Project

Mosaics by the Pool

The Concept

The concept of Mosaics by the Pool came from Batchley community’s wish to celebrate the history of Batchley Pool and the creation of the current mosaics design embedded in the wall by the pool as part of its redevelopment in 2003. People in Batchley also told us they wanted to take part in more creative activities and events.

The event would also be part of Reimagine Redditch’s public art project Paint the Town Redditch. Paint the town Redditch is a broad programme of public art, which will see physical and digital artworks brought to the borough, both co-created with local people and others which are artist led. The artworks will be developed and installed across different neighbourhoods in Redditch.

Reimagine Redditch worked with Batchley Support Group and people from the local community to develop plans for a one-day event as part of the national Heritage Open Days.

Heritage Open Days

Every September thousands of volunteers across England organise events to celebrate our fantastic history and culture, bringing people together to celebrate their heritage, community, and history.

Stories are told, traditions explored, and histories brought to life. It’s the public’s chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences. The theme for 2024 was Routes-Networks-Connections. The theme for Heritage Open Days 2025 was ‘Architecture’, focusing on how we’ve designed and built the world around us.

The Events

In early September 2024, Reimagine Redditch and Batchley Support Group invited the residents of Batchley to discover how Batchley Pool was developed in 2003, and its crowning jewel: a community mosaic artwork displayed on the wall next to the children’s play area.

The day was developed as a free, fun and creative afternoon at Batchley Pool where people could make their own mosaic tile, have a go at circus skills, enjoy some light refreshments and learn about the history of Batchley Pool.

More than 120 people attended the event, enjoyed the free food, and took part in the range of creative and historic activities.

In September 2025, following popular demand, we ran a second Mosaics by the Pool event with the community at the same location. Again, hundreds of people enjoyed the event, which was a happy and fun day in the sun.

Mosaics Workshops

To bring the Mosaics by the Pool event to life, we commissioned artists to provide creative workshops throughout the afternoon. No experience was necessary and the activities were designed for everybody to enjoy.

Worcestershire-based mosaics artist and teacher Jackie Nash led participants through the steps to design and create their own, unique mosaic tile.

The event in 2025 had, in turn, followed more mosaics workshops with artist Jackie Nash earlier in 2025. These workshops led to the creation of more unique mosaics, created by the community, which have now been added to the wall at Batchley Pool.

Circus Skills Workshops 

Performer and entertainer Mark Russell from Solo Circus UK guided people through the exciting experience of learning circus skills. Mark had more than enough skills to challenge the coordination and technique of people with all levels of ability and experience.

The Exhibition – History of Batchley Pool

Batchley Support Group created an engaging visual history dispaly, showing the redevelopment of Batchley Pool from 2003. By compiling archive photographs, design documents, maps and anecdotes from the time, the BSG team were able to share the story of a physical transformation, which is an important piece of local Batchley heritage.

The exhibition stirred many fond memories and started conversations between friends, families, neighbours, as well as from generation to generation. The stories and connections brought a great deal of joy.

New Mosaics and Bench 

During the winter and spring of 2025 people in Batchley came together to take part in a mosaic course, with our partner Batchley Support Group.

Led by professional mosaic artist, Jackie Nash, participants learned new techniques and gained new skills to create their own mosaic artworks.

Today, on the wall opposite to the play area we have added these new community mosaic artworks to the original community mosaic project, which took place in 2003.

In addition to the new mosaics installed at the pool wall, we commissioned Jackie Nash to create a mosaics bench inspired by the mosaics designed and created by the local community.

The mosaic bench is a celebration of the local community, and their ideas and words are included in the design. The artwork reflects the nature of Batchley Pool and the positive impact this has on the community.

The bench is complete and will be installed in November 2025.

Reimagine Redditch Team

The Reimagine Redditch team were available throughout the event to talk to people about the future creative ideas and plans for Batchley and to co-design these with the community.

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