I would
like to use my editorial to beg more of you to
become actively involved in HMG. As Mick Edgeworth
requests below, we have an urgent need for more
members to attend open days as guides at Hockley
Mill, Crux Easton Wind Engine, and Longbridge Mill.
I am prompted to say this because of
what is happening with Lincolnshire Mills Group. I
don’t think HMG is approaching this situation yet,
but it is a timely reminder of what could happen to
any group. A final decision has been postponed,
but it seems probable that the group will be
dissolved.
To quote their website (www.lincolnshiremillsgroup.org.uk):
“It is with a sense of deep sadness that your
committee, after long discussion, have decided to
seek the dissolution of the Lincolnshire Mills
Group. We are of the opinion that the group’s aims
and objectives are still very relevant but we have
struggled in recent years to cover some of our key
functions due to a lack of active members and
increasing age and ill health of some of those who
are prepared to ‘carry the baton’. When formed in
1982 we started with a membership of 200 which
settled to approximately 150 for a number of years.
Today the membership is 82 with little input
outside the committee.”
Like many HMG members, I was first
inspired to take an interest in
Industrial Archaeology, and in particular mills, by
the lectures and field trips led by Dr Edwin Course
from Southampton University,
who died in February 2016 at the age
of 93.
Under the auspices of the Hampshire
Industrial Archaeology network there will be a
Memorial Event of lectures to remember him, and mark
his remarkable contribution to the industrial
heritage of Hampshire. It will take place from 2pm
–
5pm on
Saturday 8 October
at Bursledon Brickworks.
