Clik here to view.
How the Brave New World began in Walsall Wood, 1952
Ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, I present another fantastic piece by regular contributor David Evans. David is writing so much good stuff at the moment… I’m sure you’ll all join with me in...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Royal memories sought for community project
I was contacted yesterday by Naomi Jones at Brownhills Library, who asked me if I’d like to publicise their local history appeal for Royal Jubilee year. Whether you’re a royalist or not, the social...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Memories of Chasewater
I've had a great email from reader Stuart Cowley, about growing up and spending summers helping his family out at the cafe in Chasewater in the 1960s. It's a really touching, well-written piece. I...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A Chasewater childhood
Regulars will remember that recently, I featured a post from reader Stuart Cowley, who generously recounted mhos memories of of summers spent in and around Chasewater, where his family worked at the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Local history event next Saturday!
Thanks to blog readers Naomi Jones and David Evans, I can flag up this interesting looking slideshow and talk from respected and knowledgable local historian Bill Mayo. Bill, as I'm sure you're all...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Local history event next Saturday!
Thanks to blog readers Naomi Jones and David Evans, I can flag up this interesting looking slideshow and talk from respected and knowledgable local historian Bill Mayo. Bill, as I'm sure you're all...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Bill Mayo history talk today!
Thanks to blog readers Naomi Jones and David Evans, I can flag up this interesting looking slideshow and talk from respected and knowledgable local historian Bill Mayo. Bill, as I'm sure you're all...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Wonderful afternoon
A quick word from myself and reader David Evans, in thanks for the great talk by Bill and Geoff at the Parkview Centre yesterday. As stalwarts of the local history scene in Brownhills, it's wonderful...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Brownhills Central Boy’s School: Can you help?
A very interesting request for help came in last week from Bonita Clayton of Brownhills Community Association, who as you'll know, are based at the former Brownhills Central Boy's School, or as my...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Early days in Foxes Row
In the sea of technical chaos I've been bobbing in in the last few days, I have somehow managed to find time to edit up the beginning of a new series of memories of life in Brownhills. Continue reading →
View ArticleClik here to view.
As the dual carriageway came through
I've had a bunch of film clips for a while, which were recorded in short sections and obtained by the young David Evans from Barbara, the daughter of Fred Shingler who ran the Park View Methodist...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The scars were always black
The generosity of Mavis Woodhouse in allowing David Evans, myself and you readers to share her privately produced family history book is really proving to be a rich source of discussion, debate and new...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Not only customers, but friends
A lovely bit of ephemera relating to Deakins' Central Stores and Jonah Deakin has been sent in by the wonderfully generous Gillian Gaiser, who donated her wonderful writing about the Deakin family to...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A huge black cauldron
Mavis Woodhouse really started something when she kindly donated her family history material to the blog - the Foxes Row article was very popular, the Victor Haines material had us all head scratching,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
I’m after all the tanners!
The Mavis Woodhouse material featured here of late is a local history gift that just keeps giving, and yesterday, I had a fascinating email very kindly sent to me by Ann Grinstead, the lady who edited...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Life after the war
I still have a little of the very popular Mavis Woodhouse material to come - so far we've had the Foxes Row and Victor Haines articles, the Fred Shingler film of Newtown, Mavis's recollections of the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Avoiding the Red Caps with the permission of Captain Palmer
It's always a joy to feature articles here by the wonderful Anslow brothers; over the years John and Paul have contributed so much to our local history knowledge, from everyday but special weddings, to...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The forgotten Coventry bombing that blew a Walsall Wood bricklayer off his feet
An additional piece followed the original article I featured by John and Paul Anslow last week, on the subject of Walsall Wood and Pelsall wartime air raids - this one is about an IRA attack in...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Illuminating Ray – one for the researchers?
I have here an excellent enquiry for a Sunday afternoon which I feel many readers will be very, very interested in - not least Andy Dennis, if he's passing, but maybe others concerned with the Newtown...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Cartoon capers
The post here last Sunday discussing the Newtown area of Brownhills certainly created some interest and raised a few more memories and discussions - and one particular aspect caught the eye of reader...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Can you help with memories of a popular Brownhills school Caretaker?
I have a very unusual enquiry here from friend of the blog Tara Hackett relating to her Grandfather, Tony Hackett - he was a popular local school caretaker for years, and is a bit under the weather at...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Anthony ‘Tony’ Hackett – rest in peace
Earlier this week I posted a request for memories of Mr. Anthony 'Tony' Hackett, who was unwell; his Granddaughter Tara was keen to gather reminiscences of Tony, particularly in his occupation as local...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Anthony ‘Tony’ Hackett – funeral details available
A short while ago it was my sad duty to report the passing of Mr. Anthony 'Tony' Hackett, a well loved and respected Brownhills gentleman who spent may years as a local school Caretaker and scout...
View ArticleClik here to view.
In memoriam: Roger Mosedale
It's my sad and solemn duty to report to readers of the blog that local lad and friend to many regulars on this blog, Roger Mosedale sadly passed away in St. Giles hospice in Goscote on Tuesday, 19th...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Fondly remembering a local musical talent
It was with a very heavy heart that I announced the sad passing of local lad and noted musical talent Roger Mosedale this week - Roger had many, many friends and was well known, and the reaction to the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Funeral details for Roger Mosedale announced – and more of Roger’s music emerges
Following the announcement of the sad passing of local lad and noted musical talent Roger Mosedale last week, and the subsequent huge interest shown in Roger's music, kindly donated by Jake Williams,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
More from The Sundowners set
I continue to be surprised and charmed by the genuine outpouring of warmth and fond memory shown for Roger Mosedale, guitarist and Aldridge lad who sadly passed away recently. Continue reading →
View ArticleClik here to view.
A gentle reminder
This is just a gentle reminder that tomorrow sees the funeral of much-missed son of Aldridge and talented musician Roger Mosedale, about whom much has been posted in the last few weeks. Continue reading →
View ArticleClik here to view.
Picture this: A Chasewater childhood
A wonderful one reached me yesterday morning from old pal of the blog Stuart Cowley, whose memories of growing up at Chasewater in the 1960s and 70s have been some of the most popular posts in the...
View Article
