Tag Archives: Stonnall

History is a mosaic

Posted on May 11, 2013 by BrownhillsBob

As readers will no doubt be aware, I’m really, really fond of local history and the way it’s evolving online, although I’ve noted concerns and issues, on the whole, the internet and cooperation it enables is making a huge difference to both the quality and quantity of work becoming available.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, 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 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

What and where?

Posted on May 5, 2013 by BrownhillsBob

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Celebrating Triumph

Posted on April 27, 2013 by BrownhillsBob

This film shows Norton Motorcycles – then at Shenstone, just on Lynn Lane – in an article on top gear from the 1980s – Note the worthy, serious tone of the piece, and the great film of Lynn Lane, Wallheath Lane and Stonnall.
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Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Inn for a treat

Posted on April 23, 2013 by BrownhillsBob

‘Snippets of History in and around Shire Oak’ is a very comprehensive history of the pub at the crossroads of the Lichfield Road and Chester Road, and of the brewery that few realise towered over the pub for many years.
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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, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

A Shire thing

Posted on April 17, 2013 by BrownhillsBob

Here’s a treat for Brownhills folk into local history – A new local history book, focussing on Shire Oak and it’s environs has been written by Walsall Wood chap Clive Roberts.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

Sharing the goodness

Posted on April 14, 2013 by BrownhillsBob

I just wanted to give a quick shout out for Lichfield District Council’s top Geographic Services officer, Gareth Thomas – Gareth, long time readers will recall, has shared loads of good stuff with readers of not just this blog, but others, including Lichfield Lore.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Gorgeous curves

Posted on January 27, 2013 by BrownhillsBob

Here’s a bit of a request stop. A few weeks ago there was a very positive response to my digitally contouring of an Ordnance Survey map in the analysis of the Watford Gap area near Sutton Coldfield.

I have a bit of clever software that can do this, and access to the mapping data to use as a canvas.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

A freshly fallen, silent shroud of snow

Posted on January 19, 2013 by BrownhillsBob

Today, I left for work as usual and after a bit of a battle, got to work, only to find it was closing up and everybody was going home. Undeterred, I cycled back into Birmingham and caught a train back to Blake Street, from where I went for a wonderful snowstorm ride around the backlanes of Footherley, Shenstone, Chesterfield and Hilton.
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Posted in cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Walsall Road, Springhill: on Islands

Posted on January 13, 2013 by BrownhillsBob

I note from a a number of email enquiries that there has been some controversy of late locally; a plan has existed for some time now to construct a new cemetery at Springhill on the Walsall (Lichfield) Road, between Shire Oak and Muckley Corner.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Cycling trivialities

Posted on January 4, 2013 by BrownhillsBob

Thanks to everyone who took time to express opinions on my navel gazing contemplation on completion of my 365daysofbiking goal. I really was touched by the unexpectedly large amount of goodwill expressed about the project by a hugely diverse range of commentors. The compliments, encouragement and kindness are not something I’ll readily forget.
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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, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Along for the ride

Posted on December 28, 2012 by BrownhillsBob

Just before Christmas, I got hold of a new bike cam. It’s a GoPro HD Hero black edition, which has some pretty nifty features, including less distortion from the lens and better performance in low light. I’ve been using it ever since I got it, but the weather and dull commutes haven’t been conducive to decent ride videos.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, cycling, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Learning to drive on Big K car park…

Posted on November 18, 2012 by BrownhillsBob

Rights of passage. The local ones we all know; for those of a certain age, learning to drive on the Big K car park was an unforgettable experience – as was visiting this local DIY palace of glittering delights with … Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The mystery of The Lost Stonnall Hoard

Posted on November 7, 2012 by BrownhillsBob

That there [Howmuch?] has found treasure. He actually found it in a charity bookshop in Lichfield, but his golden find actually pointed to a farmyard near Grove Hill, near Lower Stonnall/Thornes, in 1824. There was bronze in that there hill.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 29 Comments

Fill your boots… it’s boom time

Posted on November 3, 2012 by BrownhillsBob

I ‘d just like to draw attention to a couple of blog posts here for the benefit readers. I know I’ve plugged both of these authors recently, but to be quite honest, their work is blowing me away. We really are living in excellent times for local history – so many people are coming forward with their stories, unhindered by publishers and commercial pressure.

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Posted in Environment, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The secret army

Posted on October 27, 2012 by BrownhillsBob

There’s a nearby blog I love that’s going from strength to strength. It’s a blog I’ve plugged before, and it’s by Susan Marie Ward, who’s a great local historian. Susan lives out in South Staffordshire, but has historical connections to Aldridge, Walsall Wood and Stonnall.
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Posted in Chasewater, Environment, Features, 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 Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Divide and conquer

Posted on October 12, 2012 by BrownhillsBob

Local history dynamo David Hodgkinson has come up trumps again. As promised, David has kindly scanned a whole tranche of material about the protests against the BNRR – or M6 Toll as it's now known. Further, David has scanned this … Continue reading →

Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Come fly with me

Posted on September 22, 2012 by BrownhillsBob

Following on from the previous posts featuring the excellent 1963 aerial images kindly supplied by Gareth Thomas form Lichfield District Council, I today feature two more from the collection. These are rather special, so I saved them for the weekend. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

You want a flake with that?

Posted on September 12, 2012 by BrownhillsBob

Here’s a wonderful bit of lost local history regained. I spotted this film some weeks ago in The Stonnall History Group on Facebook, posted by Desmond Burton. The clip, recorded in 1958, shows the Burton family and pals, including Sandy … Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

The remains of the day

Posted on September 9, 2012 by BrownhillsBob

Another ride video for the exiles in far away parts. The sunset last night was amazing, and to be out around Stonnall in it was just magical. This is a journey down Main Street, up through Thornes, Gravelley Lane to … Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

King of the castle

Posted on August 30, 2012 by BrownhillsBob

Here’s a great spot from Kate, of Lichfield Lore. Found on the always excellent Openlibrary.org, it’s a 1908 book called ‘The Victoria History of the County of Stafford’ and contains descriptions and plans of all the antiquities in Staffordshire. Including the … Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Stretching things a bit…

Posted on June 3, 2012 by BrownhillsBob

Long-time reader reader and friend of the blog Bev Lloyd pointed out via Facebook that she liked the topographic thing I occasionally do with maps, where I pull them into 3D representations of the contours they cover. I do this … Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Environment, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Velvet green

Posted on May 15, 2012 by BrownhillsBob

Although it’s been quite windy and cool of late, there have been some lovely, sunny days. On both Saturday and Sunday last, I managed to get in some excellent bike rides in around south Staffordshire. As usual, the GoPro camera … Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, cycling, Environment, Events, Features, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Police helicopter over Brownhills last night?

Posted on April 12, 2012 by BrownhillsBob

I’m getting lots of folks looking for why the local rozzers were playing with their whirlybird around midnight last night (11th April 2012). Here’s why: http://twitter.com/#!/WMP_Helicopter/status/190229118300864513 If you do twitter, @wmp_helicopter is well worth a follow!

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Keepers Cottage, Footherley: In better days

Posted on March 2, 2012 by BrownhillsBob

This is another heads up for readers interested in local history, particularly of the Stonnall area. Julian Ward-Davies and fellow Stonnall historian Susan-Marie Ward have been busy compiling another great historical paper, this time about Keeper’s Cottage, the now crumbling, … Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Spring. There’s certainly something in the air.

Posted on February 19, 2012 by BrownhillsBob

Today, I set our for a short ride in the snow at 10:30am. Just a potter, things to do, you know how it is. I came back at 6pm. A nice 55 mile run through a chilly,lightly snow-dusted but sunny … Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, cycling, Environment, Events, Features, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

The tools for the job

Posted on February 9, 2012 by BrownhillsBob

Hi folks. Sorry it’s a bit scattergun this week, I’m very busy at work and fitting everything in is a challenge. I thought it was about time to feature another excellent piece from top contributor David Evans, this time about … Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Features, Followups, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Anyone up for a competition?

Posted on December 28, 2011 by BrownhillsBob

Just before Christmas, myself and [Howmuch?] were lounging around sampling the wares of a local hostelry, when we had an idea. It seems we have an extra, secondhand but very decent copy of the glossy, A4 format book ‘The Old … Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, 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 Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 26 Comments

Downstream

Posted on December 18, 2011 by BrownhillsBob

I noticed today in the Stonnall History Group on Facebook that the inimitable Julian Ward-Davies, author of ’The Lost Lake of Stonnall’ and other great research pieces was musing on the history of the Pen Brook, a small stream that appears … Continue reading →

Posted in cycling, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

A cartographic history

Posted on November 27, 2011 by BrownhillsBob

In my recent post ‘Other people’s maps’, I featured an excerpt from a secondhand 1951 issue 1:25,000 scale map I’d acquired from a map dealer. The map  – with Brownhills at its heart – carried some rather unusual hand written … Continue reading →

Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

How the Brave New World began in Walsall Wood, 1952

Posted on November 27, 2011 by BrownhillsBob

Ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, I present another fantastic piece by regular contributor David Evans. David is writing so much good stuff at the moment… I’m sure you’ll all join with me in thanking him for his sterling and … Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Get your teeth into this…

Posted on November 26, 2011 by BrownhillsBob

You can always rely on top friend of the Brownhills Blog [Howmuch?] to come up with the really, really offbeat stuff. Whilst rooting through the archives recently, the intrepid researcher spotted the above patent application for ‘Improvements in artificial teeth’. … Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Features, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Time for a Goodcuppa

Posted on November 23, 2011 by BrownhillsBob

I noticed recently that there’s an interesting new blog on the block from a former Brownhills girl, now exiled in Lincolnshire. Goodcuppa has some really interesting stuff going on, and I think her blog deserves a wider exposure. There’s some … Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Other people’s maps

Posted on November 16, 2011 by BrownhillsBob

I’ve had a find I’m rather excited about, and I think I’m going to need reader help here. Over the weekend, I acquired a couple of maps from a dealer who puts to one side anything he knows I might … Continue reading →

Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Spotting a Leopard

Posted on October 29, 2011 by BrownhillsBob

There’s some interesting stuff going on over at Julian Ward-Davies’ Stonnall Local History Group on Facebook. Julian has spotted something also noticed in passing by reader and local history ferret [Howmuch?]: there appear to have been two pubs called The … Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Captivated by history

Posted on October 22, 2011 by BrownhillsBob

I had this great email from David Evans recently. Hi Bob Italian Prisoners of War Following David Oakley’s revelation amazing in the ‘Tanking Along‘ articles that there were Italian prisoners of War locall, something I had no knowledge of, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Environment, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Who fancies a challenge? – part 2

Posted on October 16, 2011 by BrownhillsBob

Today, I’ve assembled the second instalment of David Evans’ excellent local quiz. A couple of weeks ago he submitted a huge list of local history questions to test how much readers know about local history, and hopefully, it will serve … Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Features, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Memories of Old Stonnall

Posted on October 15, 2011 by BrownhillsBob

The fantastic, resourceful and dedicated Julian Ward-Davies has been in touch to point out that there’s a new article on his blog entitled ‘Memories of Old Stonnall’, a collaborative work with Gordon Mycock whose memories of his life in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Cecil Arthur Burton MM: the homecoming

Posted on October 9, 2011 by BrownhillsBob

For those following the touching story of Arthur Burton, thanks to David Evans and Desmond Burton, I can now wrap up the final instalment of the local lad’s military tale. David Evans noted in an earlier comment… Arthur Burton’s diary … Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Features, Followups, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Who fancies a challenge?

Posted on October 8, 2011 by BrownhillsBob

In the week, reader David Evans had a cracking idea. He’s submitted a huge list of local history questions to test how much readers know about local history, and hopefully, it’s serve to provide a point-by-point guide to our past. … Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Features, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Going like the clappers

Posted on October 7, 2011 by BrownhillsBob

Top reader and contributor David Evans recently sent in this great 1970’s picture of Stonnall Handbell ringers. How many do you recognise? Over to David for the details: Hi Bob This really is ‘a tangle of bells’. I thought your … Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Features, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Local music, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

The further adventures of Cecil Arthur Burton MM

Posted on October 2, 2011 by BrownhillsBob

I’m still receiving a large amount of comment and input on the continuing story of Arthur Burton, local hero. I can’t possibly put these contributions into a better narrative than they make themselves, so I’ll run with various contributors as … Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Features, Followups, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Arthur Burton MM – military records now online

Posted on September 25, 2011 by BrownhillsBob

Just a quick note of thanks and appreciation to top local historian and decent bloke Roger ‘Ziksby’ Jones, who has taken the time to post Arthur Burton’s military records on Flickr so all concerned can inspect them. Roger obtained them … Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Features, Followups, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Stories from the front

Posted on September 25, 2011 by BrownhillsBob

David Evans has been very busy this week supplying a wealth of further material relating to the wonderful history of Arthur Burton MM. First of all, he sent a copy of Arthur’s diary entry relating to White Chateau, Ypres. My … Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Features, Followups, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Arthur Burton MM – uncovering the history

Posted on September 20, 2011 by BrownhillsBob

There’s been a lot of interest in the touching story of Arthur Burton, the local young man who fought in the first world war, who later farmed land near Brownhills. I took the step of posting a link to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Features, Followups, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

A local hero

Posted on September 18, 2011 by BrownhillsBob

An email arrives again from David Evans, who’s really cooking on gas at the moment. David again supplies some fascinating historical information, for which my gratitude is extended yet again. This actually dovetails nicely with something I’d like to do … Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Synchronicity…

Posted on September 10, 2011 by BrownhillsBob

It’s funny how some things coincide. Last Monday (5th September) on my 365daysofbiking Tumblr, I posted a photograph of the now-closed Mango Tree restaurant on the Chester Road, near Stonnall. In a coincidence of extraordinary happenstance, later in the week … Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Local hero part three: The Lost Lanes of Stonnall

Posted on June 29, 2011 by BrownhillsBob

Top amateur historian Julian Ward-Davies has dropped me a line to point out that his latest work, entitled ‘The Lost Lanes of Stonnall’ is now online. Julian, as regular readers will recall, is the hugely talented, dedicated author, geek and … Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, 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, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Go on, surprise me…

Posted on March 17, 2011 by BrownhillsBob

One short, late afternoon ride. Plenty of awful driving. Two in particular stood out… Don’t worry, I’ll just engage my psychic powers… who needs indicators, anyway? I guess you must be late for your dickhead convention or something.

Posted in cycling, Environment, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Shared media, Social Media | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Charting an unseen place…

Posted on February 10, 2011 by BrownhillsBob

1902, Second Edition Ordnance Survey map, of Stonnall, 1:10000 scale. Click the image to download the high-quality PDF. It’s with great thanks that I can share the above map with the readers of The Brownhills Blog – found in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Calling Stonnall history buffs…

Posted on January 6, 2011 by BrownhillsBob

Julian Ward-Davies sent me mail today to point out that he’d updated some of the material in his remarkable  paper ‘The Stonnall Mysteries‘. Hi Bob For some time, I have been considering the whereabouts of the original Swan Inn, which … Continue reading →

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments