watermills – Industrial Heritage Networks

New IHSO Podcast: Preserving Cheddleton Flint Mill

September 10, 2025September 9, 2025mikenevell

The lastest industrial heritage podcast from the IHSO project is now available to listen and download. This episode is an interview with Nick Smith, one of a small group of volunteers at Cheddleton Flint Mill in Staffordshire and a trustee of the trust that looks after the site.

The aim of this podcast was to hear from Nick about the mill’s history, to discuss how the site was saved, and how it has been conserved for future generations. You can learn more about the mill and current events on site here: https://cheddletonflintmill.com/

This podcast is part of the wider Archaeotea podcast series recorded by the IHSO, Dr Michael Nevell. You can follow this link to listen to the new episode.

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/archaeotea-podcast/episodes/Preserving-Cheddleton-Flint-Mill-e378aga/a-ac4aeos

*The two waterwheels at Cheddleton Flint Mill, Staffordshire. Image copyright Dr Michael Nevell.*

Mills Archive Trust Receives Funding for Millwrighting Collections

September 9, 2025September 9, 2025mikenevell

The Mills Archive Trust has been successful in acquiring funding from the National Archives ‘Archives Revealed’ programme to help them catalogue and promote their millwrighting records.

‘The Wright Records’, project is part of The Mills Archive Trust’s broader ‘Caring for an Icon’ programme, and will see work being carried out on four key millwrighting collections which still need significant work. These are: the collection of mills historian Rex Wailes; the collection of Vincent Pargeter, millwright; material from building conservationists Owlswirth IJP; and material from millwright Luke Bonwick.

Caring for these collections is a core part of the Trust’s efforts to help ensure the survival of the craft of millwrighting and will serve as a teaching resource, offering models of millwrighting solutions where no direct records exist. Mills Archive Trust Director, Elizabeth Bartram, said: “Caring for windmills and watermills is a key theme within the collections and activities of the Trust. This funding will go a long way in helping us address the needs of a range of people, not least those involved in the care and repair of these iconic structures. We are grateful for this support and are excited to start work on this innovative project”.

Further details here: https://new.millsarchive.org/2025/09/01/funding-awarded-for-millwrighting-collections/

Mills Archive Trust Launch ‘Caring for an Icon’ Crowd Funder

July 11, 2025mikenevell

The Mills Archive Trust need your help locating the records of past millers and millwrights, preserving them in their archive, and making them accessible to modern craftsmen. With this in mind they have launched a new crowd funding appeal – ‘Caring for an Icon’.

The Trust are looking to preserving these records in their archive and make them accessible to modern craftsmen, thereby helping to train the next generation. In order to do that they need to raise significant sums to safe guard the future of these archives.

Folow this link to donate ot the ‘Carings for an Icon’ appeal: https://new.millsarchive.org/caring-for-an-icon/

The Mills Archive Trust is the custodian of the history of mills and milling. They safeguard the stories, skills, and traditions that mills embody. This expertise allows the Trust to protect, interpret, and open access to this rich history. Mills shaped the foundations of the modern world, and the Trust ensure’s that their legacy continues to inspire.

*A millwright at work. Image courtesy of Mills Archive Trust.*

Woodbridge Tide Mill Launches Appeal to Renovate Exterior

March 26, 2025mikenevell

Woodbridge Tide Mill Museum, in Suffolk, is appealling for online donations to raise money for major restoration of the exterior of the listed mill. The museum, in Suffolk, has said the effects of being on the riverfront has meant weatherproof paint needs applying. Museum trustees are hoping that online donations will help them reach a £60,000 fundraising target for the restoration project by September.

John Carrington, Tide Mill Charitable Trust Chairman, said: “Visitor income is insufficient to maintain the Mill and so the trustees must use grant applications and fundraising.” The tide mill, built in 1793, is the fourth to be located on the site. The earliest date for a mill building is from 1170. The structure is one of only a handful of working tide mills left in Britain.

More details about the mill can be found here. The Woodbridge Tide Mill Museum summer opening hours start on the 1st April. To donate to the restoration appeal follow this link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/850-year-old-iconic-lady-in-urgent-need-of-a-face-lift

*Woodbridge Tide Mill, Suffolk. Image courtesyt of Woodbridge Tide mill museum.*

National Mills Weekend 2025: 10 & 11 May

March 10, 2025mikenevell

This year, SPAB’s National Mills Weekend will take place on 10 and 11 May. It will focus on the way that mills past and present have been recorded in pictorial form with the theme ‘Mills in Time’. 

The weekend is an annual celebration promoted by the Mills Section of SPAB.  Across the country hundreds of mills – including some not normally open to the public – will be taking part.

This year, SPAB are encouraging everyone (owner, volunteer, neighbour, or visitor) to share and display images of participating mills. These can be recent photographs or artworks (including embroideries, collages, films, or videos), or paintings, or drawings, and even old maps, postcards, or posters. To share your images go to the #NationalMillsWeekend Facebook page. Please remember to credit the copyright owner and photographer where known.

To check whether your local wind or water mill is opening during the weekend click on the individual site website or follow this link for further details: https://www.spab.org.uk/whats-on/events/national-mills-weekend-2025

SPAB-owned Fladbury Mill and Kibworth Harcourt Post Mill, which aren’t normally open to the public, will also be open for the weekend. To book go to the SPAB website.

