Author: BrownhillsBob

I told the truth - but told it bent. Wandering around bemused and ranty since 2007.

June 6th – A day of short, sharp showers and sunny spells. Sadly, the wind, absent of late, seems to have returned. I was fortunate on my way to work to avoid being caught in this squall by taking shelter under the canal bridge that conducts Bridgman Street in Walsall over the canal. 10 minutes later I was on my way in warm, bright sunshine.

July 5th – Spinning up The Parade, I was turning onto the A5 when I spotted these old railings at the roadside. I remember these from when I was a child. I wonder how old they are? They could certainly do with some love… I’m amazed that they survived at all. I wonder what their original purpose was?

July 5th – St. James Church is the parish church of Brownhills. Designed by architect G.T. Robinson, it has stood in the quiet heart of Brownhills since 1850. A cruciform design, it is built out of red sandstone blocks and features a distinctive, odd-looking spire. Sadly, like many churches in the Lichfield Diocese, it has suffered the indignity of having a hideous, unsympathetic extension bolted onto it. Whoever was responsible for this aberration must surely feel remorse.

Funny thing, though; up until I took the photograph I could have sworn the church had a clock. It clearly does not. Funny how you mind plays tricks.

July 4th – Anyone reading my work would think that I am completely against public artworks. This isn’t the case, there are plenty which I like, but this sculpture at Catshill Junction is not amongst them. A clearly very detailed piece, it has been placed on  a canal bank on the far side of the junction where it cannot be seen clearly enough to discern the detail. Further, it’s overgrown and looks unloved. How much did we spend on this, and what was the point?

July 4th – The day started bright enough, but finished a dull, headache-grey overcast. Returning home from work I hopped onto the canal at Walsall Wood and headed towards Brownhills. I noted that one of the two pairs of breeding swans on the canal were active and had six surviving cygnets. In recent years this has been a large clutch, but 6 or 7 years ago it seemed usual to see broods of 8 or more. I wonder if this reduction in cygnets is just normal or if something darker is at work? The other pair only managed two.

July 3rd – Later in the afternoon, I cycled along the track next to the canal from Tamhorn to Hademore. Crossing the brow of the hill, a patch of set-aside land had been sown with an assortment of wildflowers. An absolute riot of blues, reds, purples and yellows all mixed with whites. In many ways this was far more impressive than the manicured gardens of Footherley Hall.

July 3rd – The fete was in full swing when I rolled past at 2pm. I decided to take a look – organised by and held in the grounds of the Sisters Hospitalers ladies nursing home near Shenstone, the Footherley summer fete is a typically English concern. The nuns of the home mingle with residents, families and villagers. The grounds of the former hall are gorgeous and beautifully manicured.

July 2nd – Heading for the canals again, I hopped on the cut at Coalpool, and followed the waterway north and westwards to Wolverhampton. The towpaths were good, and the canal surprisingly clean and green – even in the worst bits of the inner city. Heading down the mainline, I came through Coseley, Tividale and hit the Toll End loop under the M5 at Oldbury, near the old Chance Glassworks. From here I crossed Brindley Place and headed from Salford Junction under Spaghetti out to Minworth and home via MIddleton. A pleasing, easy 60 miler.

I never tire of canal rides.

July 1st – I see the work to upgrade the electricity transmission line from Ray Hall to Drakelow continues apace – this is the same line that I’ve been watching in South Staffordshire. Here at Great Barr, the line is being rerouted to the south a few hundred yards. A new pylon has been erected, and the lines are being transferred over. Fascinating stuff.