MARCH
2nd With Mick to Bere Mill
near Whitchurch, to inspect the Gilkes
turbine in the mill belonging to our member
Rupert Nabarro. Minor adjustments were
carried out and we hope that Rupert may be
able to encourage visitors to the mill over
National Mills weekend in May as his gardens
will also be open then.
5th. I contacted
Alison Davidson at Winchester planning
department with reference to possible help
with woodworm treatment and other repairs
needed at Hockley Mill.
6th. Attended Bursledon
Windmill committee meeting.
13th. Spoke to Hamble Valley U3A on the
subject of milling history.
16th
Attended a very good presentation on the
history of the Itchen Navigation given by
Bishopstoke History Society.
17th. HMG meeting at Ashlett
Tide Mill. Good meeting at a good venue but
a bit out of the way for members coming from
North Hampshire as it is right next to the
Fawley oil refinery, but worth the drive to
see this lovely old building and the small
harbour beside it. When you are there you
don't see anything of the refinery site so
it still appears restful and rural.
19th
To Hockley mill to meet Helen Parvin, from
the Winchester planning department. We
discussed various repairs plus looked at the
evidence of woodworm; hope they are
recommended for a grant.
26th Went with
Mick Edgeworth and Dave Plunkett to Kingsley
Mill, Bordon, to see Richard Hills
regarding Environment Agency
instructions for particular work on the
watercourses affecting the mill.
28th Gave a talk about
postcard history to the citizens of Pudbroke
House in Botley. My favourite period is
that of 1900 to 1910 when so many good
quality artistic landscapes were created on
postcards (mostly printed in Bavaria). I
have concentrated on collecting Hampshire
scenes.
APRIL
11th With Mick to finish
off research volume 2 of the ‘Mills and
Millers’ to visit Sherfield English Mill and
Wellow Mill. Thanks Mick for accompanying me
on this interesting trip.
12th To Longbridge Mill to
check on progress of waterwheel repairs.
Regrettably, no permission yet given by the
owners.
18th To Woodley and
Crampmore Group to give my talk on the
British canal system.
28th Attended the annual
SERIAC Conference for the day, this year
held at Newbury. There were some good
lectures on agricultural history, tools and
their manufacture centred on the Reading
area including talks by some of the people
from MERL. Especially enjoyable was the talk
by Mildred on the Mapledurham turbine
installation and which I look forward to
hearing again as we have booked her to give
us this presentation at our summer meeting
at Whitchurch Silk Mill. (The food was good
too!)
MAY
4th Trustee meeting at Crux
Easton wind engine.
12th A delightful, and
largely sunny, day at Bere Mill along with
Mick, Basil, Sheila and John (Mears) where
we enlightened visitors to the mill about
its history and how the turbine created
power for equipment at Laverstoke Paper
Mill, a couple of miles up the road. The
gardens were open under the National Gardens
Scheme. We were joined by John Christmas as
we had our lunch in the meadow on the
opposite bank to the mill and Rupert very
kindly brought us liquid refreshment which
was very much appreciated – although one or
two us had to ensure steady feet going back
over the little bridge!
