Tag Archives: Canal

Unexpected development in bagging area – Aldi buy Ravens Court

Well, this is the news I though I’d never share: 12 years after my first article here about Ravens Court and the then promise of Tesco’s new gold dream that crumbled to dust, it turns out bargain supermarket chain Aldi … Continue reading

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

When Amy Turtle silenced the skinheads at Chasewater

You all know I’m fascinated by Chasewater and it’s history – but there’s a period of history that’s not too well documented or understood, and is full of myth and foggy reality: The Amusement Park era from the 60s.  At … Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Get set for Lichfield and Hatherton’s huge 2019 Canal Heritage Gathering next weekend!

Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust are busy preparing for their Heritage Gathering and vintage festival which is coming up over the weekend of 21-22nd September 2019, and takes place at Huddlesford, near Lichfield. There will be boats, vintage and classic … Continue reading

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Just a fortnight to go until Lichfield and Hatherton’s huge 2019 Canal Heritage Gathering!

Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust are busy preparing for their Heritage Gathering call and vintage festival which is coming up over the weekend of 21-22nd September 2019, and takes place at their Huddlesford base, near Lichfield. There will be boats, … Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Don’t forget: Lichfield and Hatherton’s huge 2019 Canal Heritage Gathering coming soon!

Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust are busy preparing for their Heritage Gathering call and vintage festival which is coming up over the weekend of 21-22nd September 2019, and takes place at their Huddlesford base, near Lichfield. There will be boats, … Continue reading

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Lichfield and Hatherton’s huge 2019 Canal Heritage Gathering coming soon!

Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust are busy preparing for their Heritage Gathering call and vintage festival which is coming up over the weekend of 21-22nd September 2019, and takes place at their Huddlesford base, near Lichfield. There will be boats, … Continue reading

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Find out about the restoration of our lost canal in Brownhills this evening!

Just a quick note to point out that the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust are holding their Annual General Meeting tonight, Friday nevening (Friday, 7th June 2019) at 7:15pm in Brownhills, at the Parkview Centre (the old Council House on the Miner … Continue reading

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Find out how to be more deer aware this Sunday at Chasewater

Just a quick headsup to point out that this coming Sunday, 26th May 2019 there’s a deer awareness day at Chasewater, where you can speak to experts and find out more about the beautiful creatures we share our green spaces … Continue reading

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

Pictures from the 2019 Brownhills BCNS Canalside Festival

I spent a happy couple of hours today (Saturday 18th May 2019) pottering around Brownhills Canalside Festival, which is also running on Sunday from 10am until 5pm. It’s a great do, and the folk of the Birmingham Canal Navigations Society … Continue reading

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The Brownhills Canalside Festival 2019 runs all weekend!

Well, it’s here: The 2019 Brownhills Canal Festival – this year taken over by the Birmingham Canal Navigations Society making it a whole weekend event – kicks off this evening (Friday 17th May) and runs until Sunday (19th May). On … Continue reading

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The Brownhills Canalside Festival is reborn in 2019 – and it’s happening all next weekend!

This is your one week countdown for the 2019 Brownhills Canal Festival, which this year has been taken over by the Birmingham Canal Navigations Society who are planning to make it a whole weekend event – taking place all next … Continue reading

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Deer waters rising…

A lovely video here posted on Facebook in the last couple of days by Anna Marie Davies which she recorded of red deer bathing in the canal near Anglesey Wharf, just beyond the M6 Toll Bridge near Wharf Lane, Brownhills. … Continue reading

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The Brownhills Canalside Festival is reborn in 2019 – and it’s coming soon!

Absolutely terrific news and a huge raspberry to the naysayers – the successful and sadly missed Brownhills Canalside Festival is full steam ahead for a huge revival in May 2019 by the Birmingham Canal Navigations Society who are planning to … Continue reading

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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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Brownhills Canalside Festival is reborn in 2019 – and it looks magnificent

Absolutely terrific news and a huge raspberry to the naysayers – the successful and sadly missed Brownhills Canalside Festival is full steam ahead for a huge revival in May 2019 by the Birmingham Canal Navigations Society who are planning to … Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

1987: The end of a landmark

I’ve long been interested here in the lost chemical works in Brownhills that once produced tar and cleaning chemicals, and latterly scrapped old aeroplanes and military waste for the valuable metal alloys they contained. The adjacent area of canal has … Continue reading

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Chasewater – what of the far pavilion?

