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Tag Archives: Redevelopment
Canal trust?
Here’s an interesting one from fellow Brownhills historian David Hodgkinson. David has been musing on the fate of a piece of public art erected at Catshill Junction as part of the canal towpath renovations a few years ago. I must … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged Art, British Waterways, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Canal and Rivers Trust, Catshill Junction, Cheap tat, Cycle of Life, Cycle rides, cycling, David Hodgkinson, Events, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Politics, Redevelopment, sculpture, Staffordshire, Things to do
2 Comments
Dog Daze
Just a quick heads up; since I mentioned a few other blogs last weekend, there’s a local one I’ve been following for a while now, that’s funny and sharp. I would have included it in the post at the time, … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Shared media, Walsall community
Tagged Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Cheap tat, Events, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Redevelopment
5 Comments
Come fly with me
Following on from the previous posts featuring the excellent 1963 aerial images kindly supplied by Gareth Thomas form Lichfield District Council, I today feature two more from the collection. These are rather special, so I saved them for the weekend. The … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, 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, Walsall Council
Tagged aerial photo, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Clayhanger, Events, Gareth Thomas, June 9 1963, LDC, Lichfield District Council, Local History, New Photos, Ogley Hay, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Walsall Wood
18 Comments
Empires and us
Reader Mick Roseblade writes in with a surprisingly common email enquiry. I’m answering this publicly, as I must have answered this four or five times by email to different people over the last couple of years. I’m not sure why … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Market, Canal, Local History, Local politics, planning, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, Silly, Staffordshire, Tesco, Tesco Development
6 Comments
Wood work
This is a post for top reader, contributor and friend of the blog David Evans. A couple of days ago, he emailed me asking if I had any old maps covering the general Walsall Wood area. Well, it took me … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1884, 1902, 1919, 1938, 1:2500, aerial imagery, Aerofilms, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, David Evans, Local History, New Photos, Old maps, Ordnance Survey, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
Fun day at Brownhills West tomorrow!
I notice from Twatter that Walsall Area Partnerships have a fun day running in Kennet Close, Brownhills West, tomorrow Sunday 16th September 2012. There’s also an open event at the refurbished Brownhills West Community Hub at 92, Cherwell Drive, too. … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged activities, Brownhills, Cherwell Drive, Events, fun day, Jackie Hewitt, Kennet Close, Local Area Partnership, local blogs, Local politics, Redevelopment, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Group, Walsall politics
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A sunny afternoon – pictures from the Walsall Bandstand Marathon
Well, it was a nice day, and bikes were welcome, so I toddled along to the Bandstand Marathon in Walsall Arboretum. I can honestly say it was a cracking event. The restored Arboretum basked in the autumn sunshine, and Walsall, … Continue reading
Posted in cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, Local music, News, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 9th September 2012, Arbor Lights, arboretum, Aziz, Bandstand, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, fun day, local blogs, Local politics, Marathon, New Photos, planning, Redevelopment, Sportsfest, Walsall, WV11
21 Comments
Recovered history
The aerial image of Chasewater I posted on Thursday evening really has spurred on some creative consideration of the park’s history. I’ve been surprised and delighted by the memories and theories that have emerged relating to the stunning image, taken … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, 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, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged 24 hour race, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Events, J Donaldson, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Nigel Mansell, Norton Pool, Redevelopment, Reservoir, Silly, speedboat, Staffordshire, steamboat, Wildlife
18 Comments
Bandstand Marathon & Walsall Sportsfest: on today!
That there Kate Goodall and top chap Ian Morton Jones from Walsall Council have been raving about this top event for some weeks now, so I thought I’d give it a plug on the blog. It’s a total repost from … Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local music, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 9th September 2012, arboretum, Bandstand, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, fun day, Ian Morton Jones, local blogs, Local politics, Marathon, New Photos, planning, Redevelopment, Sportsfest, Walsall
2 Comments
Parking for one bicycle…
Thanks to the keen eye of reader and friend of the blog Trevor Bond, I now know that the long awaited cycle parking at Tesco in Brownhills has arrived and been installed. Trevor alerted me this afternoon on twitter, so on … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged bike, Brownhills, Cheap tat, Cycle Racks, Cycle rides, cycling, Facebook, facilities, Lee Slater, local blogs, New Photos, planning, rack, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, refresh, sheffield stand, Silly, Tesco, Tesco Development, Trevor Bond, turd polish, Walsall, wheel bender
3 Comments
Laburnum Cottage, Brownhills: What do you know?
One wet Sunday over the summer – 3rd June, to be precise – I featured the now-empty Laburnum Cottage on my 365daysofbiking journal. This house, which stands on the corner of New Road and High Street, Brownhills, just opposite … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged #365daysofbiking, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Derelict, Events, High Street, Laburnum Cottage, Local History, Matthew Bedworth, New Photos, New Road, old buildings, planning, printers, Redevelopment, Silver Court
16 Comments
The Lost City
No, not the infamous and somewhat notorious housing estate in Tipton, but Brownhills. These photos are postcards currently for sale on everyone’s favourite tat bazaar, eBay, interestingly, all the way from a seller in Australia. Both cards are used, and … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged 1920's, 20s, Austrailia, Avenues, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chase Road, estate, First Avenue, Garden City, Lichfield Road, Local History, New Photos, Ogley Road, planning, Postcard, Redevelopment, Second Avenue, Staffordshire, Third Avenue
20 Comments
Whose Fault is it, anyway?
Here’s one for the Knaves Castle/The Fault/The Fort inquisitors out there. It’s been a while since I raided the mapping archives, so I thought I’d go rooting through the cartographic record, and see if I could find ‘The Fort’. Sadly, … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Castle Street, Farm, Howdles Lane, Knave's Castle, Local History, Newtown, Old maps, planning, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, The Fault, The Fort, Watling Street
8 Comments
End of an era?
Thanks to the anonymous reader who flagged this up with me a couple of days ago. Further to our recent rumination on the matter of the former Royal Oak, at Bullings Heath, it’s been noted that the piece of land … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Bullings Heath, David Evans, Derelict, Development, Green Lane, Land for Sale, Local History, Paul Carr, planning, Redevelopment, Royal Oak, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
King of the castle
Here’s a great spot from Kate, of Lichfield Lore. Found on the always excellent Openlibrary.org, it’s a 1908 book called ‘The Victoria History of the County of Stafford’ and contains descriptions and plans of all the antiquities in Staffordshire. Including the … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, 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
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Castle, Dawes Lane, earthwork, Events, Fault, Fort, Kate, Knave's Castle, Lichfield Lore, local blogs, Local History, Newtown, Old maps, Openlibrary.org, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Victoria History of the County of Stafford
9 Comments
Racked off
So, the Tesco Brownhills turd polish – known by Tesco fans as a ‘refresh’ – has apparently concluded. We have nice new wooden benches for the drunks, vagrants and teens; charming flower beds, new signage and a patched-up car park. … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged bike, Brownhills, Cheap tat, Cycle Racks, Cycle rides, cycling, Facebook, facilities, Lee Slater, local blogs, New Photos, planning, rack, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, refresh, sheffield stand, Silly, Tesco, Tesco Development, turd polish, Walsall, wheel bender
7 Comments
Bandstand Marathon & Walsall Sportsfest: coming soon to an arboretum near you!
Ian Morton-Jones writes to me from the grey Lubyanka that is Walsall’s Civic Centre to alert me of a wonderful, free event going down in the Arboretum in Walsall on Sunday, 9th September. Ian’s appealing for stallholders, too, so if … Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local music, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 9th September 2012, arboretum, Bandstand, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, fun day, Ian Morton Jones, local blogs, Local politics, Marathon, New Photos, planning, Redevelopment, Sportsfest, Walsall
3 Comments
Fortitude?
An interesting enquire from reader Mike Stackhouse, who’s researching his family history. Mike mailed me to ask the following: Hi Bob, I wonder if you could help me. I have been doing a bit of family tree tracing and with … Continue reading
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, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Avenues, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Bug row, Castle Gate, Castlefort, Fort, Local History, Mike Stackhouse, Pear Tree Lane, Pier Street, Redevelopment, Silver Street, Staffordshire, The Castles, Walsall Wood
10 Comments
The Crossing
Sorry, I’ve been a bit busy again this week, but I just thought I’d flag up a really lovely, quirky bit of local history that may otherwise pass you by. David Cresswell, Brownhillian, friend of the blog and rail enthusiast … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, 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, Walsall community
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills railway, Brownhills station, crossing, Dave Cresswell, Derelict, Fosseway, level, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, planning, Politics, Redevelopment, Rob Taylor, South Staffordshire Raileway Group, South Staffordshire railway, Walsall, Wlasall to Lichfield railway
3 Comments
Something to build upon
Just a quick note to point out that I’ve had a fantastic response to my musings on the subject of the BOAK fire, and my desire to channel some of the creative anger abounding in the online community into something … Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged arson, BOAK, Brownhills, Cheap tat, Clayhanger, Cycle rides, cycling, Derelict, Events, heritage, Jabez Cliff, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, planning, Politics, Pubs, Redevelopment, The Plastic Hippo, The YamYam, Twitter, Urbext, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
No shit, Sherlock
I noticed the above item, oddly tucked onto the front page of the Walsall Express and star last night. I can’t believe they’ve just twigged this, months after Radio WM and I spotted that Tesco had got cold feet. This … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brownhills, Canal, Cheap tat, Express & Star, Local politics, planning, Politics, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, Silly, Tesco, Tesco Development, Vandalism, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
1 Comment
BBC Midlands Today report on arson
I was contacted late on Tuesday afternoon by BBC journo Ben Sidwell, who was compiling a report for local news TV magazine show ‘Midlands Today’, and was enquiring if he could use one of my images of the BOAK Ravenscraig … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged arson, Ben Sidwell, Bloxwich Telegraph, BOAK, Cheap tat, Derelict, Events, heritage, Jabez Cliff, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Midlands Today, New Photos, planning, Politics, Pubs, Redevelopment, Twitter, Urbex, Urbext, Vandalism, Walkways, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
Brownhills Tesco: Access denied
Shopping giant Tesco, fresh from expecting the residents of Brownhills to get excited over the fact that they have painted their store and fixed a few leaks for the first time in nearly two decades, seem to be intent on … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, 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, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brownhills, Cheap tat, Derelict, Events, Local politics, New Photos, planning, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, Silly, Tesco, Tesco Development, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
10 Comments
After the fire had gone out – an appeal
Last Friday evening, I came back home via Walsall at around 7:30pm. On the way through what was a very weary, against the wind journey, I popped down to take a shufty at what was left of the BOAK building, … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Churches, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged arson, BOAK, Brownhills, Cheap tat, Clayhanger, Cycle rides, cycling, Derelict, Events, heritage, Jabez Cliff, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, planning, Politics, Pubs, Redevelopment, The Plastic Hippo, The YamYam, Twitter, Urbext, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
25 Comments
Face to face
Following on from my post last week where I featured local historian Gerald Reece’s research and loving reproductions of the mapping for the the proposed Norton Branch of the South Staffordshire Railway, I have an interesting document to share with … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged 1884, Bettys Lane, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Cannock Chase Mining Historical Society, Conduit Colliery, Conduit colliery basin, Document, Draft, Gerald Reece, history, local blogs, Local History, London North Western Railway, mining, New Photos, Norton Branch, Norton Canes, Old maps, plan, Pubs, Railway, Red Lion, Redevelopment, South Staffordshire Raiway, Staffordshire
10 Comments
Walsall Wood – A short history by Margaret Brice
The readers of this humble blog really are remarkable people. No sooner had I mentioned yesterday that I was looking for a copy of Margaret Brice’s Walsall Wood book, than I had two readers offering me copies. Reader and top … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged A Short History of Walsall Wood, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, David Evans, Lichfield Road, local books, Local History, Margaret Brice, Mrs. Proffit, New Photos, off licence, Outdoor, Panoramio, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Street's Corner, The Ivy House, Walsall Wood
22 Comments
Miles of steel over wood
Here’s a fantastic bit of research history from local historian and author Gerald Reece. Following our recent communications about the question of pumps and mining in general in the area of Brownhills Common and Engine Lane, Gerald sent me the … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media
Tagged A Walk Into History, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Cathedral, Company, David Evans, Derelict, Draft, Engine Lane, Greald Reece, Lessees, local blogs, Local History, Norton Branch, Occupiers, Old maps, Owners, Plans, Railway, Redevelopment, South Staffordshire railway, Staffordshire, The Slough
15 Comments
The Ivy League
I’ve just had this one come in this afternoon from reader, contributor and all round top chap David Evans. It’s jarred me awake a little, as I know a reader locally to be researching this very subject, so I’m posting … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged A Short History of Walsall Wood, Betty Fox, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, David Evans, Lichfield Road, Local History, Margaret Brice, Mrs. Proffit, New Photos, off licence, Outdoor, Panoramio, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Street's Corner, The Ivy House, Walsall Wood
5 Comments
It’s time to let go…
I suspect this post will meet with some derision or controversy, but I’ve been mulling it over for four or five months now, and the issue has just come to the fore again. A very short article in this week’s … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged apartments, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Derelict, Events, Express & Star, Facebook, flats, Local History, Local politics, MacWarreners, madonalds, Ogley Road, Panoramio, planning, Pubs, Redevelopment, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Warreners Arms
11 Comments
Chasewater road closure – get your voice heard
Here’s a rather important one I missed. A couple of days ago, top chap Andy Dennis sent me the below photo, of the legal Traffic Prohibition Order posted on site at Pool Lane, Chasewater. You’ll remember that there’s been some … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged Andy Dennis, anglers, Anglesey Basin, angling, Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Closure, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, fishing, Local politics, New Photos, permanent, planning, Pool Road, Redevelopment, Reservoir, Road Traffic Regulation, roadblock, Silly, Site Notice, Staffordshire, Vandalism, Wildlife
7 Comments
Chasewater: The whining continues
I note from local news services including Licfield Live, the Express and Star and local free sheets that local councillors in Chasewtown and Burntwood are still attempting to make lame political points out of the closure of the dam road … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Express & Star, 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, Wildlife
Tagged anglers, Anglesey Basin, angling, Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Closure, Cycle rides, cycling, Eric Drinkwater, Express & Star, fishing, Local politics, permanent, planning, Pool Road, Redevelopment, Reservoir, roadblock, Silly, Staffordshire, Vandalism, Wildlife
14 Comments
Team work?
Here’s an odd little one for the football buffs. I know very little about this clipping other than the text that accompanies it. Reader Dave sent it me a couple of weeks ago, and I’ve been trying to fit it … Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Events, Features, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community
Tagged Dave, David, Events, football, Footy, High Heath, Local History, New Photos, Observer, Pubs, Redevelopment, Shelfield, soccer, Staffordshire, team, Tom Price, Walsall, Walsall Wood, WMC, Working mens club
2 Comments
The Drifters
Right, I thought, let’s do it. Following the recent attention to the Anglesey Wharf and coal screening conveyor, I considered that it must be possible to find the Anglesey Basin drift shaft within the mapping record. Someone will have plotted … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, 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
Tagged Adit, Anglesey Wharf, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Past, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Coal Mining, Conveyor, Cycle rides, Derelict, drift shaft, Local History, Narrowboats, Old maps, Ordnance Survey, Redevelopment, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Wildlife
7 Comments
A day at the races
I note today there’s been growing interest in the question of Brownhills Racecourse, such as it was. For younger readers, this wasn’t the old stadium by Chasewater which an unsuccessful trotting track, or it’s precursor, the trotting track on the … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Clayhanger 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, Walsall community
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, charity, Clayhanger, David Evans, Dorsett, Events, football, Gerald Reece, Local History, New Photos, Old maps, Pedro Cutler, Peter Cutler, Rabbit coursing, Race Course, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, Tesco Development, wakes, Water meadow, Watermead, William ROberts
12 Comments
On the conveyor?
I picked up a really good map recently. It’s a 1:2,500 plot of eastern Chasewater, the Anglesey Basin and Wharf, and the area of south Chasetown and The Triangle. It’s from 1962, and has a tad more information on it … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged Anglesey Wharf, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Past, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Coal Mining, Conveyor, Cycle rides, Derelict, Local History, Narrowboats, Old maps, Ordnance Survey, Redevelopment, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Wildlife
10 Comments
Standing on the shoulders
Readers will recall that a couple of weeks ago, I was trying to contact local author, and former resident of Brownhills, Gerald Reece. Fortunately, we managed to connect up. Gerald has been very kind and has communicated extensively with me … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged A Walk Into History, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Clayhanger, Greald Reece, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, Walsall Wood
20 Comments
Road to nowhere
In a week when our local rag is trying to convince us that it’s still indispensable and the most trusted source for news in the area, this fine example of the local newshound’s art caught my eye. Yet again, the … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Closure, Cycle rides, cycling, Eric Drinkwater, Express & Star, GR Thompson, Local politics, permanent, planning, Pool Road, Redevelopment, Reservoir, Silly, Staffordshire, Vandalism, Wildlife
1 Comment
Primitive worship
Top reader and local history wonk David Evans sent me an essay this week that neatly connects in with the enquiry I made a week ago about religion in mining communities. One of the most prolific forms of ecclesiastical architure … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local music, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chapel, Clayhanger, corrugated iron, David Evans, Derelict, early temporary buildings, Local History, Methodism, New Photos, Panoramio, prefabs, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, Tin Tabernacle, Walsall Wood
8 Comments
Silver Waters. I kid you not…
I notice with some amusement that the Taylor Wimpey housing development between the Watermead and the Tesco petrol station in Brownhills has been given the nod, and has been christened with the utterly preposterous name of ‘Silver Waters’. Obviously harking … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, 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 Brownhills, Derelict, estate, house building, Local politics, Morris Homes, New Photos, newbuild, planning, Redevelopment, Silver Street, Silver Waters, Strange Notices, Taylor Wimpey, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Watermead Estate, Watermead Grange
7 Comments
Poisoning the well?
There’s something odd going on at the moment, that I’d like to get to the bottom of. I’ve now seen four separate instances of the incorrect assertion that the Senior Citizen’s protest stopped the Brownhills Tesco Redevelopment. The first was … Continue reading
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, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills Market, Brownhills OAP's, Brownhills pensioners, Brownhills Senior Citizens Club, Cheap tat, Derelict, Express & Star, John Goulding, Letter, Local politics, Mike Bird, Petition, planning, Politics, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, Regeneration, Silly, Tesco, Tesco Development, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
3 Comments
Lichfield Archeological Investigations
I note today that both Annette Rubery and Kate over at Lichfield Lore have been energised by the archeology currently ongoing prior to the new development starting near The Friary in Lichfield. Both have written interesting articles, and Annette has … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged Annette rubery, Archeology, boris bratby, Dig, Friary, history, Kate Gomez, Lichfield, Lichfield Lore, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Old maps, planning, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, Twitter
5 Comments
Tesco Brownhills: come on in, the water’s lovely.
The above image of water leaking from the cladding of Brownhills Tesco certainly makes you think. With buckets dotted about the store to collect other ingress, just how bad to things have to get before Brownhills deserves a decent place … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Brownhills, Cheap tat, planning, Redevelopment, Regeneration, Roof leak, scruffy, Silly, Tesco, Tesco Development, Water leak
3 Comments
Never let the facts get in the way of a good rant
The local press is proving a rich seam of content at the moment here on the Brownhills Blog, and I really wanted to resist raiding yet another reader’s letter from yet another op-ed page. However, this one is so unbelievably … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills Market, Brownhills OAP's, Brownhills pensioners, Brownhills Senior Citizens Club, Cheap tat, Derelict, Express & Star, John Goulding, Letter, Local politics, Mike Bird, Petition, planning, Politics, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, Regeneration, Silly, Tesco, Tesco Development, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
6 Comments
Are they listening?
I note with interest that someone appears to be listening down at Chasewater. Earlier in the month, I complained about the new anti-vehicle barrier erected on the dam road to prevent cars pulling down into the canal basin and Nine-Foot … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Cycle rides, cycling, New Photos, Redevelopment, Reservoir, Silly, Staffordshire
5 Comments
The end of the pier
Local author, Clayhanger Kid and friend of the blog Brian Stringer got in touch last week with an interesting bit of ephemera relating to the Pier Hotel, the long-lost pub that used to stand at the end of Pier Street … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, 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, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Kid, Derelict, Fortune of War, H Williams, Horobin, Hotel, Ind Coope, Inn, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Pier, Pike Helve, Pubs, Redevelopment, Staffordshire
19 Comments
The Irish question
Sadly, I’ve been neglecting poor old David Evans recently. He’s working tirelessly in the background, collecting memories, working on a couple of special projects and continually generating new content for readers here on the Brownhills Blog. Of late, things have … Continue reading
Posted in Churches, Environment, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Beech Tree Road, Brookland Road, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, David Evans, Irish Cemetery, local blogs, Local History, Marion Fadelle, Powells, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, Vigo, Walsall Wood
13 Comments
Reports of his death have been grossly exaggerated…
People who’ve been with this blog from the beginning will no doubt recall the terrapin, presumably a dumped pet, that lived around the Nine-Foot pool in the days before the Chasewater Dam Works. Often drawing a crowd when he came … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Graham Evans, nine foot, Redevelopment, Reservoir, Silly, Staffordshire, terrapin, Wildlife
4 Comments
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