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Tag Archives: Panoramio
Come on a historical Lichfield pub crawl – tonight!
Kate Cardigan from the wonderful Lichfield Lore has asked if I could let readers know about her historical pub crawl of Lichfield, taking place tonight at 7:00pm, 11th August 2014 – the walk meets in the Market Square outside St Mary’s, and is free to participants.
Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 11 August, 2014, crawl, Discovered, event, Events, Facebook, free, Heritage Centre, Kate Gomez, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Lore, Lost, Monday, Moore, New Photos, Panoramio, pub, Pubs, Silly, Staffordshire, Talk, Things to do, tour, Twitter
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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.
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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
Urgent – looking for the Yeomans family or other Brownhills Market traders
Here’s one I’m hoping I can reach out to the local community and reunite lost friends – Conner Nelson writes to me from Ibstock in Leicestershire to tell me that sadly, his grandmother is very ill, but he and his dad would like to contact friends and family from the days when they had a market stall in Brownhills.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Anthony, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cathedral, Connor, Facebook, Ibstock, ill, Lichfield, Local History, Market, Nelson, Panoramio, Redevelopment, Robert, Spook Erection, stall, Things to do, urgent, Walsall Wood, Yeomans
9 Comments
Summer’s first breath
We’ve had a really fine few days, and I really feel now that summer is on her throne – the leaves are all fully out now, the whites and yellows of spring are turning to the reds and purples of summer, and nature and the landscape is resplendent in the multi-colured jacket the sun provides.
Posted in Churches, cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media
Tagged A picture tour of old Pelsall Rushall and Shelfield, Aldridge Brick & Tile, Alrewas, Armitage, bike, bridge, Canal, Cycle rides, cycling, Dunstall, FJ Long, Fradley, great crested, Grebe, hall, Lichfield, Longdon, Narrowboat, New Photos, Panoramio, Red Lion, Redevelopment, refurbishment, Reopening, ride, river section, Staffordshire, Things to do, wildflowers, Wildlife, wind turbinebugle
9 Comments
No country for old men
Over recent years, my long distance cycling habit has been a little bit curtailed. I’ve been working many Saturdays, when I generally went on long dayrides, or had other commitments – this year, I intend to rectify that, and yesterday started as I mean to contiunue – with a 122 mile rile up into the Peak District.
Posted in cycling, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media
Tagged Cromford, Cycle rides, cycling, Dales, Derbyshire, hall, High Peak trail, Hoe Grange, Ilam, Manifold Valley, Minninglow, New Photos, Panorama, Panoramio, Staffordshire, Throwley, Tissington Trail, Weaver Hills
7 Comments
A very Good Friday
Yesterday, Good Friday 18th April 2014, was a good day for a ride – with the day off and the sun shining (although not as warm as one would have thought), I headed out to Staffordshire to cath the sun and beauty of spring.
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Posted in Churches, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Wildlife
Tagged anemone, bicye, bike, Blossom, Bluebell, Cam, Canal, Canwell, Church, Convent, Cycle rides, cycling, Devils Dressing Room, Edingale, Events, ewe, good weather, GoPro, Harlaston, Haunton, Hays, HD Hero 3+, Hints, Hopwas, Lichfield, Netherseal, New Photos, No Man's Heath, Oilseed Rape, Panoramio, ride, sheep, Speedwell, Spring, Staffordshire, Stonnall, sun, Syercote, Things to do, wildflowers, Wildlife, Wood
5 Comments
The rise and fall – a walk into history tomorrow!
Kate Cardigan Gomex, irrepressible wonder behind Lichfield Lore has organised a walk and tour around the remains of the incredible Fisherwick Park estate with her other project, Lichfield Discovered – it takes place tomorrow, Saturday 5th April 2014.
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Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged Capability Brown, community, Discovered, Donegal, event, Events, Facebook, Farm, Fisherwick, ha-ha, Hademore, hall, history, Kate Gomez, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Lore, Maquis, New Photos, orangery, Panoramio, Park, Staffordshire, stroll, Things to do, tour, Twitter, walk, Woodhouse
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Swept everything before it
Last weekend, I revisited for the first time in ages the subject that was once so prominent here – Chasewater dam – but not in reference to the recent renovations, but to the creation of the reservoir and the failure of the earthwork dam in 1799.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Shared memories, Wildlife
Tagged 1799, Blackbrook, bridge, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Burst, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Dam, Drayton, Events, Hopwas, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Panoramio, Pedro, Peter Cutler, Reservoir, Shenstone, Staffordshire, Stafforshire Advertiser, Stone
7 Comments
When the dam burst
Chasewater has been, as any long-term reader here knows, a continual and recurring obsession of mine – I love the place; I grew up with it, visiting regularly I came to love its air of faded, end-of-the-pier decay and beautiful, often unexpected wildlife.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Shared memories, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, cycling, Events, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Old maps, Panoramio, Redevelopment, Reservoir, Staffordshire
10 Comments
Thanks for an ingratitude
From time to time, I like to feature articles out of old gazetteers here on the blog – they are a great love of mine, and they help shine a new light on old, familiar places, as well as giving a neat insight into the times they were written in.
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Posted in Churches, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged 1930's, Arthur Mee, Burntwood, Garrick, Gazetteer, Johnson, Kings England, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Lore, Nelson, New Photos, Panoramio, Shenstone, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, Wednesbury
1 Comment
The final lot
The demolition is by now nearly complete – after 155 years extant, and about 40 of those derelict, the former St John’s School in Walsall Wood has now largely reduced to pallets of bricks and oddments of scrap.
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Posted in Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio updates, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged application, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cawarden Brick, Cawarden Brick and Tile, demolish, Demolition, Derelict, history, houses, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Panoramio, planning, reclamation, Redevelopment, Rugeley, Shire Oak, St. Johns School, Stuart, Things to do, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
Breaking down the walls…
The tenacity and charm of the young David Evans continues to be rewarded, and he has again created great pictorial documentation of the demolition process being undertaken on the former St. John’s School in Walsall Wood.
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Posted in Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio updates, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged application, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cawarden Brick, demolish, Demolition, Derelict, history, houses, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Panoramio, planning, reclamation, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, St. Johns School, Stuart, Things to do, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
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Demolition, man
Thanks to the keen eye and subsequent alert by reader, fellow local blogger and freind of the blog @thestymaster, plus the outrageous cheek, charm and loquaciousness of the young David Evans, I can present internal and external shots of the former St. John’s School in Walsall Wood, currently undergoing demolition.
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Posted in Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio updates, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged application, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cawarden Brick, demolish, Demolition, Derelict, history, houses, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Panoramio, planning, reclamation, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, St. Johns School, Things to do, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
16 Comments
Leaving hibernation
We’re a third of the way through March, and daffodils are out, the sun is high in the sky and spring is in full effect – I left in the afternoon for a quiet, fast spin – I ended up on a 45-miler around Lichfield, Croxall, Edingale, Harlaston, Whittington, Weeford and Shenstone.
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How Shenstone looks best: in silhouette[/caption] Continue reading
Posted in Churches, cycling, Environment, Events, Features, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media
Tagged Canal, Croxall, Cycle rides, cycling, daffodils, Edingale, Events, New Photos, Panoramio, ride, Shenstone, Spring, Staffordshire, sun, Sunset, Things to do, WHittington
3 Comments
A century in 12 objects…
I see that there Kate Cardigan from the wonderful Lichfield Lore is going from strength to strength with her informal and fun Lichfield local history group, Lichfield Discovered.
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Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 100 years, 12 objects, century, Dave, David, Discovered, event, Events, Everyday Items, Facebook, history, Kate Gomez, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Lore, Moore, museum, New Photos, Panoramio, Sandfields, Silly, St Marys, Staffordshire, Talk, Theatre, Things to do, Twitter
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Brick by brick
Today, thanks to the eagle eye of reader, fellow local blogger and freind of the blog @thestymaster, plus the dedication and guile of a couple of regular blog readers and contributors, we have managed to catch the last days of a local, doomed landmark: St. John’s School, in Walsall Wood.
Posted in Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio updates, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged application, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, demolish, Demolition, Derelict, history, houses, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Panoramio, planning, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, St. Johns School, Things to do, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
14 Comments
Urban spring
As is usual, today I visited Erdington Bike Jumble, the yearly tat-bazaar for cyclists that always takes place the first Saturday in March.
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Posted in Churches, cycling, Environment, Events, Features, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media
Tagged Architecture, Birmingham, Canal, contamination, Curdworth, Cycle rides, cycling, Erdington, Events, New Photos, Panoramio, Pubs, Snow Hill, Spaghetti Junction, Spring, Staffordshire, sun, Things to do, Washwood Heath
3 Comments
Free talk on Heritage at Risk tonight!
Tonight’s talk is all about threatened architecture and heritage buildings in Ye Olde City, where there seems to be a more enlightened attitude than here in Walsall, where we regard heritage as merely ‘fuel’.
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Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 2014, Architecture, at risk, buildings, Dave, David, Discovered, event, Events, Facebook, free, heritage, Heritage Centre, Kate Gomez, Lichfield, Lichfield and Hatherton Canal, local blogs, Local History, Lore, meeting, Monday, Moore, New Photos, Panoramio, Sandfields, Silly, social medial, Staffordshire, Talk, Theatre, Things to do, Twitter
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Light and graceful
From time to time here, we mention the history of Aldershawe, the estate and large house overlooking Lichfield from high on the hill near Wall – this remarkable and secluded property is, of course, closely intertwined with the Harrison family who owned it for a time.
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Posted in cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged 1999, Aldershaw, Aldershawe, big house, Craft Village, Cycle rides, cycling, Edward Brown, estate, Harrison, Lichfield, livery, Local History, Mansions and Country Seats of Staffordshire and Warwickshire, Mercury, New Photos, Panoramio, Pedro Cutler, Pedrocut, Peter Cutler, Redevelopment, software, stables, Staffordshire, Wall
3 Comments
I think that nails it…
Periodically, I’ve expressed my intrigue at the history of Chesterfield Lodge, at the tiny hamlet between Wall and Shenstone – Chesterfield is a small place, but has some remarkable architecture demonstrated in its houses and farms.
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Posted in Churches, cycling, 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, Social Media
Tagged Chesterfield, Chesterfield Lodge, Cycle rides, cycling, Lane, Lichfield, Lichfield Lore, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Old maps, Panoramio, parish, Raikes, Roy Aston, SAHS, Shenstone, Staffordshire, Staffordshire Archaeological and Historical Society, Stonnall, Things to do, Twitter, Wall, Workhouse
14 Comments
Lichfield discovered – great events upcoming for 2014
I see that there Kate Cardigan from the wonderful Lichfield Lore is going from strength to strength with lots of upcoming events for her informal and fun Lichfield local history group, Lichfield Discovered.
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Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 2014, Dave, David, Discovered, event, Events, Facebook, free, Heritage Centre, January 13, Kate Gomez, LHCRT, Lichfield, Lichfield and Hatherton Canal, local blogs, Local History, Lore, meeting, Monday, Moore, New Photos, Panoramio, Sandfields, Silly, social medial, Staffordshire, Talk, Theatre, Things to do, Twitter
5 Comments
Just one day like this…
Today I escaped for a bit – the weather was reasonably good, I had nothing pressing, and rather than fiddle with blog posts and other stuff, I decided to go for a decent ride.
Posted in Churches, cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media
Tagged Canal, Canwell, Church, Churchyard, Crow's Castle, Cyclamen, Cycle rides, cycling, Footherley, Ford, Golden hour, Hays Wood, Hints, Hopwas, Lichfield, New Photos, Panoramio, Pillbox, Staffordshire, Stockfields, Sunset, Things to do
2 Comments
Dancing was allowed
Well, here it is – not merry Christmas (although that’s bearing down upon us) but the fourth and final instalment of the history of Ogley Hay, as researched and written by local historian Gerald Reece, in his remarkable book ‘Brownhills A Walk Into History’.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills activities, Brownhills local history, Canal, Cannock Chase Colliery Company, CLive L Roberts., Flour, Gerald Reece, Great CHarles Street, Iron Works, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Mill, Ogley Hay, Old maps, Panoramio, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, STeam, Steam Engine workshop, Stonnall, Warren House
15 Comments
The Ironmaster
Welcome to the third of what was to be a three-instalment series, covering Ogley Hay, the history of Brownhills businessman Charles F Cotterill and the towns evolution into the place we know today, as written by local historian Gerald Reece, in his remarkable book ‘Brownhills A Walk Into History’.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills activities, Brownhills local history, Canal, Cannock Chase Colliery Company, CLive L Roberts., Flour, Gerald Reece, Great CHarles Street, Iron Works, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Mill, Ogley Hay, Old maps, Panoramio, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, STeam, Steam Engine workshop, Stonnall, Warren House
7 Comments
Keep out of Cotterill’s road…
Welcome to the second of a three-instalment series, covering Ogley Hay, landowner Charles F Cotterill and Brownhills’ evolution into the place we know today, as written by local historian Gerald Reece in his remarkable book ‘Brownhills A Walk Into History’.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills activities, Brownhills local history, Canal, Cannock Chase Colliery Company, Flour, Gerald Reece, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Mill, Old maps, Panoramio, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, STeam, Stonnall, Warren House
15 Comments
Ugly Ay it?
Today, it’s long overdue that I expand on a thread I commenced some weeks ago; that of Charles Foster Cotterill – you may remember that I raised the question of the man’s history as the named Bankrupt in a sale notice Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler found in the Birmingham Gazette in 1850.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills activities, Brownhills local history, Canal, Cannock Chase Colliery Company, Gerald Reece, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Old maps, Panoramio, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Warren House
17 Comments
School’s out
I think this might be controversial – from recent activity at the site, it seems like the former St. John’s School, in Lichfield Road Walsall Wood, may be about to be demolished, and it’s site possibly redeveloped, together with the derelict bungalow next door.
Posted in Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 12 housed, 4th November 2012, application, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, demolish, Demolition, Derelict, history, houses, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Panoramio, planning, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, St. Johns School, Things to do, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
13 Comments
Springing a surprise
Lord knows where he found it, but isn’t this picture from the Young David Evans a remarkable thing?
Posted in Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aldridge, co-op, cycling, David Evans, Ind Coope, Local History, Lost pubs, New Photos, Panoramio, picture, Pubs, Redevelopment, Shelfield, Spring Cottage, Staffordshire, Walsall Wood
6 Comments
Lichfield discovered – everyday objects tell wonderful stories tonight!
I see that there Kate Cardigan from the wonderful Lichfield Lore is going from strength to strength with her informal and fun Lichfield local history group, Lichfield Discovered. Now they’ve got the basics sorted, the Lichfield Discovered Group are moving on to … Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 12th April, 2013, Dave, David, Discovered, event, Events, Everyday Items, Facebook, Garrick Studi, Kate Gomez, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Lore, Moore, New Photos, Panoramio, Sandfields, Silly, Staffordshire, Talk, Theatre, Things to do, Twitter
2 Comments
Motorbike accident in Brownhills?
From reports on Twitter and Facebook, it seems there’s been a nasty accident in Brownhills near the Anchor Bridge Junction tonight (30th September 2013), between a car and a motorbike.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Accident, Ambulance, Anchor Bridge, biker, Brownhills, Car, crash, cycling, entertainment, Events, Facebook, High Street, Knaves Cort, Lichfield, Ogley Court, Panoramio, Police, Pubs, RTA, Shire Oak, Twitter, Walsall Wood
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Bettered its manners
Last weekend I introduced readers to one of my longstanding passions – the 1930s gazetteer series that is Arther Mee’s ‘Kings England’ – back then, I broached the subject with Arthurs florid, but charming take on Wall, the little local village with the big Roman history.
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Posted in Churches, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 1930's, Arthur Mee, Dora, Dorothy Pattison, Gazetteer, George Henry Carless, Kings England, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, Panoramio, S N Webster, Sister, Staffordshire, Walsall, Walsall Council
13 Comments
A ghost of a chance…
Ghosts and such things; a rumination…
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills Barry, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Market, Clayhanger, Cycle rides, Derelict, folklore, Ghost, haunting, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Nick Duffy, oral, Panoramio, Pubs, Redevelopment, Silly, Staffordshire, story, Tesco, Tesco Development, Things to do, Walsall Wood, West Midlands Ghost Club
4 Comments
Chasewater Railway Steam Gala this weekend
I noticed Chasewater Steam Railway have a Gala this weekend, with special engines and a much busier running timetable than normal.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 2013, 7th September, 8th September, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, Events, Gala Day, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Panoramio, Reservoir, Staffordshire, STeam, Steam Railway, Things to do, Trains
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The dirty old town I love
I’ve never made any secret of the fact that I love the Black Country with all my heart – this dirty, post-industrial powerhouse of a place has been prominent throughout my life, although, technically, I live outside it. 
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Posted in Bad Science, Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged birthday, Bullstake, Darlaston, Derelict, FH Lloyd, GKN, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Panoramio, planning, Politics, Redevelopment, Rubery Owen, Silly, Staffordshire, Tony Martin, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Wilkings and Mitchell
43 Comments
The last big weekend of the summer
It’s been another heat bank holiday weekend, and I got to cycling over the Chase and through East Staffordshire – too many pictures for 365days, so I thought I’d do a gallery.[caption id="attachment_15473" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Elderberries, Walton upon Trent[/caption] Continue reading
Posted in Cannock Chase, Churches, cycling, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media
Tagged Bevins Birches, Cannock Chase, Church, Cycle rides, cycling, Derbyshire, Dunstall, hall, Handsacre, Hoar Cross, Longdon, New Photos, Old Quarry, Panoramio, Rowley, Staffordshire, Stonywell, Walton, Wolseley Plain
8 Comments
Up hill and down dale
Today, I got into the Derbyshire Dales and crossed into North Staffordshire – a straightforward trip along the High Peak Trail and down the full length of the Tissington Trail was just what was needed, and once at Ashbourne, I doubled back and headed back to Ilam via Mapleton and Blore.
[caption id="attachment_15388" align="aligncenter" width="225"]
Minninglow Great Barrow[/caption] Continue reading
Posted in cycling, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media
Tagged Cromford, Cycle rides, cycling, Dales, Derbyshire, hall, High Peak trail, Hoe Grange, Ilam, Manifold Valley, Minninglow, New Photos, Panorama, Panoramio, Staffordshire, Throwley, Tissington Trail, Weaver Hills
3 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
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To be in England, in the summertime
Another day, another great ride – I headed out early afternoon, firstly to Chasewater then on to Lichfield and the festival market, then from the busy city, I headed to the quiet of the east Staffordshire countryside – Whittington, Croxall, Walton, Rosliston, Lullington, Harlaston and back via Wall.
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Pipe Hill poppies[/caption] Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Churches, cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local music, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Croxall, Cycle rides, cycling, Harlaston, Lichfield, Lichfield Festival Market, Lullington, New Photos, Panoramio, Pipe Hill, poppies, Reservoir, River Trent, Rosliston, Staffordshire, Things to do, Wakeboard, Wakelake, Walton, Walton on Trent, WHittington, Wildlife
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Photographic memory
I note that over on Panoramio, Brownhills George is continuing his patient work, assembling a great collection of historic Brownhills images – I thought is was about time I featured the latest ones here, as they’re absolutely remarkable, and haven’t got many views yet.
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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, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 1970, 1980, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Market, Chasewater, Clayhanger Common, Clayhanger Tip, co-op, Currys, demolished, Geogre, Golden Grill, Great Mills, Hillards, Humpries House, Lindale, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Panoramio, Pier Street, pub, Pubs, Ravens Court, Rebuild, rebuilt, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, Tanday, Things to do, White Horse
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My Fair Lady
This is a wonderful article from local history rapscallion Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler which I think readers will really, really enjoy. Peter has developed a reputation hereabouts for being something of the iconoclast; formerly he has not pulled punches in his … Continue reading
Posted in Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Churches, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills local history, Chasewater, coal, Coppice, Hanbury, Heath Hayes, Hussey, local blogs, Local History, mining, Panoramio, pit, Politics, Staffordshire, Things to do
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Pictures from Brownhills Canal Festival 2013
I have to say, the weather was dire, and I didn’t arrive until late, but there was much to like about the Brownhills Canal Festival today – I don’t know if it was the poor weather or what, but there seemed a tad more atmosphere to it than usual, and I did genuinely enjoy pottering around.
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 2013, Brownhillls, Brownhills, Canal, Clayhanger, Cycle rides, cycling, David Evans, Events, Festival, New Photos, Panoramio, Tesco, Things to do
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Pictures from Pelsall Canal Festival 2013
Well, the weather behaved, mostly – a couple of sharp showers and a strong wind couldn’t dampen spirits with loads of stalls, activities, people and boats – Pelsall Canal Festival was a great afternoon out.
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Posted in cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged 2013, bad weather, boaters, Boats, Brenda Ward, Canal, canal festival, Cheese Boat, Cycle rides, Events, Narrowboats, New Photos, Panoramio, Pelsall, Pelsall Canal Festival, Pelsall North Common, Rain
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Pelsall Canal Festival – on all this weekend!
Good friend of the blog Brenda Ward has been in touch to let me know that Pelsall Canal Festival takes place all this weekend, 15th & 16th June 2013 – I attended the last one in 2011, and despite some indifferent, blustery weather it was a great occasion that was well organised with plenty of great attractions for all the family.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged Boats, Canal, Cycle rides, Events, local blogs, Moxley, Narrowboats, New Photos, Panoramio, Pelsall, Pelsall Canal Festival
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Pelsall Canal Festival – are you going?
Good friend of the blog Brenda Ward has been in touch to let me know that Pelsall Canal Festival takes place the weekend after next, 15th & 16th June 2013 – I attended the last one in 2011, and despite some indifferent, blustery weather it was a great occasion that was well organised with plenty of great attractions for all the family.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged Boats, Canal, Cycle rides, Events, local blogs, Moxley, Narrowboats, New Photos, Panoramio, Pelsall, Pelsall Canal Festival
8 Comments
Winding Lanes
Andy Dennis writes clearly and articulately of the planning history of the Lanes Farm/Sandhills site in light of current angst over a mooted further development – I’m still of the opinion that we’re being trolled for other reasons, but Andy raises some excellent points.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged Andy Dennis, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Cycle rides, cycling, Lane's Farm, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Panoramio, planning, Politics, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall 2026, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
20 Comments
A long storey
This is something I’d like to expand on for a bit of summer picture fun, if any readers are up for it – since I featured Steve Wilcox’s remarkable Walsall panorama last week, and Rose Burnell’s great Chasewater image, I’m looking for odd views, panoramas or shots from on high of Brownhills or the wider area.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Clayhanger, Domesday project, Events, Humphries House Landscape, JH Poole, Local History, New Photos, Panorama, Panoramio, Phil Griffin, photos, Pubs, Shire Oak, Silly, Stonnall, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
A deep breadth
Following the wonderful panorama of Walsall taken last weekend by Steve Wilcox that I featured here, here’s another, this time taken by friend of the blog Rose Maria Burnell, who took this one with an iPhone, and it’s a great image.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged #365daysofbiking, Brownhills, Chasewater, cows, Cycle rides, cycling, fly bay, fly creek, fly pool, Lichfield, local blogs, Lowland Heath, maintenace, new path, New Photos, north heath, Panorama, Panoramio, Reservoir, Rose Maria Burnell, Staffordshire, Things to do, Twitter, Wildlife
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The past, by George!
Brownhills George continues his patient work of converting and uploading his remarkable and breathtaking images of Brownhills history on to Panoramio – The collection in this remarkable poster’s gallery is growing steadily, and is forming a wonderful resource into a period of history not much recorded anywhere.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, 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 community
Tagged 1970, 1980, 1990, bridge construction, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Market, canal dam, Clayhanger Bridge, Clayhanger Common, Clayhanger Tip, demolished, Geogre, Greengrocers, Holmes, local blogs, Local History, Memorial Hall, New Photos, Panoramio, Pier Street, Pike Helve, Raden, Rebuild, rebuilt, reclamation, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, Things to do
10 Comments
Golden hours
Busy most of the day, I managed to slip out late afternoon for a ride – it was glorious -Chasewater was busy, yet there were deer on the dam. – the countryside was alive, and bursting into leaf and bloom everywhere I looked[caption id="attachment_13982" align="aligncenter" width="225"]
Wall church itself is impressive and unusual in style[/caption]
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Churches, cycling, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Wildlife
Tagged Bluebell, Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Church, Churchyard, Cycle rides, cycling, Hammerwich, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, Panoramio, Red deer, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Things to do, Wall, Wildlife
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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
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