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Tag Archives: Walsall Council
Aldridge Transport Museum and Chasewater Railway Grandparents day today!
Come to Aldridge, have a look at the vehicles and a go on our childrens activities, then a free bus to Chasewater Railway and a ride on a train before another bus ride back to Aldridge AMRTM – Museum Open from 10am First bus from Shenstone Drive at 11.30
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 13 August, 2015, AMRTM, Aston Manor, Aston Manor Road Transport Museum, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, bus, Bus Museum, bus rides, Chasewater, day, event, Events, Facebook, Grandparents Day, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, open, Panoramio, Reservoir, Shenstone Drive, Staffordshire, STeam, Steam Railway, Things to do, Trains, Transit, Transport Museum, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
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Folded book art event at Brownhills Library today!
Naomi Jones, Area Librarian from Brownhills Library at the Parkview Centre has been in touch to ask if I could give a plug for a folded book art event being held at Brownhills Library today (Thursday 13th August 2015), from 10:30-11:30am.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 13 August, 2015, Brownhills, Development, event, Events, folded book art, free, Library, Naomi Jones, Parkview Centre, Talk, Things to do, Thursday, Walsall, Walsall Council, workshop
3 Comments
Plea to find family of deceased former British Rail employee
Walsall Environmental Heath Department have issued an appeal to trace the family of Walsall resident Mr. George Brian Leach, who passed away in Parklands Court Nursing Home, Bloxwich on the 4th August 2015.
Posted in Environment, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 2015, 4 august, Austin Street, Bloxwich, died, Environmental Health, Family, Forster Street, george brian leach, help, Julie Faulkener, Lichfield, Neil Harris, Parklands Court, passed away, releatives, request, search, Staffordshire, Walsall, Walsall Council, West Midlands
1 Comment
Brownhills Community Association Fun Day this Saturday!
Hey – if you’re looking out for stuff to do this coming Saturday (8th August 2015), look no further than Brownhills Activity Centre (The old Central Boy’s School, or Annex to my generation), just off the Miner Island in Brownhills.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2015, 9 August, activities centre, Annex, BCA, Brownhills, Brownhills community association, Clayhanger, Community Fun Day, Events, fun day, Lichfield, Shire Oak, Things to do, Walsall Area Partnerships, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Group
3 Comments
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.
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 215 Notice, Blofeld, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Market, Canal, Cheap tat, Clayhanger, Compulsory purchase, Derelict, Events, Facebook, John Bird, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, Mike Bird, New Photos, New Tesco, planning, Politics, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, Retail, Stev Wade, sympathy, Tesco, Tesco Development, teve Wade, Vandalism, Vivienne Aston, Walsall, Walsall Advertiser, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
3 Comments
Holland Park fun day this Wednesday – get down there with the kids!
Summer holidays, eh – kids already driving you mad already – this Wednesday 29th July 2014, between 10:30am and 4:00pm there will be an opportunity to get them off that games console and out into the fresh air with the annual summer fun event at the ever popular Holland Park in Brownhills
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 2015, 29 July, Brownhills, community games, Events, fun, fun day, Holland Park, kids fun day, Park, stuff to do kids events, summer holiday activities, Walsall, Walsall Council
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Aldridge Transport Museum Open Day today!
So, another great event today (Sunday 12th July 2015) – Aston Manor Road Transport Museum just off Northgate, Aldridge will be a hive of activity again as they hold their Annual Open Day featuring 50 years of the Ford Transit!
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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, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 12 July, 2015, 50 years, AMRTM, Aston Manor, Aston Manor Road Transport Museum, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, bus, Bus Museum, bus rides, centenary, day, event, Events, Facebook, free, Local History, open, open day, Shenstone Drive, Transit, Transport Museum, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
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Brownhills Local Committee: changes afoot?
Here’s just a bit of news I picked up off the grapevine, so I’m not 100% sure of the accuracy but I’m hearing that the long-serving and dedicated Doug Birch MBE has stood down from the Chair of Brownhills Local Committee for health reasons.
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 Aldridge, Brownhills, Brownhills Local Committee, Clayhanger, Doug BirchMBEVivienne Aston, Events, Lichfield, Local politics, Politics, Shire Oak, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
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On now – 2015 Walsall Wood Family Fit ‘n’ Fun Day
Now that summer is here, the nights have opened out and hopefully the good weather is at last upon us, why not take the family up to Oak Park today (Saturday 4th July 2015)?
