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Tag Archives: Cheap tat
You can never go back
The whole Brownhills-Tesco thing has left me interested in the breadth and spread of local opinion, in a way I don’t normally see it. I’m interested in theories people have, their perceptions, and what they see the future to be. … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Market, Canal, Cheap tat, Clayhanger, Derelict, Events, Facebook, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, New Tesco, planning, Politics, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, Retail, Tesco, Tesco Development, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
28 Comments
Sharp image
After a week of extolling readers to understand the value of local press and quality journalism, yesterday the Express & Star’s Walsall edition proved the value of good local journalism, as exhibited by dedicated, conscientious reporters.
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Posted in Bad Science, Events, Express & Star, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged AB Sustain, Cheap tat, Errors, Express & Star, Facebook, Gareth Illmann-Walker, Harper Adams, image, journalism, Labour, local blogs, Local politics, mistakes, New Photos, Politics, search, Silly, Tim Oliver, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
3 Comments
Race of the Year, 1977
Here’s a curious piece of ephemera, found by local history ferret [Howmuch?] – I’m not sure of the source, but it was probably a charity or secondhand shop, as he can often be found ferreting around the darker corners for history oddities.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community
Tagged 1977, April, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, Chasewater Promotions, Chasewater Stadium, Cheap tat, Derelict, Events, Howmuch, International Long Track, JB Cox, Local History, MCN, motorbike, Motorcycle, Motorcycle News, planning, programme, race, Race of the Year, Redevelopment, Reservoir, Stadium, Staffordshire, Things to do, track, Trotting
65 Comments
Buried dreams
In the miasma of stuff that passes by in the local news stream, I spotted this one from the Express & Star the other day, and It’s puzzled me…
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged artwork, Brownhills, Brownhills Market, Cheap tat, Derelict, Express & Star, Local politics, New Photos, Nikki Rolls, Panoramio, planning, Politics, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, Regeneration, Silly, Tesco, Tesco Development, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
20 Comments
Cycle farcilities
anuary 31st – Someone asserted yesterday that I should be glad of increased cycling facilities in the UK. I am, and I’m not. Here’s why.
On the Coventry Road, Birmingham, near the St. Andrews ground, there are lights to control a ‘y’ junction. Prior to the junction, there is a green tarmac filter lane leading to an advance stop line (ASL).
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Posted in Bad Science, cycling, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media
Tagged Advance Stop Line, ASL, Cheap tat, Cycle rides, cycling, cycling facilities, cyle safety, dnager, Left hook, Lichfield, Local politics, Lorries, New Photos, planning, Politics, Silly, Things to do
10 Comments
Walsall, everything a pound…
My thanks to Stuart Williams, curator of the Bloxwich telegraph, who spotted this short film this evening. It’s a tribute to the lost buildings of Walsall.
Watch it to the end. It’s very, very sad. A totally brilliant, beautifully animated piece of work. Turn your sound on too.
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Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged animation, £1, Cheap tat, Derelict, Events, Everything a pound, Local History, Local politics, planning, Politics, Pubs, Redevelopment, SalmonCorporation, short, Silly, Stuart Williams, Tesco, Tesco Development, Twitter, Vandalism, video, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Youtube
10 Comments
New Co-op on Streets Corner: Any news?
I keep getting messages and emails about this. The new store that’s been built on the old car lot in Walsall Wood seems to have been ready to open for weeks, but nothing seems to be happening:
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aldridge, Avion, Brownhills, Cheap tat, co-op, coop, hold up, local blogs, Local politics, New Photos, Panoramio, planning, progress, Pubs, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Silly, stalled, stopped, Street's Corner, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood, Wetherspoons
13 Comments
High rise mice?
I’ve received a very interesting email from a long-time resident of Humphries House in Brownhills. Humphries House, readers will no doubt remember, is the last of two remaining system-build tower blocks in Brownhills, and along with it’s partner, the much smaller Severn House, it was recently reclad and renovated by it’s owners, Walsall Housing Group.
