Tag: Brownhills

May 8th – a late afternoon escape and another grim wind. I took the easy option and went looking for deer on the common – I’ll find the buggers if it kills me, not had a sniff for weeks. Sadly, there were too many dogs about and too many kids making too much noise. I investigated the old Slough Arm canal branch that used to run parallel to the old rail line and take the coal from the pits on the common, and noted the bridge was still in decent condition. A trip up round the tracks on the common ensued; Marklew’s Pond – named after the farmer and tommy shop proprietor who lived nearby – was looking gorgeous. The woods are dotted with yellow and orange poppies, too. On the north common it was quiet, and buzzards were mobbed overhead by crows. Not a bad couple of hours out and about, all in all.

April 29th – A return along the canal prompted me to photograph this fine piece of history. One of only two listed structures in Brownhills, it used to carry the South Staffordshire Railway over the Wyrley and Essington Canal. It’s now slowly decaying, with large holes in the bridge deck and the metalwork corroding steadily. 

Sadly, nobody seems to want to take responsibility for this unloved bridge. It’s a shame, because I think it’s a fine example of victorian utilitarian architecture – simple blue brick, lightly decorated, totally functional.

April 17th – wonderful to see the swans are nesting again on the canal by Lanes Farm. They used to nest in the reeds at the winding hole further down, but in the last couple of years, they’ve gradually moved closer to the mill. Whether this will yield a brood this year or be another dry run, it remains to be seen, but it would be nice to see a full compliment of cygnets this year.