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Neil Halstead
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Tag Archives: Walsall Local History Centre
It’s time, gentlemen please – to check out a great new exhibition
This is just a quick note to flag up a great exhibition starting this Saturday, 20th August 2016 at Walsall Local History Centre – it’s about local pubs and their history which is a recurring topic of huge interest to the local history community.
Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 20 August, 2016, Black Country, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, CCaldmore, Exhibition, inns, lecture, legend, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, oral history, Pubs, Pubs Galore, story, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Local History Centre, White Hart
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I remember it well… I was there. Or was I?
Periodically here, I muse on the nature of what we do – social, oral and collective local history – and wonder aloud about what makes it work, how to do it and whether we’re doing it right.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged Confirmation, Consistency bias, false, False memory, how memory works, inlayer, iPM, Lichfield Lore, Memory, recollection, recovered, Walsall Local History Centre
13 Comments
Walsall Local History Fair on right now!
Walsall Local History Fair will take place now, today (25th October 2014) at The Crossing at St. Pauls, Darwall Street, Walsall, between 10:30am – 3:30pm – it’s free, and a great event.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Clayhanger, Events, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Local History Centre, Walsall Local History Fair, Walsall Museum, Walsall Wood
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Military speaker to tell story of the South Staffords in the Great War
This is just a quick note to flag up what looks to be an interesting, engaging and relevant talk by an excellent speaker coming up at Walsall Local History Centre next Monday evening, when Major Ted Green (Retired) will present an illustrated talk entitled ‘The South Staffords in World War 1’.
Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 2014, 2nd June, Black Country, First World War, Great War, history, lecture, Lichfield, Local History, Major Ted Green, Monday, New Photos, oral history, Regiment, South Staffs, Staffords, Staffordshire, story, Talk, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Local History Centre, WW1
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Putting the Staffordshire Hoard in Context
This is just a quick note to flag up a great talk by an excellent speaker coming up at Walsall Local History Centre on Monday 3rd March 2014, when Dr Chris Upton will be hosting a talk ‘The Kingdom of Mercia and the Staffordshire Hoard’.
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Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 2014, 3rd March, Anglo, Archeology, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chris, Doctor, Find, Gold, lecture, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, Saxon, Staffordhire Hoard, Talk, Treasure, Upton, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Local History Centre
2 Comments
Ghostly tales and fascinating history
This is just a quick note to flag up a great talk by an excellent speaker coming up at Walsall Local History Centre next Monday evening – ghostly legends and fascinating history of the Black Country will be recounted by talented and entertaining Wednesbury author and historian Ian Bott.
Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 10th February, 2014, Black Country, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, CCaldmore, Ghost, Ghostly Tales, Hand of glory, Ian Bott, lecture, legend, Lichfield, Local History, myth, New Photos, oral history, story, Talk, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Local History Centre, White Hart
7 Comments
Fair brings history alive at The Crossing today!
A special event bringing local and family history alive across the borough is all set to take place in Walsall town centre this Saturday 2nd November – and admission will be free of charge!
Posted in Churches, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Bloxwich Telegraph, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Clayhanger, Events, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Stuart Williams, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Local History Centre, Walsall Local History Fair, Walsall Museum, Walsall Wood
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Stroll down memory lane – around Old Aldridge
I’d like to draw readers attention to the following great local history event taking place in Aldridge on the 12th September 2013 at 7:00pm – the walk will cost just a quid, and will be led by Betty Fox.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 12th September 2013, Aldridge, Betty Fox, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Local History, New Photos, Paul Ford, Staffordshire, walk, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Local History Centre
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A Shire thing
Here’s a treat for Brownhills folk into local history – A new local history book, focussing on Shire Oak and it’s environs has been written by Walsall Wood chap Clive Roberts.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Book, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Clive Roberts, Events, Facebook, Local History, New Photos, Old maps, pub, Pubs, Shire Oak, Snippets of Local History, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Stuart Williams, Things to do, Walsall Council, Walsall Local History Centre, Walsall Wood
16 Comments
Get some Iron
Here’s a quick one. Reader and local history researcher Clive Roberts dropped me this email a week or so ago in relation to questions about Irondish/Iron Dish, between Walsall Wood and Shelfield. Readers will remember that this courtyard of houses – that possibly contained an alehouse – stood about where the car sales lot is today, just on the Shelfield side of Jockey Meadows.
Posted in Environment, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1763, Clive Roberts, Countess Dowage, Iron dish, Irondish, local blogs, Local History, Mountrath, New Photos, Old maps, Pubs, Shelfield, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Local History Centre, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
Join the Freemasons – for a pint
Following the fascinating, tangential debate about the Freemasons Arms in Walsall, sparked by reader Ann Cross and her wonderful articles about the Royal Exchange, in Walsall Wood, Ann has scanned the following photo from a book, which can hopefully help the debate along a little.
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Posted in Environment, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged A Click in Time, Ann Cross, Burton, Freemasons Arms, Local History, New Photos, Old photos, Park Street, Pubs, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, Tailor, The Royal Exhange, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Local History Centre, Walsall Wood
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Walsall Local History Fair on right now!
My huge apologies to Stuart, Paul and Ruth at Walsall Local History Centre. I meant to run this last night, but I was so knackered from work (to be quite frank) that I went straight to bed. My apologies. This does look great, though, and it’s on now, so pop in to the Museum in Walsall Town Centre if you get chance.
There are running updates on their Facebook Page and twatter.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Clayhanger, Events, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Local History Centre, Walsall Local History Fair, Walsall Museum, Walsall Wood
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Far from daft… Talk today at Walsall Local History Centre, 2:30pm
Those readers with long memories will recall reader and researcher at Walsall Local History Centre, Paul Ford appealing here on the blog for information about an autograph/sketchbook that had come into the possession of the archive. Paul wondered if it may … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1905, Billy Daft, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Charlotte, Emily, Garrett, John Daft, Local History, New Photos, Paul Ford, Staffordshire, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Local History Centre, William Daft
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Far from daft…
Those readers with long memories will recall reader and researcher at Walsall Local History Centre, Paul Ford appealing here on the blog for information about an autograph/sketchbook that had come into the possession of the archive. Paul wondered if it may … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1905, Billy Daft, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Charlotte, Emily, Garrett, John Daft, Local History, New Photos, Paul Ford, Staffordshire, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Local History Centre, William Daft
1 Comment
If it ain’t broke, why fix it?
I note today with some concern from a report in the Express & Star that Walsall Council is talking about moving the Local History Centre and Archives, as well as the local history museum, into a new custom-built centre near … Continue reading
Posted in Express & Star, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brownhills local history, Cheap tat, Express & Star, Leisure Services, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Mike Bird, move to new site, planning, Politics, Redevelopment, Silly, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Leather Museum, Walsall Local History Centre, Walsall Local History Museum, Walsall politics
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Memories don’t lie… or do they?
Yesterday, I happened to catch an item on a great Radio Four news discussion show, iPM. It touches on something I’m very interested in, which hugely affects recorded and oral history, reflection and recollection. False memory is a fascinating, little … Continue reading
Tanking along…
The question of tank testing in Shire Oak Quarry is ongoing. I’ve received a large number of fine contributions from David Evans, not least this email communication between him and the Tank Museum…. From: David Evans Sent: 26 September 2011 … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Bloxidge Tallygraph, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chester Road sand and gravel, David Fletcher, Ernest Jones, Gentleshaw Sand & Gravel, Hoveringham, Janice Tait, Len Jones, Local History, Sandhills, Second World War, Sheila Norris, Shire Oak, Shire Oak nature reserve, Shire Oak quarry, Staffordshire, Steve Hickman, Stuart Williams, Tank, tank testing, The tank museum, Valentine Tank, Walsall Local History Centre, Walsall Wood, world war two
44 Comments
A dying trade
You may remember that way back in February, I posted an article on the mysterious mortuary situated near Bullings Heath in Walsall Wood. The morgue in question had been mentioned by reader [CAZ], and subsequently spotted on a large-scale map of … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Features, Followups, Local History, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills UDC, Bullings Heath, Camden Street, Creswell, Derry, Green Lane, Harris, Local History, Morgue, Mortuary, Mr. Bullock, Old maps, Paul Ford, Research, Smith, Staffordshire, Twist, Walsall, Walsall Local History Centre, Walsall Observer
11 Comments
Documenting a tragedy
I’ve already had some great contributions on the subject of the 1908 Anchor Inn shootings. I’m pleased and relieved to see that the subject is of some interest and readers haven’t been unduly upset. I try to tread carefully around … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Features, Followups, Local Blogs, Local History
Tagged 1908, Anchor Bridge, Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Brownhills Gazette, Brownhills local history, Burntwood Family History Group, Canal, George, Hanslow, Humphries, Hyla, Local History, Maria, Murder, New Photos, Paul Ford, Pubs, Seedhouse, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Suicice, The Anchor Inn, The Clayhanger Kid, Thomas, Walsall Local History Centre
7 Comments
A Filthy business
Paul Ford, researcher at Walsall Local History Centre and top blog contributor has once again excelled himself and ferreted out a top piece of local history from Walsall’s extensive archives. Paul has kindly offered to make this a reasonably frequent … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Features, Followups, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Albert Henry Snape, Albert Paley, Arthur John Snape, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills UDC, Brownhills Urban District Council, Bullings Heath, Clayhanger sewage works, effluent, Emma Snape, Grange Farm, Local History, Paul Ford, pollution, Public analysts laboratory, Samuel Brawn, sewage, Staffordshire, UDC, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Local History Centre, Walsall Wood, Walsall Wood Sewage Works, William Thomas Edwards
4 Comments
Is John Daft in the house?
I received a wonderful note from yesterday from Paul Ford, top local historian and researcher at Walsall Local History Centre. Paul has found a bit of ephemera from the turn of the last century which he thinks may be of … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1905, Billy Daft, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Charlotte, Emily, Garrett, John Daft, Local History, New Photos, Paul Ford, Staffordshire, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Local History Centre, William Daft
11 Comments
A body of evidence
It’s not often that I feel the need to lift an item out of the comments and publish it as a post of it’s own, but yesterday, Paul Ford, Walsall Local History Centre expert and research genius stunned me. … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, Local politics, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Bullings Heath, Camden Street, Green Lane, Local History, Local politics, Morgue, Mortuary, Old maps, Paul Ford, Pubs, Research, Staffordshire, Stuart Williams, The Boot inn, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Local History Centre, Walsall politics
20 Comments
Tales from the Wood…
I was very fortunate this year to receive the gift of some secondhand local history books I’d been after for quite some time, and I’m keen to share them with the readership of the blog. As is usually the case … Continue reading
Posted in Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Council
Tagged Bill Mayo, Boucher, Boucher's shop, Brownhills local history, Hermann, John Salt, Litherland, Local History, Memories of old Walsall Wood, Mrs. Williams, New Photos, Street's Corner, thatched cottage, The Hawthorn, Walsall Local History Centre, Walsall Wood, Walsall Wood unexploded bomb
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Weighing Anchor
The Anchor Bridge, taking the Chester Road-High Street over the Wyrley & Essington canal, was named after the old inn that stood next door, itself pointing out the potential refreshment for bargees using the waterway. A landmark for centuries, the … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Anchor Bridge, Around Pelsall & Brownhills, Brownhills, Brownhills High Street, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chester Road, Derelict, Local History, Lorry accident, Memories of Brownhills Past, New Photos, Old pubs, Pubs, Redevelopment, Severn House, The Anchor, Walsall Local History Centre, Walsall Wood
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On the cut
I’ve a bit of a treat for canal fans in this week’s old photo feature, but nice as the narrowboats are, it’s the backgrounds that are most interesting to me. All four of these images are held on the excellent … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council
Tagged Autocraft, Black Country History, Blackcountryhistory.org, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Rally 1975, Canal, Catshill Juction Bridge, Catshill Junction, Chandler's Keep, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Common, Clayhanger Tip, Humphries House, Local History, New Photos, Philip Cheetham, Raden Engineering, Walsall, Walsall Local History Centre, Watney Plant Hire
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Heads up, local history buffs… lets make Brownhills history!
Loathe as I am to pump out recycled press releases, especially when they’ve already been featured on The YamYam, but tonight I’ve been reminded of this event by the press office at Walsall Council. Since it concerns Brownhills local history, … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills Library, Brownhills local history, Clayhanger, Local History, Make History event, Old pictures, old postcards, Shire Oak, Walsall a click in time, Walsall Council, Walsall Local History Centre
5 Comments
A Starbucks in Brownhills? Well, sort of…
I’ve got a bit of a local history puzzle going on, and I wonder if any of the readership can help? I received an email this afternoon asking the following question: Hi bob My nan and grandad owned starbucks buthchers … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Followups, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills and Walsall Wood in Old Picture Postcards, Brownhills local history, Dominic Jeffreys, Local History, Memories of Brownhills Past, Starbuck's Butchers, Walsall Local History Centre
12 Comments
