In celebration of National Mills weekend, the millers at Hele Cornmill are returning to traditional milling methods, grinding flour on the millstones driven by the 18′ waterwheel.
Hele Cornmill dates back to the sixteenth century and was restored in the 1970s by local man, Chris Lovall. However, it is believed that the stones have not been used to produce flour since the 1980s, with stoneground flour instead being produced on the 1920s Blackstone mill.
Since taking over the mill in May 2011, David and Kathy Jones have been working towards getting the stones operational. This has involved mending one of the stone hoists in order to lift the stones to redress them. This work has now been completed and it is hoped that, given the recent rainfall, there will be enough water to at least demonstrate the mill working during National Mills Weekend. Demonstrations are planned for 11.30am on both Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 May and will include the 1920s National Diesel Engine which can be used as an alternative power source. Entry: Adults £3.00, Children £1.50.
For further details of mills participating in National Mills weekend visit www.nationalmillsweekend.co.uk.
Kathy Jones: 07554 310176 or 01271 863185
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