#365daysofbiking JournalRecent tracks
Good Morning Starshine
Lynn Kellogg, James Rado & Gerome Ragni
9 months
Good Morning Starshine
Lynn Kellogg, James Rado & Gerome Ragni
1 year
For
C. Duncan
1 year
That Voice Again
Peter Gabriel
1 year
Living By Numbers
New Musik
1 year
Sequestered In Memphis
The Hold Steady
1 year
Good Morning Starshine
Lynn Kellogg, James Rado & Gerome Ragni
1 year
Running
Technicolor
1 year
Tonband Laufspur
Kosmischer Läufer
1 year
Last Night Of The World
Bruce Cockburn
1 yearRecent Comments
derekmutchntlworldco… on Unspoken histories – wha… Derek Mutc on This won’t hurt –… Dennis Wright on The kiln fields Elizabeth Thomson on The kiln fields Elizabeth Thomson on Fired up
Tag Archives: Politics
Unexpected development in bagging area – Aldi buy Ravens Court
Well, this is the news I though I’d never share: 12 years after my first article here about Ravens Court and the then promise of Tesco’s new gold dream that crumbled to dust, it turns out bargain supermarket chain Aldi … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 215 Notice, Blofeld, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Market, Canal, Cheap tat, Clayhanger, Compulsory purchase, Derelict, Events, Facebook, John Bird, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, Mike Bird, New Photos, New Tesco, planning, Politics, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, Retail, sympathy, Tesco, Tesco Development, teve Wade, Vandalism, Vivienne Aston, Walsall, Walsall Advertiser, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
8 Comments
2019 Walsall local election results
As is traditional here, I stayed up on local election night (Thursday 2nd May 2019) with a mug of tea and matchsticks propping up the eyelids to see how results were in notoriously knife-edge Walsall. It turns out it was … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2019, Aldridge, Aldridge North, Brownhills, Conservative, Council, Council Election, Councillors, Election, election results, Labour, Local, Local Election, Local politics, Mike Bird, North, Politics, results, Tory, Twitter, UKIP, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Ward
4 Comments
Friends of Clayhanger Park Annual General Meeting tonight!
An event coming up for people concerned with the issues surrounding Clayhanger Park -that there’s the Annual General Meeting of the Friends Of Clayhanger Park group at the Clean and Green Depot, Pelsall Road, Brownhills starting at 7:00pm this evening, Tuesday 15th … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 15 May, 2018, AGM, Annual General Meeting, Brownhills, Children, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Park, football, Friends of, kids, Lichfield, play, Politics, Skate Park, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council
Leave a comment
2018 Walsall local election results
Well, it was an interesting night at the Walsall council election count last night (Thursday 3rd May 2018) that saw the general collapse of the UKIP vote and it’s return home to the Conservatives, and this was reflected locally with … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2016, Aldridge, Aldridge North, Brownhills, Conservative, Council, Council Election, Councillors, Election, election results, Labour, Local, Local Election, Local politics, Mike Bird, North, Politics, results, Tory, Twitter, UKIP, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Ward
Leave a comment
Friends of Clayhanger Park Annual General Meeting meeting this Monday!
An event coming up for people concerned with the issues surrounding Clayhanger Park -that there’s the Annual General Meeting of the Friends Of Clayhanger Park group at the Clean and Green Depot, Pelsall Road, Brownhills starting at 7:00pm on Monday evening, 26th February 2018.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 2018, 26 February, AGM, Annual General Meeting, Brownhills, Children, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Park, football, Friends of, kids, Lichfield, play, Politics, Skate Park, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council
Leave a comment
Clayhanger Park upgrade – drop in session this afternoon!
Late notice I know but there is a drop in session this afternoon )Wednesday, 12th July 2017) at Holy Trinity School in Clayhanger to discuss options for renovating and upgrading Clayhanger Park – anyone is welcome to come find out more and have their say – don’t worry if you miss this one, there’s another on Saturday afternoon (15th July 2017).
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 12th July, 2017, Brownhills, Children, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Park, football, Friends of, kids, Lichfield, play, Politics, Skate Park, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council
Leave a comment
Friends of Clayhanger Park June 2017 meeting this Monday!
A reminder for people concerned with the issues surrounding Clayhanger Park that there’s a meeting of the Friends Of Clayhanger Park group at the Clean and Green Depot, Pelsall Road, Brownhills starting at 7:30pm on Monday evening, 12th June 2017.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 12 June, 2017, Brownhills, Children, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Park, football, Friends of, kids, Lichfield, play, Politics, Skate Park, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council
Leave a comment
Flytipping morons hit Barracks Lane
I’m sad to say that the local area is still plagued by flytipping – the above load was dumped on Friday 7th April 2017 at Barracks Lane, just over the border in Staffordshire, and reported on Facebook by the crew from the Lichfield Mercury.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged 2017, Barracks Lane, Brownhills, Brownhills common, Cheap tat, Clean and Green, Coppice Lane, Councillor, Fly tipping, flytipping, Holland Park, Lay By, Lichfield Marcury, Local politics, metal theft, Operation Steel, Politics, Scrap, scrap metal, Silly, Street pride, tat men, tat trade, trading standards, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, waste transfer
Leave a comment
Peace at last – a Christmas message from The Brownhills Blog
Hey you lot – Brownhills Blog readers, browsers, information seekers, contributors, friends: have a great Christmas, and I wish you a happy, prosperous and peaceful 2017.
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 History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged 2015, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Christmas, Cycle rides, cycling, Greetings, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Politics, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
18 Comments
Friends of Clayhanger Park November 2016 meeting tonight
A reminder for people concerned with the issues surrounding Clayhanger Park that there’s a meeting of the Friends Of Clayhanger Park group at the Clean and Green Depot, Pelsall Road, Brownhills tonight, Tuesday 22nd November 2016 from 7:00pm.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 2016, 22 November, Brownhills, Children, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Park, football, Friends of, kids, Lichfield, play, Politics, Skate Park, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council
Leave a comment
Friends of Clayhanger Park October 2016 meeting tonight
A reminder for people concerned with the issues surrounding Clayhanger Park that there’s a meeting of the Friends Of Clayhanger Park group at the Clean and Green Depot, Pelsall Road, Brownhills tonight, Monday 17th October 2016 from 7:00pm
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 17 October, 2016, Brownhills, Children, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Park, football, Friends of, kids, Lichfield, play, Politics, Skate Park, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council
Leave a comment
Shire Oak Quarry expansion consultation event – this Friday
You may recall a couple of years ago that the operator of the former Shire Oak Quarry site, JPE, was mooting the proposal to extend the site they’re currently landfilling at Shire Oak, to extract virgin material pusihing back restoration of the site for some years.
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, It makes me mad!, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged 2014, 2016, 30 September, Brownhills, Consultation, County Council, expansion, extraction, Hays, Hints, Hopwas, Lichfield, Local politics, mineral, Minerals Local Plan, planning, Politics, quarry, Redevelopment, Sandhills, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Things to do, Village Hall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
1 Comment
HSBC branch in Brownhills to close in November
I’m sad to report that the last High Street Bank bank in Brownhills, HSBC will close for good on Friday, 25th November 2016 – this comes amidst the slump in the use of High Street branches caused by online and telephone banking, and the general woes of the bank in general – HSBC has closed over 100 branches already this year.
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2016, 25 November, bank, Barclays, branch, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cheap tat, close, Closure, Derelict, Events, Facebook, HSBC, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, planning, Politics, Pubs, retail development, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
8 Comments
Friends of Clayhanger Park meeting this Thursday
A reminder for people concerned with the issues surrounding Clayhanger Park that there’s a meeting of the Friends Of Clayhanger Park group at the Clean and Green Depot, Pelsall Road, Brownhills this Thursday 7th July 2016) from 7:30pm.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 2016, 7 July, Brownhills, Children, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Park, football, Friends of, kids, Lichfield, play, Politics, Skate Park, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council
Leave a comment
2016 Walsall local election results
It’s late, I’m knackered – but a big night for Labour in Walsall: Steve Wade held Brownhills by a fairly sizeable majority; Keith Sears held Walsall Wood and a shock result for Blakenall where Labour’s Matt Ward beat Pete Smith. … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2016, Aldridge, Aldridge North, Brownhills, Conservative, Council, Council Election, Councillors, Election, election results, Labour, Local, Local Election, Local politics, Mike Bird, North, Politics, results, Tory, Twitter, UKIP, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Ward
Leave a comment
Aldridge Manor Youth Club restarts in a new home this coming Tuesday!
Following the sad closure of Aldridge Manor Youth Club, local activist Paul Sharpe has been beavering away to try and continue the club in some form in a new venue – I posted his appeal for help here a couple of months ago.
Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aldridge Arena, Aldridge Manor, Cheap tat, Closure, Croft, cuts, Facebook, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, May 3, Paul Sharpe, planning, Politics, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Silly, sold, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Youth Club
Leave a comment
Aldridge Manor Youth Club: Can you help it be reborn?
As a result of the imminent closure of Aldridge Manor Youth Club and sale of the Manor House by Walsall Council, local activist Paul Sharpe has got his thinking cap on, and is appealing for help from anyone who might be able to help him set up an alternative club.
Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aldridge Manor, Cheap tat, Closure, cuts, Facebook, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Paul Sharpe, planning, Politics, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Silly, sold, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Youth Club
6 Comments
Friends of Clayhanger Park meeting this evening
A reminder for people concerned with the issues surrounding Clayhanger Park that there’s a meeting of the newly-formed Friends Of Clayhanger Park group at Clayhanger Community Centre, in Church Street, Clayhanger, this evening (Tuesday 2nd March 2016) from 7:30pm.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 2 March, 2016, Brownhills, Children, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Park, football, Friends of, kids, Lichfield, play, Politics, Skate Park, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council
Leave a comment
Bang tidy!
I note from the informative blog of Brownhills Councillor Steve Wade that there will be a Big Tidy Up day in Brownhills this Thursday, 3rd March 2016 organised by Walsall Council, the Town Centre and Area Partnerships.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 2016, 3 March, 5 March, Ben Brittain, Brownhills, Canal, clean for the queen, Councillor, Derelict, Events, Facebook, flytipping, Lichfield, litter, local blogs, Local politics, pick, Politics, Ravens Court, Steve Wade, Tesco, Things to do, Town Cnetre Partnership, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
3 Comments
Wendy Morton MP to hold surgery in Brownhills this Friday
I’m pleased to note that the Member of Parliament for Aldridge Brownhills – your MP Wendy Morton – will hold a surgery at Brownhills Activity Centre, just off the Miner Island in town, from 2pm to 3pm this Friday, 29th January 2016 – she’ll also be ar Rushall later that afternoon.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aldridge Brownhills, Brownhills, Brownhills Activity Centre, Events, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, Member of Parliament, MP, Politics, Richard Shepherd, Silly, Surgery, Tory, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Wendy, Wendy Morton
Leave a comment
We finally made it to Christmas…
I’d like to wish all blog readers, contributors and friends a merry Christmas and a very happy, peaceful and prosperous new year – may 2016 bring all you hope for.
Continue reading
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 History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged 2015, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Christmas, Cycle rides, cycling, Greetings, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Politics, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
15 Comments
It’s time to have your say
As many of you will know, the cuts are ongoing at Walsall Council and in the coming year the authority faces a shortfall of another £25 million, and sadly, this is really going to impact on local services we take for granted.
Continue reading
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 2015, 2016, austerity, Brownhills, Budget, budget consultation, Closure, Consultation, event, Events, Library, Lichfield, Local politics, Mike Bird, Oak Park, planning, Politics, Shire Oak, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Advertiser, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
Leave a comment
Wendy Morton MP to hold surgery in Brownhills
I’m pushing this one out early as I know some folk may need time to prepare: a week today, Wednesday 30th September 2015 the Member of Parliament for Aldridge Brownhills – your MP Wendy Morton – will hold a surgery at Brownhills Activity Centre, just off the Miner Island in town, from 9am.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aldridge Brownhills, Brownhills, Brownhills Activity Centre, Events, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, Member of Parliament, MP, Politics, Richard Shepherd, Silly, Surgery, Tory, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Wendy, Wendy Morton
Leave a comment
Flytipping morons strike again
I’m sad to say hotspots in Brownhills and Aldridge – as well as across the area – are still being blighted by flytippers, often clearly working on a commercial scale – flytipping is a public menace, harms the environment, can be a danger to people and wildlife and costs a lot of money to clean up.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged 4 September, Brownhills, Brownhills common, Cheap tat, Coppice Lane, Councillor, Fly tipping, flytipping, Holland Park, Lay By, Local politics, metal theft, Operation Steel, Politics, Scrap, scrap metal, Silly, Steve Wade, Street pride, tat men, tat trade, trading standards, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, waste transfer
6 Comments
Don’t bank on it
Many of you have asked me for updates on the situation with Ravens Court, the decaying, derelict shopping precinct that lies deserted in the centre of Brownhills – you’ll remember that way back in November 2014, Walsall Council issued an ultimatum to the owners that if they didn’t submit a planning application within six months, they’d initiate legal proceedings to force the landlords to tidy it up.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 215 Notice, Blofeld, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Market, Canal, Cheap tat, Clayhanger, Compulsory purchase, Derelict, Events, Facebook, John Bird, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, Mike Bird, New Photos, New Tesco, planning, Politics, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, Retail, Stev Wade, sympathy, Tesco, Tesco Development, teve Wade, Vandalism, Vivienne Aston, Walsall, Walsall Advertiser, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
3 Comments
Flytipping scum plaguing Brownhills
Brownhills Councillor Steve Wade has been in touch recently on a number of local issues, and I’m very glad to see him developing an online presence and keeping us informed of stuff he’s dealing with – and I’m very grateful for the positive moves he’s made to communicate with me and the blog – there’s more to come from Steve later this week.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills common, Cheap tat, Coppice Lane, Councillor, Fly tipping, flytipping, Holland Park, Lay By, Local politics, metal theft, Operation Steel, Politics, Scrap, scrap metal, Silly, Steve Wade, Street pride, tat men, tat trade, trading standards, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, waste transfer
4 Comments
Brownhills Local Committee: changes afoot?
Here’s just a bit of news I picked up off the grapevine, so I’m not 100% sure of the accuracy but I’m hearing that the long-serving and dedicated Doug Birch MBE has stood down from the Chair of Brownhills Local Committee for health reasons.
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 Aldridge, Brownhills, Brownhills Local Committee, Clayhanger, Doug BirchMBEVivienne Aston, Events, Lichfield, Local politics, Politics, Shire Oak, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
Leave a comment
Our greenspaces are not for sale!
In the last couple of days there’s been a degree of what can only be described as panic locally and on social media about the future of Cannock Chase, Chasewater and other Staffordshire Country Parks.
Posted in Cannock Chase, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Followups, 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, Wildlife
Tagged 2015, Brownhills, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Consultation, country parks, Cycle rides, cycling, Facebook, For Sale, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, not, Panoramio, planning, Politics, Reservoir, Silly, Staffordshire, Statement, Things to do, Twitter, Vandalism, Wildlife
7 Comments
Sue, Grabbit and run
Sue Arnold, losing parliamentary candidate for Walsall South would like to graciously thank the residents there for all the votes, and isn’t bitter at all that sitting MP Valerie Vaz increased her majority – some could read Sue’s thank you message as a dire warning that they’ve made the wrong decision, but I’m sure that’s an unfortunate ambiguity.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 2015, Brownhills, Clayhanger, Council, Councillors, Election, Events, Facebook, Funny, General, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, Mike Bird, Politics, poll, satire, Shire Oak, The Plastic Hippo, Things to do, UKIP, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
6 Comments
2015 Walsall local election results – the political pendulum swings back?
Well, Walsall politics is never dull and following the surprise routing of Labour nationally, despite strong performance from their local Parliamentary candidates, Walsall Council swung back within reach of the Conservatives following the local election count this afternoon.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2015, 7 May, Aldridge, Aldridge North, Brownhills, Conservative, Council, Council Election, Councillors, Election, election results, Labour, Local, Local Election, Local politics, Mike Bird, North, Politics, results, Tory, Twitter, UKIP, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Ward
1 Comment
Local Parliamentary Constituency results for 2015 General Election
It’s been a long night – it’s now 5:30am – late for even me – and I’m off for a kip – it’s been a tough night for lefties, but I was pleased to see David Winnick hold onto his seat in Walsall North, which saw a very harsh campaign.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2015, Brownhills, Clayhanger, Council, Councillors, Election, Events, General, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, Mike Bird, Politics, poll, Shire Oak, The Plastic Hippo, Things to do, UKIP, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
3 Comments
Just do it
Look, I’ll not beat around the bush – it’s general and local elections today and you can’t possibly have missed this fact – It’s been one of the nastiest, most closely fought campaigns in my living memory, and very probably represents the end of two party politics in the UK as we know it.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2015, Brownhills, Clayhanger, Council, Councillors, Election, Events, General, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, Mike Bird, Politics, poll, Shire Oak, The Plastic Hippo, Things to do, UKIP, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
2 Comments
Aldridge Brownhills election hustings – on tonight!
Here’s a great thing from Russell Smith, the human dynamo behind the very successful Aldridge Community Cinema project – Russell has organised a hustings for the Aldridge-Brownhills parliamentary constituency, where candidates to be our next MP have been invited to attend and take questions from members of the public.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, 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 24th April, Aldridge, Aldridge Brownhills, Brownhills, candidates, event, Events, Facebook, hustings, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, MP, parliament, Politics, PPC, question, Russell Smith, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, who are they
2 Comments
Who are they – your chance to question election candidates for Aldridge Brownhills
Here’s a great thing from Russell Smith, the human dynamo behind the very successful Aldridge Community Cinema project – Russell has decided to organise a hustings for the Aldridge-Brownhills parliamentary constituency, where candidates to be our next MP have been invited to attend and take questions from members of the public.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, 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 2015, 24th April, Aldridge, Aldridge Brownhills, Brownhills, candidates, event, Events, Facebook, hustings, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, MP, parliament, Politics, PPC, question, Russell Smith, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, who are they
2 Comments
It’s all about roots and wings
Here’s a really nice thing that caught my attention yesterday – fellow local blogger for Clayhanger Marsh and hero of mine (whose mail I must get around to answering, sorry) Chaz Mason has written something wonderful and very, very engaging.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged Antisocial Birder, birding, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, Chaz Mason, Clayhanger, history, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Marsh, mere, Politics, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Leave a comment
Tick tock
This is just a reminder and a request – it’s been three months to the day since the dynamic duo of UKIPs Brownhills Councillor Steve Craddock and his best mate and Walsall Conservative former Regeneration head-honcho Adrian Andrew claimed to have brought home the bacon and hammered out some progress on the redevelopment of Ravens Court.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 215 Notice, Blofeld, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Market, Canal, Cheap tat, Clayhanger, Compulsory purchase, Derelict, Events, Facebook, John Bird, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, Mike Bird, New Photos, New Tesco, planning, Politics, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, Retail, sympathy, Tesco, Tesco Development, teve Wade, Vandalism, Vivienne Aston, Walsall, Walsall Advertiser, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
6 Comments
Clayhanger skate park gathers support
A few weeks ago, I featured the deeply impressive letter written by the (then) eleven-year old Matty Keating from Clayhanger, who is appealing for help to get a skate park for Clayhanger.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 2015, Brownhills, campaign, Children, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Park, Dylan Griffiths, Express & Star, football, kids, Lichfield, Matty Keating, play, Politics, Skate Park, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council
2 Comments
Can you help Matty in his campaign for a skatepark in Clayhanger?
I’ve received an astoundingly impressive email from Matty Keating, who’s a young lad aged eleven from Clayhanger – like me when I was his age, he feels his age group are not being well catered for in the village and he’s campaigning for a skate park.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brownhills, campaign, Children, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Park, football, kids, Lichfield, Matty Keating, play, Politics, Skate Park, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council
13 Comments
Post Morton
Readers with long memories may well recall that in December 2014 there was some furore over the selection of the next Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Aldridge Brownhills following the standing down of Richard Shepherd, who’s retiring from his 36 year tenure at the next general election.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 22 January, Aldridge Brownhills, Brownhills, Events, General Election, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, Marco Longhi, meeting, New Photos, Politics, PPC, result, Richard Shepherd, Selection, shortlist, Silly, Tory, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Wendy Morton, winner
6 Comments
Light entertainment
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll probably realise by now that Brownhills is the subject of some media controversy at the moment – a story emerging here via the Express & Star and syndicated out to the wider daily papers has caused outrage and recrimination.
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Cheap tat, christmas lights, Events, Express & Star, Facebook, laughing stock, Lichfield, Local Committee, Local politics, miner island, New Photos, Politics, press, Silly, Things to do, twelth night, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
15 Comments
Geared up for Christmas
I’d just like to take this opportunity to wish all the readers, contributors, commenters and supporters of the Brownhills Blog and it’s associated side projects a very merry Christmas, and a healthy, happy, prosperous and peaceful 2015.
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 History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Christmas, Cycle rides, cycling, Greetings, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Politics, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
10 Comments
Well, THAT escalated quickly…
It seems my post of a couple of days ago about the curious selection delays and apparent favour of outside candidates for the next Consertive prospective parliamentary candidate for Aldridge-Brownhills yesterday caught the attention of Tory Pravda ConservativeHome.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2014, 2015, Aldridge Brownhills, Aldridge Musical Comedy Society, Brownhills, ConservativeHome, Events, General Election, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, Marco Longhi, New Photos, Politics, PPC, Richard Shepherd, Selection, shortlist, Silly, Tory, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
3 Comments
The state that we are in
I’m pleased to note that despite the celebratory tones of a report in the Express & Star a couple of weeks ago, Walsall Council are reinforcing the hard line taken on the owners of the derelict eyesore in the middle of Brownhills, Ravens Court, with a strongly worded press release issued a couple of days ago.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 215 Notice, Blofeld, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Market, Canal, Cheap tat, Clayhanger, Compulsory purchase, Derelict, Events, Facebook, John Bird, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, Mike Bird, New Photos, New Tesco, planning, Politics, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, Retail, sympathy, Tesco, Tesco Development, teve Wade, Vandalism, Vivienne Aston, Walsall, Walsall Advertiser, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
7 Comments
What’s the Tory?
Last week I pointed out that there was to be a selection meeting at Aldridge Brownhills Conservative Association last Saturday (13th December 2014) to pick the replacement Tory candidate for Parliament in 2015, following the standing down of Richard Shepherd, who’s retiring from his 36 year tenure at the next general election.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2014, 2015, Aldridge Brownhills, Aldridge Musical Comedy Society, Brownhills, Events, General Election, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, Marco Longhi, New Photos, Politics, PPC, Richard Shepherd, Selection, shortlist, Silly, Tory, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
10 Comments
They know what’s good for us
This post will probably raise a few eyebrows, but I’d just like to draw the attention of readers who live in the Aldridge-Brownhills constituency to the fact that the person very likely to be their next MP is currently being selected by the local Conservative Party as Tory prospective parliamentary candidate for the 2015 general election.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2014, 2015, Aldridge Brownhills, Aldridge Musical Comedy Society, Brownhills, Events, General Election, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, Marco Longhi, New Photos, Politics, PPC, Richard Shepherd, Selection, shortlist, Silly, Tory, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
17 Comments
Magic beans
Well, it seems congratulations are in order – Steve Craddock, UKIP councillor for Brownhills and the man whose holiday was more important than political control of a borough governing 269,000 people – has apparently brought us the bacon. Or it … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 215 Notice, Blofeld, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Market, Canal, Cheap tat, Clayhanger, Compulsory purchase, Derelict, Events, Facebook, John Bird, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, Mike Bird, New Photos, New Tesco, planning, Politics, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, Retail, sympathy, Tesco, Tesco Development, teve Wade, Vandalism, Vivienne Aston, Walsall, Walsall Advertiser, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
8 Comments
Sandhills quarry consultation – get your objection in quickly
Heads up folks – here’s one I overlooked, but there’s still time to act as responses to the Sandhills Quarry inclusion in the Staffordshire New Minerals Local Plan closes on Friday 5th December 2014 – but it’s easy to respond online, and you can do it right now.
Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, It makes me mad!, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged 2014, Brownhills, County Council, expansion, extraction, Hays, Hints, Hopwas, Lichfield, Local politics, mineral, Minerals Local Plan, planning, Politics, quarry, Redevelopment, Sandhills, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
1 Comment
Council consultation event in Brownhills today!
Sorry this is late, I was working on something else last night, but today, Tuesday 18th November 2014 from 10am-12noon, there’s a Walsall Council budget Consultation event in Brownhills Library at The Parkview Centre in Brownhills.
Continue reading
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 Aldridge, Brownhills, Budget, budget consultation, Clayhanger, Consultation, Events, have your say, Lichfield, Local politics, Mike Bird, planning, Politics, Shire Oak, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Advertiser, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
1 Comment
Walsall Wood Councillor Mike Flower to stand down at next election
It’s with some surprise that I noted a post on the long dormant blog of Walsall Wood Councillor Mike Flower yesterday lunchtime, announcing that at the next election, he was to stand down.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2015, Brownhills, Burger Boy, Conservative, Councillor, down, Events, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, Mike Flower, Politics, Shire Oak, step, Tory, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
5 Comments
Building your new transport network… in 1974
I’m hoping some of the bus and rail enthusiasts can help with this one – a few weeks ago I picked up a 40 year old bus route map for Walsall, Aldridge Lichfield, Brownhills and Cannock, and it’s an interesting little time capsule all of it’s own.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1974, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, bus, Clayhanger, free, Harpers, Leaflet, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, map, Midland Red, Old maps, Passenger Transport Executive, Politics, PTE, public transport, Rail, scan, Staffordshire, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, West Midlands, WMPTE
4 Comments
RSS - Posts
