Black Country news and blogs Saturday 21 July 2018
BrownhillsBob
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A5 Live just two weeks away – band lineup released! 
BrownhillsBob 21 Jul 18
Long term readers will remember the annual music and fun festival that’s taken place on the smallholding just off the A5 at Newtown, Brownhills – formerly called Cockfest (because it took place on a chicken farm), last year becoming A5 Live.
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Keep your hair on – Brownhills Wilkinson are getting wiggy with it!
BrownhillsBob 21 Jul 18
Toria Amy has been in touch – she’s just one of the great community minded folk who work at the Wilkinson store in Brownhills, and they’ve informed me that they have organised an event as part of the ‘Get Wiggy With It’ fundraising …
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Fancy getting into something steamy this weekend?
BrownhillsBob 20 Jul 18
There’s a great steam, vintage vehicle and generally fun event on this weekend near Barton Under Needwood, Staffordshire, which I think many blog readers would enjoy – Barton Under Needwood Steam Rally takes place this Saturday and Sunday 21st-…
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Anyone lost a bike?
BrownhillsBob 20 Jul 18
Local top bloke Eryl Well has spotted this bike lying around in Brownhills and is wondering if anyone’s had it stolen? Continue reading…
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An unbearable loss: The Plastic Hippo has left us
BrownhillsBob 18 Jul 18
It’s my sad duty to report to readers and the wider Walsall online community that one of it’s finest, most respected writers has passed away – The Plastic Hippo was taken from us on Friday 13th July 2018 at his home in Chuckery, Walsall, …
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The 1977 Silver Jubilee – up and down the town!
BrownhillsBob 15 Jul 18
A theme that keeps popping up here at the moment is the 1977 Royal Jubilee, and the street parties and celebrations connected with it – Well, here today I have two great pics from opposite ends of our area of those days, and I’d love any further …
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Classic Motor Show at Walsall Arboretum on right now!
BrownhillsBob 15 Jul 18
Here’s another one I missed but is happening right now too – there’s a Classic Car Show on at Walsall Arboretum this afternoon Sunday 15th July 2018.
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Little Hay miniature railway garden party on now!
BrownhillsBob 15 Jul 18
Very late notice I know but the good folk of Sutton Coldfield Model Engineering Socially have asked me to to tell you that their Garden Party at Little Hay Miniature Railway – known as Balleny Green – is open right now (Sunday 15th July 2018() …
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Ooh, Betty!
BrownhillsBob 14 Jul 18
So, back to some history – this is one I’ve been wanting to explore for ages, and never come up with a conclusive answer, but flicking through an old book, a caption popped on a lightbulb in my head.
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Such work, much busy, very apologise!
BrownhillsBob 14 Jul 18
Hi folks – a quick apology for the blog readers and faithful – as I appreciate the work and effort the community and readership put in on the blog.
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Summer fair in Walsall Wood this Saturday afternoon
BrownhillsBob 13 Jul 18
There’s a lovely summer fair in Walsall Wood on the afternoon of Saturday 14th July in the grounds of St john’s Church, Walsall Wood High Street.
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Meet your local coppers this Saturday in Aldridge and Streetly!
BrownhillsBob 13 Jul 18
I received notice of this great event from Walsall Police via the excellent WMNow service this morning, advertising a pop-up meet the police event this Saturday, 14th July 2018 at Aldridge Library from 10:00am until 11:00am where you can meet your …
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A5 Live is coming soon – and they need your help!
BrownhillsBob 13 Jul 18
Long term readers will remember the annual music and fun festival that’s taken place on the smallholding just off the A5 at Newtown, Brownhills – formerly called Cockfest (because it took place on a chicken farm), last year becoming A5 Live.
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Fancy a fete and dog show this Saturday?
BrownhillsBob 12 Jul 18
There’s a great looking summer fete and dog show coming up this weekend, on Saturday 14th July nearby in the picturesque village of Hammerwich, just over the A5.
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Walsall wood BMX track, the best days!
BrownhillsBob 11 Jul 18
Phil Atkinson generously supplied the above, wonderful gallery with the simple statement ‘Walsall wood BMX track, the best days.
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Local work-van and vehicle crime issues escalate: Be on your guard, folks
BrownhillsBob 10 Jul 18
A warning to people with work vans and appeal to folk in Brownhills for information – there is certainly a real rash of vehicle break ins ongoing, with incidents reported across the area throughout the last week.
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A great local charity concert coming soon to The Lamp, Brownhills!
BrownhillsBob 10 Jul 18
There’s a splendid charity fundraiser concert being staged on Friday, 20th July 2018 at the Lamp Arts Theatre at Brownhills Activity Centre, just on the Miner Island in the centre of Brownhills – featuring The Backstreet Theatre Company, …
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Armed robbery at McColls store in Shannon Drive, Brownhills West
BrownhillsBob 9 Jul 18
Yesterday evening, Sunday 8th July 2018, there was an armed robbery at McColls Store, Shannon Drive, Brownhills West in which thankfully, nobody was hurt.
