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Tag Archives: Derelict
Out of Focus
The old Focus DIY store on Northgate, just between Aldridge and Walsall Wood continues to be a magnet for flytipping, vandalism and other antisocial behaviour – the site has been vacant since the closure of the DIY chain a couple of years ago, and has subsequently just been left to rot.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Clive Roberts, Derelict, DIY, Do it all, dumping, flytipping, Focus, Great Mills, illegal, Local History, New Photos, Northgate, oil, Pòl MacDhòmhnaill, Redevelopment, Refuse, tipping, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
8 Comments
The Royal Oak – a new chapter unfolding?
Thanks to reader Caz who pointed out last week that an application has been made to build a close of houses on the land currently occupied by the former Royal Oak pub in Bullings Heath, opposite the Black Cock pub in Walsall Wood.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged 13/0772/FL, alehouse, application, beer house, Black Cock, Black Cock Bridge, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Bullings Heath, Camden Street, Canal, close, David Evans, Derelict, developer, Events, Green Lane, House, Local History, new build, New Photos, old inn, Old maps, planning, Planning application, Pubs, Royal Oak, Staffordshire, Walsall Wood
8 Comments
Following tracks
The wonderful local rail historian and Brownhills Choral Society chronicler Ian Pell has been in touch to tell me that the book he mentioned, ‘Walsall Routes’ is now available to order from the publisher, as well as from Amazon.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, 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, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Black Country, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, Clayhanger, Derelict, history, Ian Pell, Lichfield, Local History, Middleton Press, Midland Main Lines, midlands, Old maps, Railway, Railways, South Staffordshire Line, Staffordshire, Station, Vic Mitchell, Walsall, Walsall Routes, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
Faith in the future
I’ve been meaning to cover a couple of local planning applications submitted by Walsall Housing Group for new developments in Brownhills for a while.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged affordable, Brownhills, Church Street, Derelict, flats, houses, Local politics, Panoramio, planning, Planning application, Redevelopment, Short Street, social housing, Things to do, Walsall Housing Group, Wessex Close
4 Comments
Poetry in motion
Apologies to Dave Moore, but he contacted me a couple of days ago about an event he’s putting on at Cafe Fuse, as part of the Lichfield Fuse Festival in Lichfield this afternoon – Dave is, of course, the passionate and educated local historian who’s working hard to rescue Lichfield’s Sandfields Pumping Station from decay.
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Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 13th July, 2013, beam, Cafe Fuse, campaign, Dave Moore, Derelict, Engine, English Heritage, Fuse, Ian Henery, Lichfield, Lichfield District Council, listed, listing, local blogs, Local History, Morturn, planning, Poem, Preservation, Pump, pumping station, Redevelopment, Sandfields, South Staffordshire, Staffordshire, stationary, Things to do, Vandalism, Waterworks
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Not fit to live with pigs
Reader, friend of the blog and top local historian Clive Roberts has written to me with some horrid photos of flytipping at the old Focus DIY store on Northgate, just between Aldridge and Walsall Wood – the site has been vacant since the closure of the outlet a couple of years ago, and has subsequently been a target for vandalism, antisocial behaviour and flytipping.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Clive Roberts, Derelict, DIY, Do it all, dumping, flytipping, Focus, Great Mills, illegal, Local History, New Photos, Northgate, oil, Redevelopment, Refuse, tipping, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
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
Farming controversy
I notice that over the past few weeks some outrage seems to be abroad over supposed plans to build a housing estate or industrial park, near Shire Oak on Lanes Farm, between the farmhouse at Sandhills and the Chester Road; broadly the site of the old Brawn’s Wood.
