Tag Archives: Ralph

The race for space

Posted on March 25, 2018 by BrownhillsBob

Thanks to Stuart Williams of Walsall Local History Centre, I can share with readers today another piece in the remarkable jigsaw that is the Ferrie family history – the Ferries, as many old hands will recall, were a larger than life father and son who were well known in Aldridge and Brownhills for their entrepreneurialism and propensity to acts of community largesse and showmanship.

Bessie Continue reading →

Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

A Ferrie on the cut – but who with, and where?

Posted on October 26, 2016 by BrownhillsBob

I love how the blog allows stories to unfold slowly, gradually adding more and more information and evidence as time passes; and so it is with the story of the Charles Ferrie narrowboat, which Ralph Ferrie donated to Brownhills Youth Club in 1962, and was named in memory of his father.

scan0002-5 Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Me engine’s flooded!

Posted on December 10, 2015 by BrownhillsBob

I’ve been contacted by readers Denis Jones and Ian Race, who both spotted a rather extraordinary thing at Chasewater yesterday: an echo of the past, whit modern amphibious cars cruising around the lake.
DSCN0873 Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Amphibious Ferrie

Posted on September 12, 2013 by BrownhillsBob

I’m very pleased to note that Tony Winn has been in touch again – Tony seems to be something of an expert on the Ralph Ferrie history, and has formerly contributed some fine material relating to the larger-than-life local entrepreneur.
Amphycar on Chasewater
Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Ferrie cross the Ogley

Posted on June 4, 2013 by BrownhillsBob

Tony Wynn – a man who’s previously helped with matters relating to the Ralph Ferrie story here on the Brownhills Blog – sent me the above, wonderful image today, with a covering note.
Charlie Ferrie canalboat Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Build a rocket, boys!

Posted on February 12, 2012 by BrownhillsBob

This just in from the ‘You couldn’t make it up’ department. Top local history ferret [Howmuch?] spotted this article in the archive of The Walsall Observer, from the issue of Friday, 3rd January 1958. Charles Ferrie was the father of … Continue reading →

Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments