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Tag Archives: Staffordshire
Lichfield Waterworks Trust October 2017 public meeting this Monday
Sandfields Pumping Station champion and public historian extraordinaire Dave Moore has been in touch to let me know that this Monday evening (9th October 2017) there will be the October 2017 Public Meeting of the Lichfield Waterworks Trust charity, formerly the Friends of Sandfields Pumping Station group.
Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, 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, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 2017, 9 october, Architecture, at risk, Black Country, buildings, Dave, David, Discovered, event, Events, Facebook, free, heritage, Kate Gomez, lecture, Lichfield, Lichfield Discovered, Lichfield Waterworks Trust, local blogs, Local History, Lore, meeting, Moore, pub, Sandfields, Staffordshire, Talk, Things to do, Thursday
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A hole lot of sink
One of the curious things about writing and keeping this blog has always been the steady, curious dynamic of story arcs – where an old subject gets continually, slowly and gradually expanded as Google lists it, people search and find the post, comment and expand it.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Anchor Bridge, Anglesey Branch, Brawns Wood, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Past, Canal, canal breach, Canal Leak, canal repair, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater history, Chasewater Wildlife Group, culvert, Cycle rides, cycling, David Hodgkinson, Lane's Farm, local blogs, Local History, Milfield School, New Photos, Old maps, Repair, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Steve, Subsidence, Turner
10 Comments
Chasewater Railway Coal Train event this weekend
Sorry again for the late notice but I note Chasewater Railway have their Coal Train event this weekend (Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th October 2017) with a mixture of diesel and steam runnings, demo trains and working plant.
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 2017, 7, 8, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, Coal Train WWeekend, Events, Gala, Gala Day, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, October, Panoramio, Reservoir, September, Staffordshire, STeam, Steam Railway, Things to do, Trains
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Stuck in a rut – beware, folks – the deer are getting horny….
This is just a quick note to warn people given to exploring the open spaces of the area that over the next 8-10 weeks or so the deer population will be getting amorous – it’s rutting time for our large brown friends, and that means one thing: the heaths around Brownhills, Clayhanger, Pelsall and Chasewater in particular are likely to be host to rather grumpy, aggressive stags guarding their female harems.
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 Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Chaz Mason, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Marsh, Cycle rides, cycling, local blogs, Neil Tipton, New Photos, Red deer, Reservoir, rut, rutting, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
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Pictures from the 2017 Huddlesford Heritage Gathering
Yesterday (Saturday 23rd September 2017) I got chance to go to the first day of the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust’s Heritage Gathering at Huddlesford, near Whittington.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged 2017, 23 September, Brownhills local history, Canal, Canal Restoration, charity, Christine Howles, Cycle rides, Derelict, Facebook, Hatherton, Heritage gathering, Huddlesford, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, photos, pictures, planning, project, renovation, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Summerhill, Things to do, trust
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Lichfield and Hatherton’s huge canal Heritage Gathering is this weekend!
Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust are busy preparing for their Heritage Gathering call and vintage festival which is running on both Saturday and Sunday this weekend (23-24th September 2017), and takes place at their Huddlesford base, near Lichfield.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged 2017, 23 September, 24 September, Brownhills local history, Canal, Canal Restoration, charity, Christine Howles, Cycle rides, Derelict, Facebook, Hatherton, Heritage gathering, Huddlesford, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, planning, project, renovation, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Summerhill, Things to do, trust
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Less than two weeks to go until Lichfield and Hatherton’s huge canal Heritage Gathering!
Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust are busy preparing for their Heritage Gathering call and vintage festival which is coming up over the weekend of 23-24th September 2017, and takes place at their Huddlesford base, near Lichfield.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged 2017, 23 September, 24 September, Brownhills local history, Canal, Canal Restoration, charity, Christine Howles, Cycle rides, Derelict, Facebook, Hatherton, Heritage gathering, Huddlesford, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, planning, project, renovation, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Summerhill, Things to do, trust
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Strolling again!
I’ve always supported the wonderful parent and toddler walking and social group that took place weekly at Chasewater – Chasewater Strollers, which grew via the human dynamo of Esther Allen and others into the wonderful Spark movement in Burntwood – well, the original Stroller group is relaunching this Monday, 11th September 2017.
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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 11 September, 2017, appeal, Brownhills, buggy, Chasetown, Chasewater, Chasewater Strollers, 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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A remedy to the shortage of water
Several times over the previous eight years of this blog the question of the function and decommissioning of the steam pump that once stood at Chasewater has cropped up, and always provokes interesting debate – well, reader Ian James has been in touch with a snippet of information he’s found in a book relating to the long gone pumping plant.
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, Canals of the West Midlands, Charles Hadfield, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater history, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cycle rides, Ian James, local blogs, Local History, nine foot, Postcard, Reservoir, Ruth Penrhyn Lowe, Staffordshire, steam engine, Steam pump, Wildlife
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Lichfield Waterworks Trust – September 2017 public meeting this Monday
Sandfields Pumping Station champion and public historian extraordinaire Dave Moore has been in touch to let me know that this Monday evening (11th September 2017) there will be the September 2017 Public Meeting of the Lichfield Waterworks Trust charity, formerly the Friends of Sandfields Pumping Station group.
Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, 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, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 11 September, 2017, Architecture, at risk, Black Country, buildings, Dave, David, Discovered, event, Events, Facebook, free, heritage, Kate Gomez, lecture, Lichfield, Lichfield Discovered, Lichfield Waterworks Trust, local blogs, Local History, Lore, meeting, Moore, pub, Sandfields, Staffordshire, Talk, Things to do, Thursday
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Chasewater Railway Late Summer Gala this weekend
Sorry again for the late notice but I note Chasewater Railway have their late Summer Gala this weekend (Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th September 2017), with special guest engine Bagnall 0-4-0ST 2842 Kent No 2 and a much busier running timetable than normal.
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, 2017, 3rd, 9, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, Events, Gala, Gala Day, Late Summer, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Panoramio, Reservoir, September, Staffordshire, STeam, Steam Railway, Things to do, Trains
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Restoring a lost canal – and creating a new haven for wildlife
Just a quick note to point out that the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust are keen to share the news that they’re now creating a new nature reserve along the line of the soon to be restored canal between Wall and Lichfield.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged 2015, 2017, Barracks Lane, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Canal Restoration, charity, Christine Howles, Cycle rides, cycling, Derelict, Facebook, Hatherton, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Parkview Centre, planning, project, renovation, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Things to do, trust, Twitter, Wildlife
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Plea to find family of deceased former Rushall man
Walsall Client Welfare Services Department have issued an appeal to trace the family of Walsall resident Mr. Ronald Arthur Smith, who passed away in Parklands Court Nursing Home, Bloxwich on the 29th July 2017.
Posted in Environment, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Bloxwich, died, Environmental Health, Family, help, Lichfield, Parklands Court, passed away, releatives, request, Ronald Arthur Smith, Rushall, search, Staffordshire, Walsall, Walsall Council, West Midlands
2 Comments
Up the Ryecroft Junction
Local rail buff Simon Swain has once again been busy with the camera and maps, tracing out the history of the South Staffordshire railway line that used to run from Wychnor near Alrewas to Dudley, but called at Lichfield, Brownhills and Walsall on the way.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills railways, Derelict, Disused Railways, Facebook, John Whitehouse, Junction, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Old maps, Pelsall, Ryecroft, Si Swain, Simon Swain, Staffordshire, Station, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Wood
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Lichfield and Hatherton’s huge canal Heritage Gathering coming soon!
Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust are busy preparing for their Heritage Gathering call and vintage festival which is coming up over the weekend of 23-24th September 2017, and takes place at their Huddlesford base, near Lichfield.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged 2017, 23 September, 24 September, Brownhills local history, Canal, Canal Restoration, charity, Christine Howles, Cycle rides, Derelict, Facebook, Hatherton, Heritage gathering, Huddlesford, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, planning, project, renovation, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Summerhill, Things to do, trust
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A Sandfields staff photo – Can you help identify the people in it?
Dave Moore, the Sandfields Pumping Station champion and public historian extraordinaire dropped me a line with an interesting social history question regarding the waterworks at Lichfield over the weekend, which I thought I’d share here today as a gentle reminder that it’s the group’s August monthly public meeting tonight (Monday 14th August 2017).
Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, 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, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 14 August, 2017, Architecture, at risk, Black Country, buildings, Dave, David, Discovered, event, Events, Facebook, free, heritage, Kate Gomez, lecture, Lichfield, Lichfield Discovered, Lichfield Waterworks Trust, local blogs, Local History, Lore, meeting, Moore, pub, Sandfields, Staffordshire, Talk, Things to do, Thursday
4 Comments
Lichfield Waterworks Trust – August 2017 public meeting this Monday
Sandfields Pumping Station champion and public historian extraordinaire Dave Moore has been in touch to let me know that this Monday evening (14th August 2017) there will be the August 2017 Public Meeting of the Lichfield Waterworks Trust charity, formerly the Friends of Sandfields Pumping Station group.
Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, 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, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 14 August, 2017, Architecture, at risk, Black Country, buildings, Dave, David, Discovered, event, Events, Facebook, free, heritage, Kate Gomez, lecture, Lichfield, Lichfield Discovered, Lichfield Waterworks Trust, local blogs, Local History, Lore, meeting, Moore, pub, Sandfields, Staffordshire, Talk, Things to do, Thursday
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Looking for Sheila Southall, formerly of Walsall Wood please
I’m interested in contacting Sheila Southall, who used to live in Brownhills Road, Walsall Wood, and who now would be in her mid to late sixties.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Facebook, Lichfield, Local History, looking, Lost, searching, Sheila Southall, Staffordshire, Sylvia Harper, Things to do, Walsall Wood
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Chasewater Railway – Annual Charities Day this Sunday!
Chasewater Railway – the little gem of a local preserved industrial railway is this Sunday (6th August 2017) staging it’s Annual Charities Day, when the railway will be operating with steam trains, and there will be charity stalls and activities at Brownhills West Station.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, 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 2017, 6 August, Aston Manor, Award, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Charities, Chasewater, day, Events, Facebook, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, loco, Newsletter, Railway, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Things to do
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The Grove Colliery – remembering a lost pit
Last year I featured a very popular set of images from a place I genuinely didn’t realise still existed: The Grove Colliery, the remnants of which – the house and offices situated just off Lime Lane, between Pelsall, Brownhills, Norton and Great Wyrley – were documented by old pal off the blog Simon Swain and posted here as a gallery I include below.
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 archive, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Canal and River Trust, Cannock Extension Canal, colliery, Derelict, Disaster, Events, freight, Grove, Grove Colliery, House, images, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, mining, New Photos, Norton, photos, pit, pits, Redevelopment, Si Swain, Simon, Staffordshire, Things to do, tramway, viaduct, Wyrley common
16 Comments
Mabel’s Vintage Fair at Chasewater Railway this Sunday!
I notice that this Sunday, 23rd July 2017, there’s a rather fun looking vintage event being staged at Chasewater Railway by Mabel’s Vintage Carriage, who have a regular vintage stall in a carriage at the preserved railway.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged 1940s, 2017, 23 July, 40s, Brownhills, carriage, Chasewater, Chasewater Railway, Events, Facebook, Mabels, New Photos, nostalgia, Staffordshire, Sunday, Things to do, Twitter, Vintage Event, Vintage Fair, We'll Meet Again
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Brownhills war hero Edward Tunstall: can you help locate the lost photos please?