An image has been sent to me by a reader this week they tell me they’ve found on internet auction site eBid, but I can’t locate the sale: It’s a fascinating picture of Chasewater before it was developed, so it … 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Oh brave new world

One of the most loved and respected contributors to the Brownhills Blog is the great Reg ‘Aer Reg’ Fullelove, historian, commenter, author, poet and honorary Grandfather of the blog. Reg regularly digs out stuff for the blog, and it’s with … Continue reading

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The Brownhills Canalside Festival is reborn in 2019 – would you like a stall?

I have some excellent news for Brownhills folk and those who like canal boats and waterway life – the successful and sadly missed Brownhills Canalside Festival is being revived in 2019 by the Birmingham Canal Navigations Society who are planning … Continue reading

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Images from up the cut

Last week I spent a fascinating (and rather frustrating) evening delving through the Canal and River Trust photo archive, which is always a curate’s egg: Whilst there are many stunning images (and many more waiting to be found) the cataloguing … Continue reading

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Flying down the line

I note there’s a wonderful video clip been posted by the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust who as regular readers will know, are reconstructing the canal between Brownhills and Lichfield. The video is a great aerial fly-trough and is … Continue reading

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The First Cut and a musical history…

Just a quick note to point out that the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust have a couple of great fund-raising projects coming up – there’s a great new comic novel on sale in support of the Trust, and also a wonderful show … Continue reading

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Local canal restoration volunteers celebrate 30 years of progress

Tom Reid from the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust has been in touch to let us know about the celebrations the canal restoration group have staged to mark their 30 years since creation. If you’re unaware of the local canal restoration … Continue reading

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Blooming canal volunteers impress judges

Tom Reid from the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust has been in touch to let us know about the efforts their volunteers have made for Lichfield’s entry in the annual Britain in Bloom competition, with a Garden of Memory and other … Continue reading

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Ladies beware: Several indecent exposures in Brownhills

It’s my duty to share with you all the concerning news that there seems to be a man exposing himself to women around the canal towpaths and other parts of Brownhills, particularly in the areas of Clayhanger Common and Silver … Continue reading

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The way of the Sons of Waetla

As I’m still catching up, I thought today might be a good time to feature the writings of an old pal of the blog, Gerald Reece, and his musings on the A5 Watling Street, Newtown, Knaves Castle and the pubs … Continue reading

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Blooming hard work for canal volunteers – can you help?

Tom Reid from the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust has been in touch to let us know aboutGarden of Reflection they’re creating near the canal under restoration near Lichfield, and how they’re helping with Britain in Bloom. If you’re unaware of … Continue reading

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You don’t have to be puddled to help restore a lost, local canal… but puddling helps!

Tom Reid from the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust has been in touch to let us know about the progress they’re making at Fosseway Heath, south Lichfield, and to send out an appeal for volunteers to help push the restoration forward. … Continue reading

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Going above and beyond

I’m pleased to see that the expansion of online history resources continues apace, with lots of formerly quite restrictive services opening up with more sensible usage terms and conditions – one such archive is the British Library’s Aerofilms archive of … Continue reading

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

Do the walk this weekend!

Find out how far they’ve come at Summerhill in just two years in this informative film for the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust Tom Reid from the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust has been in touch to remind us that … Continue reading

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A Chemical Romance

I’ve been asked the question by reader Norman Taylor as to what I know about Brownhills Chemical Works – otherwise known as The Chemical or The Chemy, later the site of a notorious war scrapyard local kids were all attracted … Continue reading

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A great chance for tea and cake in a great country canalside garden this Saturday!

There’s a great event going on in Whittington this acoming Saturday (31st March 2018) in aid of the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust ‘Tunnel Vision’ appeal – Eric and Doreen’s All Day Easter Coffee Morning.

lhcrt easter coffee morning 2017 Continue reading

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Huge commitment to heavy lift beats big freeze

Tom Reid from the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust has been in touch to let us know about a rather interesting challenge the trust’s engineers had to deal with last weekend when the big freeze hit the UK.

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Two great events coming up from the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Trust!

Tom Reid from the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust has been in touch to let us know about a couple of events the local canal restoration project are holding in the coming weeks, a quiz night on Saturday 17th March 2018 and a guided walk of the Summerhill section on Saturday 21st April 2018.

KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA Continue reading

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Could you help restore a lost, local canal?

Tom Reid from the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust has been in touch to let us know about the progress they’re making, and to send out an appeal for volunteers to help push the restoration forward.
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New year quiz 2018 – come on, have a go if you’re up for it!

Hey folks, a little later than hoped it’s the 2018 Brownhills Blog New Year Quiz – and don’t forget the photo competition is also running alongside, and similarly has beer and book prizes to be won! 

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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

New year quiz 2018 – get stuck in!

Hey folks, a little later than hoped it’s the 2018 Brownhills Blog New Year Quiz – and don’t forget the photo competition is also running alongside, and similarly has beer and book prizes to be won! 
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 52 Comments

Living next door to the Grove – what do you know?

Last year I featured a very popular set of images from a place I genuinely didn’t realise still existed: The Grove Colliery, the remnants of which – the house and offices situated just off Lime Lane, between Pelsall, Brownhills, Norton and Great Wyrley – were documented by old pal of the blog Simon Swain and drone wizard Steve Martin also captured the site from the air.

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Carols by the canal – and memories of great friends

Just a quick note to point out that the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust are holding a carol evening at their Fosseway Nature Reserve site, just off Falkland Road, Lichfield on Saturday 16 December 2017 from 7-9pm and all are welcome.

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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.
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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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Pictures from the 2017 Huddlesford Heritage Gathering

Yesterday (Saturday 23rd September 2017) I got chance to go to the first day of the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust’s Heritage Gathering at Huddlesford, near Whittington.
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Lichfield and Hatherton’s huge canal Heritage Gathering is this weekend!

Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust are busy preparing for their Heritage Gathering call and vintage festival which is running on both Saturday and Sunday this weekend (23-24th September 2017), and takes place at their Huddlesford base, near Lichfield.
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Dog walkers beware – possible bait found on Clayhanger Common again

Reader Andrea Atterbury has been in touch to warn readers that items of what is believed to be meat bait have been recently found on Clayhanger Common including pig’s trotters, leading to renewed fears that poisoned bait may be being placed on the common again.

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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Express & Star, It makes me mad!, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Less than two weeks to go until Lichfield and Hatherton’s huge canal Heritage Gathering!

Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust are busy preparing for their Heritage Gathering call and vintage festival which is coming up over the weekend of 23-24th September 2017, and takes place at their Huddlesford base, near Lichfield.

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A remedy to the shortage of water

Several times over the previous eight years of this blog the question of the function and decommissioning of the steam pump that once stood at Chasewater has cropped up, and always provokes interesting debate – well, reader Ian James has been in touch with a snippet of information he’s found in a book relating to the long gone pumping plant.

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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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Restoring a lost canal – and creating a new haven for wildlife

Just a quick note to point out that the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust are keen to share the news that they’re now creating a new nature reserve along the line of the soon to be restored canal between Wall and Lichfield.

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Lichfield and Hatherton’s huge canal Heritage Gathering coming soon!

Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust are busy preparing for their Heritage Gathering call and vintage festival which is coming up over the weekend of 23-24th September 2017, and takes place at their Huddlesford base, near Lichfield.

wpe1de599f_14_06 Continue reading

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The Grove Colliery – remembering a lost pit

Last year I featured a very popular set of images from a place I genuinely didn’t realise still existed: The Grove Colliery, the remnants of which – the house and offices situated just off Lime Lane, between Pelsall, Brownhills, Norton and Great Wyrley – were documented by old pal off the blog Simon Swain and posted here as a gallery I include below.

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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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Tugging at the memories

After I posted the wonderful Clayhanger tug of war image here at the weekend kindly shared by Brian Stringer, I received many responses from readers across a range of media – this one clearly got memories flowing and I’ll feature a few of those responses in the coming days.

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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A tug of war, a railway themed restaurant and a Victorian day – great memories from the Clayhanger Kid

Friend of the blog, community activist and Clayhanger Kid himself, Brian Stringer has recently shared three remarkable image of recent historical interest in the Brownhills and Clayhanger area.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments