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Tag Archives: Redevelopment
By George, he’s got it!
Brownhills George continues to surprise and delight with a phenomenal selection of photos on Panoramio uploaded in the last week.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Anglesey Wharf, Autocraft, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chandler's Keep, Chasewater, Don Marine, Fortune of War, Geogre, Iron Bridge, Jasmine Cottage, Lindale, local blogs, Local History, Motorcycle Generation, New Photos, Panoramio, Pier Inn, Pier Street, Pike Helve, pub, Pubs, Raden, Redevelopment, Spot path, Staffordshire, Things to do, Watney, Wharf Cottage
16 Comments
Sharing the goodness
I just wanted to give a quick shout out for Lichfield District Council’s top Geographic Services officer, Gareth Thomas – Gareth, long time readers will recall, has shared loads of good stuff with readers of not just this blog, but others, including Lichfield Lore.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Aerial photographs, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, Facebook, Gareth Thomas, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Old maps, planning, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Things to do, Tithe Map, Twitter
14 Comments
Local and distant
Here’s a wonderful thing I’ve been watching grow for a couple of weeks – a new Panoramio gallery has appeared for Brownhills and surrounds, curated by Brownhills George.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Anchor, Anglesey Wharf, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, Conveyor, Crown, Fingerpost, Geogre, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Panoramio, Pier Street, Pressings, Provost, pub, Pubs, Redevelopment, Rising Sun, RKG, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Tesco Development, Things to do, Timmings Tools
9 Comments
Race of the Year, 1977
Here’s a curious piece of ephemera, found by local history ferret [Howmuch?] – I’m not sure of the source, but it was probably a charity or secondhand shop, as he can often be found ferreting around the darker corners for history oddities.
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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 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, planning, programme, race, Race of the Year, Redevelopment, Reservoir, Stadium, Staffordshire, Things to do, track, Trotting
65 Comments
Desperately seeking Sandra
Here’s an odd little one for Walsall Wood types.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1962, Brownhills local history, Collins, Events, Lcihfield, Lichfield, Local History, Lost Love, Mercury, New Photos, Palmer, Parcels, People, Phil, planning, Redevelopment, Sandra, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, Twitter, United Carriers, Walsall Wood
8 Comments
The Kaleidoscope
Oh dear – that Young David Evans has come over a bit gooey and sentimental onus – could it be springtime, and a man’s fancy turning?
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, David Evans, Local History, Memory, Pubs, recollections, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Wood
5 Comments
Buried dreams
In the miasma of stuff that passes by in the local news stream, I spotted this one from the Express & Star the other day, and It’s puzzled me…
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged artwork, Brownhills, Brownhills Market, Cheap tat, Derelict, Express & Star, Local politics, New Photos, Nikki Rolls, Panoramio, planning, Politics, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, Regeneration, Silly, Tesco, Tesco Development, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
20 Comments
Serving all his days
FIFTY years of unremitting service in the employ of the South Staffordshire Waterworks Company is the proud record of Mr. Joseph Plant, of Christ Church Gardens, Lichfield, who has recently retired as foreman engine driver at the Sandfields Pumping Station.
Posted in Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 1936, 50 years service, beam, campaign, Dave Moore, Derelict, Engine, English Heritage, J Plant, Joseph Plant, Lichfield, Lichfield District Council, Lichfield Mercury, listed, listing, local blogs, Local History, Long Service, Morturn, planning, Preservation, Pump, pumping station, Redevelopment, Sandfields, South Staffordshire, Staffordshire, stationary, Things to do, Vandalism, Waterworks
12 Comments
Cutting the tape…
I was too busy to pop down yesterday, but I’m very thankful to friend of the blog and long-time reader Andy Hollyhead, who popped over to the opening of the new Co-op store in Walsall Wood yesterday.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Andy Hollyhead, Brownhills, co-op, community, Competition, Events, Lee Braggington, new, New Photos, open, Opening, Panoramio, pictures, planning, Redevelopment, Scout Leader, Shire Oak, store, Tesco, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall Wood, Walsall Wood Scouts
3 Comments
Cooperation
Friend of the blog Lee Braggington, Walsall Wood Group Scout Leader, has been in touch to let me know that the new Co-op store at Streets corner will finally open this coming Thursday, 21st March 2013, as I noted on my 365daysofbiking journal on Wednesday.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, co-op, community, Competition, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Lee Braggington, litter pick, new, New Photos, open, Opening, Panoramio, planning, Redevelopment, Scout Leader, Shire Oak, store, Tesco, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall Wood, Walsall Wood Scouts
5 Comments
Serving the City
I recently acquired a new historical picture book entitled ‘Wyrley and Essington Canal Through Time’, by Ray Shill. This is a good, if slightly thin book that features some interesting ephemera and images from the history of our local canal.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, News, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Cotterill, Derelict, Floyer, Lichfiel & Hatherton, Lichfield, Local History, Old maps, Ray Shill, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, survey, Wyrley and Essington, Wyrley and Essington Canal Through Time
9 Comments
Diminishing returns
Shocking new information has come to light over the figures quoted in the Walsall Council internal ‘Working Smarter’ film I shared a couple of weeks ago. This video is about an ongoing project to ‘streamline’ working methods at the authority.
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Posted in Bad Science, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Adrian Andrew, Allowances, Civic Centre, cuts, eight, Events, Gareth Illmann-Walker, Local politics, Mike Bird, million, New Photos, Politics, Redevelopment, refurb, Savings, Silly, Smarter Workplaces Programme, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Waste, Youtube
8 Comments
Medical history?
A quick enquiry reaches me from reader Elizabeth Downs. Elizabeth asks an interesting question – Doctor Clamp was a noted General Practitioner in Brownhills, and worked from the Brickiln Street Surgery up until, I believe, the early 1980s.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged Brickiln Street, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Clamp, Clayhanger, daughter, Doctor, Dr, Elizabeth Downs, General Practitioner, GP, Liz Downs, Local History, New Photos, Redevelopment, Short Street, Surgery
1 Comment
Gathering steam
The campaign to save Sandfields Pumping Station in Lichfield for the community continues apace. Dave Moore has been putting heart and soul into this for some months now, and he needs a little bit of help.
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 beam, campaign, Dave Moore, Derelict, Engine, English Heritage, Lichfield, Lichfield District Council, listed, listing, local blogs, Local History, Morturn, planning, Preservation, Pump, pumping station, Redevelopment, Sandfields, South Staffordshire, Staffordshire, stationary, Things to do, Vandalism, Waterworks
56 Comments
A railway expert writes…
Top rail historian Ian Pell, late of this parish, dropped me a line today to point out the origins of the photos that I borrowed from the South Staffordshire Railway Site to illustrate yesterday’s article about Charringtons Oil Terminal and Anglesey Sidings.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Features, Followups, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged Anglesey Sidings, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Charringtons, corrections, errata, Ian Pell, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Oil Terminal, Redevelopment, South Staffordshire Line, Staffordshire
11 Comments
Oil, fire and water
The above remarkable video was generously pointed out by reader Bob Pugh and features some remarkable footage of what was a golden period in the era of the South Staffordshire Railway – the main line that ran through Brownhills, up until the 1980s.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged A5, Anglesey Sidings, Bob Pugh, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Charringtons, Clayhanger, David Hodgkinson, Ian Pell, Ken Hubbard, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Oil Terminal, Redevelopment, South Staffordshire Line, Staffordshire, video
11 Comments
Walsall Council priorities… how they work
Thanks to Walsall Co-operative Labour Councillor for Willenhall north, Gareth Illmann-Walker, I can share the following video with you published discretely by Walsall Council on 8th February 2013.
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Posted in Bad Science, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Adrian Andrew, Allowances, Civic Centre, cuts, eight, Events, Gareth Illmann-Walker, Local politics, Mike Bird, million, New Photos, Politics, Redevelopment, refurb, Savings, Silly, Smarter Workplaces Programme, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Waste, Youtube
16 Comments
Those Craddocks in full…
The Craddocks are one of Brownhills most notable and mentioned families; they’re one of those names that just keeps cropping up whenever you delve into local history.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Burnell, Clayhanger, Craddock, David Evans, David Evens, David Okley, Family, Local History, New Photos, Panoramio, Redevelopment, Richard, Rose Mariia, Staffordshire, Things to do, Twitter, Vandalism
28 Comments
Bless this tiny house
Many of us may not have noticed the diminutive House of Prayer in Coppice Road, Walsall Wood. In my lifetime, I don’t think it was ever a place of worship; I remember it being used as another add-on yard for the ubiquitous Ken Hodges Builder’s merchants, and when that closed, being converted into a private residence.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged AH Craddock, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chapel, Church, Clayhanger, Coppice Road, Croddock, David Evans, David Oakley, Ken Hodges, Local History, Methodism, New Photos, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, The House of Prayer, Walsall Wood
19 Comments
Chasewater: prepare for controversy
An application has recently been submitted to Lichfield District Council to construct a wake boarding corse at Chasewater, based between a refurbished pier and dam. This is generating some controversy.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged application, Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, controversy, Council, Councty, Course, Cycle rides, cycling, Derelict, District, LDC, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Pier, planning, Redevelopment, Reservoir, SCC, Staffordshire, Things to do, Wake Board, Wakeboard Limited, watersports, Wildlife
15 Comments
Over the water
Here’s a great post from top reader a contributor David Evans, who’s something of an expert on the history of Methodism in the area. Over the course of last Christmas, the question of the religion and it’s chapels in Norton came to the fore.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Bethel, Brownhills, Chapel, circuit, Conduit Colliery, Conduit Pit, David Evans, Local History, Methodism, Methodism in Norton Canes, Methodist, Minister, ministry, New Photos, Norton Canes, planning, Prims, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, Tin Tabernacle, Trinity, Walsall Wood, Wesleyan, Wilfred J Hill
15 Comments
In the beginning
I’ve got some great stuff coming up. But here’s a taste of something really exciting from reader and New Year competition winner Fred Butler. I give you… the start of Crabtree, Brownhills, in 1954.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Features, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged 1954, aerial photo, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Crabtree, Fred Butler, Lichfield Road, Local History, MIDAR, Midland Auto Rewinds, New Photos, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, Superalloys
6 Comments
Fair ground?
Here’s a really interesting one that came in today, and it has so piqued my interest, that I’m going to throw it straight out there. The email speaks for itself – honoured, I am – but I’m hoping readers can help – perhaps Andy Dennis, who I think lives locally to the site in question, or Chasewaterstuff, who seems to know all about this kind of thing.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged 59, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, carousel, Chasewater, child ride, Events, Fairground, heritage, kids, local blogs, Local History, Michael Smith, muffin ride, museum, New Photos, Peace, Redevelopment, Reservoir, roundabout, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, w, White Hore Road, worlds fair
17 Comments
Walsall, everything a pound…
My thanks to Stuart Williams, curator of the Bloxwich telegraph, who spotted this short film this evening. It’s a tribute to the lost buildings of Walsall.
Watch it to the end. It’s very, very sad. A totally brilliant, beautifully animated piece of work. Turn your sound on too.
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Posted in 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, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged animation, £1, Cheap tat, Derelict, Events, Everything a pound, Local History, Local politics, planning, Politics, Pubs, Redevelopment, SalmonCorporation, short, Silly, Stuart Williams, Tesco, Tesco Development, Twitter, Vandalism, video, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Youtube
10 Comments
Walsall Road, Springhill: on Islands
I note from a a number of email enquiries that there has been some controversy of late locally; a plan has existed for some time now to construct a new cemetery at Springhill on the Walsall (Lichfield) Road, between Shire Oak and Muckley Corner.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged Brownhills, burial ground, controversy, crematoria, crematorium, Derelict, etery, Express & Star, Facebook, Lichfield, Lichfield Road, Local politics, new island, New Photos, planning, Politics, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Springhill Business Servcies, Springhill Ce, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Walsall Cemetery, Walsall Road
9 Comments
Good news on the Avion conversion by Wetherspoons
Great – and somewhat reassuring news reaches me from new reader Lizzie Eden. You’ll recall that last week, I was musing on the apparent suspension in two local building projects, the new Co-op store on Streets Corner, Walsall Wood and the conversion of the former Avion Cinema in Aldridge to a Wetherspoons pub
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Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged Aldridge, Avion, hold up, Lizzie Eden, local blogs, Local politics, May, New Photos, News, Opening, planning, progress, Pubs, Redevelopment, Silly, stalled, stopped, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood, Wetherspoons
10 Comments
The Clubmen
Here’s a good one found by reader and local historian Clive Roberts, on the subject of Friezlane Lane Working Men’s Club, which I made an appeal for information about last week.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1957, Ant Hill, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, club, F Breeden, Friezland Lane, J Hession, J Webster, Local History, mans, New Photos, Pubs, Redevelopment, secretary, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Things to do, vice president, Walsall Observer, Walsall Wood, working
6 Comments
New Co-op on Streets Corner: Any news?
I keep getting messages and emails about this. The new store that’s been built on the old car lot in Walsall Wood seems to have been ready to open for weeks, but nothing seems to be happening:
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aldridge, Avion, Brownhills, Cheap tat, co-op, coop, hold up, local blogs, Local politics, New Photos, Panoramio, planning, progress, Pubs, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Silly, stalled, stopped, Street's Corner, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood, Wetherspoons
13 Comments
Reading allowed
It’s about time I gave some other bloggers a plug again. There’s a wealth of good stuff out there, and I do like to share the posts of those I read and enjoy. For the best in local stuff, always take a punt over to the YamYam for Walsall, or any of its sister sites, The Staffie, The Brummie etc. – just check the ‘beyond’ tab in the menu bar.
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Posted in News
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Dave Moore, Derelict, Hanch Tunnel, Kate, Lichfield, Lichfield Lore, local blogs, Local History, Lucy Wood, Morturn, planning, Real Ale red wine, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, Staffordshirebred, Surge Sack, Susan MArie Ward, The YamYam, Things to do, Trevor Bond, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
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The biggest liar in town
We all know the three-faced liar in Brownhills. The Council House Clock – stopped, restored, restarted, stopped, restored, restarted. I lie in bed on warm summer nights and hear it chime the hour over a sleeping, somnambulant town, usually incorrectly. It’s a thing of pride, embarrassment and hilarity in the community.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Civic Centre, Clock, Council House, Events, Lichfield, Local History, Mercury, New Photos, Parkview, Pedro, Peter Cutler, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, three faced liar, town hall
9 Comments
Friezland Lane Working Men’s Club: help needed!
Reader Ant Hill got in touch a week ago (sorry about the delay…) and asked the following question:
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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 Ant Hill, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, club, Friezland Lane, Local History, mans, New Photos, Pubs, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Wood, working
67 Comments
Surging forward
I should have known, really. No sooner had I delved into the fascinating world of the Brownhills surge stack, then Ian Pell, railway historian extraordinaire, had written to me with a whole bunch of new information, clarifications and even a few questions.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Captain, Clayhanger, Company, Dave Moore, Derelict, Harrison, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Lore, Morturn, New Photos, NIMBY, Old maps, Pedro, Peter Cutler, Pumping, Redevelopment, Reservoir, Shire Oak, Snadfields, South Staffordshire, Staffordshire, Station, steam engine, surge stack, Things to do, ventilator, Walsall, Water, Water tower, Waterwoks
12 Comments
Calling time
I noticed at the weekend that a The White Horse pub, just off the A5 in Brownhills, is vacant and up for sale. Sad, really, in it’s day it was a fine house and a good pint. Latterly, it wasn’t so great, but I’d hate to see it go.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local music, News, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Brownhills, Chasewater, Daltons, Derelict, For Sale, planning, Pubs, Redevelopment, The Struggling Monkey, The Whit Horse, Vacant
3 Comments
High rise mice?
I’ve received a very interesting email from a long-time resident of Humphries House in Brownhills. Humphries House, readers will no doubt remember, is the last of two remaining system-build tower blocks in Brownhills, and along with it’s partner, the much smaller Severn House, it was recently reclad and renovated by it’s owners, Walsall Housing Group.
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged Brownhills, Cheap tat, Cladding, high rise, Humphries House, infestation, Mice, pest, pest control, planning, Redevelopment, renovation, rodents, Severn House, Shoddy workmanship, social housing, tenants, Tower block, Vandalism, Walsall Housing Group, WHG
6 Comments
Hiding in plain sight?
It seems like we’re in a period for odd historical tangents and discoveries. It all started with Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler’s classic bit of gentrified nimbyism from ‘Captain’ Harrison at Aldershaw(e). From there, we alighted at Sandfields Pumping Station at Lichfield, and found a wonderful, but neglected steam engine. We’ve found since, via Peter’s further diligent research, and that of Dave Moore, a chap clearly expert on the matter, that there was a long forgotten water tower in Brownhills.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, 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
Tagged Aldershaw, Aldershawe, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Captain, Clayhanger, Company, Dave Moore, Derelict, Harrison, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Lore, Morturn, New Photos, NIMBY, Old maps, Pedro, Peter Cutler, Pumping, Redevelopment, Reservoir, Shire Oak, Snadfields, South Staffordshire, Staffordshire, Station, steam engine, surge stack, Things to do, ventilator, Walsall, Water, Water tower, Waterwoks
24 Comments
Bending Conduit
Every so often (and so it seems, with increasing frequency of late) I’ll get a response to an article I post here that leaves me speechless with the sheer depth and breadth of knowledge it demonstrates. There are, it seems, some very, very knowledgable specialists reading the shambling pile of old toss, and I really have no idea why they’re sticking around, but I’m very grateful for their contributions and presence.
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
8 Comments
Bandstand Christmas Carol Concert at Walsall Arboretum today!
Both Ian Morton-Jones and Kate Goodall contacted me this week to ask me to plug the Christmas Carol Concert at Walsall Arboretum. It is to be held in the newly refurbished bandstand today, Saturday 15th December 2012, from 1:30pm to 2:30pm. It’s free, and will make for a welcome, relaxing break from Christmas shopping.
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 15th December, 2012, arboretum, Bandstand, carol, Christmas, concert, Events, New Photos, Redevelopment, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council
2 Comments
Keeping track
Here’s an unusual one that came in yesterday afternoon. When I saw the picture kindly supplied by Ian, I immediately thought of the image of a similar charter in Bill Mayo and John Sale’s great book ‘Memories of Old Walsall Wood’, which I include at the foot of the post.
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, Derelict, Events, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, rail tour, Redevelopment, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Stephenson Locomotive Society, Walsall Wood
3 Comments
Not in MY backyard (1896 style)…
Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler has been in touch with a lovely quick snippet he spotted in the excellent History of the South Staffordshire Waterworks Company, which is available online for free. It really is an excellent read and deserves wider exposure.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged Aldershaw, Aldershawe, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Captain, Company, Dave Moore, Derelict, Harrison, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Lore, New Photos, NIMBY, Pedro, Peter Cutler, Pumping, Redevelopment, Reservoir, smoke, Snadfields, South Staffordshire, Staffordshire, Station, steam engine, Things to do, Water, Waterwoks
25 Comments
Living on video
Here’s a quick fun series of videos that amused me greatly, found by top reader and local history ferret [Howmuch?] showing Birmingham just as everything was changing in the postwar era. I think everyone who knew the 1960s redevelopment of Birmingham – now long consigned to history – will raise a wry smile at these clips.
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Join the Freemasons – for a pint
Following the fascinating, tangential debate about the Freemasons Arms in Walsall, sparked by reader Ann Cross and her wonderful articles about the Royal Exchange, in Walsall Wood, Ann has scanned the following photo from a book, which can hopefully help the debate along a little.
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Posted in Environment, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged A Click in Time, Ann Cross, Burton, Freemasons Arms, Local History, New Photos, Old photos, Park Street, Pubs, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, Tailor, The Royal Exhange, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Local History Centre, Walsall Wood
3 Comments
Home on The Grange
Thanks to reader contributions, we’ve found the Grange in Aldridge – it was, until relatively recently, in Leighswood, as described by commentors to my original post. Hat tip too, to David Evans, who mailed me with a map which jogged my memory.
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Posted in Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1887, 1903, 1920, 1956, 1961, 1971, Aldridge, Birmingham History Forum, David Evans, Lazy Hill, Leighswood, Local History, Mary Woodroffe, New Photos, Northgate, Old maps, Ordnance Survey, Pennard, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, The Grange, Things to do, Walsall Wood, Walsall Wood Road, Walton Road
13 Comments
Please release me
On the day after my article about Oak Park Leisure Centre, and the odd case being made for it’s replacement, Walsall Council felt the need to issue the following press release. I have no idea why.
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, 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, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Conservative, Councillors, Leisure Centre, Local politics, Oak Park, Oak Park leisure centre, Objections, Redevelopment, strategic leisure, surveyor, Tkevcro, Tory, Walsal Council Press Offfice, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
15 Comments
Oak Park: this doesn’t smell right
The projected rebuild of the Oak Park Leisure centre in Walsall Wood seems to be causing some controversy hereabouts. Whilst I understand it, and I’m grateful for all your contributions – the whole thing is leaving me a bit puzzled.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, 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, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Conservative, Councillors, Leisure Centre, Local politics, Oak Park, Oak Park leisure centre, Objections, Redevelopment, strategic leisure, surveyor, Tkevcro, Tory, Walsal Council Press Offfice, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
15 Comments
The western front
Some weeks ago now, I featured a British Railways Board plan I’d purchased from a map dealer, which showed the coal workings in the Yard Seam below Brownhills Common. At the same time, I bought the one featured here, too. … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged British Railways Board, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, colliery, Derelict, Farm, Hednesford Road, Highfield, Local History, M Fletcher, Mining Plan, Old maps, pit, Redevelopment, Reservoir, Shaft, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Wood Extension, Watling Street, Wilkin, Yard Seam
9 Comments
Aston Manor Transport Museum saved again!
I see Aston Manor Transport Museum have apparently been saved again.
I was sad to note that over late summer, the news had emerged that the transport collection formerly resident in the old tram shed in Witton, and forced to move by landlords Birmingham City Council, was having to move a second time from it’s ‘new’ base in Northgate, Aldridge.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, 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, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Adrian Hipkins, Aldridge, Aston Manor, Brownhills, local blogs, Local History, Mike Cooper, museum, new Home, New Photos, Northgate, planning, Redevelopment, Road Transport Museum, Shenstone Drive, Stymaster, Transport, Volant, Witton
5 Comments
An odd kind of victory
I’m a bit puzzled by a recent press release from Walsall Council Labour Group relating to recent events in Brownhills, and I wonder if readers can help me with this as I’m not certain of the facts, and feel certain there will be people out there more clued-up than I.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, 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 community, Walsall Council
Tagged Barbara Cassidy, Brownhills, Centre, Citizens, club, Derelict, Group, John Dunn, Labour, local blogs, Local politics, OAP, Pier Street, planning, Politics, protest, Redevelopment, Senior, Silly, Steve Wade, Tesco, Tesco Development, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
2 Comments
Odd occurrences at Oak Park?
Reader Tkevcro commented this last week, about some odd activity by surveyors at Oak Park in Walsall Wood, which I think deserves a wider exposure. I’m under the impression that Oak Park is indeed held in trust, and I think selling it off would be highly unlikely, but you never know. Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Leisure Centre, Local politics, Oak Park, Oak Park leisure centre, Redevelopment, strategic leisure, surveyor, Tkevcro, Walsal Council Press Offfice, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
10 Comments
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