You may have missed this important announcement (dated 1 April) of the benefits of Google Wind to the Dutch. If only we had enough windmills in the UK that still worked – consider the possibilities! See https://youtu.be/QAwL0O5nXe0 for the full story!
Author: Ron Cookson
RIP Michael Harverson (1937 – 2017)
We are sorry to announce that Michael died on Thursday 2 March. He will be greatly missed by his many friends, including the staff and volunteers at the Mills Archive. Tributes have been arriving since we heard the sad news. Universally respected as a kind and gentle man, he was a gentleman and a scholar.…
A Man of Distinction
Most people who use the Mills Archive will have come across or benefited from the work of Nathanael Hodge, our archivist. Over the years, since Nathanael first joined as a volunteer, he has been instrumental in ensuring our collections are protected and made available to the public. We are now delighted to announce that Nathanael…
Vincent Geoffrey Pargeter RIP
It is with great sadness that we hear that Vincent died in hospital overnight on 31 October. The mill world has lost someone very special. The most highly regarded millwright in the UK, having spent 42 years repairing and rescuing windmills, Vincent was a stawart of the SPAB Mills Section and a long-time Friend of…
Cement mills anyone?
The winning entry in the second biennial Mills Archive Research Competition is now available. The 54 page A4 book,written by Edwin Trout, covers the use of Traditional Milling Technology in the English Cement Industry, 1796-1899. The early technology of cement milling is a neglected aspect of the history of the cement industry, accounts of which…
Successful Steam Trial on June 14th at Oldland Windmill
After more than one hundred years, STEAM POWER is returning to Oldland Windmill, Sussex’s oldest working windmill. A successful trial on June 14th proved the practicality of a steam engine driving the millstones inside the windmill. In Victorian times, this system was used to grind flour at windmills when there was too little wind, but grinding with steam like this died…
Have you seen our new Bookshop?
Nigel Harris’s new book is well worth considering as your next purchase. It leads the way in our featured book selection and we have selected it as the Book of the Month for May. The shop is still being stocked as we write – we only have 430 books so far uploaded in prices varying…
Further Help for the Cross in Hand Appeal
Following a suggestion from the appeal committee, the Mills Archive is lending a hand with the Cross-in-Hand Appeal as it passes 20% of its funding target within 3 days of launch. Cross in Hand appealThe Mills Archive Trust (Registered Charity no 1155828) has indicated it is happy to pass on any donations (in full) that…
Are you missing?
The next Mills Section Meeting is almost here and the Archive bookshop will be exhibiting four new mill books as well as lots of second-hand bargains. It is still not too late to register (only £35 – plus another £5 if you want lunch). This is the London event of the year for mills so don’t…
James Venn 1921 – 2014 RIP
The family have informed us that James died on 31 Dec 2014. He was a Friend of the Mills Archive and a close friend of Stanley Freese who died in 1972. James’s funeral will be held at 10:45am Wednesday 21 January 2015; Milton Chapel, Chilterns Crematorium, Amersham; The family extend a warm welcome to everyone…