Tag Archives: memories

Picture this: A Chasewater childhood

A wonderful one reached me yesterday morning from old pal of the blog Stuart Cowley, whose memories of growing up at Chasewater in the 1960s and 70s have been some of the most popular posts in the history of the … Continue reading

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A gentle reminder

This is just a gentle reminder that tomorrow sees the funeral of much-missed son of Aldridge and talented musician Roger Mosedale, about whom much has been posted in the last few weeks.

Roger Mosedale (Summer  1975) Continue reading

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

More from The Sundowners set

I continue to be surprised and charmed by the genuine outpouring of warmth and fond memory shown for Roger Mosedale, guitarist and Aldridge lad who sadly passed away recently.
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Funeral details for Roger Mosedale announced – and more of Roger’s music emerges

Following the announcement of the sad passing of local lad and noted musical talent Roger Mosedale last week, and the subsequent huge interest shown in Roger’s music, kindly donated by Jake Williams, Jake has been back in touch with funeral details and more music, this time dating from the late 1960s.
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Fondly remembering a local musical talent

It was with a very heavy heart that I announced the sad passing of local lad and noted musical talent Roger Mosedale this week – Roger had many, many friends and was well known, and the reaction to the tragic news was very marked indeed.

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In memoriam: Roger Mosedale

It’s my sad and solemn duty to report to readers of the blog that local lad and friend to many regulars on this blog, Roger Mosedale sadly passed away in St. Giles hospice in Goscote on Tuesday, 19th July 2016.

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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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Anthony ‘Tony’ Hackett – funeral details available

A short while ago it was my sad duty to report the passing of Mr. Anthony ‘Tony’ Hackett, a well loved and respected Brownhills gentleman who spent may years as a local school Caretaker and scout leader – the many touching tributes and kind words about Tony from his friends and former school pupils were lovely and a comfort to his Granddaughter Tara and family

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Anthony ‘Tony’ Hackett – rest in peace

Earlier this week I posted a request for memories of Mr. Anthony ‘Tony’ Hackett, who was unwell; his Granddaughter Tara was keen to gather reminiscences of Tony, particularly in his occupation as local school caretaker, to help him remember good times.

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Can you help with memories of a popular Brownhills school Caretaker?

I have a very unusual enquiry here from friend of the blog Tara Hackett relating to her Grandfather, Tony Hackett – he was a popular local school caretaker for years, and is a bit under the weather at the moment, and Tara thinks it would be great if anyone has any memories relating to Tony they can share.

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Cartoon capers

The post here last Sunday discussing the Newtown area of Brownhills certainly created some interest and raised a few more memories and discussions – and one particular aspect caught the eye of reader and long term friend of the blog Tony Winn.

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Illuminating Ray – one for the researchers?

I have here an excellent enquiry for a Sunday afternoon which I feel many readers will be very, very interested in – not least Andy Dennis, if he’s passing, but maybe others concerned with the Newtown area on the Watling Street, which has been the subject of so many past articles here on the blog.

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The forgotten Coventry bombing that blew a Walsall Wood bricklayer off his feet

An additional piece followed the original article I featured by John and Paul Anslow last week, on the subject of Walsall Wood and Pelsall wartime air raids – this one is about an IRA attack in Coventry right before the war that appears to have been all but forgotten.

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Avoiding the Red Caps with the permission of Captain Palmer

It’s always a joy to feature articles here by the wonderful Anslow brothers; over the years John and Paul have contributed so much to our local history knowledge, from everyday but special weddings, to sneaking into fetes and even recalling lost Pelsallian ice ream vendors.

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Life after the war

I still have a little of the very popular Mavis Woodhouse material to come – so far we’ve had the Foxes Row and Victor Haines articles, the Fred Shingler film of Newtown, Mavis’s recollections of the mining history, the curious disappearing cottage, and memories of Sunday School in the small community on the Watling Street.

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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

I’m after all the tanners!

The Mavis Woodhouse material featured here of late is a local history gift that just keeps giving, and yesterday, I had a fascinating email very kindly sent to me by Ann Grinstead, the lady who edited the initial copy of Mavis’s family history, subsequently later edited for the blog by the young David Evans.

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A huge black cauldron

Mavis Woodhouse really started something when she kindly donated her family history material to the blog – the Foxes Row article was very popular, the Victor Haines material had us all head scratching, and the film of Newtown that was so newly relevant has had a huge number of views.

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Not only customers, but friends

A lovely bit of ephemera relating to Deakins’ Central Stores and Jonah Deakin has been sent in by the wonderfully generous Gillian Gaiser, who donated her wonderful writing about the Deakin family to the blog, published last weekend.

1950 Deakins the Grocers Jubilee brochure Continue reading

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The scars were always black

The generosity of Mavis Woodhouse in allowing David Evans, myself and you readers to share her privately produced family history book is really proving to be a rich source of discussion, debate and new local history tangents – the Foxes Row article was very popular, the Victor Haines material had us all head scratching, and the film of Newtown that was so newly relevant has had a huge number of views.

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As the dual carriageway came through

I’ve had a bunch of film clips for a while, which were recorded in short sections and obtained by the young David Evans from Barbara, the daughter of Fred Shingler who ran the Park View Methodist Chapel, which used to be on the Watling Street, just on the corner of Chapel Avenue.

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Early days in Foxes Row

In the sea of technical chaos I’ve been bobbing in in the last few days, I have somehow managed to find time to edit up the beginning of a new series of memories of life in Brownhills.Untitled Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 23 Comments

Brownhills Central Boy’s School: Can you help?

A very interesting request for help came in last week from Bonita Clayton of Brownhills Community Association, who as you’ll know, are based at the former Brownhills Central Boy’s School, or as my generation knew it, the Annexe, which is just by the Miner Island in Brownhills.
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Wonderful afternoon

A quick word from myself and reader David Evans, in thanks for the great talk by Bill and Geoff at the Parkview Centre yesterday. As stalwarts of the local history scene in Brownhills, it’s wonderful to see them give such an entertaining and enjoyable talk.

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Posted in Brownhills stuff, 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, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Bill Mayo history talk today!

Thanks to blog readers Naomi Jones and David Evans, I can flag up this interesting looking slideshow and talk from respected and knowledgable local historian Bill Mayo. Bill, as I’m sure you’re all well aware, compiled several local history books with his wife Clarice, as well as with other local historians John Sale and Geoff Harrington.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Local history event next Saturday!

Thanks to blog readers Naomi Jones and David Evans, I can flag up this interesting looking slideshow and talk from respected and knowledgable local historian Bill Mayo. Bill, as I’m sure you’re all well aware, compiled several local history books with his wife Clarice, as well as with other local historians John Sale and Geoff Harrington.
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Local history event next Saturday!

Thanks to blog readers Naomi Jones and David Evans, I can flag up this interesting looking slideshow and talk from respected and knowledgable local historian Bill Mayo. Bill, as I’m sure you’re all well aware, compiled several local history books with his wife Clarice, as well as with other local historians John Sale and Geoff Harrington.
Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A Chasewater childhood

Regulars will remember that recently, I featured a post from reader Stuart Cowley, who generously recounted mhos memories of of summers spent in and around Chasewater, where his family worked at the cafe.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Memories of Chasewater

I’ve had a great email from reader Stuart Cowley, about growing up and spending summers helping his family out at the cafe in Chasewater in the 1960s. It’s a really touching, well-written piece. I remember the Chasewater of the 70s, when it was running down, but at it’s height it seems to have been a real leisure attraction.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 30 Comments

Royal memories sought for community project

I was contacted yesterday by Naomi Jones at Brownhills Library, who asked me if I’d like to publicise their local history appeal for Royal Jubilee year. Whether you’re a royalist or not, the social impact of the royal events – … Continue reading

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How the Brave New World began in Walsall Wood, 1952

Ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, I present another fantastic piece by regular contributor David Evans. David is writing so much good stuff at the moment… I’m sure you’ll all join with me in thanking him for his sterling and … Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments