#365daysofbiking JournalRecent tracks
Good Morning Starshine
Lynn Kellogg, James Rado & Gerome Ragni
9 months
Good Morning Starshine
Lynn Kellogg, James Rado & Gerome Ragni
1 year
For
C. Duncan
1 year
That Voice Again
Peter Gabriel
1 year
Living By Numbers
New Musik
1 year
Sequestered In Memphis
The Hold Steady
1 year
Good Morning Starshine
Lynn Kellogg, James Rado & Gerome Ragni
1 year
Running
Technicolor
1 year
Tonband Laufspur
Kosmischer Läufer
1 year
Last Night Of The World
Bruce Cockburn
1 yearRecent Comments
derekmutchntlworldco… on Unspoken histories – wha… Derek Mutc on This won’t hurt –… Dennis Wright on The kiln fields Elizabeth Thomson on The kiln fields Elizabeth Thomson on Fired up
Tag Archives: Darlaston
Important appeal: Did you know James Green?
This is one of those requests that pops up from time to time, and was issued by the Communication Team at Walsall Council this week and I’d like all locals to have a think about it, and if any of you can do so, please help.
Posted in Environment, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Becky Evans, Blockall Close, Darlaston, died, Family, help, James Green, Lichfield, passed away, releatives, request, search, Staffordshire, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Road, West Midlands
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Blooming golden – Brownhills volunteers for the win!
I’d like to say a big thank you on behalf of Brownhills if I may, to those people who worked so very hard on the Brownhills in Bloom competition entry this year: to all those who helped, planted and laboured, and to human dynamo Diane Mansell from Walsall Council, praise is due, for Brownhills and Aldridge both won gold awards.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Britain in Bloom, Browhills Town Centre Partnership, Brownhills, Brownhills Big Tidy Up, Brownhills Town Centre Partnership, Community Payback Team, Darlaston, Events, Facebook, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, planning, Princes Trust, Ravens Court, Things to do, Vandalism, Vickie Heydon-Matterface, Vivienne Aston, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Group, Walsall politics
1 Comment
Blooming Aldridge!
A couple of fun events coming up in Aldridge this weekend from Aldridge Village Partnership and the wonderful Diane Mansell, who you’ll know also runs the Brownhills Town Centre partnership.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 2016, Aldridge, Ball, Britain in Bloom, Brownhills, Brownhills Town Centre Partnership, BULB PLANTING, Darlaston, Events, Facebook, FAIRLAWNS, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, September, Things to do, Vickie Heydon-Matterface, Vivienne Aston, Walsall, Walsall Council, World Record
1 Comment
Good luck to the Brownhills in Bloom team!
I’d like to wish all the very best of luck to the hard working volunteers and community minded folk who’ve worked with Brownhills Town Centre Partnership on this year’s Brownhills in Bloom bird, which is judged this afternoon (Wednesday, 27th July 2016).
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Britain in Bloom, Browhills Town Centre Partnership, Brownhills, Brownhills Big Tidy Up, Brownhills Town Centre Partnership, Community Payback Team, Darlaston, Events, Facebook, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, planning, Princes Trust, Ravens Court, Things to do, Vandalism, Vickie Heydon-Matterface, Vivienne Aston, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Group, Walsall politics
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Calling all local gardeners please!
Once more, Diane Mansell from Brownhills Town Centre Partnership has been in touch, and asked me to ask if I’d put out a plea for gardeners,volunteer groups or anyone else who can help the Brownhills in Bloom team remove some problematic shrubs in town.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 27 June, Britain in Bloom, Browhills Town Centre Partnership, Brownhills, Brownhills Big Tidy Up, Brownhills Town Centre Partnership, Darlaston, Events, Facebook, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, Monday, planning, Princes Trust, Ravens Court, Things to do, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Group, Walsall politics
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Can you help Diane make Brownhills bloom?
Once more, Diane Mansell from Brownhills Town Centre Partnership has been in touch, and asked me to point out that volunteers are needed for another planting event to prepare the remaining planters for the Brownhills Britain in Bloom entry this coming Monday 27th June 2016.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 27 June, Britain in Bloom, Browhills Town Centre Partnership, Brownhills, Brownhills Big Tidy Up, Brownhills Town Centre Partnership, Darlaston, Events, Facebook, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, Monday, planning, Princes Trust, Ravens Court, Things to do, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Group, Walsall politics
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Blooming wonderful!
Just a shoutout here to the volunteers and community mind folk of Brownhills Town Centre Partnership who yesterday, despite some pretty horrid weather, went out planting flowers in the tubs and planters in town and once again did Brownhills proud.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Britain in Bloom, Browhills Town Centre Partnership, Brownhills, Brownhills Big Tidy Up, Brownhills Town Centre Partnership, Community Payback Team, Darlaston, Events, Facebook, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, planning, Princes Trust, Ravens Court, Things to do, Vandalism, Vickie Heydon-Matterface, Vivienne Aston, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Group, Walsall politics
4 Comments
Please help the Brownhills in bloom team – today!
The wonderful Diane Mansell from Brownhills Town Centre Partnership has been in touch, and asked me to see if anyone fancies helping out with the Brownhills Britain in Bloom competition entry from our town today (Monday 13th June 2016).
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Britain in Bloom, Browhills Town Centre Partnership, Brownhills, Brownhills Big Tidy Up, Brownhills Town Centre Partnership, Community Payback Team, Darlaston, Events, Facebook, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, planning, Princes Trust, Ravens Court, Things to do, Vandalism, Vickie Heydon-Matterface, Vivienne Aston, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Group, Walsall politics
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Apologies – Brownhills in bloom planting event cancelled!
So sorry to announce this, but I’ve just been informed by the organisers that the planting event scheduled for tomorrow, 2nd June 2016 by Brownhills Town Centre Partnership has had to be deferred until Monday 13th June due to late arrival of the plants – sadly, this is affecting several towns in the borough and is unavoidable.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2016, Britain in Bloom, Browhills Town Centre Partnership, Brownhills, Brownhills Big Tidy Up, Brownhills Town Centre Partnership, Cancelled, Community Payback Team, Darlaston, Events, Facebook, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, planning, Princes Trust, Ravens Court, Things to do, Vandalism, Vickie Heydon-Matterface, Vivienne Aston, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Group, Walsall politics
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Please help Brownhills bloom – tomorrow!
The wonderful Diane Mansell from Brownhills Town Centre Partnership have been in touch, and asked me to see if anyone fancies helping out with the Brownhills Britain in Bloom competition entry from our town, which involves planting, litter picking and general sprucing up.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Britain in Bloom, Browhills Town Centre Partnership, Brownhills, Brownhills Big Tidy Up, Brownhills Town Centre Partnership, Community Payback Team, Darlaston, Events, Facebook, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, planning, Princes Trust, Ravens Court, Things to do, Vandalism, Vickie Heydon-Matterface, Vivienne Aston, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Group, Walsall politics
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Please help Brownhills bloom this summer!
The wonderful Diane Mansell from Brownhills Town Centre Partnership have been in touch, and asked me to see if anyone fancies helping out with the Brownhills Britain in Bloom competition entry from our town, which involves planting, litter picking and general sprucing up.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2016, Britain in Bloom, Browhills Town Centre Partnership, Brownhills, Brownhills Big Tidy Up, Brownhills Town Centre Partnership, Community Payback Team, Darlaston, Events, Facebook, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, planning, Princes Trust, Ravens Court, Things to do, Vandalism, Vickie Heydon-Matterface, Vivienne Aston, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Group, Walsall politics
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Plea for family of deceased Caldmore man
We seem to have had a lot of appeals in the last few months to trace the family of local deceased people – but I make no apology for running another one; these appeals are essential, and I really feel for anyone who passes away alone.
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Posted in Environment, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 17th February, Caldmore, Darlaston, David Lockley, died, Family, help, Julie Faulkener, Lichfield, Neil Harris, passed away, releatives, request, Road, search, Staffordshire, Walsall, Walsall Council, West Midlands
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Plea for family of deceased Darlaston man
We seem to have had a lot of appeals in the last few months to trace the family of local deceased people – but I make no apology for running another one; these appeals are essential, and I really feel for anyone who passes away alone.
Posted in Environment, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Darlaston, died, Family, Geoffrey Smith, help, Lichfield, Neil Harris, Park Street, passed away, Port Engineering, Rebecca Evans, releatives, request, search, Staffordshire, teacher, Walsall, Walsall Council, West Midlands, Willenhall, Winifred Betsy Smith
2 Comments
Snow blind
Here’s a quick ride cam for the people out there who enjoy them – I know Trevor in Aus will like this one, as where he is, they don’t get much snow.
