The mill is never silent while the damsel sings her song    

Abbottsbury Mill in Dorset just along the route to the famous Swannery and Tropical Gardens is up for sale.  One of many interesting stone buildings on this huge, Domesday recorded estate, it was converted to residential use some time ago.  The agents have put a guide price of £695,000 on it.  It appears that some of the stones machinery has been incorporated into the kitchen. Interested in this Leasehold property? Then contact  Jackson-Stops & Staff Dorchester  Tel: 01305 262123  quote   Fast Find: 33784. 

Meanwhile in Berkshire, Calcot Mill is for sale at an asking price of £799,950 through Romans Estate Agents tel. 0118 9439400. Built alongside the Holy Brook, a tributary of the River Kennet, it was bought by Mr & Mrs Meighen in a derelict state, in 1976.  A waterwheel built by Mr Meighen forms a garden feature, however, originally the mill was worked by a wheel encased within the building; perhaps this is the area now housing a sauna and gym. 

Brixton Mill in yes, surprisingly, London had a triumphal reopening after much renovation.  The mill had become a sad, derelict building, abused by drug users, vagrants and vandals.  Local residents formed a strong action group to save this part of Brixton’s history, raising money and awareness to provide a point of community events whilst restoration work was planned. The total cost was just under £600,000, including help of £400,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and £55,000 from the council.  Now plans to grow wheat for the newly restored windmill to grind into flour are under way and an actor who has learned the craft of milling is quoted as saying "It's a living part of our history. If we lose buildings like this, we lose something of ourselves as human beings."

Good news for important sites which seemed doomed to closure: Etruria Bone & Flint Mill and Morewellham Quay are reported to be alive and well with their futures sorted.  Etruria Industrial Museum has a list of steam-up dates on the first weekend of each month when the 1903 coal-fired boiler provides steam to operate  the steam engine ‘Princess’ which powers the grinding machinery; the end product goes to make pottery. You will find it alongside the Cauldon & Trent Canals in  Stoke-on-Trent ST4 7AF Tel: 01782 233144.    Morewellham Quay with its massive waterwheel has been bought from Devon County Council by the couple who own the successful Bicton Gardens near Budleigh Salterton.  Wanting to inject new life into this fascinating former mining village they have certainly raised its profile as it was recently used in the television series “Victorian Farm”.  For opening details and special events check the website: www.morwellham-quay.co.uk or tel: 01822 832766.

However, if you’re travelling takes you to another region, a Guest House/B&B in Lincolnshire within Tallington Mill near Stamford comes with a recommendation by Angela and Nigel Smith who stayed there a few years ago and they said:  “The mill is no longer capable of working and some of the original machinery is missing or has been moved, but what is left creates a nice feature of the building and our memory of the bed and breakfast was good.” You’ll find it on the internet and the address is Mill Lane, Tallington, Stamford, PE9 4RR. Tel:  01780 740815.