Tag: Walsall

February 13th – I see the new offices for Walsall Housing Group – the hived-off housing association that owns almost all of Walsall Council’s former social housing stock – are nearly finished. This inelegant, six and a half million pound edifice has undergone a protracted construction; the glass units forming the frontage were faulty and fogged up soon after placement, the manufacture being faulty. It’s notable that some panels are still cloudy. This ill conceived building seems to be fully lit at night, presumably at no small expense, and is completely devoid of public transport support. This could be considered an oversight considering WHG’s tenant profile.

That money would have built a lot of decent homes.

February 13th – It struck me as I returned from work late, that hospitals grow their own economic microclimate. All round Walsall’s new Manor Hospital, there are a range of convenience shops. More than average numbers of newsagents, cafes, taxi offices and even undertakers. Oddly, fast food outlets of varying degrees of healthiness also proliferate. I wonder if they’re serving the staff, or patients more? Here on the Pleck Road, business looked brisk, even at this evening hour.

February 9th – The old General Hospital in Walsall closed a long time ago. It’s services moved into a large new complex at the site of Walsall Manor Hospital, I guess nearly two decades ago now. The old, rambling, ramshackle and inadequate edifice was mostly demolished, except for the original, Victorian outpatients building. This was retained and formed part of a new social housing development on the site. The doors aren’t original, but the ironwork sign above them is; as are the intricate terracotta ornamentations. Originally called ‘The Heritage’, the name seems to have been inexplicably changed to ‘Lion House’. It’s nice to see such a prominent bit of Walsall’s architectural history survive – proof that we can get it right occasionally.

February 9th – On the A461 Lichfield Road, between Rushall and Shelfield, a truly remarkable bit of parking. The rear tyre of this car hasn’t made it onto the pavement, but is about two inches clear of the road, too. One assumes the driver is too lazy or incompetent to even park the car properly, let alone the legality of leaving it on the pavement. Sadly, I doubt if a parking enforcement officer will wander this far from the revenue stream in central Walsall….

February 8th – Two very snatched pictures, proving that some pubs can have a life after death. Both houses were blighted by tough reputations – neither Pleck’s Brown Lion, with it’s gorgeous glazed-tile frontage, nor Darlaston’s Three Horse Shoes, at the Bullstake, were considered salubrious places. Both closed, and spent time derelict. However, after a time, both inns have been converted to dwellings, maintaining their pub character. Much better than losing them altogether.

February 8th – Cruising up over Church Hill in Walsall for a bit of variety, I reflected on how Lower Rushall Street has been changed from a busy back way to a main artery since the construction of the new Ring Road. I pity the poor souls living right on the road’s edge at the converted former Eyelands factory, and the recent one way system around Ablewell Street is hardly a joy to behold. Yet, as I traversed this modern wonder, I noticed the historical constant: St. Matthews in clear view, imperious and imposing. A beautiful thing in a sea of urban sprawl.

February 6th – it was a tough journey to work. After the chill of the previous week it felt almost humid, yet it was quite chilly with a constant, searching drizzle. The snow of Saturday was still melting, and there were huge pools of standing water on the roads. Dropping onto the canal at Bridgeman Street in Walsall looking for a break from the relentless traffic, the towpath turned out to present its own challenge. Not treacherous with the studded tyres, but hard work to plough through. Horrid.

February 2nd – I’ve been gradually aware that the Town Wharf area of Walsall – formerly the industrial area around Marsh, Station, Charles and Bridgeman Streets, is gradually being gentrified. This is welcomed by many, but I’m apprehensive. There’s much history – and employment – in these backstreets, and I’m concerned at the loss of both heritage and trading space. Buildings like the former BOAC works may not be beautiful, but they’re architecturally and historically important, and currently empty, they seem to be quivering before the arsonist’s municipal zippo.

This chimney is a case in point – already in the shadow of the steelwork skeleton of yet another block of thrown-up apartments, it surely cannot be long before this major part of the Walsall skyline is itself carried to dust. This is a huge local landmark. There has to be a better way, surely.

February 1st – High above the shop-fronts in Stafford Street, Walsall, on the shop next to The Prince Blucher pub, there’s a blue plaque. I first noticed it about 4 years ago and it has intrigued me to this day. The text is so small and placement so obscure that I never managed to read it properly, which is a shame. I see from my photo that it commemorates Joseph Deakin, a name I’d not heard before. It seems this one time anarchist, political activist and would-be terrorist of sorts has a tale to tell all of his own. And I never realised. What guide to the town breathes the name? Who mentions this clearly very principled, yet misguided man? Who’d have thought so much history could be found in such an obscure place?

January 30th – This was the cold, clear, bright day I was hoping for on Sunday. Sadly, I had to go to work. On the whole, I’d rather have been throwing my bike around Cannock Chase, but then, you can’t have everything.

Today, for some reason, I chose not to take my usual route through The Butts and headed down to the Arboretum Junction. As I cycled past, I noticed the sunlight and haze over the Arboretum lake and decided to take a few pictures. Sadly, they all suffered from lens flare, but the view was gorgeous. Good to see the refurbishment coming on so well. The bandstand seems to be wonderfully restored.