Mill Lane Diamond Jubilee Field
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MILL LANE DIAMOND JUBILEE FIELD The historical use of this area makes an The mill house had been built early in the 1800's interesting story, having had a variety of uses and had a variety of occupiers until it too was and been known by several names. demolished early in 1950. It was originally the site of a medieval water- On the 23rd October 1909, part of the site of the powered corn mill, the mill pond being fed by Mill Pond (now the Mill Lane Diamond Jubilee the water from Lumb Brook. It was an undershot Field) was sold to Greenall Whitley & Co. by Piers mill, and some of the head and tail gate Egerton Warburton, but by this time it was mechanisms being still visible in the late 1970's. already in an overgrown state, and a very Early maps show it as Latchford Mill but it has unpleasant and insanitary area. also been known as Lumb Brook Mill, and in later years as Stockton Mill. One of the earliest record of this mill is in the land survey conducted by Sir Peter Legh of Lyme in 1465, the then owner. The Arley Estate records show that by the mid 18th century, it was owned by the Egerton family, and in the 19th century Cheshire Tithe maps, the owner is listed as John Smith Barry. The occupier under the latter ownership was Joseph Blinston, who also farmed fourteen acres of adjoining land. The overgrown mill pond ©1900, where eels could be caught in abundance. Note the Mill House on the right facing onto Mill Lane. The area was rescued by Dr J. S. Parker, a Warrington doctor, who requested the owners to improve the area but with little success. However, not daunted, he campaigned to have the area improved, and formed an association, with the grand title of "The Stockton Heath and District Swimming, Angling and Boating Association", with the object of raising money to put his ideas into practice. The corn mill, shown here in the centre of the picture, with He again approached the owners and presented the mill house on the left, and the chimney of the brew- house behind the trees on the right. In the foreground can a plan to turn the area into a recreational lake. be seen the placid waters of the mill pond. Agreement was reached, and Dr. Parker set about raising the money from public The Blinston family operated the corn mill and a subscriptions, with offers of help from Greenall brew house at the back, from the mid 1830's Whitley. So work commenced, the first job being until the mill closed in the early 1890's. It was to dredge the pool over an area of 2.1/2 acres, then demolished, although the family continued ensuring that the bottom was deep enough and to farm the surrounding land for some years. cleared of rubbish in order to be safe and The Deeds for Latchford Mill are now in the John suitable for bathing. Rylands Library in Manchester. The sides were pitched, an island was created in This enviable facility eventually fell into disrepair, the middle and sluice gates built. All work was and on the 20th October 1936, the land on which completed by Messrs. Davenport & Sons and the mill had stood was given to Stockton Heath funded by Greenall Whitley. On the 4th July Parish Council by Greenall Whitley & Co. Ltd.. 1910, the Lake was officially opened by Mrs. The announcement was later made on 18th Lyon of Appleton Hall. December 1970 that a school was to be built on the site. Taken on a very still day, a longer view of Stockton Heath Lake. On the extreme left can be seen the rooftop of the Above: Stockton Heath Lake, after its opening in July 1910 bathing boxes. Centre, are the white cottages, which are still there, in the distance is the smoking Caldwell's Spade Below: The bathing boxes created for the swimmers Works chimney, while on the right is the Mill House and the remains of the brew house. The Parish Council bought the Mill Pond land on 9th February 1960 for £750, and spent £2300 to fence, fill-in and seed the ground where the Lake had been. The field was then rented out to Warrington Town Football Club at a rental of £100 per annum (Council Minutes 25th March 1964), an arrangement which was short lived. After this, the field was used only occasionally as the sports field for St. Thomas's Church School, and by local children, and has been one of the A fleet of rowing boats had been purchased, 24 venues for the Stockton Heath festival since bathing boxes and a diving platform was 2008. provided for swimmers, and the pool was In 2013 the Mill Lane Field was placed in trust as stocked with fish for the anglers. There were a part of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations, score of seats along 250 yards of concrete and as a result, will be protected from footpaths, a refreshment hut had been erected development and preserved as a resource for the and a band was to play on the tree studded community, in perpetuity. It has been renamed island. In the winter the ice was to be reserved the "Queen Elizabeth II Community Field - Mill for skating and curling. All was surrounded with Lane Diamond Jubilee Field". It continues to be hundreds of yards of chestnut fencing. owned by Stockton Heath Parish Council. Compiled by Margaret Fellows .