Well, spring is fast approaching and the sun is streaming through the office window straight onto the computer screen.

Our Christmas meeting was held on Saturday 6th December 2014 at the D Day Memorial Hall, Southwick, and we had a first class buffet organised and prepared by Eleanor and Ruth.  Carol and Jane helped at the hall with the serving.  I would like to thank them all on your behalf for all their hard work.

We then had a short meeting before adjourning to the old Southwick Brewery which some of the early HIAS members had helped to restore and brew beer many years ago.  David Plunkett gave a short presentation on the reopening of Bursledon Windmill.  After coffee the meeting was closed.

In January, Ivor, Mick, and I paid a visit to Durley Mill to inspect and give some advice on the repair of the sluices, which we duly did. It certainly is a pretty site, I had only seen it in the dark before.

The three day trip to the Midlands is set to go ahead on the 15 to 17 May 2015.  There are still a couple of seats available if anyone would like a weekend away. 

Our next meeting will be on March 14th when Peter Hill will give us an illustrated talk entitled "The Alternative uses of Animal, Water and Wind Power".

Basil Hunt's Legacy - report by Eleanor Yates

Letter from a HMG Founder Member

Our Treasurer, Eleanor, recently received a letter from one of the Group’s Founder Members - Patricia Parr.  Twelve years ago, when I became Newsletter Editor “first time round”, Patricia was a regular contributor to the Newsletter, telling her tales of “Mills by Wheels”.  She and her husband, Dick (known affectionately by many as “Pa”) bought themselves a caravanette and took themselves off on expeditions to research and find mills.  She tells me that the result has been many years of  travel, thousands of photographs and lots of very happy memories.

Patricia’s letter concludes:

“………  over the years, the newsletter has helped my husband and I plan many of our “Mills by Wheels” holidays by helping us to locate many water and windmills and other places of interest, for which we both thank you very much.

I hope its not too late to wish you and my fellow members a very happy and healthy new year.  Yours sincerely, Patricia Parr”

Wool Mills in Hampshire??

Below, is part of an email from HMG Member Mariana Perry - Zoupanou

She is also a member of  The Hampshire Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers:

…..  I tried to find out if any Hampshire mills still processed wool fibres like the olden days but could not locate one still working for this purpose.  On looking at The Hampshire Guild of Weavers website today, I noticed a passing reference to Griffiths Mill of Derbyshire which is of relevance to people wishing to buy British fibres. Do take a look just for interest.  http://griffithsfarming.com/mill.html 

There is also some kind of processing mill used by Blacker Yarns Natural Fibres or The Natural Fibre Company of Unit B, Pipers Court, Pennygillan Industrial Estate, LAUNCESTON, Cornwall, PL15 7PJ (Sue Blacker has brought out a lovely book entitled PURE WOOL - A Knitter's Guide to Using Single-Breed Yarns)   www.blackerdesigns.co.uk