#365daysofbiking JournalRecent tracks
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The Be Good Tanyas
6 mins
Street Spirit (Fade Out)
Radiohead
10 mins
Bittersweet Me
R.E.M.
14 mins
It Ain't Necessarily So
Miles Davis
18 mins
N'Kodo
Djamel Laroussi
22 mins
By Your Side (feat. Bajka)
Mich Gerber
26 mins
Hard to Handle
Otis Redding
28 mins
Lively up Yourself
Bob Marley
33 mins
Houses In Motion (Live)
Talking Heads
40 mins
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46 minsRecent Comments
Tania Bagshot on Brownhills Central School: A 1… Keith jackson on Oil, fire and water Gary on The race for space Tecca Burgoyne on Friezland Lane Working Men… Leanne victoria Howd… on The class of 62
Tag Archives: Redevelopment
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
Free Christmas Carol Concert at Walsall Arboretum this Saturday!
I’d like to take this opportunity to plug the Carols in the Bandstand event at Walsall Arboretum, which is to be held in the beautifully refurbished park bandstand this coming Saturday afternoon 14th December 2019, from 12:00 noon. The event … Continue reading
Posted in Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged arboretum, Bandstand, carol, Christmas, concert, Events, New Photos, Redevelopment, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council
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Do you remember the Station Hotel talking clock?
I’ve had an interesting enquiry come in from reader Bee who’s asked something that has very much intrigued me – do you remember the ‘speaking clock’ next to the Station Hotel, Brownhills? For those too young to remember, the Station … Continue reading
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, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Derelict, Events, island, Local History, Mike Leonard, miner, New Photos, planning, Pubs, Redevelopment, Roy Blakey, Silly, Station Hotel, Things to do, Val Ainsworth
2 Comments
The way of the Sons of Waetla
As I’m still catching up, I thought today might be a good time to feature the writings of an old pal of the blog, Gerald Reece, and his musings on the A5 Watling Street, Newtown, Knaves Castle and the pubs … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills activities, Brownhills local history, Canal, Cannock Chase Colliery Company, Gerald Reece, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Old maps, Panoramio, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Warren House
5 Comments
Plans submitted for extra parking at Oak Park
One of the things that’s surprised me about the new Oak Park Active Living Centre, built and opened on the field of the previous one to a positive reception in 2016, has been it’s immense popularity – with the facility … Continue reading
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, Brownhills Road, Coppice Road, crossing, houses, housing, Junction, Leisure Centre, Leisure Services, Lindon Road, Local politics, new, New Photos, Oak Park, Pedestrian, planning, Plans, Rebuild, rebuilt, Redevelopment, revised, Shire Oak, submitted, Tkevcro, trees, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
6 Comments
Living next door to the Grove – what do you know?
Last year I featured a very popular set of images from a place I genuinely didn’t realise still existed: The Grove Colliery, the remnants of which – the house and offices situated just off Lime Lane, between Pelsall, Brownhills, Norton and Great Wyrley – were documented by old pal of the blog Simon Swain and drone wizard Steve Martin also captured the site from the air.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged archive, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Canal and River Trust, Cannock Extension Canal, colliery, Derelict, Disaster, Events, freight, Grove, Grove Colliery, House, images, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, mining, New Photos, Norton, photos, pit, pits, Redevelopment, Si Swain, Simon, Staffordshire, Things to do, tramway, viaduct, Wyrley common
1 Comment
Free Christmas Carol Concert at Walsall Arboretum today!
I’d like to take this opportunity to plug the Carols in the Bandstand event at Walsall Arboretum, which is to be held in the beautifully refurbished park bandstand this Saturday, Saturday 16th December 2017, from 12:00 noon.
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Posted in Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 16 December, 2017, arboretum, Bandstand, carol, Christmas, concert, Events, New Photos, Redevelopment, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council
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Lamping it
For those who missed it, I had an interesting question commented to an old post in the week, and I thought I’d make a post out of it as it deserves a wider audience – this certainly sounds like a remarkable family history, which someone out there must be able to help with.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local History, Local media, Local politics, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Around Pelsall & Brownhills, Brian Rollins, Brownhills, Brownhills And Aldridge, Brownhills local history, Cannock Chase Mining Historical Society, Coal Mining, Coal Mining in Walsall Wood, Colsa Oil, Coppy Pit, David F. Vodden, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Nigel A Chapman, Old maps, Petrol engine mine, Protector Lamp, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Spoil Heaps, Staffordshire, The South Staffordshire Coalfield, Walsall Wood, Walsall Wood Colliery Co, Walsall Wood old maps, Walsall Wood olliery, Walsall Wood Pit, Washer Mound
15 Comments
The Grove Colliery – remembering a lost pit
Last year I featured a very popular set of images from a place I genuinely didn’t realise still existed: The Grove Colliery, the remnants of which – the house and offices situated just off Lime Lane, between Pelsall, Brownhills, Norton and Great Wyrley – were documented by old pal off the blog Simon Swain and posted here as a gallery I include below.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged archive, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Canal and River Trust, Cannock Extension Canal, colliery, Derelict, Disaster, Events, freight, Grove, Grove Colliery, House, images, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, mining, New Photos, Norton, photos, pit, pits, Redevelopment, Si Swain, Simon, Staffordshire, Things to do, tramway, viaduct, Wyrley common
16 Comments
Memories of the Station Hotel: A great couple of hours with lovely people
One lost local pub that always generates warm memories and lively conversations is the Station Hotel, which was a somewhat notorious pub that stood about where Aldi is today at the Miner end of Brownhills High Street.
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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, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Derelict, Events, island, Local History, Mike Leonard, miner, New Photos, planning, Pubs, Redevelopment, Roy Blakey, Silly, Station Hotel, Things to do, Val Ainsworth
7 Comments
The Electric Movie
I’ve been asking for years for more material on Crabtree and other local factories, as I’m sure there’s an untapped and rich seem of material to be found from these great lost local employers – but sadly little has emerged.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Features, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged 1954, 1976, aerial photo, April, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Crabtree, Crabtree Society, Fred Butler, Lichfield Road, Line, Local History, MCB, Mike Blakeway, New Photos, production, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, Superalloys, video
7 Comments
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
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A remarkable local rail journey – stepping right out of time
There’s currently a buzz in the local rail community and in some groups on Facebook about a 1968 cinefilm recently converted to digital and uploaded online by rail historian and blog regular, Ian Pell – it’s a remarkable, wonderful thing, and Ian has written a fascinating account of the film and line it covers especially for the blog, which I feature below.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1966, Aldridge, Brawn, brickworks, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, Conduit, Coppice, Coppice Colliery, Film, House, Ian Pell, joberns, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, planet, Railway, Redevelopment, Simon Briercliffe, Staffordshire, Utopia, Walsall Wood
9 Comments
Oak Park Active Living Centre opens this week – find out more here
Just a note for anyone interested that Oak Park Active Living Centre – the new leisure centre in Walsall Wood – opens this Tuesday, 9th August 2016 as does the sister centre at Bloxwich.
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 Active Living Centre, Brownhills, Brownhills Road, Coppice Road, crossing, Details, houses, housing, Junction, Leisure Centre, Leisure Services, Lindon Road, Local politics, Mike Flower, new, New Photos, Oak Park, Opening, Pedestrian, planning, Plans, Rebuild, rebuilt, Redevelopment, revised, Shire Oak, submitted, Tkevcro, trees, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
3 Comments
More Costa jobs up for grabs in Brownhills
There’s been lots of talk here about the new Costa Coffee outlet due to open in Brownhills – and a couple of weeks ago I spotted a job advert for the new store – sadly, this was oversubscribed quickly and many were left disappointed.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council
Tagged 51 High Street, architecture design, blockbuster, branch, Brownhills, Cafe, Coffee, Costa, Derelict, High Street, jobs, Lichfield, Local politics, Opening, outlet, planning, Redevelopment, Restaurant, store, Twitter, Walsall Council
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A case of the trots!
A great image has come in from friend of the blog and long time contributor Andy Dennis, who’s dug out this fascinating picture of a once prominent local sport that used to take place in Brownhills.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community
Tagged 1971, 1977, Andy Dennis, April, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, Chasewater Promotions, Chasewater Stadium, Cheap tat, Derelict, Events, Howmuch, International Long Track, JB Cox, Local History, MCN, motorbike, Motorcycle, Motorcycle News, Opening, planning, programme, race, Race of the Year, Redevelopment, Reservoir, Stadium, Staffordshire, Things to do, track, Trotting
17 Comments
Costa Coffee franchise advertising jobs in Brownhills
Some months ago it became evident that a franchise for Costa Coffee was planning on opening a branch in Brownhills – following mentions on Twitter by a design house and a subsequent planning application, which was approved last March, things went quiet.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council
Tagged 51 High Street, architecture design, blockbuster, branch, Brownhills, Cafe, Coffee, Costa, Derelict, High Street, jobs, Lichfield, Local politics, Opening, outlet, planning, Redevelopment, Restaurant, store, Twitter, Walsall Council
6 Comments
Get your Freakley on…
Just recently we’ve talked extensively about the Midland Railway through Walsall Wood and Brownhills, and the notorious rail tour that seems to have been the last passenger train along it – but we’ve also discussed local brick making too, and I think this is an excellent time to feature this article by top local historian Gerald Reece.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged A Walk Into History, Aldridge, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Freakily Bricks, FreakleyG, Gerald Reece, House, local blogs, Local History, Midland Railway, Mr, New Photos, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, Utopia, Walsall Wood
12 Comments
Fired up
Last week, we looked at early evidence of local brick making on an industrial scale, after a remarkable passage describing a local brickworks was spotted in an 1850 book by the wonderful Simon Briercliffe.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aldridge, Brawn, brickworks, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Coppice, Coppice Colliery, House, Ian Pell, joberns, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Redevelopment, Simon Briercliffe, Staffordshire, Utopia, Walsall Wood
13 Comments
And whose army?
Oh boy, is this a cracker – this wonderful enquiry came in yesterday from Derek Broadhurst, who’s found a very curious postcard which may shed light on the derivation of the name ‘Barracks Lane’, which is the road that funs from the A461 Lichfield Road at Sandhills, right over to the A5 Watling Street, east of Newtown.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged Army, barracks, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Crestacre, factory, Farm, Horse, Huts, Ice Cream, Isolation Hospital, Lane, Lichfield, Liz Wellington, local blogs, Local History, Maddever, Nursery, Old maps, Pelari, Redevelopment, Selwyn Smith, Shire Oak, Springhills, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Things to do, UDC
13 Comments
Remembering Chasewater Stadium
Following my recent request for memories of Chasewater Stadium, I had a great contribution from long time friend of the blog Fred Butler, who has a rather interesting contribution. I’m after any ephemera or memorabilia anyone can supply, as there’s … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community
Tagged 1971, 1977, April, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, Chasewater Promotions, Chasewater Stadium, Cheap tat, Derelict, Events, Fred Butler, Howmuch, International Long Track, JB Cox, Local History, MCN, motorbike, Motorcycle, Motorcycle News, Opening, planning, programme, race, Race of the Year, Redevelopment, Reservoir, Stadium, Staffordshire, Things to do, track, Trotting
2 Comments
Chasewater Stadium – what do you recall?
Thanks to a curious sale on eBay, I can now share exactly when Chasewater Trotting Track opened – it was Monday 16th August, 1971.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community
Tagged 1971, 1977, April, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, Chasewater Promotions, Chasewater Stadium, Cheap tat, Derelict, Events, Howmuch, International Long Track, JB Cox, Local History, MCN, motorbike, Motorcycle, Motorcycle News, Opening, planning, programme, race, Race of the Year, Redevelopment, Reservoir, Stadium, Staffordshire, Things to do, track, Trotting
22 Comments
The Warners, the Wheatsheaf, and Pat the dog!
