Brown bin collections in Brownhills start this Friday
Just a heads up to all the bin botherers that there is the first brown (garden waste) bin collection of 2016 in Area 9 tomorrow (Friday, 8th February 2016) – that’s Brownhills, Pelsall, Shire Oak and Clayhanger – so get your bins out for the lads tonight.
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2016, Aldridge, bin collections, Bins, Brownhills, Clayhanger, collection, collection day, Events, household waste, information, Leaflet, Local politics, new, Recycling, Refuse, rubbish, schedule, Silly, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
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The search for Willian ‘Bill’ Baker – anyone recognise this photo please?
Last year I ran an appeal here to find a chap called William John Baker, once resident in Walsall Wood – well, the person who asked is still searching for him, and has found a photo which I feature above – note that this isn’t the William Edward Baker who used to work at Ryford in Aldridge.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1943, 1965, Aldridge, Baker, Bill, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Facebook, John William Baker, Lichfield, Local History, looking, Lost, searching, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Wood
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Bin collection information over Easter 2016
I’ve had a large number of queries today about bin collections for Good Friday and the Easter Weekend (Friday 25th March, Monday 28th March 2016) – collection services in Walsall Borough are operating normally as they doe for every Bank Holiday except the three over Christmas.
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2016, Aldridge, bin collections, Bins, Brownhills, Christmas, Clayhanger, collection, collection day, Easter, Events, household waste, information, Leaflet, Local politics, new, Recycling, Refuse, rubbish, schedule, Silly, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
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Important appeal: Do you know Ian Turner or Rendell Woods?
This is very unusual, but I think is somewhat important – this request was posted by the Communication Team at Walsall Manor Hospital Tuesday (2nd February 2016) and I’d like all locals to have a think about it, and if any of you can, please do help.
Posted in Environment, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 1926, 1960, 2016, Aldridge, Family, help, Ian Turner, Julie Venables, Lichfield, Manor Hospital, Patient, releatives, Rendell Woods, request, search, Staffordshire, Walsall, Walsall Council, Wednesbury, West Midlands
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A great concert in Brownhills this Thursday!
Don’t forget that this Thursday evening (28th January 2016), there’s a fantastic concert featuring music by local performers at Silver Street Methodist Church in Brownhills, organised by the wonderful Deryck Langford.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2016, 28 January, Academy, Aldridge, Band, Brass, Brownhills, charity, Church, concert, Corrie Halford, Deryck Langford, Lichfield, Methodist, music, Shire Oak, Silver Street, Ukulele
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If only there was an online archive…
Nearly two years ago, in March 2014, I featured a rather remarkable image here supplied by Chris Leggett of the Express & Star, which he had released as an example of the remarkable stuff to be found hidden in the newspapers archive, which the paper is still in the process of bidding for funding to put online.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged 1973, Aldridge, archive, Bid, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, caught, Chris Leggett, crash, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Express & Star, Facebook, Helicopter, Kenneth Cornwell, Lichfield, lines, Local History, Malcom Wright, New Photos, overhead, parachute, Peter Nesbit, photo, Reservoir, Show, Silly, skydiver, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Stowe Pool, Stuntman, survey, tangle, Things to do, Twitter, winch
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Be on your guard – local spate of shed burglaries
It’s time, I’m very much afraid, to issue another warning – it seems local burglars are at is again – In the last few weeks there have been a large number of break-ins to sheds and outbuildings in the Brownhills, Pelsall and Aldridge areas.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 2016, Aldridge, Brownhills, Burglary, Community Safety House, CommunitySafety Partnership, Councillor Steve Wade, crime, Demonstration, Events, garage, garages, home security, Kevin Pitt, local blogs, Opening, Pelsall, planning, Police, Safe House, Shed, Sheds, Shire Oak, vehicle, Walsall, West Midlands
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An evening of music in Brownhills coming soon!
Friend of the blog and ukulele whizz Corrie Halford has been in touch to let me know about a rather nice concert that’s due to take place in a couple of weeks at the Silver Street Methodist Church in Brownhills, organised by the wonderful Deryck Langford.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2016, 28 January, Academy, Aldridge, Band, Brass, Brownhills, charity, Church, concert, Corrie Halford, Deryck Langford, Lichfield, Methodist, music, Shire Oak, Silver Street, Ukulele
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Aldridge Manor – commemorate a great history this Friday!
I’ve just noticed that there’s a unique event happening this coming Friday afternoon in Aldridge at the Manor House, marking this fine building’s unique history as a military hospital.
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Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 15 January, 2016, Aldridge, Blue, ceremony, Events, House, Len Boulton, Lichfield, Linda Mason, local blogs, Local History, Manor, Plaque, Staffordshire, Sue Satterthwaite, Things to do, Walsall Council
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