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Posted in cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Shared media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged #365daysofbiking, bad weather, bike cam, commute, Cycle rides, cycling, Darlaston, GoPro, HDHero 3+, Junction, night riding, Rain, Ride cam, Ring Road, Rushall, Snow, Things to do, urban, urban birdlife, Walsall, Walsall Wood, Winter
4 Comments
Michael Syrett: Funeral arrangements announced
Way back on the 13th August 2014, I published a very sad appeal from the Walsall Council Environmental Health Team who were attempting to locate any remaining family of retired Darlsaton teacher and musician Michael Syrett, who died a few days earlier – sadly, no relatives were located, and the council has now released details of Mr. Syrett’s funeral.
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Posted in Environment, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Comprehensive, Darlaston, died, Family, help, Lichfield, Michael Syrett, passed away, releatives, request, search, Staffordshire, teacher, Wales, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Road, West Midlands
2 Comments
Michael Syrett: thanks for your help
Way back on the 13th August 2014, I published a very sad appeal from the Walsall Council Environmental Health Team who were attempting to locate any remaining family of Michael Syrett, who died a few days earlier.
Posted in Environment, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Comprehensive, Darlaston, died, Family, help, Lichfield, Michael Syrett, Neil Harris, passed away, releatives, request, search, Staffordshire, teacher, Wales, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Road, West Midlands
1 Comment
Flower power
I’m pleased to note that Brownhills this year won a Silver Gilt Award in the ‘Heart of England in Bloom’ competition – not the kind of thing you’d normally associate with Brownhills, but year after year, the floral displays here have been improving, and this year they looked wonderful.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Aldridge, Britain in Bloom, Brownhills, Brownhills Town Centre Partnership, Darlaston, Events, Facebook, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, Things to do, Vickie Heydon-Matterface, Vivienne Aston, Walsall, Walsall Council
2 Comments
Important appeal: Did you know Michael Syrett?
This is one of those requests that pops up from time to time, and was issued by the Communication Team at Walsall Council last Wednesday, August 13th 2014 and I’d like all locals to have a think about it, and if any of you can do so, please help.
Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Comprehensive, Darlaston, died, Family, help, Lichfield, Michael Syrett, Neil Harris, passed away, releatives, request, search, Staffordshire, teacher, Wales, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Road, West Midlands
4 Comments
Please help Brownhills bloom!
Brownhills Town Centre Partnership have been in touch, and asked me to see if anyone fancies helping out with the Britain in Bloom competition entry from our town, which involves planting, litter picking and general sprucing up.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Britain in Bloom, Browhills Town Centre Partnership, Brownhills, Brownhills Big Tidy Up, Brownhills Town Centre Partnership, Community Payback Team, Darlaston, Events, Facebook, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, planning, Princes Trust, Ravens Court, Things to do, Vandalism, Vickie Heydon-Matterface, Vivienne Aston, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Group, Walsall politics
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Local history for a distant son
I thought today I’d just do a small post highlighting a couple of sites that will be of interest to many readers, but mainly to blog stalwart David Oakley, who I sadly gather hasn’t been in the best of health lately.
Posted in Bad Science, Churches, 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, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged A brief history of Darlaston, Bev Parker, birthday, Bullstake, Darlaston, Darlaston Remembers, Darlo, David Oakley, fallen, FH Lloyd, GKN, green, industry, Local History, Local politics, Redevelopment, Rubery Owen, Staffordshire, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, war memorial, Wilkings and Mitchell
3 Comments
Get them before they’re gone!
Here’s a message from Walsall Local History Centre, specifically for readers of the Brownhills Blog – I’m always banging on about getting copies of local history books while they’re still around, and now’s your chance to bag copies of three of Stuart Williams works about Walsall.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, 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, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aldridge, Bloxwich, Books, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Darlaston, gifts, Local History, local history books, New Photos, Pelsall, Rushall, session, Signing, Streetly, Stuart Williams, Walsall, Walsall Borough Past & Present, Walsall Council, Walsall Local History Cente, Walsall Museum, Walsall Wood, Waterstones, Willenhall, WLHC
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New local history book out soon!
It’s coming up to Christmas, and Stuart Williams and Walsall Local History Centre have a message for readers off the Brownhills Blog…
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, 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, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aldridge, Bloxwich, Books, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Darlaston, gifts, Local History, local history books, New Photos, Pelsall, Rushall, session, Signing, Streetly, Stuart Williams, Walsall, Walsall Borough Past & Present, Walsall Council, Walsall Local History Cente, Walsall Museum, Walsall Wood, Waterstones, Willenhall, WLHC
9 Comments
Kingdom of rain
This video takes a journey homewards after work – I pick it up in Walsall Road, Darlaston, and travel through James Bridge, Alumwell and join the New Ring Road at the Rollingmill Street junction.
</a Continue reading
Posted in cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Shared media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged #365daysofbiking, Alumwell, bad weather, bike cam, commute, Cycle rides, cycling, Darlaston, GoPro, HDHero 3+, Junction, Lane discipline, night riding, ommuting, Rain, Ride cam, Ring Road, Things to do, urba, urban birdlife, Walsall
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Lane’s end
In the circles of my cycling mates, I’m fairly well known for my forthright and controversial vies on cycle facilities – bike lanes, shared use paths, coloured bits of tarmac etc – that generally non-cycling traffic engineers create to try to make junctions easier for us on two wheels.
Posted in Bad Science, cycling, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council
Tagged Advance Stop Line, ASL, Beyond the Kerb, Bez, Bikeability, Cheap tat, Cycle rides, Cyclecraft, cycling, cycling facilities, cyle safety, danger, Darlaston, Lichfield, Lichwheeld, Local politics, Lorries, New Photos, planning, Politics, Silly, Things to do, Tipping out the paint, Vehicular cycling
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Blooming lovely
I note from the Facebook Page of Brownhills Town Centre Partnership that Brownhills this year won a Silver Award in the Britain in Bloom competition. Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Aldridge, Britain in Bloom, Brownhills, Brownhills Town Centre Partnership, Darlaston, Events, Facebook, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, Things to do, Vickie Heydon-Matterface, Vivienne Aston, Walsall, Walsall Council
3 Comments
On the circular
Earlier in the week bus expert and local history stalwart Tony Martin sent me a couple of pictures of busses running the 51 route, mentioned in the remarkable David Oakley article about Darlaston. 
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community
Tagged 51, 838, Bentley, bus, CVG 6, Daimler, Darlaston, Events, Jumping Jack, Leyland, Local History, New Photos, public transport, route, Staffordshire, Sunset, Tony Martin, Victoria Road, Walsall
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The dirty old town I love
I’ve never made any secret of the fact that I love the Black Country with all my heart – this dirty, post-industrial powerhouse of a place has been prominent throughout my life, although, technically, I live outside it. 
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Posted in Bad Science, Churches, 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, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged birthday, Bullstake, Darlaston, Derelict, FH Lloyd, GKN, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Panoramio, planning, Politics, Redevelopment, Rubery Owen, Silly, Staffordshire, Tony Martin, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Wilkings and Mitchell
43 Comments
Please take care when pulling out, eh?
Thought I’d share this one – not as dangerous as it looks, but an act of remarkable stupidity. The Station Street/Walsall Road Junction, on the Darlaston/Pleck Border at James Bridge, 5:45pm, Tuesday 10th January 2011. I had suspected the driver … Continue reading
Posted in cycling, Environment, Events, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged bad driving, bike cam, Cycle rides, cycling, Darlaston, Near miss, Pleck, Silly, video, Walsall, Youtube
5 Comments
Cycling at night: take care folks…
James Bridge, bottom of Bentley Mill Way on Friday night last. Watch out for the red car pulling out on the left. I was carrying a lot of weight and acceleration was challenging. Clearly, a huge, bright front light and … Continue reading
Posted in cycling, Environment, Events, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, News, Shared media
Tagged bad driving, Bently Mill Way, bike cam, Careless, Cycle rides, cycling, Darlaston, James Bridge, Night cycling, Silly, SMIDSY, Walsall
1 Comment
A flag for Brownhills?
Earlier this month (twitches in seat awkwardly), I received a mail from Philip Tibbetts MA, who has been working on an ongoing project to design flags and tartans for the towns and villages of the Black Country. It’s an interesting … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aldridge, Bentley, Black Country, Black Country Flags, Black Country tartans, Blakenall Heath, Bloxwich, Darlaston, Pelsall, Philip Tibbetts, Rushall, Shelfield, Streetly, The Bloxidge Tallygraph, Walsall Wood, Willenhall Brownhills
6 Comments
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