I know that I’m not alone in having been bewildered by the various names and terminology heard in the mills world so it seemed a good idea to get people to explain and describe the goings on of some of them. Mick Edgeworth kicks off with TIMS and David Plunkett gives the lowdown on a convention of tide mill enthusiasts.  Tide Mills, not normally to the fore, feature quite a bit in this issue.  Bob Sharp, who joined us 18 months ago gives us an account of his part in the restoration of Upminster Mill to full working order.  Full marks to our newsletter setter and printer, Andy Fish, who despite being injured in a car crash (doing an elderly neighbour a favour) soldiered on to get Issue no. 84 out on time. Well done, Andy. 

Hampshire is a huge county with lots of member-mills still active in one way or another and many can be visited; here are some of them.  Check out our website www.hampshiremills.org for visiting details or pick up printed leaflets at your local library or Tourist Information Centre.  Please contact any of the HMG Committee members if you have any difficulties finding information on specific mills. We will all do our best to help you and correct any shortcomings.

Alderholt  Mill  Richard and Sandra Harte report:  We had a very successful National Mills Weekend milling demos on both Saturday and Sunday both days well attended although Sunday a lot busier than Saturday which was to be expected. Referring to turbine news, at present we are measuring the flow of the river for the next three months so as to collect evidence for the environmental folks. Bespoke Water Power Co. now seems to recommend an Archimedes Screw system and not a turbine so watch this space! Got a feeling this is all going to prove too expensive for us to complete but the way the electric bill is going its looking more feasible! See details of the mill on this page of the newsletter. 

Beaulieu Tide Mill   Three years consultation with English Heritage and various other organisations, has culminated in a 16 page planning application to the National Parks Authority for permission to carry out £250,000 worth of restoration.  About 50% of this historically important Grade II listed mill was damaged by arson; let’s hope we hear positive news soon so that work can commence before another winter sets in.

Botley Mills is well worth a visit. Currently being restored, the Mills today offer many independent and specialist shops. In September, Botley Mills participate in the Heritage Open Days scheme where visitors can tour the old mills and see the plans for the new museum and heritage centre. Animal feedstuffs for pets and livestock are also sold here. 

Bursledon Windmill is Hampshire’s only working windmill producing flour; it is owned by the local council. 

City Mill Winchester.  Celebrated 5 years of milling following restoration but milling has not taken place since the birthday party owing to damage to the main sluice.  The Environment Agency is yet to approve the repair which means a costly and possibly more damaging wait for the enthusiastic volunteer millers. There’s still plenty to see in the mill plus a bakery and shop, where sound baking advice can be had along with stone ground flour (currently supplied by other, Hampshire Mills) and cookies.  A pleasant stroll from the City Mill alongside the River Itchen leads to other  Winchester old mill buildings, although they have now been converted to residential use.

Crux Easton visiting details can be seen here. 

Eling Tide Mill  needs no introduction to most of you.  It is now marketed by the local council under the banner of ‘The Eling Experience’ which encourages the visitor to take a circular walk around the village as well as the little museum, splendid café and, of course, the only working tide mill in Europe, which produces Flour of the Forest amongst others.

Headley Mill is closed at present but the location is a delight to the photographer - especially when the geese come patrolling along! 

Longbridge Mill at Sherfield on Loddon is unable to mill at the moment due to a problem with the waterwheel. Owners Mitchells & Butlers have contacted the millwright, so it should be repaired soon. 

Whitchurch Silk Mill  offers a wonderful variety of aspects when you visit this unique working mill. It does what it says - it produces silk - for films, television and the law courts!