Hey up, folks – this was drawn to my attention today by the young David Evans – there’s a new local history book out right now priced at a pocket-pleasing fiver!
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I’m glad to see the public interest shown in the Remembrance Service undertaken at Brownhills Cenotaph to mark the 40th anniversary of the end of the Falklands War.
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This year it’s the 40th anniversary of the Falklands Conflict, which affected many towns like ours up and down the country, in that our lads went off to war in the South Atlantic – indeed, Brownhills lost a son whose name is recorded on the War Memorial at St.
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Now we’re getting back on track after the pandemic, it’s good to see the return after two years of absence of the periodic Toy and Train Collectors Fair at Oak Park Leisure Centre, Walsall Wood.
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I have here an important message from the Brownhills Branch (and wider organisation, of course) of the Royal British Legion that old friend of the blog John Bird has asked me to share with you all.
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Friend of the blog Mick Roseblade has asked me to share the sad news that local lady Nora Brayne has passed away – Nora was well known for her work with Brownhills Scouts which she undertook with her late husband, Eric.
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Interesting news reaches me today, which I think will be very interesting to burger-lovers in Brownhills.
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Here’s a nice one to trigger a few memories from locals, and hopefully preserve a little lost local history – do you remember going fruit picking in Stonnall back in the day?
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Breaking a long and unintentional silence today (sorry) with a post reflecting some great material that’s surfaced from the wonderful Tony Portman who’s contributed so much fine material to the blog over the years – but this time Tony has turned up something extra special for fans of the great Brownhills stunt man, fundraiser and character Reg Morris.
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I’m sad to announce the terrible news to readers that Brownhills lad, planning expert, superlative local historian and narrowboater Andy Dennis, who contributed so much to this blog, has recently passed away.
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A very short post I’ve been meaning to do all weekend, but following on from the welcome news that Brownhills is very likely to lose it’s derelict 1960s shopping precinct Ravens Court under a larger brand new Aldi store, the supermarket chain have posted images and a consultation site so the views of the general public can be take – click here to visit it.
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I’m sad to report that Avian Influenza – Bird Flu – has claimed the lives of several swans and geese at Chasewater and this has been confirmed by government scientists from DEFRA.
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Today, Sunday 14th November 2021 saw the annual marking of Remembrance Day in the UK and I’m pleased to say the local area did both themselves and the fallen proud staging a whole range of parades and events that were well supported and attended – and I was especially pleased to see the wonderful turnout and effort made in Brownhills.
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I normally post a wordy, slightly emotional essay on Remembrance Sunday encouraging people to think not just about the lost and suffering of the two world wars, but about the meaning of Remembrance, the forgotten conflicts like Korea and Aden, and reflect a little on why we do this thing we do annually.
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Following the sad passing of respected local gentleman Geof Harrington, David Evans has kindly sent me details of the funeral arrangements to share with you all, via Geof’s old pal and writing partner, Bill Mayo.
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This post is pinned to the top until Sunday – new material will appear below.
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I have been proud to feature in past posts here the remarkable paintings of local artist Dave Dunkley of Rushall Station and level crossing and of Rushall Square as he remembered it from his youth.
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Following last week’s sad news of the passing of local historian, community stalwart, record breaking sprinter and Brownhills gentleman Geof Harrington, there has been an outpouring of sympathy and warm memories locally, particularly on social media.
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It saddens me greatly to share the awful news with readers that hugely respected elder statesman of Brownhills Geof Harrington – a record breaking athlete in his younger days – passed away in his sleep on Saturday 23rd October 2021.
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Now I’m clearing some of the backlog and feeling much better, I thought it would be a good time to share some more of the remarkable images shared with David Evans by old friend of the blog, John Bird recording Brownhills houses marked for slum clearance in the 50s or 60s.
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Yesterday (Saturday 16th October 2021) I took the pilgrimage up the A515 to the generally biannual Steam Party event at Klondyke Mill in Draycott in the Clay, home of the North Staffordshire and Cheshire Traction Engine Club – It’s an event I try to attend every year, either in the summer or the October.
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Some time ago I was proud and honoured to feature here the beautifully presented history of Richard Meanley Anson written by Desmond Burton, who was lost like so many local lads in the Battle of The Somme.
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As I struggle to catch up with material sent in to the blog, here’s a great post for a Sunday from Pat Ward, who’s a long term reader and lady we’ve previously helped with family history matters here one the blog.
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It’s always great to hear from folks having school and workplace reunions, and I was very impressed to see the well organised and attended celebration of the first Shire Oak Grammar School intake in 1961.
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I have some very tragic news for blog readers that I have to share, but which has saddened me greatly: Ben Spears contacted me in the week to inform me that local rail expert and historian, many times contributor the this blog, Ian Pell, passed away at the beginning of September.
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I’m so thrilled to share with you all that Brownhills Canal Festival returns this weekend for two days – today, Saturday 18th and tomorrow, Sunday 19th September 2021 – and is hosted by the wonderful Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust.
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I’m glad to see that some important social activities are resuming in light of their cancellation for lockdown – and the resumption of the Wednesday afternoon walking group in Brownhills is great news.
]]>Due to the nature of this strange pandemic year, I’ve held off advertising this one until I’m absolutely sure it’s going ahead, but I’m so thrilled to share with you all that Brownhills Canal Festival returns next weekend for two days – Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th September 2021 – and is hosted by the wonderful Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust.
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Today, I have a remarkable set of photos for readers from longtime reader, friend and contributor to the blog Robert Sault.
]]>I’m glad to see that some important social activities are resuming in light of their cancellation for lockdown – and the resumption of the Wednesday afternoon walking group in Brownhills is great news.
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Hello folks – I’m still getting better and gradually catching up with things, so on this grey Bank Holiday Monday, I thought it would be a good time to share some more of the remarkable images shared with David Evans by old friend of the blog, John Bird recording Brownhills houses marked for slum clearance in the 50s or 60s.
]]>I’m glad to see that some important social activities are resuming in light of their cancellation for lockdown – and the resumption of the Wednesday afternoon walking group in Brownhills is great news.
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A quick one here while I prepare another post – this was inspired by Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler who spotted a different article mentioning the same firm in the British Newspaper Archive – Barbright USAM who were based on Lichfield Road in Brownhills, just near to Castings.
]]>I’m glad to see that some important social activities are resuming in light of their cancellation for lockdown – and the resumption of the Wednesday afternoon walking group in Brownhills is great news.
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Well, hello everyone. Long time no post.
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Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know that this Sunday (July 18th 2021), the sixth Staffordshire Ironman 70.3 Triathlon will be staged, with a 1.2 mile early morning swim in Chasewater being amongst the highlights.
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Today, I have a great bit of local ecclesiastical history to share with readers who will, I’m sure, be interested in the Opening and Dedication Service Programme to Silver Street Methodist Church, Brownhills, which opened at 3pm on Saturday, April 22nd 1967.
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Here’s an article to ponder I really intended to post up yesterday, but problems of a technical nature prevented me, which was a shame as it’s a real belter.
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Here’s a quick simple question for debate amongst the readership: Of late, the Young David Evans has given another talk to the children of Holy Trinity School in Clayhanger, about their local history.
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