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Tag Archives: Brownhills Past
Laying some pipe
Thanks again to the continued treasure trove that is the local historian Gerald Reece and his astounding photo collection, I can now shed light on something that’s made me wonder for years – the arrangements for the modern overflow system … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared memories, Social Media, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Past, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater history, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cycle rides, cycling, Dave Fellows, Graham Evans, local blogs, Local History, nine foot, Reservoir, Staffordshire, steam engine, Steam pump, Wildlife
2 Comments
A hole lot of sink
One of the curious things about writing and keeping this blog has always been the steady, curious dynamic of story arcs – where an old subject gets continually, slowly and gradually expanded as Google lists it, people search and find the post, comment and expand it.
Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, 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, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Anchor Bridge, Anglesey Branch, Brawns Wood, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Past, Canal, canal breach, Canal Leak, canal repair, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater history, Chasewater Wildlife Group, culvert, Cycle rides, cycling, David Hodgkinson, Lane's Farm, local blogs, Local History, Milfield School, New Photos, Old maps, Repair, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Steve, Subsidence, Turner
10 Comments
If the cap fits…
On Sunday I rode up Coppice Lane in Brownhills for the first time in a few weeks, and noticed that contractors for The Coal Authority – the body charged with monitoring and remediating historic mineworkings – had been hard at work capping the two shafts left over from the West Coppice Colliery, near the old level Crossing.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, 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
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills common, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Past, Brownhlls coal mines, Bug row, Capped, Cathedral Pit, Chasewater, Coal Authority, Coppice Colliery CO., Coppice Cottages, Coppice Pit, David Fellows, Derelict, Engine, Engine Lane, local blogs, Local History, Marklew, Marklew's Pond, mining in brownhills, New Photos, Norton Pool, Old maps, Ordnance Survey, Pump, Reservoir, Robert Webster, Staffordshire, Steam pump, West Colliery, William Harrison
4 Comments
The Drifters
Right, I thought, let’s do it. Following the recent attention to the Anglesey Wharf and coal screening conveyor, I considered that it must be possible to find the Anglesey Basin drift shaft within the mapping record. Someone will have plotted … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, 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
Tagged Adit, Anglesey Wharf, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Past, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Coal Mining, Conveyor, Cycle rides, Derelict, drift shaft, Local History, Narrowboats, Old maps, Ordnance Survey, Redevelopment, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Wildlife
7 Comments
On the conveyor?
I picked up a really good map recently. It’s a 1:2,500 plot of eastern Chasewater, the Anglesey Basin and Wharf, and the area of south Chasetown and The Triangle. It’s from 1962, and has a tad more information on it … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged Anglesey Wharf, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Past, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Coal Mining, Conveyor, Cycle rides, Derelict, Local History, Narrowboats, Old maps, Ordnance Survey, Redevelopment, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Wildlife
10 Comments
Under mined
Yesterday, in a post relating some recollections of the Chasewater modern overflow culvert, an anonymous correspondent suggested that the new system had been constructed in response to a serious subsidence issue near Anchor Bridge. In that post, I rather cheekily … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, 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, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Anchor Bridge, Anglesey Branch, Brawns Wood, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Past, Canal, canal breach, Canal Leak, canal repair, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater history, Chasewater Wildlife Group, culvert, Cycle rides, cycling, David Hodgkinson, Lane's Farm, local blogs, Local History, Milfield School, New Photos, Old maps, Repair, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Subsidence
14 Comments
Don’t tell me mum!
In response to my drain adventure at Chasewater on Sunday, I had a very interesting email yesterday… Hi Bob Might be best if you don’t mention my name, my mom might be reading… 🙂 When I was a young bad … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, 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 Anchor Bridge, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Past, Canal, Canal Leak, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater history, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cycle rides, cycling, Dave Fellows, David Hodgkinson, Graham Evans, Lane's Farm, local blogs, Local History, nine foot, Repair, Reservoir, Staffordshire, steam engine, Steam pump
3 Comments
Culvert investigations
Before I start, I’d like to point out that this investigation was conducted by two people – myself and [Howmuch?]. We are both sensible (well, usually) adults and have experience of, and training for, confined spaces. Entering such environments – … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared memories, Social Media, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Past, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater history, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cycle rides, cycling, Dave Fellows, Graham Evans, local blogs, Local History, nine foot, Reservoir, Staffordshire, steam engine, Steam pump, Wildlife
25 Comments
The white heat of technology
Top local history ferret Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler, is on outstanding form right now. Not only is he an ace Panoramian, he’s also thrown himself into researching the history of mining in Brownhills with some degree of gusto, and it’s much … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged 1860, 1893, Aution, Birmingham Gazette, Brownhills, Brownhills common, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Past, Brownhlls coal mines, Coppice Pit, Derelict, Engine, Engine Lane, local blogs, Local History, Marklew, Marklew's Pond, mining in brownhills, New Photos, Parkes, Pigot directory, Pump, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Staffordshire Advertiser, Steam pump, Tamworth Herald, West Colliery
13 Comments
Engine Lane – more historical curiosities