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged Brownhills, Cheap tat, Cladding, high rise, Humphries House, infestation, Mice, pest, pest control, planning, Redevelopment, renovation, rodents, Severn House, Shoddy workmanship, social housing, tenants, Tower block, Vandalism, Walsall Housing Group, WHG
6 Comments
Shire Oak Nature Reserve: upcoming works explained
I noticed last week that heathland improvement works were planned by Walsall’s Counctry Services team – that’s the rangers I’ve posted so much about lately – at Shire Oak Park Local Nature Reserve in Brownhills.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged axe, Blog, Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cheap tat, Clayhanger, Colin Manning, Countryside Services, cuts, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Facebook, Kevin Clements, local blogs, Local History, Local Nature Reserve, Local politics, Mike Bird, Morgan Bowers, New Photos, Park, Petition, Politics, Shire Oak, Silly, Things to do, threat, Twitter, Vandalism, Walsal Wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
10 Comments
Fighting for our greenspace: Please sign the petition!
People concerned about cuts to Walsall Countryside Services, the Ranger Team and related issues – as outlined here previously – can now sign the petition over at Walsall Council’s website. It’s completely electronic, and is administered as part of Walsall’s Democratic Services. If the petition gets enough support, it will be raised at full council.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged axe, Blog, Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cheap tat, Clayhanger, Countryside Services, cuts, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Facebook, Kevin Clements, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Mike Bird, Morgan Bowers, New Photos, Petition, Politics, Shire Oak, Silly, Things to do, threat, Twitter, Vandalism, Walsal Wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
3 Comments
A green wave
The text of the following article was written by Stuart Williams of The Bloxwich Telegraph, and I reproduce it here to emphasise the campaign I mentioned here on Saturday. If you care about Walsall’s green space, please do join us.
The movement is gathering pace and I implore anyone who cares to get involved.
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged axe, Blowich Telegraph, Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cheap tat, Clayhanger, Countryside Services, cuts, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Facebook, Kevin Clements, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Mike Bird, Morgan Bowers, New Photos, Politics, Shire Oak, Silly, Stuart illiams, Things to do, threat, Twitter, Vandalism, Walsal Wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
10 Comments
Spirit of the Greenwood
This is really important. You’ll recall that a couple of weeks ago I, and other members of the local online community made a passionate plea for the preservation of the Walsall Council Countryside Services team, and the vital work they … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged axe, Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cheap tat, Clayhanger, Countryside Services, cuts, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Facebook, Kevin Clements, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Mike Bird, Morgan Bowers, New Photos, Politics, Shire Oak, Silly, Things to do, threat, Twitter, Vandalism, Walsal Wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
26 Comments
There’s a bustle in your hedgerow
One thing I hope comes through from my work online – both on this blog, and on my 365daysofbiking journal – is my huge passion for being outdoors. Pretty much everything I write is somehow related to turning the computer off, and going outside and exploring the best of whats around.
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, 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, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged axe, Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cheap tat, Clayhanger, Countryside Services, cuts, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Facebook, Kevin Clements, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Mike Bird, Morgan Bowers, New Photos, Politics, Shire Oak, Silly, Things to do, threat, Twitter, Vandalism, Walsal Wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
16 Comments
Living by numbers
A really great post has been brought to my attention on a blog I wasn’t previously following, and I’d like to share it with readers here. There are two current bugbears at the moment causing me irritation that anyone who follows me on Twatter will be aware of. The first is the woeful, shambolic nature of the local railway, and it’s use of performance figures. The second is the use of statistics by Walsall Police Superintendent Keith Fraser.
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Posted in Bad Science, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged blogs, Cheap tat, concellations, data, delays, Inspector Guilfoyle, local blogs, Local politics, London Midland, numbers, Performance, Police, Politics, Statistics, stats, Superintendent Keith Fraser, Twitter, visualisation, West Midlands Police
5 Comments
Canal trust?
Here’s an interesting one from fellow Brownhills historian David Hodgkinson. David has been musing on the fate of a piece of public art erected at Catshill Junction as part of the canal towpath renovations a few years ago. I must … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged Art, British Waterways, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Canal and Rivers Trust, Catshill Junction, Cheap tat, Cycle of Life, Cycle rides, cycling, David Hodgkinson, Events, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Politics, Redevelopment, sculpture, Staffordshire, Things to do
2 Comments
Dog Daze
Just a quick heads up; since I mentioned a few other blogs last weekend, there’s a local one I’ve been following for a while now, that’s funny and sharp. I would have included it in the post at the time, … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Shared media, Walsall community
Tagged Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Cheap tat, Events, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Redevelopment
5 Comments
Stay safe this winter!
Kate Goodall, top Walsall Council operative and top human dynamo behind Walsall Neighbourhoods, asked me last week if I might share this with the readers. Of course, I’m only too happy to do so. Please accept my apologies for not getting … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Blanket, Brownhills, Cheap tat, Electric, Events, free, OAP, Regulatory Services, testing, Things to do, trading standards, Walsall, Walsall Council, West Midlands Fire Service
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Parking for one bicycle…
Thanks to the keen eye of reader and friend of the blog Trevor Bond, I now know that the long awaited cycle parking at Tesco in Brownhills has arrived and been installed. Trevor alerted me this afternoon on twitter, so on … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged bike, Brownhills, Cheap tat, Cycle Racks, Cycle rides, cycling, Facebook, facilities, Lee Slater, local blogs, New Photos, planning, rack, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, refresh, sheffield stand, Silly, Tesco, Tesco Development, Trevor Bond, turd polish, Walsall, wheel bender
3 Comments
When journalism and politics fail
I’ve been a bit busy for the last couple of days with work, but while I have, a blistering post seems to have slipped under the radar from the best blogger in Walsall, The Plastic Hippo. Walsall folk will be … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Environment, Events, Express & Star, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Bad journalism, Cheap tat, Childrens services, Events, Express & Star, local blogs, Local politics, Mike Bird, Ofsted, Politics, Silly, The Plastic Hippo, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
13 Comments
Racked off
So, the Tesco Brownhills turd polish – known by Tesco fans as a ‘refresh’ – has apparently concluded. We have nice new wooden benches for the drunks, vagrants and teens; charming flower beds, new signage and a patched-up car park. … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged bike, Brownhills, Cheap tat, Cycle Racks, Cycle rides, cycling, Facebook, facilities, Lee Slater, local blogs, New Photos, planning, rack, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, refresh, sheffield stand, Silly, Tesco, Tesco Development, turd polish, Walsall, wheel bender
7 Comments
Something to build upon
Just a quick note to point out that I’ve had a fantastic response to my musings on the subject of the BOAK fire, and my desire to channel some of the creative anger abounding in the online community into something … Continue reading
Posted in 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, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged arson, BOAK, Brownhills, Cheap tat, Clayhanger, Cycle rides, cycling, Derelict, Events, heritage, Jabez Cliff, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, planning, Politics, Pubs, Redevelopment, The Plastic Hippo, The YamYam, Twitter, Urbext, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
In pursuit of the truth
Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler, one of several readers and contributors without whom this blog would be nothing at all, has something to say, and I think we need to listen. Carefully. There’s something disturbing him, and me, in the way some … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cheap tat, colliery, conditions, Cutler, Edward Brown, Grove, Harrison, local blogs, Local History, mines, mining, Pedro, Peter, pit disaster, Staffordshire, Walsall Wood
27 Comments
No shit, Sherlock
I noticed the above item, oddly tucked onto the front page of the Walsall Express and star last night. I can’t believe they’ve just twigged this, months after Radio WM and I spotted that Tesco had got cold feet. This … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brownhills, Canal, Cheap tat, Express & Star, Local politics, planning, Politics, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, Silly, Tesco, Tesco Development, Vandalism, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
1 Comment
BBC Midlands Today report on arson
I was contacted late on Tuesday afternoon by BBC journo Ben Sidwell, who was compiling a report for local news TV magazine show ‘Midlands Today’, and was enquiring if he could use one of my images of the BOAK Ravenscraig … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, 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, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged arson, Ben Sidwell, Bloxwich Telegraph, BOAK, Cheap tat, Derelict, Events, heritage, Jabez Cliff, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Midlands Today, New Photos, planning, Politics, Pubs, Redevelopment, Twitter, Urbex, Urbext, Vandalism, Walkways, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
Brownhills Tesco: Access denied
Shopping giant Tesco, fresh from expecting the residents of Brownhills to get excited over the fact that they have painted their store and fixed a few leaks for the first time in nearly two decades, seem to be intent on … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brownhills, Cheap tat, Derelict, Events, Local politics, New Photos, planning, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, Silly, Tesco, Tesco Development, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
10 Comments
After the fire had gone out – an appeal
Last Friday evening, I came back home via Walsall at around 7:30pm. On the way through what was a very weary, against the wind journey, I popped down to take a shufty at what was left of the BOAK building, … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Churches, 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, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged arson, BOAK, Brownhills, Cheap tat, Clayhanger, Cycle rides, cycling, Derelict, Events, heritage, Jabez Cliff, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, planning, Politics, Pubs, Redevelopment, The Plastic Hippo, The YamYam, Twitter, Urbext, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
25 Comments
Flaming torches…
I know it’s not Brownhills, but Walsall Council have asked me to post up the following information for anyone travelling around Walsall on Saturday, 30th June. The Olympic Torch Relay will be coming through the borough, and it may pay … Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Bloxwich, Cheap tat, Derelict, Events, Fire, information, local blogs, olympic, olympics, Parking, Saturday, Saturday 30th June, Streetpride, Torch Relay, Torch route, Walsall, Willenhall
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Anchor Bridge flooding – some action at last?
It seems that after a very long time, someone is finally looking into the question of flooding that takes place in the High Street/Chester Road, just opposite Knaves Court in Brownhills. You’ll recall that over the course of a few … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Anchor Bridge, bad drainage, bad drains, blocked drains, Brownhills, CCTV, Cheap tat, Councillor, Cycle rides, cycling, David Evans, Drain Survey, flood, Knaves Court, Local politics, New Photos, potholes, road maintenance, Silly, standing water, Stephen Wade, Streetpride, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
2 Comments
Internet connection problems in Brownhills?
I’m seeing a lot of issues on social media from folk with phone-based broadband. Haven’t a clue what’s afoot, but I think the technicians and telecoms nerds are on the case. The problems aren’t affecting cable customers (like me), but … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged broadband, Brownhills, BT, Cheap tat, Events, exchange, Facebook, fail, failure, Internet, Shire Oak, Talk Talk, Twitter, Walsall Wood
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Rubbish service?
Following the furore on social media over the last week, Dan Slee, press officer at Walsall Council offered the following press statement on the question of the controversial recycling leaflets currently being distributed to homes in Walsall Borough. I’ll let … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aldridge, Brownhills, Casepack, changes, Cheap tat, Common people, Facebook, Greenstar, Jayne Howarth, Leaflet, Leicester, local blogs, Local politics, Paul Daniel, Press Office, press release, Recycling, Refuse, rubbish, Silly, Social media, The YamYam, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
14 Comments
I do refuse
For a week or so now, new recycling guidance leaflets have been delivered to residents of Walsall Borough by the council. There has been a degree of justified concern expressed that the authority appear to have limited the range of … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, changes, Cheap tat, Common people, Facebook, Jayne Howarth, Leaflet, local blogs, Local politics, Paul Daniel, Recycling, Refuse, rubbish, Silly, Social media, The YamYam, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
19 Comments
The beer hunters
Last night, I was talking on twatter to ex-Pelsall girl and top knitter and cytologist Moominbadger about Beryl Reid, as you do. I mistakenly asserted Beryl to have been a Brummie, which seems not to be the case, Beryl actually … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Features, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged ale, Ansells, Banks, beer, Beryl Reid, bitter, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cheap tat, Davenports, Double Diamond, Highgate, Local History, Moominbadger, Noddy holder, old adverts, Pubs, Silly, Twitter, Walsall Wood, Worthington E
8 Comments
Poisoning the well?
