#365daysofbiking JournalRecent tracks
1,000 YearsThe McCluskey Brothers8 minutes ago
She said to the driverThe McCluskey Brothers13 minutes ago
Favourite CloursThe McCluskey Brothers16 minutes ago
Lonely satelliteThe McCluskey Brothers21 minutes ago
Perfect afternoonThe McCluskey Brothers25 minutes ago
The Soul AwakeningChina Crisis44 minutes ago
The Gates Of Door To DoorChina Crisis48 minutes ago
PapuaChina Crisis52 minutes ago
Tragedy and MysteryChina Crisis56 minutes ago
Wishful ThinkingChina Crisis1 hour agoRecent Comments
Kevin Wilford on Mount Zion Sunday School Anniv… chrisjimallen on Down the tubes bravelyd03ee3c14f on Celebrating a Jubilee? bravelyd03ee3c14f on Celebrating a Jubilee? Nathan on Raising damp
Tag Archives: Staffordshire
Chasewater Railway 2017 Industrial Gala this weekend!
Chasewater Railway – the little gem of a preserved industrial railway right on our doorstep is holding it’s annual Industrial Gala this weekend, Saturday and Sunday 18-19th March 2017.
Continue reading
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 18 March, 19 March, 2017, Award, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, Events, Facebook, Industrial gala, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Railway, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Things to do
2 Comments
Don’t miss Back to Backs – another brilliant Talk in the Wood!
Don’t miss your opportunity to attend another fascinating local history talk at Walsall Wood Library this Wednesday, 15th March 2017, when Birmingham Historian and National Trust Guide Clive Katz will be discussing the subject of the Birmingham Back to Backs.
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 15th March, 2017, Brownhills local history, Clive Katz, David Evans, event, Events, Library, Lichfield, Local History, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Talk in the wood, Things to do, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
Leave a comment
Urgent appeal: Brownhills Royal British Legion need our help!
I’m not going to beat around the bush here – this is a very important issue that I’ve been vocal about for some time, and this year it’s coming to a head.
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 2017, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Clayhanger, John Bird, Local History, members, Memories of Walsall, New Photos, RBL, remembranceparade, Royal British Legion, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Advertiser, war
1 Comment
Chasewater Railway 2017 season starts today!
I’ve noticed that Chasewater Railway – the little gem of a preserved industrial railway right on our doorstep is re-starting passenger services this weekend after the winter shutdown.
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 Award, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, Events, Facebook, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Newsletter, Railway, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Things to do
Leave a comment
Get tunnel vision and help with a great local history preservation project!
Tom Reid from the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust has been in touch to let us know about the launch of their Tunnel Vision appeal, which has been established to raise funds in order to construct a canal tunnel under the railway near Lichfield.
Continue reading
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 2016, Barracks Lane, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Canal Restoration, Challenge, charity, Christine Howles, Cycle rides, cycling, December 3, Derelict, Facebook, guided walk, Hatherton, John Suchet, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Parkview Centre, planning, project, renovation, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Summerhill, The Boat, Things to do, trust, Tunnel Vision, Twitter, Wildlife
Leave a comment
Get stuck in the bog…
For those of you into conservation and the local environment, there’s this event going on at Norton Bog (that’s north Chasewater) this Sunday, 26th February 2017 – the Friends of Norton Bog are a great group and you can find out more about them at the event.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cycle rides, cycling, Friends of Norton Bog, Graham Evans, local blogs, Norton Bog, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Wildlife
Leave a comment
Appeal – do you know Barbara Roberts, formerly of Valley View?
Hi folks, an unusual enquiry please but I hope it’s one the readership might be able to help with.
Continue reading
Making a Marklew
One enduring subject of very much debate here that continues to receive a lot of attention is the thorny subject of the Marklew family, Marklew’s pond off Coppice Lane, William Roberts and the claim that the farm was one of the last Tommy Shops operating.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged brewer, Brewery, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Coppice, david Gee, Farm, Gerald Reece, JP, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, Marklew, Pedro, Peter Cutler, philanthropist, Pubs, q, Staffordshire, Station Hotel, The Coppice, The Old Tommy Shop, Things to do, Tommy Shop, William ROberts
4 Comments
Appeal – did you know Kathleen Coley?
Hi folks, an unusual enquiry please but I hope it’s one the readership might be able to help with.
Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Aldridge, Bentley, Family, help, Hospital appeal, Kathleen Coley, Lichfield, Manor Hospital, Norton Canes, Patient, releatives, request, search, Staffordshire, Walsall, Walsall Council, West Midlands
5 Comments
Lichfield Waterworks Trust – February 2017 public meeting next Monday!
Sandfields Pumping Station champion and public historian extraordinaire Dave Moore has been in touch to let me know that this coming Monday (13th February 2017) there will be a public progress meeting for 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 January, 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
Leave a comment
Urgent appeal: Walsall NHS Trust looking for relatives of several patients
Another important appeal for readers of the blog – this request was posted by the Communication Team at Walsall Manor Hospital yesterday, Tuesday 31st January 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 Aldridge, Bentley, Family, help, Hospital appeal, Julie Venables, Lichfield, Manor Hospital, Norton Canes, Patient, releatives, request, search, Staffordshire, Walsall, Walsall Council, West Midlands
Leave a comment
Back in the black
Today (Monday, 30th January 2017) I was contacted by Irene ‘The Swan Lady’ Hodges who was in a state of some enthusiasm, as amongst her usual daily cohort of swans and waterfowl at Chasewater, there was a single black swan, which she fed and caught on video.
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 2017, Barrie, Black, Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Events, Hodges, Irene, Lichfield, New Photos, photo, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Swan, The Swan Lady, Things to do, video, Wildlife
5 Comments
A found connection
Way back last year, Patricia Cotton sent in the above photo of her brother Tony, family friends Dora Rathbone and her son Bob enjoying a picnic and a paddle in 1955 by the canal in Brownhills, aroundabout where the banks of the old clay pit are today.
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 1955, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chris Pattison, Clayhanger, Company, Cotton, Dave Moore, Derelict, Dora, Gerald Reece, Hemming, Jolly Collier, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Morturn, New Photos, Old maps, Patricia Cotton, Pedro, Pumping, Rathbone, Reservoir, Sandfields, Shire Oak, South Staffordshire, Staffordshire, Station, surge stack, Things to do, ventilator, Walsall, Water, Water tower, Waterwoks
Leave a comment
Ogley Hay Class 4A, 1963
A lovely photo comes in via reader Malcolm Kelly, who’s dug out an excellent photo of Class 4A at Ogley Hay junior Schooling 1963, and is wondering if readers can help with the faces he can’t recall?
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged 1964, 4a, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Events, Local History, Malcolm Kelly, Mr. Riley, New Photos, Ogley Hay, Ogley Hay Junior School, School, Staffordshire
11 Comments
Don’t forget – chance to catch a local legend this Wednesday!
Just a quick headsup to those interested in Walsall Wood history and who are free on the Wednesday afternoon of 11th January 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 11 January, 2017, 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
3 Comments
Lichfield Waterworks Trust – January 2017 public meeting tonight!
Sandfields Pumping Station champion and public historian extraordinaire Dave Moore has been in touch to let me know that this evening (Monday 9th January 2017) there will be a public progress meeting for 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 January, 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
Leave a comment
A view from behind the inkwell… Your chance to catch a local legend
Your second chance to catch a Walsall Wood legend in action – not to be missed.
Continue reading
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 11 January, 2017, 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
Leave a comment
New year quiz 2017: part two for the explorers…
Right, here’s the second half of the Brownhills Blog New Year Quiz 2017 – these questions are for those who can explore the area and have a nose around – the first set were released yesterday, and are for those who may be unable to explore or just prefer to research their answers online.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Events, 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 2017, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Clayhanger, Cycle rides, cycling, David Evans, Events, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, New Year, part 2, prize, quiz, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Wood
84 Comments
New year quiz 2017: part one for the researchers…
Well, much earlier than last year, hopefully for a wider audience I can now present the first half of the 2017 Brownhills Blog New Year prize quiz!
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Events, 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 2017, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Clayhanger, Cycle rides, cycling, David Evans, Events, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, New Year, prize, quiz, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Wood
35 Comments
The Electric Movie
I’ve been asking for years for more material on Crabtree and other local factories, as I’m sure there’s an untapped and rich seem of material to be found from these great lost local employers – but sadly little has emerged.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Features, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged 1954, 1976, aerial photo, April, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Crabtree, Crabtree Society, Fred Butler, Lichfield Road, Line, Local History, MCB, Mike Blakeway, New Photos, production, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, Superalloys, video
7 Comments
Brownhills Air Cadets say thanks!
A lovely note reaches me from Flt Lt Carolyn Sault of the 1444 Brownhills Squadron Air Cadets, who do so much good work with the youth of Brownhills – people who shop locally will know that Cadets from the local Squadron often undertake bag packs at local stores in return for donations.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Features, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged 1444 squadron, bag pack, Barnetts Lane, Brownhills, Brownhills activities, Brownhills Air Cadets, Brownhills local history, Brownhills youth, Carolyn Sault, Features, Local History, New Photos, Royal Air Force, Staffordshire, thanks, Tracy Bluck
Leave a comment
Mystery letter?
I’m pleased to note that after posting about Ray Johnston’s misdelivered Christmas card conundrum at the weekend that the intended recipient – who actually was on Chester Road at Shire Oak – has been located thanks to the efforts of readers and other on social media.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2016, 68, Brownhills, card, Christmas, Edwin, K Whitehouse, Laura Iveson, Lichfield, New Photos, Odette, Ray Johnson, Road, Sandhills, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Wood
1 Comment
A Christmas mystery – the folks who no longer live on the hill
Friend of the blog Ray Johnson has been in touch with something that seems to be a bit of a recurring seasonal mystery – he’s again received a Christmas card that isn’t intended for him!
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2016, Brownhills, card, Christmas, K Whitehouse, Lichfield, New Photos, Ray Johnson, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
2016 Christmas Fair and Lantern Parade at Chasewater this Sunday!
There’s a further chance to get into the Christmas spirit this Sunday (11th December 2016) – there’s the Annual Christmas Fair and Lantern Parade being held at Chasewater Innovation Centre.
Continue reading
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 11 December, 2016, Brownhills, Chasewater, Christmas, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Facebook, Fayre, Lantern Parade, local blogs, New Photos, Reservoir, Santa, Special, Staffordshire, Sunday, Things to do, Wildlife
Leave a comment
Our Village – a great new local history book for Aldridge – out now and selling fast!
There are a handful of great local history books out at the moment, just in time for Christmas, that would makes great gifts for those with a local interest – last week I noted the new book on Brownhills pubs by Clive Roberts, and I’m posting today to point up the new book by Sue Satterthwaite and Len Boulton covering Aldridge.
Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 2016, Aldridge, Book, ceremony, December, Events, House, Len Boulton, Library, Lichfield, Linda Mason, local blogs, Local History, Manor, Our Village, Somme, Staffordshire, Sue Satterthwaite, Things to do, Walsall Council
3 Comments
Find out about a great local canal restoration with a guided walk this Saturday!
Tom Reid from the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust has been in touch to let us know about the organised walk of the SUmmerhill section that’s taking place this Saturday, 3rd December 2016.
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 2016, Barracks Lane, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Canal Restoration, Challenge, charity, Christine Howles, Cycle rides, cycling, December 3, Derelict, Facebook, guided walk, 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
Leave a comment
Lichfield Waterworks Trust – November 2016 public meeting this Thursday
Sandfields Pumping Station champion and public historian extraordinaire Dave Moore has been in touch to let me know that this Thursday evening (24th November 2016) 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 2016, 24 November, Architecture, at risk, Bird Street, Black Country, Bore Street, buildings, Dave, David, Discovered, event, Events, Facebook, free, George IV, 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
2 Comments
Pictures from Brownhills 2016 Remembrance events
Thanks to the generosity of those good folks at the Facebook page of St. James Church in Brownhills I can feature these galleries of images from their 2016 Remembrance events held in Brownhills.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 11 November, 13 November, 2016, Brownhills, Cancelled, David Evans, Events, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Parade, Police, Remembrance, Scouts, Service, Staffordshire, Things to do, time, under threat, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
Leave a comment
Joan Lockley the Local Hoglet Hero – a great Talk in the Wood this Wednesday
Don’t miss your opportunity to attend another fascinating talk at Walsall Wood Library this Wednesday, 16th November 2016, when remarkable hedgehog rescuer and champion Joan Lockley will be discussing her work – and bringing along a spiky guest for you to meet!
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 16 November, 2016, Brownhills local history, David Evans, event, Events, Hedgehog Rescue, Hero, hoglet, Joan Lockley, Library, Lichfield, Local History, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Talk in the wood, Things to do, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood, West Midlands
Leave a comment
Walsall Wood Remembrance Sunday 2016 pictures
Just a quick one – The young David Evans today (Sunday, 13th November 2016) went to his local Remembrance event in Walsall Wood, which regulars will remember was subject to some controversy with policing issues in 2015 – well, this year there was an independent traffic management company employed and the parade proceeded in full.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 13 November, 2016, Brownhills, David Evans, Events, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Parade, Police, Remembrance, Scouts, Service, Staffordshire, Things to do, time, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
7 Comments
Details of 2016 local Remembrance events
Following my request for information to make a list of local Remembrance events, I can again share with readers a list of local Remembrance services taking place locally this Remembrance Sunday, 13th November 2016.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 13th November, 2016, Aldridge, Bloxwich, Brownhills, Clayhanger, Details, Events, Heath Hayes, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Remembrance, Service, Staffordshire, Things to do, time, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
Leave a comment
Come and pay your respects this Armistice Day in Brownhills
Theres a really important event taking place this Friday morning 11th November 2016), the Brownhills British Legion will hold a two minute Remembrance silence at the Cenotaph at St. James Church in Brownhills at 11:00am.
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 11 November, 2016, Armistice, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cenotaph, Clayhanger, commemoration, day, Local History, Martin Littler, New Photos, RBL, Royal British Legion, Silence, St James, Staffordshire, Things to do, war
Leave a comment
2016 Remembrance services – let’s make a list – can you help please?
This is just a quick request for help – in past years, we have crowdsourced from readers a list of local Remembrance parades and events taking place throughout the area, that was popular and useful to many of the readership.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2016, Aldridge, Bloxwich, Brownhills, Clayhanger, Details, Events, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Parade, Remembrance, Service, Staffordshire, Things to do, time, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
4 Comments
Wonderful news from Lichfield Waterworks Trust
Dave Moore, the Sandfields Pumping Station champion and public historian extraordinaire has been in touch with some great news about Lichfield’s greatest hidden asset, Sandfields Pumping Station and Dave’s campaign with the Lichfield Waterworks Trust to preserve this remarkable building for the community.
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 2016, Architecture, at risk, Black Country, Bore Street, buildings, Dave, David, Discovered, event, Events, Facebook, free, heritage, Kate Gomez, lecture, Lichfield, Lichfield Discovered, Lichfield Waterworks Trust, local blogs, Local History, Lore, Moore, pub, Sandfields, Staffordshire, Talk, Things to do, Thursday
3 Comments
Chasewater Railway – ride the Ghost Train this evening!
I note Chasewater Railway have Halloween ghost trains running this evening (30th October 2016) with prizes for fancy dress, ghostly fun and games and much more spooky fun for all the family!
Continue reading
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 2016, 30 October, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, Evening, Events, ghost train, Halloween, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Panoramio, Reservoir, spooky, Staffordshire, STeam, Steam Railway, Things to do, Trains
Leave a comment
Huge progress being made on local canal restoration
Tom Reid from the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust has been in touch to let us know about the progress they’re making in opening up the former canal towpath as a walking route between Barracks Lane and Summerhill, aided by corporate volunteers.
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 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, Staffordshire, Summerhill, The Boat, Things to do, trust, Twitter, Wildlife
Leave a comment
Don’t forget War Weddings – a great Talk in the Wood this Wednesday
Don’t miss your opportunity to attend another fascinating local history talk at Walsall Wood Library this Wednesday, 19th October 2016, when local historian Ethel Lote will be discussing the subject of war weddings.
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 2016, 28 September, Brownhills local history, David Evans, Ethel Lote, event, Events, Library, Lichfield, Local History, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Talk in the wood, Things to do, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood, War Weddings
Leave a comment
Don’t miss War Weddings – another brilliant Talk in the Wood!
Don’t miss your opportunity to attend another fascinating local history talk at Walsall Wood Library next Wednesday, 19th October 2016, when local historical Ethel Note will be discussing the subject of war weddings.
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 2016, 28 September, Brownhills local history, David Evans, Ethel Lote, event, Events, Library, Lichfield, Local History, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Talk in the wood, Things to do, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood, War Weddings
Leave a comment
You are my Sunnyside
A nice gentle one for a Saturday afternoon here, and people interested in the borderlands between Aldridge and Walsall Wood, known as The Vigo – David Evans have been in conversation with local man Ken Massey, who lived there in a more rural time, and has kindly donated mages of the farm and life there.
Posted in Environment, Features, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Bayliss, Brownhills local history, David Evans, General Store, Gill, Hollander, Local History, Marjorie Hadley, New Photos, Shire Oak, Shops, Staffordshire, The Vigo, The Vigo Stores, Vigo, Walsall Wood, Whitehouse
11 Comments
Chasewater Railway celebrate Teddy’s 75th birthday this Sunday!
I note Chasewater Railway have a celebration this Sunday (2nd October 2016)of their lovely little green locomotive Teddy with special services, brake van rides, photo opportunities and much more for all the family!
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 2 October, 2016, 75, birthday, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, Events, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Panoramio, Reservoir, Staffordshire, STeam, Steam Railway, Teddy, Things to do, Trains
Leave a comment
Shire Oak Quarry expansion consultation event – this Friday
You may recall a couple of years ago that the operator of the former Shire Oak Quarry site, JPE, was mooting the proposal to extend the site they’re currently landfilling at Shire Oak, to extract virgin material pusihing back restoration of the site for some years.
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, It makes me mad!, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged 2014, 2016, 30 September, Brownhills, Consultation, County Council, expansion, extraction, Hays, Hints, Hopwas, Lichfield, Local politics, mineral, Minerals Local Plan, planning, Politics, quarry, Redevelopment, Sandhills, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Things to do, Village Hall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
1 Comment
Deer water chase at Chasewater…
You’ll remember a few days ago I cautioned local folk – especially dog walkers – to beware of the deer at the moment as the rut was getting underway, and they’d be a whole lot less tolerant as the hormones did their thing – well, I wasn’t wrong – as the video here shows, deer romance is well underway at Chasewater, with remarkable footage captured today by deer expert Jochen Langbein.
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 2016, Brownhills, Chase, Chasewater, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Marsh, Deer, Deer Tails, Film, Jochen Langbein, local blogs, New Photos, pursuit, Red, Red deer, Reservoir, rut, rutting, Staffordshire, swim, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
2 Comments
Lichfield Waterworks Trust – September 2016 public meeting this Thursday
Sandfields Pumping Station champion and public historian extraordinaire Dave Moore has been in touch to let me know that this Thursday evening (29th September 2016) there will be a public progress meeting for 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 2016, 29 September, Architecture, at risk, Bird Street, Black Country, Bore Street, buildings, Dave, David, Discovered, event, Events, Facebook, free, George IV, 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
2 Comments
Your chance to catch a local legend – this Wednesday afternoon!
Just a quick headsup to those interested in Walsall Wood history and who are free this Wednesday afternoon (28th September 2016) – 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 2016, 28 September, 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
1 Comment
Stuck in a rut – dog walkers and ramblers beware!
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.
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 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
Leave a comment
What’s the storey?
Here’s a quick one that’s piqued my intent and left me pondering, so I thought I’d share it – friend of New Hall Mill Alan Dawson has asked a really excellent question about my frequent 365daysofbiking muse, Shenstone Railway Station.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1945 aerial photos, 1962, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, first scout group, Local History, New Photos, Parade, Shenstone, Shenstone Scouts, Shenstone Station, Staffordshire, stairs, Steve Hickman, storey, Sunday, upper, Walsall Wood
3 Comments
Fancy taking the Lichfield Towpath Trail For Charity this weekend?
This Sunday 26th September 2016, there’s a charity dog walk being held by Oscars Pet Foods of Lichfield and the Lichfield & Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust, taking place along the Lichfield Canal Heritage Towpath Trail near Borrowcop on the A51.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged 2016, 26 September, A51, Borrocop, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Canal Restoration, charity, dog, Hatherton, Lichfield, Lichfield Canal Towpath Trail, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Oscars, Petfoods, planning, project, renovation, Staffordshire, Sunday, The Boat, Things to do, trust, Twitter, walk, Wildlife
Leave a comment
Wise Council
One of the most important institutions in the development of Brownhills as a town is one we have scant record of – that is Brownhills Urban District Council, which existed as a separate entity before merger with Aldridge in 1966, the merged Council itself disbanded in 1974.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1960's, Aldridge, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cawley, Council Urban District, Events, Jonah Deakin, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, Staffordshire, Steve, Trevor
12 Comments
Walsall Wood bred and buttered… Your chance to catch a local legend
Just a quick headsup to those interested in Walsall Wood history and who are free next Wednesday afternoon (28th September 2016) – there’s a talk featuring the Brownhills Blog’s favourite Wood Mon™ and top contributor, the young David Evans.
Continue reading
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 2016, 28 September, 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
1 Comment
The class of 62
Here’s a great addition to the canon of postwar class photos from Brownhills Central Boys School, posted by reader Malcolm Jemison last week – he thinks it’s from around 1962, and it sits well next to the photos from the same school a decade earlier sent in by Margaret Hampton – I’ve included them below for comparison.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community
Tagged 1950, 1951, 1952, 1962, boys, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Central, Class photo, Elizabeth Hampton, Lichfield, Local History, Malcom Jemison, Mick, Modern, Neville's, New Photos, School, Secondary, Stackhouse, Staffordshire, Things to do, Tom
14 Comments
RSS - Posts
