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Page 2

Newsletter 97, Summer 2012 © Hampshire Mills Group
 

From the Chattering Damsel at the Editor's Desk
email:  chatteringdamsel@googlemail.com

This summer sees your newsletter sent as an electronic version as well as on paper thus resulting in a significant reduction in costs.  The committee are at pains to assure those not wishing to lose their paper copy that they are not at risk of such action.  It must be said that the ‘e-newsletter’ gives excellent and more detailed reproduction of photographs and images, some of which can be seen in the abridged versions which appear a couple of months after the issue date on the HMG website, which for those without computers, can be viewed free of charge at your local ‘connected’ library.  However, anyone experiencing difficulty or is dissatisfied with receiving it electronically should simply advise myself and Alison Stott so that we can redress the situation.  See the Tail Race on the back page for details.     Meanwhile, the tide is turning: more news and more evidence on tide mills in Hampshire and beyond is making waves and creating more interest in the wider public domain as the knowledge comes to light and is shared.  Tide Mills certainly rule the waves in this newsletter issue!  I hope you enjoy the pictures of Ashlett Tim Woodcock shares with us and that this summer’s coverage encourages you to go along to the exhibition put on by David Plunkett at Eling.  Enjoy your summer and if you come across mills on holiday, do pass along the info on them to me so that we can share it with all readers of the newsletter – in whatever from!

Cheers, Sheila.

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Ashlett Mill proved an interesting and popular venue for our last general meeting. Now serving as the meeting and clubhouse of the Waterside Sports and Social Club and the Ashlett Sailing Club, it has had a long history of milling. Although the present mill house bears the date 1816, it is known that  there has been a mill on this site since the 13th century. Joining our meeting was Tim Woodcock who lives in the flat on the top floor of the mill and works as a professional photographer for the Beaulieu Estates and the RNLI. Tim is researching the history of the mill and the area around it and has allowed us to  share some of his collected images to print in this newsletter (pages 6 & 7) which, along with an aerial view taken by Angela Smith in 1993 and a photograph taken this year, show distinctive changes over the last century, leaving one to wonder what it looked like in medieval times. Tim has recently learned, from a meeting with the National Park archaeologist, Frank Green and David Plunkett, that timbers in the attic suggest that there were two flour lifts and the lower ceiling shows where corresponding hatches would have been. Tim is due to visit in 90 year old lady who used to live in the end cottage and has promised to supply us with updates on any new items relating to the mill. He would like to hear from anyone who may have information on the mill or knowledge of the history of the area by email: ashlettmill200@gmail.com .  Alternatively, contact David Plunkett or Sheila who will pass on your message. Bursledon Windmill attracted wide media coverage when the sails were removed; see page 12 for a report and photographs recording the event. Eling Tide Mill Work has been carried out by Bob Sharp and Dave Plunkett to the grain delivery shaft from the hopper in the grain loft to the Eureka cleaner. Lymington Tide Mill Ongoing investigation of this site by Bob Sharp who reports that: As the mill ceased to exist over 100 years ago and there has been development and re-development on the site, I doubt I shall ever identify anything more.  The stones on the foreshore are probably post-war.  They are held in place by steel wire mesh.  It is all a bit slippery!  A recent comment in the Lymington Times bewails the fact that no cheap ‘mud’ moorings are or will be available in the area.  All moorings these days are at expensive boatyards and marinas! National Mills Weekend was quieter than usual in Hampshire possibly due to reduced/late S.P.A.B. advertising .   Opening for the first time to the public was Bere Mill; the photographic opportunity was not lost on your editor as you will see throughout this issue.  Laverstoke Mill is now undergoing its approved site changes with much visible vigorous activity i.e.  demolition.  Let’s hope that the plans which do not affect the integrity of the main mill buildings, seen on display last July, continue smoothly  and we can look forward to enjoy seeing the revived mill buildings, turbine, Visitors’ and interpretation centre, as well as the Bombay Gin, as promised in the fullness of time.

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