David Evans is still actively researching the history of Engine Lane in Brownhills following the emergence of the auction notice found by Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler last week. David has been chasing the Parkes and Otway connection with historical societies and … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged 1835, Aution, Bill Mayo, Brownhills, Brownhills common, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Past, Brownhlls coal mines, Cathedral Pit, Coppice Colliery CO., Coppice Cottages, Coppice Pit, Derelict, Engine, Engine Lane, Farrington and sson, local blogs, Local History, Marklew, Marklew's Pond, mining in brownhills, Museum of technology, New Photos, Otway, Parkes, Pigot directory, Pump, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Staffordshire Advertiser, Steam pump, West Colliery, WM Smith
4 Comments
Light in the darkness
This is just a quick one, as I’m absolutely knackered tonight, to be honest, but I just had to share this… One of the things that has always delighted me about doing this blog is the way that subjects and … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged 1835, Aution, Brownhills, Brownhills common, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Past, Brownhlls coal mines, Cathedral Pit, Coppice Colliery CO., Coppice Cottages, Coppice Pit, Derelict, Engine, Engine Lane, Farrington and sson, local blogs, Local History, Marklew, Marklew's Pond, mining in brownhills, New Photos, Otway, Parkes, Pump, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Staffordshire Advertiser, Steam pump, West Colliery, WM Smith
10 Comments
Down the chute
There is continuing interest and debate on the nature of the pump house and spillway at Chasewater. I’ve had some excellent contributions, and I must get up there soon to investigate some of them. My previous poke around was very … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, 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 Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Past, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater history, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cycle rides, cycling, Dave Fellows, Graham Evans, local blogs, Local History, nine foot, Old maps, Reservoir, Spillway, Staffordshire, steam engine, Steam pump, Wildlife
2 Comments
Overflowing with ideas
The recent attention paid by Dave Fellows, Graham Evans and Andy Dnnis, amonst others, to the long lost steam powered pumping station at Chasewater has caused some curiosity and no small amount of debate, particularly between myself and top local … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Past, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater history, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cycle rides, cycling, Dave Fellows, Graham Evans, local blogs, Local History, nine foot, Old maps, Reservoir, Spillway, Staffordshire, steam engine, Steam pump, Wildlife
13 Comments
Feeling pumped
Sorry about the patchy nature of updates at the moment – life is really interfering with my blogging activities at the moment. This is just a quick note to say to people interested in the intriguing question of the Victorian … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Past, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater history, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cycle rides, cycling, Dave Fellows, Graham Evans, local blogs, Local History, nine foot, Reservoir, Staffordshire, steam engine, Steam pump, Wildlife
4 Comments
Chasewater pump house – Graham Evans is the man
Following Brownhills Past supremo David Fellows’ request for information about the long-gone pumphouse near the Nine Foot pool at Chasewater, the reader response was muted, to say the least. After a grand total of zero replies, Graham Evans, wildlife expert, … 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, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Past, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater history, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cycle rides, cycling, Dave Fellows, Graham Evans, local blogs, Local History, nine foot, Reservoir, Staffordshire, steam engine, Steam pump, terrapin, turtle, Wildlife
11 Comments
Chasewater pump house: What do you know?
Dave Fellows contacted me at the weekend with a great question relating to Chasewater. Dave is a long time reader of The Brownhills Blog and is the creator and curator of the wonderful local history site Brownhills Past. When I … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, 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
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Past, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater pump house, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Dave Fellows, Derelict, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Reservoir, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Steam pump
7 Comments
Road pricing – eighteenth century style
Following the interest by reader David Evans, top commenter and part-time whittler, I have acquired through the generous and covert use of a photocopier, a fine, nearly lost work on the toll roads and of Walsall. Sadly, this doesn’t cover … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, 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
Tagged 1800's, 1850, Anchor Bridge, Brownhills, Brownhills common, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Past, Clayhanger, Dick Turpin, highwaymen, J W Griffin Limited, Local History, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, The Story of Walsall Turnpike Roads and Tollgates, toll, toll gate, turnpike, W F Blay, Walsall Historical Association
10 Comments
Hunt the toll…
Reader and prolific comment monger David Evans recently commented about toll gates marked on old mapping, so I thought I’d go back as far as I could and see what I could find. There are a good few marked on … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Features, Followups, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1800's, 1850, Brownhills, Brownhills common, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Past, Clayhanger, Local History, map, mining in brownhills, Old maps, Ordnance Survey, Shire Oak, Staffordshire
9 Comments
Mine, all mine…
Continuing the trawling of material relating to mining on Brownhills Common and the origins of Engine Lane, I happened upon a collection of survey plans in the excellent book ‘Coal Mining in Walsall Wood, Brownhills and Aldridge’ by Brian Rollins … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, 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
Tagged Brookes R Smith, Brownhills, Brownhills common, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Past, Brownhlls coal mines, Cathedral Pit, Chasewater, Coppice Colliery CO., Coppice Pit, David Fellows, Derelict, Engine, Engine Lane, local blogs, Local History, mining in brownhills, New Photos, Old maps, Ordnance Survey, Pump, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Steam pump, West Colliery, William Harrison
23 Comments
A hole in the history
If ever anything were to prove the importance of a detailed mapping record, than my post of Wednesday last, ‘Common ground’ does just that. Whilst dredging the available mapping for the area beforehand, the 1938 draftings were unavailable in the … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills common, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Past, Brownhlls coal mines, Bug row, Cathedral Pit, Chasewater, Coppice Colliery CO., Coppice Cottages, Coppice Pit, David Fellows, Derelict, Engine, Engine Lane, local blogs, Local History, Marklew, Marklew's Pond, mining in brownhills, New Photos, Norton Pool, Old maps, Ordnance Survey, Pump, Reservoir, Robert Webster, Staffordshire, Steam pump, West Colliery, William Harrison
38 Comments
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