Tag Archives: Vandalism

Everyone needs a hobby

These caught my eye today, cycling the Trent & Mersey canal towpath in Hopwas, Staffordshire. About 40 in all, someone had made little flags, from laminated fluorescent card and sticks, and popped one in at every pile of animal mess. … Continue reading

Posted in cycling, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local media, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

The trains don’t stop here anymore

Whilst having a mooch round the net the other day, I visited the excellent site curated by Dave Cresswell and Rob Taylor, dedicated to the past, present and future of the South Staffordshire railway line that used to run from … Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Persistence of memory

Yesterday, whilst wandering past the former Warreners Arms pub, I stopped to look at the old inn. The condition of this landmark building continues to degrade, and the busy car wash formerly operating there now seems to have closed. I … Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Shared media, Shared memories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 31 Comments

I live where it’s grey

I hope readers will forgive me this week for featuring foreign parts in the ‘Pictures from the past’ feature. Whilst mooching around Flickr a couple of weeks ago, I came upon an absolutely stunning set of early eighties photo scans … Continue reading

Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local History, Local media, Local music, Local politics, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Metal gurus

This week, I have trawled the furthest corners of the net to stir up some very particular memories. This is one of those things that I thought I’d never find pictures of, but whilst searching for something else, I came … Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Sat on their arse in their four-wheel drive

I’m angry. Very angry indeed. Regular readers won’t find my displeasure over many of the actions of the coalition government at all surprising. Having been in power for less than twelve months, without an outright majority, the Conservative Party simply … Continue reading

Posted in Cannock Chase, cycling, Environment, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local politics, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Save Walsall libraries e-petition now online

An e-petition has now been started on the Walsall Council website to protest about library cuts by the council. Please sign it if you wish to support the great work these facilities do for the community. There’s also a second … Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, Reader enquiries, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Why am I not surprised?

At the risk of irritating the anglers again, it seems like Bob, the copper carp dangling from the Walsall Wood angler’s pole has gone missing again. I’m pretty sure the fish was there earlier in the week – I’ve been … Continue reading

Posted in Environment, Events, Express & Star, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Local politics, Shared media, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

The Bookworm Turns: Lies, Damn Lies, Library Cuts and Council Pledges

I note today that fierce and vocal defender of our libraries, The Bookworm Turns, has a new post up in the wake of the furore over the recent news that six of our treasured institutions are to be closed. The … Continue reading

Posted in Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Living in a one party state

Today, Walsall Council’s press office belched out a press release that is already causing some controversy in the Walsall blog community. I genuinely feel pain for the poor scribe who must surely have been coerced to write it under threat … Continue reading

Posted in Express & Star, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Another triumph for investigative journalism

I am indebted to reader Neil, who supplied the scan of last Wednesday’s Express & Star article about the planning application to convert the peaceful wildlife haven of Ryders Mere into a commercial leisure fishery. Regrettably, I missed this one, … Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, planning, Shared media, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Waiting for a breakthrough…

  One of the worst effects of a cold snap on the local environment is junk that gets thrown onto canal ice in an attempt to break it inevitably ends up in the water. This was the second feral trolley … Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Mere vandalism

I was alerted several days ago to a new and somewhat controversial local planning application by Chaz Mason and his excellent Clayhanger Marsh Log. For those of you who aren’t aware, Chaz blogs once or twice every week on the … Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

The library revolt continues…

Sorry folks, I tried to post a link to this story this morning, but mobile internet failed and the article was mangled by cycberspace. It seems that those who feel strongly about the attack on learning and culture in Walsall … Continue reading

Posted in Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Local politics, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Now, where did they get that from…

Today, I noted that the Express & Star (motto: ‘that’ll do Ted, it’ll only be holding chips tomorrow’) were rightly having a whinge about the cost of graffiti vandalism, something I’ve had occasion to moan about myself. Fair enough, move … Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local media, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

From ‘The Bookworm Turns’: Remember Fahrenheit 451? Stand united in Walsall on Destruction Day – 17 November

Today, ‘The Bookworm Turns‘ posted a very important message to the people of Walsall. I reproduce some of it here, but for the full glory, pop over and see the entire post for yourself. The Brownhills Blog stands shoulder to … Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Essential reading from ‘The Bookworm Turns’ – On the eve of destruction

I note this evening that The Bookworm Turns has published another excellent, bang on the money post about the state of Leisure Services and more particularly the fate of Walsall’s beleaguered libraries. As I’ve said before, we need to get … Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Arsonists required: please apply within

Over at the PigBlog, the Stymaster has done it again. He’s posted a restrained, beautifuly controlled rant about the fate of historic buildings in Walsall, and their propensity to spontaneously combust. The scandal over the handling of the former Methodist … Continue reading

Posted in Churches, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Local politics, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

I’m sure there’s a perfectly innocent explanation

As detailed in his recent comment on this blog, the wonderful Mick P found the following, somewhat interesting image on Google’s Street View. It clearly shows a man, standing by an unmarked flatbed truck in a notorious flytipping hotspot in … Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local media, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

What’s my line?

As I noted last week, after quite some time parted, Bob the fish is now back in his rightful place, as the focal point of the recently erected fisherman sculpture by the canal bridge in Walsall Wood. Originally suspended by a … Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Express & Star, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, Shared media, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Another bunch of idiots

More illegal motorbike use – this time, somewhat unusually, on a Sunday afternoon in one of the busiest bits of Cannock Chase. These particular muppets came off a forest track from the Birches Valley direction and were heading down Marquis … Continue reading

Posted in Cannock Chase, Environment, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Shared media | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

I don’t mean to carp, but…

With a touch of sadness, but no surprise, I noticed on Friday that Rodney, the Walsall Wood fisherman, is still without his fish, somewhat oddly christened ‘Bob’. He’s also been the victim of rather more destructive vandals, who’ve tagged him with … Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Local politics, Shared media, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

From the ‘Not terribly bright’ department…

Heres a tip – if you’re planning to dump waste packaging by the canal, do try to remove identifying addresses from it, otherwise somebody may notice it and take the appropriate action. This empty box, originally containing a consignment from … Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Shared media, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

You can’t polish a turd

I’m not really sure what the hell is going on here. I noticed on Saturday that there was scaffolding erected around one corner of Ravens Court, the very nearly empty shopping precinct in the centre of Brownhills. This is a … Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local politics, planning, Shared media, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Free sheets to the wind

Whilst out for a lazy spin on a murky, chilly Saturday afternoon, I spotted a bundle of unread, clearly undelivered copies of the Walsall Chronicle free paper, dumped under bushes at the canal side. Now, I can’t be sure if … Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, It makes me mad!, Local media, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fisherman’s blues

This afternoon, while passing the new fisherman sculpture erected on the canal towpath beside Walsall Wood bridge I noted that it had already been vandalised. The fish that so vulnerably dangled from the end of the silhouette’s rod had been … Continue reading

Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Just plain daft, Local media, Shared media, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Are you happy now?

It was with sadness today that I noticed that the hoarding surrounding the Housing21 development by Anchor Bridge has been repainted, obliterating the vibrant, fun street art mural created by local kids during the summer. Whilst I have no idea … Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Shared media, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Breathtaking stupidity

The readiness with which some people put their own lives at risk never ceases to amaze me. What I saw this afternoon, whilst on a snowy stroll around Brownhills and Chasewater, risked not only the lives of the muppets foolishly … Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Shared media | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

What they’re up against

Since yesterday’s post in which I mentioned the woeful state of the former Railway Tavern in Bentley, I thought I’d swing past today and take a couple of photos. Since last week, the main site of the pub has been … Continue reading

Posted in Environment, Express & Star, Followups, It makes me mad!, Local media, Local politics, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Am I missing something here?

Since Dan and the folks up at Walsall Council’s press office helpfully include me on their mailing list, I receive a steady trickle of low-level press releases from Walsall Council, which I keep a weather eye upon for anything useful … Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, It makes me mad!, Local media, Local politics, Panoramio photo discussions, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

And this just in from our roving reporter…

After noting the report on Fixmystreet last night, fellow twatterer stevieboy378 lost no time in recording the offensive grafitti. Now you all know what I think of mindless vandalism, but this does amuse my childish, schoolboy sense of humour. It’s … Continue reading

Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Sorry, I just had to share this…

A report on Fixmystreet.com, popped up while I was writing the previous post. It reads as follows: Well, I’ll be blowed.

Posted in Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local media, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Scum

Next time you give something to one of the jolly tat-men who seem to proliferate the streets these days, or hire that handy bloke with a van (but no MOT) from that card in the newsagent’s window, think on this. … Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Dereliction affliction

This is a heads up, and also an appeal for information. These dilapidated dwellings are located on Brownhills Road at Street’s Corner, opposite the Walsall Wood school – you can see their actual location from the picture’s Panoramio page, accessed … Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Build it up, tear it down

Last week, I pointed up the work of street-art that had appeared on the temporary plywood builder’s hoarding around the Housing 21/Walsall Housing Group development at Anchor Bridge. I make no secret of the fact that I like street art, … Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Local media | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Hey! Malpas! It’s not big, and it’s not clever…

Hey, I was a teenager in the 1980’s. I grew up within a culture that recognised and appreciated street art. I Think Banksy is a genius, and Goldie wasn’t half bad, either. Chu is a local treasure. There’s just something … Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft | Tagged , , , , | 21 Comments