Tag Archives: Walsall Advertiser

Unexpected development in bagging area – Aldi buy Ravens Court

Well, this is the news I though I’d never share: 12 years after my first article here about Ravens Court and the then promise of Tesco’s new gold dream that crumbled to dust, it turns out bargain supermarket chain Aldi … Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

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.

scan-2 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, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

It’s time to have your say

As many of you will know, the cuts are ongoing at Walsall Council and in the coming year the authority faces a shortfall of another £25 million, and sadly, this is really going to impact on local services we take for granted.
Untitled 9 Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Don’t bank on it

Many of you have asked me for updates on the situation with Ravens Court, the decaying, derelict shopping precinct that lies deserted in the centre of Brownhills – you’ll remember that way back in November 2014, Walsall Council issued an ultimatum to the owners that if they didn’t submit a planning application within six months, they’d initiate legal proceedings to force the landlords to tidy it up.

DSCN2206 Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Tick tock

This is just a reminder and a request – it’s been three months to the day since the dynamic duo of UKIPs Brownhills Councillor Steve Craddock and his best mate and Walsall Conservative former Regeneration head-honcho Adrian Andrew claimed to have brought home the bacon and hammered out some progress on the redevelopment of Ravens Court.

20130522-015440-PM.jpg Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

The state that we are in

I’m pleased to note that despite the celebratory tones of a report in the Express & Star a couple of weeks ago, Walsall Council are reinforcing the hard line taken on the owners of the derelict eyesore in the middle of Brownhills, Ravens Court, with a strongly worded press release issued a couple of days ago.

55503790 Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Magic beans

Well, it seems congratulations are in order – Steve Craddock, UKIP councillor for Brownhills and the man whose holiday was more important than political control of a borough governing 269,000 people – has apparently brought us the bacon. Or it … Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Council consultation event in Brownhills today!

Sorry this is late, I was working on something else last night, but today, Tuesday 18th November 2014 from 10am-12noon, there’s a Walsall Council budget Consultation event in Brownhills Library at The Parkview Centre in Brownhills.
parkview-centre-670 Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Consultation event in Brownhills this Wednesday!

This Wednesday, 3rd September 2014 from 10am-12pm, there’s a Walsall Council budget Consultation event in Brownhills Library at The Parkview Centre in Brownhills. Everyone is invited to attend and offer their view on prospect cuts to the local council budget, and Council Officers will be on hand to discuss matters.

parkview-centre-670 Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

It’s all in the game…

What to do – a great charity football match yesterday at Oak Park in Walsall Wood; two fine match reports by local footy stalwarts Bill Shaw and the young David Evans, plus some great photos by the latter – nothing for it but to run both.

6063393-large Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Scoring for Stephen – Charity football match this afternoon!

Blimey, it’s all going on this afternoon – as well as other events advertised here, there’s a great charity football match taking place at the Walsall Wood FC ground, Oak Park – kicking off at 3pm, when Shire Oak Saints Under 18s face the Shire Oak All Stars.
6063393-large Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Scoring for Stephen – Charity football match this Sunday!

Blimey, it’s all going on this coming Sunday – as well as other events advertised here, there’s a great charity football match taking place at the Walsall Wood FC ground, Oak Park – kicking off at 3pm, when Shire Oak Saints Under 18s face the Shire Oak All Stars.
6063393-large Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills 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

Getting the Bird

Two Brownhills community activists lock horns in the Walsall Advertiser letters page over the subject of Ravens Court – the exchange is interesting, and deserves to be read widely.
57323991 Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Pity the poor landlord

Five years ago, when I started this blog, one of the largest looming topics was that of the then proposed new Tesco Store in Brownhills – we’d been through a consultation, and the proposal was to build a large hypermarket fronting the High Street.

102321636 Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

Brownhills mugging: further information now available

Further to yesterday’s post about a rather unpleasant knifepoint mugging of a school pupil on the Black Path in Brownhills last Monday, the ever on-the-ball Walsall Advertiser now has a great report available with loads of additional information. Click here … Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Brownhills School: driven to distraction

The ongoing issue of Brownhills School’s withdrawal of community access to it’s facilities rumbled on this week, as the Walsall Advertiser published another excellent report about how the Spotlight Youth Theatre Group were told they’d have to move from the school last December.RichardShepherdMP Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Brownhills School: Express & Star catches up

Just a quick note to point out that the Express & Star have finally got around to covering the Brownhills School community facilities withdrawal story, with a few extra details.
Untitled 7 Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Brownhills School: News of community facilities withdrawal spreads

Recently, as many readers will be aware, I covered the shocking story of how Brownhills School – formerly Brownhills Community School – has elected to stop all community access to its facilities, resulting in a large degree of disquiet in the town.
Untitled 7 Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 24 Comments

Consultation event in Brownhills this afternoon!

Don’t forget that this Thursday, from 2-4pm, there’s a Walsall Council budget Consultation event at The Parkview Centre, Brownhills – everyone is invited to attend and offer their view on prospect cuts to the local council budget, and Council Officers will be on hand to discuss matters.

parkview-centre-670

Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Consultation event in Walsalll Wood this evening

Don’t forget that this evening, from 4-6pm, there’s a Walsall Council budget Consultation event at Oak Park, Walsall Wood from 4-6pm.
Oak_Park_Leisure_Centre_-_geograph.org.uk_-_264280 Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Police car crash in Brownhills this morning

There was a car accident this morning on the Pelsall Road, Brownhills, just on the east side of Highbridge near the Council Depot – formerly the Edward Rose Plant.
Untitled 6 Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Out on the common…

Walsall Council’s Countryside Services Manager Kevin Clements has been in touch – he wants me to let readers know that there’s now a booklet available for download, which details the work proposed for Brownhills Common, and he’s also written an interesting piece for the blog about the planned tasks ahead, and why they’re so important.
74322824 Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Walk on the Wild Side at Brownhills Common this Friday!

Here’s one for people interested in the issues surrounding Brownhills Common – this Friday there’s a chance to meet and listen to very experienced, knowledgable naturalists and conservationists talk about just what a special, rare habitat Brownhills Common is, and why it requires careful and measured stewardship.
Male GCN @ Brownhills Common Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Brownhills Common: Scrutiny meeting tonight!

I received a press release from Walsall Council, stating that following the brouhaha over Brownhills Common and the subsequent petition, there is to be a special scrutiny meeting at the Council House on this very matter, tonight Monday, 13th May 2013, at 6pm.

52383811 Continue reading

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

Brownhills Common: Scrutiny meeting next Monday

I received a press release from Walsall Council today, stating that following the brouhaha over Brownhills Common and the subsequent petition, there is to be a special scrutiny meeting at the Council House on this very matter, next Monday, 13th May 2013, at 6pm.

52383811 Continue reading

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

Brownhills Common: please join the debate

I haven’t forgotten the issue of Brownhills Common and the heathland restoration works, and nor will I let it slip – but the voice of the experts deserves to be heard properly. land at Brownhills Common.
Continue reading

Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Words worth digesting

This is just a quick one about the madness ongoing over Brownhills Common. There will be more later in the week, but if you’re wanting to keep up with this stuff, there’s been a followup report in the Express & Star, and a predictably alarmist view from the Walsall Advertiser, the second photograph from which actually demonstrates the reason the area requires heathland management – evergreen saplings competing with heather.
Continue reading

Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

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

Posted in Bad Science, Events, Express & Star, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Brownhills Senior Citizens Centre : The Tesco Chainstore Massacre continues

The Walsall Advertiser letters page has been improving a tad of late. More often than not it’s just the soapbox for tedious blowhards like Ian Payne. Just lately there has been some excellent correspondence on the subject of Brownhills Tesco development … Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, planning, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

A grave mistake?

I comment on this story very cautiously, but it’s something that has quite unsettled me, and I’d like to share it with you readers if I may. Last week, as usual, the Walsall Advertiser dropped onto the doormat and I … Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Just plain daft, Local media | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments