#365daysofbiking JournalRecent tracks
It Makes Me Wonder
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Past It Pastures
Precious Fathers
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Red Norvo
Precious Fathers
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Glaciers
Fionn Regan
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The Ocean Wave
Fionn Regan
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Upset Frankie Hustle
Precious Fathers
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Julia's Song [Live]
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark (OMD)
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Head Swim
Fionn Regan
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Tag Archives: Chasewater Dam
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 aerial photo, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Events, Gareth Thomas, June 9 1963, LDC, Lichfield District Council, Local History, New Photos, Norton Pool, Reservoir, Staffordshire
12 Comments
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
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 Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater history, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cycle rides, local blogs, Local History, nine foot, Postcard, Reservoir, Ruth Penrhyn Lowe, Staffordshire, steam engine, Steam pump, Wildlife
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
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 aerial photo, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Events, Gareth Thomas, June 9 1963, LDC, Lichfield District Council, Local History, New Photos, Norton Pool, Reservoir, Staffordshire
3 Comments
Picture this: A Chasewater childhood
A wonderful one reached me yesterday morning from old pal of the blog Stuart Cowley, whose memories of growing up at Chasewater in the 1960s and 70s have been some of the most popular posts in the history of the … 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, Walsall community
Tagged 1960's, 60's, amusement park, Blumer, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, childhood, Cycle rides, Local History, memories, New Photos, Norton Pool, Panoramio, pleasure park, Reservoir, sculpture, Staffordshire, Stuart Cowley, Wildlife
6 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.
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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 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
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.
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, Canal, Canals of the West Midlands, Charles Hadfield, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater history, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cycle rides, Ian James, local blogs, Local History, nine foot, Postcard, Reservoir, Ruth Penrhyn Lowe, Staffordshire, steam engine, Steam pump, Wildlife
2 Comments
Get stuck in the bog…
For those of you into conservation and the local environment, there’s this event going on at Norton Bog (that’s north Chasewater) this Sunday, 26th February 2017 – the Friends of Norton Bog are a great group and you can find out more about them at the event.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cycle rides, cycling, Friends of Norton Bog, Graham Evans, local blogs, Norton Bog, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Wildlife
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Back in the black
Today (Monday, 30th January 2017) I was contacted by Irene ‘The Swan Lady’ Hodges who was in a state of some enthusiasm, as amongst her usual daily cohort of swans and waterfowl at Chasewater, there was a single black swan, which she fed and caught on video.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Wildlife
Tagged 2017, Barrie, Black, Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Events, Hodges, Irene, Lichfield, New Photos, photo, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Swan, The Swan Lady, Things to do, video, Wildlife
5 Comments
Open Mike
Yesterday, whilst mooching on Panoramio for an image of Chasewater (sometimes it’s the best way to find my own photos, oddly enough) I came upon a gallery by a reader and contributor the the blog, Mike Leonard – it’s remarkable.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Clayhanger, Derelict, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Panoramio, Pubs, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Vandalism, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
7 Comments
Brock and roll
This isn’t very pleasant, so I’ll be short and to the point – people, we have a burgeoning badger population at the moment as these guys come in from the fringes of local countryside into town, just as their brothers the foxes have done, and unfortunately they’re dying in large numbers on our roads.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged Accident, Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Clayhanger, Common, Deer Safety partnership, Fatality, Lichfield, Local Committee, Mervyn Smith, New Photos, Red deer, Reservoir, road safety, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
1 Comment
New road safety initiative for Brownhills
You all know that I love local wildlife – and that I’m particularly fond of the local deer population, who have sadly been involved in many accidents with vehicles in recent years on roads around our commons, countryside and open spaces.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged Accident, Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Clayhanger, Common, Deer Safety partnership, Fatality, Lichfield, Local Committee, Mervyn Smith, New Photos, Red deer, Reservoir, road safety, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
21 Comments
Doctor Fell
This is just a quick one, as I thought we needed to get at least a little bit of history in at long last – and this one has piqued my curiosity, as my antenna always twitch when I hear subsidence legends.
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Posted in Bad Science, Chasewater, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged Bell pit, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Common, Cottage, David Evans, Derelict, JB Cox, legends, Lichfield, Local History, Mavis Woodhouse, mines, mining colliery, Norton Pool, Old maps, Oscar johnson, planning, Pool Road, Redevelopment, Reservoir, shallow, Staffordshire, Subsidence, Things to do, Watling Street
14 Comments
Fast and sluice
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.
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 2015, Andy Dennis, archive, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Canal and River Trust, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, images, Lichfield, LichfieldLive, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, photos, Reservoir, Sluice, Staffordshire, Things to do
7 Comments
1095 days
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Churches, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged #365daysofbiking, 1095 days, 2015, 3, anniversay, biking, Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Clayhanger, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Lichfield, local blogs, New Photos, photography, riding, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, years
9 Comments
Found dog – now reunited with owner.
Thanks to all who shared and helped on social media and in other channels – the lost Border Collie found by Lee Chapman yesterday has been reunited with her owner.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged A5, bitch, Border Collie, Brownhills, Brownhills West, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Common, dog, Events, Facebook, female, found, island, K9 Search, Lee Chapman, Lichfield, Lost, New Photos, Newtown, Reservoir, School, Staffordshire, Things to do, tri-colour, Watling Street
1 Comment
Border Collie dog found on A5 in Brownhills
An urgent appeal reaches me via Facebook from Lee Chapman, who’s today (Saturday, 3rd January 2015) found a Collie dog near Brownhills Common on the A5.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged A5, bitch, Border Collie, Brownhills, Brownhills West, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Common, dog, Events, Facebook, female, found, island, K9 Search, Lee Chapman, Lichfield, Lost, New Photos, Newtown, Reservoir, School, Staffordshire, Things to do, tri-colour, Watling Street
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The lost Howdles Lane dam
In a remarkable instance of coincidence, last Friday, reader and top local history ferret Andy Dennis sent me an astounding piece on a lost reservoir near Howdles Lane, in north Brownhills, between Chasewater and the Watling Street.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Shared memories, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills Brook, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Crane Brook, cycling, Dam, Dam burst, Events, Gerald Reece, Howdles Lane, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Lost, New Photos, Ogley Locks, Old maps, Panoramio, Redevelopment, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Yates map
12 Comments
On a clear day
The wonderfully generous and knowledgable Sir Gerald of Reece recently sent me some scans of aerial images dating from 1948-52, taken of Brownhills and and stored on transparency, which I feature here today.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media
Tagged aerial photo, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Events, Gareth Thomas, June 9 1963, LDC, Lichfield District Council, Local History, New Photos, Norton Pool, Reservoir, Staffordshire
6 Comments
Urgent – Harris Hawk lost in Burntwood
I have no idea what to make of this – lost raptors are a new one for the blog, but never a dull moment – just has this report of a lost Harris Hawk in from Jim Mason of Burntwood:
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Wildlife
Tagged 2014, appeal, Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Harris Hawk, Jim Mason, Lichfield, Lost, raptor, Reservoir, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, Wildlife
5 Comments
A musical evening in Brownhills – this Saturday!
Local chap and musician John Carver contacted me a week or so ago to ask me to give this fine folk gig a plug, starring a lady with a rather remarkable local tale to tell – and she’s supported by some rather excellent welsh musicians, too.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 18th October, 2014, Brenig, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Clayhanger, Events, folk, gig, Jean Ward, John Carver, Lichfield, Mandy Ward, Methodist Chursch, Reservoir, Saturday, Shire Oak, Silver Street, Things to do, Walsall Wood
1 Comment
Overcome with emulsion
As I alluded yesterday when I featured the image of the Chasewater pump house, reader and friend of the blog Ruth Penrhyn-Lowe has been slaving over a warm scanner yet again to share with us some wonderful postcards from her late father’s personal collection, and all of these have a Chasetown theme.
Posted in News
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasetown, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater history, Church Street, Clock, Doris Fox, Harrison, High Street, Junction, local blogs, Local History, nine foot, Postcard, Reservoir, Ruth Penrhyn Lowe, Staffordshire, steam engine, Steam pump
17 Comments
Pumping clear water
This is remarkable – I’m just going to leave it here for those among us interested in Chasewater, and the arrangements with the steam pump that used to return water from Anglesey Basin into the reservoir.
