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Tag Archives: David Evans
December 1989 – Shopkeepers angry about the neglect of Silver Court
Continuing the scans of the Brownhills Gazette – I present issue 3 of the long lost freesheet, from December 1989 for you to peruse and download. I’ve had an incredible response to featuring these long, lost publications here on the blog.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Baker Bond, Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Brownhills Comprehensive, Brownhills local history, David Evans, December 1989, freesheet, Gazette, issue 3, Laburnum Cottage, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, newspaper, Shire Oak, Silver Court, Walsall Wood
7 Comments
A life in harmony
Last year, I ran a series of articles here on the Brownhills Blog about Brownhills Co-operative Choral Society, a very highly respected musical ensemble indeed, and a remarkable, often overlooked piece of Brownhills history.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2014, 7th November, Birch, Brownhills, Brownhills Choral Society, Brownhills local history, choir, Choral, co-op, Co-operative, concert, David Evans, Deryck, dog, Douglas, Eisteddfod, George Fullelove, Langford, Llangollen, Local History, Male Voice, Marathon, MBE, New Photos, Silver Street Methodist Church, St Johns, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Wood, Wednesday Singers
4 Comments
November 1989 – Residents up in arms…
Here’s a treat for the Brownhills Gazette fans out there – issue 2 of the freshet, from November 1989 for you to peruse and download – I’ve had an incredible response to featuring these long, lost publications here on the blog.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Baker Bond, Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Brownhills Comprehensive, Brownhills local history, David Evans, freesheet, Gazette, issue 2, Laburnum Cottage, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, newspaper, November 1989, Shire Oak, Walsall Wood
3 Comments
Breaking the ground
Last weekend, I had the good fortune, courtesy of the young David Evans to be able to feature here the November 1994 issue of the long lost, but not forgotten local freshet/magazine for Brownhills, The Brownhills Gazette.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Baker Bond, Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Brownhills Comprehensive, Brownhills local history, David Evans, freesheet, Gazette, issue 1, Laburnum Cottage, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, newspaper, October 1989, Shire Oak, Shire Oak School, Walsall Wood
44 Comments
The Rovers return…
Top contributor, commentor and all round good egg David Evans has been busy over the last few weeks organising a treat for local history buffs in Brownhills and the wider community.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills a walk into history, Brownhills bypass, Brownhills local history, Canal, charity, Chasewater, Clayhanger, David Evans, Engine Lane, Events, Gerald Reece, historian, history, History Talk, Local History, Macmillan Cancer Support, mining, planning, Staffordshire, Things to do
7 Comments
Wood ‘n’ heart – a new book out now!
The young David Evans has kindly alerted me last week to a new history book on Walsall Wood, written by local author Clive Roberts who’s a lifelong Walsall Wood mon™, local historian and occasional contributor to the blog.
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, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Book, Book new, Brownhills local history, CLive L Roberts., David Evans, Events, Facebook, Freizland, Institute, Local History, New Photos, Pubs, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Snippets of Local History in and around Shire Oak', Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Wood, Wheel Inn
9 Comments
It’s a special occasion – get on your Sunday best!
A couple of great images reach me from top blog contributor the young David Evans, and reader Maria Fitzgerald – both are of kids in their Sunday best clothes in celebration.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1948, 1967, 1968, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, celebration, David Evans, Ebenezer, Ebenzer, Events, Facebook, Infants, Lichfield, Local History, Maria Fitzgerald, May day, Maypole, New Photos, Ogley Hay, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Sunday School, teachers, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
6 Comments
The Acropolis cafe shuts; Middle Oak to close and B&M to open in Focus, Aldridge
Just a heads up on some local taking points I’ve had buzzing around for a couple of days now – A few readers including David Evans and Martin Littler have pointed out the longstanding Ravens Court cafe The Acroplolis seems to have closed down.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, 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, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2014, application, B&M, Big K, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cheap tat, David Evans, Derelict, Events, Focus, for, housing, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, Middle, Mike Bird, New Photos, Northgate, Oak, planning, Pubs, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, Royal, sale, Shire Oak, sold, Twitter, Vandalism, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
3 Comments
Smooth operators
Here’s a nice one to run for a change – a few days ago the young David Evans dropped me a line to tell me how impressed he was with the new road surface recently laid in Friezland Lane, Shire Oak by Tarmac LaFarge working for Walsall Council.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged August, Brownhills, complete, cycling, David Evans, Events, Friezland Lane, Green Lane, Lafarge, Lichfield, planning, praise, resurfacing, Shire Oak, Tarmac, thanks, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
1 Comment
Woodmen fail to dent Stafford Rangers
Before a large crowd of supporters and a coach load of away fans, Walsall Wood FC bravely, but ultimately unsuccessfully fought Stafford Rangers on Saturday afternoon (30th August 2014), to be eventually beaten 3-0. 
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2014, 3-0, 30, August, Bill Shaw, David Evans, Events, FA Cup, FC, football, Footy, Good of the Wood, home, lkost, Oak Park, Saturday, soccer, Stafford Rangers, Things to do, United, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod FC
1 Comment
Road closure in Brownhills from tomorrow
I see that tomorrow, Friezland Lane in Shire Oak will be closed from 9am-5pm by Walsall Council for ten days for much needed resurfacing works – this is good news for residents and folk who use this cut through, but may cause delays and disruption to busses that use the route.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 20, 2014, 29, August, Brownhills, Clive Roberts, cycling, David Evans, Events, Friezland Lane, Green Lane, Lafarge, Lichfield, micro asphalt, planning, resurfacing, Shire Oak, Tarmac, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
3 Comments
The Woodmen get back on track
Yesterday afternoon (Saturday, 16th August 2014) saw Walsall Wood face Heath Hayes at Oak Park, in a hotly anticipated FA Cup match – this is always a bit of a notorious pairing, and the blog football correspondent Bill Shaw was, as ever, in attendance to watch the flare-ups and cheer on the local lads.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 16 August, 2014, Bill Shaw, David Evans, Evening, Events, FC, football, Footy, Good of the Wood, Green Man Vimes, Heath Hayes, home, I see floodlights, match review, Oak Park, Report, result, soccer, Things to do, Tuesday, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod FC
1 Comment
Walsall Wood hold Quorn to a draw
Yesterday afternoon (Saturday, 2nd August 2014), Walsall Wood FC faced Quorn FC at Oak Park, and this time, it was a 1-1 draw – it’s good to see Bill Shaw back at the reporting desk as I hear he’s not been too well – best wishes old chap.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1-1, 2014, 2nd August, Bill Shaw, David Evans, draw, Events, FC, football, Footy, Good of the Wood, home, Oak Park, Quorn, result, Saturday, soccer, Things to do, Victory, Walsall Wood
3 Comments
World War One Centenary events in Walsall this Monday
As you will no doubt be aware, it’s the centenary of our entry into World War One on Monday, 4th August 2014, and Walsall Council and other organisations in the borough have arranged some interesting, respectful and well considered events to mark the 100 years.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 4 August 2014, Brownhills local history, Cecil Burton, Conflict, David Evans, Events, first, folly, Great, Harry Patch, Levi Cooper, Local History, memorial, Moday, Peter Cutler, Remembrance, Royal British Legion, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood, war, world
3 Comments
The Woodmen scrape past Romulus for a win
A pleasant summer’s evening match at Oak Park on Tuesday (29th July 2014) saw visiting Romulus beaten in a hard fought match by the Boys from the Wood, a game free of the unfortunate intemperance that coloured their match on the previous Saturday. Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1-0, 2014, 29th July, Bill Shaw, David Evans, Events, FC, football, Footy, Friendly, Good of the Wood, home, match, Report, Romulous, soccer, Things to do, Victory, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod FC
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Down the drive at the side…
The young David Evans has been at it again, and been has chatting to former teacher,Mrs. Eleanor Holland, who’s supplied this wonderful image of the St. John’s School Infants Class of 1960.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1950, 1951, 1952, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, David Evans, Eleanor Holland, Events, interesting architecture, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, Rhyl, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, teachers, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod ounty Primary, Youth Centre
18 Comments
Get in the Clubhouse!
On tonight (Friday 11th July 2014) – the rand opening of the new clubhouse at Walsall Wood Football Club, Oak Park – it Looks set to be a great night, and you can check out the great facilities for the community.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 11 July, 2014, Andy Roper, Bill Shaw, clubhouse, community, Dance, David Evans, disco, event, free, new, Oak Park, Opening, party, refurbished, Walsall WOod FC
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Down with the kids
Yet again, the young David Evans has played a blinder and come up with some fantastic images of the classes and staff at Walsall Wood County Primary, which was the school that formerly existed in the youth club building at Streets Corner.
[caption id="attachment_19576" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Image courtesy Eleanor Holland & David Evans.[/caption] Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1950, 1951, 1952, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, David Evans, Eleanor Holland, Events, interesting architecture, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, Rhyl, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, teachers, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod ounty Primary, Youth Centre
9 Comments
Pictures from Brownhills Canalside Festival 2014
Well, today was the day – and as it happened, it was a great event – Brownhills Canalside Festival was back for 2014 – and it’s very clear indeed that with Brian Stringer at the helm, it was a much better affair than the washout of 2013.
[caption id="attachment_19534" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Loved this pirate.[/caption] Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged 2014, Brownhillls, Brownhills, Canal, Clayhanger, Cycle rides, cycling, David Evans, Events, Festival, New Photos, Panoramio, Tesco, Things to do
8 Comments
A different class
A quick one here from the young David Evans, who’s found a couple of gems from the postwar years of the Walsall Wood County Primary School at Streets Corner – this is the building that David returned to recently and documented so beautifully.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1950, 1951, 1952, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, David Evans, Eleanor Holland, Events, interesting architecture, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, teachers, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod ounty Primary, Youth Centre
11 Comments
Certified child labour
John and Paul Anslow have been great contributors to the Brownhills Blog over the last year or so – only recently, we had the great debate spurred by his wonderful images of the brass band and that monstink, Mr Bradbury.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, cycling, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1904, Anslow, Board of Education, boys, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, David Evans, Girls, Jackson, Jane, john, Labour Certificate, Lichfield, Local History, Mary, mixed, New Photos, Paul, School, Shire Oak, St Johns, Staffordshire, Sunday School, Things to do, Walsall Wood
13 Comments
A bit of a monstink…
I present today a series of three photos, and a wonderful article with some remarkable detail – I’d like readers – not just the Walsall Wood Massive – to help here, please with names and recollections if you have any.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, cycling, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Anslow, Band, bicycle, Bradbury, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, cycling, David Evans, David Stickland, Ebenezer, Harry, Jackson, john, Lichfield, Local History, Marigold, New Photos, Newbould, Paul, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Sunday School, Tams, The parish church of Walsall Wood, Things to do, Walsall Wood
34 Comments
At silly mid on
A few weeks ago, the young David Evans started exploring the history of Walsall Wood Cricket Club here on the Brownhills Blog, following some great contributions by Julie Le-Moine – steadily, we’re building up a good record of the lost cricket club, which stood where Boundary Close is now, behind St John’s Church and the Library.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1947, 1957, 1971, Alan, Alan Collins, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, clubhouse, Cricket, Cricket Club, Crutchley, Cynthia, David Evans, Events, Facebook, field, football, George Crutchley, Horse and Jockey, Julie Le-Moine, Lichfield, Linda, Local History, New Pavillion, New Photos, photo, pitch, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, team, Things to do, Walsall Observer, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod FC, Wesleyans
14 Comments
It’s all in the game…
What to do – a great charity football match yesterday at Oak Park in Walsall Wood; two fine match reports by local footy stalwarts Bill Shaw and the young David Evans, plus some great photos by the latter – nothing for it but to run both.
Posted in 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 Wood stuff
Tagged 4th May 2014, appeal, Bill Shaw, Brownhills stuff, cancer, charity, David Evans, Environment, Events, Facebook, FC, football, Footy, Fun stuff to see and do, Good of the Wood, home, Just Giving, Local media, News, Oak Park, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shie Oak Saints, soccer, Social media, SOSFC, Stephen Sutton, Sunday, TCT, Teenage Cancer Trust, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall Advertiser, Walsall community, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod FC
3 Comments
Cattle class
There’s still a very large degree of interest in the history of Walsall Wood’s Dairy Farm and particularly it’s barn – the strength of curiosity in this well built, intriguing structure has quite baffled me to be honest; when writing about it originally I assumed not many folk had noticed the existence of it, yet many folk seem to be fascinated by the history.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged agriculture, Barn, Bob, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Bullings Heath, Canal, colliery, cows, Dairy Farm, David Evans, Doris, Farm, Hall Lane, Lichfield, Local History, Mary, New Photos, Newbould, Reece, Staffordshire, T Sheldon, Things to do, Walsall Wood
11 Comments
They didn’t like it up ’em – Wood battle Rocester to win
Walsall Wood FC entertained Rocester yesterday, for what was the last game of the season – and coupled with the World War One tribute, it was a great spectacle – not only that, the Woodmen thrashed Rocester, to finish a great and unique season on somewhat of a high.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2-0, 2014, 26th April, Bill Shaw, commemoration, commemorative, David Evans, Events, FC, football, Footy, Good of the Wood, Great War, home, match report, Oak Park, Rocester, soccer, Things to do, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod FC, win, WW1
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Walsall Wood Great War commemorative event this saturday
Walsall Wood FC entertain Rocester this Saturday, for what will be the last game of the season – and it promises to be be a cracker, not just for the soccer, but for the spectacle itself, as the match will be staged in commemoration of the the local folk who fought in the Great War.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2014, 26th April, 3-0, Bill Shaw, commemoration, commemorative, David Evans, Events, FC, football, Footy, Good of the Wood, Great War, home, match report, Oak Park, Rocester, Shepshed, soccer, Things to do, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod FC, win, WW1
1 Comment
What was lost, now restored
I am indebted to a Burnell yet again, as top chap and fellow cyclist Richard contacts me and points out something he noticed that I didn’t – Bullings Heath Grove is now a real place, with street signs and everything.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged alehouse, beer house, Black Cock, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Bullings Heath, Bullings Heath Grove, Camden Street, Canal, Cawarden, close, Councillor, David Evans, Demolition, Derelict, Events, Green Lane, Hall Lane, Hillary Little, Local History, Mike Flower, New Photos, newbuild, old inn, Old maps, Pepper Alley, Pubs, Richard Burnell, Royal Oak, Smith, Staffordshire, street names, Walsall Wood
5 Comments
Park up, take a pew…
Over the last few weeks, a newspaper clipping found in the Walsall Observer archive by [Howmuch?] has caused a whole heap of interest, reporting the laying of a foundation stone for the ‘new schools at Watling Street’, readers have debated where it might actually relate to.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged A5, Barry Aylett-Warner, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Castle Street, ceremony, Chapel, Church, David Evans, Events, Foundation Stone, Howmuch, Keith Rothery, laying, Lichfield, Local History, Methodist, New Photos, Park View, Prince of Wales, Redevelopment, School, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Observer, Watling Street
15 Comments
It’s a naked place without cricket
It’s always nice to kick off a new historical thread here on the blog, and this one will be particularly wonderful to curate, as I know there’s a lot of local interest in the old cricketing history of Walsall Wood.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Bill Mayo, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cricket, Cricket Club, David Evans, Events, Facebook, field, football, George Crutchley, Horse and Jockey, Jockey Hoe, Jockey Meadows, Joe Blakemore, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, photo, pitch, Pubs, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, team, Things to do, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod FC, Wesleyans
9 Comments
Going Back
I’ve noticed over the five years that this blog has been running that it brings out often hidden sides to readers, and uncovers talents folk didn’t know they had – the young David Evans of late has been discovering a new talent for a genteel, polite form of Urban Exploration.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, David Evans, Events, interesting architecture, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, urban exploration, Urbex, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod ounty Primary, Youth Centre
34 Comments
Barnstorming
David Evans has been busy – not content with turning up the astounding swimming pool photo, he also found time yesterday to nip back to the remarkable barn at Dairy Farm, in Bullings Heath, Walsall Wood, to take some more photographs following the remarkable comment received from Joe Headley in response to the original article.
Posted in Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged agriculture, Barn, Brownhills local history, building, Bullings Heath, Dairy Farm, David Evans, Farming, farmyard, Hall Lane, Headley, historic, interesting architecture, Joe, Local History, Mr, Mrs, New Photos, outbuilding, Toms, Walsall Wood
17 Comments
In the swim
Here’s one I suspect may trigger a few memories – unearthed by the young David Evans, it’s an image of Walsall Wood Primary School’s swimming pool, which I think is long demolished – I’m not familiar with it myself, but it seems a lot like one Millfield had – and may still do.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, David Evans, Junior, Local History, New Photos, Pat Lynk, pool, prefab, primary, School, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Street's Corner, swimming, training, Walsall Wood
60 Comments
Lose yourself in the mapping
If you’re engaged in the local online community, you’ll have no doubt caught up with this already, but for those who haven’t, there’s a new historical mapping resource available online right now, free of charge, and it’s really rather special.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 10000, 1250, 2500, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, cartography, Clayhanger, David Evans, guide, how to read, key abbreviations, Large Scale, Lichfield, Local History, Mapping, Old maps, Ordnance Survey, sheet, Silly, street plan, symbol, Things to do, Walsall Wood
7 Comments
Dazed
I’ve had a request from the young David Evans to re-run some photos from a post I created in 2011 – David has requested this as new reader and commenter Roger Mosedale has joined us in the last few days, and David feels that he may be able to help with the school photos here.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1932, 1953, 1955, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, choir, Clayhanger, cycling, Cycling Proficiency, David Evans, Ebenexer, football, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, Roger Mosedale, school photos, Shire Oak, Silly, soccer, Staffordshire, Things to do, violinists, Walsall Wood, Walsall Wood Primary
6 Comments
Pepper ground
I have been sent this remarkable and incredibly thorough piece of research into the historical and mapping record for Pepper Alley by Hilary Little, who you’ll remember as the driving force behind the project to record the history and fabric of the lost beer house, the Royal Oak, in Bullings Heath, Waslall Wood.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Alley, Black Cock Inn, bridge, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Bullings Heath, Canal, Caz, Clayhanger, David Evans, Derelict, Events, Hilary, Lane, Little, Local History, New Photos, Oak, Old maps, Pepper, planning, Pubs, Redevelopment, Royal, Staffordshire, Things to do, Val, Walsall Wood
40 Comments
Under the thatch
This is an article that’s taken an awful lot of work to prepare – the young David Evans has been toiling on it for some time now, as well as other related matters, and it ties up a number of disparate threads relating to Streets Corner in Walsall Wood, and the families who lived in the thatched cottage that famously stood there for years.
Posted in Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Anslow, bricklayer, Brownhills local history, Bullings Heath, Corner, Cottage, David Evans, George, Jackson, john, Local History, Maria, Nailer, New Photos, Paul, Pepper Alley, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, street, thatched cottage, Twist, Walsall Wood
15 Comments
When Mom wasn’t pleased to see me
Here’s another great instalment from the series I started a couple of months ago, chronicling the memories of Walsall Wood lady Audrey Proffitt, carefully and faithfully transcribed by reader and Walsall Wood correspondent David Evans.
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, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Audrey, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Road, childhood, David Evans, Dickie, doll, Lakin, Lichfield Road, Local History, milk, milkman, minnow, New Photos, Proffitt, rag, Railway, Salters Road, Sheila, Shire Oak, Shire Oak Hill, Spring, Staffordshire, Station, Street's Corner, tea bottle, Vigo, Walsall Wood
5 Comments
That rings a bell…
That there young David Evans has been very busy – not content to loaf around convalescing like any normal person after his recent operation, he’s been preparing some new local history projects, and updating others.
[caption id="attachment_17624" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Image generously supplied by David Evans.[/caption] Continue reading
Posted in Churches, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aldridge, Brownhills local history, David Evans, Hand, Hand of glory, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, Pubs, Ringers, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Things to do, tintabulist, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
On to another level
Way back last summer, the young David Evans started a series of articles here on the Brownhills Blog about Brownhills Co-operative Choral Society, a very highly respected musical ensemble indeed, and a remarkable, often overlooked piece of Brownhills history.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Birch, Brownhills, Brownhills Choral Society, Brownhills local history, choir, Choral, co-op, Co-operative, David Evans, Deryck, dog, Douglas, Eisteddfod, George Fullelove, Langford, Llangollen, Local History, Marathon, MBE, New Photos, Silver Street Methodist Church, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Wood
8 Comments
A fine rate of Exchange
Last week, I posted the first part of a remarkable article by Susan M Luzy about the history of the families connected with the Royal Echange pub in Walsall Wood – this unassuming, but well-loved pub has been the subject of much local historical study, and since the first part of this article was posted, local historians have turned up some remarkable material which Andy Dennis, David Evans and a whole host others are working on in the background.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Ann Cross, Brownhills local history, Clews, David Evans, Eliza, Grave, Hannah, Jackson, Lichfield Brewery Company, Local History, Luzy, Maria, Melsom, Millson, Millsum, Old maps, Pubs, Richard, Royal Exchange, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Stonnall, street, Sue, Susan, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Wood, William
11 Comments
A foreign Exchange
The subject of the Royal Echange pub in Walsall Wood, and the families who were connected with it, continues to be the subject of much local historical study – in fact, I don’t think any other pub or building, apart from perhaps The Shire Oak Pub that has generated so much local historical interest.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Ann Cross, Brownhills local history, Clews, David Evans, Eliza, Grave, Hannah, Jackson, Lichfield Brewery Company, Local History, Luzy, Maria, Melsom, Millson, Millsum, Old maps, Pubs, Richard, Royal Exchange, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Stonnall, street, Sue, Susan, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Wood, William
40 Comments
Caught on celluloid
I have something remarkable coming up on the blog tomorrow, a film I’ve been tracking down for a while, and thanks to the immense generosity and kindness of local history stalwarts Brian ‘Clayhanger Kid’ Stringer and the Young David Evans, I can present it here on the net for the community to share and debate.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media
Tagged Aldridge, Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, Cine film, Clayhanger, David Evans, Derelict, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, old brBrownhills, Pubs, Redevelopment, Reservoir, Shire Oak, Staffordshire
13 Comments
Please help Age UK if you can
Yesterday, I received this appeal from Mark Fellows of Age UK, who’s compiling a list of services, clubs and activities for those aged 50 plus in our area – first up, he needs contact details for Clayhanger Senior Citizens Club, but also details of any such services for senior citizens in out area.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Local Blogs, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged activities, Age UK, Aldridge, Brownhills, centres, Clayhanger, clubs, David Evans, Directory, Events, Lichfield, list, local blogs, OAP, senior citizens, services, Shire Oak, social, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
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The disappearing fish
Here’s another great instalment from the series I started a couple of months ago, chronicling the memories of Walsall Wood lady Audrey Proffitt, carefully and faithfully transcribed by reader and Walsall Wood correspondent David Evans. 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, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Audrey, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Road, childhood, David Evans, Dickie, doll, Lakin, Lichfield Road, Local History, milk, milkman, minnow, New Photos, Proffitt, rag, Railway, Salters Road, Sheila, Shire Oak, Shire Oak Hill, Spring, Staffordshire, Station, Street's Corner, tea bottle, Vigo, Walsall Wood
8 Comments
2014 New year quiz!
It’s been a long time in the making, but great fun – here it is, the Brownhills Blog New Year 2014 quiz – Get stuck in and see if you can win!
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2014, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Clayhanger, Cycle rides, cycling, David Evans, Events, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, New Year, prize, quiz, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Wood
218 Comments
Wood men beat Continental Star, but no Christmas cracker
Yesterday afternoon (Boxing Day, Thursday, 26th December 2013), Walsall Wood FC faced Continental Star at Oak Park.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2013, 26th, Bill Shaw, boxing day, Continental Star, David Evans, December, Events, FC, football, Footy, Good of the Wood, Heather St. johns, match review, Oak Park, Poem, Report, result, Saturday, soccer, Things to do, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod FC
1 Comment
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
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Following the map – those abbreviations in full
One of the good things about Christmas is having time to catch up with the posts I’ve been meaning to compile for ages – this one is a specific one that’s been needed since I started the blog really, and is a key to very large scale maps I use here on the blog.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 10000, 1250, 2500, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, cartography, Clayhanger, David Evans, guide, how to read, key abbreviations, Large Scale, Lichfield, Local History, Mapping, Old maps, Ordnance Survey, sheet, Silly, street plan, symbol, Things to do, Walsall Wood
3 Comments
A very festive festival
David Evans has kindly sent in these wonderful images of Brownhills Methodist Church Christmas Tree Festival, where there’s also a Christmas Market on today (Saturday, 14th December 2013) from 9:00am until 1:30pm.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2013, Brownhills, Brownhills Christmas Tree Festival, Christmas Magic in Brownhills, Clayhanger, David Evans, Events, Facebook, Festive, festivities, local blogs, Methodist Church, New Photos, Shire Oak, Silver Street, Things to do, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
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