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Tag Archives: Redevelopment
Local riding stables raided, horses endangered: can you help?
Hey folks – this is really, really important, and I’d like readers and social media folk to spread this post far and wide – you will all know that Stevie Ansell and her riding school in Brownhills have been good pals of the blog, with whom we’ve had an honest and good relationship over the years – well now, they need our help.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media
Tagged 2015, 9 June, appeal, Brownhills, Brownhills common, clearance, crime, Cycle rides, Engine Lane, field, jeepgates, New Photos, opened, Pelsall Road, planning, Police, Raid, Redevelopment, Riding school, Stevie Ansell, Wildlife
6 Comments
The Electric Co.
Sometimes, something comes in unexpectedly that puts a huge smile on your face, just for the sheer rarity value of it – and the email I received a couple of days ago from Mike Blakeway in South Australia did just that.
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, Fred Butler, Lichfield Road, Line, Local History, MCB, MIDAR, Midland Auto Rewinds, Mike Blakeway, New Photos, production, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, Superalloys
3 Comments
Crossed purposes again
On or around April 29th 2015, the Four Crosses Pub – the last true boozer in Shelfield, and a popular local pub I’ve enjoyed in the past – closed suddenly, and was boarded up, which has caused understandable outrage amongst pub-goers and real ale fans in the area.
Posted in Environment, Events, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged ACV, Alcohol, asset of community value, CAMRA, concern, Derelict, Drug, Events, Facebook, Four Crosses, Hostel, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, New Photos, planning, protest, Public Meeting, Pubs, Redevelopment, Richard Worral, Shelfield, Things to do, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
9 Comments
Open Mike
Yesterday, whilst mooching on Panoramio for an image of Chasewater (sometimes it’s the best way to find my own photos, oddly enough) I came upon a gallery by a reader and contributor the the blog, Mike Leonard – it’s remarkable.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Clayhanger, Derelict, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Panoramio, Pubs, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Vandalism, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
7 Comments
One other Public Carriage Road or Highway
For those who don’t follow the comments here, there was an interesting discussion last week after I featured a section of the Teasdale 1842 map from Clive Roberts’ new history site: The discussion that sprang up was about the nature and purpose of Friezland Lane in Shire Oak, and amongst the discussion was rom rather wild speculation by myself about the way the Parish borders run between Brownhills and Walsall Wood.
Posted in News
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, David Evans, Lichfield, Local History, Old maps, planning, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Wood
16 Comments
More Monkey business
A couple of weeks ago I posted an enquiry by reader Margaret King about the location of a pub her Dad remembered from when he was evacuated to Brownhills as a small boy: he remembered the pub as ‘The Monkey Puzzle’, which had me somewhat perplexed.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 10th March, 1940s, 2015, British Railways Board, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Corner, Evacuee, Lichfield, Local History, monkey puzzle, pit, Pubs, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Wood, Wheatsheaf, Wilkin
12 Comments
Heart Bypass: Jonathan Meades in Birmingham
Hi folks – here’s something I found last night that I’d forgotten about, that ties in with my fascination for Birmingham and architecture – and also, my obsession with well-crafted language.
Posted in Bad Science, Environment, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local music, Local politics, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 103 Colmore Row, Birmingham, Brindley Place, Brutalism, Bull, Bullring, Canal, Cheap tat, Christmas Market, cityscape, David Evans, Frankfurt, Gingerbread, heart bypass, Jonathan Meades, Lichfield, markey, Motor City, new Library, New Photos, planning, Redevelopment, Secret Garden, Things to do
2 Comments
Personal delivery
I’m always keen to promote the work of other local historians here on the Brownhills Blog; we can never have too many voices in this thing and Clive Roberts, Walsall Wood historian and author is one of the nicest and most diligent of them all – his work on Walsall Wood and Shire Oak has been thorough, but understated, and from his emails to me, Clive is always working on something new of interest.
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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, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, CLive L Roberts., Collins, Delivery, Events, Facebook, Local History, New Photos, Old maps, Parcels, Pubs, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Snippets of Local History in and around Shire Oak', Staffordshire, Stonnall, Things to do, United Carriers, Walsall Wood
23 Comments
Do you give a monkeys?
Every so often, I get an intriguing question from a reader right out of the blue – and I had just such an enquiry in today which really has me puzzling from reader Margaret King – this concerns a subject we’ve covered a little before, that of wartime evacuees – and one of the favourite historical concerns of readers: local pubs.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 10th March, 1940s, 2015, British Railways Board, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Corner, Evacuee, Lichfield, Local History, monkey puzzle, Pubs, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Wood, Wheatsheaf
20 Comments
Because it seemed right at the time…
Just lately, I’ve found myself in lots of intense discussions – several on social media – about architecture, old buildings, history and the way we view the past; these discussions often sadden me and I need to get something off my chest.
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
26 Comments
The boys on the corner
Here’s a great one that reaches me from Australia, and it’s really, really interesting – I’m hoping some of the genealogy focused regulars might be able to contribute to.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media
Tagged Austrailia, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, David Leake, Facebook, High Street, Lichfield, Local History, Maryann Leake, New Photos, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, Susan Austin, Wesleyan Chapel
17 Comments
What’s going on at the old Focus store on Northgate, then?
Images taken last weekend. Lots of you have contacted me asking about the works currently ongoing at the former Focus DIY store on the corner of Coppice Lane and Northgate, Walsall Wood. Local gossip had it for a long time … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, 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, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged application, B&M, Big K, Cheap tat, Derelict, Do it all, Events, Focus, for, Lichfield, Middle, New Photos, Northgate, Oak, planning, Redevelopment, Royal, sale, Vandalism, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood, work
15 Comments
Matters arising…
I often get lots of short questions or observations that aren’t, despite my best efforts, big enough to make one post out of; so here are a selection of recent ones which aren’t connected to each other, but I’m thinking readers may be able to help with them, or perhaps they’ll provoke debate.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1911, A walk down High Street Browmhills, Bond and Barnes, Briggs, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Bruce Littley, Canal, Chasewater, Chris Latimer, David McNamee, Derelict, Facebook, Florence Swinton, John Blower, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Old maps, Pubs, Red White and Blue, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Things to do, Tony, Walsall Wood, William
15 Comments
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
No more sitting on the fence
I’m reblogging this from the wonderful Chaz Mason, who I’m sure won’t thank me for doing so – although this is important, and needs to be said, so down the hatch…
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged Antisocial Birder, birding, Brownhills, Chaz Mason, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Marsh Log, cut, escape, fence, Horses, local blogs, Local Wildlife, loose, planning, Redevelopment, Riding stables, Ryders Hayes, Ryders Mere, Silly, SSSI, Stevie Ansell, Vandalism, Wildlife
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Doctor Fell
This is just a quick one, as I thought we needed to get at least a little bit of history in at long last – and this one has piqued my curiosity, as my antenna always twitch when I hear subsidence legends.
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Posted in Bad Science, Chasewater, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged Bell pit, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Common, Cottage, David Evans, Derelict, JB Cox, legends, Lichfield, Local History, Mavis Woodhouse, mines, mining colliery, Norton Pool, Old maps, Oscar johnson, planning, Pool Road, Redevelopment, Reservoir, shallow, Staffordshire, Subsidence, Things to do, Watling Street
14 Comments
Walsall Wood Tesco Express to close
Just in case you haven’t seen it (you must have done by now, surely), the Tesco Express at Streets Corner, Walsall Wood is to close for good on March 15th 2015, as part of a closure program that will see 43 stores close across the country.
Posted in Bad Science, Environment, Followups, It makes me mad!, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2015, Cheap tat, closing, Closure, decline, Express, Facebook, Lichfield, Meadowmarket, Quick Save, recession, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Street's Corner, Tesco, Walsall Wood
8 Comments
Your guide to Walsall – 125 years ago
Here’s one I’ve been meaning to do for ages, but the sheer labour of it has been off-putting; but now I have access to a professional scanner, it’s a lot easier to scan publications like W Henry Robinson’s ‘Guide to Walsall – an illustrated guide’, which was published in 1889 and is a captivating gazetteer and document of a growing town and its life.
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Posted in Churches, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Book, Canal, download, Facebook, Guide to Waslall, Illustrated Handbook, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Old maps, PDF, Pubs, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, Things to do, W Henry Robinson, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
9 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
Just look at those haircuts!
Today, I did a deal with Walsall Wood historian and author Clive Roberts – he sent me scans of the above wonderful 1970s photo of a Walsall Wood Football Club team lineup, and said I’d happily point out that Clive’s latest book ‘Snippets of History in and around Walsall Wood’ is still available with new stock now at Egans grocery shop in Brownhills High Street.
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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 1970's, A. Lake, A. McGregor, A. Pye, B. Jones, B. Knight, B. Williams, Book, Book new, Brownhills local history, C Jones, CLive L Roberts., D. France, David Evans, Division 1, Events, Facebook, Freizland, Institute, J. Gough, Local History, Midland Combination, New Photos, Pubs, R. Heathe, R. Tranter, Redevelopment, S. Philpots, Shire Oak, Snippets of Local History in and around Shire Oak', Staffordshire, T. Holding (Manager), Things to do, Walsall Wood, Walsall Wood football club, Wheel Inn, WWFC
8 Comments
City heights
Well, it’s that time of year again, and yesterday I hopped on the Midland Red went to Birmingham to visit the Christmas Market and enjoy the sights and sounds of the city at Christmas. I love Birmingham as readers will know, … Continue reading
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, 2014, 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
4 Comments
Special branch
The resident rail expert on the Brownhills Blog has been at it once more – Ian Pell, a man with a huge knowledge of the local railways, has written another excellent piece which I present here, covering a mystery rail depot handing cakes, closure of the Walsall Wood line and that lost canal/rail interchange wharf behind the Station Hotel.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Clayhanger 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 1959, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, charter, Chasewater, Conduit Colliery, Derelict, Events, Ian Pell, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, rail tour, Redevelopment, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Stephenson Locomotive Society, Walsall Wood
9 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.
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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
The lost Howdles Lane dam
In a remarkable instance of coincidence, last Friday, reader and top local history ferret Andy Dennis sent me an astounding piece on a lost reservoir near Howdles Lane, in north Brownhills, between Chasewater and the Watling Street.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Shared memories, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills Brook, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Crane Brook, cycling, Dam, Dam burst, Events, Gerald Reece, Howdles Lane, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Lost, New Photos, Ogley Locks, Old maps, Panoramio, Redevelopment, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Yates map
12 Comments
Howdles Lane convenience store saved!
Back at the beginning of October, I had a somewhat concerning enquiry from reader Dave about the Co-operative convenience store in the small precinct just off the A5 in Brownhills by Howdles Lane – reports were that the Co-op were closing it and the future for the store was uncertain.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged 2014, A5, Andy Dennis, Brownhills, close down, closing, co-op, convenience store, Events, Howdles Lane, Lichfield, McColls, new, Redevelopment, shut, Silly, taken over, Tamworth, Watling Street
3 Comments
A lesson in local history
A couple of weeks ago, I featured here scans of a local history book I’d unexpectedly found in a bookshop – it was a real cracker, and at the same time, a valuable and overlooked bit of Brownhills social history.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Alison Preece, Book, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills past & Present, Brownhills School, Canal, Chasewater, Clayhanger, Elizabeth Pike, Facebook, Kate Wilkinson, Kelth Jackaman, Lichfield, Local History, Mark Staples, New Photos, Old maps, Pubs, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Wood
3 Comments
A son of The Wood
I’ve finally bought my own copy of Clive Roberts’ book ‘ Snippets of History In and around Walsall Wood’ which I review here today – I must say the 79 page £8 book is a cracker – and it’s available right now.
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, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, CLive L Roberts., Events, Facebook, Local History, New Photos, Old maps, Pubs, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Snippets of Local History in and around Shire Oak', Staffordshire, Stonnall, Things to do, Walsall Wood
16 Comments
Early doors
Just a quick post here to spark a few memories for long time pub-goers in the local area – Shaun Treadwell has kindly dropped me a line with these excellent images which I just had to share.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Facebook, Georger and Dragon, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, Pubs, Redevelopment, Rushall, Shaun Treadwell, Staffordshire, The Anchor, The Hunstman, The Sportsman, Walsall
11 Comments
All hands to the pump!
It’s really getting busy for top local history wonks Dave Moore, Chris Pattison and their Freinds of Sandfields Pumping Station campaign group, who seem to be really getting somewhere with this fantastic Victorian edifice; not only has their attention prompted the fixing of the roof recently, but the listing status of the building is now under review too.
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Posted in Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 2014, 25th October, 30th October, beam, campaign, Dave Moore, Derelict, Discovered, Engine, English Heritage, Lichfield, Lichfield District Council, listed, listing, local blogs, Local History, Morturn, planning, Preservation, Public Meeting, Pump, pumping station, Redevelopment, Sandfields, South Staffordshire, Staffordshire, stationary, The Cruck House, Things to do, Vandalism, Waterworks
2 Comments
Wood ‘n’ heart – a new book out now!
The young David Evans has kindly alerted me last week to a new history book on Walsall Wood, written by local author Clive Roberts who’s a lifelong Walsall Wood mon™, local historian and occasional contributor to the blog.
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 local history, CLive L Roberts., David Evans, Events, Facebook, Freizland, Institute, Local History, New Photos, Pubs, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Snippets of Local History in and around Shire Oak', Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Wood, Wheel Inn
9 Comments
Hunting Lodge
It’s often the case when compiling the blog that unconnected threads spring at tangents from original articles – and so it was last week when I featured Ruth Penrhyn-Lowe’s excellent scanned postcards in the awfully titled ‘Overcome with emulsion’ post.
Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aldridge, Bosty Lane, Chasetown, Conservation & Historical Society, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Lodge, Lynn, Lynne Ingram, meeting, Old maps, Postcard, presentation, Redevelopment, Ruth Penrhyn Lowe, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Talk, Things to do, Walsall Wood, Wednesday 22 october, Youth and Community Centre
1 Comment
Does anyone know about the Co-op closure in Brownhills?
Here’s an enquiry that’s come in today from reader Dave, who’s asked about the closure of the Co-op store in the small precinct just off the Watling Street opposite Brownhills School.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged 2014, A5, Brownhills, close down, closing, co-op, convenience store, Events, Lichfield, Redevelopment, shut, Silly, Tamworth, Watling Street
3 Comments
When the engines roared at Wharf Lane
There’s an interesting sale currently up on eBay – I’d go for it myself, but suspect the film that’s up for sale would probably be better going into the hands of enthusiasts of motorbike scrambling.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 1974, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, ebay, Events, Film, Local History, M6Toll, motocross, Redevelopment, scrambling, Staffordshire, Things to do, wharf lane
4 Comments
Plan for 200 new homes in central Brownhills approved
Way back in April this year, I first noted the consultation and plan to finally redevelop the wasteland in Brownhills that was once Silver Court Gardens, the notorious tenement maisonette estate that was demolished in 2004, into over 100 dwellings.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 14/0767/FL, 14/0771/OL, 157, 40, Brownhills stuff, Canal, Clayhanger, Consultation, Court, Derelict, Development, dwellings, Environment, Events, Facebook, Fun stuff to see and do, gardens, homes, Humphries House, Lichfield, Lindon Drive, Local politics, Market Place, new houses, News, phased, planning, Planning application, planning interactive, Politics, Redevelopment, Regeneration, Shared media, Silver, Spotted whilst browsing the web, street, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Group, Walsall politics, WHG
2 Comments
Living on the skyline
Hey you lot – I owe you all, and the wonderful people at Distinctly Black Country an apology – for far too long I have neglected to share the excellent work been done by locals and professional historians alike into recording the remarkable histories of high-rise and system built housing across the Black Country.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chaz Mason, Cheap tat, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Marsh Log, Derelict, flats, high rise, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, planning, Redevelopment, Slum, Social History, social housing, Staffordshire, Things to do, tower lock, Walsall, Walsall Council, Wildlife
12 Comments
The Acropolis cafe shuts; Middle Oak to close and B&M to open in Focus, Aldridge
Just a heads up on some local taking points I’ve had buzzing around for a couple of days now – A few readers including David Evans and Martin Littler have pointed out the longstanding Ravens Court cafe The Acroplolis seems to have closed down.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, 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, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2014, application, B&M, Big K, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cheap tat, David Evans, Derelict, Events, Focus, for, housing, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, Middle, Mike Bird, New Photos, Northgate, Oak, planning, Pubs, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, Royal, sale, Shire Oak, sold, Twitter, Vandalism, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
3 Comments
Saving Sandfields – August meeting tonight
The campaign to save Sandfields Pumping Station in Lichfield for the community continues to garner support. Local historian and activist Dave Moore has been putting heart and soul into this for some months now, and he’d like as many people as possible to get involved.
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Posted in Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 2014, 26th August, beam, campaign, Dave Moore, Derelict, Discovered, Engine, English Heritage, Lichfield, Lichfield District Council, listed, listing, local blogs, Local History, Morturn, planning, Preservation, Public Meeting, Pump, pumping station, Redevelopment, Sandfields, South Staffordshire, Staffordshire, stationary, The Cruck House, Things to do, Vandalism, Waterworks
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Now the water has drained away
Following my post recently concerning some great maps sent to me by Bruce Littley, reader, friend of the blog and top local allotment whiz Steve Hames has been in touch with some great images of the path of the former Cannock Extension Canal which was pictured in the Aerofilms image in the post.
Posted in Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged Alotment, Bruce Littley, Burntwood, Canal, Canes, Cannock Extension Canal, Case Terrace, Chasewater, colliery, Conduit, Local History, map, movement, Norton, Old maps, pit, plan, Railway, Redevelopment, spoil, Staffordshire, Steve Hames, Things to do
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You can’t trust all you read in the paper…
Whew – panic over Yesterday, following a report in the Express & Star, I wrote of my concern that the old leisure centre at Oak Park in Walsall Wood would be demolished before a new one was built to replace it.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Coppice Road, Demolition, Express & Star, houses, housing, Labour, Leisure Centre, Leisure Services, Local politics, new, New Photos, Oak Park, planning, Plans, Rebuild, rebuilt, Redevelopment, revised, Sean Coughlan, Shire Oak, submitted, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
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Demolition, man?
There was an interesting report in Monday’s Express & Star (18th August 2014) which points out the project to replace Oak Park leisure centre in Walsall Wood and the similar facility in Bloxwich is to start ‘next month’.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Coppice Road, Demolition, Express & Star, houses, housing, Labour, Leisure Centre, Leisure Services, Local politics, new, New Photos, Oak Park, planning, Plans, Rebuild, rebuilt, Redevelopment, revised, Sean Coughlan, Shire Oak, submitted, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
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Aspirational my backside
I noticed in early summer that someone had been undertaking clearance work on a site near Brownhills, just down the Chester Road to the south of Shire Oak Nature Reserve, and was curious about it – it now seems that my question has been answered.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 14/0910/FL, application, Aspirational, astlehill, block, Brownhills, Chester Road, Derelict, Lichfield, local blogs, New Photos, planning, Politics, quarry, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Silly, Stonnall, Upper Stonnall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Works
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What’s the plan?
This is an interesting one I’ve had cooking for a while – reader Bruce Littley has kindly sent me these scans of maps that he’s come across, and he’d like to know more about them – or at least the annotations sketched thereupon.
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Posted in Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged 1919, 1938, ammuniton, Bruce Littley, Burntwood, Canal, Canes, Case Terrace, Chasewater, colliery, Conduit, Local History, map, movement, Norton, Old maps, pit, plan, Railway, Redevelopment, scrapslag heap, spoil, Staffordshire, Things to do
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You can’t bank on it
There has been a fair amount of dismay and disbelief locally in response to the decision of Barclays Bank to close their branch in Brownhills, which will apparently cease trading on Friday, 24th October 2014.
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 bank, Barclays, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cheap tat, Closure, Derelict, Events, Facebook, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, planning, Politics, Pubs, Redevelopment, retaildecline, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
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Youth service in Walsall – important meeting tonight!
I note that Walsall Council have a scrutiny meeting this evening on the vexed matter of the Integrated Young People’s Support Service – that’s pretty much anything the council provides for kids and young people, including youth justice, targeted support, youth centres, the Education Business Partnership and parent partnership services.
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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 13th June, Aldridge Manor, area manager, Cheap tat, Closure, cuts, Facebook, Green Belt, John Morris, Lane's Farm, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, planning, Politics, Public Meeting, Rachel Andrew, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Silly, sold, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Youth Club
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For the love of the printed word
As an avid reader, I’m glad to see that the only independent bookshop for miles around – Southcart Books in Walsall – has got off to a flying start, and is proving very popular with local bookworms and authors.
Posted in Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Amy Carter, Books, Bookshop, crowdfund, Events, Facebook, Independent, Lichfield, Local History, Lower Hall Lane, New Photos, Redevelopment, Retail, Scott Southey, Southcart, Things to do, venture, Walsall
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Streets ahead
Things have been a bit lax this week, due to my atrocious working schedule which has meant that so far, I have been unable to share a remarkable bit of video from reader Charles Street, who’s a big fan of the blog.
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Posted in News
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Clayhanger, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, planning, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, Wildlife
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Saving Sandfields – monthly public meeting tonight
The campaign to save Sandfields Pumping Station in Lichfield for the community continues to garner support – local historian and activist Dave Moore has been putting heart and soul into this for some months now, and he’d like as many people as possible to get involved.
Posted in Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 2014, 27th, beam, campaign, Curborough Community Centre, Dave Moore, Derelict, Engine, English Heritage, June, Lichfield, Lichfield District Council, listed, listing, local blogs, Local History, Morturn, planning, Preservation, Public Meeting, Pump, pumping station, Redevelopment, Sandfields, South Staffordshire, Staffordshire, stationary, Things to do, Vandalism, Waterworks
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Local history for a distant son
I thought today I’d just do a small post highlighting a couple of sites that will be of interest to many readers, but mainly to blog stalwart David Oakley, who I sadly gather hasn’t been in the best of health lately.
Posted in Bad Science, Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged A brief history of Darlaston, Bev Parker, birthday, Bullstake, Darlaston, Darlaston Remembers, Darlo, David Oakley, fallen, FH Lloyd, GKN, green, industry, Local History, Local politics, Redevelopment, Rubery Owen, Staffordshire, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, war memorial, Wilkings and Mitchell
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Application submitted for large Brownhills housing development
It comes I’m sure, as no surprise that Walsall Housing Group (WHG) have been planning a huge new housing development in central Brownhills for some time now – after all, last month I advertised a one-day consultation on plans to build houses on the former site of Silver Court Gardens, behind Silver Court, on land that’s now vacant.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 14/0767/FL, 14/0771/OL, 157, 40, Brownhills stuff, Canal, Clayhanger, Consultation, Court, Derelict, Development, dwellings, Environment, Events, Facebook, Fun stuff to see and do, gardens, homes, Humphries House, Lichfield, Lindon Drive, Local politics, Market Place, new houses, News, phased, planning, Planning application, planning interactive, Politics, Redevelopment, Regeneration, Shared media, Silver, Spotted whilst browsing the web, street, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Group, Walsall politics, WHG
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