Mill Pool Clean up with Litter Watch and Local Community
11 January 2019
On 12th December 2018 Hateley Cross Big Local joined forces with Tipton Litter Watch and local community to clean up Mill Pool, an area of green space in Stone Cross, West Bromwich.
The team of people spent two hours on the area, getting off to a quick start and clearing large amount of cans, plastic bottles, crisp packets, glass bottles and other small littered items from the banks and trees off Beverley Road.
Armed with refuse sacks, litter picks and sturdy footwear we all went over the grassed areas of the place affectionately known as ‘The Milky’ to discover lots of fly tipping and more general rubbish.
Mill Pool is nestled between Hydes Road, Rydding Road and the expansive green space runs from Hall Green Road in north to Westminister Road at farthest point.
The pool’s history includes the presence of water mills on the site dating back to the 1570s.
When they ceased to exist by the 1840s, the site and neighbouring land was then let to coal mining firm Thomas Bottley & Co.
It had been left for many years and was once a local tip. Now restored after Hateley Heath Initiative invested money into area to clean out Mill Pool and green space.
The area is popular for dog walking, walking and there is many forms of wildlife living in the area especially bird life on the pool.
In total, there was 9 volunteers and staff from Tipton Litterwatch, one staff member from Hateley Cross, three members of public. This relates into £260 worth of volunteer time for the two hours work from the team, Sandwell Council come and collect the items in their transport leading to more costs.
The end results of the litter pick:
Litter Watch Hateley Cross Big Local and local residents have completed a successful #litterpick on #millpool #milky #hateleyheath #stonecross #hateleycross today. Thank you for that attended. 43 bags collected and lots of fly tipping cleared.
Comments on Social media after the event include:
What a satisfying two hours work. Hope all who use ‘The Milky’ appreciate our efforts to make this area pleasant for all
What an absolute great job everybody did you should all be so proud of yourselves well done
Hateley Cross Big Local and Litterwatch along with local residents will be completing more litter picks across the Big Local area. Please look out for these dates on our social media and website alternatively if you wish to get involved with the Big Local project, please contact Marc Pearson to arrange. Litterwatch are looking for residents to ‘Adopt a Street’ please contact them at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