Further to Wendy Gates’ enquiry about the Wheatsheaf pub last week, and of her father, Jack Warner, Wendy posted some more family images to share with readers and maybe jog a few memories of the family and the popular lost Brownhills pub.
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, Bill Blakemore, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, dogrio5630, Emily, Gerald Reece, Harry, Helen Dalton, Henry, John Insull, Lichfield Mercury, Local History, Ogley, Ogley Hay, planning, Pubs, Redevelopment, Square, Staffordshire, The Wheatsheaf, Things to do, Tony Williams, Twitter, Warner, Wendy Gates, William Danks
2 Comments
Do you remember the Wheatsheaf?
Wendy Gates has been in touch to ask if anyone remembers her family who owned and worked at the long-gone Wheatsheaf pub in Ogley Road, Brownhills up until the 1970s – Wendy has fond recollectionsof this popular lost pub, and wants to know if anyone has any memories to share?
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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, Emily, Gerald Reece, Harry, Helen Dalton, Henry, John Insull, Lichfield Mercury, Local History, Ogley, Ogley Hay, planning, Pubs, Redevelopment, Square, Staffordshire, The Wheatsheaf, Things to do, Tony Williams, Twitter, Warner, Wendy Gates, William Danks
10 Comments
A Coppice, lots of timber and a little backtracking
The SLS rail tour that took place in 1959 has proven to be a rich seam of material, and has provoked much debate amongst blog readers about the locations of some photos, and just how and where the Diesel Multiple Unit pictured managed to reverse.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1959, Birmingham Central Goods Station, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, charter, Chasewater, Conduit Colliery, coombe, Coppice, Coppice Colliery, Derelict, DJ Norton, Events, Heath Hayes, House, Ian Pell, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, rail tour, Redevelopment, Reservoir, RS Carpenter, Si Swain, Simon, Staffordshire, Stephenson Locomotive Society, Walsall Wood
6 Comments
Up around the bend
More here today that goes to show the Venn diagram of history forever curiously overlaps – Ian pell has waded in once more on the subject of the notorious May 1959 rail tour up the Walsall Wood line to the Conduit Colliery – from which a few pictures have emerged over the years and was raised here again last week by Simon Swain with a great new picture.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1959, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, charter, Chasewater, Conduit Colliery, coombe, Coppice, Derelict, Events, House, Ian Pell, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, rail tour, Redevelopment, Reservoir, Si Swain, Simon, Staffordshire, Stephenson Locomotive Society, Walsall Wood
16 Comments
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.
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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
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All that remains of the last one standing
Following my feature yesterday on perhaps the last passenger train to ever traverse the line from Aldridge to the Conduit Colliery in Norton Canes, Simon Swain has sent me a great gallery of images of the Grove Colliery site as it is today.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged archive, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Canal and River Trust, Cannock Extension Canal, colliery, Derelict, Disaster, Events, freight, Grove, Grove Colliery, House, images, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, mining, New Photos, Norton, photos, pit, pits, Redevelopment, Si Swain, Simon, Staffordshire, Things to do, tramway, viaduct, Wyrley common
25 Comments
It’s the rail thing
A great one for the train enthusiasts comes in from new Brownhills resident Simon Swain, who’s been doing some great railway history stuff in the South Staffordshire Railway group on Facebook – it seems that the notorious May 1959 rail tour up the Walsall Wood line to the Conduit Colliery – from which a few pictures have emerged over the years – continues to fascinate and unearth new images.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1959, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, charter, Chasewater, Conduit Colliery, coombe, Derelict, Events, House, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, rail tour, Redevelopment, Reservoir, Si Swain, Simon, Staffordshire, Stephenson Locomotive Society, Walsall Wood
4 Comments
Planning application submitted for new Costa Coffee branch in Brownhills
As speculated in this post earlier this year, a franchise for Costa Coffee has applied for planning permission enabling conversion of the former Blockbuster store at 51, High Street, Brownhills into a Costa branch – the property has been empty since the video rental chain crashed in 2013.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council
Tagged 51 High Street, architecture design, blockbuster, branch, Brownhills, Cafe, Coffee, Costa, Derelict, High Street, Lichfield, Local politics, Opening, outlet, planning, Redevelopment, Restaurant, store, Twitter, Walsall Council
5 Comments
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
Costa Coffee coming to Brownhills?
I’ve been aware of rumours of the well-known coffee chain Costa opening a branch in Brownhills for a few weeks, but up to now have been unable to nail them down – but thanks to a couple of tweets by an architectural agency I spotted yesterday, it seems like the froth-mongers are indeed looking to establish in the town.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council
Tagged 51 High Street, architecture design, blockbuster, branch, Brownhills, Cafe, Coffee, Costa, Derelict, High Street, Lichfield, Local politics, Opening, outlet, planning, Redevelopment, Restaurant, store, Twitter, Walsall Council
4 Comments
Brownhills livery yard raided – can you help?
This is an important appeal for information regarding a burglary that took place on the night of January 2nd/early hours of January 3rd 2016 (Last Saturday into Sunday) at Stevie Ansell’s second yard at Engine Lane, Brownhills.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media
Tagged 2 January, 2016, 3 January, appeal, Brownhills, Brownhills common, burgled, clearance, crime, Cycle rides, Engine Lane, field, livery, New Photos, opened, planning, Police, Raid, raided, Redevelopment, Riding school, Stevie Ansell, Wildlife
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Make a present of the past
This is a reminder that currently available hereabouts, there are some great local history books that would make excellent Christmas presents for local history buffs or folk who just want to remember, or learn about our local history.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, 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 community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Book, Book new, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, CLive L Roberts., Events, Facebook, Local History, New Photos, Pubs, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Snippets of Local History in and around Shire Oak', Staffordshire, Things to do
7 Comments
Can’t see The Wood for the trees
Earlier today I was contacted by reader Tkevcro who was worried about construction activity around the Coppice Road/Brownhills Road junction near the new leisure centre site in Walsall Wood.
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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, Brownhills Road, Coppice Road, crossing, houses, housing, Junction, Leisure Centre, Leisure Services, Lindon Road, Local politics, new, New Photos, Oak Park, Pedestrian, planning, Plans, Rebuild, rebuilt, Redevelopment, revised, Shire Oak, submitted, Tkevcro, trees, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
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New Brownhills history book hot off the presses!
A little bird tells me (well, actually Walsall Local History Centre tweeted) that there’s a brand new Brownhills local history book just come out – the third from local researcher and historian Clive Roberts of Walsall Wood.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, 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 community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Book, Book new, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, CLive L Roberts., Events, Facebook, Local History, New Photos, Pubs, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Snippets of Local History in and around Shire Oak', Staffordshire, Things to do
12 Comments
A brutal death
This is an odd one I can’t fit in anywhere else, so people who aren’t in to my architecture obsession may want to tune out now – but I will alert readers to something: almost unnoticed, to people over the age of around 35, the Birmingham we knew is gradually being erased – if you want to see it one last time, go soon.
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Posted in Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, planning, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged 103 Colmore Row, Birmingham, Brindley Place, Brutalism, Bull, Bullring, Canal, Cheap tat, Christmas Market, cityscape, David Evans, Frankfurt, Gingerbread, Lichfield, markey, new Library, New Photos, planning, Redevelopment, Secret Garden, Things to do
23 Comments
Harden not so fast, sunshine!
For a few weeks now, I’ve been featuring images here from an archive I haven’t named, but is remarkable – not just for the content, but for the quirkiness and inaccuracy of some of the content.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 2015, Architecture, Arden, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, cardigan, Derelict, Harden, Historic England, Ian, Kate, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Pell, Red Box, Redevelopment, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council
2 Comments
Three sugars, please
The response to the Taylors Cafe material I posted here recently from Andy Wood has been astounding – later followed by another great pic and equally popular memories from Nigel Griffiths.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged Andrew, Andy, Brownhills local history, Brownhills stuff, demolished, Derelict, Environment, gone, Interesting photos, Joe Taylor, June Davies, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Lost transport cafes, New Photos, Redevelopment, Shared media, Silly, Taylor's Cafe, Val Wood, Wood
10 Comments
Chips with that, love?
I’ve had an incredible response to the photos I posted yesterday of Taylors Cafe just before demolition, generously sent in by Andy Wood.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged Andrew, Andy, Brownhills local history, Brownhills stuff, demolished, Derelict, Environment, gone, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Lost transport cafes, New Photos, Redevelopment, Shared media, Silly, Taylor's Cafe, Wood
30 Comments
Taylor made memories
A stunning bit of recent local history dropped in my lap unexpectedly today with an email from reader and friend of the blog Andy Wood, who’s sent me a whole bunch of interesting photos.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged Andrew, Andy, Brownhills local history, Brownhills stuff, demolished, Derelict, Environment, gone, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Lost transport cafes, New Photos, Redevelopment, Shared media, Silly, Taylor's Cafe, Wood
35 Comments
Crowning glory
One subject that has precious little presence in the historical record, yet keeps cropping up again and again is that of the local Working Mens Clubs.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1953, Ant Hill, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, club, coronation, David Evans, Friezland Lane, Local History, mans, Medal, New Photos, Pat Lynk, Pubs, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Wood, working
1 Comment
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
Stables raid – CCTV images released
As noted here yesterday, on the evening of Monday 6th July 2015, between about 11:30pm and 12 midnight, a quantity of equipment was stolen from the riding stables of Stevie Ansell, in Pelsall Road, Brownhills – as promised, Stevie has sent some images from the CCTV system at the stables.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media
Tagged 2015, 6th July, appeal, Brownhills, Brownhills common, burgled, CCTV, clearance, crime, Cycle rides, Engine Lane, field, jeepgates, New Photos, opened, Pelsall Road, planning, Police, Raid, raided, Redevelopment, Riding school, Stevie Ansell, Wildlife
2 Comments
Brownhills stables raided yet again – can you help?
Here we go again – Stevie Ansell’s riding stables and livery yard on the Pelsall Road at Highbridges on the Brownhills/Pelsall border has been targeted again – and whilst the raiders this time stole large quantity of equipment, it seems Stevie also got good CCTV of the scum who burgled her.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media
Tagged 2015, 6th July, appeal, Brownhills, Brownhills common, burgled, CCTV, clearance, crime, Cycle rides, Engine Lane, field, jeepgates, New Photos, opened, Pelsall Road, planning, Police, Raid, raided, Redevelopment, Riding school, Stevie Ansell, Wildlife
1 Comment
That didn’t go to plan… or did it?
I realise this is a bit off piste for the Brownhills Blog, but we have interests in Lichfield, so I think it’s appropriate – a few weeks ago Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler spotted the following clipping in the newspaper archives.
Posted in Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 1925, 2015, Bowling Green, clock tower, island, July 31, Lichfield, Lichfield Mercurey, Local History, New Photos, Old maps, planning, Redevelopment, road scheme, Staffordshire, The Friary, Things to do
2 Comments
B&M coming to Aldridge – vacancies now being advertised
Ever since I posted that B&M were moving into the old Focus DIY store on Northgate, between Aldridge and Walsall Wood, I’ve been contacted by people either swearing it will be an Asda (nope) or doubting what I said – well, work has continued on the empty building and it’s now in B&M colours, and vacancies have now been posted for a ‘new Aldridge store’ on the B&M website.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2015, Aldridge, application, B&M, Brownhills, Cheap tat, Derelict, DIY, Events, Facebook, Fucus, jobs, Lichfield, New Photos, new store, Opening, planning, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, soon, Things to do, vacancies, Vandalism, Walsall Wood
3 Comments
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