Author: Hannah Pearce
A note from Chairman of the Trust, Dr Ron Cookson: “From 2002, I have invested my skills, time and passion into this charity. I am constantly impressed by the work of our staff and volunteers, and it is amazing to get such positive feedback from the Friends at our summer Garden Party. It inspires me to continue working hard, and to know that I am making a real difference to both the people in the community who we help through experience and training, as well as the future generations we inform through our collections.”
On Saturday 11th June, the most anticipated event on the Mills Archive calendar, the annual summer Garden Party, was finally here. As a new intern, this was my first Garden Party, and I was extremely excited to meet the Friends who make working for this invaluable charity possible. At 10:30, Watlington House, the home of the Archive, was alive with staff and volunteers putting the final touches to their displays, showcasing the hard work and progress the Archive has made in the last year. Everyone was excited to meet the Friends of the Archive who make all of our work possible, and to explain how their contribution makes such a huge difference to the care and sustainability of the archival collections. Finally, the first few eager Friends started to arrive in their beautiful summer dresses and suits, and the event had begun. Here I am sat with the Archivist Nathanael and Eric the dog!
The opening display was by the Librarian and Information Manager Elizabeth Trout. The showcase demonstrated the progress made in the library, from a successful application to the Mercers’ company grant, for £8979. This money enabled the professional binding of the Northwestern Miller, an important American trade journal, and for bookcases to be commissioned to house them. Elizabeth was delighted to be able to tell the Friends of the Archive about her work, and even had examples of the bound books on show. Many Friends enjoyed exploring the journals and were impressed by the high quality of the bindings.
Next, the Friends were treated to a wonderful, detailed Quern to Computer display, by Archivist Nathaniel Hodge, Trustee Mildred Cookson and Learning & Engagement Manager Claire Wooldridge. The Quern to Computer project began after the Heritage Lottery Fund awarded the Archive £68,200 to tell the fascinating story of the history of flour milling, from its ancient origins in 6,000 BC, to the present day computer-driven roller mills. The display featured some the Archive’s flour-milling content such as: a Beehive Quern, a drawing of a Pompeian animal donated by the late Ken Major, drawings and photos of excavated Roman watermills and a model of a horizontal watermill. Also on show was a model post mill by Hawksley, roller mill flow diagrams from the Dennis Gregory collections, as well as many other documents, deeds and tenders from the Archive.
The final display was in the garden hall and it showcased the close partnership the Archive has with volunteers and collectors. Pictures featured the training courses the Archive offers such as “Caring for your Collection,” which is open to both Archive Friends and individual collectors. The training courses offered are the first of their kind to be given by the Archive, and are therefore invaluable for organisations and collectors who have the desire to look after their collections as close to archival standards as is possible within their own circumstances. Pictures of the work of volunteers who scan press cuttings, photographs, as well as to catalogue items for the library were also portrayed, without whom progress on digitising important pieces within the Archive would be very slow.
After the demonstration of the advancements within the Archive, it hit 12.45, and it was time for lunch. Everyone flocked to the buffet where they were met with a vast variety of nibbles, from wraps to miniature buns, as well as a selection of glorious cupcakes and fruit sticks. It was so delicious that many people came back for seconds, and there was hardly a morsel left by the end! Thankfully, unlike many other summer garden parties, the rain held off for the most part, so lots of the Friends chose to sit outside and enjoy the beautiful garden.
The day drew to a close, but we thank everyone who came to celebrate the Archive, and who continue to support us. It was a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate what the Archive protects and preserves for future generations, as well as to explain how the Archive is becoming a centre of excellence for learning, understanding and research on mills, milling and the historic use of traditional power sources.
