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Tag Archives: West Midlands
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
Hednesford Road hit and run: John Thomason sentenced
At 12:50am, Sunday 10th August 2014, there was a hit and run incident in Brownhills West, in which a white van hit two men on the pavement – it caused quite a stir locally as many readers will no doubt recall.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Followups, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged Accident, Cherwell, crash, Drive, Gareth James, GBH, hit and run, hurt, incident, injured, John Thamason, lads, men, Police, Richard Vernon, Road, road closed, RTA, sentenced, Shannon, tend, West Midlands, Wilkin, WMP
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Did any of you know Alan John Pickering?
Yet again, this is one of those requests that Walsall Council make periodically, and was issued by the Communication Team at Walsall Council on Friday, November 21st 2014 and I’d like all locals to have a think about it, and if any of you can do so, please help.
Posted in Environment, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Alan, BEL, Bell Lane, Bloxwich, Bloxwich ngineering, Comprehensive, died, Environmental Health, Family, help, john, Lichfield, Michael Syrett, Neil Harris, passed away, Pickering, Rebecca Evans, releatives, request, search, Staffordshire, Wales, Walsall, Walsall Council, Wednesbury Road, West Midlands
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Building your new transport network… in 1974
I’m hoping some of the bus and rail enthusiasts can help with this one – a few weeks ago I picked up a 40 year old bus route map for Walsall, Aldridge Lichfield, Brownhills and Cannock, and it’s an interesting little time capsule all of it’s own.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1974, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, bus, Clayhanger, free, Harpers, Leaflet, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, map, Midland Red, Old maps, Passenger Transport Executive, Politics, PTE, public transport, Rail, scan, Staffordshire, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, West Midlands, WMPTE
4 Comments
Michael Syrett: Funeral arrangements announced
Way back on the 13th August 2014, I published a very sad appeal from the Walsall Council Environmental Health Team who were attempting to locate any remaining family of retired Darlsaton teacher and musician Michael Syrett, who died a few days earlier – sadly, no relatives were located, and the council has now released details of Mr. Syrett’s funeral.
Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Comprehensive, Darlaston, died, Family, help, Lichfield, Michael Syrett, passed away, releatives, request, search, Staffordshire, teacher, Wales, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Road, West Midlands
2 Comments
Michael Syrett: thanks for your help
Way back on the 13th August 2014, I published a very sad appeal from the Walsall Council Environmental Health Team who were attempting to locate any remaining family of Michael Syrett, who died a few days earlier.
Posted in Environment, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Comprehensive, Darlaston, died, Family, help, Lichfield, Michael Syrett, Neil Harris, passed away, releatives, request, search, Staffordshire, teacher, Wales, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Road, West Midlands
1 Comment
Important appeal: Did you know Michael Syrett?
This is one of those requests that pops up from time to time, and was issued by the Communication Team at Walsall Council last Wednesday, August 13th 2014 and I’d like all locals to have a think about it, and if any of you can do so, please help.
Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Comprehensive, Darlaston, died, Family, help, Lichfield, Michael Syrett, Neil Harris, passed away, releatives, request, search, Staffordshire, teacher, Wales, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Road, West Midlands
4 Comments
Hednesford Road hit and run: police issue full statement
At 12:50am, Sunday 10th August 2014, there was a hit and run incident in Brownhills West, in which a white van hit two men on the pavement – West Midlands Police are appealing for witnesses.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged Accident, Cherwell, crash, Drive, hit and run, hurt, incident, injured, lads, men, oys, Police, Road, road closed, RTA, Shannon, tend, West Midlands, Wilkin, WMP
1 Comment
Incident in Brownhills West in the early hours?
Seeing social media reports about a car accident in which a couple of lads may have been hurt after midnight last night (9-10th August 2014) in the Wilkin Road area of Brownhills West.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged Accident, Cherwell, crash, Drive, hit and run, hurt, incident, injured, lads, men, oys, Police, Road, road closed, RTA, Shannon, tend, West Midlands, Wilkin, WMP
5 Comments
Police now ‘Gravely concerned’ for welfare of Amanda Hawkins
It’s now four weeks since Moxley resident Amanda Hawkins was last seen getting off a bus at the Barnets Lane stop on the Lichfield Road at Brownhills – and West Midlands Police now state that they are ‘gravely concerned’ for Amanda’s welfare.
Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Events, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Amanda Hawkins, appeal, brother, concern, Environment, Events, Family, Interesting photos, Local media, Lost, memory loss, misper, missing, Moxley, News, Police, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social media, Streetly, supported accomodation, Video appeal, vulnerable, Walsall, West Midlands, WMP
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Amanda Hawkins still missing – police issue video appeal
It’s now two weeks to the day since Moxley resident Amanda Hawkins was last seen getting off a bus at the Barnets Lane stop on the Lichfield Road at Brownhills. Amanda’s family, carers and West Midlands Police are very, very concerned for her safety; Amanda suffers memory loss and mental health issues, requires daily medication and can be considered vulnerable.
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Posted in Environment, Events, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Amanda Hawkins, appeal, brother, concern, Environment, Events, Family, Interesting photos, Local media, Lost, memory loss, misper, missing, Moxley, News, Police, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social media, Streetly, supported accomodation, Video appeal, vulnerable, Walsall, West Midlands, WMP
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Police still searching for Amanda Hawkins
Please folks, this is really, really important – after the brouhaha last night of the water loss, police heloicopters and all the other fuss, some folk noticed a Search and Rescue Unit had been called in and was stationed at Brownhills Police Station.
Posted in Environment, Events, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Amanda Hawkins, appeal, concern, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, Local media, Lost, memory loss, misper, missing, Moxley, News, Police, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social media, Streetly, supported accomodation, vulnerable, Walsall, West Midlands, WMP
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Please help – missing Amanda Hawkins last seen in Brownhills
West Midlands Police, who are currently very concerned for the welfare of Amanda Hawkins, who went missing from supported accommodation in Moxley last Friday, 30th May 2014, have now located CCTV footage which shows Amanda getting off a bus in Lichfield Road, Brownhills, on the 30th May.

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Posted in Environment, Events, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Amanda Hawkins, appeal, concern, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, Local media, Lost, memory loss, misper, missing, Moxley, News, Police, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social media, Streetly, supported accomodation, vulnerable, Walsall, West Midlands, WMP
3 Comments
Police appeal: please help find Amanda Hawkins
Wow – it’s all going on this week, but I make no apologies for running another appeal from West Midlands Police, who are currently very concerned for the welfare of Amanda Hawkins, who went missing from supported accommodation in Moxley last Friday, 30th May 2014.
Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Events, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Amanda Hawkins, appeal, concern, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, Local media, Lost, memory loss, misper, missing, Moxley, News, Police, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social media, Streetly, supported accomodation, vulnerable, Walsall, West Midlands, WMP
2 Comments
Charles Bonner: Family now located, thank you
Yesterday (4th June 2024) Walsall Council issued an appeal to find relatives of Charles Bonner, who passed away in May at the Arboretum Nursing Home – well, thanks to the efforts of all involved, Mr. Bonner’s daughter has now been located.
Posted in Environment, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Arboretum Nursing Home, Charles Bonner, died, Family, help, Julie Faulkner, Lichfield, Navy, Oakwood Lodge, passed away, releatives, request, sailor, Seaman, search, sons, Staffordshire, Walsall, Walsall Council, West Midlands, wife, Willenhall
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Important appeal: Did you know Charles Bonner?
This is very unusual, but I think is somewhat important – the following request was posted by the Communication Team at Walsall Council today (4th June 2014) and I’d like all locals to have a think about it, and if any of you can, please do help.
Posted in Environment, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Arboretum Nursing Home, Charles Bonner, died, Family, help, Julie Faulkner, Lichfield, Navy, Oakwood Lodge, passed away, releatives, request, sailor, Seaman, search, sons, Staffordshire, Walsall, Walsall Council, West Midlands, wife, Willenhall
7 Comments
Police appeal: Teenager missing from Walsall
This just in from Walsall Police. If you can help, please do; people are seriously concerned for the lad’s welfare – searches are underway in Walsall to trace a missing 17-year-old who has not been seen for three days.
Posted in Environment, Events, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged appeal, Birchills, concern, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, Local media, Lost, misper, missing, News, Police, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social media, teenage boy, teenager, Tuan Ho, Vietnamese, Walsall, West Midlands, WMP
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Staffordshire Hoard talk at Chasewater Innovation Centre tonight
hoard Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills Hoard, Brownhills local history, Burntwood, campaign, Chasewater, Hammerwich, Hoard trail, information, Local History, Local politics, memorial, monument, Ogley Hay, Staffordshire, Staffordshire hoard, Statue, Warrenhuse, West Midlands
1 Comment
The gold hoard to arrive in Brownhills at last…
My apologies to top fellow and friend of the blog David Hodgkinson, as quite frankly, I forgot this one, and it’s quite important for Staffordshire Hoard fans and local historians alike.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Brownhills Hoard, Brownhills local history, Burntwood, campaign, Chase Heritage Group, Chasewater, David Hogkinson, Hammerwich, Hoard trail, information, Lichfield Live, Local History, Local politics, memorial, monument, Ogley Hay, Peter Walker, Robert Carr, SCAMP, Staffordshire, Staffordshire hoard, Statue, Warrenhuse, West Midlands
3 Comments
Walsall Mosque incident: Authorities appeal for information
FAITH LEADERS, police and council officials have come together to reassure local people following the discovery of a suspicious item at a mosque in Walsall yesterday.
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Another bomb scare in Brownhills?
There’s been another bomb scare in Brownhills this morning. Thankfully, yet again it was a hoax…
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 19th February, 2013, @rich_rawlinson, @walsallcouncil, bomb, bridge, Brownhills, Chaos, Events, Express & Star, Facebook, Hoax, incident, island, miner, Morris, New Photos, Police, Roads Closed, Silly, traffic, Twitter, West Midlands, WMPolice
1 Comment
Police incident this afternoon
It seems there was a hoax bomb alert in Brownhills this afternoon. Contrary to rumour, nobody is hurt and the incident wasn’t caused by a suicide.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged bomb, bridge, Brownhills, Events, Facebook, Faraser, Hanging, Hateley, Hoax, incident, island, J_J_Heartbeat, miner, Morris, New Photos, Police, Politics, Silly, suicide, Twitter, West Midlands
7 Comments
Mind the Gap
The enquiry about the local Watford Gap sparked way more interest than I expected, to be honest, so this morning, I decided to test the theory postulated by Andy Dennis that the area really was in a ‘gap’ between the hills of north Sutton.
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Posted in cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Andy Dennis, Carisbroke, Chesterfield, Cross City, Cycle rides, cycling, Four Oaks, Hill Hook, Linda Mason, Little Aston, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Old maps, Railway, Shenstone, Staffordshire, Station, Sutton, Things to do, Tin Tabernacle, Twitter, Wall, Warwickshire, Watford Gap, West Midlands
11 Comments
Bridging the Gap
Here’s a quick question, asked of me today by the redoubtable Linda Mason. On the border between the modern counties of the West Midlands and Staffordshire, right on the edge of Little Aston/Hill Hook is a junction on the Old Birmingham Road, where Blake Street and Watford Gap Road intersect it. It’s called ‘Watford Gap’.
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Posted in Churches, cycling, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Cycle rides, cycling, Four Oaks, Hill Hook, Linda Mason, Little Aston, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Old maps, Shenstone, Staffordshire, Sutton, Things to do, Tin Tabernacle, Twitter, Warwickshire, Watford Gap, West Midlands
7 Comments
The money trail…
Yesterday, a story popped up on the BBC news that probably passed a lot of folk by in the blur of tinsel and turkey that is Christmas. I think this is worth pulling into the light. The plan for a … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Brownhills Hoard, Brownhills Local Committee, Brownhills local history, campaign, Express & Star, finds.org, Hammerwich, Hoard trail, information, Local History, Local politics, monument, Ogley Hay, Silly, Staffordshire, Staffordshire hoard, Warrenhuse, West Midlands
10 Comments
Brownhills Police Safety House open to the public this Monday
I received this press release from West Midlands Police, advertising an opening event at their Community Safety House in Brownhills. I thought it was important to share the details with readers here, who may wish to attend, or know more … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brownhills, Community Safety House, CommunitySafety Partnership, Demonstration, Events, home security, Kevin Pitt, local blogs, Opening, planning, Police, Safe House, Walsall, West Midlands
1 Comment
Information sought on Shire Oak car vandalism incident
I was contacted yesterday by reader Mitch Battison, who relayed news of a nasty act of vandalism on the Chester road at Shire Oak on Friday, the 20th April 2012. It seems that at 10:33pm, a white BMW 1 series … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Blacked Out Windows, BMW 1 series, Brownhills, Car Attack, CCTV, Chester Road, crime, Mitch Battison, Police, Shire Oak, Vandalism, West Midlands
1 Comment
Pretzel logic
I noticed with wry amusement the letter from Gerald Bickley, of Brownhills Local Committee in the Walsall Advertiser last week. It’s interesting and welcome that we finally hear something from the somewhat somnambulant group apparently deeming to speak on behalf … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, 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 Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Brownhills Hoard, Brownhills Local Committee, Brownhills local history, campaign, Express & Star, Gerald Bickley, Hammerwich, information, Local History, Local politics, monument, Ogley Hay, Pretzel, Signs, Silly, Staffordshire, Staffordshire hoard, Warrenhuse, West Midlands
16 Comments
A golden idea
In the miasma and lacklustre of the new year illness, I received this excellent email from The Clayhanger Kid, Brian Stringer. Many readers will remember that before Christmas, I featured an article here from the Express & Star, detailing his … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Brownhills Hoard, Brownhills local history, campaign, Express & Star, Hammerwich, information, Local History, Local politics, monument, Ogley Hay, Sandhills, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Staffordshire hoard, Warrenhuse, West Midlands
22 Comments
Interesting proposal for Staffordshire Hoard fans
I notice an interesting proposal has been put forward from Brownhills Blog reader and Clayhanger Kid Brian Stringer, to erect an information point near to where the Staffordshire Hoard was found in Brownhills. This doesn’t sound like a bad idea … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Brownhills Hoard, Brownhills local history, campaign, Express & Star, Hammerwich, Hammerwich parish map, information, Local History, Local politics, monument, Ogley Hay, Sandhills, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Staffordshire hoard, Warrenhuse, West Midlands
2 Comments
Sign o’ the times
Sign recently erected on the A461, Lichfield Road, Sandhills, just before the Barracks Lane junction. 4:10pm Wednesday, 26th January 2011. I see the childish posturing and infantile one-upmmanship over the Staffordshire Hoard still continues. I’ve made my feelings known … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Local politics, Panoramio photo discussions, Shared media
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills Hoard, Brownhills local history, Brownhills parish map, Doug Birch, Hammerwich, Hammerwich parish map, Local History, Local politics, Ogley Hay, Sandhills, Shire Oak, Signs, Silly, Staffordshire, Staffordshire hoard, Sue Lote, Warrenhuse, West Midlands
13 Comments








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