#365daysofbiking JournalRecent tracks
Good Morning Starshine
Lynn Kellogg, James Rado & Gerome Ragni
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Good Morning Starshine
Lynn Kellogg, James Rado & Gerome Ragni
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For
C. Duncan
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That Voice Again
Peter Gabriel
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Living By Numbers
New Musik
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Sequestered In Memphis
The Hold Steady
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Good Morning Starshine
Lynn Kellogg, James Rado & Gerome Ragni
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Running
Technicolor
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Tonband Laufspur
Kosmischer Läufer
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Last Night Of The World
Bruce Cockburn
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Tag Archives: Birmingham
Police helicopter searches for lost children in Clayhanger
Many people have contacted me about the Police helicopter being up over Brownhills and Clayhanger yesterday night (Wednesday, 31st August 2015) – it seems that local police were conducting a search from a pair of missing children in Clayhanger.
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Birmingham, Brownhills, Children, Clayhanger, Events, Facebook, found, Helicopter, missing, NPAS, Police, public safety, Twitter, Walsall Police, West Midlands Police
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A brutal death
This is an odd one I can’t fit in anywhere else, so people who aren’t in to my architecture obsession may want to tune out now – but I will alert readers to something: almost unnoticed, to people over the age of around 35, the Birmingham we knew is gradually being erased – if you want to see it one last time, go soon.
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Posted in Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, planning, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged 103 Colmore Row, Birmingham, Brindley Place, Brutalism, Bull, Bullring, Canal, Cheap tat, Christmas Market, cityscape, David Evans, Frankfurt, Gingerbread, Lichfield, markey, new Library, New Photos, planning, Redevelopment, Secret Garden, Things to do
23 Comments
56 bus service: Travel West Midlands to fill the gap
Excellent news from Councillor Steve Wade on the future of the 56 bus service from Brownhills to Birmingham following his meeting with Travel West Midlands last Thursday.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2015, 56, axe, Birmingham, Birmingham city centre, Brownhills, bus, cancellation, Clayhanger, cut, Diamond, Diamond bus service, Diamond Buses, Events, Facebook, Gina Young, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, New Photos, planning, Service, Shire Oak, Silly, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
16 Comments
Withdrawal of 56 bus service: Latest news, and please sign the petition!
The controversy over the withdrawal of the Diamond Buses 56 service from Brownhills to Walsall refuses to die down, and there’s now an online petition you can sign in support of the service and Councillor Steve Wade’s efforts to save it.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2015, 56, axe, Birmingham, Birmingham city centre, Brownhills, Brownhills West, bus, bus service, cancellation, Clayhanger, Councillor, cut, Diamond, Diamond bus service, Diamond Buses, Events, Facebook, Gina Young, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, New Photos, planning, Service, Shire Oak, Silly, Steve Wade, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
7 Comments
Diamond Busses confirm 56 service to be withdrawn
Following from the tipoff from Gina Young about the possible withdrawal by Diamond busses of their 56 service between Brownhills West and Birmingham, the company have confirmed the termination with the following statement issued late yesterday afternoon (Tuesday 15th September 2015):
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2015, 56, axe, Birmingham, Birmingham city centre, Brownhills, Brownhills West, bus, bus service, cancellation, Clayhanger, Councillor, cut, Diamond, Diamond bus service, Diamond Buses, Events, Facebook, Gina Young, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, New Photos, planning, Service, Shire Oak, Silly, Steve Wade, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
14 Comments
Local bus service under threat
It seems there might be bad news for uses of the Diamond Buses 56 route from Brownhills to Birmingham – yesterday I had the following email from passenger Gina Young:
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2015, 56, axe, Birmingham, Birmingham city centre, Brownhills, bus, cancellation, Clayhanger, cut, Diamond, Diamond bus service, Diamond Buses, Events, Facebook, Gina Young, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, New Photos, planning, Service, Shire Oak, Silly, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
5 Comments
A different slice of urban life
This is a followup to the ride cam I did a couple of weeks ago on National Cycle Route 535 down the Plants Brook/New Hall Valley cycleway, from Sutton to Tyburn – here I pick up the route from the Birngham and Fazeley Canal at Tyburn, and finish at Digbeth Junction in the city centre.
Posted in cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Shared media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged #365daysofbiking, bike cam, Birmingham, Bordesley, Canal, Cycle rides, Cycle Route, cycleway, cycling, Erdington, Fazeley, GoPro, HDHero 3+, NCN, Newhall, off road, Park, Pipe Hayes, Plants Brook, Renaissance, Ride cam, Song for all seasons, Spaghetti Junction, Sutton Coldfield, Things to do, Tyburn, urban, urban birdlife, Valley, Wylde Green
9 Comments
Heart Bypass: Jonathan Meades in Birmingham
Hi folks – here’s something I found last night that I’d forgotten about, that ties in with my fascination for Birmingham and architecture – and also, my obsession with well-crafted language.
Posted in Bad Science, Environment, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local music, Local politics, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 103 Colmore Row, Birmingham, Brindley Place, Brutalism, Bull, Bullring, Canal, Cheap tat, Christmas Market, cityscape, David Evans, Frankfurt, Gingerbread, heart bypass, Jonathan Meades, Lichfield, markey, Motor City, new Library, New Photos, planning, Redevelopment, Secret Garden, Things to do
2 Comments
Because it seemed right at the time…
Just lately, I’ve found myself in lots of intense discussions – several on social media – about architecture, old buildings, history and the way we view the past; these discussions often sadden me and I need to get something off my chest.
Posted in Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, planning, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged 103 Colmore Row, Birmingham, Brindley Place, Brutalism, Bull, Bullring, Canal, Cheap tat, Christmas Market, cityscape, David Evans, Frankfurt, Gingerbread, Lichfield, markey, new Library, New Photos, planning, Redevelopment, Secret Garden, Things to do
26 Comments
City heights
Well, it’s that time of year again, and yesterday I hopped on the Midland Red went to Birmingham to visit the Christmas Market and enjoy the sights and sounds of the city at Christmas. I love Birmingham as readers will know, … Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, planning, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged 103 Colmore Row, 2014, Birmingham, Brindley Place, Brutalism, Bull, Bullring, Canal, Cheap tat, Christmas Market, cityscape, David Evans, Frankfurt, Gingerbread, Lichfield, markey, new Library, New Photos, planning, Redevelopment, Secret Garden, Things to do
4 Comments
Urban spring
As is usual, today I visited Erdington Bike Jumble, the yearly tat-bazaar for cyclists that always takes place the first Saturday in March.
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Posted in Churches, cycling, Environment, Events, Features, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media
Tagged Architecture, Birmingham, Canal, contamination, Curdworth, Cycle rides, cycling, Erdington, Events, New Photos, Panoramio, Pubs, Snow Hill, Spaghetti Junction, Spring, Staffordshire, sun, Things to do, Washwood Heath
3 Comments
And now… the intermission
Still labouring over a warm hard drive here, so while I prepare some stuff for tomorrow, why not have a look around a YouTube channel that’s getting quite a bit of local attention?
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Posted in News
Tagged 1981, Birmingham, Bullring, cinefilm, Events, Facebook, Hagley Road, Lichfield, Local History, Paul Donovan, Redevelopment, Silly
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The darkness of those days
Mindful of the day and occasion, regular contributor and blog stalwart Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler wrote to me with an interesting couple of things to check out relating to the Second World War and Birmingham – I wasn’t aware of either, and they’ve been eye-openers, to be quite honest. 
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged air raid., All the days of my life, Aston, Birmingham, Blitz, Brian David Williams, Brownhills local history, Events, Kynoch, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Pedro, Peter Cutler, Second World War, Things to do, war, Witton
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Not what I’d hoped
Yesterday was my usual annual visit to the Cycle Show at the NEC, Birmingham, which I usually love – however, this year’s event left me feeling somewhat disappointed.
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Posted in cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media
Tagged 2013, Birmingham, BMW, Condor, Continental, Cycle rides, Cycle show, cycling, disability cycling, disappointment, electric bikes, Enigma, Events, Hope, let down, NEC, new bikes, New Photos, Things to do
2 Comments
The first superhighway
Here’s a lovely film, spotted by twitter friend Kris Davies and posted on Twitter last night – It’s a documentary film covering a the journey of a cargo load by narrowboat on the Grand Union Canal from London to Birmingham in the 1930s.
Posted in Environment, 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
Tagged 1930's, Birmingham, Canal, Cargo, goods, Grand Union, Huntley Film Archives, Kris Davies, Local History, London, Narrowboat, New Photos, Things to do, Twitter, Wharf
6 Comments
Crossing the city
I thought it was about time for some more ride videos – I know many readers enjoy these, and a lot of the bicycle-curious wonder about cycling the canals in Birmingham city centre.
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Posted in cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Shared media
Tagged Aston, bike cam, Birmingham, Bordesley, Brum, Canal, Cycle rides, cycling, Digbeth, GoPro, Iron & Wine, Junction, McCluskey Brothers, New Photos, Ride cam, Salford, Saltley, Small Heath, Spagheitti, Things to do, Tyseley
4 Comments
Meet Aston Manor Road Transport Museum in their new home this Sunday!
This Sunday, 14th July 2013, Aston Manor Road Transport Museum will be holding their 26th annual Open day, where the enthusiasts who lovingly maintain and curate this fascinating collection of vehicles will be celebrating the history of Birmingham trams.
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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 14th july, 2013, Aston Manor, Birmingham, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, bus, Bus Museum, Chasewater, event, Events, Facebook, Local History, Meet the Museum, open day, planning, Shenstone Drive, Tram, Transport Museum, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
We’m gooin ta Brum, yow coming?
I’ve had a great image sent by reader and pal of the blog Tony Martin, who knows a thing or two about busses. Tony, you’ll remember, sent the wonderful picture of the Harpers busses at Aldridge, which provoked much recollection from readers.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged 1970's, Aldridge, Birmingham, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, bus, double decker, Double Diamond, Events, Fullelove shelter, Harper Brothers, Harpers, Hussey Arms, Leyland, Local History, Midland Red, NDF349F, Paks of Hilton, Streetly, The Parade, Tony Martin
11 Comments
Two halves to Aldridge, please…
Following on from the interest in Tony Martin’s picture of the early seventies Harpers bus at Aldridge, Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler found the following timetable from 1965 in the newspaper archive.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community
Tagged 156, 56, Aldridge, Arriva, BIP, Birmingham, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, bus, Cannock, event, Facebook, Harper Bros, Harpers, Lichfield Mercury, Local History, Midland Red, planning, Streetly, timetable, Tony Martin, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood, Works
8 Comments
The first good day of the year
First weekend in march is always Erdington Bike Jumble. I usually go if the weather’s OK, and potter round, enjoying the company and chatter of other cyclists. Normally a pretty isolated activity, it’s nice to meet other riders socially for a change. A chance to meet old mates, compare machines and have a natter.
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Posted in Churches, cycling, Environment, Events, Features, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media
Tagged Architecture, Birmingham, Canal, contamination, Curdworth, Cycle rides, cycling, Erdington, Events, New Photos, Panoramio, Pubs, Snow Hill, Spaghetti Junction, Spring, Staffordshire, sun, Things to do, Washwood Heath
3 Comments
The fastest thing on the road
Just before Christmas, I got hold of a new bike cam. It’s a GoPro HD Hero black edition, which has some pretty nifty features, including less distortion from the lens and better performance in low light. I’ve been using it … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, cycling, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media
Tagged bad weather, Bicke Cam, Birmingham, Black Edition, Brownhills, butterfly, Camp Hill, Cycle rides, cycling, Digbeth, GoPro, HD, Hero, Lemon Jelly, New Photos, new Street, ride, Slow Train, Snow, Sparkbrook, Talvyn Singh, Things to do, Tyseley, video, Winter
6 Comments
Living on video
Here’s a quick fun series of videos that amused me greatly, found by top reader and local history ferret [Howmuch?] showing Birmingham just as everything was changing in the postwar era. I think everyone who knew the 1960s redevelopment of Birmingham – now long consigned to history – will raise a wry smile at these clips.
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No, it really is about the bike
Yesterday, I visited the annual Cycle Show at the NEC, Birmingham, as I do most years. It’s second year in Brum, the spectacle is settling well into it’s new home. This year the odd ‘retail zone’ was gone, and stalls … Continue reading
Posted in cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media
Tagged 2012, Birmingham, Condor, Cycle rides, Cycle show, cycling, disability cycling, electric bikes, Events, NEC, new bikes, New Photos, Things to do
2 Comments
Rush hour on the Birmingham & Fazeley
I was going to post this on my 365daysofbiking Tumblr journal, but I posted plenty for yesterday’s Birmingham canal ride already. Way back last August, I posted a video of a journey from Old Turn Junction (by the ICC) to … Continue reading
Bike heaven
Today, I visited the annual bike show, this year held at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham. This is the first year in Birmingham after years at Earl’s Court, London. Cycle Show 2011 was all the better for the change of … Continue reading
Posted in cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media
Tagged Bamboo bike, belt drive, Birmingham, Condor, Cycle rides, Cycle show, cycling, disability cycling, electric bikes, Events, Linus, Mixte, NEC, new bikes, New Photos, Things to do
10 Comments
Brave new world?
The Birmingham Bull Ring feature I compiled last week seems to have stirred quite a bit of interest, both here and on Facebook. I realise it’s a long way from Brownhills, but for people of a certain age, hopping on … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Environment, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 70's, 80's, Birmingham, Birmingham it's not shit, bretwilde, Bull Ring, Bullring, Central Court, Cheap tat, Danny Smith, Derelict, eighties, FrMark, Jon Bounds, Lady Wulfruna, local blogs, Local History, Martineau Place, memories of Birmingham, New Photos, Pallisades, Redevelopment, seventies, Silly, Snow Hill Station, Telly Savalas
14 Comments
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