Signs of the Times in Sutton!

28 November 2009 Categories: Sutton Mill Dam | Sutton Park, St.Helens

I don’t know, whether you’ve noticed but over the last few weeks, blue street signs have suddenly manifested themselves all over Sutton, directing visitors to Sherdley Park, Sutton Leisure Centre, Clock Face, Lea Green, Sutton Village, St.Helens Junction, Burtonwood and the town centre. Excellent news for geographically-challenged folk like myself!

However, it does seem to me that a bit more thought and attention to detail could have gone into this signage, as two of Sutton’s jewels - Sutton Mill Dam and Sutton Park - have both been excluded. Indeed, pictured is the new sign at an entrance to the Mill Dam in Leach Lane which points to the dam’s waterfall just fifty yards away and which is in quite magnificent flow at the moment. As you can see the sign states 'Sherdley Park' and 'Lea Green' station, which although directionally correct, is a little confusing. Then at the access point to the Mill Dam by the Mill Lane Fish Bar, the new sign that points to the entrance to the wildlife nature park states 'Clock Face'.

As a considerable amount of work has been undertaken over the past two years in improving both sites through the sterling efforts of the Friends of Sutton Park and the Sutton Ward Committee’s Environmental Fund, it’s a shame that prospective visitors can’t be properly directed to them. Very recently more resurfacing work has been agreed for Sutton Mill Dam’s network of paths and a youth shelter and more footpaths are in the works for Sutton Park.

At least the signs are technically accurate, unlike some others in Sutton such as the St.Helens Show ‘temporary no parking' sign from 2006 that is still in New Street opposite Sherdley School. Plus the Local Area Map at the Marshalls Cross Road entrance to Lea Green station spells 'dam' as ‘damn'!

dream sign at sutton manor, sthelens
People of all ages enjoyed learning about Sutton Manor Colliery and Dream until a thief struck

At least no one has stolen that sign unlike the very nice board in Sutton Manor that detailed the history of the old colliery and the Dream project, which was taken in October. Since the ‘unveiling’ of Dream earlier this year, I’ve witnessed many people reading and enjoying that. Hopefully, a replica will return before too long. (UPDATE - sign replaced in December '09)

Staring into the Sutton Mill Dam earlier this week, I reflected upon a tragic tale which has been relayed to me by Brenda Macdonald and her 93-year-old mother Joan Heyes from Sydney, who used to lived in Mill Lane, Sutton. Apparently around 1934-5, a young girl drowned herself in the shallow waters of the dam after discovering that her boyfriend had made her pregnant. The shame was simply too much for her. Perhaps she also feared incarceration in Rainhill Mental Hospital as a result of the horrendous Mental Deficiency Act. I'm trying to find out more about this sad story. I've no surname but do know that her father had died in a mining accident and that she lived in Mill Lane. If anyone can provide more details, I'd be most grateful. SRW

sutton mill dam waterfall
It's well worth a visit to Sutton Mill Dam to see the waterfall - photographed 26/11/2009