Madeley Staffordshire - Mill Pool Restoration

Mill Pool Restoration

Below are photographs taken during and after the restoration of Madeley Pool. When the mill had been converted into dwellings, the pool was drained of water. (you could have walked across it before and only wet your ankles due to heavy silting.)

The course of the brook was diverted to allow digging to commence so as to remove the silt that had built up over the years.

Work on the dam end on Moss Lane progresses. The mill conversion had been completed some time before restoration had started. The whole area was fenced for safety reasons and a divert channel excavated along the footpath next to Poolside. As the draining process proceeded the fish stock were caught and relocated off site allowing for a later restock upon completion. The bricks in this photo were used as hardcore to build a temporary roadway across the mud to prevent the tipper trucks from sinking. A drainage sump, just out of sight at the lower part of the picture was dug to capture leakage from the Lea and pumped over the sluice gate on the right. Two islands, one submerged and shown left of centre were constructed and planted. This particular island can be identified today during the summer when the water lilies appear from under the water in that area. At the other end of the pool the second island has mature bushes growing on it and is fully visible. (Photo - © Paul Lawton)

Looking from the Sluice Gate situated at the dam at the junction of Moss Lane and Poolside. Excavation is being carried out by tracked diggers just visible at the end of the temporary waterway. (two triangle shapes) The Moss can be seen on the right.

(Photo - © Andrew T. Finney)

Looking from the Sluice Gate as it is today. This photograph was taken slightly to the right of the one above. The temporary waterway has been fashioned into a channel terminating 3/4's of the way down the left hand side of the pool. Two wooden pedestrian bridges have been erected over the channel. The Offley Arms can clearly be seen in the left of this picture. A point worthy of note is how the trees have matured in the intervening years. The Moss again can be seen on the right.

(Photo - © Andrew T. Finney)

Madeley Pool

A similar view to the colour picture above, this time from the dam embankment which did not exist prior to the clean out. Water Lilies can be seen to the left of the bush. The Mill is behind the photographer.

(Photo - © Andrew T. Finney)

The Sluice Gate situated at the dam. Note that the area has been fenced off for safety reasons. In the background are houses along the A525 Poolside. The Offley Arms can just be seen on the right in the background.

Madeley Pool Clean Out - Poolside

The Offley Arms Viewed from Grayling Willows

Taken in 1984, this view shows The Offley Arms viewed from Grayling Willows on the opposite side of Madeley pool. (see colour pictures immediately above) What is noticeable is that the channel running the length of the pool is not yet present. After the pub restoration a patio was built where the white van now stands. It appears that it is quite a windy day, due to the bend on the tall tree on the left.

(Photo - © Kevin J. Clarke)

Looking towards the former Mill. Residual water after the drainage can be seen. It should be noted that the fish life was rescued and helped to restock the pool after the clean out was complete. On the right can be seen a temporary water channel for the stream which runs alongside the footpath parallel to the A525. Out of picture on the right is The Offley Arms.