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Tag Archives: Silly
It’s going to be a knockout weekend
Hey – if you’re looking out for stuff to do this weekend, look no further than Brownhills Activity Centre (The old Central Boy’s School, or Annex to my generation) and Holland Park this Saturday.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 10th August 2013, activities centre, Annex, BCA, Brownhills, Brownhills community association, Clayhanger, Community Fun Day, Events, Facebook, fun day, Holland Park, Its a knockout, Lichfield, Ranjiy Kaur, Shire Oak, Silly, Things to do, Walsall Area Partnerships, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Group
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Driven up the pole
Look, you lot, this isn’t big and it isn’t clever – this morning, I spotted the following tweet in my timeline, from PC Simon Bytheway, the local Neighbourhood Police Officer for Brownhills, who operates out of Brownhills Police Station, opposite the Hussey Arms…
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged auto despair Nicky Biddlestone, Brownhills, Brownhills Police Station, Clayhanger, Flag, flagpole, Lichfield, PC, Police, Shire Oak, Silly, Simon Bytheway, Stolen, Theft, traffic police, Twitter, Vandalism, Walsall Wood
27 Comments
It’s a knockout!
I’ve just become aware of this event scheduled to take place in Holland Park, Brownhills, on Saturday, 10th August 2013 – the flyer says entries have closed – but with 10 days to go, I’m sure they’ll probably fit your team in if you’re quick. Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 10th August 2013, Brownhills, Clayhanger, Events, Facebook, fun day, Holland Park, Its a knockout, Lichfield, Ranjiy Kaur, Shire Oak, Silly, Things to do, Walsall Area Partnerships, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Group
1 Comment
An urgent appeal… anyone know Keiron Barley?
This is an odd little appeal for local people – Yesterday, Birmingham Cyclist blog admin @brumcyclist asked me the following:
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Posted in cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media
Tagged @brumcyclist, appeal, Beach, Birmingham Cyclist, Burntwood, Cycle rides, cycling, driving license, Keiron Barley, local blogs, Lost, Silly, Suffolk, Things to do, Twitter, urgent
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In a cursory Manor
Just a quick note to flag up a wonderful post that passed by in a flurry of other stuff late last week. The Councillors may be trying to forget it, Council Officers may be trying to forget they promised another … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aldridge Manor, by election, Cheap tat, Closure, Councillors, cuts, Facebook, Independent, Liberal Democrat, Linda Mason, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, planning, Politics, Public Meeting, Rachel Andrew, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Silly, sold, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Youth Club
2 Comments
Reality check. Can we all grow up a bit please?
I see today, Brownhills Town Centre Partnership is pushing their Summer Festival in the town by sharing links on Facebook to an oddly-formatted document scan of their promo leaflet, which seems pretty much Facebook only.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local music, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 22 June, 23 June, Brownhills, Brownhills anal Festival, Brownhills Local Committee, Brownhills Town Centre Partnership, Brownhills Town Festival, Canal, Clayhanger, Events, Facebook, local blogs, Local politics, Silly, The YamYam, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
That went well. Not.
The saga of Aldridge Manor, Youth Services in Aldridge and the wider Walsall Borough rumbles on, there was a public meeting last Thursday, and it didn’t go at all well for Walsall Council who had hastily called it only a short time before as a damage limitation exercise…
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 13th June, Aldridge Manor, area manager, by election, Cheap tat, Closure, Conservative, Councillors, cuts, Independent, Labour, Liberal Democrat, Linda Mason, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Pete Smith, planning, Politics, Public Meeting, Rachel Andrew, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Silly, sold, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Walsall Works, Youth Club
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Bicycles. Always a problem.
