This bumper store of articles has been a joy to collate, I only hope you enjoy reading them as much as I have putting them together.   

However, we have a sad time in seeing two obituaries of well known Hampshire mills enthusiasts, but how good to remember their energetic input working at what working heritage they believed should be retained and used. I am indebted to their families for collaboration in presenting many details.  Richard Ellis fondly recalled his brother Jason often emphasising: A watermill without a waterwheel isn’t a watermill! So, let’s keep at it and do what we can to foster appreciation of our milling industries in a wider audience and, in the spirit of John Hone and Jason Ellis, keep mills milling!

Beaulieu Tide Mill:     In a phone conversation with Andy Philips at Beaulieu,(writes David Plunkett) he reported that the tide mill was flooded on 17th October and much of the new ground floor and its insulation has been raised or it floated up. I have agreed to meet him at Beaulieu Tide Mill on the 21st to resolve a few issues before HMG members can attend.  See also page 9 for photographs and an update from Michael Carden, received in September.

Eling Tide Mill:    Eling Tide Mill ceased milling last Sunday (11 Nov) due to excessive wear on the old pit wheel.  We knew it was close but were hoping we could struggle on for a few more weeks and continue milling as gently as possible. The programme of repairs is being managed by NFDC under Nick Dobbs. It will be undertaken in four phases or more with millwrighting of pit wheel by Malcolm Cooper.  Preparation works for Waterwheel sluice gate by HMG volunteers consisting largely of removing paddle blades from waterwheel and followed by renewing bottom board to sluice gate and a new timber cill for both sluice gates. The main contractors works will be within the Culvert and undercroft including concrete to restoring breastwork below  the waterwheel. NB I will need volunteers for jobs at Eling Tide Mill,  very soon, before the 6th December.  Waiting for dates from Malcolm Cooper and John Christmas.

The flooding on the high tide of Wednesday 17th October resulted in the usual saturated ground floor but no damage or loss of stock.  The floor boards are still drying out at this time.  Crux Easton Wind Engine:  the tower is to be repainted. Slipper Mill, Emsworth:  had new gates installed in March – which leaked – but have now been refitted.  Whitchurch Silk Mill:  New Trustees are in place.  They have new ‘Friends’ and local support and are now on a sound financial footing.   They have started weaving again, read all about it on page 6.   The Tide Mills of Western Europe Exhibition which David Plunkett has been UK co-ordinator for much of this year, has been put back into its crate within Eling Tide Mill for the winter.  It's last venue was at Cardiff City Hall on 18^th & 19th October for the major International Maritime Heritage Conference.  Very well attended with lots of interest in our Tide Mills Exhibition.   – we look forward to reading your notes on that meeting, David, in the spring newsletter.  – Ed.