Three Mills Visit PTSG

On Wednesday 25 September 2024, the IAgrE Pioneering Technology Special Interest Group (SIG) joined the Midlands Mill Group (MMG) on their autumn guided tours of three water mills.

Churchill Forge

The day started by visiting Churchill Forge, Nr Kidderminster. https://churchillforge.org.uk/  The site is one of the last water-powered forge mills remaining in an intact state in the UK. Now very rural, the area was once an industrial area with over 10 mills within a radius of 1 mile of Churchill. Before it ceased operating as a commercial enterprise in 1969, the main items produced by the mill were forks, shovels, spades, hoes, rakes, coal shovels, firewood choppers and shovels for the salt industry. The mill is now owned by the Churchill Forge Trust Ltd and run by volunteers.

Daniels Mill

The second premises was Daniels Mill, Bridgnorth, Shropshire. https://www.danielsmill.co.uk/ This is a working water mill originally used for milling flour. The mill has the largest cast iron water wheel in England with a diameter of 11.6 metres (38 feet). Our host, Mr George, whose family had owned the mill for over 250 years, gave a very comprehensive tour of both the inside and outside of the mill, and the associated surrounding area including the leat. The other Guide was Adam Marriott a Trustee and Millwright and had been instrumental in the wheel repairs and following the catastrophic floods some years ago. The mill has hardly been altered since the 1700s.It is now run by a Charitable Trust.

After an excellent lunch at The Witch on the Water café located next to the mill, the group of approximately 30 attendees made their way to the final visit at The National Trust property, Knowles Mill, Bewdley, Worcestershire. The preserved derelict mill. 

A fascinating small water mill along Dowles Brook and the only one remaining in any shape of the ten or so along this valley in the middle of Wye Valley County Park.

Whilst not everyone wished to drive along the exceedingly rough track to the mill, and some were put off by a valley resident who could not believe that we were running a tour party to it.

Anyway, all those who wanted to eventually got there. We knew that some were dropping out as they had a long way to go.

The mill is owned by the National Trust although they are not regular visitors. Most of the structure is there and could be restored. 

The waterway are still in reasonable shape although dry. The wheel has lost all its woodwork and some of the wheel side frames are broken but could be used for patterns during restoration. Pit wheel, wallower and crown wheel and stone nut are all there in enough shape to give a good idea. 

The hosts were Tom Elliott (MMG) and Chris Bradley who lives in the adjacent Mill Cottage.

The day was very informative as well as being a social event. And we had good weather.

David R White (Wrekin Branch) and William Waddilove (Chair, Pioneering Technology SIG)