A great spot here from Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler regarding a report in the Lichfield Mercury of Friday, 16th August 1935.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged bicycles, Bradbury, Brownhills, Brownhills Chamber of Trade, Brownhills local history, co-op, Co-operative, Conduit Colliery, Cycle rides, cycling, Emery, Humphries, jobless, Labour Exchange, land, Local History, Local politics, Norton Canes, purchase, sale, Sewage Farm, sewerage, Silly, Staffordshire, Subsidence, unemployed
2 Comments
Brownhills – leading the way in innovative greetings
Spooted in the Brownhills search on Twitter, posted by @georgeyB95, comedy signage at Downes Newsagent, Brownhills.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged Brownhills, Cheap tat, Downes, Events, farmers day, fart, fathers day, Georgeyb95, High Street, New Photos, Newsagent, notices, sign, Signs, Silly, Spelling, Twitter
5 Comments
In a Manor to which they are unaccustomed
There has been some interesting fallout following the furore kicked up over the imminent closure of Aldridge Manor Youth Club and dismantling of wider youth service throughout Walsall, and their replacement by some frankly bizarre, not yet thought through system.
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Posted in Bad Science, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 13th June, Aldridge Manor, area manager, by election, Cheap tat, Closure, Conservative, Councillors, cuts, Facebook, Green Belt, Independent, John Morris, Laboru, Lane's Farm, Liberal Democrat, Linda Mason, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Pete Smith, planning, Politics, Public Meeting, Rachel Andrew, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Silly, sold, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Walsall Works, Youth Club
40 Comments
Mum’s the word
This is just a quick note to warn people given to exploring the open spaces of the area – particularly dog walkers – that the red deer population are giving birth right now. The heaths around Brownhills, Clayhanger, Pelsall and … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, 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, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged agressived, birth, Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Marsh, Cycle rides, cycling, defence, dog walking code, fawns, local blogs, mothers, New Photos, ogs, Red deer, Reservoir, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Walsall Wood, Wildlife, young
2 Comments
Walsall Labour Group issue statement on Youth Services
I was heartened to note that earlier today, Walsall Labour Group had issued an unusually strong statement on the future of Walsall Council’s Youth Services and Aldridge Manor youth club, discussed here so much lately.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 13th June, Aldridge Manor, by election, Cheap tat, Closure, Conservative, Councillors, cuts, Labour, Liberal Democrat, Linda Mason, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Official, Politics, Pop-up, Public Meeting, Rachel Andrew, Redevelopment, Silly, sold, Statement, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Walsall Works, Youth Club
3 Comments
Not distracted at all
There has been a lot of coverage of the imminent closure of Aldridge Manor Youth Club and the wider youth service throughout Walsall, and its replacement by some not yet thought through system involving derelict properties and converted vans.
Posted in Bad Science, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 13th June, Aldridge Manor, area manager, by election, Cheap tat, Closure, Conservative, Councillors, cuts, Facebook, Green Belt, Independent, John Morris, Laboru, Lane's Farm, Liberal Democrat, Linda Mason, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Pete Smith, planning, Politics, Public Meeting, Rachel Andrew, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Silly, sold, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Walsall Works, Youth Club
21 Comments
Aldridge Manor Youth Club: Public meeting arranged
I note that Walsall Council have organised a very short notice public meeting about the closure and sale of Aldridge Manor Youth Club.
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Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 13th June, Aldridge Manor, area manager, Cheap tat, Closure, cuts, Facebook, Green Belt, John Morris, Lane's Farm, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, planning, Politics, Public Meeting, Rachel Andrew, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Silly, sold, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Youth Club
3 Comments
Winding Lanes
Andy Dennis writes clearly and articulately of the planning history of the Lanes Farm/Sandhills site in light of current angst over a mooted further development – I’m still of the opinion that we’re being trolled for other reasons, but Andy raises some excellent points.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged Andy Dennis, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Cycle rides, cycling, Lane's Farm, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Panoramio, planning, Politics, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall 2026, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
20 Comments
A long storey
This is something I’d like to expand on for a bit of summer picture fun, if any readers are up for it – since I featured Steve Wilcox’s remarkable Walsall panorama last week, and Rose Burnell’s great Chasewater image, I’m looking for odd views, panoramas or shots from on high of Brownhills or the wider area.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, 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, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Clayhanger, Domesday project, Events, Humphries House Landscape, JH Poole, Local History, New Photos, Panorama, Panoramio, Phil Griffin, photos, Pubs, Shire Oak, Silly, Stonnall, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
Driven to distraction
While the local Councillors have held a public meeting and been quite vocal about the phantom prospect of development in the local greenbelt, they haven’t been talking at all about the fact that Walsall Council is selling off Aldridge Manor Youth Club building and intends to replace the facility with a vague, unfeasible and daft ‘Pop-up’ travelling youth service.
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Posted in Bad Science, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aldridge Manor, area manager, Cheap tat, Closure, cuts, Facebook, Green Belt, John Morris, Lane's Farm, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, planning, Politics, Rachel Andrew, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Silly, sold, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Youth Club
11 Comments
Sharp image
After a week of extolling readers to understand the value of local press and quality journalism, yesterday the Express & Star’s Walsall edition proved the value of good local journalism, as exhibited by dedicated, conscientious reporters.
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Posted in Bad Science, Events, Express & Star, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged AB Sustain, Cheap tat, Errors, Express & Star, Facebook, Gareth Illmann-Walker, Harper Adams, image, journalism, Labour, local blogs, Local politics, mistakes, New Photos, Politics, search, Silly, Tim Oliver, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
3 Comments
Farming controversy
I notice that over the past few weeks some outrage seems to be abroad over supposed plans to build a housing estate or industrial park, near Shire Oak on Lanes Farm, between the farmhouse at Sandhills and the Chester Road; broadly the site of the old Brawn’s Wood.
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 media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged Anthony Harris, application, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Catshill, Conservative, Consultation, Cycle rides, cycling, Derelict, estate, Events, Facebook, Home Farm, housing, In Touch, industrial, Lane's Farm, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Mike Flower, New Photos, Panoramio, Pete Sears, planning, Planning 2026, Politics, Redevelopment, SAD, Shire Oak, Silly, St Modwen, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Things to do, Tory, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
19 Comments
Stuck in there real good, that is…
Some weeks ago I raised the story of the football stuck in the decorative cross on the roof of St. Michael’s Church in Caldmore, Walsall – last weekend, twitter top bloke and all round good egg @BillytheBez answered my plea and took a couple of pictures, confirming the decades-old ball was still lodged firmly where only birds and steeplejacks dare.
Posted in Bad Science, Churches, Environment, 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, Walsall community
Tagged Bath Road, Billythebez, Black Country Bugle, Cladmor, cross, dafy, Derelict, Events, football, Howmuch, legend, Local History, New Photos, Redevelopment, roof, Silly, St Michaels Street, St. Michaels, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall
3 Comments
That sinking feeling
I’m sure most of us have heard the tale from tour guides, teachers or those ‘in the know’ that the famous – some would say infamous – statue of Captain Smith in Beacon Park, Lichfield was originally made for Smith’s hometown, Hanley, in the Potteries, but was refused in shame and Lichfield took it instead.
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Posted in Bad Science, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged Beacon park, Captain Smith, Cutler, David Evans, Events, Hanley, legend, Licfield District Council, Lichfield, lLore, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, myth, New Photos, Pedro, Peter, Plaque, Potteries, refusal, Refuse, Silly, Staffordshire, Statue, Stephanie Barzewski, Things to do, Titanic, Twitter
5 Comments
What and where?
Here’s a good question from young David Evans, who clocked this interesting thing yesterday while out and about, and wonders if anyone knows what it is, what purpose it serves?
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Canal, Clayhanger, David Evans, Mystery, New Photos, puzzle, quiz, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Wood
8 Comments
Letting off steam
I was saddened to receive yesterday from Chasewater Transport Show organiser Helen Borton, a copy of a mail she’s sent to Chasewater Park management, detailing some conflict within the park community over this popular free show – it doesn’t make pleasant reading.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, 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, Wildlife
Tagged 2013, Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater car show, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Railway, CHasewater Vintage & Classic Car Show, classic bikes, Classic cars, Conflict, Cycle rides, Events, Facebook, Helen Borton, John Smith, Letter, Lichfield, Lichfield District Council, Military vehicle show, New Photos, Reservoir, Silly, Staffordshire, Steam engines, Vandalism, Vintage Cars, Wildlife
18 Comments
Ghosts on tape
Old mucker [Howmuch?], fresh from a morning rootling around the Chasewater Transport Show on Sunday, was inspired to go trawling for interesting Chasewater related historical footage on the internet when he got home.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, 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
Tagged 1970, British Powerboat Grand Prix, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, culvert, Drain, Events, exploration, Go Kart, Howmuch, Local History, MrTechTalk, New Photos, old film, overflow, Phil55uk, Powerboat, Reservoir, Silly, speedboat, Staffordshire, Steveskitrip, Things to do
7 Comments
Six decades on…
Following the contributions yesterday from Walsall Wood folk regarding the coronation parade in Cornation Road, Walsall Wood, reader and friend of the blog Peter Killops returned to the scene yesterday…
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, 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, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brookland Road, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, coronation, David Evans, Events, Local History, New Photos, Parade, Peter Killops, Road, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Wood
2 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
In the soup
Walsall Council, unwanted silver tableware and a disgraced, abusive US Army Colonel – Walsall hasn’t recently become mad, it’s always been a bit bonkers.
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Posted in Bad Science, Events, Followups, 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, Walsall Council
Tagged Anglo American, barracks, Council, Court Marshall, David Evans, Freindship Week, General Kilian, GI, Jack Gieck, Lichfield, Lichfield Mercury, local blogs, Local History, Lorenzor, martial, Peter Cutler, scandal, Silly, Soup Tureen, Staffordshire, Tamworth Time Hikes, US Army on trial, US Troops, Walsall, WHittington, World War 2, WW2
2 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
Do something rasher…
Readers of my 365daysofbiking journal will remember that last year, I was fascinated by the fine pigs being kept on the smallholding on the patch of land between the A5 and canal at Newtown, Brownhills.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local music, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Big Tasties, Brownhills, Canal, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Facebook, free range, New Photos, Newtown, Night Market, piggery, pigs, sheep, Silly, Slow Loaf, smallholding, Tan Rosie, The Gables, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council, Watling Street
2 Comments
Troubled Waters
Just a quick note. In all the brouhaha about Brownhills Canoe and Outdoor Centre, and the end of the relationship between Brownhills Community Association and Bear Creek Adventure, up till now, Bear Creek have offered no comment.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council
Tagged BCA, Bear Creek Adventure, Brownhills, Canal, Canoe, Centre, Clayhanger, Community Association, Edgbaston Watersports, Facebook, local blogs, New Photos, Outdoor, press release, Silly, Statement, Walsall Council
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Further statement from Brownhills Canoe Centre Steering Committee
This afternoon, I received a further statement from Tim Houghton, of the Brownhills Canoe Centre Steering Committee. To be honest, I had no prior knowledge of this group. The best thing I can do is produce Tim’s mail in full.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged BCA, Bear Creek Adventure, Brownhills, Canal, Canoe, Centre, Clayhanger, Community Association, Edgbaston Watersports, Express & Star, Facebook, local blogs, New Photos, Outdoor, Silly, Walsall Council
3 Comments
Brownhills Canoe Centre: Community Association reply
Nice to see the good old Express & Star taking the lead from local blogs again. Their website is currently featuring a story about the Brownhills Canoe and Outdoor Centre, whose future looked questionable due to the pulling out of prospective partners Bear Creek Adventure.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged BCA, Bear Creek Adventure, Brownhills, Canal, Canoe, Centre, Clayhanger, Community Association, Edgbaston Watersports, Express & Star, Facebook, local blogs, New Photos, Outdoor, Silly, Walsall Council
2 Comments
Imperialist blather
It seems Brownhills Community Association, or someone within, its undertaking a little empire building of late. It’s all coming over a bit imperialist to me.
It seems that now, if you want to fish in the canal between Catshill Junction and Chasewater, you are expected to pay Brownhills Community Association £3 per day for the privilege, or £15 for a season ticket.
It seems that now, if you want to fish in the canal between Catshill Junction and Chasewater, you are expected to pay Brownhills Community Association £3 per day for the privilege, or £15 for a season ticket.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged Anglesey Basin, angling, Baliff, BCA, Brownhills, Brownhills Comminity Centre, Brownhills common, Brownhills community association, Canal, Catshill Junction, Chasewater, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Fee, fishing, Local politics, New Photos, Ogley Junction, Silly, Things to do, Wildlife
18 Comments
Supporting services
It’s been a while since I did a mapping post here on the blog, and yesterday, whilst visiting the open day at Christchurch, in Leomonsley, I saw a huge copy of the 1884 OS map of Lichfield that inspired me. If you ever get chance to see it, do so. A beautiful, A0-size hand-tinted copy, clearly for ecclesiastical use. A thing of rare and immense beauty.
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Posted in Churches, cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media
Tagged 1884, 1902, 1928, 1965, Bison, Canal, Chappells, Christchurch, Cross City, Cycle rides, Dovehousfield, Events, Leamonsley, Lichfield, Lichfield Lore, local blogs, Local History, Old maps, Ordnance Survey, Sandfields, Silly, Sloppy Wood, South Staffordshire, south staffordshire water, Staffordshire, Things to do
17 Comments
Brownhills Canoe and Outdoor Centre: Just what on earth is going on?
Whilst plodding around Facebook this evening, something troubling came to my attention concerning the Brownhills Canoe and Outdoor Centre: the people who were running it appear to have pulled out.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, 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 BCA, Bear Creek Adventure, Brownhills, Canal, Canoe, Centre, Clayhanger, Community Association, Edgbaston Watersports, Facebook, local blogs, New Photos, Outdoor, Silly, Walsall Council
5 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
Natural Lore
Following yesterday’s puzzler about the odd postcards of the long-gone Lichfield Canal, the wonderfully observant Kate from Lichfield Lore delved into the darkest recesses of her oversized cardigan, and pulled out the fantastic book, ‘Lichfield, Then & Now’ by Annette Rubery
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Eva K Richardson, Fosseway, Lichfield, Lichfield & Hatherton, Lichfield Canal, Lichfield City, Lichfield Lore, LMS, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Panoramio, Postcard, season ticket, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, train ticket, Twitter, Wall Lane, Wyrley & Essington
6 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
Another bomb scare in Brownhills?
There’s been another bomb scare in Brownhills this morning. Thankfully, yet again it was a hoax…
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Express & Star, 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, Walsall Council
Tagged 19th February, 2013, @rich_rawlinson, @walsallcouncil, bomb, bridge, Brownhills, Chaos, Events, Express & Star, Facebook, Hoax, incident, island, miner, Morris, New Photos, Police, Roads Closed, Silly, traffic, Twitter, West Midlands, WMPolice
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Language of the underground
Our good mate Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler has struck gold again. This transcription of an article from the Lichfield Mercury, of Friday, 4th January 1904 is a real gem, both for those with a keen interest in mining at the time, and those who are scholars of the nomenclature and language of our area.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged bank, bat, brazil, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, Clayhanger, clinch, colliery, crownin, down cast, fire stink, Local History, long wall, miner, mining, Silly, slang, square work, Staffordshire, sump, swag, thurling, up cast, Walsall Wood
14 Comments
Councillor Harris: Linda Mason responds
Over the weekend, the indomitable Linda Mason has replied to the letter she received from Walsall Councillor and cabinet member for Leisure and Culture, Anthony Harris. The reply has been published on the Save Walsall’s Gree Spaces… blog. Please do … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Anthony Harris, Black Country Wildlife Trust, Brownhills, Clayhanger, Consultation, Countryside Services, cuts, Express & Star, Facebook, Greenspaces, Letter, Linda Mason, local blogs, Local politics, Mike Bird, Parks, Politics, Savings, Shire Oak, Silly, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
7 Comments
If that’s the way it’s going to be…
I, and many other folk hereabouts were disgusted by the letter sent by elected Walsall Councillor Anthony Harris to campaigner for Greenspace and top local stalwart Linda Mason recently. The officious and arrogant tone, coupled with clear evidence of the member not reading the material he was sent, has rightly disgusted and outraged many.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged Anthony Harris, Black Country Wildlife Trust, Brownhills, Clayhanger, Consultation, Countryside Services, cuts, Express & Star, Facebook, Greenspaces, Letter, Linda Mason, local blogs, Local politics, Mike Bird, Parks, Politics, Savings, Shire Oak, Silly, The Plastic Hippo, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
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Rather rattled
I see the alternate reality that seems to pervade the Walsall Civic Centre is still in full effect. Today, Linda Mason, lead campaigner against the horrendous cuts in Walsall Council’s Greenspaces team, received this rather tetchy billet-doux from Councillor Anthony Harris – coincidentally member for Aldridge North and Walsall Wood – who’s Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged Anthony Harris, Black Country Wildlife Trust, Brownhills, Clayhanger, Consultation, Countryside Services, cuts, Express & Star, Facebook, Greenspaces, Letter, Linda Mason, local blogs, Local politics, Mike Bird, Parks, Politics, Savings, Shire Oak, Silly, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
15 Comments
Into White
It’s taken me a couple of weeks to edit this up due to being somewhat busy with other stuff, but it’s not worked out so bad. A ride from near Maquis Drive, on Cannock Chase, up over Rifle Range Corner, past the old Butts, down into Abrahams Valley and out onto the A513 at Seven Springs.
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Posted in Cannock Chase, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Shared media, Wildlife
Tagged #365daysofbiking, Abraham's Valley, bike, Black, Cam, Camel, Cannock Chase, Cannock Chase (images of England), Corner, cycle, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, GoPro, ice, Lunar Sea, March, New Photos, ride, Rifle Range, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, Wildlife, Winter
8 Comments
Levelling out
Those who follow my 365daysofbiking journal will be aware that I’ve been a little bit obsessed with the rising water level at Chasewater over the summer and winter months. Since the lake was drained to enable improvement works to improve the dam and overflow resilience, it was considered that, unless we experienced very wet weather, the lake would take a good couple of years to refill.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, 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, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged #365daysofbiking, Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cycle rides, cycling, Dam works, Drain, ecology, Events, full, LDC, Lichfield, Lichfield District Council, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Pier, refill, Reservoir, SCC, Silly, Staffordshire, Staffordshire County Council, Things to do, Water Level, weir, Wildlife
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Police incident this afternoon
It seems there was a hoax bomb alert in Brownhills this afternoon. Contrary to rumour, nobody is hurt and the incident wasn’t caused by a suicide.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged bomb, bridge, Brownhills, Events, Facebook, Faraser, Hanging, Hateley, Hoax, incident, island, J_J_Heartbeat, miner, Morris, New Photos, Police, Politics, Silly, suicide, Twitter, West Midlands
7 Comments
Cycle farcilities
anuary 31st – Someone asserted yesterday that I should be glad of increased cycling facilities in the UK. I am, and I’m not. Here’s why.
On the Coventry Road, Birmingham, near the St. Andrews ground, there are lights to control a ‘y’ junction. Prior to the junction, there is a green tarmac filter lane leading to an advance stop line (ASL).
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Posted in Bad Science, cycling, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media
Tagged Advance Stop Line, ASL, Cheap tat, Cycle rides, cycling, cycling facilities, cyle safety, dnager, Left hook, Lichfield, Local politics, Lorries, New Photos, planning, Politics, Silly, Things to do
10 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
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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
Monkey Business?
I’ve decided to try something a bit different – it might work, it might not. I get asked lots of short, brief questions, which I usually hold back until I can shape a full post around them, but I’m going to try throwing them out there in quick, short posts like this.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged archive, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Events, George Charles, Lesley Bursnell, Local History, Monkey, Robert Hogkiss, Run, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Wood
15 Comments
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