Baths protesters walk for backing
Protesters walked from Coseley baths to Dudley Council House, collecting cash for their campaign and signatures from sympathisers.
Protesters walked from Coseley baths to Dudley Council House, collecting cash for their campaign and signatures from sympathisers.
More than a dozen people took part in a sponsored walk from the pool in Pear Tree Lane to Priory Road, Dudley.
They gathered 200 signatures on a petition calling on the council to reopen the baths, which closed at the end of August.
Brian Guest, leader of the Save Coseley Baths campaign group, said that the show of support reflected public anger at the council's decision to shut the pool.
"This just shows the strength of feeling, not just in Coseley, but throughout Dudley as a whole," the 65-year-old, of Elmwood Rise, Sedgley, said. "Everybody is against this decision and that is why we have received such wonderful support from all over the borough."
The walkers expect to raise more than £300 from the five-mile trek, which took just over an hour.
Meanwhile a coffee morning held at Roseville Methodist Church, School Street, Coseley raised almost £200.
Campaigners are stepping up fundraising efforts to bankroll possible legal action to prevent bulldozers moving in to reduce the baths to rubble.
Lawyers acting for the Save Coseley Baths group have asked council bosses to justify their decision to close the swimming pool or face court action.
Solicitors have written to Dudley Council about "various issues" concerning the legality of the decision.
If they are not satisfied with the responses campaigners will press ahead with plans to seek an injunction preventing demolition of the building in Pear Tree Lane.
The cost of launching the courtroom battle could run to £25,000. Points which lawyers are thought to want clarified include the cost of work to bring the baths up to scratch and consultation about the closure. They have set a deadline of December 9 for a reply.
Campaigners were boosted when bats were found to be roosting in the roof space of the baths. Demolition cannot go ahead before the council secures a licence from Natural England.
Coseley Working Men's Club, in Ivyhouse Lane, has agreed to stage a show, with proceeds going towards the fighting fund.
Mr Guest says he has also had several financial pledges from businessmen who are backing the cause.
"Money is steadily rolling in now and we are prepared to go all the way with legal action," he said.
Around 200 people attended an hour-long peaceful protest in Pear Tree Lane last month. Dudley North MP Ian Austin and Wolverhampton South East MP Pat McFadden both spoke in support of the campaign.
The council says the roof needs £1 million repairs to make it safe, and a further £1 million to bring the building up to scratch.
