March 31st – I hopped on the canal to check out if the swans were nesting yet at the new pool at Clayhanger, but I couldn’t get a close enough look properly. As I pressed on homewards to Brownhills, I noticed that the land where the Bayley House towerblock used to stand near Catshill Junction is being prepared for the newbuild development planned there, with plant clearly operating and equipment arriving.

This land has been idle for a decade this May. It’s good to see it come back into use.

November 18th – Humphries House, in Brownhills, is being refurbished, much to the surprise of the residents of Brownhills. The 60’s high-rise block had two companions, Waine House and Bayley House, both now demolished, and it was felt for a while that Humphries House would soon go the same way. Walsall Housing Group, in their infinite wisdom, have chosen to refurbish and reclad the remaining residences instead. I noticed this morning as I passed by on the canal that insulation was being fitted beneath the new cladding, and the fitting of windows was now nearly complete. Don’t envy those guys in the cradle, I can tell you. Bet it’s chilly up there, too…