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, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater history, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cycle rides, local blogs, Local History, nine foot, Postcard, Reservoir, Ruth Penrhyn Lowe, Staffordshire, steam engine, Steam pump, Wildlife
6 Comments
Paint it black
There has been huge interest in the post I published last week on the subject of the rare and rather beautiful black swan spotted at Chasewater last Wednesday by The Swan Lady, Irene Hodges.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Wildlife
Tagged 2014, Barrie, Black, Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Events, Hodges, Irene, Lichfield, New Photos, photo, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Swan, The Swan Lady, Things to do, video, Wildlife
2 Comments
Take to the water this Sunday!
There’s an interesting, fun-looking event taking place this Sunday (25th May 2014) at Chase Watersports Centre, at Chasewater – it’s a twelve hour continuous waterski event in aid of the Stephen’s Story appeal for the Teenage Cancer Trust.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 12 hour, 2014, 25th May, Brownhills, charity, Chase, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Events, Facebook, inflatable, Lichfield, Reservoir, Silly, Staffordshire, Stephen Sutton, Stephens Story, TCT, Teenage Cancer Trust, Things to do, Wakeboard, waterski, watersports centre
1 Comment
Lost – Keep your eye out folks
I’ve had a couple of notes about lost items at Chasewater yesterday – a camera and a GPS – one of which got mangled by the server, so I’d appreciate the person involved contacting me again.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Just plain daft, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Afternoon, appeal, Bench, Brownhills, Burntwood, Camera, Canoe Club, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Events, Garmin, GPS, GPSmap 64s, Lichfield, Lost, Memory card, Nikon, reader, Reservoir, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, Watersports club
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Swept everything before it
Last weekend, I revisited for the first time in ages the subject that was once so prominent here – Chasewater dam – but not in reference to the recent renovations, but to the creation of the reservoir and the failure of the earthwork dam in 1799.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Shared memories, Wildlife
Tagged 1799, Blackbrook, bridge, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Burst, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Dam, Drayton, Events, Hopwas, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Panoramio, Pedro, Peter Cutler, Reservoir, Shenstone, Staffordshire, Stafforshire Advertiser, Stone
7 Comments
When the dam burst
Chasewater has been, as any long-term reader here knows, a continual and recurring obsession of mine – I love the place; I grew up with it, visiting regularly I came to love its air of faded, end-of-the-pier decay and beautiful, often unexpected wildlife.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Shared memories, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, cycling, Events, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Old maps, Panoramio, Redevelopment, Reservoir, Staffordshire
10 Comments
To be in England, in the summertime
Another day, another great ride – I headed out early afternoon, firstly to Chasewater then on to Lichfield and the festival market, then from the busy city, I headed to the quiet of the east Staffordshire countryside – Whittington, Croxall, Walton, Rosliston, Lullington, Harlaston and back via Wall.
[caption id="attachment_14740" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Pipe Hill poppies[/caption] Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Churches, cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local music, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Croxall, Cycle rides, cycling, Harlaston, Lichfield, Lichfield Festival Market, Lullington, New Photos, Panoramio, Pipe Hill, poppies, Reservoir, River Trent, Rosliston, Staffordshire, Things to do, Wakeboard, Wakelake, Walton, Walton on Trent, WHittington, Wildlife
9 Comments
Finely tuned aerials
Rather than do the drip-drip-rip thing with the wonderful aerial images shared by top geographic geek Gareth Thomas and Lichfield District Council, I’m going to share the whole set of 1:5,000 aerials of Chasewater and surrounds. All were taken in December, 1976, and show some remarkable detail.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media
Tagged aerial photo, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Events, Gareth Thomas, June 9 1963, LDC, Lichfield District Council, Local History, New Photos, Norton Pool, Reservoir, Staffordshire
3 Comments
The scale of things to come
Gareth Thomas, top geographical services officer and mapping wonk from Lichfield District Council has been dipping into the aerial photography archives, and sent me a whole truancy of new wonders.
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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 aerial photo, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Events, Gareth Thomas, June 9 1963, LDC, Lichfield District Council, Local History, New Photos, Norton Pool, Reservoir, Staffordshire
11 Comments
Golden hours
Busy most of the day, I managed to slip out late afternoon for a ride – it was glorious -Chasewater was busy, yet there were deer on the dam. – the countryside was alive, and bursting into leaf and bloom everywhere I looked[caption id="attachment_13982" align="aligncenter" width="225"]
Wall church itself is impressive and unusual in style[/caption]
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Churches, cycling, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Wildlife
Tagged Bluebell, Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Church, Churchyard, Cycle rides, cycling, Hammerwich, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, Panoramio, Red deer, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Things to do, Wall, Wildlife
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Fun events at Chasewater this weekend!
I’ve spotted the following on the Chasewater Country Park Facebook page, which should give some ideas to families wanting to enjoy the good weather but not travel too far this bank holiday weekend.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged bank holiday, Brownhills, Canal, Chase Sailing Club, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Railway, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Facebook, free sailing sessions, Lichfield, local blogs, New Photos, Panoramio, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Things to do, Wildlife, Wildlife fair
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Letting off steam
I was saddened to receive yesterday from Chasewater Transport Show organiser Helen Borton, a copy of a mail she’s sent to Chasewater Park management, detailing some conflict within the park community over this popular free show – it doesn’t make pleasant reading.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged 2013, Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater car show, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Railway, CHasewater Vintage & Classic Car Show, classic bikes, Classic cars, Conflict, Cycle rides, Events, Facebook, Helen Borton, John Smith, Letter, Lichfield, Lichfield District Council, Military vehicle show, New Photos, Reservoir, Silly, Staffordshire, Steam engines, Vandalism, Vintage Cars, Wildlife
18 Comments
Chasewater wakes
Readers who are Chasewater fans will remember that back in February, I wrote a post that set out to explain the planning application that had been submitted to construct a wakeboarding facility in the south east corner of the lake, from around the old pier to just past the valve house on the dam.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged application, Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, controversy, Council, Councty, Course, Cycle rides, cycling, Derelict, District, LDC, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Pier, planning, Redevelopment, Reservoir, SCC, Staffordshire, Things to do, Wake Board, Wakeboard Limited, watersports, Wildlife
8 Comments
Ghosts on tape
Old mucker [Howmuch?], fresh from a morning rootling around the Chasewater Transport Show on Sunday, was inspired to go trawling for interesting Chasewater related historical footage on the internet when he got home.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, 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
Tagged 1970, British Powerboat Grand Prix, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, culvert, Drain, Events, exploration, Go Kart, Howmuch, Local History, MrTechTalk, New Photos, old film, overflow, Phil55uk, Powerboat, Reservoir, Silly, speedboat, Staffordshire, Steveskitrip, Things to do
7 Comments
Jasmine cottage remembered
Following on from all the remarkable stuff about Jasmine Cottage, Louise Sedgwick has been back in touch with some family photos she’s found of the house and garden.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged Anglesey Basin, Anglesey Wharf, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Cottage, Derelict, Edna, Jack, Jasmine, Lane, Lichfield, Local History, Louise Sedgwick, Meecham, New Photos, planning, Ray Shill, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Wharf, Whitehorse Road, Wyrley & Essington canal through time
6 Comments
A Jasmine childhood
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 Andy Dennis, Anglesey Basin, Anglesey Wharf, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Cottage, crane, Derelict, Edna, Jack, Jasmine, Lane, Lichfield, Local History, Louise Sedgwick, Meecham, Michael Sarsfield, New Photos, Old maps, planning, Ray Shill, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Wharf, Whitehorse Road, Wyrley & Essington canal through time
5 Comments
When Billy came knocking
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 Andy Dennis, Anglesey Basin, Anglesey Wharf, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Cottage, crane, Derelict, Edna, Jack, Jasmine, Jeffries, Lane, Lichfield, Local History, Meecham, Michael Sarsfield, New Photos, Old maps, planning, Ray Shill, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Wharf, Whitehorse Road, Wyrley & Essington canal through time
7 Comments
A bride in Jasmine
Here’s an excellent find sent to me this morning by Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler, in response to my somewhat tenuous enquiry about Jasmine Cottage.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Churches, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media
Tagged 1936, Amy Palmer, Anglesey Basin, Anglesey Wharf, Arnott, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Cottage, Derelict, Dress Shop, Holy Cross Church, Jasmine, Lane, Lichfield, Lichfield Mercury, Local History, Marriage, McGuire, New Photos, Pedro, Peter Cutler, planning, Ray Shill, Reservoir, Staffordshire, wedding, Wharf, Whitehorse Road
5 Comments
The scent of jasmine
I’m still perusing my recent acquisition ‘The Wyrley & Essington Canal Through Time’ by Ray Shill…
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged Anglesey Basin, Anglesey Wharf, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Cottage, Derelict, Jasmine, Lane, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, Old maps, planning, Ray Shill, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Wharf, Whitehorse Road, Wyrley & Essington canal through time
35 Comments
Shut the wardrobe door!
Oh, my goodness – Narnia has escaped from the wardrobe again, and as ever, I’ve been out having fun The cycling was fine on main roads, but side roads and tracks were bad. The snow – falling gently all the time I was out – was being driven by a northeasterly surely crafted on Satan’s back doorstep.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Wildlife
Tagged black path, Brownhills, Brownhills common, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, cold weather, culvert, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, ice, level, New Photos, nine foot, overflow, Panoramio, Parade, Reservoir, Snow, Spillway, Staffordshire, Things to do, Watling Street, Wildlife
3 Comments
Chasewater: prepare for controversy
An application has recently been submitted to Lichfield District Council to construct a wake boarding corse at Chasewater, based between a refurbished pier and dam. This is generating some controversy.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged application, Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, controversy, Council, Councty, Course, Cycle rides, cycling, Derelict, District, LDC, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Pier, planning, Redevelopment, Reservoir, SCC, Staffordshire, Things to do, Wake Board, Wakeboard Limited, watersports, Wildlife
15 Comments
Levelling out
Those who follow my 365daysofbiking journal will be aware that I’ve been a little bit obsessed with the rising water level at Chasewater over the summer and winter months. Since the lake was drained to enable improvement works to improve the dam and overflow resilience, it was considered that, unless we experienced very wet weather, the lake would take a good couple of years to refill.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged #365daysofbiking, Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cycle rides, cycling, Dam works, Drain, ecology, Events, full, LDC, Lichfield, Lichfield District Council, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Pier, refill, Reservoir, SCC, Silly, Staffordshire, Staffordshire County Council, Things to do, Water Level, weir, Wildlife
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A Chasewater childhood
Regulars will remember that recently, I featured a post from reader Stuart Cowley, who generously recounted mhos memories of of summers spent in and around Chasewater, where his family worked at the cafe.
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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, Walsall community
Tagged 1960's, 60's, amusement park, Blumer, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, childhood, Cycle rides, Local History, memories, New Photos, Norton Pool, Panoramio, pleasure park, Reservoir, sculpture, Staffordshire, Stuart Cowley, Wildlife
15 Comments
2013 New Year competition winners!
The 2013 New Year Quiz has now closed, and we have a winner. The final scores are as follows: Fred Butler has 7 points. Andy Dennis has 6 points. Oakparkrunner has 4 points. BrownhillsDavidNotBob has 3 points. Grande Pablo has … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, 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, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2013, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, cycling, Events, Local History, New Photos, New Year quiz, Pubs, Reservoir, score, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Wood, winner
10 Comments
Competition closes 12 noon today, 5th January 2012
Last chance, folks. The 2013 new year competition closes at 12 Noon today, 5th January 2012. Answers received after that time will not be counted. Running scores: Andy Dennis has 6 points. Fred Butler has 4 points. Oakparkrunner has 4 … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2013, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, cycling, Events, Local History, New Photos, New Year quiz, Pubs, Reservoir, score, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Wood
8 Comments
Cycling trivialities
Thanks to everyone who took time to express opinions on my navel gazing contemplation on completion of my 365daysofbiking goal. I really was touched by the unexpectedly large amount of goodwill expressed about the project by a hugely diverse range of commentors. The compliments, encouragement and kindness are not something I’ll readily forget.
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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, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged #365daysofbiking, Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Clayhanger, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Facebook, local blogs, New Photos, Panoramio, Reservoir, Silly, Spring, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Things to do, tumblr, Twitter, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
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2013 New Year quiz: only five questions left
The 2013 New Year Quiz closes at Noon, this Saturday, 5th January 2013. I’m amazed at how popular it’s been and thank everyone for their sporting good humour, interesting answers and thoughtful, considered sleuthing.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2013, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, cycling, Events, Local History, New Photos, New Year quiz, Pubs, Reservoir, score, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
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