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Tag Archives: Reservoir
2015 Chasewater Grand Prix – this weekend!
I’ll be perfectly honest here – I know very little about this, but for those that do, this is apparently quite a weekend for the powerboat community as Saturday and Sunday see the PowerBoatGP 2015 Chasewater Grand Prix at our favourite reservoir and country park.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, 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
Tagged 18 July, 19 July, 2015, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, Events, Grand Prix, Lichfield, New Photos, Powerboat GP, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Things to do
1 Comment
Our greenspaces are not for sale!
In the last couple of days there’s been a degree of what can only be described as panic locally and on social media about the future of Cannock Chase, Chasewater and other Staffordshire Country Parks.
Posted in Cannock Chase, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged 2015, Brownhills, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Consultation, country parks, Cycle rides, cycling, Facebook, For Sale, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, not, Panoramio, planning, Politics, Reservoir, Silly, Staffordshire, Statement, Things to do, Twitter, Vandalism, Wildlife
7 Comments
Get some Iron, man – road closure details for Sunday
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know that this Sunday (June 14th 2015), the inaugural Staffordshire Ironman Triathlon will be staged, with a 1.2 mile swim in Chasewater being amongst the highlights. Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged 14 June, 2015, Brownhills, Chasewater, Cycle rides, cycling, Details, Diversions, Events, Express & Star, Facebook, Ironman, Lichfield, list, local blogs, New Photos, Reservoir, ride, road closed, Road Closure, Run, Shugborough, Staffordshire, Sunday, swim, Things to do, traffic
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Chasewater Rangers Rant Spring 2015
I’m doing this one following requests on social media – the Chasewater Rangers Rant newsletter for Spring 2015, and it’s rather good, I have to say – paper copies are available free from the Innovation Centre.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged 2015, boating lake, Brownhills, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Cycle rides, cycling, Environment, Events, exhibitions, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, New Photos, News, Newsletter, pond, pool, Rangers, Rangers Rant, Rant, Reservoir, Shared media, Social media, Spring, Staffordshire, Things to do, whats on, Wildlife
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Chasewater Spring Fair this Sunday!
Just a quick heads up that this Sunday (19th April 2015), there’s to be a Spring Fair at Chasewater – I don’t know much about it but there will be craft stalls, food, amusements and all the usual type things there.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 19 April, 2015, Brownhills, Chasewater, Country Park, Craft, Events, fair, Innovation centre, Lichfield, local blogs, Market, Reservoir, Spring, Staffordshire, Sunday, Things to do, WS8 7NL
2 Comments
Brock and roll
This isn’t very pleasant, so I’ll be short and to the point – people, we have a burgeoning badger population at the moment as these guys come in from the fringes of local countryside into town, just as their brothers the foxes have done, and unfortunately they’re dying in large numbers on our roads.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged Accident, Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Clayhanger, Common, Deer Safety partnership, Fatality, Lichfield, Local Committee, Mervyn Smith, New Photos, Red deer, Reservoir, road safety, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
1 Comment
New road safety initiative for Brownhills
You all know that I love local wildlife – and that I’m particularly fond of the local deer population, who have sadly been involved in many accidents with vehicles in recent years on roads around our commons, countryside and open spaces.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged Accident, Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Clayhanger, Common, Deer Safety partnership, Fatality, Lichfield, Local Committee, Mervyn Smith, New Photos, Red deer, Reservoir, road safety, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
21 Comments
Chasewater Railway Winter Steam Gala this weekend
I note Chasewater Railway have a Winter Steam Gala this weekend (28th February – 1st March 2015), with special guest engines and a much busier running timetable than normal.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, 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
Tagged 2015, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, Events, Febrary 28th, Gala, Gala Day, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, March 1st, New Photos, Panoramio, Reservoir, Staffordshire, STeam, Steam Railway, Things to do, Trains, Winter Steam Gala
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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
Chasewater Countryside Events and Guided Walks 2015 – details available here
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged 2015, Brownhills, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Countryside, Cycle rides, cycling, Environment, Events, exhibitions, Fun stuff to see and do, guided walks, Interesting photos, Local media, New Photos, News, Newsletter, Rangers, Reservoir, Shared media, Social media, Staffordshire, Things to do, whats on, Wildlife
1 Comment
Fast and sluice
Last week, I featured the third batch of images from the Canal and River Trust Archive, of the Grove Colliery near Brownhills in the late 1950s – also revealing the archive and inviting readers to go see what they could find.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 2015, Andy Dennis, archive, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Canal and River Trust, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, images, Lichfield, LichfieldLive, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, photos, Reservoir, Sluice, Staffordshire, Things to do
7 Comments
Found dog – now reunited with owner.
Thanks to all who shared and helped on social media and in other channels – the lost Border Collie found by Lee Chapman yesterday has been reunited with her owner.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged A5, bitch, Border Collie, Brownhills, Brownhills West, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Common, dog, Events, Facebook, female, found, island, K9 Search, Lee Chapman, Lichfield, Lost, New Photos, Newtown, Reservoir, School, Staffordshire, Things to do, tri-colour, Watling Street
1 Comment
Border Collie dog found on A5 in Brownhills
An urgent appeal reaches me via Facebook from Lee Chapman, who’s today (Saturday, 3rd January 2015) found a Collie dog near Brownhills Common on the A5.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged A5, bitch, Border Collie, Brownhills, Brownhills West, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Common, dog, Events, Facebook, female, found, island, K9 Search, Lee Chapman, Lichfield, Lost, New Photos, Newtown, Reservoir, School, Staffordshire, Things to do, tri-colour, Watling Street
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Home on the range
Here’s a quick one I’ve been meaning to post up for a couple of weeks – the Chasewater Rangers now have a newsletter, and it’s rather good, I have to say – it’s available free from the Innovation Centre. 
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged boating lake, Brownhills, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Cycle rides, cycling, Environment, Events, exhibitions, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, New Photos, News, Newsletter, pond, pool, Rangers, Rant, Reservoir, Shared media, Social media, Staffordshire, Things to do, whats on, Wildlife
1 Comment
Burntwood Lantern Parade and Christmas Fayre at Chasewater this evening!
Here’s a further chance to get into the Christmas spirit this evening (Sunday 14th December 2014) – there’s the Annual Burntwood Lantern Parade and a Christmas Fayre being held at Chasewater Innovation Centre.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged 2014, 5pm, Brownhills, Chasewater, Christmas, Cycle rides, cycling, December 14th, Events, Facebook, Fayre, Lantern Parade, local blogs, New Photos, Reservoir, Santa, Special, Staffordshire, Sunday, Things to do, Wildlife
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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
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
On a clear day
The wonderfully generous and knowledgable Sir Gerald of Reece recently sent me some scans of aerial images dating from 1948-52, taken of Brownhills and and stored on transparency, which I feature here today.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media
Tagged aerial photo, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Events, Gareth Thomas, June 9 1963, LDC, Lichfield District Council, Local History, New Photos, Norton Pool, Reservoir, Staffordshire
6 Comments
Stroll this way to tots play – this morning!
For some time now I’ve been promoting the brilliant parent and toddler walking and social group that takes place weekly at Chasewater – Chasewater Strollers, who continue to grow in number and recently made an appeal for toys and equipment to set up a playgroup.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged 16th November, 2014, appeal, Arts Centre, Brownhills, buggy, Chasetown, Chasewater, dad, Esther Allen, Events, Facebook, forest, Lichfield, Mondays, mum, musicians, new venue, parents, playgroup, Reservoir, St. Anne's, Staffordshire, Stroll this way to tots play, Strollers, Things to do, toddler, walking, walking group, Walsall, Walsall Symphony Orchestra, Wildlife
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Urgent – Harris Hawk lost in Burntwood
I have no idea what to make of this – lost raptors are a new one for the blog, but never a dull moment – just has this report of a lost Harris Hawk in from Jim Mason of Burntwood:
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Wildlife
Tagged 2014, appeal, Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Harris Hawk, Jim Mason, Lichfield, Lost, raptor, Reservoir, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, Wildlife
5 Comments
A musical evening in Brownhills – this Saturday!
Local chap and musician John Carver contacted me a week or so ago to ask me to give this fine folk gig a plug, starring a lady with a rather remarkable local tale to tell – and she’s supported by some rather excellent welsh musicians, too.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 18th October, 2014, Brenig, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Clayhanger, Events, folk, gig, Jean Ward, John Carver, Lichfield, Mandy Ward, Methodist Chursch, Reservoir, Saturday, Shire Oak, Silver Street, Things to do, Walsall Wood
1 Comment
How do you like these apples?
We are celebrating the good old English Apples here at Chasewater Innovation Centre on Sunday 19th October 1pm – 4pm – admission and parking is free, and we are having stalls, gifts, crafts and fun for all the family!
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 19th, 2014, Apple, Brownhills, Chasewater, Clayhanger, Cleebration, day, Events, fair, fun, Innovation centre, Lichfield, October, press, recipe, Reservoir, sample, Staffordshire, Sunday, Things to do, Wildlife
1 Comment
Strolling players!
For some time now I’ve been promoting the brilliant parent and toddler walking and social group that takes place weekly at Chasewater – Chasewater Strollers, who continue to grow in number and recently made an appeal for toys and equipment to set up a playgroup.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged appeal, Arts Centre, Brownhills, buggy, Chasetown, Chasewater, dad, Esther Allen, Events, Facebook, forest, Lichfield, Mondays, mum, musicians, new venue, parents, playgroup, Reservoir, St. Anne's, Staffordshire, Strollers, Things to do, toddler, walking, walking group, Walsall, Walsall Symphony Orchestra, Wildlife
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Overcome with emulsion
As I alluded yesterday when I featured the image of the Chasewater pump house, reader and friend of the blog Ruth Penrhyn-Lowe has been slaving over a warm scanner yet again to share with us some wonderful postcards from her late father’s personal collection, and all of these have a Chasetown theme.
Posted in News
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasetown, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater history, Church Street, Clock, Doris Fox, Harrison, High Street, Junction, local blogs, Local History, nine foot, Postcard, Reservoir, Ruth Penrhyn Lowe, Staffordshire, steam engine, Steam pump
17 Comments
Pumping clear water
This is remarkable – I’m just going to leave it here for those among us interested in Chasewater, and the arrangements with the steam pump that used to return water from Anglesey Basin into the reservoir.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, 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, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater history, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cycle rides, local blogs, Local History, nine foot, Postcard, Reservoir, Ruth Penrhyn Lowe, Staffordshire, steam engine, Steam pump, Wildlife
6 Comments
Stepping out – can you help Chasewater Strollers grow?
You folks will probably remember that I’m very keen on plugging a parent and toddler walking and social group that takes place weekly at Chasewater – Chasewater Strollers – who meet every Monday morning at 9:30am at the Innovation Centre.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged appeal, Brownhills, Burnell, Chasewater, dad, Ed, Esther Allen, Events, Facebook, Lichfield, Maria, Mondays, mum, New Photos, parents, playgroup, Reservoir, Rose, Staffordshire, Strollers, Things to do, toddlerbuggy, walking, walking group, Wildlife
2 Comments
Paint it black
There has been huge interest in the post I published last week on the subject of the rare and rather beautiful black swan spotted at Chasewater last Wednesday by The Swan Lady, Irene Hodges.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Wildlife
Tagged 2014, Barrie, Black, Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Events, Hodges, Irene, Lichfield, New Photos, photo, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Swan, The Swan Lady, Things to do, video, Wildlife
3 Comments
Sunday Chasewater Craft & Farmers Market cancelled – but Whittington on this morning
Just a quick heads up that this Sunday (7th September 2014), there was to be a Craft and Farmers Markets staged at Chasewater, which has been cancelled, with the organisers Bohemian Bunty pulling out of the monthly event.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 2014, 7th September, Bohemian Bunty, Brownhills, called, Cancelled, Chasewater, Chris Hill, Country Fair, Country Park, Craft, Events, Facebook, Farmers, J Marie Jewellery, Lichfield, local blogs, Market, off, pulled out, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Sunday, Things to do, WHittington, WS8 7NL
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Clear waters rising
Here’s some good news and welcome common sense for those of us who enjoy Chasewater – after being nothing more than a filthy soup of rotting bird faeces, food and feathers for a few months now, Staffordshire County Council have got contractors in to clean out the boating lake.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged bird, boating lake, bread, Brownhills, Canal, change, Chasewater, consideration, cynical, ducks, Facebook, feed, feeding, geese, hazard, Lichfield, mess, New Photos, pollution, poo, Reservoir, Rose Maria Burnell, seed, shit, Silly, Staffordshire, swans, Things to do, Water, wildfowl, Wildlife
1 Comment
Chasewater Railway Annual Charities Day this Sunday
I noticed Chasewater Steam Railway have their Annual Charities Day this Sunday (10th August 2014), with stalls and entertainment for all, and also pet microchipping for a token donation to the RSPCA.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, 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
Tagged 10, 14, 2014, AMRTM, Aston Manor Road Transport Museum, August, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, Events, Grandparents Day, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, microchipping, Reservoir, RSPCA, Staffordshire, STeam, Steam Railway, Things to do, Trains
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Truncated
I’m going to share here an absolutely astounding image donated by Brownhills Local History researcher in exile Gerald Reece, which is sure to create some debate – I’m going to be brief, as I feel it’s best.
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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, Chris Pattison, Clayhanger, Company, Dave Moore, Derelict, Gerald Reece, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Morturn, New Photos, Old maps, Pedro, Pumping, Reservoir, Sandfields, Shire Oak, South Staffordshire, Staffordshire, Station, surge stack, Things to do, ventilator, Walsall, Water, Water tower, Waterwoks
6 Comments
A clean sweep at Chasewater – at last
I’m pleased to see that, in all probability, people power has worked over the issue of the filthy state of the walkways around the boating lake at Chasewater, which this week have been cleaned to a decent standard – you’ll remember that last week, I posted about the disgraceful mess there.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged bird, boating lake, bread, Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, consideration, Councillors, cynical, ducks, feed, feeding, geese, hazard, Lichfield, mess, New Photos, pollution, poo, Reservoir, Rose Maria Burnell, seed, shit, Silly, Staffordshire, swans, Things to do, wildfowl, Wildlife
8 Comments
Chasewater – you can’t polish turds
Of late, Lichfield District Councillors and Staffordshire County Council have been cock-a-hoop about Chasewater – they’ve suddenly discovered our local reservoir, and just how fine it is – but there’s a bit of a problem.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged bird, boating lake, bread, Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, consideration, Councillors, cynical, ducks, feed, feeding, geese, hazard, Lichfield, mess, New Photos, pollution, poo, Reservoir, Rose Maria Burnell, seed, shit, Silly, Staffordshire, swans, Things to do, wildfowl, Wildlife
10 Comments
Craft Market at Chasewater this Sunday
Just a quick heads up that this Sunday (6th July 2014) sees the third regular Craft and Farmers Markets staged at Chasewater – I’ve been to the first two, and whilst not really a farmers market, the craft and handmade stalls have been decent.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 2014, 6th July, Bohemian Bunty, Brownhills, Chasewater, Country Park, Craft, Events, Facebook, Farmers, Lichfield, local blogs, Market, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Sunday, Things to do, WS8 7NL
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Keep strolling!
You may remember that a while back I plugged a new parent and toddler walking and social group that was starting up a Chasewater – well, the group is going from strength to strength and is very popular with local parents and little ones who like to take the air, and get out socialising with other likeminded folk.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Burnell, Chasewater, dad, Ed, Esther Allen, Events, Facebook, Lichfield, Maria, Mondays, mum, New Photos, parents, Reservoir, Rose, Staffordshire, Strollers, Things to do, toddlerbuggy, walking, walking group, Wildlife
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Water supply issues in Brownhills, Aldridge & Pelsall
Seeing lots of reports of folk with no water or severely reduced pressure in our area, as far away as Aldridge, Brownhills and Pelsall – here’s the latest updates.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, It makes me mad!, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aldridge, Brownhills, Clayhanger, Events, Facebook, Fault, interruption, Lichfield, low pressure, News, no water, Pelsall, Reservoir, Shelfield, Shire Oak, south staffordshire water, Staffordshire, status, supply, Twitter, updates, Walsall, Walsall Wood, Water, water fault
11 Comments
Craft and Farmers Market at Chasewater today!
Just a quick heads up that today, 1st June 2014 sees the second regular Craft and Farmers Markets staged at Chasewater – the first was well attended and garnered a positive reaction.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 2014, 4th May, Bohemian Bunty, Brownhills, Chasewater, Country Park, Craft, Events, Facebook, Farmers, Lichfield, local blogs, Market, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Sunday, Things to do, WS8 7NL
1 Comment
Craft and Farmers Market at Chasewater this Sunday
Just a quick heads up that this Sunday (1st June 2014) sees the second regular Craft and Farmers Markets staged at Chasewater – the first was well attended and garnered a positive reaction.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 2014, 4th May, Bohemian Bunty, Brownhills, Chasewater, Country Park, Craft, Events, Facebook, Farmers, Lichfield, local blogs, Market, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Sunday, Things to do, WS8 7NL
2 Comments
Take to the water this Sunday!
There’s an interesting, fun-looking event taking place this Sunday (25th May 2014) at Chase Watersports Centre, at Chasewater – it’s a twelve hour continuous waterski event in aid of the Stephen’s Story appeal for the Teenage Cancer Trust.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 12 hour, 2014, 25th May, Brownhills, charity, Chase, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Events, Facebook, inflatable, Lichfield, Reservoir, Silly, Staffordshire, Stephen Sutton, Stephens Story, TCT, Teenage Cancer Trust, Things to do, Wakeboard, waterski, watersports centre
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Lost – Keep your eye out folks
I’ve had a couple of notes about lost items at Chasewater yesterday – a camera and a GPS – one of which got mangled by the server, so I’d appreciate the person involved contacting me again.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Just plain daft, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Afternoon, appeal, Bench, Brownhills, Burntwood, Camera, Canoe Club, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Events, Garmin, GPS, GPSmap 64s, Lichfield, Lost, Memory card, Nikon, reader, Reservoir, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, Watersports club
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Craft and Farmers Market at Chasewater tomorrow!
Thanks to the wonderful Linda Mason who tipped me off – tomorrow sees the first of a series of regular Craft and Farmers Markets staged at Chasewater.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 2014, 4th May, Bohemian Bunty, Brownhills, Chasewater, Country Park, Craft, Events, Facebook, Farmers, Lichfield, local blogs, Market, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Sunday, Things to do, WS8 7NL
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The model
Oh my goodness, this is unusual – but knowing you lot, you’ll be able to help – top bloke and long-time friend of the blog Ian Morton-Jones has been in touch to ask a very interesting question about a model boat he took a picture of at Chasewater in 2012.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Barmouth, boating lake, Brownhills, Chasewater, club, Events, Facebook, Ian Morton Jones, Lichfield, Lifeboat, Model, Mystery, New Photos, Reservoir, RNLI, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall Council
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If the cap fits…
On Sunday I rode up Coppice Lane in Brownhills for the first time in a few weeks, and noticed that contractors for The Coal Authority – the body charged with monitoring and remediating historic mineworkings – had been hard at work capping the two shafts left over from the West Coppice Colliery, near the old level Crossing.
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 Brownhills, Brownhills common, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Past, Brownhlls coal mines, Bug row, Capped, Cathedral Pit, Chasewater, Coal Authority, Coppice Colliery CO., Coppice Cottages, Coppice Pit, David Fellows, Derelict, Engine, Engine Lane, local blogs, Local History, Marklew, Marklew's Pond, mining in brownhills, New Photos, Norton Pool, Old maps, Ordnance Survey, Pump, Reservoir, Robert Webster, Staffordshire, Steam pump, West Colliery, William Harrison
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Stroll on
You may remember that I recently plugged a new parent and toddler walking and social group that was starting up a Chasewater – their first meeting and walk took place last Monday Morning, and a good time was had by all.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Burnell, Chasewater, dad, Ed, Esther Allen, Events, Facebook, Lichfield, Maria, Mondays, mum, New Photos, parents, Reservoir, Rose, Staffordshire, Strollers, Things to do, toddlerbuggy, walking, walking group, Wildlife
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New Craft and Farmers Market coming soon to Chasewater
Thanks to the wonderful Linda Mason for the tipoff – it seems that starting in a few weeks – on Sunday, 4th May 2014 – there’s to be a new Craft and Farmers Market staged as a regular event at Chasewater.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 2014, 4th May, Bohemian Bunty, Brownhills, Chasewater, Country Park, Craft, Events, Facebook, Farmers, Lichfield, local blogs, Market, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Sunday, Things to do, WS8 7NL
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Swept everything before it
Last weekend, I revisited for the first time in ages the subject that was once so prominent here – Chasewater dam – but not in reference to the recent renovations, but to the creation of the reservoir and the failure of the earthwork dam in 1799.
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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 1799, Blackbrook, bridge, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Burst, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Dam, Drayton, Events, Hopwas, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Panoramio, Pedro, Peter Cutler, Reservoir, Shenstone, Staffordshire, Stafforshire Advertiser, Stone
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When the dam burst
Chasewater has been, as any long-term reader here knows, a continual and recurring obsession of mine – I love the place; I grew up with it, visiting regularly I came to love its air of faded, end-of-the-pier decay and beautiful, often unexpected wildlife.
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 local history, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, cycling, Events, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Old maps, Panoramio, Redevelopment, Reservoir, Staffordshire
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Making a splash!
You readers really are a remarkable bunch – last Friday, I featured a couple of images posted on social media by Chris Leggett of the Express & Star, as part of their bid to gain funding to digitise and open to the public their photo archive – a huge treasury of newspaper images that current exist in print form only.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Followups, 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
Tagged 1973, archive, Bid, Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, caught, Chris Leggett, crash, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Express & Star, Facebook, Helicopter, Karen, Kenneth Cornwell, Lichfield, lines, Local History, Malcolm Wright, Malcom Wright, New Photos, overhead, parachute, photo, Reservoir, Show, Silly, skydiver, Staffordshire, Stowe Pool, Stuntman, survey, tangle, Things to do, Twitter, winch
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The parachutist, the helicopter and the Brownhills daredevil
Last year, I asked readers to show support for the Express & Star in their bid to gain funding to digitise and open to the public their photo archive – a huge treasury of newspaper images that current exist in print form only. 
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Followups, 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
Tagged 1973, Aldridge, archive, Bid, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, caught, Chris Leggett, crash, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Express & Star, Facebook, Helicopter, Kenneth Cornwell, Lichfield, lines, Local History, Malcom Wright, New Photos, overhead, parachute, photo, Reservoir, Show, Silly, skydiver, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Stowe Pool, Stuntman, survey, tangle, Things to do, Twitter, winch
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Duck soup
Hi folks – this is a plea for a bit of common sense, and it would be really nice if folk could perhaps think about it a little bit – It’s a nice weekend, and with that, we all like to go for walks and visit our local parks and greenspaces.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged boating lake, bread, Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, consideration, ducks, feed, feeding, geese, hazard, Lichfield, mess, New Photos, pollution, Reservoir, Rose Maria Burnell, seed, Silly, Staffordshire, swans, Things to do, wildfowl, Wildlife
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