There’s something odd going on at the moment, that I’d like to get to the bottom of. I’ve now seen four separate instances of the incorrect assertion that the Senior Citizen’s protest stopped the Brownhills Tesco Redevelopment. The first was … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills Market, Brownhills OAP's, Brownhills pensioners, Brownhills Senior Citizens Club, Cheap tat, Derelict, Express & Star, John Goulding, Letter, Local politics, Mike Bird, Petition, planning, Politics, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, Regeneration, Silly, Tesco, Tesco Development, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
3 Comments
Effecting a change? Your vote counts, don’t waste it.
Just a short note to jog people’s memories today. Today is the day of the local council elections, in which those of us in Walsall (and many other places) get to vote for our local councils. Here in Walsall, it looks … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged ballot, Brownhills, Cheap tat, Clayhanger, Election, local blogs, Local politics, Mike Bird, Politics, Social Services, The Plastic Hippo, The YamYam, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
8 Comments
Tesco Brownhills: come on in, the water’s lovely.
The above image of water leaking from the cladding of Brownhills Tesco certainly makes you think. With buckets dotted about the store to collect other ingress, just how bad to things have to get before Brownhills deserves a decent place … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, 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
Tagged Brownhills, Cheap tat, planning, Redevelopment, Regeneration, Roof leak, scruffy, Silly, Tesco, Tesco Development, Water leak
3 Comments
Never let the facts get in the way of a good rant
The local press is proving a rich seam of content at the moment here on the Brownhills Blog, and I really wanted to resist raiding yet another reader’s letter from yet another op-ed page. However, this one is so unbelievably … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills Market, Brownhills OAP's, Brownhills pensioners, Brownhills Senior Citizens Club, Cheap tat, Derelict, Express & Star, John Goulding, Letter, Local politics, Mike Bird, Petition, planning, Politics, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, Regeneration, Silly, Tesco, Tesco Development, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
6 Comments
Hold very tight please, ding ding!
It’s been a while since we took a stroll down memory lane with top reader and blog contributor David Evans. Last week he sent me this great piece, and the tat-bazaar that is YouTube has thrown up some fabulous applicable … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills local history, bus, bus station, busses, Cheap tat, David Evans, Local History, New Photos, old bus film, Pubs, Silly, Staffordshire, trolley bus, Walsall, Walsall Wood
7 Comments
Come on in, the water’s lovely. Not.
I just thought I’d drag the issue of the standing water at Anchor Bridge, and Walsall Council’s response to it, into the light again. Following last week’s post on the subject, council officer Glyn Oliver replied to my concerns here … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media
Tagged Anchor Bridge, bad drainage, bad drains, blocked drains, Brownhills, Cheap tat, Cycle rides, cycling, David Evans, flood, Glyn Oliver, Knaves Court, Local politics, New Photos, potholes, Reservoir, road maintenance, Silly, standing water, Steve Sharma, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
9 Comments
Splashing out
On February 5th 2012, I posted about the awful state of drainage on the High Street/Chester Road near Knaves Court in Brownhills. It only takes a small amount of rain for huge pools of standing water to develop just by … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Anchor Bridge, bad drainage, bad drains, blocked drains, Brownhills, Cheap tat, Cycle rides, cycling, David Evans, flood, Glyn Oliver, Knaves Court, Local politics, New Photos, potholes, Reservoir, road maintenance, Silly, standing water, Steve Sharma, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
14 Comments
Chasewater: The Good, the bad, and the frankly insane
Hang out the flags, deck the halls, light the beacons. Those damn works are complete, and the contractors appointed to upgrade the dam at Chasewater have left the building, and everything has now returned to normal. Normal, that is, apart … Continue reading
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 media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Wildlife
Tagged Access, Bad maintenance, Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Cheap tat, Cycle rides, Cycle trail, cycling, Dam works, Galliford Try, John Smith, local blogs, Local politics, Neil Turner, New Photos, planning, Reservoir, Silly, Staffordshire, Wildlife
6 Comments
WHG finally pulls it’s finger out, parades bosses in hi-viz
Today, I received a PR puff for Walsall Housing Group, the housing association that own and look after Walsall Council’s former social housing stock. It seems that over two years from first planning application, they look set to start work … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Blue, Brownhills, Canal, Carole Wildman, Cheap tat, Gary Fulford, Humphries House, Knaves Court, Local politics, Mansell, Pink, planning, planning applications, Politics, Redevelopment, Severn House, Silly, Simon Liversage, social housing, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Group, Walsall politics, WHG
7 Comments
I heard it on the radio
BBC Radio WM’s Phil Upton Breakfast Show for Monday, 5th March 2012 featured the ongoing saga of Brownhills and Tesco, asking the question as to why the retail giant can’t seem to be bothered to undertake the redevelopment it promised … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Acropolis, Brownhills, Brownhills Market, Cafe, Cheap tat, Derelict, Doreen Gent, Express & Star, Local politics, Mike Bird, Phil Upton, planning, Politics, Radio WM, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, Silly, Tesco, Tesco Development, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
8 Comments
To protect and profit – a great new piece by TheFabMrJ
Rich Johnstone is rapidly emerging as one of the primary voices in local blogging. He writes infrequently, but usually in a calm, directed anger with a precision that’s deeply impressive. He is latest work, about the ridiculous privatisation of the … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Environment, Events, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Cheap tat, local blogs, Local politics, Police, Politics, Privatisation, Rich Johnstone, Silly, TheFabMrJ, Walsall politics, West Midlands Police
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Tesco: have they given up on Brownhills?
I notice from an article in the Express & Star that Tesco appear to be getting cold feet on their plan for a new store for Brownhills. This is grim news, but I’m not surprised, and have been sensing all … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills Market, Cheap tat, Derelict, Express & Star, Local politics, Mike Bird, planning, Politics, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, Silly, Tesco, Tesco Development, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
24 Comments
While we’re on the subject of metal bashing…
After I mentioned the remarkable Castings PLC video, I had a good read of the latest blog post by Aldridge’s very own Linda Mason, in which she recalls the heyday of the Redhouse Estate in Aldridge, and it’s neighbouring large … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Aldridge, Birlec, BRD, Brownhills local history, Cheap tat, Derelict, Driveline, GKN, Linda Mason, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Mad Old Baggage, McKechnie, Politics, reblog, Redhouse, Silly, Twitter, Walsall politics
3 Comments
Anyone want to buy an old ammunition dump?
Thanks to the eagle eye of fellow local blogger The Stymaster, I can share the following sale document with readers of the blog. It seems Linley Woods – longstanding subject of reader curiosity hereabouts – is up for sale. Clearly … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged Aldridge, ammunition, bunker, Cheap tat, Derelict, Diving, dump, Linley caverns, linley Caves, Linley Wood, local blogs, Local History, Pigblog, planning, Redevelopment, sale, sale document., Silly, store, Stymaster, Wartime
13 Comments
Anyone for a shower?
Today, whilst taking a spin around Brownhills to get some shopping in, I was reminded of a niggling, but serious problem in Brownhills High Street that has been ongoing for years. I personally have complained to Walsall Council, to no … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Anchor Bridge, bad drainage, bad drains, blocked drains, Brownhills, Cheap tat, Cycle rides, cycling, David Evans, flood, Knaves Court, Local politics, New Photos, potholes, Reservoir, road maintenance, Silly, standing water, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
11 Comments
You couldn’t make it up…
Just a quick note to point out that while I’ve been ranting and fuming about the collective fit of madness down at the Civic Centre, The Plastic Hippo as yet again nailed the situation perfectly. After council leader Mike ‘Blofeld’ … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Allowance rise, Cheap tat, Councillors allowances, local blogs, Local politics, Mike Bird, pay rise, Politics, Silly, The Plastic Hippo, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
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