#365daysofbiking JournalRecent tracks
Tsuneni AiFionn Regan11 hours ago
Up into the RaftersFionn Regan11 hours ago
EuphoriaFionn Regan11 hours ago
Wall of SilverFionn Regan11 hours ago
AiFionn Regan11 hours ago
Book of the MoonFionn Regan11 hours ago
Cape of DiamondsFionn Regan11 hours ago
Turn the Skies of Blue OnFionn Regan11 hours ago
Cormorant BirdFionn Regan11 hours ago
The Meetings Of The WatersFionn Regan11 hours agoRecent Comments
Kevin Wilford on Mount Zion Sunday School Anniv… chrisjimallen on Down the tubes bravelyd03ee3c14f on Celebrating a Jubilee? bravelyd03ee3c14f on Celebrating a Jubilee? Nathan on Raising damp
Tag Archives: Wildlife
Hurry on sundown
I noted a couple of weeks ago on my #365daysofbiking Tumblr journal that this was the time of year to expect great sunsets. There have been some wonderful ones of late, but yesterday’s was spectacular, and by a twist of … Continue reading
Posted in cycling, Environment, Events, Features, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Wildlife
Tagged #365daysofbiking, Aldershawe, Cycle rides, cycling, landscape, Lichfield, New Photos, Panoramio, photos, Staffordshire, Sundown, Sunset, sunset pictures, Wall, Wildlife
4 Comments
I think the engine’s flooded, mate!
Following David Dalley’s kind tipoff, as soon as I could, I cycled over to Anglesey Basin to check out what was happing in person. It’s not often I get chance to do the roving reporter thing, and this looked interesting. … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged Anglesey Basin, Boat, Briotish Waterways, Brownhills, Canal, Capsize, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, David Dalley, Drain, Drain ed canal, Dredger, New Photos, recovery, Reservoir, Silly, Staffordshire, Sunk, Wildlife
1 Comment
The great Brownhills shipping disaster of 2012
Had some interesting pictures mailed to me yesterday by reader and friend of The Brownhills Blog David Dalley. They’re taken on the canal, near Chasewater at Anglesey Basin, where it seems British Waterways are experiencing a bit of an ‘Oh … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged Anglesey Basin, Boat, Briotish Waterways, Brownhills, Canal, Capsize, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, David Dalley, Drain, Drain ed canal, Dredger, New Photos, recovery, Reservoir, Silly, Staffordshire, Sunk, Wildlife
6 Comments
Nothing concrete…
Chasewater Wildlife Group and it’s leading light, Graham Evans, have recently posted a brilliant piece on their news page. I was aware last week of the publicity binge Staffordshire and Lichfield Councils were undertaking on the subject of Chasewater, and … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Dam Blog, Chasewater Wildlife Group, concrete, Cycle rides, cycling, Graham Evans, local blogs, Local politics, Reservoir, Silly, Staffordshire, Wildlife
3 Comments
Spring. There’s certainly something in the air.
Today, I set our for a short ride in the snow at 10:30am. Just a potter, things to do, you know how it is. I came back at 6pm. A nice 55 mile run through a chilly,lightly snow-dusted but sunny … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, cycling, Environment, Events, Features, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Bullmoor Lane, bunker, Canal, Church, Croxall, Croxall Hall, Cycle rides, cycling, Harlaston, Local History, Lower Stonnall, New Photos, Packington Moor, Panoramio, Potato Beds, ROC post, Smiths Mill, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Sunset, Wildlife
7 Comments
Want to know more about Chasewater?
I note from the news page of the excellent Chasewater Wildlife Group that this evening, Tuesday, 14th February 2011 at 7:00pm, Graham Evans will be giving a talk, ’The Natural History of Chasewater’ to Norton Canes Historical Society at Norton … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Graham Evans, Library, local blogs, Local History, Natural History, Norton Canes, Panoramio, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Talk, Wildlife
Leave a comment
It’s time to get on the bog again
After a successful event in January, the Friends of Norton Bog are holding another of their scheduled work parties this Sunday. The Friends of Norton Bog – the area of wetland lying northeast of Chasewater – are taking a special … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Friends of Norton Bog, Graham Evans, local blogs, Norton Bog, Reservoir, Rob Davies, Staffordshire, Wildlife, work party, Working parties
1 Comment
Wild, wild life
Had this press release in today from the grey Lubyanka that is the civic centre in Walsall. Have to say, this is something I support fully. Morgan Bowers and Kevin Clements and all the team of employees and volunteers working … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged biodiversity, bird of prey, Birdwatching, Facebook, Kestrel, Kevin CLemments, local blogs, Morgan Bowers, Peregrinewatch, Pergrines, Perigrine Falcon, raptor, urban birdlife, Urban raptors, Urban wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Town Centre, Wildlife
4 Comments
Anyone know anything about these Cannock Chase offroaders?
Abraham’s Valley, Cannock Chase. 3:50pm, Saturday, 7th January 2012. I’m sure there must be a perfectly innocent explanation for this. Two vehicles, driving off-road, up Abraham’s Valley on the Chase toward Rifle Range Corner. I have never, ever seen private vehicles … Continue reading
Posted in Cannock Chase, cycling, Environment, Events, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media, Wildlife
Tagged 4WD, Abraham's Valley, bike cam, Cannock Chase, Cycle rides, cycling, forest, illegal, off road, offloading, Rangers, Rifle Range Corner, Staffordshire, Vandalism, vehicles, Wildlife
4 Comments
Hawking rubbish
I really shouldn’t respond to this kind of thing, but the stupidity and utter ignorance of this one is really, really annoying me. I’m not a birder, I’m not even a member of the RSPB. However, all regular readers will … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Shared media, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged agriculture, biodiversity, cats, corvid, Cycle rides, cycling, decline, Express & Star, Farming, habitat, hawk, J Mallen, magpie, population, predator, raptor, Silly, songbirds, sparrow hawk, Wildlife
9 Comments
Now it’s your turn to spend time on the bog…
Regular readers will know that I’ve not quite been at my glistening best recently, and I’ve spent, as a consequence, a long time studying the domestic plumbing arrangements. Now’s the opportunity for readers to get more familiar with their local … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Friends of Norton Bog, Graham Evans, local blogs, Norton Bog, Reservoir, Rob Davies, Staffordshire, Wildlife, work party, Working parties
Leave a comment
Oops, I nearly forgot…
I’ve been meaning to say for a few days now that for anyone visiting Chasewater at the moment, the eastern dam route has reopened to pedestrians and cyclists. This means that for the first time in 12 months, park users … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Local Blogs, Local media, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged boxing day, Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cycle rides, cycling, Dam, Express & Star, Graham Evans, local blogs, Local politics, planning, Reopening, Reservoir, sailing club, Staffordshire, Wildlife
Leave a comment
I awoke today and found the frost perched on the town
Seems kind of appropriate. I awoke today and found the frost perched on the town It hovered in a frozen sky, then it gobbled summer down When the sun turns traitor cold and all the trees are shivering in a … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Features, Fun stuff to see and do, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Autumn, Brownhills, cold, Cycle rides, cycling, Frost, Joni Mitchel, Staffordshire, Tom Rush, Urge for Going, Wildlife
