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Tag Archives: planning
Dead ground?
I’ve had an interesting enquiry from Laura Watkins, about the cemetery in Barnetts Lane, Brownhills, and it’s a little unusual in nature.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Avenues, Barnetts Lane, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, cemetery, Daisys, field, Lichfield, Local History, Meadow, New Photos, Old maps, Opening, planning, Second Avenue, St James, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood Secondary School
22 Comments
School’s out… or is it?
Due to industrial action by teaching staff, some schools in the area will be closed today, Wednesday 26th March 2014 – to find out the latest information about the status of your school, visit the Walsall Council School Closures webpage here.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Express & Star, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Closure, Events, Facebook, industrial action, information, list, NUT, planning, School, schools, Strike, teachers, union, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall School Closures, Walsall Wood
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Aldridge Transport Museum running day today!
Aston Manor Road Transport Museum are currently gearing up for the coming season, and cordially invite you to their first event of 2014 – a ‘Running Day’, today (Sunday, 23rd March) – here the general public can pop in, take a ride on vintage busses, browse stalls of transport ephemera and have have a shufty around.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2014, 23 March, Aston Manor, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, bus, Bus Museum, Chasewater, event, Events, Facebook, Local History, Meet the Museum, open day, planning, Shenstone Drive, Transport Museum, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
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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
2 Comments
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
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
Pepper ground
I have been sent this remarkable and incredibly thorough piece of research into the historical and mapping record for Pepper Alley by Hilary Little, who you’ll remember as the driving force behind the project to record the history and fabric of the lost beer house, the Royal Oak, in Bullings Heath, Waslall Wood.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Alley, Black Cock Inn, bridge, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Bullings Heath, Canal, Caz, Clayhanger, David Evans, Derelict, Events, Hilary, Lane, Little, Local History, New Photos, Oak, Old maps, Pepper, planning, Pubs, Redevelopment, Royal, Staffordshire, Things to do, Val, Walsall Wood
40 Comments
A memorial to the beam engines…
Here’s something I came upon by chance I think that not just the Lichfield and South Staffordshire Water contingents will like, but all those interested in steam engines, heavy plant and Victorian engineering.
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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, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media
Tagged 1971, beam, campaign, Dave Moore, Derelict, Engine, Industrial Archeology, John J Bradbury, Journal of the History of Industry and Technology, 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, Waterworks
7 Comments
Beautifully crafted
I’m pleased to bring readers more great news from the Lichfield Scrap Barn shop at Chasewater Innovation Centre – friend of the blog, Marketing Assistant and top Phoenix Hospital Radio DJ Lucy Wood has dropped me a line to let me know what’s been happening up there recently.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 1st, Brownhills, care, Carers, Chasewater, conference, Craft Village, Debenhams, disability, Events, Facebook, Innovation centre, Lichfield, local blogs, Lucy Wood, New Deal, New Photos, planning, Saxon Hill School, Scrapstores UK, Social Care, social enterprise, special needs, Srap Barn, Staffordshire, Things to do, Twitter, WH Smith
2 Comments
Beyond the flames
Here’s a quick one – a lovely photo sent in by Marion Jones from her father’s collection – a photo of a grassfire on the land that would become Clayhanger Common, but it’s not the grassfire itself (and this is a fine picture of that), it’s what’s going on in the background.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged Bayley House, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Common, Events, Grass fire, Local History, Marion Jones, New Photos, photo, planning, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, Stimoson, The Spot, under construction, Vandalism, Waine House
5 Comments
The Wheatsheaf, Brownhills – what do we know?