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 media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged Anthony Harris, application, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Catshill, Conservative, Consultation, Cycle rides, cycling, Derelict, estate, Events, Facebook, Home Farm, housing, In Touch, industrial, Lane's Farm, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Mike Flower, New Photos, Panoramio, Pete Sears, planning, Planning 2026, Politics, Redevelopment, SAD, Shire Oak, Silly, St Modwen, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Things to do, Tory, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
19 Comments
Stuck in there real good, that is…
Some weeks ago I raised the story of the football stuck in the decorative cross on the roof of St. Michael’s Church in Caldmore, Walsall – last weekend, twitter top bloke and all round good egg @BillytheBez answered my plea and took a couple of pictures, confirming the decades-old ball was still lodged firmly where only birds and steeplejacks dare.
Posted in Bad Science, Churches, Environment, 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
Tagged Bath Road, Billythebez, Black Country Bugle, Cladmor, cross, dafy, Derelict, Events, football, Howmuch, legend, Local History, New Photos, Redevelopment, roof, Silly, St Michaels Street, St. Michaels, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall
3 Comments
The comeback kid
I see that there Brian Stringer has a new book out – Brian is a local lad and longtime resident of the area, who’s well known to locals, both for his community work and interest in local history.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged book signing, Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater Railway, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Kid II, Derelict, Downes Newsagent, Events, Facebook, local blogs, Local History, Parkview Centre, Staffordshire, The Clayhanger Kid
23 Comments
History is a mosaic
As readers will no doubt be aware, I’m really, really fond of local history and the way it’s evolving online, although I’ve noted concerns and issues, on the whole, the internet and cooperation it enables is making a huge difference to both the quality and quantity of work becoming available.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged Dave Moore, Derelict, dolphin, Events, Facebook, Gareth Thomas, Ian Pell, Kate, LDC, Lichfield, Lichfield District Council, Lichfield Keeps Blogging, Lichfield Lore, local blogs, Local History, Mosic, New Photos, Old maps, planning, Pubs, Redevelopment, Sandfields, Social media, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Things to do, Twitter, You're probably from Lichfield if
5 Comments
Is there a new arrival for Wessex close?
I don’t have a great deal of information about this, I’m sorry to say, but I thought it might be worthwhile to draw readers attention to the following event, happening next Thursday, 16th May, at the Parkview Centre in Brownhills (That’s the library).
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 22, apartments, Brownhills, Consultation, Derelict, Events, Local politics, plan, planning, Politics, Redevelopment, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Group, Wessex Close, WHG
4 Comments
Going back
This is a quick post to draw more attention to the rapidly growing, weird and wonderful Panoramio gallery being created by Brownhills George – Since I last featured George’s work here, he’s added loads more stuff, and it’s breathtaking.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Alpha Sports, Anchor, Anglesey Wharf, Autocraft, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Catshill Junction, Chandler's Keep, Chasewater, Cobblers, Derelict, Don Marine, Events, Fortune of War, Geogre, Iron Bridge, Jasmine Cottage, Lindale, local blogs, Local History, Meehans, Motorcycle Generation, New Photos, Panoramio, Pier Inn, Pier Street, Pike Helve, Plumbers Paradise, pub, Pubs, Raden, Redevelopment, Rileys, Shoe repairs, Shoulder of Mutton, Spot path, Staffordshire, Tesco, Tesco Development, The Station Hotel, Things to do, Walsall Wood, Watney, Wharf Cottage
3 Comments
Chasewater wakes
Readers who are Chasewater fans will remember that back in February, I wrote a post that set out to explain the planning application that had been submitted to construct a wakeboarding facility in the south east corner of the lake, from around the old pier to just past the valve house on the dam.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged application, Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, controversy, Council, Councty, Course, Cycle rides, cycling, Derelict, District, LDC, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Pier, planning, Redevelopment, Reservoir, SCC, Staffordshire, Things to do, Wake Board, Wakeboard Limited, watersports, Wildlife
8 Comments
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
Jasmine cottage remembered
Following on from all the remarkable stuff about Jasmine Cottage, Louise Sedgwick has been back in touch with some family photos she’s found of the house and garden.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged Anglesey Basin, Anglesey Wharf, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Cottage, Derelict, Edna, Jack, Jasmine, Lane, Lichfield, Local History, Louise Sedgwick, Meecham, New Photos, planning, Ray Shill, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Wharf, Whitehorse Road, Wyrley & Essington canal through time
6 Comments
Boys will be boys
As promised, here’s the next section of the logs of St.John’s School, Walsall Wood, from 1880 to 1912 This covers the boys section, whereas last time, we documented the girls.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged boys school, Brownhills local history, David Evans, Derelict, Education, Local History, Maddaver, Maddever, New Photos, Records, School, Shire Oak, St Johns, Staffordshire, Walsall Wood
18 Comments
A Jasmine childhood
Here’s a great email I’ve received from reader Louise Sedgwick about her memories of Jasmine Cottage, up on Wharf Lane, Brownhills – The warm, lovely memories Louise shares sit nicely alongside those of Michael Sarsfield from Wharf Cottages, featured a few days ago.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged Andy Dennis, Anglesey Basin, Anglesey Wharf, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Cottage, crane, Derelict, Edna, Jack, Jasmine, Lane, Lichfield, Local History, Louise Sedgwick, Meecham, Michael Sarsfield, New Photos, Old maps, planning, Ray Shill, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Wharf, Whitehorse Road, Wyrley & Essington canal through time
5 Comments
When Billy came knocking
I’ve had a great email from long time reader and friend of the blog Michael Sarsfield – after reading my questions about Anglesey Wharf and nearby cottages, he’s written a really nice piece about his childhood memories of the place.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged Andy Dennis, Anglesey Basin, Anglesey Wharf, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Cottage, crane, Derelict, Edna, Jack, Jasmine, Jeffries, Lane, Lichfield, Local History, Meecham, Michael Sarsfield, New Photos, Old maps, planning, Ray Shill, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Wharf, Whitehorse Road, Wyrley & Essington canal through time
7 Comments
Haute couture
Amy Palmer seems to have been quite notable in Ye Olde City in the 1930s, at least – I think her store stood on the corner of Tamworth Street and Conduit Street, where the empty former Julian Graves store is today.
Posted in Followups, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged 1936, Amy Palmer, Arnott, Beehive, Bolton Warehouse, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Conduit Street, Cottage, Derelict, Dress Shop, FJ Long, Jasmine, Lane, Lichfield, Lichfield Mercury, Lilian Hipkin, Local History, Marriage, Mawers, McGuire, New Photos, Outfitter, planning, Richmans, Sadlers, seamstress, Staffordshire, Staffordshire Past Track, Tamworth Street, Taylor, wedding
2 Comments
A bride in Jasmine
Here’s an excellent find sent to me this morning by Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler, in response to my somewhat tenuous enquiry about Jasmine Cottage.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Churches, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media
Tagged 1936, Amy Palmer, Anglesey Basin, Anglesey Wharf, Arnott, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Cottage, Derelict, Dress Shop, Holy Cross Church, Jasmine, Lane, Lichfield, Lichfield Mercury, Local History, Marriage, McGuire, New Photos, Pedro, Peter Cutler, planning, Ray Shill, Reservoir, Staffordshire, wedding, Wharf, Whitehorse Road
5 Comments
The scent of jasmine
I’m still perusing my recent acquisition ‘The Wyrley & Essington Canal Through Time’ by Ray Shill…
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged Anglesey Basin, Anglesey Wharf, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Cottage, Derelict, Jasmine, Lane, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, Old maps, planning, Ray Shill, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Wharf, Whitehorse Road, Wyrley & Essington canal through time
35 Comments
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
Putting a lid on it
The story of the abandoned Shire Oak Reservoir is a recurrent theme from the very earliest days of the Brownhills Blog.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Uncategorized, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Boulter, Brewery, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chris Pattison, Derelict, leak, Local History, New Photos, Reservoir, Shire Oak, Shire Oak Close, Shire Oak Pub, south staffordshire water, SSWW, Staffordshire, Walsall Wood
10 Comments
Serving all his days
FIFTY years of unremitting service in the employ of the South Staffordshire Waterworks Company is the proud record of Mr. Joseph Plant, of Christ Church Gardens, Lichfield, who has recently retired as foreman engine driver at the Sandfields Pumping Station.
Posted in Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 1936, 50 years service, beam, campaign, Dave Moore, Derelict, Engine, English Heritage, J Plant, Joseph Plant, Lichfield, Lichfield District Council, Lichfield Mercury, listed, listing, local blogs, Local History, Long Service, Morturn, planning, Preservation, Pump, pumping station, Redevelopment, Sandfields, South Staffordshire, Staffordshire, stationary, Things to do, Vandalism, Waterworks
12 Comments
Looking after the girls
For many years the now sad, tired old building in Lichfield Road, Walsall Wood, was the only school in the village. It had opened in 1859 to replace the original school which stood at the corner of Beech Tree Road and King Street, and had itself fallen into disrepair .
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills local history, David Evans, Derelict, Education, Girls school, Local History, Maddaver, New Photos, Records, School, Shire Oak, St Johns, Staffordshire, Walsall Wood
24 Comments
Serving the City
I recently acquired a new historical picture book entitled ‘Wyrley and Essington Canal Through Time’, by Ray Shill. This is a good, if slightly thin book that features some interesting ephemera and images from the history of our local canal.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, News, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Cotterill, Derelict, Floyer, Lichfiel & Hatherton, Lichfield, Local History, Old maps, Ray Shill, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, survey, Wyrley and Essington, Wyrley and Essington Canal Through Time
9 Comments
Gathering steam
The campaign to save Sandfields Pumping Station in Lichfield for the community continues apace. Dave Moore has been putting heart and soul into this for some months now, and he needs a little bit of help.
Posted in Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged beam, campaign, Dave Moore, Derelict, Engine, English Heritage, Lichfield, Lichfield District Council, listed, listing, local blogs, Local History, Morturn, planning, Preservation, Pump, pumping station, Redevelopment, Sandfields, South Staffordshire, Staffordshire, stationary, Things to do, Vandalism, Waterworks
56 Comments
Laurels and the setting Sun
An interesting query for the researchers amongst us comes in from reader and Brownhills Resident Joe Lloyd. Joe asks a question several of us have been asking for a while – who owns the Rising Sun, the derelict pub on the A5 near the island?
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged 1901, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills West, Derelict, heath, Joe Llyod, Laurel Cottages, Local History, miner, New Photos, ownership, planning, Pubs, Rising Sun, Staffordshire
16 Comments
Chasewater: prepare for controversy
An application has recently been submitted to Lichfield District Council to construct a wake boarding corse at Chasewater, based between a refurbished pier and dam. This is generating some controversy.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged application, Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, controversy, Council, Councty, Course, Cycle rides, cycling, Derelict, District, LDC, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Pier, planning, Redevelopment, Reservoir, SCC, Staffordshire, Things to do, Wake Board, Wakeboard Limited, watersports, Wildlife
15 Comments
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.
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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
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
Walsall Road, Springhill: on Islands
I note from a a number of email enquiries that there has been some controversy of late locally; a plan has existed for some time now to construct a new cemetery at Springhill on the Walsall (Lichfield) Road, between Shire Oak and Muckley Corner.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged Brownhills, burial ground, controversy, crematoria, crematorium, Derelict, etery, Express & Star, Facebook, Lichfield, Lichfield Road, Local politics, new island, New Photos, planning, Politics, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Springhill Business Servcies, Springhill Ce, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Walsall Cemetery, Walsall Road
9 Comments
Reading allowed
It’s about time I gave some other bloggers a plug again. There’s a wealth of good stuff out there, and I do like to share the posts of those I read and enjoy. For the best in local stuff, always take a punt over to the YamYam for Walsall, or any of its sister sites, The Staffie, The Brummie etc. – just check the ‘beyond’ tab in the menu bar.
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Posted in News
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Dave Moore, Derelict, Hanch Tunnel, Kate, Lichfield, Lichfield Lore, local blogs, Local History, Lucy Wood, Morturn, planning, Real Ale red wine, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, Staffordshirebred, Surge Sack, Susan MArie Ward, The YamYam, Things to do, Trevor Bond, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
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Surging forward
I should have known, really. No sooner had I delved into the fascinating world of the Brownhills surge stack, then Ian Pell, railway historian extraordinaire, had written to me with a whole bunch of new information, clarifications and even a few questions.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Captain, Clayhanger, Company, Dave Moore, Derelict, Harrison, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Lore, Morturn, New Photos, NIMBY, Old maps, Pedro, Peter Cutler, Pumping, Redevelopment, Reservoir, Shire Oak, Snadfields, South Staffordshire, Staffordshire, Station, steam engine, surge stack, Things to do, ventilator, Walsall, Water, Water tower, Waterwoks
12 Comments
Calling time
I noticed at the weekend that a The White Horse pub, just off the A5 in Brownhills, is vacant and up for sale. Sad, really, in it’s day it was a fine house and a good pint. Latterly, it wasn’t so great, but I’d hate to see it go.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local music, News, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Brownhills, Chasewater, Daltons, Derelict, For Sale, planning, Pubs, Redevelopment, The Struggling Monkey, The Whit Horse, Vacant
3 Comments
Hiding in plain sight?
It seems like we’re in a period for odd historical tangents and discoveries. It all started with Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler’s classic bit of gentrified nimbyism from ‘Captain’ Harrison at Aldershaw(e). From there, we alighted at Sandfields Pumping Station at Lichfield, and found a wonderful, but neglected steam engine. We’ve found since, via Peter’s further diligent research, and that of Dave Moore, a chap clearly expert on the matter, that there was a long forgotten water tower in Brownhills.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Aldershaw, Aldershawe, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Captain, Clayhanger, Company, Dave Moore, Derelict, Harrison, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Lore, Morturn, New Photos, NIMBY, Old maps, Pedro, Peter Cutler, Pumping, Redevelopment, Reservoir, Shire Oak, Snadfields, South Staffordshire, Staffordshire, Station, steam engine, surge stack, Things to do, ventilator, Walsall, Water, Water tower, Waterwoks
24 Comments
Bending Conduit
Every so often (and so it seems, with increasing frequency of late) I’ll get a response to an article I post here that leaves me speechless with the sheer depth and breadth of knowledge it demonstrates. There are, it seems, some very, very knowledgable specialists reading the shambling pile of old toss, and I really have no idea why they’re sticking around, but I’m very grateful for their contributions and presence.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Clayhanger 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 1959, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, charter, Chasewater, Conduit Colliery, Derelict, Events, Ian Pell, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, rail tour, Redevelopment, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Stephenson Locomotive Society, Walsall Wood
8 Comments
Keeping track
Here’s an unusual one that came in yesterday afternoon. When I saw the picture kindly supplied by Ian, I immediately thought of the image of a similar charter in Bill Mayo and John Sale’s great book ‘Memories of Old Walsall Wood’, which I include at the foot of the post.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1959, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, charter, Chasewater, Conduit Colliery, Derelict, Events, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, rail tour, Redevelopment, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Stephenson Locomotive Society, Walsall Wood
3 Comments
Not in MY backyard (1896 style)…
Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler has been in touch with a lovely quick snippet he spotted in the excellent History of the South Staffordshire Waterworks Company, which is available online for free. It really is an excellent read and deserves wider exposure.
Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged Aldershaw, Aldershawe, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Captain, Company, Dave Moore, Derelict, Harrison, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Lore, New Photos, NIMBY, Pedro, Peter Cutler, Pumping, Redevelopment, Reservoir, smoke, Snadfields, South Staffordshire, Staffordshire, Station, steam engine, Things to do, Water, Waterwoks
25 Comments
The western front
Some weeks ago now, I featured a British Railways Board plan I’d purchased from a map dealer, which showed the coal workings in the Yard Seam below Brownhills Common. At the same time, I bought the one featured here, too. … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged British Railways Board, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, colliery, Derelict, Farm, Hednesford Road, Highfield, Local History, M Fletcher, Mining Plan, Old maps, pit, Redevelopment, Reservoir, Shaft, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Wood Extension, Watling Street, Wilkin, Yard Seam
9 Comments
An odd kind of victory
I’m a bit puzzled by a recent press release from Walsall Council Labour Group relating to recent events in Brownhills, and I wonder if readers can help me with this as I’m not certain of the facts, and feel certain there will be people out there more clued-up than I.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Barbara Cassidy, Brownhills, Centre, Citizens, club, Derelict, Group, John Dunn, Labour, local blogs, Local politics, OAP, Pier Street, planning, Politics, protest, Redevelopment, Senior, Silly, Steve Wade, Tesco, Tesco Development, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
2 Comments
Respect the Authority
While mooching around Engine Lane last week, I noticed that the capped mine shaft that was formerly accessible in the scrub copse near the old level crossing has been fenced off by The Coal Authority. These are the folks responsible for the identification, cataloguing, management and remediation of historic (and in some cases, ongoing) mine workings in the UK.
Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Council
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills common, Brownhills local history, Brownhlls coal mines, Capped, Coal Authority, Coppice Colliery CO., Coppice Cottages, Coppice Pit, Derelict, Engine, Engine Lane, fence, Local History, mine workings, mining in brownhills, New Photos, Riding stables, Shaft, Staffordshire, Stevie Ansell, Ventillation, West Colliery
3 Comments
From one end to the other…
Here’s another ride video of Walsall Wood and Brownhills for the expats, exiles and vicarious cyclists, but especially Trevor in Australia. Hope all is going well, old chap, and that the treatment isn’t knocking you about too much. We’re all thinking of … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Beechtree, bike cam, bike ride, Brookland Road, Brooland, Brownhills, Cam, Chasewater, Coppice, Cycle rides, cycling, Derelict, GoPro, High Street, King Street, Lichfield Road, PorkTorta, Road, Silly, street, Things to do, tour, Twitter, video, Vigo, Walsall Wood
8 Comments
Laburnum Cottage, Brownhills: What do you know?
One wet Sunday over the summer – 3rd June, to be precise – I featured the now-empty Laburnum Cottage on my 365daysofbiking journal. This house, which stands on the corner of New Road and High Street, Brownhills, just opposite … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged #365daysofbiking, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Derelict, Events, High Street, Laburnum Cottage, Local History, Matthew Bedworth, New Photos, New Road, old buildings, planning, printers, Redevelopment, Silver Court
16 Comments
End of an era?
Thanks to the anonymous reader who flagged this up with me a couple of days ago. Further to our recent rumination on the matter of the former Royal Oak, at Bullings Heath, it’s been noted that the piece of land … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Bullings Heath, David Evans, Derelict, Development, Green Lane, Land for Sale, Local History, Paul Carr, planning, Redevelopment, Royal Oak, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
The Royal Oak, Bullings Heath: The last century
This is the second of a multi-part epic. Researched painstakingly by David Evans, top bloke and stalwart of this blog, he wrote this up some months ago, and I’ve been working on bringing the information out in the best way … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged alehouse, beer house, Black Cock, Black Cock Bridge, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Bullings Heath, Camden Street, Canal, Census, David Evans, Derelict, Events, Goblin Pit, Green Lane, Hall Lane, Hillary Little, Local History, New Photos, old inn, Old maps, Pepper Alley, Pubs, Royal Oak, Staffordshire, Walsall Wood
22 Comments
The Crossing
Sorry, I’ve been a bit busy again this week, but I just thought I’d flag up a really lovely, quirky bit of local history that may otherwise pass you by. David Cresswell, Brownhillian, friend of the blog and rail enthusiast … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills railway, Brownhills station, crossing, Dave Cresswell, Derelict, Fosseway, level, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, planning, Politics, Redevelopment, Rob Taylor, South Staffordshire Raileway Group, South Staffordshire railway, Walsall, Wlasall to Lichfield railway
3 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
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