1 Comment
Slipping the reins
I have recently become rather concerned over what appears to be a new pre-Christmas trend. The exhibiting of real reindeer at fetes, events and in town centres locally seems to be increasingly fashionable. In an age when animal circuses are … Continue reading
Posted in Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged Caged deer, Chasewater, Cheap tat, Christmas, Deer, Facebook, Fallow, Lichfield, local blogs, Muntjac, New Photos, Red, Reindeer, Santa deer, Silly, Social media, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Town Centre management team, Wildlife
24 Comments
Down in the bog
Sorry for the patchy nature of the updates lately, I’m a bit busy with work and stuff at the moment, so please bear with me. Normal service will be resumed in a week or so. In the mean time, I … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cycle rides, cycling, Friends of Norton Bog, Graham Evans, local blogs, Norton Bog, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Wildlife
10 Comments
Illegal offroading tackled on Brownhills Common
Thanks to the wonderful Kate Goodall at Walsall Council, I’m finally able to heap my praise on the people who’s been gradually improving the anti-vehicle barriers on the old railway line at Engine Lane, Brownhills. That area of the common … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged 4WD, Brownhills, Brownhills common, Chasewater, Clayhanger, Cycle rides, Engine Lane, four wheel drive, green laning, Illegal offroading, Illegal scrambling, mini moto, Off roading, offroading, Police, quad bikes, Scambling, Social media, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood, West Midlands Police, Wildlife
10 Comments
Stag do
Had a lovely email this morning from regular reader and commenter Caz, who’s a great appreciator of the local deer population. She’s supplied some lovely photos of a young stag she spotted on the driveway to the waterworks in Green … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Events, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Caz, Clayhanger, Grange Farm, Green Lane, New Photos, Red deer, Stag, Walsall Wood, Waterworks, Wildlife
3 Comments
Oh, deer!
I spotted a great article on a blog I’ve been following for a while. It’s a local blog by a lady known only as Jody, and it contains lovely, engaging reports of her walks and rambles, mainly around the Clayhanger … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Chaz Mason, Clayhanger, Grange Farm, Jody, Jodysnaturewalks, local blogs, New Photos, Red deer, Walsall Wood, Wildlife, Wildlife blog
3 Comments
Engine Lane: a quick message from Stevie Ansell.
Readers may well remember the sudden clearance of the field in Engine Lane, Brownhills a couple of weeks ago. It seems the mystery has been solved – Brian Stringer, friend of The Brownhills Blog and the original Clayhanger Kid sent … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills common, clearance, Cycle rides, Derelict, Engine Lane, field, New Photos, planning, Redevelopment, Riding school, Stevie Ansell, Wildlife
11 Comments
Chasewater in 1919: the mapping jigsaw
Continuing to fulfil Graham Evans’ request (and for that matter, to keep all the map geeks happy – I know you’re out there – over 600 downloads of the 1884 map alone last week) here’s a map of how Chasewater was around about … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged 1919, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cycle rides, cycling, Graham Evans, local blogs, Local History, Old maps, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Wildlife
2 Comments
Clayhanger Common fire: damage not too bad
I meant to post these Yesterday. Taken on Tuesday evening, these low-quality pictures show the damage from the scrub fire on Monday Night, which was spotted and reported to the blog by top reader Rachel Gosling. It seems that the … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged antisocial behaviour, ASB, Brownhills, Canal, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Common, Cycle rides, cycling, Facebook, Fire, litter, New Photos, Panoramio, Rachel Gosling, reader contributions, scrub fire, Silly, Vandalism, Walsall Council, Wildlife
2 Comments
Scrub fire in Brownhills earlier this evening?
Rachel Gosling, top reader and friend of the Brownhills Blog tonight posted these dramatic pictures on Facebook, which she’s kindly allowed me to share here. It seems that there’s been quite a severe fire in the scrub on Clayhanger Common, … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, 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 community, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills Market, Canal, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Common, Facebook, Fire, Grass fire, local blogs, New Photos, pedestrian bridge, Pier Street, Rachel Gosling, scrub fire, Vandalism, Walsall Council, Wildlife
3 Comments
On the waterline
Further to Graham Evans’ request, here’s a map of how Chasewater was around the late Victorian era. There’s much that’s of note here – the shape of the lake, the pits and surrounding railways. Note also that Jeffrey’s Swag doesn’t … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cycle rides, cycling, Graham Evans, local blogs, Local History, Old maps, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Wildlife
2 Comments
Stuck in a rut
This is just a quick note to warn people given to exploring the open spaces of the area that the deer population are getting amorous. It’s rutting time for our large brown friends, and that means one thing: the heaths … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Chaz Mason, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Marsh, Cycle rides, cycling, G Richardson, local blogs, New Photos, Red deer, Reservoir, rut, rutting, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
1 Comment
Down the chute
There is continuing interest and debate on the nature of the pump house and spillway at Chasewater. I’ve had some excellent contributions, and I must get up there soon to investigate some of them. My previous poke around was very … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, 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, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Past, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater history, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cycle rides, cycling, Dave Fellows, Graham Evans, local blogs, Local History, nine foot, Old maps, Reservoir, Spillway, Staffordshire, steam engine, Steam pump, Wildlife
2 Comments
Overflowing with ideas
The recent attention paid by Dave Fellows, Graham Evans and Andy Dnnis, amonst others, to the long lost steam powered pumping station at Chasewater has caused some curiosity and no small amount of debate, particularly between myself and top local … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Past, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater history, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cycle rides, cycling, Dave Fellows, Graham Evans, local blogs, Local History, nine foot, Old maps, Reservoir, Spillway, Staffordshire, steam engine, Steam pump, Wildlife
13 Comments
Chasewater: Plugging away
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past couple of days, you’ve probably noticed a host of stories about the ‘plug being put back in at Chasewater’ and a lot of self-congratulatory claptrap from the dam team, largely … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged BBC, Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, culvert, Cycle rides, cycling, Express & Star, Graham Evans, local blogs, Local politics, New Photos, planning, Reservoir, Silly, Staffordshire, Vandalism, Wildlife
2 Comments
Engine Lane, Brownhills – mystery solved!
Readers may well remember the sudden clearance of the field in Engine Lane, Brownhills a couple of weeks ago. It seems the mystery has been solved – Brian Stringer, friend of The Brownhills Blog and the original Clayhanger Kid sent … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills common, clearance, Cycle rides, Derelict, Engine Lane, field, New Photos, planning, Redevelopment, Riding school, Stevie Ansell, Wildlife
5 Comments
Feeling pumped
Sorry about the patchy nature of updates at the moment – life is really interfering with my blogging activities at the moment. This is just a quick note to say to people interested in the intriguing question of the Victorian … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Followups, 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, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Past, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater history, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cycle rides, cycling, Dave Fellows, Graham Evans, local blogs, Local History, nine foot, Reservoir, Staffordshire, steam engine, Steam pump, Wildlife
4 Comments
Chasewater pump house – Graham Evans is the man
Following Brownhills Past supremo David Fellows’ request for information about the long-gone pumphouse near the Nine Foot pool at Chasewater, the reader response was muted, to say the least. After a grand total of zero replies, Graham Evans, wildlife expert, … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, 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, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Past, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater history, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cycle rides, cycling, Dave Fellows, Graham Evans, local blogs, Local History, nine foot, Reservoir, Staffordshire, steam engine, Steam pump, terrapin, turtle, Wildlife
11 Comments
The lost and found
Enjoying the unseasonal weather yesterday, I took another spin around Brocton Field on Cannock Chase before heading out to Blithfield Reservoir. I’ve been idly looking for an oddly English monument for some time, but in the way of things I … Continue reading
Posted in Cannock Chase, cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged Brereton, Brocton, Cannock Chase, Cycle rides, cycling, Freda, Freda's Grave, Friend of Cannock Chase, Local History, New Photos, New Zealand Rifles, outdoors, Panoramio, Staffordshire, Wildlife
5 Comments
Chasewater… some news at last
I see that after a five week hiatus, there’s been an uncharacteristically useful update on the Lichfield District Council Chasewater Dam Blog, with some interesting information about the outlet culvert and valve controls system. The post has actually come from … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local Blogs, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cycle rides, cycling, local blogs, Local politics, New Photos, planning, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Wildlife
4 Comments
Chasewater: closer now than yesterday
It’s nice to see that now there’s some decent management of the Chasewater dam works that the project seems to be heading towards completion. I recorded a few weeks ago that the works had clearly been reassessed, and now it … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged Brownhills, Canal, causeway, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cheap tat, coffer dam, culvert, Cycle rides, Filter, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Panoramio, piling, planning, Politics, Railway, Reservoir, Silly, Staffordshire, Staffordshire County Council, Vandalism, Wildlife
4 Comments
Ryders Mere fishery plan withdrawn
Spotted a couple of days ago on Chaz Mason’s excellent Clayhanger Marsh Log, and from a comment this morning by reader Tim, it seams the application to convert peaceful wildlife haven Ryders Mere into a commercial fishing venue has been … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Followups, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged birding, Brownhills, Chaz Mason, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Marsh Log, Commercial Angling, local blogs, Local politics, Local Wildlife, Parkhill Estates, planning, Railswood, Redevelopment, Ryders Hayes, Ryders Hayes Lane, Ryders Mere, Silly, SSSI, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Wildlife, withdrawn application
13 Comments
Chasewater – progress at last
Last Friday evening, I swung out to Chasewater to check out how the dam works were progressing. Things seem to be underway again after a pause for reassessment, and many elements of Lichfield District Council’s plans seem to have been … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Canal, causeway, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cheap tat, coffer dam, culvert, Cycle rides, Filter, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Neil Turner, New Photos, Panoramio, piling, planning, Politics, Railway, Reservoir, Silly, Staffordshire, Staffordshire County Council, Vandalism, Wildlife
1 Comment
Summer’s cauldron
Although it might not feel like it, summer is in full swing. After a very dry start, recent rains have energised mother nature and flowers, insects and animals seem at the very height of their activity. Verges, commons, hedgerows and … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Features, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged #365daysofbiking, aplles, Brownhills, Brownhills common, Bullmoor Lane, Canterbury Bell, Cycle rides, Hoey bee, Jockey Fields, Jockey Meadow, local blogs, New Photos, Panoramio, pippins, poppies, Red deer, Snail, Staffordshire, Swarm, tumblr, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
3 Comments
Chasewater: Bracing for impact
I notice today that grim news has been posted on the website of the excellent Chasewater Wildlife Group. I haven’t had time to get over to the park for a week or so, so haven’t been keeping up with progress … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, causeway, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater delay, Chasewater Railway reopening, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Countryfile, Cycle rides, Draining, Galliford Try, Graham Evans, Lichfield District Council, local blogs, Local politics, Mark Winnington, Neil Turner, Politics, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Staffordshire County Council, Wildlife
4 Comments
Lucky shots
I took all four of these photos this afternoon at the garden of Cherry Coppice, Hints, which was exhibiting in the open garden and flower festival event. It’s on tomorrow, too, and is a great day out for gardeners and … Continue reading
Posted in cycling, Environment, Events, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Shared media, Wildlife
Tagged Bee, Events, flowers, Garden festival, gardens, Hints, Hints flower festival, Hints open gardens, Hints Village, lucky, macro photography, Staffordshire, Things to do, Wildlife
Leave a comment
From gardens where we feel secure…
If you’re looking for something different to do over the weekend, and fancy an event that’s gentle, genteel and quintessentially British, you could do much worse than visit Hints open gardens and Flower festival, at the pretty little village of … Continue reading
Chasewater Railway reopens Saturday!
Further to my recent article on the matter, I’m genuinely shocked – but very, very pleased – that Chasewater Railway now has a complete, working track again and can recommence regular operations tomorrow. Normal timetables will be in operation all … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, causeway, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Dam Blog, Chasewater delay, Chasewater Railway, Chasewater Railway reopening, culvert, Cycle rides, Draining, Galliford Try, Lichfield District Council, local blogs, Local politics, Neil Turner, New Photos, Panoramio, Politics, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Staffordshire County Council, Wildlife
Leave a comment
Chasewater: ‘From now on, it’s project-managed properly.’
A fascinating piece on Radio WM’s Ed Doolan show today about Chasewater, the predicament Lichfield Council has got itself into, and the handover to Staffordshire Councty Council. In an unusually thorough piece, Mark Winnington of Staffordshire Councty Council and Graham … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, causeway, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater delay, Chasewater Railway reopening, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Countryfile, culvert, Cycle rides, Draining, Ed Dawes, Ed Doolan, Galliford Try, Graham Evans, Lichfield District Council, local blogs, Local politics, Local radio, Mark Winnington, Neil Turner, Politics, Radio WM, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Staffordshire County Council, Wildlife
6 Comments
Chasewater: Lichfield District Council wave the white flag
Tonight, Lichfield District Council posted on their Chasewater Dam Blog the news that the whole park had been signed over to Staffordshire County Council, who would henceforth be responsible for the completion of the dam works, as well as eventually, … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged Beacon park, Brownhills, causeway, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater delay, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Countryfile, culvert, Cycle rides, Draining, Graham Evans, Lichfield District Council, Lizzie Thatcher, local blogs, Local politics, Neil Turner, Politics, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Staffordshire County Council, Val Richards, Wildlife
10 Comments
Police target Brownhills offroaders
Longstanding readers of this blog will know how much I loathe the illegal use of scramblers and four-wheel drive vehicles that seems to plague our local commons, country parks, bike trails and open spaces. I know that catching these people … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged 4WD, Brownhills, Brownhills common, Chasewater, Clayhanger, Cycle rides, Engine Lane, four wheel drive, green laning, Illegal offroading, Illegal scrambling, Jo Hunt, mini moto, New Photos, Off roading, offroading, Police, quad bikes, Scambling, Social media, Supt Keith Fraser, Twitter, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood, West Midlands Police, Wildlife
6 Comments
The journey continues
I’ve just posted the following to my #30daysofbiking tumblr blog. I’m having so much fun recording a daily cycling journal, that I’ve decided to continue after taking a straw poll on twatter last night. I’m interested to know what readers … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged #30daysofbiking, #365daysofbiking, bicycle, Brownhills, cycle journey, Cycle rides, cycling advocacy, local blogs, New Photos, Panoramio, Silly, Staffordshire, tumblr, Twitter, Wildlife
2 Comments
The Weaver Hills: into the valley
Yesterday, I posted the video I took of the uphill climb to the summit of the Weaver Hills. It’s a tough climb, but worth it, and there’s great country when you get there. Calton is a lovely little village and … Continue reading
Posted in cycling, Environment, Events, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged bike cam, Calton, cycle cam, Cycle rides, Derelict, Downhill, Ilam, Manifold Valley, Mere Hill, New Photos, Panoramio, Rushley, Rushley Bridge, Staffordshire, The Peak District, Throwley, Throwley Hall, Twitter, Weaver Hills, Wildlife
2 Comments
Sunday evening grass fire at Chasewater
It seems like the muppets are out in force again. After a spell of dry weather, it looks like the heath fire season has started. As I came through Chasewater tonight at about 8:15pm, I smelled smoke, so took a … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater fire, Cycle rides, fire sevice, Grass fire, Heath Fre, New Photos, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Vandalism, Wildlife
1 Comment
Feeling alive on the A515
Sorry to readers of my 30 days of biking tumblr blog, but I kind of like this and would love to share it with Brownhills Blog readers. This is video compiled from my journey up the A515 on Friday, on … Continue reading
Batman’s horse: the true story
Yesterday, whilst out riding around Staffordshire and South Derbyshire, I tweeted a photo that’s caused some curiosity. I thought I’d explain it, because some people seem quite unnerved by it. This horse isn’t blindfolded, and can see and hear … Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Wildlife
Tagged #30daysofbiking, Cycle rides, Equine, Flymask, Grangewood, Horse, New Photos, Panoramio, Twitter, Wildlife
2 Comments
RSS - Posts
