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Tag Archives: Politics
Going soft in his old age…
Just a quick note to flag up fellow Walsall blogger and agent provocateur The Plastic Hippo and a great post he published yesterday evening. The usually reassuringly grumpy commentator has clearly started to go a bit doolally in his dotage. What … Continue reading
Posted in Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged dog, dog walking, local blogs, Local politics, Mike Bird, Plastic Hippo, Politics, Silly, The Plastic Hippo, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
1 Comment
If it ain’t broke, why fix it?
I note today with some concern from a report in the Express & Star that Walsall Council is talking about moving the Local History Centre and Archives, as well as the local history museum, into a new custom-built centre near … Continue reading
Posted in Express & Star, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brownhills local history, Cheap tat, Express & Star, Leisure Services, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Mike Bird, move to new site, planning, Politics, Redevelopment, Silly, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Leather Museum, Walsall Local History Centre, Walsall Local History Museum, Walsall politics
2 Comments
Information about public sector industrial action today
From the Website of Walsall Council (see the latest statement by clicking here, or check out TheYamYam for the latest news from Walsall media): Last updated: 29/11/2011 16:05:15 Walsall residents are being advised that some council services, including school closures … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Events, 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 bin collection, Brownhills, Council Statement, industrial action, Local politics, Mike Bird, N30, Politics, school closures, Shire Oak, Social Services, Strike, The YamYam, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall strike, Walsall Wood, website latest
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Walsall planning appeal shock!
Readers may well recall the excellent article about the regeneration of the Reedswood power station site, written by top contributor and Brownhills bloke Andy Dennis. In it, Andy pointed out that further development of the site outside the council’s guidelines … Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Andy Dennis, Beechdale, Birchills, Canal, City Challenge, contaminated land, Demolition, Derelict, developers, Development, flickr, Local History, Local politics, mervyn_w, New Photos, Parhill Reclamation, Parkhill, Parkhill Estates, planning, Politics, power station, Redevelopment, Reedswood, Reedswood Way, Regeneration, town planning, Walsall, Walsall 1955, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall power station
1 Comment
Walsall Wood Library under threat
I notice from Monday’s Express & Star that Walsall council – fresh from their self congratulation over the promise not to close any libraries ‘…in this financial year’, seem to be tentatively floating the idea of moving Walsall Wood’s Library … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Cheap tat, Closure, Express & Star, local blogs, Local politics, Mike Bird, Mike Flower, Oak Park, planning, Politics, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Silly, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Walsall Wood Library
5 Comments
Hospice Care Week 8-14th October 2011
There can’t be many readers out there whose lives haven’t been touched by terminal illness in some way. With that in mind, I’d like to draw everyones attention to the first ever Hospice Care Week, to raise awareness of hospices … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, It makes me mad!, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged appeal, Brownhills, charity, hospice, Hospice Care Week, Local politics, Palliative care, Politics, Social Services, St. Giles, Staffordshire, terminal illness, WHittington
2 Comments
Ticket to raid?
I’m rapidly coming to the conclusion that the parking system in Walsall, and it’s enforcement, is a scam directed at easy targets for maximum profit. Chuckery resident TraceyQ, a well respected, community spirited, long time friend of this blog, who … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Express & Star, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged APCOA, Chuckery, easy pickings, Express & Star, fines, Local politics, Mike Bird, New Photos, on street parking, Parking, parking enforcement, parking fines, PCN, penalty notice, Politics, Silly, Tesco Development, TraceyQ, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
6 Comments
Time passages
Now, here’s a thing. This is a teaser – I’ve got more maps. I have managed to get hold of Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 sheets covering Brownhills, just seven years apart in issue date, but there’s light years between them in … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1:25000, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, cartography, Chasewater, first edition, footpaths, Local History, maps, Old maps, Ordnance Survey, pathfinder, Politics, Redevelopment, second edition, SK00, SK10, Staffordshire, Walsall Wood
6 Comments
Renovation for Brownhills flats
I’ve just noticed this press release from Walsall Housing Group, issued earlier this week. It seems the worst kept secret in Brownhills is now out, and the two remaining sixties monstrosities – Humphries House and Severn House will be renovated … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged blocks, Brownhills, Cheap tat, flats, Humphries House, improvement, Local politics, planning, Politics, Redevelopment, Regeneration, renovation, Severn House, Silly, Towerblocks, Walsall, Walsall Housing Group, WHG
6 Comments
The madness of King Bird
If I’m honest, the world-weary citizens of Walsall long ago tired of local politics. Voter turnouts are low at local elections, and fed up of never really seeing any improvements in their local areas despite years of multi-whatever committees, LNP’s, … Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Express & Star, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Cheap tat, Conservative, Derelict, Express & Star, King Bird, Labour, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Mike Bird, New Photos, planning, Politics, Redevelopment, Silly, The Plastic Hippo, Tim Oliver, Twitter, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
18 Comments
On borrowed time…
Since there’s been a welcome focus on the treatment of our local architectural heritage in the days since the Jabez Cliff fire in Walsall, I thought I’d once again delve into the urban exploration community and their activities in Walsall. … Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Events, Express & Star, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, planning, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 28dayslater, arson, BOAK, Cheap tat, civic failure, Derelict, Dweeb, Express & Star, Fire, Guardians office, Jabez Cliff, Leatherworks, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Mellish Road church, Mike Bird, New Photos, planning, Politics, Ravenscraig, Redevelopment, rookinella, Silly, urban exploration, Urbex, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Union, Workhouse
10 Comments
Hide and seek
This week, we lost another historic building to a fire in Walsall. I covered the event here. on my 365daysofbiking Tumblr and one of the side effects on YouTube. The Stymaster lamented it, as did the Hippo. Today, there’s a … Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Events, Express & Star, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, 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 Andy Dennis, arson, donebythehandsofabrokenartist, Express & Star, Fire, Flicker, heritage, Hev Ince, Imran Azam, Indy 500, Jabez Cliff, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, old buildings, Pigblog, planning, Politics, Redevelopment, Shannon's Mill, Silly, The Plastic Hippo, The Stymaster, Twitter, Urbex, Vandalism, VERY URGENT photography, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
18 Comments
A farewell to arms (via The Plastic Hippo)
If you only read one thing today, read this from the Plastic Hippo. It’s the most apposite, brilliant comment on the rash of sudden justice I’ve yet seen. Oh, and bon voyage, Mr. Hippo. I trust you’ve had your distemper … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Environment, Events, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged local blogs, Local politics, Politics, riots, Silly, society, The Plastic Hippo, The YamYam, Twitter, world
1 Comment
Medium rare (via The Plastic Hippo)
This evening, I was planning to write on the subject of the terrible fire at the former Jabez Cliff works (indeed, I mentioned it on my 365daysofcycling mini-blog) but the Plastic Hippo has once again beaten my tardy arse to it, and … Continue reading
Posted in cycling, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged arson, Cycle rides, Derelict, Express & Star, Fire, heritage, Jabez Cliff, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, old buildings, Pigblog, planning, Politics, Redevelopment, Shannon's Mill, Silly, The Plastic Hippo, The Stymaster, Twitter, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
7 Comments
Chasewater: closer now than yesterday
It’s nice to see that now there’s some decent management of the Chasewater dam works that the project seems to be heading towards completion. I recorded a few weeks ago that the works had clearly been reassessed, and now it … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, 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, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged Brownhills, Canal, causeway, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cheap tat, coffer dam, culvert, Cycle rides, Filter, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Panoramio, piling, planning, Politics, Railway, Reservoir, Silly, Staffordshire, Staffordshire County Council, Vandalism, Wildlife
4 Comments
Antisocial media
Since Walsall Council started it’s interaction with the public on social media, I have, on the whole, been supportive and appreciative of their efforts to forge a way forward in the new media. I’ve criticised them a couple of times when … Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Events, 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
Tagged Blog, countering myths, Dan Slee, emergency communications, Facebook, local blogs, Local politics, myths, Politics, riots, rumours, Silly, Social media, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Town Centre management team, WMPolice
2 Comments
Prophet margin?
