Unlocking the history of the UK milling industry
In March 2023, the Mills Archive Trust received the Millers’ Mutual Collection containing the historical records of two key institutions which shaped the UK’s modern milling industry: The National Association of British and Irish Millers (nabim, now UK Flour Millers), founded in 1878, and the Millers’ Mutual Association, founded in 1929 to rationalise the flour milling industry. For the first time, this collection is now available to the public for research, learning and understanding about the history of the milling industry and the role of millers in feeding the nation throughout times of conflict and catastrophe, as well as during times of peace and plenty.
The collection includes the minutes of both organisations and other related bodies, along with deeds, patents, accounts and financial documents, policies, photographs and artworks. Together these form a unique record of the history of the milling industry in the UK from the end of the 19th century until the 1980s.
Cataloguing and digitisation of this important collection is ongoing. To explore the collection, click here.
Saving the minute books from red rot, and providing student placements
A series of large leather-bound books contain the minutes of the Flour Milling Employers Federation, the National Joint Industrial Council for the Flour Milling Industry and others. The leather was suffering from severe red rot, which sees leather crumble to a red dust.
With training from a professional conservator, the team consolidated the book covers with gel. They cleaned the pages with a conservation vacuum and purchased extra-large archival boxes to house them.
The books have now been stabilised for permanent preservation. They provide vital insight into past decisions affecting food security and supply, which remain relevant today. Along with the whole collection, these could offer much to researchers. The Trust plans to offer placements for students and other researchers to draw from these materials and produce informative and engaging content for the public.
Artworks and photographs
Artworks and photographs donated with the collection have been digitised and can be viewed online. They included photographs of mills along with framed artworks and group photographs.
