Sutton Mill Dam Health Check
With last weekend being the official start of British Summer Time and with the sun shining brightly, I thought I would wander down to the Sutton Mill Dam to see how well it had survived the winter months. It was good to see quite a lot of activity both on and off the water and I was especially pleased to see that the pair of mute swans have finally returned. They were busy annoying the fishermen on the banks of the Dam, attracted as always by their fish bait. The great crested grebes were there (pictured left) diving for fish. They are wily creatures - a fixture on the lake now - but almost hunted to extinction for their feathers. With a number of youngsters at the wildlife park enjoying themselves, butterflies flying around and buds on the trees, it was all looking very promising for the Summer.
The Peacock butterfly adding colour to the Sutton Mill Dam
The downside? Well considerable damage has been caused to a number of the angling platforms during winter with at least one set on fire. A few trees were damaged during the January gales with one now sprawled across the lake. Another fallen tree on a woodland path is inhibiting access to Clock Face Road (edit 3/4/07 it's now been cleared) . However, it's the dumped rubbish and overall condition of the wildlife park which is the main cause of concern. Standing on the west bridge I could count five tyres and one waste bin that had been dumped into the water nearby. I do wonder how often the council retrieves rubbish from the Mill Dam. It clearly happens but it doesn't seem to be more than a few times a year.
Several of the angler's fishing platforms have been damaged
In 2006 I spent many days at the dam making a video and taking photographs. I was very impressed by the number of locals who would regularly stop to talk to me. They were so passionate about the site and upset at its deterioration. One said "Prince Charles wouldn't recognise it if he came back ", referring to HRH's visit to the Sutton Mill Dam in 1988. Another wondered why those undertaking community service weren't delegated to improve the dam.
This web site was created to celebrate, not denigrate, the areas of beauty in Sutton, St Helens. However it has to be said that sites like the Sutton Mill Dam could be so much nicer if given some TLC. One local told me last year that he'd seen a man dismantling some of the railings near the west bridge. He passed the iron rails onto his young children who put them in the back of his van. Upon being challenged, the guy said he was going to construct a garden swing out of them! Many years have passed since that incident but as can be seen from this picture (right), nothing has been done to repair the railings. The photograph (left) shows the sign at the entrance to the Mill Dam in Mill Lane. It's a dreadful advert and has been in this state for some time. Of course people shouldn't vandalise and dump rubbish in the first place. But if the impression is given that noone cares, then some will take that as tacit approval for their acts. I will be writing to those with responsibility for the wildlife park to see what they are doing to improve it and report back.
However, the Sutton Mill Dam gets a positive health check overall from me. It's just in some desperate need of that TLC. But then aren't we all!
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MILL DAM PHOTO-ALBUM
