Tag Archives: Andy Dennis

Getting at the engines!

Posted on July 17, 2016 by

Following his donation of the picture of his uncle Frank training for a trotting race last week, friend of the blog Andy Dennis has been thinking more about his uncle, who lived in Brownhills for most of his life – it seems Frank was a very skilled man.
rnas-machrihanish-fleet-air-arm-scotland-2 Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A case of the trots!

Posted on July 14, 2016 by

A great image has come in from friend of the blog and long time contributor Andy Dennis, who’s dug out this fascinating picture of a once prominent local sport that used to take place in Brownhills.
trotting (640x454) Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Miss Hall’s girls

Posted on December 29, 2015 by

by reader Mandy Cockram, whose mother went to Ogley Hay Girls School in Brownhills in the e

859359_1232502720099435_1580377886042131671_o Continue reading →

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

Heinz 47?

Posted on May 17, 2015 by

Here’s an intriguing bit of offbeat local history from blog stalwart Andy Dennis, relating to a friendship his father, Derrick Dennis developed immediately following the war, during military service.
Self and Heinz July 47 (549x800) Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

The estate we’re in

Posted on March 1, 2015 by

I had an interesting email from reader and top local history technician Andy Dennis a couple of weeks ago that expands on a recent topic beautifully: that of William Roberts and his empire.
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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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Fast and sluice

Posted on January 11, 2015 by

Last week, I featured the third batch of images from the Canal and River Trust Archive, of the Grove Colliery near Brownhills in the late 1950s – also revealing the archive and inviting readers to go see what they could find.

control hut 1960 Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Howdles Lane convenience store saved!

Posted on November 28, 2014 by

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.McColls Continue reading →

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

A treat for the choir and an ignominious extraction

Posted on April 13, 2014 by

Continuing with the surprisingly rich seam that is the thread originating from the 1931 Watling Street School Walsall Observer article, I’ve had a couple of excellent reader contributions which I just have to share.
park view 2 Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

The need for speed

Posted on January 26, 2014 by

It seems that reader Tony Winn opened an interesting can of worms when he set this fine question for the New Year Quiz.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Clocking on

Posted on November 8, 2013 by

I must admit, the somewhat vexed question of the Council House Clock had slipped my mind – that is, until reader, local history wonk and friend of the blog Andy Dennis wrote to me yesterday.

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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

I say, Landlord!

Posted on October 26, 2013 by

I’m liking this a lot: sent to me yesterday by Andy Dennis, this is a Google Documents/Excel spreadsheet of derived information on local pub landlords from census and other data.

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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

Sharing the knowledge

Posted on October 4, 2013 by

Contributor and mainstay of the Brownhills Blog Andy Dennis has written to me, to point out some work he’s done on a story for another local history site – Andy has researched a mine explosion involving some of his relatives in the Moira Bath Pit in Leicestershire in 1845. It’s harrowing stuff, but fascinating.
MoiraFurnace01 Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Down the tubes

Posted on August 8, 2013 by

Further to the Birchills Ironworks discussion, I had this interesting contribution from reader and top friend of the blog, Andy Dennis – I’d certainly be interested in any material relating to Sterling Tubes or any other companies operating in the area discussed here last weekend.
deeleys castings mural Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 25 Comments

Winding Lanes

Posted on June 2, 2013 by

Andy Dennis writes clearly and articulately of the planning history of the Lanes Farm/Sandhills site in light of current angst over a mooted further development – I’m still of the opinion that we’re being trolled for other reasons, but Andy raises some excellent points.
89734227 Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 20 Comments

A Jasmine childhood

Posted on April 4, 2013 by

Here’s a great email I’ve received from reader Louise Sedgwick about her memories of Jasmine Cottage, up on Wharf Lane, Brownhills – The warm, lovely memories Louise shares sit nicely alongside those of Michael Sarsfield from Wharf Cottages, featured a few days ago.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

When Billy came knocking

Posted on April 1, 2013 by

I’ve had a great email from long time reader and friend of the blog Michael Sarsfield – after reading my questions about Anglesey Wharf and nearby cottages, he’s written a really nice piece about his childhood memories of the place.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Bradford on Brownhills

Posted on March 24, 2013 by

Here’s something found by Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler in the newspaper archive that crosses over from the Ogley Hay school into the area covered by Doctor Bradford’s predecessor, Dr. Maddever in his report to the health of Brownhills in 1910.

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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Methods of dance

Posted on March 16, 2013 by

Here’s a great follow-on post to the Ogley School staff image featured here last weekend. Top reader and local historian Andy Dennis has sent me a couple of lovely school group photos featuring his mother, thought to be from the 1936 sports event at Chase Terrace, which was mentioned by Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler in comments to the same post.

Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Staff card?

Posted on March 12, 2013 by

Here’s an interesting thing. Reader Clive Roberts mailed me with an image of six rather serious looking ladies on a postcard, bearing the handwritten note ‘Staff at Ogley Hay School’.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Mind the Gap

Posted on January 13, 2013 by

The enquiry about the local Watford Gap sparked way more interest than I expected, to be honest, so this morning, I decided to test the theory postulated by Andy Dennis that the area really was in a ‘gap’ between the hills of north Sutton.
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Posted in cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

12 good men – The verdict

Posted on September 17, 2012 by

So, the final instalment. Regular readers will recall that we’ve been discussing the fatal explosion at Pelsall Coal and Iron Company, that took place in December, 1887. The inquest into the deaths, having been adjourned, was resumed, and this is … Continue reading →

Posted in Bad Science, Environment, Events, Followups, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

A quick correction from Andy Dennis

Posted on August 14, 2012 by

I had a brief note from top chap and blog research stalwart Andy Dennis the other day – I kept meaning to reply, but as regular contributors know only to well, I’m not too good with mail. If it’s a … Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Features, Followups, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Something wonderful from Omaha, Nebraska

Posted on August 13, 2012 by

Today, I received a wonderful, touching note concerning our combined research into the Derry Family, and Goblins Pit in Walsall Wood, from John Derry, a resident of Omaha, Nebraska.  I know lots of you put a great deal of effort … Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Chasewater road closure – get your voice heard

Posted on July 7, 2012 by

Here’s a rather important one I missed. A couple of days ago, top chap Andy Dennis sent me the below photo, of the legal Traffic Prohibition Order posted on site at Pool Lane, Chasewater. You’ll remember that there’s been some … Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Follow my drift?

Posted on June 12, 2012 by

I’ve had some interesting contributions on the subject of Anglesey Wharf and the drift shaft there. Both Andy Dennis and Chasewater Wildlife Group’s Graham Evans have added hugely to the debate with the following information. My apologies to both Andy … Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

After the gold rush

Posted on May 16, 2012 by

I’ve though about this one quite carefully, and can’t see any reason not to share it with the readers to see what they think. Some weeks ago, reader Andy Dennis wrote to me, posing an interesting question about the location … Continue reading →

Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills 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, Social Media, Walsall community | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

Clear waters rising

Posted on May 5, 2012 by

The water level at Chasewater – as well as other questions – continues to fascinate. It seems I’m not the only one gazing on the waterfront – there’s another contender, top reader Andy Dennis. Following my musings last weekend on … Continue reading →

Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

How do you solve a problem like Eliza?

Posted on April 5, 2012 by

Here’s a bit of original research sent in for readers to peruse from the wonderful Andy Dennis. This is a further, almost forensic investigation of the Harrison family, local mine-owners and industrialists. This is an exemplary bit of research, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 56 Comments

Digging deeper

Posted on March 10, 2012 by

The one element of curating this blog that never ceases to astound me is the willingness with which people donate their free time and skill to further research the subjects presented. Last week, you’ll surely recall, there was a huge … Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

On yer bike…

Posted on February 23, 2012 by

Here’s an interesting one from loyal reader and contributor Andy Dennis. This has genuinely touched me, and it dovetails nicely with yesterday’s post featuring Ulead123’s tribute to local miners film. This is a neat progression, and it’s just the kind … Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Good news on Brownhills Business Park: once again, sense prevails

Posted on January 22, 2012 by

I had a welcome email yesterday from top reader and contributor Andy Dennis. He pointed out that the appeal against the refusal of planning permission for the demolition of Brownhills Business Park and the construction of a housing development had … Continue reading →

Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Just plain daft, Local History, 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

The times they were a-changin’

Posted on December 30, 2011 by

Here’s a great one from Andy Dennis, which just came in this morning. I’m sure readers will have stuff to add to this. It’s a remarkable artefact and I’m hugely grateful to Andy for sharing it with us. Happy new … Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

A cartographic history

Posted on November 27, 2011 by

In my recent post ‘Other people’s maps’, I featured an excerpt from a secondhand 1951 issue 1:25,000 scale map I’d acquired from a map dealer. The map  – with Brownhills at its heart – carried some rather unusual hand written … Continue reading →

Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Walsall planning appeal shock!

Posted on October 29, 2011 by

Readers may well recall the excellent article about the regeneration of the Reedswood power station site, written by top contributor and Brownhills bloke Andy Dennis. In it, Andy pointed out that further development of the site outside the council’s guidelines … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Memories of Old Stonnall

Posted on October 15, 2011 by

The fantastic, resourceful and dedicated Julian Ward-Davies has been in touch to point out that there’s a new article on his blog entitled ‘Memories of Old Stonnall’, a collaborative work with Gordon Mycock whose memories of his life in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

A Chemical Romance

Posted on September 2, 2011 by

Yesterday I received a great email from top reader and blog contributor Andy Dennis, author of the wonderful and fascinating post ‘When the Lights go out‘ about the regeneration of the former Reedswood power station site in Walsall. I had … Continue reading →

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Hide and seek

Posted on August 20, 2011 by

This week, we lost another historic building to a fire in Walsall. I covered the event here. on my 365daysofbiking Tumblr and one of the side effects on YouTube. The Stymaster lamented it, as did the Hippo. Today, there’s a … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Events, Express & Star, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

When the lights go out

Posted on July 24, 2011 by

Recently, there has been some debate locally about reclamation of former industrial sites, and the role of developers and local government. In all the cant and bluster, it’s often lost that most of these projects are hugely successful and take … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local politics, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Pop goes the blog…

Posted on June 8, 2011 by

Top blog commentator and freind Andy Dennis recently commented on the debate about local delivery services of years gone by: Yes, I remember the “pop man” coming. Corona. They gave free bottle openers and I still use mine 40-odd years … Continue reading →

Posted in Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local History, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments