Tag Archives: The Plastic Hippo

Sue, Grabbit and run

Sue Arnold, losing parliamentary candidate for Walsall South would like to graciously thank the residents there for all the votes, and isn’t bitter at all that sitting MP Valerie Vaz increased her majority – some could read Sue’s thank you message as a dire warning that they’ve made the wrong decision, but I’m sure that’s an unfortunate ambiguity.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Local Parliamentary Constituency results for 2015 General Election

It’s been a long night – it’s now 5:30am – late for even me – and I’m off for a kip – it’s been a tough night for lefties, but I was pleased to see David Winnick hold onto his seat in Walsall North, which saw a very harsh campaign.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Just do it

Look, I’ll not beat around the bush – it’s general and local elections today and you can’t possibly have missed this fact – It’s been one of the nastiest, most closely fought campaigns in my living memory, and very probably represents the end of two party politics in the UK as we know it.

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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Ballot dance

I’ve agonised over what to write here for days – it is, of course polling day here in Brownhills and Walsall today, and you get double bubble; not just chance to vote for one of your three councillors, but you get chance to vote for your European MP, too.
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If that’s the way it’s going to be…

I, and many other folk hereabouts were disgusted by the letter sent by elected Walsall Councillor Anthony Harris to campaigner for Greenspace and top local stalwart Linda Mason recently. The officious and arrogant tone, coupled with clear evidence of the member not reading the material he was sent, has rightly disgusted and outraged many.


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Urgent help required

There’s something of dire social importance going on in Walsall right now. It’s cold, and people are on the streets. In town, there are a group of people working to help the displaced, the lost and the lonely. Please help them all you can.
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They don’t like it up ’em

I haven’t stopped laughing. The Liberal Democrats in Walsall are very cross. Very cross indeed. So cross, Daniel Barker’s written a blog of his own instead of just copying Uncle Arthur.
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Posted in Bad Science, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Ill-Liberal

Anyone taken in by the absolute load of old tut posted in the comments last night by the Walsall Liberal Democrat Membership Officer Paul Wild may also wish to read this post about their political flexibility, also published yesterday by The Plastic Hippo.
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Posted in Bad Science, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

More on Walsall Councillors allowances…

Since I covered the original story on Monday, several very good online articles have been published about the disgraceful rise in allowances awarded to Walsall Council cabinet members.
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Posted in Bad Science, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Those who would attempt to divide us

I, like the vast majority of the Walsall online community, stand shoulder to shoulder with The Plastic Hippo on this. Hippo is as usual, prescient, pertinent and pitch perfect. The EDL have a right to protest, this country went to … Continue reading

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When journalism and politics fail

I’ve been a bit busy for the last couple of days with work, but while I have, a blistering post seems to have slipped under the radar from the best blogger in Walsall, The Plastic Hippo. Walsall folk will be … Continue reading

Posted in Bad Science, Environment, Events, Express & Star, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Something to build upon

Just a quick note to point out that I’ve had a fantastic response to my musings on the subject of the BOAK fire, and my desire to channel some of the creative anger abounding in the online community into something … Continue reading

Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

After the fire had gone out – an appeal

Last Friday evening, I came back home via Walsall at around 7:30pm. On the way through what was a very weary, against the wind journey, I popped down to take a shufty at what was left of the BOAK building, … Continue reading

Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Churches, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 25 Comments

Welsh Nationalists target Walsall

Since the unholy mess that was the Walsall Council elections last week, I’ve been waiting for some comment from wise old sage The Plastic Hippo. After a weekend away, today, Hippo spoke. A brilliant satire, please read it if you … Continue reading

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Effecting a change? Your vote counts, don’t waste it.

Just a short note to jog people’s memories today. Today is the day of the local council elections, in which those of us in Walsall (and many other places) get to vote for our local councils. Here in Walsall, it looks … Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Cycling safety: Justice for Aiden, plus Linda on Radio WM

Just a quick note to point out that Aiden McHaffie, the keen cyclist currently nursing a broken wing after being involved in an accident in Birmingham, seems to be receiving some justice at last. On Monday, I offered my opinion … Continue reading

Posted in Bad Science, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

I have nothing further to add. I’m ashamed to live in a country that does this while the people who caused the crisis walk away.

Posted in Bad Science, Environment, Events, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

You couldn’t make it up…

Just a quick note to point out that while I’ve been ranting and fuming about the collective fit of madness down at the Civic Centre, The Plastic Hippo as yet again nailed the situation perfectly. After council leader Mike ‘Blofeld’ … Continue reading

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Snouts in the trough

I note from today’s Express & Star (3rd January 2012) that the plan to increase Walsall Councillors Personal Allowances has again reared it’s ugly head. It seams that soon, the cabinet will vote wether to give themselves a juicy pay … Continue reading

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Going soft in his old age…

Just a quick note to flag up fellow Walsall blogger and agent provocateur The Plastic Hippo and a great post he published yesterday evening. The usually reassuringly grumpy commentator has clearly started to go a bit doolally in his dotage. What … Continue reading

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All about Eve

Well, it’s Christmas Eve. I’ve been meaning to write this post for a few days now, but it’s a bit cheesy and it feels kind of awkward. I’d like to wish all the readers, contributors, followers and friends of the … Continue reading

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Stay pressed

In the wake of the continuing closure of local papers, this time in Cannock and South Staffordshire, there’s a very interesting article written by good friend of the Brownhills Blog, Stuart Williams, over at he is revitalised Bloxwich Telegraph. I … Continue reading

Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Express & Star, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The madness of King Bird

If I’m honest, the world-weary citizens of Walsall long ago tired of local politics. Voter turnouts are low at local elections, and fed up of never really seeing any improvements in their local areas despite years of multi-whatever committees, LNP’s, … Continue reading

Posted in Environment, Express & Star, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

Hide and seek

This week, we lost another historic building to a fire in Walsall. I covered the event here. on my 365daysofbiking Tumblr and one of the side effects on YouTube. The Stymaster lamented it, as did the Hippo. Today, there’s a … Continue reading

Posted in Environment, Events, Express & Star, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

A farewell to arms (via The Plastic Hippo)

If you only read one thing today, read this from the Plastic Hippo. It’s the most apposite, brilliant comment on the rash of sudden justice I’ve yet seen. Oh, and bon voyage, Mr. Hippo. I trust you’ve had your distemper … Continue reading

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Medium rare (via The Plastic Hippo)

This evening, I was planning to write on the subject of the terrible fire at the former Jabez Cliff works (indeed, I mentioned it on my 365daysofcycling mini-blog) but the Plastic Hippo has once again beaten my tardy arse to it, and … Continue reading

Posted in cycling, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

The graduate – Part one (via The Plastic Hippo)

The Plastic Hippo has turned out one of his best posts yet, and that’s saying something. This is pointed, prescient and precise. I have yet to meet anyone at all in the field of education who thinks that Gove is … Continue reading

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A pressing issue

On Saturday, 16th July 2011, Express & Star columnist Dan Wainwright ran his usual column about local government in the region. Even though Walsall Council is gripped by a Single Status pay controversy, as is Dudley, and other notable stuff … Continue reading

Posted in Events, Express & Star, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Single status (via The Plastic Hippo)

More bang-on-the-money comment from The Plastic Hippo. The scandal of Single Status in Walsall has been swept under the carpet for far too long. Read this and fear for the future of your council, run by people who plainly haven’t … Continue reading

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Time and tide (via The Plastic Hippo)

Yet again, The Plastic Hippo vocalises beautifully what I’m thinking. Is this the nastiest, most unpleasant government we’ve ever had? As every day passes, the pronouncements from the Prime Minister become more and more bizarre. I fear for my country, … Continue reading

Posted in Events, Features, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Always crashing in the same car

Walsall Council, despite it’s patchy areas, does a few things really, really well. One of those things in recent times has been social media. Dan and the people in the press office may occasionally appear to be running a West … Continue reading

Posted in Bad Science, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Somewhere, in the distance…

Today is the last day of that wonderful Walsall institution, The YamYam. Yes, I’m afraid that the site that was instrumental and continual in support for The Brownhills Blog, is being mothballed as Mark, the chap behind this king of … Continue reading

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2011: a waste of space odyssey (via The Plastic Hippo)

The Plastic Hippo – yet again, fantastic. Love it. Sharp as a tack and grumpy as hell… Aboard the Coalition Discovery One Starship, Dave accesses the central core of the Andy 9000 computer. “Hello Dave. It’s about Alan Johnson isn’t … Continue reading

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Shine on you crazy Diamond (via The Plastic Hippo)

The Plastic Hippo. Bang on the money again. Please take a look – if he’s not in your favourites list, why not? The top floor of the Royal Bank of Scotland building in the centre of Walsall offers a magnificent … Continue reading

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Wake up Walsall (via The Plastic Hippo)

The sharp-eyed amongst you will have noticed that yesterday, Ian Payne commented on the post I made about him in which I expressed my sincerely held opinions about his latest missives to the local press. It seems that, as Jones … Continue reading

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Who knows where the time goes?

It really doesn’t seem like five minutes since I last wished all you readers a merry Christmas and a very happy new year. This last one has been an interesting and engaging time for me with the Brownhills Blog. I’ve … Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, cycling, Environment, Followups, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Local politics, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Turn, turn, turn…

Something odd is happening at the moment. I’m not sure quite what’s going on, but it’s very interesting and I think it might be positive. It seems the Cabinet – those leading Walsall Council – have become aware of the … Continue reading

Posted in Express & Star, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Your local council needs you (via The Plastic Hippo)

The Plastic Hippo has written an excoriating post about Walsall Council’s risible ‘Online Budget Simulator’ game, a wheedling, cynical little piece of propaganda aimed at convincing us all there’s no alternative to the menu of cuts, decimation and hard cheese … Continue reading

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Professor Sam Ramiah, rest in peace.

Yesterday, I like many others in Walsall, I was shocked to hear of the sudden, unexpected and totally unjust death of Walsall’s Director of Public Health, Doctor Sam Ramiah, who was taken by a heart attack at the criminally young … Continue reading

Posted in Environment, Events, Local History, Local media, Local politics, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Payne Barrier

Please excuse me a little indulgence today. I’m going to break away from the usual stuff I do and talk a bit about blogging and freedom of speech, because something has happened in the local blog community that’s really irritated … Continue reading

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The Walsall Council reality distortion field

First up, sorry for the lack of updates this week, work has kept me away from the blog, a situation that will be resolved soon. However, in the course of my web browsing recently, there have been a few gems … Continue reading

Posted in Chasewater, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Local politics, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Disgusted of Darlaston

Unless you’ve been living under a rock recently, you’ll be aware of the media hysteria over the windows at Darlaston swimming pool, which our masters in the press would have us believe were blacked out in an attempt to placate … Continue reading

Posted in Environment, Events, Express & Star, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Are you sitting comfortably? (via The Plastic Hippo)

The Plastic Hippo holds his anemometer up to the cold wind currently blowing through education in Walsall. It’s like the early eighties, all over again. Then I will begin. Once upon a time in a land far, far away, someone … Continue reading

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Be prepared (via The Plastic Hippo)

The Plastic Hippo does it yet again. Wonderfully eloquent, incisive and prescient post, and probably the best comment on the BP affair you’ll read. Check it out now. Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the scouting movement, became a national hero following … Continue reading

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I can’t possibly match this – The Hippo strikes back

I was going to wax lyrical about Walsall’s new member for leisure, recently elected to replace the hapless previous incumbent, Barry Sanders. However, it seems that the some-time commenter in these parts has beaten me to it, with such a … Continue reading

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Another cracking article by the Plastic Hippo…

Anyone who’s been reading this blog for some time will be aware of the Plastic Hippo – often outrageously funny, witheringly forthright and highly knowledgeable about Walsall politics, he often comments on articles here. Well, there’s a new article up over … Continue reading

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