I’ve had a fascinating and very detailed enquiry come in from reader Emma Smith that I’m hoping some of the old blog hands and researchers can help with – I know that Brownhills still has a British Legion Branch (whose current appeal for the Remembrance Parade is very important) and I hope someone can hook up with them to perhaps light this enquiry up.
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, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged british Legion, Brownhills, Brownhills Library, Brownhills local history, Clayhanger, David Evans, Edward Tunstall, Emma Smith, Local History, Memories of Walsall, MP, New Photos, Parkview Centre, Plaque, RBL, Royal British Legion, Staffordshire, Things to do, unveiling, war, WVS
4 Comments
2017 Chasewater Grand Prix – this weekend!
This Saturday and Sunday (15th and 16th July 2017) will be quite a special weekend for the local powerboat community as Chasewater hosts the PowerBoatGP 2017 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 15, 16, 2017, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, Events, Grand Prix, July, Lichfield, New Photos, Powerboat GP, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Things to do
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Lichfield Waterworks Trust – July 2017 public meeting this Monday
Sandfields Pumping Station champion and public historian extraordinaire Dave Moore has been in touch to let me know that this Monday evening (1oth July 2017) there will be the July 2017 Public Meeting of the Lichfield Waterworks Trust charity, formerly the Friends of Sandfields Pumping Station group.
Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, 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, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 10 July 2017, Architecture, at risk, Black Country, buildings, Dave, David, Discovered, event, Events, Facebook, free, heritage, Kate Gomez, lecture, Lichfield, Lichfield Discovered, Lichfield Waterworks Trust, local blogs, Local History, Lore, meeting, Moore, pub, Sandfields, Staffordshire, Talk, Things to do, Thursday
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The death throes of the local line
Local rail buff Simon Swain last week sent in the above image of one of the last freight workings on the South Staffordshire Line through central Brownhills – and there was a large amount of interest in this remarkably evocative photo.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills railways, Derelict, Disused Railways, Facebook, John Whitehouse, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Old maps, Pelsall, Si Swain, Simon Swain, Staffordshire, Station, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Wood
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One of the final few
Local rail buff Simon Swain has been in touch with a remarkable image of Brownhills recording the very last days of the railway here – just before construction of the Miner Island in 1984.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills railways, Derelict, Disused Railways, Facebook, John Whitehouse, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Old maps, Pelsall, Si Swain, Simon Swain, Staffordshire, Station, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Wood
3 Comments
Chasewater Summer Fair and fun Dog Show on today!
Just a quick heads up that today, Sunday 2nd July 2017, there’s to be a Summer Fair and Dog Show at Chasewater – the whole thing runs from 10am until 4pm, with registration for the Dog Show taking place from 11am and the show itself at 2:30pm.
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 2017, 2nd July, Brownhills, Chasewater, Country Park, Craft, Events, fair, Fun Dog Show, Innovation centre, Lichfield, local blogs, Market, Reservoir, RSPCA, Staffordshire, Summer, Sunday, Things to do, Walsall, WS8 7NL
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Lichfield Rotary Cars in the Park – On this weekend!
There’s a really good classic and vintage car show on this weekend (thats Saturday and Sunday, 1st & 2nd July 2017) in Beacon Park, Lichfield as part of Festival Weekend – the annual Rotary Cars in the Park event.
Posted in Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 1 July, 2 July, 2017, Beacon park, Cars in the park, classic, classic bikes, Classic cars, Cycle rides, Lichfield, New Photos, rotary, Round Table, Staffordshire, Things to do, Transport, vintage, Vintage Cars
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Tugging at the memories
After I posted the wonderful Clayhanger tug of war image here at the weekend kindly shared by Brian Stringer, I received many responses from readers across a range of media – this one clearly got memories flowing and I’ll feature a few of those responses in the coming days.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, 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, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged 1980, Brian Stringer, bridge, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills stuff, Canal, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Kid II, Clayhanger Kid Two, Clayhanger stuff, Holy Trinity, local blogs, Local History, Railway Tavern, Reader enquiries, School, Shared memories, Staffordshire, The Clayhanger Kid, Tug of war, Victorian Day
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A tug of war, a railway themed restaurant and a Victorian day – great memories from the Clayhanger Kid
Friend of the blog, community activist and Clayhanger Kid himself, Brian Stringer has recently shared three remarkable image of recent historical interest in the Brownhills and Clayhanger area.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, 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, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged 1980, Brian Stringer, bridge, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills stuff, Canal, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Kid II, Clayhanger Kid Two, Clayhanger stuff, Holy Trinity, local blogs, Local History, Railway Tavern, Reader enquiries, School, Shared memories, Staffordshire, The Clayhanger Kid, Tug of war, Victorian Day
4 Comments
Get some Iron, man – Ironman hits Chasewater and South Staffordshire this Sunday
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know that this Sunday (June 18th 2017), the Third Staffordshire Ironman 70.3 Triathlon will be staged, with a 1.2 mile early morning swim in Chasewater being amongst the highlights.
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 18 June, 2017, 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
2 Comments
A great local history legend at Walsall Wood Library soon !
Just a quick headsup to those interested in Walsall Wood history and who are free on the Wednesday afternoon of 28th June 2017 – there’s a talk featuring the Brownhills Blog’s favourite Wood Mon™ and top contributor, the young David Evans.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2017, 28 june, Brownhills local history, David Evans, event, Events, Library, Lichfield, Local History, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Talk in the wood, Things to do, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
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Important appeal: Did you know Leslie Horton?
This is one of those requests that pops up from time to time, and was issued by the Communication Team at Walsall Council this week and I’d like all locals to have a think about it, and if any of you can do so, please help.
Posted in Environment, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Becky Evans, died, Family, help, Leslie Horton, Leyland Croft, Lichfield, passed away, Pelsall, releatives, request, search, Staffordshire, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Road, West Midlands
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Lichfield Waterworks Trust – 2017 Annual General Meeting this Monday
Sandfields Pumping Station champion and public historian extraordinaire Dave Moore has been in touch to let me know that this Monday evening (12th June 2017) there will be the Annual General Meeting of the Lichfield Waterworks Trust charity, formerly the Friends of Sandfields Pumping Station group.
Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, 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, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 12 June, 2017, Architecture, at risk, Bird Street, Black Country, buildings, Dave, David, Discovered, event, Events, Facebook, free, heritage, Kate Gomez, Kings Head, lecture, Lichfield, Lichfield Discovered, Lichfield Waterworks Trust, local blogs, Local History, Lore, meeting, Moore, pub, Sandfields, Staffordshire, Talk, Things to do, Thursday
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Please be deer aware!
There’s an important warning I need to share from Chasewater Rangers about the local deer population – not just at Chasewater, but all thought our area from the heaths of North Walsall to Cannock Chase.
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 Angela Morris, Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Chaz Mason, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Marsh, Cycle rides, cycling, local blogs, New Photos, Red deer, Reservoir, rut, rutting, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
2 Comments
Find out about the restoration of our lost canal next Friday!
Just a quick note to point out that the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust are holding their Annual General Meeting next Friday nevening (Friday, 9th June 2017) in Brownhills, at the Parkview Centre (the old Council House on the Miner Island), and all are welcome to attend.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged 2015, 2017, 9 June, AGM, Barracks Lane, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Canal Restoration, Challenge, charity, Christine Howles, Cross City Line, Cycle rides, cycling, Derelict, Facebook, Hatherton, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Parkview Centre, planning, project, renovation, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Summerhill, The Boat, Things to do, trust, Twitter, Wildlife
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Don’t forget Lichfield Bower today!
Well, Spring Bank Holiday Monday is upon us, and that means that it’s Lichfield Bower Day in Ye Olde City – and I notice our friends at Lichfield Waterworks Trust and Lichfield Discovered are up to mischief…
Posted in Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media
Tagged 2017, 29 May, Bank Holiday Monday, Bower, cardigan, city, Discovered, event, Events, Facebook, fair, free, Gomez, Greenhill, Kate Gomez, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Lore, New Photos, Panoramio, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, trust, Waterworks
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The Metz office?
An intriguing enquiry reaches me from local historian and blog dynamo the young David Evans, who’s after a rather specific bit of history relating to a lost courtyard of dwellings in Brownhills High Street Called ‘The Metz’.
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, 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
Tagged 1883, 1:2500, bad housing, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Urban District Council, clearance, David Evans, Dr. Bradford, George Bradford, Hill sisters, Lichfield Mercury, Local History, Metz, Norman Waine, Ogley Hay, Ogley Square, Old maps, Ordnance Survey, Peter Cutler, Richard Burnell, Slum clearance, snaitationG, Staffordshire, Things to do, UDC, Urban District Council
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Look, there’s a familiar man on the TV…
Sandfields Pumping Station champion and public historian extraordinaire Dave Moore revealed a surprise today – he’s been on BBC Midlands Today with presenter Bob Hockenhull talking about the remarkable project behind which David has been the prime mover – that of preserving and putting to community use the iconic Victorian building in south Lichfield.
Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, 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, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 2017, 8 may, Architecture, at risk, Black Country, Bore Street, Bowling Green, buildings, Dave, David, Discovered, event, Events, Facebook, free, Friary Road, heritage, Kate Gomez, lecture, Lichfield, Lichfield Discovered, Lichfield Waterworks Trust, local blogs, Local History, Lore, meeting, Monday, Moore, pub, Sandfields, Staffordshire, Talk, Things to do
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Lichfield Waterworks Trust – May 2017 public meeting this Monday!
Sandfields Pumping Station champion and public historian extraordinaire Dave Moore has been in touch to let me know that this Monday (8th May 2017) there will be a public progress meeting for the Lichfield Waterworks Trust charity, formerly the Friends of Sandfields Pumping Station group.
Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, 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, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 2017, 8 may, Architecture, at risk, Black Country, Bore Street, Bowling Green, buildings, Dave, David, Discovered, event, Events, Facebook, free, Friary Road, heritage, Kate Gomez, lecture, Lichfield, Lichfield Discovered, Lichfield Waterworks Trust, local blogs, Local History, Lore, meeting, Monday, Moore, pub, Sandfields, Staffordshire, Talk, Things to do
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It’s good to repair (and share!) – a great event this afternoon near Lichfield
Never one to sit back and let life pass her by, that there Kate Cardigan from the wonderful Lichfield Lore is involved with a new project – Lichfield Repair and Share – which starts today (Saturday, 29th April 2017) at Woodhouse Farm, just north of Whittington, between 2pm and 4pm.
Posted in Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, 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, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 2017, 29 April, cardigan, community, Discovered, event, Events, Facebook, Fisherwick, free, Gomez, Kate Gomez, Lichfield, local blogs, Lore, Recycling, Repair and Share, Staffordshire, Things to do, WHittington, Woodhouse Farm
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Urgent appeal: Walsall NHS Trust looking for relatives of John Elkes
Another important appeal for readers of the blog – this request was posted by the Communication Team at Walsall Manor Hospital Tuesday (24th April 2017) and I’d like all locals to have a think about it, and if any of you can, please do help.
Posted in Environment, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 2017, 24 April, Family, help, Hospital appeal, John Elkes, Julie Venables, Lichfield, Manor Hospital, Patient, releatives, request, search, Staffordshire, Walsall, Walsall Council, West Midlands, Willenhall
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A great chance for tea and cake in a great country canalside garden this afternoon!
I know it’s late on but there’s a great even going on in Whittington this afternoon (Saturday, 15th April 2017) in aid of the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust ‘Tunnel Vision’ appeal – Eric and Doreen’s All Day Easter Coffee Morning.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged 15 April, 2017, All, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Canal Restoration, Challenge, charity, Christine Howles, Coffee Morning, Cycle rides, cycling, day, Derelict, Doreen, Easter, Eric, Facebook, Hatherton, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Parkview Centre, planning, project, renovation, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Summerhill, Things to do, trust, Tunnel Vision, Twitter, Wildlife
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A choral treat in store this afternoon!
This is late news just in, but those readers who enjoy choral music can catch a great performance this very afternoon (Wednesday 12th April 2017) at Silver Street Methodist Church in Brownhills.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills Choral Society, Brownhills local history, choir, Choral, co-op, Co-operative, concert, Deryck, dog, Douglas, George Fullelove, Langford, Local History, Marathon, MBE, New Photos, Silver Street Methodist Church, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Wood, Wednesday Singers
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Get the Community Doodle bug!
That there Lucy Wood from the Saxon Hill Craft Barn shop at Chasewater Innovation Centre has written to let me know that they’re holding a free Community Doodle Workshop this Saturday, 8th April 2017 from 10am until 2pm, and all are welcome!
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, 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
Tagged Brownhills, care, Carers, Chasewater, community, craft barn, Craft Village, disability, Doodle, Events, Facebook, Innovation centre, Lichfield, local blogs, Lucy Wood, saxon hill, Saxon Hill School, social enterprise, Srap Barn, Staffordshire, Things to do, Twitter, workshop
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Important appeal: Did you know James Green?
This is one of those requests that pops up from time to time, and was issued by the Communication Team at Walsall Council this week and I’d like all locals to have a think about it, and if any of you can do so, please help.
Posted in Environment, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Becky Evans, Blockall Close, Darlaston, died, Family, help, James Green, Lichfield, passed away, releatives, request, search, Staffordshire, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Road, West Midlands
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Have a great night out – and support a great local canal project!
Tom Reid from the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust has been in touch to let us know about their annual Spring show, taking place at Whittington Village Hall on Friday, April 7th 2017.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged 2017, 7 April, Barracks Lane, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Canal Restoration, Challenge, charity, Christine Howles, Cycle rides, cycling, Derelict, Facebook, Hatherton, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Parkview Centre, planning, project, renovation, Shire Oak, Spring Show, Staffordshire, Summerhill, Things to do, trust, Tunnel Vision, Twitter, Wildlife
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Resprung
You’ll all know that of late, I’ve not been too well and that work has taken up a huge amount of my time – well, my health is now thankfully improving, work is easing off and the sun came out (although the wind was still a bit keen), so yesterday I had a great 58 mile ride via old haunts into South Derbyshire.
Lichfield Waterworks Trust – March 2017 public meeting this Monday!
Sandfields Pumping Station champion and public historian extraordinaire Dave Moore has been in touch to let me know that this coming Monday (27th March 2017) there will be a public progress meeting for the Lichfield Waterworks Trust charity, formerly the Friends of Sandfields Pumping Station group.
Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, 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, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 2017, 27 March, Architecture, at risk, Black Country, Bore Street, Bowling Green, buildings, Dave, David, Discovered, event, Events, Facebook, free, Friary Road, heritage, Kate Gomez, lecture, Lichfield, Lichfield Discovered, Lichfield Waterworks Trust, local blogs, Local History, Lore, meeting, Monday, Moore, pub, Sandfields, Staffordshire, Talk, Things to do
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Where does the water go? Find out this Sunday!
An interesting history walk is taking place this Sunday, 26th March 2017 at Chasewater, entitled ‘Where does the water go?’ which takes a look at how the dam infrastructure functions, and some of the industrial history of Anglesey Basin and surrounds.
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 2017, 26 March, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Countryside, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, guided walks, Rangers, Reservoir, Shared media, Staffordshire, Things to do, whats on, Where does the water go, Wildlife
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