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Swanning around…
BrownhillsBob 8 Jul 18
I’ve had a mail in from reader Natalie Edge-Edwards, who like our very own swan lady Irene Hodges, is very interested in her local birdlife in Rochester and monitors the black swans on the lake by JCB there.
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Lichfield Waterworks Trust – 2018 AGM this Monday followed by an evening with the Time Healers
BrownhillsBob 8 Jul 18
Sandfields Pumping Station champion and public historian extraordinaire Dave Moore has been in touch to let me know that this Monday evening (9th July 2018) there will be the Annual General Meeting of the Lichfield Waterworks Trust charity, …
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New Hall Mill July 2018 open day today!
BrownhillsBob 8 Jul 18
Theres a lovely thing to visit locally today (Sunday 8th July 2018), that’s close by, free and absolutely fascinating… New Hall Mill is open again right now and I can heartily recommend the place – it’s fascinating and I had a great time …
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Chuckery Festival on this Sunday: A great free live music event in Walsall Arboretum!
BrownhillsBob 7 Jul 18
Also on today, Sunday 8th July 2018 at Walsall Arboretum Bandstand will be a great live family show – the Chuckery Music Festival 2018 Bandstand Music Event – featuring great local bands and musicians to suit all tastes with food, drink and kids …
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Willenhall Transport Show – on this Sunday!
BrownhillsBob 7 Jul 18
In a weekend choc-full of transport events (Cars in the Park at Lichfield, the Aldridge Transport Museum Annual Running Day) there’s a further event this Sunday 8th July 2018 with Willenhall Transport Show taking place at Willenhall Memorial Park (…
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Don’t forget – 2018 Pelsall Carnival this afternoon!
BrownhillsBob 7 Jul 18
Just a quick headsup that over in the principality this afternoon, Saturday 7th July 2018 is Pelsall Carnival – just head for the common and the noise.
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Please keep an eye out for a lost identity bracelet
BrownhillsBob 7 Jul 18
Old friend of the blog Jenny Parry has been in touch yesterday (Friday, 6th July 2018) to ask if I would share the following somewhat sad appeal – she has lost a treasured identity bracelet either in.
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World class football – from the pride of Brownhills!
BrownhillsBob 6 Jul 18
With all the football related brouhaha in the last couple of weeks, one very local and special footballing endeavour may have been overlooked by the residents of Brownhills, which I can’t let pass unmentioned.
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Aston Manor Transport Museum in Aldridge – 2018 annual Running Day this Sunday!
BrownhillsBob 5 Jul 18
I see from the events list that Aston Manor Road Transport Museum in Aldridge have their annual Open and Running Day this Sunday, 8th July 2018 – It starts at 10:00am and should be just the thing for vintage transport fans, bus enthusiasts, …
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Copy of New Hall Mill is July 2018 open day this Sunday!
BrownhillsBob 4 Jul 18
Theres a lovely thing to visit locally this Sunday (8th July 2018), that’s close by, free and absolutely fascinating… New Hall Mill is open again on Sunday = I can heartily recommend the place – it’s fascinating and I had a great time there…
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Lichfield Rotary Cars in the Park 2018 – On this weekend!
BrownhillsBob 3 Jul 18
There’s a really good classic and vintage car show on this coming weekend (thats Saturday and Sunday, 7th and 8th July 2018) in Beacon Park, Lichfield – the annual Rotary Cars in the Park event.
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Ladies? Fancy a game of bowls this Wednesday afternoon?
BrownhillsBob 3 Jul 18
Vicky Ellen from Brownhills Townswomen’s Guild has been in touch to tell me that there’s the yearly Townswomen’s Guild Federation Bowls Competition this Wednesday afternoon, 4th July 2018, starting at 1:30pm at Pelsall Community Centre.
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1750, Tithes and all that
BrownhillsBob 2 Jul 18
Click on any image to see a larger version.
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A moorish summer ride
BrownhillsBob 1 Jul 18
It’s been a terrific summer so far this year and I’ve really been working on getting my cycling mojo back – and I had a great ride last Friday (29th June 2018) with a 121 miler from Macclesfield, up over the roaches, onto Morridge, around …
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A group effort at Streetly Works?
BrownhillsBob 1 Jul 18
You’ll all know I’m in constant search of material on local factories – either photos of people at work, day trips, group photos, adverts, pamphlets – whatever; whilst theres some stuff emerging now, considering how much time we all spend at …
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The Big Bike Revival – at Walsall Arboretum this Sunday!
BrownhillsBob 1 Jul 18
Also tomorrow (Sunday 1st July 2018) there’s a cycling event at Walsall Arboretum from 11am until 3pm, where you can get your steed checked out for free, child learn to ride taster sessions, watt bike challenge and other fun bike-related stuff.
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Brownhills Motor Sales at Streets Corner – what do you know?
BrownhillsBob 30 Jun 18
Old pal of the blog Alvin Cox contacted me yesterday asking if I had any images of the motor sales workshop/garage that existed at Streets Corner, Walsall Wood, before the Co-op was built: Latterly it was Saturn Motor Sales.
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Events for Armed Forces Weekend – get your car washed, and flypasts and fun at the National Memorial Arboretum
BrownhillsBob 30 Jun 18
I also note that up until 4pm today (Saturday 30th June 2018) you can get your wheels washed at the Crown in Aldridge (yeah, that’s the Elms for us oldsters) in aid of Armed Forces Day – so what’s not to love? Continue reading…
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2018 Burntwood Wakes on right now!
BrownhillsBob 30 Jun 18
Sorry, running very behind today but there’s a great family fun event right now up in Burntwood (Saturday 30th June 2018) with the annual Burtnwood Chase Wakes festival kicking off at Burntwood Leisure Centre from 12-4pm.
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A5 Live in 2018!
BrownhillsBob 29 Jun 18
Long term readers will remember the annual music and fun festival that’s taken place on the smallholding just off the A5 at Newtown, Brownhills – formerly called Cockfest (because it took place on a chicken farm), last year becoming A5 Live.
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Everyone back to school! A great reunion coming this Saturday!
BrownhillsBob 29 Jun 18
Oh my (school) days, there’s a terrific thing going on at Brownhills Community Centre, what my generation called the Annex but was originally the Central Boys School – there’s going to be a celebration, reunion and open day for those who …
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Community fun day – this Saturday!
BrownhillsBob 28 Jun 18
There’s a great Community Fun Day taking place this Saturday 30th June 2018 at St.
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Plans submitted for extra parking at Oak Park
BrownhillsBob 27 Jun 18
One of the things that’s surprised me about the new Oak Park Active Living Centre, built and opened on the field of the previous one to a positive reception in 2016, has been it’s immense popularity – with the facility likely to see in excess…
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Thousands of pounds worth of damage caused in vandalism incident at Brownhills School – did you see anything?
BrownhillsBob 26 Jun 18
This is an urgent appeal for help from the headmistress of Brownhills School, Helen Keenan, who got in touch via Twitter today to tell me that there had been an nasty incidence of severe vandalism to cars parked at the school yesterday evening (…
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A belated, but heartfelt happy birthday to Aer Reg!
BrownhillsBob 26 Jun 18
Yesterday (Monday 25th June 2018), this post was supposed to be automatically published at 6am.
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Blooming hard work for canal volunteers – can you help?
BrownhillsBob 24 Jun 18
Tom Reid from the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust has been in touch to let us know aboutGarden of Reflection they’re creating near the canal under restoration near Lichfield, and how they’re helping with Britain in Bloom.
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How Morris came to be…
BrownhillsBob 24 Jun 18
Last week I highlighted what turned out to be a very popular drone film by Danny Whittle that featured a section of The Brownhills Miner – whom many of us know as the Tin Man, Morris or Jigger – and it occurred to me that since he’s been in …
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Local cafe burgled overnight – did you see anything?
BrownhillsBob 24 Jun 18
Images posted by Colliers Cafe on Facebook In the early hours of this morning (Sunday 24th June 2018) at 2:50am, Colliers Cafe on West Coppice Road, Brownhills was broken into – the proprietors have posted the above images on facebook.
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Golden years
BrownhillsBob 23 Jun 18
Here’s one I’m very surprised that the young David Evans hasn’t murdered me for neglecting – I’ve this for ages (since last Christmas, in fact) but not found time to assemble it and prep it for the blog, but now seems like as good a time …
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The boat that they rowed – how about some Shire Oak and Walsall Wood Youth Club memories?
BrownhillsBob 22 Jun 18
Here are a couple of wonderful photos from Walsall Wood Youth Club in the late 60s and early 70s that local lady Sue Mason recently posted to old pal Janey Hatfield’s brilliant, growing Walsall Wood group on Facebook, where Sue also posted a …
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Fancy some feelgood live music? Catch 3QA at The Lamp, Brownhills this Saturday!
BrownhillsBob 22 Jun 18
There’s a splendid concert being staged this Saturday evening 23rd June 2018 at the Lamp Arts Theatre at Brownhills Activity Centre, just on the Miner Island in the centre of Brownhills – from 7:30pm, feel good vocal four piece 3QA will be …
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Morris Miner and Brownhills – as you’ve never seen them before!
BrownhillsBob 21 Jun 18
Morris from aa very unusual angle.