Here’s a quick one I’ve been asked about on twitter, and it’s piqued my interest to such an extent that I thought I’d post the question here, particularly while there’s a similar discussion centring around the Royal Exchange in Walsall Wood.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, 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
Tagged beer hosue, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, dogrio5630, Gerald Reece, Helen Dalton, John Insull, Lichfield Mercury, Local History, Ogley, Ogley Hay, planning, Pubs, Redevelopment, Square, Staffordshire, The Wheatsheaf, Things to do, Tony Williams, Twitter, William Danks
15 Comments
Old Holland
Over the past couple of posts, the subject of Holland Park in Brownhills has come up, and reader Peter asked where it got it’s name – I knew it was named after Hyla John Holland, one of the great names in the history of Brownhills, but I realised I didn’t know much about the chap, or exactly what he did beyond being a councillor.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged 1933, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Holland, Hylan John, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, Mercury, New Photos, Obituary, Park, Parks, planning, recreation, Staffordshire, The Parade, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
23 Comments
Work starts on Holland Park improvements
I had this press release yesterday from Walsall Council, and I think it’s important to share it here – it’s nice to see Holland Park getting some love at long last – the paths and some aspects of the fabric have needed attention for a while now.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Local media, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, cycling, Darren Hodgkiss, Holland Park, infrastructure, Local politics, maintenance, Pavements, planning, refurbish, Walsall, Walsall Council, Wildlife, work
11 Comments
Court out
Here’s a little bit of a curiosity we’ve dabbled with here on the blog for the last few weeks – Silver Court in Brownhills, and the possibility it was once extended. 
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council
Tagged 1960's, 1:2500, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Google Earth, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, New Road, new Street, Old maps, overlay, planning, Redevelopment, Severn House, Silver Court, Staffordshire, Things to do
12 Comments
The lost and fallen, lost then found again
This post is in answer to the query of 19th Noveber 2013, when Kathy Hodson of Wolverhampton, contacted me on twitter looking for the war memorial from Browhills West Methodist Church.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills West, Brownhills West Methodist Church, Chapel, demolished, Derelict, Kathy Hodgson, Lichfield, Local History, Lost, Old maps, planning, Redevelopment, Rehoboth, Severn Road, Staffordshire, Things to do, Twitter, war memorial
12 Comments
Silver caught?
A couple of weeks ago, I posted the following map here of central Brownhills from the late 1960s, in answer to an enquiry tied up with the thread about the Salvation Army Hall in Brownhills – it’s a great map, and at the time it caused quite a bit of interest.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 1960's, 1:2500, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Google Earth, Humphries House, KMZ, Local History, New Photos, New Road, new Street, Old maps, overlay, planning, Redevelopment, Severn House, Silver Court, Staffordshire, Things to do
9 Comments
Purity was the gift
A couple of weeks ago, I alerted readers to a preview clip of a film that local historian Dave Moore was making in support of his Save Sandfields Pumping Station Campaign – well, yesterday Dave posted the complete film on the campaign blog.
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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
6 Comments
Fist of Glory, fists of rage
I see the genius of SalmonCorporation has been at work again – this film is an uncomfortable piece of genius that needs to be spread far and wide, like it’s precursor ‘Walsall: Everything a pound’.
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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, Fist of Glory, 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
3 Comments
Hey, Sally Anne…
Another research project for those so inclined came in this week, again via Twitter – Rob Kinnon-Brettle contacted me on Wednesday evening looking for information about the Salvation Army in Brownhills.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Events, 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 Wood stuff
Tagged Army, barracks, Booth, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Clayhanger, Derelict, Events, hall, High Street, Lichfield, Lichfield Mercury, Local History, Memories of Brownhills Past, New Photos, planning, Redevelopment, religion, Rob Kinnon Brettle, Sally Ann, Sally Anne, Salvation, Staffordshire, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall Wood, Warreners
12 Comments
A film on the water
Dave Moore, late of this parish and tireless campaigner for all things local and historical is doing something really interesting for his Save Sandfields Pumping Statio Camapaign, and taking a really unique approach. Continue reading
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
8 Comments
Brownhills West Methodist Church war memorial – can you help?
Here’s an odd little enquiry from Kathy Hodson of Wolverhampton, who contacted me on twitter yesterday looking for the war memorial for Browhills West Methodist Church.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills West, Brownhills West Methodist Church, Chapel, demolished, Derelict, Kathy Hodgson, Lichfield, Local History, Lost, Old maps, planning, Redevelopment, Severn Road, Staffordshire, Things to do, Twitter, war memorial
5 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
Revised plans submitted for Oak Park replacement
I noticed last week that revised plans had been submitted for the replacement of the decaying Oak Park Leisure Centre at Walsall Wood – I thought I’d feature them here as a fair few folk are interested in the issue, and it remains somewhat contentious.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Coppice Road, houses, housing, Leisure Centre, Leisure Services, Local politics, new, New Photos, Oak Park, planning, Plans, Rebuild, rebuilt, Redevelopment, revised, Shire Oak, submitted, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
4 Comments
Masters of their craft
Lucy Wood – crafter extraordinaire, talented DJ and friend of the blog emails me from Lichfield Scrap Barn shop at Chasewater Innovation Centre to let me know what’s been happening up there recently – Lucy is just one of the many folk working their row out to make this wonderful, Chasewater-based community enterprise the success it is.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 1st, Brownhills, care, Carers, Chasewater, conference, Craft Village, disability, Events, Facebook, Innovation centre, Lichfield, local blogs, Lucy Wood, New Photos, planning, Saxon Hill School, Scrapstores UK, Social Care, social enterprise, special needs, Srap Barn, Staffordshire, Things to do, Twitter
3 Comments
Consultation event in Brownhills this afternoon!
Don’t forget that this Thursday, from 2-4pm, there’s a Walsall Council budget Consultation event at The Parkview Centre, Brownhills – everyone is invited to attend and offer their view on prospect cuts to the local council budget, and Council Officers will be on hand to discuss matters.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2013, 5th November, Aldridge, Brownhills, Budget, budget consultation, Clayhanger, Consultation, Events, Lichfield, Local politics, Mike Bird, planning, Politics, Shire Oak, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Advertiser, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
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Consultation event in Walsalll Wood this evening
Don’t forget that this evening, from 4-6pm, there’s a Walsall Council budget Consultation event at Oak Park, Walsall Wood from 4-6pm.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2013, 5th November, Aldridge, Brownhills, Budget, budget consultation, Clayhanger, Consultation, Events, Lichfield, Local politics, Mike Bird, Oak Park, planning, Politics, Shire Oak, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Advertiser, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
1 Comment
Build it and they’ll come
David Evans, top blog contributor and local historian extraordinaire, has strong connections with the local Methodist Movement – in this capacity, David has been working very hard indeed on the following article on the construction of the New Chapel for some weeks now, and I’m proud and honoured to present it for readers.
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Posted in Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1891, Brownhills local history, Chapel, Church, David Evans, Demolition, Ebenezer, Events, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, Memorial Stones, Mercury, New Photos, Opening, planning, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Walsall Wood
5 Comments
Next steps – Saving Sandfields meeting tonight!
Following the success of the inaugural meeting called to find a way to save Sandfields Pumping Station in Lichfield, a second meeting is scheduled for this Friday to officially set up The Friends of Sandfields Pumping Station group.
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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, Darwin Hall Community Asociation, Dave Moore, Derelict, Engine, English Heritage, Lichfield, Lichfield District Council, listed, listing, local blogs, Local History, Morturn, planning, Preservation, Public Meeting, Pump, pumping station, Redevelopment, Sandfields, South Staffordshire, Staffordshire, stationary, Things to do, Vandalism, Waterworks
3 Comments
Lane’s end
In the circles of my cycling mates, I’m fairly well known for my forthright and controversial vies on cycle facilities – bike lanes, shared use paths, coloured bits of tarmac etc – that generally non-cycling traffic engineers create to try to make junctions easier for us on two wheels.
Posted in Bad Science, cycling, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council
Tagged Advance Stop Line, ASL, Beyond the Kerb, Bez, Bikeability, Cheap tat, Cycle rides, Cyclecraft, cycling, cycling facilities, cyle safety, danger, Darlaston, Lichfield, Lichwheeld, Local politics, Lorries, New Photos, planning, Politics, Silly, Things to do, Tipping out the paint, Vehicular cycling
1 Comment
Not worth the paper it’s written on
The saga of Aldridge Manor and the winding down of youth services in Walsall is still rumbling on, and the issue is still being pursued by doughty campaigner Linda Mason – in a post on her blog a few days ago Lind detailed a recent letter she has received from Walsall Council which appears to be in almost total denial of the facts.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aldridge Manor, by election, Cheap tat, Closure, Councillors, cuts, Facebook, Independent, Liberal Democrat, Linda Mason, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, planning, Politics, Public Meeting, Rachel Andrew, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Silly, sold, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Youth Club
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Increasing pressure
Following my plug (and lots of others in the online community) for the meeting about Sandfields Pumping Station and it’s preservation, I was pleased to note that over 40 people turned up to the public meeting in Lichfield last night.
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, Darwin Hall Community Asociation, Dave Moore, Derelict, Engine, English Heritage, Lichfield, Lichfield District Council, listed, listing, local blogs, Local History, Morturn, planning, Preservation, Public Meeting, Pump, pumping station, Redevelopment, Sandfields, South Staffordshire, Staffordshire, stationary, Things to do, Vandalism, Waterworks
1 Comment
Saving Sandfields – Public meeting this Friday!
The campaign to save Sandfields Pumping Station in Lichfield for the community continues apace – local historian and activist Dave Moore has been putting heart and soul into this for some months now, and he’d like as many people as possible to get involved.
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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, Darwin Hall Community Asociation, Dave Moore, Derelict, Engine, English Heritage, Lichfield, Lichfield District Council, listed, listing, local blogs, Local History, Morturn, planning, Preservation, Public Meeting, Pump, pumping station, Redevelopment, Sandfields, South Staffordshire, Staffordshire, stationary, Things to do, Vandalism, Waterworks
10 Comments
Wood you please help?
Taking my life in my hands, I thought I’d run this press release from Walsall Council this week, and I think it’s quite important – most of us enjoy a good burn up on bonfire night, so in the community spirit, can you help with some fuel? If you can, Walsall Park Rangers would be really pleased to hear from you.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged bonfire night, Brownhills, event, Events, Holland Park, Pallet appeal, planning, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council
3 Comments
The cruel Manor of their deception
I’d like to flag up a very angry post Lind Mason has written about the situation with Walsall Council’s Youth Service and the vexed question of Aldridge Manor – the Councillors may have wandered away now that the election is over, the Council Officers may be trying to fob us off, but neither I nor Linda have forgotten the issue of Aldridge Manor and the winding down of youth services in Walsall.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aldridge Manor, by election, Cheap tat, Closure, Councillors, cuts, Facebook, Independent, Liberal Democrat, Linda Mason, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, planning, Politics, Public Meeting, Rachel Andrew, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Silly, sold, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Youth Club
8 Comments
From the Station to Paradise
Mike Leonard, the reader who supplied the wonderful images of The Railway Tavern and Wheatsheaf last week has done it again – this tie with two super photos.
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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, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged 1980's, AH Taxis, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, CK Electronics, Construction, Derelict, Events, island, Local History, Meehans Shoe Repairs, Mike Leonard, miner, Mitsubishi DA-L70, New Photos, planning, Plumbers Paradise, Pubs, Redevelopment, Silly, Sport and Leisure, Station Hotel, The Sportsman, Things to do
16 Comments
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
Pictures from Brownhills Music Festival 2013
Well, the day came and despite very poor weather and a wind that would strip the paint from a Vauxhall, at the Brownhills Music Festival the music was great, the beer was fine and everyone seemed to have a good time.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local media, Local music, News, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills Music Festival, Casual Agenda, David Young, entertainment, Events, Facebook, Festival, free, fun, gig, help, James Bates, Lichfield, live music, Livewire, Local, local blogs, Local History, music, New Photos, Paul Green, planning, Pubs, Real Ale, Shire Oak, sponsor, support, The Arkhamists, The Assist, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Wood
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High-rise histories – can you help a local historian?
Fellow local blogger, Clayhanger man and wildlife expert Chaz Mason has recently posted the following request on his blog – I’m so intrigued by it that I reproduce the post here in full.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chaz Mason, Cheap tat, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Marsh Log, Derelict, flats, high rise, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, planning, Redevelopment, Slum, Social History, social housing, Staffordshire, Things to do, tower lock, Walsall, Walsall Council, Wildlife
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Brownhills Music Festival 2013 – The stage is set
Well, it’s all done and dusted, they’re setting up and Brownhills is ready for it’s first music festival in decades – It’s going to be a grand day out for all, with great music, beer and good company throughout from 12 noon, Saturday, 17th August 2013.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, Local music, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills Music Festival, Casual Agenda, David Young, entertainment, Events, Facebook, Festival, free, fun, gig, help, James Bates, Lichfield, live music, Livewire, Local, local blogs, Local History, music, New Photos, Parking, Paul Green, planning, Pubs, Real Ale, Shire Oak, sponsor, support, The Arkhamists, The Assist, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Wood
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Choose wisely
Today, there is a council by-election in the ward of Aldridge Central & South, brought about by the sad passing of longstanding councillor Tom Ansell – this election will be interesting in a number of ways – although usually a safe Tory seat, it will be intriguing to see how the other parties fair – particularly UKIP and the Labour.
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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 Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Aldridge Central and South, Aldridge Manor, by election, Cheap tat, Closure, Councillors, cuts, Facebook, Independent, Labour, Liberal Democrat, Linda Mason, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, planning, Politics, Public Meeting, Redevelopment, Silly, sold, Tom Ansell, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Youth Club
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Power to the people
I’ve had a couple of great responses to my request for material on Walsall’s lost power station that existed at Reedswood, until it’s demolition in the late 1980s.
Posted in Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community
Tagged 1963, Anthony, Birchills, booklet, Canal, Derelict, Leaflet, Local History, Martin, New Photos, open day, planning, power station, Redevelopment, Reedswood, Tony, Walsall
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Brownhills Music Festival 2013 – Not far away
It’s getting closer – the Brownhills Music Festival will be taking place throughout the day at The Shire Oak pub, Shire Oak crossroads, Brownhills (or Walsall Wood if you please), next weekend on Saturday 17th August 2013.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, Local music, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills Music Festival, Casual Agenda, David Young, entertainment, Events, Facebook, Festival, free, fun, gig, help, James Bates, Lichfield, live music, Livewire, Local, local blogs, Local History, music, New Photos, Paul Green, planning, Pubs, Real Ale, Shire Oak, sponsor, support, The Arkhamists, The Assist, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Wood
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Down the tubes
Further to the Birchills Ironworks discussion, I had this interesting contribution from reader and top friend of the blog, Andy Dennis – I’d certainly be interested in any material relating to Sterling Tubes or any other companies operating in the area discussed here last weekend.
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Posted in Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media
Tagged Andy Dennis, Birchills, Bloxwich, Canal, Castinds, Deely, Derelict, foundry, hall, Ironworks, Leamore, Local History, Mural, overlay, planning, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, Sterling, Things to do, Tube
28 Comments
The white heat of technology
This weekend, I have been mostly excavating the mapping record for Birchills Iron Works – I know it’s way off our normal beat, but once I started looking at the geography following the remarkable sale post of last Friday, I couldn’t help but be captivated.
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Posted in Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged 1886-7, 1903, 1914, 1938, Birchills, Bloxwich, Brick, Canal, Derelict, foundry, Goodall Works, Google Earth, hall, Ironworks, Leamore, Local History, Mapping, Mapps, Old maps, overlay, planning, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, Things to do, Tube, Walsall
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Pippin is back home!
Great news from Stevie Ansell: Pippin the grey mare is back home, safe and well.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills common, clearance, Cycle rides, Derelict, Engine Lane, field, found, grey, happy ending, Lost, mare, New Photos, pippin, planning, pony, recovered, Redevelopment, Riding school, Stevie Ansell, Wildlife
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Urgent appeal: lost horse – can you help?
Stevie Ansell, who operates the local riding school with fields on the Pelsall Road and at Engine Lane, Brownhills, has lost a horse, a small grey mare called Pippin, who’s believed to be in the Coalpool area.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills common, clearance, Cycle rides, Derelict, Engine Lane, field, grey, Lost, mare, New Photos, planning, pony, Redevelopment, Riding school, Stevie Ansell, Wildlife
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Barnstorming
Lucy Wood has been in touch to let me know about the sterling progress the Lichfield Scrap Barn’s shop at Chasewater Innovation Centre has been making. Lucy has put heart and should into making this very special community project succeed, and it’s something that I, and the wider local online community are fully supportive of.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged Brownhills, care, Carers, Chasewater, Craft Village, disability, Events, Facebook, Innovation centre, Lichfield, local blogs, Lucy Wood, New Photos, planning, Saxon Hill School, Social Care, social enterprise, special needs, Srap Barn, Staffordshire, Things to do, Twitter
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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
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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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