I spotted this on Facebook today, and I’m not really sure what to make of it. The author, Walsall Prophet, has created a newsletter style .PDF file in the manner of stuff by the blogging community in Walsall, making the … Continue reading
Posted in Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Facebook, local blogs, Local politics, Mike Bird, new writers, PDF, Politics, Silly, Social Services, The YamYam, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Prophet
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Chasewater – progress at last
Last Friday evening, I swung out to Chasewater to check out how the dam works were progressing. Things seem to be underway again after a pause for reassessment, and many elements of Lichfield District Council’s plans seem to have been … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, 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, Panoramio updates, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Canal, causeway, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cheap tat, coffer dam, culvert, Cycle rides, Filter, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Neil Turner, New Photos, Panoramio, piling, planning, Politics, Railway, Reservoir, Silly, Staffordshire, Staffordshire County Council, Vandalism, Wildlife
1 Comment
The graduate – Part one (via The Plastic Hippo)
The Plastic Hippo has turned out one of his best posts yet, and that’s saying something. This is pointed, prescient and precise. I have yet to meet anyone at all in the field of education who thinks that Gove is … Continue reading
Posted in Events, Followups, 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
Tagged Conservative, Education, history, local blogs, Local politics, Michael Gove, Politics, rights, Silly, The Plastic Hippo, Twitter, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
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A pressing issue
On Saturday, 16th July 2011, Express & Star columnist Dan Wainwright ran his usual column about local government in the region. Even though Walsall Council is gripped by a Single Status pay controversy, as is Dudley, and other notable stuff … Continue reading
Posted in Events, Express & Star, 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
Tagged Cheap tat, Daily Mail, Dan Wainwright, Eric Pickles, Express & Star, Lazy Journalism, local blogs, Local politics, media, Peter Rhodes, Politics, Rebekah Brooks, Silly, The Plastic Hippo, The YamYam, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Neighbourhoods, Walsall politics, walsall Wildlife
1 Comment
Heads in the sand?
The article that was here, relating to a rather petty bit of bad public relations, has now been taken down as I feel suitable anguish has been visited on the originator. I always like to think that the Brownhills Blog … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, 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
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills High Street, Brownhills traders, Derelict, Facebook, littler, local blogs, Local politics, Politics, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, rubbish, Social media, Twitter, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
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Chasewater: Bracing for impact
I notice today that grim news has been posted on the website of the excellent Chasewater Wildlife Group. I haven’t had time to get over to the park for a week or so, so haven’t been keeping up with progress … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Followups, 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, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, causeway, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater delay, Chasewater Railway reopening, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Countryfile, Cycle rides, Draining, Galliford Try, Graham Evans, Lichfield District Council, local blogs, Local politics, Mark Winnington, Neil Turner, Politics, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Staffordshire County Council, Wildlife
4 Comments
Single status (via The Plastic Hippo)
More bang-on-the-money comment from The Plastic Hippo. The scandal of Single Status in Walsall has been swept under the carpet for far too long. Read this and fear for the future of your council, run by people who plainly haven’t … Continue reading
Posted in Followups, 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
Tagged Chris Towe, Education, finacial crisis, law, local blogs, Local politics, Mike Bird, Plastic Hippo, Politics, rights, Silly, single status, The Plastic Hippo, Twitter, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
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Walsall Housing Group: Moving the goalposts again
I’ve just discovered a press release from Walsall Housing Group that seems to have slipped by largely unnoticed. Remember the housing development initially sketched in to replace the now demolished maisonettes that stood opposite Knave’s Court? When I last covered … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brownhills, Canal, Cheap tat, Knaves Court, Local politics, planning, planning applications, Politics, Redevelopment, Silly, social housing, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Group, Walsall politics, WHG
4 Comments
Chasewater Railway reopens Saturday!
Further to my recent article on the matter, I’m genuinely shocked – but very, very pleased – that Chasewater Railway now has a complete, working track again and can recommence regular operations tomorrow. Normal timetables will be in operation all … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, causeway, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Dam Blog, Chasewater delay, Chasewater Railway, Chasewater Railway reopening, culvert, Cycle rides, Draining, Galliford Try, Lichfield District Council, local blogs, Local politics, Neil Turner, New Photos, Panoramio, Politics, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Staffordshire County Council, Wildlife
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Chasewater: ‘From now on, it’s project-managed properly.’
A fascinating piece on Radio WM’s Ed Doolan show today about Chasewater, the predicament Lichfield Council has got itself into, and the handover to Staffordshire Councty Council. In an unusually thorough piece, Mark Winnington of Staffordshire Councty Council and Graham … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, causeway, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater delay, Chasewater Railway reopening, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Countryfile, culvert, Cycle rides, Draining, Ed Dawes, Ed Doolan, Galliford Try, Graham Evans, Lichfield District Council, local blogs, Local politics, Local radio, Mark Winnington, Neil Turner, Politics, Radio WM, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Staffordshire County Council, Wildlife
6 Comments
Chasewater: Lichfield District Council wave the white flag
Tonight, Lichfield District Council posted on their Chasewater Dam Blog the news that the whole park had been signed over to Staffordshire County Council, who would henceforth be responsible for the completion of the dam works, as well as eventually, … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged Beacon park, Brownhills, causeway, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater delay, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Countryfile, culvert, Cycle rides, Draining, Graham Evans, Lichfield District Council, Lizzie Thatcher, local blogs, Local politics, Neil Turner, Politics, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Staffordshire County Council, Val Richards, Wildlife
10 Comments
Electile Dysfunction
It’s almost a year to the day since I wrote this post, urging readers to take up their democratic right and vote. I thought about this again today, on the eve of local elections and the referendum on the Alternate … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Express & Star, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged AV referendum, ballot, Brownhills, David Cameron, Democratic process, Express & Star, local blogs, Local Elections, Local politics, Mike Bird, Politics, Silly, Social Services, Tesco, Tesco Development, Twitter, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
11 Comments
Time and tide (via The Plastic Hippo)
Yet again, The Plastic Hippo vocalises beautifully what I’m thinking. Is this the nastiest, most unpleasant government we’ve ever had? As every day passes, the pronouncements from the Prime Minister become more and more bizarre. I fear for my country, … Continue reading
Posted in Events, Features, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged David Cameron, local blogs, Local politics, Mike Bird, Politics, Silly, The Plastic Hippo, The YamYam, Twitter, Vandalism, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
1 Comment
Crater mass?
There’s some great stuff coming in about local wartime air raids. Please keep it coming, I will post some more later, but in the mean time, I received this comment on my original post about Jockey Meadows and the apparent … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged air raid., Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Derelict, Hermann bomb, Jockey Meadows, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Old maps, Politics, Pubs, Ravens Court, Staffordshire, Walsall, Walsall Council
32 Comments
Would Sister Dora go on strike? (via The Mushroom)
The Mushroom – crafter of fine rants about all manner of subjects, but mostly Walsall politics – has played a blinder. I just had to share this touching, very human post about the future of the National Health Service, those … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged local blogs, Local History, Local politics, National Health Service, NHS, Politics, Silly, Sister Dora, Social Services, The Mushroom, Tory Cuts, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Blogs, Walsall politics
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London Midland: staffing reductions (via Marco Longhi)
Conservative Councillor for Pelsall Marco Longhi has recently made the welcome decision to re-enter the online community, joining in with twitter and recommencing blogging. I salute Marco for this, and although we have our differences, I respect any Councillor that like … Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Events, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Ian Shires, local blogs, Local politics, London Midland, London Midland industrial action, Marco Longhi, Mike Flower, Politics, poor service, poor train performance, redundancy, Silly, Social media, Ticket office closures, tweeting councillors, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
2 Comments
Chasewater – dry, dry land
Well, conditioned to expect a big feature on the long-dry lake, I tuned in to the BBC iPlayer on Sunday night to learn all about Chasewater’s draining. As it was, the forlorn reservoir was barely mentioned, and the bit that … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, 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, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, causeway, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater delay, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Countryfile, Cycle rides, Draining, Jeffrey's Swag, Lichfield District Council, Lizzie Thatcher, local blogs, Local politics, Neil Turner, New Photos, Panoramio, Politics, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Val Richards Steve Norman, Wildlife
7 Comments
Walsall Housing Group – this doesn’t add up
I was intrigued last week to spot a Walsall Housing Group press release floating about the net, excitedly heralding the news that work was ‘already underway’ on a new housing development opposite Knaves Court in Brownhills. Readers with long memories … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council
Tagged Adrian Andrew, Alan Paul, Brownhills, Canal, Cheap tat, Knaves Court, Local politics, planning, planning applications, Politics, Redevelopment, Silly, social housing, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Group, Walsall politics, WHG
5 Comments
Always crashing in the same car
Walsall Council, despite it’s patchy areas, does a few things really, really well. One of those things in recent times has been social media. Dan and the people in the press office may occasionally appear to be running a West … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Cheap tat, Facebook, GMP, Greater manchester Police, local blogs, Local politics, Mike Bird, Politics, Silly, Social Services, The Plastic Hippo, Tweetreach, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Council press office, Walsall politics, Walsall24
4 Comments
I live where it’s grey
I hope readers will forgive me this week for featuring foreign parts in the ‘Pictures from the past’ feature. Whilst mooching around Flickr a couple of weeks ago, I came upon an absolutely stunning set of early eighties photo scans … Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local History, Local media, Local music, Local politics, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged 1980's, Birchills, Cheap tat, cuts, Derelict, flickr, George Street, Guildhall, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Lower Rushall Street, March for Jobs, mervyn_w, New Photos, Politics, recession, Redevelopment, Reedswood power station, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall 80's, Walsall Council, Walsall Labour Exchange, Walsall old police station, Walsall politics
11 Comments
Sat on their arse in their four-wheel drive
I’m angry. Very angry indeed. Regular readers won’t find my displeasure over many of the actions of the coalition government at all surprising. Having been in power for less than twelve months, without an outright majority, the Conservative Party simply … Continue reading
Posted in Cannock Chase, cycling, Environment, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local politics, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged Cannock Chase, Chase Trails, Cycle rides, Fallow Deer, Forest sell off, Forrestry Commission, Go Aper, Kinder Scout, local blogs, Local politics, Maggie Holland, New Photos, Panoramio, planning, Politics, Save Cannock Chase, Staffordshire, Vandalism, Wildlife
10 Comments
Save Walsall libraries e-petition now online
An e-petition has now been started on the Walsall Council website to protest about library cuts by the council. Please sign it if you wish to support the great work these facilities do for the community. There’s also a second … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, Reader enquiries, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, council cuts, e petition, Library closures, Libray, Local politics, Mike Bird, Politics, Silly, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
3 Comments
2011: a waste of space odyssey (via The Plastic Hippo)
The Plastic Hippo – yet again, fantastic. Love it. Sharp as a tack and grumpy as hell… Aboard the Coalition Discovery One Starship, Dave accesses the central core of the Andy 9000 computer. “Hello Dave. It’s about Alan Johnson isn’t … Continue reading
Remember, kids, we’re all in this together…
…But some of us are more in it than others. If you’re a Walsall pensioner who’s just lost your meals on wheels service, or a worried Walsall Librarian, remember that the council leader is concerned for you at this difficult … Continue reading
Why am I not surprised?
At the risk of irritating the anglers again, it seems like Bob, the copper carp dangling from the Walsall Wood angler’s pole has gone missing again. I’m pretty sure the fish was there earlier in the week – I’ve been … Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Events, Express & Star, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Local politics, Shared media, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Express & Star, Fisherman sculpture, Local History, Local politics, missing fish, Politics, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, walsall wood fish theft, Walsall Wood sculpture
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The Bookworm Turns: Lies, Damn Lies, Library Cuts and Council Pledges
I note today that fierce and vocal defender of our libraries, The Bookworm Turns, has a new post up in the wake of the furore over the recent news that six of our treasured institutions are to be closed. The … Continue reading
Posted in Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council
Tagged Anthony Harris, Library closures, local blogs, Local politics, Mike Bird, planning, Politics, Silly, The Bookworm turns, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
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Junction issues? Lichfield Road A461 & Coppice/Brookland Roads (via Councillor Mike Flower)
I just thought I’d bring to wider attention a very interesting post by Walsall Wood Councillor Mike Flower, posted to his blog today. In it, Mike addresses some perceived issues with the junction by the library in Walsall Wood, and … Continue reading
Posted in cycling, Environment, Local media, Local politics, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Bad Junctions, Brookland Road, Coppice Road, Councillor Mike Flower, junction improvement, Lichfield Road, local blogs, Local politics, planning, Politics, Red Route, Redevelopment, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
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Because they’re worth it
Next time Walsall Council leader Mike ‘Blofeld’ Bird or his two-hundred thousand pounds per year Chief Executive Paul Sheehan appear in the media preaching about hard times, corporate governance and their worth to the citizens of Walsall, reflect on this. … Continue reading
Posted in Express & Star, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council
Tagged Cheap tat, Contract, Costa, Express & Star, Local politics, Lost artwork, Mike Bird, New Art Gallery, Politics, Silly, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
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