One hundred and fifty years ago, this area was at the heart of one of the biggest iron and coke works in the world. A two mile long underground canal from mine workings emerged just to the right of the photograph above. Thirty years ago the canal was a filthy ditch surrounded by dying chemical works. As these two photographs demonstrate, it is now a glorious haven for anglers, walkers, cyclists and all sorts of wildlife.

Beieve it or not, the photo below shows the same view in the 1960s.

The photo below shows the Trust's Volunteer Work Party digging out Mill Green Bridge in 1991. (Photo © John Lower)