2011 has not been without it’s heart-stopping moments for several mills enthusiasts, at least three of whom are HMG members.  Thanks to the marvels of modern medicine, all have recovered well and are active again.

Excellent news was in the latest Sussex Mills Group newsletter about Chinnor Windmill in Buckinghamshire.  It had seemed that the buck would never, ever, be hoisted onto its post but there’s a nice report that this has been achieved at last. Well done to the stalwart Chinnor team whose patient persistence has finally been rewarded.  My ears pricked up when a BBC South Today item told of the campaign to have Iping Mill’s pond drained. Has anyone heard more on this story?   Iping Mill, in Sussex, was once owned by the Hampshire Ellis milling family.

Ashok Vaidya delivered a box of our handsome first volume of The Mills and Millers of Hampshire to the Mills Archive Trust based in Reading.  It is now given prominence in the Archive’s online bookshop.  Ashok was treated to a tour of the offices, library and archival store by Ron Cookson and, of course, a cup of coffee with the volunteers. 

The Bluebecker restaurant chain has shed several of its ‘eateries’ including the Mill and Mill House in North Warnborough.  It is now independently owned and run as a pub and two restaurants with a fine new sign depicting a waterwheel.  A search for the actual waterwheel in the millstream could not, however, be located but.   The Jolly Miller pub across the road also has new owners who have changed it from a pub to a Thai restaurant.

We exchange complementary newsletter with several mills groups throughout England.  I scan them for e-archives and pass the paper copies to Mick for onward circulation via committee members.  If you would like to be included on a list of recipients for either the (by then dog-eared) copy or via email, please let me know.  Similarly, back numbers of the HMG newsletter can be obtained too although a small charge would be incurred for paper printing.

Ashok’s Mills Archive Delivery                 

Alderholt Mill:  Sandleheath Rd,  Fordingbridge, Dorset SP6 1PU. Tel. 01425 653130  www.alderholtmill.co.uk.  The tea room is now closed until Easter 2012 but you can still book year round accommodation there – either bed & breakfast or self-catering .  Richard and Sandra Harte produce flour for sale and for local bakers.  Check out how the turbine application is progressing while you’re there.

Botley Mills:  Visit the new Heritage pages at http://www.botleymills.co.uk/heritage3.htm to discover the fascinating history and see a photographic record of these old mills – or visit in person and buy all your pet and livestock needs.

Bursledon Windmill:  James Brigden is Visitor Services Assistant and Volunteer Coordinator at Hampshire County Council’s Culture, Communities & Business Services, Museums and Arts Services.  He is recruiting volunteers to help keep Hampshire’s only working windmill viable and open to the public.  Contact James on:  James.Brigden@hants.gov.uk or Tel: 023 8040 499 (Wed and Thurs: 10.00 - 17.00, Sun: 10.00 - 4.00) so that you can play a vital part in this windmill’s heritage.

Chesapeke Mill:  Make this mill your base for walking the old railway line as it provides excellent refreshments and, on a rainy day, an enjoyable browse amongst the miscellanea for sale as you seek out the old watermill machinery, still in situ.  There is a fine heritage Room displaying the ship and the mill’s history.  Check for opening: http://www.chesapeakemill.co.uk/ tel 01329 834078.

Crux Easton Wind Engine:   open 11am-4pm on the second Sundays of April, May, June, July, August.  For visits at other times, telephone 01635 253044  or 01635 254314. There is an admission charge that goes towards running expenses.

Eling Tide Mill:  David Plunkett led a work party with Jim Knights to carry out completion of repairs on the 18^th October and sent this report:  New cill fits well and is secure thanks to help from my two assistants.   One of the useful techniques for sealing the ends or the cill in water, is the use of lead (both rolled and as lead wool) caulked in place.  The cill is fixed down with eight Fischer frame anchors into brickwork.  The new timber cill is not in an approved marine working species, so its life expectancy may be less than ten years and even shorter if the shipworm is still about.   There is though a template made for the cill ends which will ensure faster manufacture next time around.   I have agreed to the Sea Gates being lowered to allow the tidal pond to fill today and therefore test the gates at next low tide.  I have cleaned and inspected (as far as practical) the base of the waterwheel sluice gate.  All is secure but there is severe wear, centrally, between 1st and 2nd boards from bottom.  I am not sure, but there may be some shipworm infestation, so it needs to be monitored regularly to ensure no big failure.  I will be reporting this to Nick Dobbs at New Forest District Council with other items.  So, it is back to a normal milling programme once more.  Special thanks need to be given to Andrew Turpin who has a good aptitude for this type of repair work and is most helpful.  He has written a brief report of work at the Mill for the Eling Experience while I was there.  Volunteers will continue when time permits with the Eureka grain cleaner to commissioning point by Christmas.

Hockley Mill:  check out our website for news of New Year’s Day opening news www.hampshiremills.org.