Tag: chuckery

February 26th – Really not well at all, I did a few hours of necessary stuff at work and crawled home mid-afternoon. I wanted a change, so I came over Church Hill, and stopped to take some photos while up there. 

Church Hill is one of those conundra that I find troubling. St. Matthews is as beautiful as ever, and the views would be splendid were they not obscured by mature, beautiful trees. I want rid of some of them for a better view, but I also don’t…

No sign of the peregrines on the bellcote, but this is the first time I realised you can see the Workhouse Guardian’s offices from up here – and they look better from such a distance, and also, terribly out of place. Marooned.

St. Matthews itself is suffering the rogues of the weather, and desperately needs some love. I hope the CofE can get around to giving this venerable old church a bit of love soon.

December 11th – Thoroughly rotten but very necessary journey into Walsall in an evening rain storm. The wind was against me and conditions were vile, including a rather flooded Grown Lane. As if to poke fun at me, the wind that made my progress so hard on the way in had died by my return, but the rain continued.

A couple of nice Christmas trees, though – at Chuckery up at Hydesville and at a very wet Rushall.

I was glad to get home tonight.

November 29th – Feeling better, we headed up Church Hill for a spot of atmospheric stuff. Taking photos in a solitary fashion everyday makes the process mundane; I’d forgotten the joy and mischief of working with someone else. And up on Church Hill at night, you really need someone else for security. It’s bloody dark.

Yes, there is a Late Night Feelings thing going on – well spotted. That’s for Pedro Cutler.

Go on, I dare you, tell me this place isn’t beautiful;. Just try it.

Eager to see the results, we got on our bikes, and rode home.

October 9th – I came back through Walsall and had to make a call in Chuckery. Just as I came over the brow of the hill on the Sutton Road, I caught sight of the moon.

We don’t seem to get normal, plain old moons any more. Every one lately has to be a ‘supermoon’, a ‘blood moon’ or some other silliness. Still, as long as folk look up and see our sole astronomical satellite, I guess it’s all good.

A handheld, spur of the moment shot with a small, consumer camera. Inbetween me, and that big old moon? Just static, and silence. Sobering, and impressive to think about.

June 7th – Between The Chuckery and Highgate in Walsall, the architecture on the Sutton Road continues to fascinate. On a wet Thursday evening, even in the dark murk of the tail end of a rainstorm, the glistening tiles, Victorian bays and ornate chimney pots still looked precious. A pleasure, whatever the season or weather.

May 10th – Later on, back in Walsall thanks to the Sultan’s Magic Carpet that is London Midland, I cycled up Church Hill and over into Chuckery. St. Matthews was looking fine in the evening light, but the top of the market looks shabby and unloved. I still can’t get used to the architectural insensitivity of the Asda shed built nearby. A complete contrast to the fine building I passed on the corner of Bernard Street and Sutton Road. It’s one of those I’ve been passing on and off for years, but never really stopped to study. What a remarkable building, of which I know absolutely nothing. Do any readers have any information? I just love the ‘tower’…