*The waterwheel at Stretton Watermill, Cheshire. Image copyright Dr Michael Nevell.*

Small Grants Available in 2025 for Industrial Heritage Museums & Sites

January 14, 2025mikenevell

The dealines for several grant streams suitable for Industrial Heritage museums and sites occur in early 2025. To catch up with what is available for industrial heritage sites and museums explore the following websites.

Foyle Foundation Small Grants The Small Grants Scheme is provided by the Foyle Foundation to support smaller, grass-roots, and local charities in the UK with projects that have the potential to make a significant difference to their work. Grants range from £2k to £10k and the closing date for applications is 31 January. Find outr mor eby followign this link: https://foylefoundation.org.uk/how-to-apply/small-grants-scheme-guidelines/

The Heritage Alliance, whilst not a funding body in itself, co-manages the Heritage Funding Directory  with the Architectural Heritage Fund. This free resource for the sector includes a directory listing funding sources for heritage projects across the UK (and internationally), and includes some helpful guidance on fundraising. It is regularly updated, so its worth visiting regularly.

Finally, the Association for Industrial Archaeology runs several annual grant and award schemes specifically for industrial archaeology and heritage, with closing dates at the end of January and the end of March. Follow this link for further details: https://industrial-archaeology.org/aia-awards/

SPAB Mills November Day Event: Mills at Risk

November 20, 2024mikenevell

Join SPAB on Saturday 30 November, 10am – 4.45pm , for a day of online talks about windmills and watermills that are currently or have been in the past listed on the Heritage at Risk Register.

What happens when a mill is added to the Heritage at Risk Register? What steps can you take to protect a mill from different risks? And why do some restored mills remain at risk? This is a unique opportunity to hear from a range of mill professionals – including volunteers and millwrights. You’ll have a chance to have your questions answered and will receive a recording of the talks after the event.

Follow this link to book a place: https://www.spab.org.uk/whats-on/lectures/spab-mills-day-event-mills-risk

*Sibsey Trader Mill cap undergoing restoration. Image courtesy of SPAB mills section.*

Mills Archive Trust’s ‘Living Heritage Appeal’

November 11, 2024mikenevell

Milsl Archive Trust volunteers learning new archibing skills. Image couresy fo the Mills Archive Trust.

The Mills Archive Trust’s ‘Living Heritage’ appeal is designed to keep alive the legacy of millers and millwrights found within the Trust’s archives, sharing this knoweldge with the public and providing life-changing experiences for their volunteers.

The Mills Archive Trust is a permanent repository for the documentary and photographic records of traditional and contemporary mills and milling, as well as similar structures dependent on traditional power sources, in the UK and beyond. It makes that material freely available for public inspection and use in research and learning.

Their latest appeal is designed to help volunteers acquire the skills needed to catalogue archives relating to specific millers and wind and watermill restorers and experts, such as David Nicholls (1938-2020), and Alan Stoyel. Not only does that help to save these archives and improve public access to them, but the skills acquired help many volunteers to find work within the hertiage sector.

The Mills Archive is one of the world’s great mill collections. It has rescued over three million documents and images that might otherwise have ended up in a landfill site. It is an Aladdin’s cave filled with memories and is free to use. The collections show the rich and diverse crafts, buildings, machinery, equipment, and people involved with mills in the UK and around the world. There is an urgent need to record and make public the technical details of these crafts and the potential impact of the loss of this aspect of our shared cultural heritage.

To donate to the Trust follow this link: https://new.millsarchive.org/donate/

North UK Mills Working Group Seminar on Hydro Power

September 13, 2024September 5, 2024mikenevell

The North UK Mills Working Group are holding a free online meeting about hydro electric power schemes on 9th October. The 1.5 hour meeting will include a presentation on hydro power at New Lanark Mills.

These meetings are for members of the public with an interest in mill heritage, owners or operators of commercial or converted historic mill buildings, and/or those with a full-time role in developing and/or running mills. Everyone welcome!

The North UK Mills Working Group is a collection of interested individuals and organisations (including Heritage Trust Network and SPAB Scotland) who have come together to explore how people and organisations working with mills could be better connected with each other and help keep these buildings, skills, and mill cultures alive and accessible. The group offers an opportunity for organisations working with or people interested in mill buildings to come together, network, and discuss.

To booka free place follow this link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/north-uk-mills-group-october-2024-tickets-941975081827?aff=oddtdtcreator

New Lanark Cortton Mills. Image copyrigth Dr Michael Nevell.

National Mills Weekend 2024, May 11th & 12th

February 10, 2024February 9, 2024mikenevell

The National Mills Weekend for 2024 will take place on 11 & 12 May 2024. Run once again by SPAB, this year’s theme will be ‘Enjoy Your Mill – Get Involved’. If you own or manage a mill and would like to take part in National Mills Weekend, please submit your details by 1st March using the link to the online form at the bottom of this page.

SPAB will use this information to update their Visit a Mill page on their website. If information is received after the deadline, SPAB cannot guarantee that your entry will be updated in time for National Mills Weekend.

More details of the event will be available on the SPAB website on the National Mills Weekend page in the spring. You will be able to download an information pack and a poster from the website. If you have any questions in the meantime, please email millsinfo@spab.org.uk.

Follow this link to register your site: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=c204gnlFbk-5mlcoglTpYGXDUBm8WgFIvYdS_7WR9LZUOVQwUUhZQjY5WlVSUEswQktHM0lTMzlaUy4u

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=c204gnlFbk-5mlcoglTpYGXDUBm8WgFIvYdS_7WR9LZUOVQwUUhZQjY5WlVSUEswQktHM0lTMzlaUy4u

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Category: watermills