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2015, 4 July, activities, Brownhills, Family, fit, Fit'n'fun, Fitness, fun, Oak Park, Reach up tower, Saturday, Shire Oak, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood, Walsall Wood football club
1 Comment
2015 Walsall Wood Family Fit ‘n’ Fun Day this Saturday
Now that summer is here, the nights have opened out and hopefully the good weather is at last upon us, why not take the family up to Oak Park this Saturday 4th July 2015?
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2015, 4 July, activities, Brownhills, Family, fit, Fit'n'fun, Fitness, fun, Oak Park, Reach up tower, Saturday, Shire Oak, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood, Walsall Wood football club
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Some bins not emptied today – leave them out folks….
I’m hearing that today (Friday 26th June 2015), some bin collections were missed in Brownhills, Walsall Wood and Shelfield, apparently due to a truck breakdown – these things happen.
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, 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, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2015, 26 June, 27 June, bin collections, Bins, breakdown, Brownhills, cart, Clayhanger, clean, collection, collection day, Events, failed, green, household waste, information, Local politics, Lorry, missed, Recycling, Refuse, rubbish, Shelfield, truck, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
4 Comments
Folded book art event at Brownhills Library tomorrow!
Naomi Jones, Area Librarian from Brownhills Library at the Parkview Centre has been in touch to ask if I could give a plug for a folded book art event being held at Brownhills Library tomorrow (Thursday 18th June 2015), from 2pm-3pm.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 18 June, 2015, adult learners week, Brownhills, Development, event, Events, folded book art, free, Library, Naomi Jones, Parkview Centre, Talk, Things to do, tursday, Walsall, Walsall Council, workshop
1 Comment
Need help creating your CV? Free workshop tomorrow!
Naomi Jones, Area Librarian from Brownhills Library at the Parkview Centre has been in touch to ask if I could give a plug for a CV Development Workshop being held at Brownhills Library tomorrow (Tuesday 16th June 2015), from 10:15am-12:30pm.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 16 June, 2015, adult learners week, Brownhills, CV, Development, event, Events, free, Library, Naomi Jones, Parkview Centre, Talk, Things to do, Tuesday, Walsall, Walsall Council, workshop
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The Friends of Brownhills Common – June meeting tonight!
Here’s one for people interested in the issues surrounding Brownhills Common – theres a meeting at 7:00pm tonight, Monday 8th June 2015 of the Freinds of Brownhills Common group at the Environmental Depot, 200 Pelsall Road, Brownhills – WS8 7EN – please meet in the reception by 7:00pm.
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 2015, 8th June, Brownhills common, Chasewater SSSI, Conifer, Consultation, Countryside Services, Cycle rides, Events, forestry, Freinds, Greenspace, Heathland, Kevin Clements, local blogs, Management, Natural England, Plantation, scrutiny, Special, Things to do, tree removal, Twitter, Walsal Wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Council
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Travellers pitch up at Oak Park
In recent days, there has been a traveller encampment at Aldridge Airport, which has now moved on, whilst another has sprung up on the Oak Park playing field near to the Football Club in Walsall Wood.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aldridge Airport, Brownhills, camp, Council, encampment, Events, Eviction, Facebook, legal, Lichfield, New Photos, Oak Park, travellers, Twitter, Vandalism, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
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Meet a top author at Brownhills Library!
Naomi Jones, Area Librarian from Brownhills Library at the Parkview Centre has been in touch to ask if I could give a belated plug for a meet the author event happening tomorrow (Tuesday, 19th May 2015).
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 19 May, 2015, Afternoon, appearance, Author, Brownhills, Charlotte, event, Events, Fiona Joseph, free, Library, meet the author, Naomi Jones, Parkview Centre, Talk, Things to do, Tuesday, Walsall, Walsall Council
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Crossed purposes again
On or around April 29th 2015, the Four Crosses Pub – the last true boozer in Shelfield, and a popular local pub I’ve enjoyed in the past – closed suddenly, and was boarded up, which has caused understandable outrage amongst pub-goers and real ale fans in the area.
Posted in Environment, Events, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged ACV, Alcohol, asset of community value, CAMRA, concern, Derelict, Drug, Events, Facebook, Four Crosses, Hostel, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, New Photos, planning, protest, Public Meeting, Pubs, Redevelopment, Richard Worral, Shelfield, Things to do, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
9 Comments
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 2015, Brownhills, Clayhanger, Council, Councillors, Election, Events, Facebook, Funny, General, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, Mike Bird, Politics, poll, satire, Shire Oak, The Plastic Hippo, Things to do, UKIP, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
6 Comments
2015 Walsall local election results – the political pendulum swings back?
Well, Walsall politics is never dull and following the surprise routing of Labour nationally, despite strong performance from their local Parliamentary candidates, Walsall Council swung back within reach of the Conservatives following the local election count this afternoon.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2015, 7 May, Aldridge, Aldridge North, Brownhills, Conservative, Council, Council Election, Councillors, Election, election results, Labour, Local, Local Election, Local politics, Mike Bird, North, Politics, results, Tory, Twitter, UKIP, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Ward
1 Comment
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 2015, Brownhills, Clayhanger, Council, Councillors, Election, Events, General, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, Mike Bird, Politics, poll, Shire Oak, The Plastic Hippo, Things to do, UKIP, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
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.
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 2015, Brownhills, Clayhanger, Council, Councillors, Election, Events, General, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, Mike Bird, Politics, poll, Shire Oak, The Plastic Hippo, Things to do, UKIP, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
2 Comments
Out of ordure
A couple of days ago, I featured here the curious case of the missing dog poo bin just behind Chandlers Keep near the canal in Brownhills – local dog walkers were unhappy at the disappearance of the well used disposal point.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged bin, Brownhills, Canal, canal & river trust, Chandler's Keep, dog waste, Lichfield, New Photos, poo, removed, Shire Oak, Silly, towpath, Twitter, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
21 Comments
Bin and gone
OK – no mucking around, enough is enough – someone has nicked a bin full of dog poo, we’re mad as hell and we’re not going to take it any more!
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged bin, Brownhills, Canal, canal & river trust, Chandler's Keep, dog waste, Lichfield, New Photos, poo, removed, Shire Oak, Silly, towpath, Twitter, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
4 Comments
Aldridge Brownhills election hustings – on tonight!
Here’s a great thing from Russell Smith, the human dynamo behind the very successful Aldridge Community Cinema project – Russell has organised a hustings for the Aldridge-Brownhills parliamentary constituency, where candidates to be our next MP have been invited to attend and take questions from members of the public.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 24th April, Aldridge, Aldridge Brownhills, Brownhills, candidates, event, Events, Facebook, hustings, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, MP, parliament, Politics, PPC, question, Russell Smith, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, who are they
2 Comments
Open Mike
Yesterday, whilst mooching on Panoramio for an image of Chasewater (sometimes it’s the best way to find my own photos, oddly enough) I came upon a gallery by a reader and contributor the the blog, Mike Leonard – it’s remarkable.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Clayhanger, Derelict, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Panoramio, Pubs, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Vandalism, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
7 Comments
It must be election time
A news story drifted into my feed in the last couple of days, which was also flagged up to me by top local history bloke Clive Roberts and the young David Evans: it seems that Brownhills High Street may well be in receipt of £125,000 of safety improvements, including hump crossings and high-grip surfaces.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Accident, Anchor Bridge, Brownhills, Chester Road, crossing, Express & Star, High Street, improvements, incident, Pedestrian, road safety, safety, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
The Friends of Brownhills Common – meeting next Monday
Here’s one for people interested in the issues surrounding Brownhills Common – theres a meeting at 7:00pm next Monday 20th April 2015 of the Freinds of Brownhills Common group at the Environmental Depot, 200 Pelsall Road, Brownhills – WS8 7EN – please meet in the reception by 7:00pm.
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 20th April, Brownhills common, Chasewater SSSI, Conifer, Consultation, Countryside Services, Cycle rides, Events, forestry, Freinds, Greenspace, Heathland, Kevin Clements, local blogs, Management, Natural England, Plantation, scrutiny, Special, Things to do, tree removal, Twitter, Walsal Wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Council
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Travellers encamp near Chasewater
I note travellers have encamped on the land between Pool Road and Whitehorse Road in Brownhills, where the old trotting track and stadium used to stand.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged Brownhills, camp, Chasewater, Council, Cycle rides, cycling, encampment, Events, Eviction, Facebook, legal, Lichfield, New Photos, Staffordshire, travellers, Trotting Track, Twitter, Vandalism, Walsall Council
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Recent antisocial behaviour in Church Road, Brownhills
Here’s a message I’ve had from a resident of Church Road in Brownhills – I don’t suppose I number many of the local yoots amongst the readership, but if by chance one is passing and reads this, stop being prats, OK?
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Events, It makes me mad!, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Walsall Council
Tagged ASB, Brownhills, Children, Church Road, doorbell, Events, gangs, kids, Lichfield, nuisance, Staffordshire, Vandalism, Walsall Council, Youth
1 Comment
Brock and roll
This isn’t very pleasant, so I’ll be short and to the point – people, we have a burgeoning badger population at the moment as these guys come in from the fringes of local countryside into town, just as their brothers the foxes have done, and unfortunately they’re dying in large numbers on our roads.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged Accident, Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Clayhanger, Common, Deer Safety partnership, Fatality, Lichfield, Local Committee, Mervyn Smith, New Photos, Red deer, Reservoir, road safety, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
1 Comment
Who are they – your chance to question election candidates for Aldridge Brownhills
Here’s a great thing from Russell Smith, the human dynamo behind the very successful Aldridge Community Cinema project – Russell has decided to organise a hustings for the Aldridge-Brownhills parliamentary constituency, where candidates to be our next MP have been invited to attend and take questions from members of the public.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2015, 24th April, Aldridge, Aldridge Brownhills, Brownhills, candidates, event, Events, Facebook, hustings, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, MP, parliament, Politics, PPC, question, Russell Smith, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, who are they
2 Comments
New road safety initiative for Brownhills
You all know that I love local wildlife – and that I’m particularly fond of the local deer population, who have sadly been involved in many accidents with vehicles in recent years on roads around our commons, countryside and open spaces.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged Accident, Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Clayhanger, Common, Deer Safety partnership, Fatality, Lichfield, Local Committee, Mervyn Smith, New Photos, Red deer, Reservoir, road safety, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
21 Comments
Plea for family of deceased Caldmore man
We seem to have had a lot of appeals in the last few months to trace the family of local deceased people – but I make no apology for running another one; these appeals are essential, and I really feel for anyone who passes away alone.
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Posted in Environment, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 17th February, Caldmore, Darlaston, David Lockley, died, Family, help, Julie Faulkener, Lichfield, Neil Harris, passed away, releatives, request, Road, search, Staffordshire, Walsall, Walsall Council, West Midlands
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It’s all about roots and wings
Here’s a really nice thing that caught my attention yesterday – fellow local blogger for Clayhanger Marsh and hero of mine (whose mail I must get around to answering, sorry) Chaz Mason has written something wonderful and very, very engaging.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged Antisocial Birder, birding, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, Chaz Mason, Clayhanger, history, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Marsh, mere, Politics, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Council, Wildlife
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Plea to find family of man who passed away in local hostel
Yet another in a sudden spate of requests from Walsall Council to help trace the family of unfortunate souls who passed away locally seemingly without immediate friends or relatives.
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Posted in Environment, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Alexander Grey, died, East Staffs, Family, Happy Times Hostel, help, Lichfield, Neil Harris, passed away, Psychic, Rebecca Evans, releatives, request, search, Staffordshire, Walsall, Walsall Council, West Midlands
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What’s going on at the old Focus store on Northgate, then?
Images taken last weekend. Lots of you have contacted me asking about the works currently ongoing at the former Focus DIY store on the corner of Coppice Lane and Northgate, Walsall Wood. Local gossip had it for a long time … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, 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, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged application, B&M, Big K, Cheap tat, Derelict, Do it all, Events, Focus, for, Lichfield, Middle, New Photos, Northgate, Oak, planning, Redevelopment, Royal, sale, Vandalism, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood, work
15 Comments
Plea for family of deceased Darlaston man
We seem to have had a lot of appeals in the last few months to trace the family of local deceased people – but I make no apology for running another one; these appeals are essential, and I really feel for anyone who passes away alone.
Posted in Environment, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Darlaston, died, Family, Geoffrey Smith, help, Lichfield, Neil Harris, Park Street, passed away, Port Engineering, Rebecca Evans, releatives, request, search, Staffordshire, teacher, Walsall, Walsall Council, West Midlands, Willenhall, Winifred Betsy Smith
2 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.
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 215 Notice, Blofeld, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Market, Canal, Cheap tat, Clayhanger, Compulsory purchase, Derelict, Events, Facebook, John Bird, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, Mike Bird, New Photos, New Tesco, planning, Politics, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, Retail, sympathy, Tesco, Tesco Development, teve Wade, Vandalism, Vivienne Aston, Walsall, Walsall Advertiser, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
6 Comments
Clayhanger skate park gathers support
A few weeks ago, I featured the deeply impressive letter written by the (then) eleven-year old Matty Keating from Clayhanger, who is appealing for help to get a skate park for Clayhanger.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 2015, Brownhills, campaign, Children, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Park, Dylan Griffiths, Express & Star, football, kids, Lichfield, Matty Keating, play, Politics, Skate Park, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council
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An Urban Fox Hunt (Via The Reremouse)
This post is important, and was wholly written by Walsall Council Senior Wildlife Ranger Morgan Bowers (The Reremouse) – this is an issue of huge concern to me, and I repeat the post here as I think it will be a worry to all of us.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, It makes me mad!, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, destruction, Events, Facebook, Fibbersley, Fox, foxes, guns, killing, Lichfield, local blogs, Morgan Bowers, Nature Reserve, New Photos, shot, The Reremouse, Twitter, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Wildlife, wildlife crime
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Can you help Matty in his campaign for a skatepark in Clayhanger?
I’ve received an astoundingly impressive email from Matty Keating, who’s a young lad aged eleven from Clayhanger – like me when I was his age, he feels his age group are not being well catered for in the village and he’s campaigning for a skate park.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brownhills, campaign, Children, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Park, football, kids, Lichfield, Matty Keating, play, Politics, Skate Park, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council
13 Comments
Post Morton
Readers with long memories may well recall that in December 2014 there was some furore over the selection of the next Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Aldridge Brownhills following the standing down of Richard Shepherd, who’s retiring from his 36 year tenure at the next general election.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 22 January, Aldridge Brownhills, Brownhills, Events, General Election, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, Marco Longhi, meeting, New Photos, Politics, PPC, result, Richard Shepherd, Selection, shortlist, Silly, Tory, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Wendy Morton, winner
6 Comments
Your guide to Walsall – 125 years ago
Here’s one I’ve been meaning to do for ages, but the sheer labour of it has been off-putting; but now I have access to a professional scanner, it’s a lot easier to scan publications like W Henry Robinson’s ‘Guide to Walsall – an illustrated guide’, which was published in 1889 and is a captivating gazetteer and document of a growing town and its life.

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Posted in Churches, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Book, Canal, download, Facebook, Guide to Waslall, Illustrated Handbook, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Old maps, PDF, Pubs, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, Things to do, W Henry Robinson, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
9 Comments
Important appeal: Did you know Janette Walker?
Yet another sad request of a type that happens from time to time from the Environmental Health Department at Walsall Council, who are looking to trace any relatives or friends of Janette Walker (previously Jan Griffin) from Willenhall who has sadly passed away.
Posted in Environment, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged arrangements, Blakenall Lane, died, Durham Avenue, Family, funeral, Griffin, help, Janette, Lichfield, Neil Harris, passed away, releatives, request, search, Staffordshire, Walker, Walsall, Walsall Council, Warburton, Wellington Place, West Midlands, Willenhall
2 Comments
Light entertainment
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll probably realise by now that Brownhills is the subject of some media controversy at the moment – a story emerging here via the Express & Star and syndicated out to the wider daily papers has caused outrage and recrimination.

Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, 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, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Cheap tat, christmas lights, Events, Express & Star, Facebook, laughing stock, Lichfield, Local Committee, Local politics, miner island, New Photos, Politics, press, Silly, Things to do, twelth night, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
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