#365daysofbiking JournalRecent tracks
Swimming the Lakes / Flowers and StonesFionn Regan9 minutes ago
HEADPHONESFionn Regan12 minutes ago
Into the Light of the SunFionn Regan14 minutes ago
FarewellFionn Regan17 minutes ago
Anja IIFionn Regan21 minutes ago
Anja IFionn Regan25 minutes ago
Blood Is Thicker Than WineFionn Regan28 minutes ago
O AvalancheFionn Regan32 minutes ago
Teix MountainsFionn Regan36 minutes ago
ISLANDSFionn Regan38 minutes agoRecent Comments
Kevin Wilford on Mount Zion Sunday School Anniv… chrisjimallen on Down the tubes bravelyd03ee3c14f on Celebrating a Jubilee? bravelyd03ee3c14f on Celebrating a Jubilee? Nathan on Raising damp
Tag Archives: Christmas
A welcome miscellany – which of these do you remember?
Facebook is really throwing up some gems at the moment – keen reader Maria Fitzgerald has sent me a bunch of varied images she’s found out of her family collection which I think will inspire debate and memories from readers – these are hot on the heels of the one she sent last week, that provoked so much discussion.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 1974, @brownhillsmemo, Ambulance, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Christmas, Crabtree, Facebook, factory, First Aid, Hednesford, Infants, Lichfield, Local History, Maria Fitzgerald, May DayMemo, New Photos, OAP, Ogley Hay, senior citizens, St Johns, Staffordshire, Things to do
9 Comments
A beautiful game
In recognition of the day, the Young David Evans sent me some rather wonderful photos a couple of days ago – as readers will know, David has a particular interest in the wars in Europe, and has strong connections to Messines and the place where the celebrated First World War Christmas truce and football match is believed to have started.
Posted in Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1914, Chris Baker, Christmas, David Evans, Events, football, Great War, Jean Claude Joly, Messines, military history, New Photos, Politics, The Long Long Trail, Things to do, trenches, Truce, Word War One, WW1
1 Comment
Something cheesy for Christmas
I’ll keep this brief, as I know there are folk in Short Heath suffering in quiet, restrained dignity as they haven’t had their Liberal Democrat Focus news sheets this week due to the inclement weather – please spare a thought for those less fortunate souls this Christmas.
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, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Christmas, Cycle rides, cycling, Greetings, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Politics, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
6 Comments
Free Christmas Carol Concert at Walsall Arboretum today!
Top Walsall Council bod Kate Goodall contacted me to ask if I could plug the Christmas Carol Concert at Walsall Arboretum -it is to be held in the beautifully refurbished bandstand tomorrow, Saturday 21st December 2013, from 1:00pm to 2:00pm.
Posted in Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 15th December, 2012, arboretum, Bandstand, carol, Christmas, concert, Events, New Photos, Redevelopment, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council
Leave a comment
Changes to local bin collections this week!
This is a headsup for everyone in the local area – this week, some refuse bin collection days change hereabouts – a full calendar leaflet can be downloaded from Walsall Council’s website, but here’s how it works for local readers.
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, 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, Bins, Brownhills, change, Christmas, Clayhanger, collection, collection day, Events, Facebook, Friday, household waste, information, Local politics, Monday, Politics, Recycling, Refuse, rubbish, Shire Oak, Silly, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
1 Comment
Norton Canes Christmas Fayre this afternoon!
Thanks to readers John Preece and Wendy McGreevy, I can share the following event with readers – it’s an interesting one, and looks fun – it could be just the thing to perk the kids up on a dull Sunday Afternoon – why pop along?
Christmas Fayre at Chasewater Innovation Centre today!
Here’s a chance to get into the Christmas spirit this Sunday, 1st December 2013 – there’s a Christmas Fayre being held at Chasewater Innovation Centre – at the same time, you can check out the Santa Specials at Chasewater Steam Railway, and take a wander around the lake which is now full and teeming with wildlife once more.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, 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, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Railway, Christmas, Cycle rides, cycling, December 1st 2013, Events, Facebook, Fayre, local blogs, New Photos, Reservoir, Santa, Special, Staffordshire, Things to do, Wildlife
Leave a comment
Christmas table top sale this Saturday!
Thanks to long time reader Caz, I can share news of the above event with readers – it looks like a fine thing indeed.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 30th November, Brownhills, Caz, Christmas, club, Events, King Street, Saturday, table top sale, Things to do, Walsall Wood
1 Comment
Ghost train
This one has pulled me up short, and I haven’t got a clue what to do with it. But it’s fascinating for a number of reasons; for one, it clearly describes the railway at Brownhills in the late Victorian era. For a second, it details the water main alongside the track. For a third, it’s utterly mad and delightful at the same time.
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, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1904, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Christmas, Derelict, Emm Kay, Fiction, Ghost, ghost story, Holiday, Lichfield, Lichfield Mercury, Local History, New Photos, Ogley Cutting, planning, Pubs, Railway, South Staffordshire railway, Staffordshire, Walsall Wood
4 Comments
When the fighting stopped
Earlier in the year, reader and friend of the blog David Evans suggested I run an article about the truce at Messines over Christmas in 1914. This outbreak of humanity in the midst of one of the bloodiest wars the world had ever witnessed, captured the popular imagination for years. The idea of opposing sides downing weapons and joining in a game of football in no man’s land is enchanting and solid, and has featured in many forms of pop culture – from rock music videos to films and books.
Continue reading
Posted in Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1914, Chris Baker, Christmas, David Evans, Events, football, Great War, Messines, military history, New Photos, Politics, The Long Long Trail, Things to do, trenches, Truce, Word War One, WW1
7 Comments
Before we man the lifeboats…
Before the water level rises to such an extent that the residents of Brownhills and Walsall Wood are all encamped on Shire Oak Hill waiting for the waters to recede, I’d like to wish all readers, contributors and friends of this odd little blog a very merry Christmas and a very happy, peaceful and prosperous new year.
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, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Christmas, Cycle rides, cycling, Greetings, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Politics, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
22 Comments
Bandstand Christmas Carol Concert at Walsall Arboretum today!
Both Ian Morton-Jones and Kate Goodall contacted me this week to ask me to plug the Christmas Carol Concert at Walsall Arboretum. It is to be held in the newly refurbished bandstand today, Saturday 15th December 2012, from 1:30pm to 2:30pm. It’s free, and will make for a welcome, relaxing break from Christmas shopping.
Posted in Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 15th December, 2012, arboretum, Bandstand, carol, Christmas, concert, Events, New Photos, Redevelopment, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council
2 Comments
Christmas Fayre at Chasewater Innovation Centre today!
Here’s a chance to get into the Christmas spirit today… there’s a Christmas Fayre being held at Chasewater Innovation Centre. At the same time, you can check out the Santa Specials at Chasewater Steam Railway, and take a wander around the lake – now well on the way to recovery after recently being drained.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, 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, Wildlife
Tagged Beowulf, Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Railway, Christmas, Cycle rides, cycling, december 15th, Events, Facebook, Fayre, local blogs, New Photos, Reservoir, Santa, Special, Staffordshire, Things to do, Wildlife
Leave a comment
Christmas events, anyone?
I just wondered if anyone out there had local christmas stuff they wanted publiscising here on the blog. In previous years in Brownhills, the Town Centre Team have had unified ‘Magic of Christmas’ branded events, but since Antonia has moved on to pastures new, it all seems a bit haphazard this year.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Christmas, Clayhanger, David Evans, Events, Kevin Simon, local blogs, Methodist Church, New Photos, planning, Shire Oak, Silver Street, Things to do, Tree festival, Walsall Wood, whats on, Xmas
1 Comment
Tree cheers… and thanks.
I know I’ve posted this on my 365daysofbiking journal, but it bears repeating here where there’s a wider audience.
Since Walsall Council no longer centrally organises Christmas Trees for the borough’s satellite towns, most go without, but a few centres do their own thing. Walsall Wood is well provided for, however, due to the generosity of the local Councillors Anthony Harris and Mike Flower
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, 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 Anthony Harris, Brownhills, Christmas, Christmas Tree, donation, Events, local blogs, Local politics, Mike Flower, New Photos, Politics, Shire Oak, St Johns, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
4 Comments
I’m not a pheasant plucker…
I received this one from David Evans a month ago, and thought I’d save it for Christmas Day. I’m sure many readers recall rearing their own chickens, or maybe working on the farms locally from time to time. As ever, … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Features, Followups, Local History, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chicken, Christmas, David Evans, Farming, Local History, New Photos, Pig, Racheal, Staffordshire, Walsall Wood
14 Comments
All about Eve
Well, it’s Christmas Eve. I’ve been meaning to write this post for a few days now, but it’s a bit cheesy and it feels kind of awkward. I’d like to wish all the readers, contributors, followers and friends of the … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Chasewaterstuff, Christmas, Common people, Kate Goodall, Lichfield Lore, Linda Mason, Merry Christmas, New Year, Oakparkrunner, Pigblog, Publog, Stymaster, Tamworth Time Hikes, The Bloxidge Tallygraph, The Plastic Hippo, The Yam Yam, Walsall Bloggers
Leave a comment
Brownhills Cradle Club Christmas special today!
Wednesday 14th December 2011 Cradle Club Christmas Special Wednesday 14 December, 10.30am to 12 noon. Brownhills Library, Park View Centre, Chester Road North. Toys, songs, stories, rhymes and gifts for children aged 0-2years. Parents & grandparents welcome to join in … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brownhills, Christmas, Christmas events in Brownhills, Christmas Magic, Cradle Club, Library, Parkview Centre, Things to do
Leave a comment
Slipping the reins
I have recently become rather concerned over what appears to be a new pre-Christmas trend. The exhibiting of real reindeer at fetes, events and in town centres locally seems to be increasingly fashionable. In an age when animal circuses are … Continue reading
Posted in Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged Caged deer, Chasewater, Cheap tat, Christmas, Deer, Facebook, Fallow, Lichfield, local blogs, Muntjac, New Photos, Red, Reindeer, Santa deer, Silly, Social media, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Town Centre management team, Wildlife
24 Comments
Christmas is coming…
Tomorrow, there’s a great Christmas Market scheduled in the Posh People’s Principality of Pelsall. The Pelsall Christmas Market is usually a corker, and this year, there’s to be a two-day ice rink for the kids, to boot. That’s right – … Continue reading
Posted in cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 2011, Christmas, Common people, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Facebook, Fayre, Fete, Garry Perry, Ice Rink, Jayne Howarth, local blogs, Pelsall Christmas Market, Silly, Things to do, Walsall Council
Leave a comment
Who knows where the time goes?
It really doesn’t seem like five minutes since I last wished all you readers a merry Christmas and a very happy new year. This last one has been an interesting and engaging time for me with the Brownhills Blog. I’ve … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, cycling, Environment, Followups, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Local politics, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council
Tagged Chasewaterstuff, Christmas, Common people, ConnectCannock, Julian Ward-Davies, Longdon Local, Merry Christmas, New Year, Oakparkrunner, Pheaseyviews, Pigblog, Political Penguin, Publog, Stymaster, Tamworth Time Hikes, The Bloxidge Tallygraph, The Bookworm turns, The Edditer, The Lichfield Blog, The Mushroom, The Plastic Hippo, Walsall Bloggers, WV11
4 Comments
Opening out
Yesterday, I tried to think of something to write about the passing of the shortest day and winter solstice, but couldn’t think of anything better than I wrote on the subject last year. This is a really positive step for … Continue reading
From now, it only gets better…
Today is Winter Solstice – the shortest day of the year, the day from which the daylight steadily lengthens into a new year, and warmer, longer spring days enter on tiptoes. From this day, things only get better. Winter Solstice … Continue reading
Posted in cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Shared media
Tagged Christmas, Cycle rides, Ian Anderson, Jethro Tull, Ring Out Solstice Bells, Shortest day, Winter, Yule
2 Comments
RSS - Posts
