Meanwhile, back at Watlington House, we are
celebrating on three counts: two of our volunteers,
Guy Boocock and Nathanael Hodge, have secured
Vodafone Award Grants which will fund their
archiving work with us for four months; the third
cause for celebration is that 2012 marks the tenth
anniversary of the Mills Archives’
existence. So, a party is being organised for all
supporters in July. The date and details will be
confirmed in the next newsletter. As we have a
constant expenditure on vital archival quality
methods of storing all the irreplaceable items
pertaining to the vast subject of mill research, we
hope more enthusiasts will join our Friends of
the Mills Archive and share in our success and
help to Save the Memories for generations to come.
Russell Jones has registered the SPAB Mills
Section with Easyfundraising.
Agreements with many internet retailers, insurance,
utility and travel companies afford the opportunity
to raise funds for the Mills Section every time a
participant makes a purchase online. To find out
how to be a participant and help the Mills Section’s
funds, visit:
www.easyfundraising.org.uk.
Mills in the Media Nostalgic landmark or an
attractive scene, our windmills and watermills seem
to almost dominate many of the BBC’s programmes
lately. Knockando Wool Mill featured on
Open Country (Radio 4) which prompted me to find
out more. You can hear the programme on BBCiplayer.
Photo no.2 from the mill’s website
shows a tired mill worker at the end of an open day
or could it have been after a day’s interviewing for
the Beeb? Opening credits of Escape to the
Country and Britain’s Empty Homes feature
Jack & Jill Windmills and the former Forge Bank
Mill on the Hollywood River at Marple Bridge in
Derbyshire respectively. The latter forged shovels
and other agricultural tools but is now a beautiful
home which also caters as a b&b; alas no sign of the
former industry, only the waterwheel remains.
Crakehall Watermill was renovated and brought
into milling life in a 3-episode Big Bread
Experiment ‘overseen’ by Sarah Beeney with the
guidance of milling consultant Martin Watts, and
education from Peter Morgan, miller from Tocketts
Mill. Flour from the mill was used by some ladies
from nearby Bedale who learned how to make decent
bread. The mill still works and now has a café. For
further info see their websites:
www.knockandowoolmill.org.uk;
forgebankmill.com;
crakehallwatermill.co.uk.
Hundreds of windmill postcards are up for grabs on
ebay – the Hampshire & IOW ones spotted were:
Fawley, Hambledon, Southsea, Bembridge, Cowes,
Freshwater, Ryde and Upton.
Upminster Windmill is now the home of the
lovely, authentic, model windmill (photo no. 3)
built by Paul Stileman and offered for sale in
our winter newsletter. Made in Hampshire, its new
owners say it will form part of an educational
display at the mill in Essex.
Photo no.4 is of a newly built smock mill at
Foxton in New Zealand. Friends visiting there sent
me the postcard which states that ‘de Molen, a
replica and fully operational 16th cent
Dutch style flour mill (korenmolen)...result of
voluntary work by Foxton Windmill Trust Inc.
Built entirely from donations and sponsors...is a
totally unique NZ attraction.’
Sheila Viner
