#365daysofbiking JournalRecent tracks
Love On A Real Train
State Azure
8 hours
Dolphin Dance
State Azure
8 hours
Mothers of Rain
State Azure
8 hours
Choronzon
State Azure
9 hours
Twenty-Nine Palms
State Azure
9 hours
Street Hawk
State Azure
9 hours
Head Swim
Fionn Regan
9 hours
The Ocean Wave
Fionn Regan
9 hours
Riverside Heights
Fionn Regan
9 hours
Remote Viewing
State Azure
9 hoursRecent Comments
MrsSymmo on The highrise and fall MrsSymmo on The highrise and fall ken hubbard on Oil, fire and water Leanne victoria Howd… on Tom, hark! Leanne victoria Howd… on Tom, hark!
Tag Archives: Walsall Observer
The race for space
Thanks to Stuart Williams of Walsall Local History Centre, I can share with readers today another piece in the remarkable jigsaw that is the Ferrie family history – the Ferries, as many old hands will recall, were a larger than life father and son who were well known in Aldridge and Brownhills for their entrepreneurialism and propensity to acts of community largesse and showmanship.
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1958, Bristol, Charles, Ferrie, Howmuch, ICI McKechnie, IMI, Kynoch, Ph.D, physicist, Ralph, rocket, rocket science, Shelfield, Space Reasearch Group, Sputnik, University, Walsall Observer
8 Comments
A Ferrie on the cut – but who with, and where?
I love how the blog allows stories to unfold slowly, gradually adding more and more information and evidence as time passes; and so it is with the story of the Charles Ferrie narrowboat, which Ralph Ferrie donated to Brownhills Youth Club in 1962, and was named in memory of his father.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1962, Amy, Barge, Brownhills Youth Club, Charles, Charlie, Ferrie, naming, Narrowboat, Ogley Junction, pleasureboat, Ralph, rocket, rocket science, Tony Wynn, University, unveiling, Walsall Observer
12 Comments
Is it our fault?
Reader John Blanchard has been in touch all the way from Aukland in New Zealand with some interesting and hopefully debate-provoking memories of subsidence effects in Walsall Wood from the 1960s onwards.
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Castlefornt, Derelict, Fort Crescent, Fred Burt, Howmuch, John Blanchard, Local History, Local politics, mine, mining, mining damage, Salters Road, Sewer, Subsidence, subsidence damage, Vandalism, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Committee, Walsall Observer, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
6 Comments
Me engine’s flooded!
I’ve been contacted by readers Denis Jones and Ian Race, who both spotted a rather extraordinary thing at Chasewater yesterday: an echo of the past, whit modern amphibious cars cruising around the lake.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community
Tagged 1960's, 1965, Amphibian, amphibicar, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Car, Chasewater, Events, Ferrie, Local History, New Photos, pleasureboat, Ralph, Reservoir, Silly, Staffordshire, tony Winn, Walsall Observer
2 Comments
Squatters rights?
Sometimes I get emails or contacts out of the blue with subjects that just knock me flat – and overnight I received a lovely, kind email from Malcolm Clarke, an ex-local now residing in New Zealand – Malcolm has an interesting bit of history I had no idea had occurred locally.
Continue reading
Posted in 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
Tagged 1957, Air Ministry, Aldridge, Bomb dump, Bomb Store, Deepjoy films, Diving, Industrial Estate, Lichfield, linley Caves, Linley Wood, Linley Wood munitions store, Local History, munitions dump, Munitions store, RAF, Redhouse, urban exploration, Urbex, Walsall Observer
19 Comments
At silly mid on
A few weeks ago, the young David Evans started exploring the history of Walsall Wood Cricket Club here on the Brownhills Blog, following some great contributions by Julie Le-Moine – steadily, we’re building up a good record of the lost cricket club, which stood where Boundary Close is now, behind St John’s Church and the Library.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1947, 1957, 1971, Alan, Alan Collins, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, clubhouse, Cricket, Cricket Club, Crutchley, Cynthia, David Evans, Events, Facebook, field, football, George Crutchley, Horse and Jockey, Julie Le-Moine, Lichfield, Linda, Local History, New Pavillion, New Photos, photo, pitch, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, team, Things to do, Walsall Observer, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod FC, Wesleyans
14 Comments
Park up, take a pew…
Over the last few weeks, a newspaper clipping found in the Walsall Observer archive by [Howmuch?] has caused a whole heap of interest, reporting the laying of a foundation stone for the ‘new schools at Watling Street’, readers have debated where it might actually relate to.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged A5, Barry Aylett-Warner, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Castle Street, ceremony, Chapel, Church, David Evans, Events, Foundation Stone, Howmuch, Keith Rothery, laying, Lichfield, Local History, Methodist, New Photos, Park View, Prince of Wales, Redevelopment, School, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Observer, Watling Street
15 Comments
A treat for the choir and an ignominious extraction
Continuing with the surprisingly rich seam that is the thread originating from the 1931 Watling Street School Walsall Observer article, I’ve had a couple of excellent reader contributions which I just have to share.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media
Tagged 1886, A5, accounts sheet, Andy Dennis, Barry Aylett-Warner, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Church, Deakin, Eryl Powell, Foundation Stone, Jonah, lalance Sheet, Lesley Powell, Lichfield, Local History, Methodism, Methodist, Mission, New Photos, Park View, Redevelopment, School, ST. Thomas, Staffordshire, The Parade, Things to do, Walsall Observer, Watling Street
9 Comments
Cheques and balances
It’s often the case that when discussing one topic here on the Brownhills Blog, it leads to an interesting discussion going off at a tangent, and so it has with the subject of the Watling Street School Walsall Observer article from 1931.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media
Tagged 1886, A5, accounts sheet, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Church, Eryl Powell, Foundation Stone, lalance Sheet, Lesley Powell, Lichfield, Local History, Mission, New Photos, Redevelopment, School, ST. Thomas, Staffordshire, The Parade, Things to do, Walsall Observer, Watling Street
4 Comments
Tell me on a Sunday
Last Saturday, I featured the above newspaper clipping, taken from the Walsall Observer reporting the laying of a foundation stone for the ‘new schools at Watling Street’ – the image, which was found by local history wonk [Howmuch?], had scant accompanying information, but since posted, he has told me that he’s fairly sure the clip dates from 1931.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged A5, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, ceremony, Events, Foundation Stone, Howmuch, laying, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, Redevelopment, School, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Observer, Watling Street
22 Comments
Set in stone… but by who, and when?
Here’s a quick puzzle for the researchers out there, and think it’ll also be interesting to Mike Stackhouse, who I know has a particular interest in Watling Street School – a fumble in the newspaper archive has left me coming up empty – so I’m wondering if anyone knows anything about the clipping below?
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged A5, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, ceremony, Events, Foundation Stone, Howmuch, laying, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, Redevelopment, School, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Observer, Watling Street
10 Comments
The equestrian question?
Here’s one spotted by top local history ferret [Howmuch?] in the archives of the Walsall Observer – he doesn’t give an exact date, but says this is from 1926, and I’m wondering what readers know or can find out about our equine history?
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged 1926, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Ceylon Cup, Homuch?, Horse, India, jockey, JT Harding, Lichfield, Local History, Luctchman, Mysore Cup, race, Racehorse, Racing, Red Cockade, Sawi, Staffordshire, Things to do, Trades Cup, Walsall, Walsall Observer
5 Comments
Gathering moss
The Clayhanger subsidence and pumping station thread seems to have provoked much interest in the past week – there has been a great deal of reader comment, and I have further bits to add to the story in coming days.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Urban District Council, Clayhanger, Derelict, Drains, flooding, Ford Brook Road, High Heath, Laurence Thacker, lawley Close, Local History, Mill Road, Moss Pits, Pelsall, pumping station, Replacement, School Farm, sewage, Sewer, Shelfield, Staffordshire, Steam pump, Subsidence, UDC, Walsall Observer, Walsall Wood, Williams
5 Comments
Amphibious Ferrie
I’m very pleased to note that Tony Winn has been in touch again – Tony seems to be something of an expert on the Ralph Ferrie history, and has formerly contributed some fine material relating to the larger-than-life local entrepreneur.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community
Tagged 1960's, 1965, Amphibian, amphibicar, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Car, Chasewater, Events, Ferrie, Local History, New Photos, pleasureboat, Ralph, Reservoir, Silly, Staffordshire, tony Winn, Walsall Observer
16 Comments
Ferrie cross the Ogley
Tony Wynn – a man who’s previously helped with matters relating to the Ralph Ferrie story here on the Brownhills Blog – sent me the above, wonderful image today, with a covering note.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1962, Amy, Barge, Brownhills Youth Club, Charles, Charlie, Ferrie, naming, Narrowboat, Ogley Junction, pleasureboat, Ralph, rocket, rocket science, Tony Wynn, University, unveiling, Walsall Observer
13 Comments
The class of 64?
Reader Pete Leek has sent me the above newspaper clipping of a prize giving at Brownhills Central Boy’s School around 196 – note the keen, fresh faces and dapper dress.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged 1964, Brownhills, Brownhills Central School, Brownhills local history, Local History, New Photos, Pete Leek, Prizegiving, Speech Day, Staffordshire, Walsall Observer, Welcome Speech
5 Comments
The Clubmen
Here’s a good one found by reader and local historian Clive Roberts, on the subject of Friezlane Lane Working Men’s Club, which I made an appeal for information about last week.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1957, Ant Hill, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, club, F Breeden, Friezland Lane, J Hession, J Webster, Local History, mans, New Photos, Pubs, Redevelopment, secretary, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Things to do, vice president, Walsall Observer, Walsall Wood, working
6 Comments
Downstream
Thanks to reader David Oakley and the ever-diligent [Howmuch?], I’ve since found out that my speculation that Moss Pits was the location of Clayhanger Pumping Station to be utter twaddle. I’d heard the name before, yet couldn’t locate it. Since … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local politics, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Urban District Council, Clayhanger, Derelict, Drains, Ford Brook Road, High Heath, lawley Close, Local History, Mill Road, Moss Pits, Pelsall, pumping station, Replacement, School Farm, sewage, Sewer, Shelfield, Staffordshire, Steam pump, UDC, Walsall Observer, Walsall Wood
3 Comments
Stirling Moss
I’ve a puzzler for readers of The Brownhills Blog. It’s more of a clarification, really. Top local history ferret [Howmuch?] has been rootling throughout he archives again, and came up with this snippet from the Walsall Observer. I’ve transcribed it … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Features, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Clayhanger, Derelict, Lichfield Mercury, Local History, Memories of old Brownhills by Clarice Mayo and Geoff Harrington, Moss Pits, pumping station, Replacement, Staffordshire, Steam pump, Vandalism, Walsall Observer, Walsall Wood
7 Comments
Plane bizarre
Here’s one from the odd box: spotted by local history whizz Stuart ‘The Edditer’ Williams, curator of the superlative Bloxwich Telegraph. Do any readers remember this? First mention of the event I’ve ever seen. A remarkable occurrence, which must have … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Features, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 1959, aircraft, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, emergency landing, Glider, Holland Park, local blogs, Local History, Silly, Staffordshire, storm, Stuart Williams, thunder, Walsall Council, Walsall Observer
3 Comments
Build a rocket, boys!
This just in from the ‘You couldn’t make it up’ department. Top local history ferret [Howmuch?] spotted this article in the archive of The Walsall Observer, from the issue of Friday, 3rd January 1958. Charles Ferrie was the father of … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1958, Bristol, Charles, Ferrie, Howmuch, ICI McKechnie, IMI, Kynoch, Ph.D, physicist, Ralph, rocket, rocket science, Shelfield, Space Reasearch Group, Sputnik, University, Walsall Observer
17 Comments
Sink estate?
Here’s an interesting one turfed out by local history genius [Howmuch?], who’s still raiding the box under his sideboard for interesting clippings from local papers. The man really is a history magpie and a bit of a star. This extract … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Castlefornt, Derelict, Fort Crescent, Fred Burt, Howmuch, Local History, Local politics, mine, mining, mining damage, Subsidence, subsidence damage, Vandalism, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Committee, Walsall Observer, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
Urban Exploration at Linley Caverns, in 1957
Hat tip here to the ongoing and excellent research being carried out by top local history ferret [Howmuch?], who’s located this smashing article from the August 16th, 1957 edition of the Walsall Observer. You’ll have to make do with my … Continue reading
Posted in 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
Tagged 1957, Air Ministry, Aldridge, Bomb dump, Bomb Store, Deepjoy films, Diving, Industrial Estate, linley Caves, Linley Wood, Linley Wood munitions store, Local History, munitions dump, Munitions store, RAF, Redhouse, urban exploration, Urbex, Walsall Observer
38 Comments
The night the roof fell in
Brian Stringer – The Clayhanger Kid himself – has very kindly contacted me with his memories of the October 1956 accident at Walsall Wood Colliery. Brian sent me the following: Hi Bob. The article you featured re the medals presented … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Features, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged Bravery, British Empire Medal, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, colliery, George Albert Schofield, George Bywater, Local History, mininers, Order tf the British Empire, pit disaster, roof fall, Staffordshire, Walsall Observer, Walsall Wood, Walsall Wood Colliery, William Henry Joiner
9 Comments
Heroes of the underground
I thank [Howmuch?] for the following contribution, which he found amongst his paperwork while having his annual clear out. He really is every it the star… CENTRAL CHANCERY OF THE ORDERS OF KNIGHTHOOD. St. James’s Paloce, S.W.1. 12th February, 1957. … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Features, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1957, Bravery, British Empire Medal, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, colliery, George Albert Schofield, George Bywater, Howmuch, Local History, London Gazette, mininers, New Photos, Order tf the British Empire, pit disaster, roof fall, Staffordshire, Walsall Observer, Walsall Wood, Walsall Wood Colliery, William Henry Joiner
4 Comments
Stay pressed
In the wake of the continuing closure of local papers, this time in Cannock and South Staffordshire, there’s a very interesting article written by good friend of the Brownhills Blog, Stuart Williams, over at he is revitalised Bloxwich Telegraph. I … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Express & Star, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Blowich Telegraph, Bloxidge Tallygraph, Brownhills, Cheap tat, Common people, Connect Cannock, Express & Star, Jayne Howarth, local blogs, local journalism, local press, New media, press decline, Stuart Williams, The Plastic Hippo, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Observer, WV11
5 Comments
The George & Dragon, Clayhanger: What do you know?
I received a comment last week from reader Kylie who was interested in The George and Dragon in Clayhanger at the turn of the last century. She asked: Hi there, I’m interested in any history about the george and dragon pub … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Followups, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged April 1905, Ben Dean JP, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Clayhanger, Edward Instone, elsall & District miners union, George & Dragon, George and Dragon, Kylie, Poxon, Pubs, Staffordshire, Walsall Observer
3 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
The Book Lovers
Here’s one for the Central School chaps to ponder over, and may also be of interest to the folks at Brownhills Memorial Hall. Thanks to [Howmuch?] for the spot.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged 1967, Brownhills, Brownhills Central School, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Memorial Hall, Howmuch, Local History, New Photos, Speech Day, Staffordshire, The Memo, Walsall Observer
6 Comments
Meanwhile, over in Brownhills West…
It’s funny how some things happen in twos and threes. The same anonymous contributor who doggedly sought out the story of the massive 2,240lb. ‘Hermann’ wartime bomb, discovered and defused in Walsall Wood, noticed this side-story in the same 1968 … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged April 1968, British Army Mortar, Brownhills local history, Brownhills West, Brownhills West history, Hermann bomb, Local History, PC Ballard, R Birch, Shannon Walk, Unexploded Wartime bomb, Walsall Observer, Wilkin Estate
9 Comments
Going down a bomb
I’m eternally grateful to an anonymous reader who’s been trawling through old newspapers looking for the report of an event he recalls from his childhood. Occurring just up the road in Walsall Wood, this find caused no small controversy at … Continue reading
Posted in Events, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Boatmans Lane, Brownhills local history, Hermann bomb, Linley Wood, Linley Wood munitions store, Local History, Unexploded Wartime bomb, Walsall Observer, Walsall Wood, Walsall Wood Quarry
17 Comments
RSS - Posts
