tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52031138237306050512024-02-07T12:06:54.550-08:00Eskdale MillAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913053327823486081noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203113823730605051.post-30467027845104746492018-03-30T12:13:00.000-07:002018-03-30T12:13:17.243-07:00A bit of history<br />
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm; margin-right: 0.05cm;">
Our Heritage Lottery Fund award <span style="font-size: small;">will
enable us to learn more of the mill’s past from archaeological work
by professionals, and a local history study led by volunteers, as
parts of the three-year project. The process began as our
application developed, with a report on the working parts by Martin
Watts, a national authority on mills, in 2014, and a survey by
Wardell Armstrong Archaeology in 2016.</span></div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm; margin-right: 0.05cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The present mill building is
orientated north-south, built into the slope parallel with the road
from the village. Both reports concluded that the original mill was
a much shorter building, with a roofline running east-west, and a
single water-wheel on the gable end facing the beck. This possibly
Tudor building has been encased by later extensions on three sides :
the kiln and drying room to the north, the present main entrance with
its cart door to the west, and an extension to accommodate the second
water-wheel to the south, with the bakehouse at the end. </span>
</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm; margin-right: 0.05cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Most of the exterior dates
from the eighteenth or nineteenth century. It is fairly certain that
the cottage was built around 1756, but dating the mill extensions is
more difficult. The best clue, for the addition to the north, is the
inscription </span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>M Tyson
/ DT 1819 </i></span><span style="font-size: small;">(probably
Matthew and Daniel Tyson) on a wall near the mouth of the kiln; John
Tyson owned the mill at the time. There seems to be no evidence so
far for dating the western extension, where the present gable end
facing the road, remarkably for such a tall structure, is a dry-stone
wall.</span></div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Successive
editions of the mill guidebook since 1976 date the southern addition
and the second wheel to soon after 1737, when Edward Hartley’s
purchase of the mill from Edward Stanley included Dalegarth timber
for a new wheel. This seems to be supported by the date </span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>1740</i></span><span style="font-size: small;">
carved on a lintel in the southern interior wall. </span>
</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">However
the 2016 archaeological survey concludes that the second wheel was
not added until the early nineteenth century, and that the 1740
lintel is not in its original position. This challenge is based
first on a large plan drawn in 1795 for use in the enclosure case of
Sharpe v Tyson, which still shows the mill as aligned east-west.
Secondly the authors rely on a drawing of the mill by the young JMW
Turner from around 1798, showing a single wheel on an east facing
gable end. </span>
</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Of course, Hartley might have
replaced his existing wheel around 1740, rather than adding a second,
but there are questions about these conclusions which I hope the
local history project will resolve. The 1795 plan was produced to
show the position of a controversial fell wall, not the exact
position of buildings in Boot. Turner’s drawing, done in London by
copying another work before he ever visited the Lake District, is an
art student’s exercise, not necessarily intended to be an accurate
representation, and some features are clearly fanciful.</span></div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Paul
Pharaoh</span></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913053327823486081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203113823730605051.post-68428774718604373612018-03-30T12:09:00.001-07:002018-03-30T12:09:15.129-07:00Hydro progress<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> - February 2018</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">By
5 February we had built a sufficiently well-structured enclosure
around the relocated generating machinery to allow us to test its
effectiveness in limiting the noise which was of some concern. At
the time of writing, the generator has been running for 21 days and
it is believed that the objective of reducing noise to an acceptable
level has been achieved.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Enclosure
Construction:</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As
mentioned in previous Newsletters, the decision was taken to reduce
the noise by lowering the generating machinery from waterwheel axle
height down to a level deeper into the rock cleft in which the
waterwheel is built, and to bolt the machinery upon a concrete block
of considerable mass, using anti-vibration mountings. The generator
was then to be driven from the waterwheel axle via a massive sprocket
and chain, at a reduced speed of rotation. This approach gives a more
sedate appearance to its rotation and enables the buckets to be
filled more completely.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
generator machinery, gearbox and motor/generator were enclosed by a
housing made of two leafs of solid 150mm thick concrete blocks, and
the gap between the leafs was packed with acoustic rockwool
insulation. The roof comprises horizontally laid, 100mm solid
concrete blocks on a steel frame, which is covered with two layers of
plastic sheeting and another layer of heavy rubber conveyor belt
material. The whole is surrounded by a European larch framing,
infilled with river gravel about 50mm deep. The north, west and east
walls have been clad in a European larch. The acoustically insulated
air intake and exhaust box, needed to ensure adequate cooling of the
generator, have been installed in the north wall and door (also on
the north face), so as to prevent any sound which may emanate from
them being directed towards local houses. Thermocouples have been
installed so that the air temperature in the enclosure and that of
the generator casing can be measured.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
generator was producing about 3.3 kW for the first 15 days and
nights, but with the impending drier weather as we approach the end
of February, the power output is falling gradually and may shut down
temporarily in the near future. The energy produced so far since
commissioning is 1800 kWh, which will realise a Feed-in Tariff
payment of about £450, with all but about £100 being earned in the
last three weeks.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As
this project approaches completion, it has to be said that it would
not have been possible had it not been for the most generous
financial support of Worthington Construction Ltd, and for the
tremendous voluntary efforts of time and expertise of Rod Chilton. A
great deal is also due to the excellent working relationship we have
with Rod Smith and his company, Smith Engineering (GB) Ltd of
Maryport, who designed, manufactured and supplied the mechanics. The
Postlethwaite family at Border Hydro Ltd of Cockermouth were of great
help with all the electrics and negotiating the Feed-in Tariff
paperwork.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
construction part of the project is now very nearly completed, apart
from some access steps, a low wall to direct water away from the
enclosure doorway, and reinstating the fencing. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Len Watson</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Editor’s note :
Len omits to mention that the project has depended on his own massive
volunteer contribution, often single-handed and sometimes in
dispiriting circumstances. The Trust is greatly in his debt.</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913053327823486081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203113823730605051.post-34180877308552049472018-03-30T12:06:00.000-07:002018-03-30T12:06:25.931-07:00Heritage Lottery Fund update<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<b>Eskdale Mill &
Heritage Trust</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<b>Newsletter
Spring 2018</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<b>Heritage
Lottery Fund update </b>
</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
The
trustees have been working on plans for a Heritage Lottery funded
restoration scheme since 2014. Having completed our development
phase in February 2017, we hoped that HLF would decide on our
delivery stage application – the big money – in June, but they
deferred it for six months, requiring us to improve the documentation
of our plans. At the end of October we submitted our revised
business plan, which grew in length to a hefty 90 pages and now
gives a complete picture of the project background, what we intend to
achieve, and how we will get there.</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
With
delight, relief and excitement, we learned in December that HLF have
awarded us £842,000. This will be matched by £75,000 from Copeland
Community Fund; £36,000 from the E U’s Rural Development
Programme; £15,000 from the Pilgrim Trust; and £5,000 from the
Cumbria Community Foundation. We are still £29,200 short of our
match-funding target, and efforts to find that balance are
continuing. If the notional contribution of volunteers’ time,
which HLF bring into their calculation, is included, our project
value is over £1,000,000.</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>
Capital costs, inclusive of professional fees and VAT, will account
for just under £700,000. Over £170,000 will be spent on activities
– including the manager’s salary for two years, staff and
volunteer training costs, explanatory materials and the cost of
events. The remainder will cover publicity and promotion,
contingency and inflation.</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
At
the time of writing, our architect, quantity surveyor and consultant
millwright are hard at work on the construction tenders. The project
timetable shows the contractor starting on site by the time of the
AGM at the end of April 2018. Building work is scheduled to be
completed by spring next year. A new manager will then move into the
refurbished cottage and the aim is to reopen the mill to the public
in June 2019. HLF will continue to sponsor operations until spring
2021, but after that we will be on our own.</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
Whilst
changing very little in external appearance, the buildings will be
made structurally sound, and the machinery restored to full working
order. The refurbished cottage with improved facilities will be
occupied by a new, employed manager, supported by volunteers in a
number of roles. The mill’s long story will be better understood
and explained, giving visitors a more enjoyable experience. Working
with others, especially the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, the
mill will be promoted much more effectively. Greater visitor numbers
will enable the trustees to achieve their target of financial
sustainability, assisted by a steady income from the sale of
electricity, generated by the new, freestanding water wheel.
</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
The
mill will be closed to the public throughout 2018, during the
construction phase, but there will be opportunities for our
hardworking volunteers to maintain their involvement, in the garden
and field, the care and continued cataloguing of artefacts, the local
history research project, and in training for the vital roles they
will perform after reopening. By then, the mill will be in better
condition, better presented and more effectively marketed than ever
before. By employing a resident manager, rather than relying on a
self-employed tenant as previously, the Trust will be directly
responsible for the mill’s operation as a visitor attraction.
</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
After
the construction phase, the activities programme will continue until
2021. Until then, we will continue to be subject to HLF monitoring
and accountability for expenditure. The project will be formally
evaluated. Visitor numbers and experience are critical to the
Trust’s financial sustainability, along with income from the
hydro-electric scheme, and will be carefully tracked.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<br /><br />
</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
Paul
Pharaoh</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
Chair
of trustees.</div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<br /><br />
</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913053327823486081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203113823730605051.post-32087538123040363672017-04-08T07:02:00.000-07:002017-04-08T07:02:34.312-07:00Hydro Update<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<b>Hydro
Progress Newsletter Spring 2017</b><br />The Eskdale
generator became accredited under the government's Renewables
Obligation scheme in July 2016, so is permitted to earn Feed-in
Tariff payments for the electricity produced. In testing during a
sustained period of medium water supply, all parts operated well and
safety aspects were proved.</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
However,
in quiet conditions a particular frequency within the basic sound
generated by the motor could be clearly heard. To counter this, a
housing, dubbed 'the hen house', was constructed over the generator
and gearbox, the obviously suspect items. The hen house is
substantially made from heavy timber, insulating board and conveyor
belting. The idea was that materials of different densities would
reduce the various frequencies being generated, as determined by
recording software loaded onto mobile phones and iPads. We even
loaded the interior of the 'house' with concrete bricks, and the
supporting framework with a steel girder, and for some tests,
enclosed the structure in carpeting, to see which materials might be
most effective before settling on a final design.</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Although
the volume of sound was reduced considerably, the annoying frequency
was still noticeable and resulted in complaints from people living
nearby. The Trust is anxious to preserve and improve relations with
its neighbours. We consulted the suppliers of the components, and
looked at a similar installation elsewhere. Thanks to the further
generosity of Marcus Worthington, now a patron of the Trust and the
main sponsor of the project, a professional acoustics survey was
carried out. This confirmed our own findings, and the engineers used
their expertise to design a more effective solution.</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />We
realised that noise produced mainly in the gearbox was being
retransmitted from the framework supporting the generator. So it is
proposed to build a solid concrete base and erect a double-leaf
walled building around the generating components, with specified
insulating materials in critical locations. Significant
modifications to the layout of the generator and structural supports
will be necessary to link them with this new structure.</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />A
site meeting has been arranged in early March with the National Park
Authority planning department, to explore issues relating to the
design and appearance of such a structure. A planning application
will then be prepared. Approval and construction will take several
months.</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>
The Trust has decided that the generator should not be operated until
the noise problem is resolved. The delay is disappointing to the
trusts and individuals who contributed to the cost of the project,
the engineers who installed the components, and the volunteers who
have put in so much work to see the project realised. The treasurer
has also had to revise his budgetary forecast, as no income is
currently being generated from the sale of electricity. However,
this is a necessary postponement and we remain confident of success
once the problem has been overcome.
</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
The
National Trust has announced proposals for a larger, turbine-driven
hydro project, further up the Whillan Beck. So far as we know, this
will have no effect on our project.</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<br /><br />
</div>
<br />
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
Len
Watson</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913053327823486081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203113823730605051.post-71652046167205775022017-04-08T06:59:00.000-07:002017-04-08T06:59:29.661-07:00HLF Update<div align="justify" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<b>Heritage
Lottery Fund project update</b></div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
The
last Newsletter reported the decision to defer our round-2
application to the Heritage Lottery Fund from November 2016, to allow
time for closing the funding gap caused by higher than expected<span style="font-size: 12pt;">
</span>building costs. Many thanks to patrons and members who made
donations for this purpose. We are also grateful to the Community
Funds of Cumbria County Council and the Lake District National Park
Authority, which both made further grants towards additional
consultancy fees incurred between November and the final submission
date. The remaining cost was covered by the contingency allowance
and some underspent areas in our HLF round-1 budget.</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<span style="color: red;">To
increase our prospective income, we raised the amounts of
match-funding sought from Copeland Community Fund to £75,000, and
from LEADER </span><span style="color: red;">(part of the EU Rural
Development Programme for England) to £36,000.</span><span style="color: red;">
We made an entirely new application for £50,000 to the H B Allen
Charitable Trust. We also increased the amount applied for from
HLF by £72,000 to £792,000, but as this figure does not exceed the
estimate given at round-1 by more than 10%, are hopeful that they
will find it acceptable. On this basis, 83% of the project would be
funded by HLF. Thanks as always to Shirley Muir Associates, our
project organisers, for their invaluable help in revising the budget
and making these funding applications, and to all of our consultancy
team, who (almost) all delivered their respective briefs on time and
within budget.</span></div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
Meanwhile,
our architect Peter Kempsey of Countryside Consultants and his team
were busy looking for and costing ways of reducing expenditure, by
cutting some items altogether and changing the specification for
others, particularly on the refurbishment of the cottage. We believe
this has been achieved without damaging the sustainability of the
project as a whole. In fact, some of the economies proved to be
improvements. However, there is still a concern around some external
works, which will have to be either completed by volunteers or
differently funded, possibly as part of a wider grounds management
plan.
</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>
<span style="color: red;">The total project cost is just over £1
million, of which building costs account for about £700,000,
including professional fees and VAT. Activity costs – training,
interpretation, learning, marketing and evaluation – are about
£250,000 on the same basis.</span></div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
All
the applications were submitted by early February. All four, in
particular the HLF application, are complex documents supported by
voluminous appendices, presented in different ways according to the
funders’ requirements. They represent a huge amount of work by
trustees and consultants. Results of the match-funding applications
will be known by the time this Newsletter goes out, but we will not
hear from HLF until June.</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
Originally
it was thought that, if we are successful, this would be too late to
tender contracts and begin building work in 2017, but it is now hoped
that internal work may continue over next winter, after making a
start on external jobs in the autumn.</div>
<br />
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
All
the funding applications are competitive; succeeding in full with all
four is a big ask. Through our professional advisers, we have a good
idea of our strengths and weaknesses. What if we fail ? We may be
looking for other sources of match-funding. HLF is probably
irreplaceable as the main funder, but if the answer is not the one we
want, feedback will tell us what more must be done to make our
application acceptable. But for now we wait and hope. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913053327823486081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203113823730605051.post-85859082327834507242017-04-08T06:55:00.000-07:002017-04-08T06:55:41.987-07:00Native of Eskdale – Another Country by Margaret Armstrong Elliott<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<i>Hayloft
Publishing, 249 pages, £12.00 from the Ratty stations and other
local shops</i></div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
Margaret
Armstrong Elliott was born in 1931. Her family farmed at Paddockwray
and the Woolpack, also running the Inn. The farms were separated by
Christcliff, inconveniently occupied by a hostile Mr Vicars. From
Eskdale High School, where the teacher was her Aunt Gladys, Margaret
gained a grammar school place in Millom, but was unable to take it up
for want of transport. At the suggestion of two teachers who were
regular guests at the Woolpack, she went instead to a Spartan girls’
boarding school in Southport, and later to university in Newcastle.
During the holidays she returned to the Woolpack as a maid of all
work. Finally leaving Eskdale in 1958, she travelled extensively,
before becoming a teacher and landscape artist in Canada.</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
As
the subtitle suggests, the author is strongly aware that before the
War, time had moved more slowly in Eskdale than elsewhere. Horses
were still used rather than tractors and cars were rare, although her
father owned one, and Auntie Gladys was a famously erratic driver.
Such agricultural machinery as there was would have been familiar to
Victorians, and life was dominated by the weather and seasons. The
farms were not only self-sufficient in many foodstuffs, but also
provided most of the vegetables and fruit for the inn. Valley fields
were still being ploughed, and the Woolpack had a large garden. The
use of chemicals was unknown, until introduced as part of the war
effort. Even the impact of rationing was hardly felt.</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
The
clarity of recollection in the book of life as a young child, in
surroundings surviving from another age, is remarkable. Long
unaccompanied walks in complete safety, close observation of nature
and farm animals, the confining of conversation to the outdoor work
of men, and a detailed account of women’s endless indoor labour,
make us realise both what we have lost and gained. There are some
wonderfully evocative photographs. The author remembers Eskdale mill
as a going concern, and Ned Bibby, the last miller, who died in 1937.
But her memory of ‘the wooden wheel - - scooping up the water as
it flowed past’ does not seem quite right.
</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>
Surprisingly, the Armstrong family seem to have thought of the inn as
of less importance than the farms, even though they had arrived in
Eskdale only in 1914 and had previously run hotels elsewhere in the
Lake District. Margaret Armstrong Elliott regards tourists, hikers
and other refugees from urban reality with the sardonic eye of an
Eskdale native. When she last visited the valley in 2006, she was
rudely shouted at by an off-comer (who can this have been ?) for
approaching Boot mill outside hours. Perhaps the experience
influenced her dismissal of the mill as a tourist theme park. Food
for thought, as we seek to change its presentation, but not its
essential character, over the next few years.</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
Paul
Pharaoh</div>
<br />
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<br />
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913053327823486081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203113823730605051.post-53769418193546533072016-11-10T08:02:00.002-08:002016-11-10T08:07:39.059-08:00Volunteering – review of 2016 visitor season<div align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>Volunteering – review of
2016 visitor season </b></span>
</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Admissions</b></div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Weekly
opening from Wednesday to Saturday between 10.45 am and 4.00 pm
commenced in June. I opened the mill on 18 days in June, 12 in July,
15 in August and 18 in September. There were 2,450 visitors; one
quarter were children. I took £5,100 in admissions. Trustees and
other volunteers dealt with other admissions, for which donations
were made. There were free admissions for visits by working groups,
National Park staff etc.</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Donations</b></div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The
donation points in reception and at the exit were really successful,
raising £xxx. Visitors donated generously for old library books and
stocks of post cards; only a few now remain.</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Guided
tours</b></div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I
gave 384 guided tours, mostly to small groups of 2 to 4 people. The
maximum group size was 27. Visitors’ responses to the mill were
overwhelmingly positive. Retaining its character, the chance to see
milling in action, and taking home a bit of Eskdale, were high
priorities.
</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Volunteering</b></div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The
achievement I am most proud of was the recruitment of volunteers in
January and February. Volunteer numbers have never been great, but
they have achieved a tremendous amount. The mill’s internal
appearance has changed substantially and a logical story has been
laid out for visitors to follow. Volunteers significantly enhance
their experience and allow smoother running of tours.
</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
At
the start of the season volunteers returned the upper wheel to
running order. A regular maintenance routine for the stones is in
place. Finger-post signs now orientate visitors to the mill. The
leaflet dispenser made by Rod Chilton was hugely popular.
</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The
skills base and enthusiasm of the volunteers is immense; they have
contributed on 24 days, with 4 to 6 volunteers present on average.
They are a tremendous group of individuals, with wisdom, insight and
a quiet but deep seated love of the place. The Trust organised a
training event and an enjoyable visit to Acorn Bank and Little
Salkeld Mills, when a lot was learned.</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Partnership
building</b></div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Several
tour operators include the mill in their itineraries, and
relationships for future visits have been created. I organised two
working holiday task days, generously donated by the National Trust,
when a great amount was achieved. The National Trust also provided
drystone walling training for volunteers. Future volunteer-guided
walks have been planned with the National Park.</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I
applied successfully on behalf of the Trust to NuGen (who hope to
build the new nuclear power station near Sellafield) for a grant to
buy garden tools for volunteer tasks in the grounds. I discussed a
grounds management plan with Cumbria Wildlife Trust. The partnership
with Heron Corn Mill at Beetham was invaluable, particularly when our
millstone bearings needed rebuilding.</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Karl
Bartlett, Volunteer Development Officer
</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i>The
Trust is deeply grateful to Karl and all the volunteers who helped at
the mill this year : John Bromage, Cliff Carter, Rod Chilton, Leslie
Coan, Richard Eastman, Peter Harnett, Karen Mason, Iain McNichol,
Megan O’Gorman, Chris Reay, Rosie Robinson, </i><span lang="nl-NL"><i>Len
Watson</i></span><i> and Jude Wildwood.</i><span lang="nl-NL"><i> </i></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913053327823486081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203113823730605051.post-83842251430168712982016-11-10T07:57:00.000-08:002016-11-10T08:01:20.930-08:00 HYDRO SCHEME PROGRESS - NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2016<div align="justify" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The
first use of water power to generate electricity at Eskdale corn mill
was in the 1930’s. The winnowing machine, formerly part of the oat
milling machinery, was replaced by a dynamo, which only supplied
sufficient power for DC electric light in the cottage.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">In
2008, after the Trust took over, it was thought that a turbine could
be installed in the watercourse to generate renewable energy.
However, in those early days of the Trust’s existence, the
acceptability of hydro power in sensitive areas was not clear. In
2012, in view of government initiatives for encouraging alternative
means of generation, the Trust returned to the possibility of
producing electricity. Visitors would see that water can not only do
mechanical work for milling corn, but also convert mechanical work
into electricity, a far easier way to transfer energy to where it is
needed.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Another
attractive reason for generating was that the revenue earned would
provide financial support for maintenance of the site. The Feed-in
Tariff is a government incentive for supplying clean, renewable
energy to the national grid. A waterwheel was eventually preferred
over a modern concealed turbine, both for its historical continuity,
and its visual attraction of visitors to the mill, even though the
power it delivered would be much less than by a turbine.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The
construction phase is essentially complete, and testing of the
waterwheel’s generating capacity has shown that it is capable of
producing at least 3kW. We have been given approval to operate by
Ofgem, and have signed a contract with British Gas, who provide
electricity to the cottage, as our Feed-in Tariff licensee.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">David
Moore, joiner of Gosforth, and his team have built a new launder to
carry water from the mill race to the top of the wheel, assisted in
all aspects of the project by exceptional efforts from volunteers.
The control panel has been installed in the hayloft, above the
stable. Final adjustments have been made to its electronics, to make
start-up simpler, and to prevent the waterwheel turning too quickly
if there is a local failure of the electricity supply.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Fencing
has been erected around the area near the sides of the wheel, and
covers have been made to protect the bearings, motor and gearbox from
the weather. Additional soundproofing of the generator will be tested
over the next few weeks. When that is judged to be satisfactory, the
waterwheel will begin to supply renewable energy to the grid and earn
25.4 pence per kilowatt-hour generated.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">All
cabling is in place and CCTV cameras are working to check on safe
operation. It should be possible to monitor the system via the
internet, using a camera which shows the control panel.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Len
Watson</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><i><b>Editor’s
note </b></i><i>This report refers in passing to the exceptional
efforts of volunteers, but does not do justice to the hundreds of
hours of skilled work put into the project by Len Watson and Rod
Chilton, assisted by Richard Eastman and Cliff Carter.</i></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913053327823486081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203113823730605051.post-23250477715589448822016-11-10T07:48:00.002-08:002016-11-10T07:53:57.113-08:00Heritage Lottery Fund project update<div align="justify" style="line-height: 18.4px; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<ul>
<li><div align="justify" style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-size: 12pt;"><b>the
good news</b></span></span></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-size: 12pt;">We
learned a year ago that our round-1 application to HLF was
successful, but did not receive permission to start detailed planning
and costing until April 2016. This frustrating period, when parts of
our budget were substantially revised, meant that the November 2016
target for submission of our round-2 application was uncomfortably
tight.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-size: 12pt;">We
appointed Shirley Muir Associates of Blennerhasset, who helped us
with the round-1 bid, as project organisers, against competitive
quotations. We invited tenders and appointed Peter Kempsey,
architect, of Countryside Consultants in Alston to lead the design
team, and Minerva Heritage of Lancaster to produce an activities and
interpretation plan. Chris Healy of Minerva wrote our 2014 options
appraisal , and is now working on our business plan. Lisa Keys is
handling activity and interpretation, assisted by The Way Design.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-size: 12pt;">Peter’s
team is : Stuart Hobbs, millwright (Greenodd); Blackett Ord
Conservation, structural engineers (Appleby); AE Robb &
Associates, mechanical/electrical engineers (Newcastle); William
Shaw, quantity surveyor (Newcastle); James Woolgrove Associates,
health and safety (Carnforth); Wardell Armstrong, archaeology
(Carlisle); Hesketh Ecology, (Silloth).</span></span></span></div>
<div align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-size: 12pt;">All
worked hard over the summer, whipped in when necessary by Dave and
Shirley Muir. The Trust is grateful to them all. We discussed their
progress and invited comments at meetings, bringing trustees,
advisers and volunteers together for the first time, and local
residents, businesses and organisations to the mill, continuing
discussions at the Boot Inn. We met the planning authority and
Copeland BC’s disability adviser.</span></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><div align="justify" style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-size: 12pt;"><b>and
the not so good news</b></span></span></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-size: 12pt;">By
30 September and our second HLF review meeting, we had, or were on
target for, all the information needed to submit our round-2
application in November. But we knew from the quantity surveyor
that building costs for restoration of the mill and cottage were
significantly higher than expected, taking the project cost from
£807,000 to £1,005,000. On a well-argued case, HLF may allow a
10% increase in the round-1 estimate, but ours is over 20%. </span></span></span></div>
<div align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-size: 12pt;">Some
major additional items could not have been foreseen last year, and
removing them would damage the project’s sustainability. Our
architect is looking at cutting some non-essential items.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-size: 12pt;">In
October, the trustees decided to defer our round-2 application until
March 2017, whilst we seek funds to close the gap. After
informal discussion, we hope that Copeland Community Fund and LEADER
will increase match-funding, reducing the gap to £75,000.
Potential sources for raising that amount have been identified. </span></span></span></div>
<div align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-size: 12pt;">An
immediate problem is that consultants are close to their round-1
budgets, expected to end in November. We need help to pay
additional fees to during the extended development phase until March,
particularly on new funding bids. Applications to raise that
money are being made now.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-size: 12pt;">The
result of a deferred HLF round-2 application will be known in June,
too late to complete tendering and building work in 2017. A start in
spring 2018 now seems likely, with another season of relying on the
sterling efforts of volunteers next year.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-size: 12pt;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-size: 12pt;"><b>What
will it look like ?</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-size: 12pt;">Parts
of the mill will be re-roofed and some timbers will be replaced.
There will be some masonry repairs and re-instatement of lime mortar.
Otherwise, the mill will not change much externally. Inside, the
machinery driven by the lower wheel, which has not turned for many
years, will be restored to working order. We expect to be able to
produce flour for human consumption, but not to produce it on a large
scale.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-size: 12pt;">Internally,
the stages of milling will once again become clear, explained by new
interpretation signs. As during 2016, the main entrance will be
through the double doors, into the room used in recent years as the
custodian’s private office. There will be screens in this room, to
provide a virtual tour for visitors who cannot access the mill
itself. The garage, previously a workshop and store, will undergo
major renovation (acceptable to the planners because it does not
involve changing the main building) to provide a reception, shop and
toilet with disabled access.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-size: 12pt;">The
double privy will be restored as part of the tour, and the ruined
piggery behind it will become the new workshop. The hayloft over the
stable, which already houses the hydro control panel, will be a
volunteers’ rest room. Both the stable and the byre, previously a
private store, will be accessible to visitors. Dilapidated fencing
and external steps will be replaced. There will be improved signage
from Dalegarth station.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-size: 12pt;">The
cottage, a sorry sight once emptied, will be tanked to deal with
extensive damp, and completely refurbished. We would have liked to
gain more space by erecting a large shed behind the cottage, but the
planners will agree only to a small fuel store. There will be a
wildlife management plan for the whole of the grounds, including the
field, which has already been partly cleared of brambles by
volunteers.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-size: 12pt;">There
will be a new website and presence on social media, and a new format
for this Newsletter.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-size: 12pt;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Can
you help ?</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-size: 12pt;">We
have to raise £75,000 in three months. If any member is able to
help, either financially, in kind, or by volunteering for work on
site or administrative assistance, we would be delighted to hear from
you. Please contact any trustee. Eskdale mill needs you!</span></span></span></div>
<div align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span>
<div align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-size: 12pt;">Paul
Pharaoh</span></span></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913053327823486081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203113823730605051.post-40584779994237455282016-08-30T04:02:00.000-07:002016-08-30T04:02:00.987-07:00Opening times 2016 update<header id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1472488657000_5497">
<h1 id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1472488657000_5498">
<br /></h1>
</header><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1472488657000_5499">
Opening times for the mill during 2016 are based on the availability of volunteers to open the mill and welcome visitors.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1472488657000_5500">
We aim to be open at the following times until 2nd October 2016 :</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1472488657000_5501">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1472488657000_5502">
<strong id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1472488657000_5503">Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 11am to 4.30pm.</strong></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1472488657000_5864">
<strong id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1472488657000_5503"><br /></strong></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1472488657000_5865">
<strong id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1472488657000_5503"><br /></strong></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913053327823486081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203113823730605051.post-88870201335324285562016-04-07T07:35:00.002-07:002016-04-07T07:35:53.816-07:00Heritage Lottery Fund success<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJ6KYXEYXG6j3UjWRdfXklmU3YsiL1nwztbWjVhzB1rxQbZu7B0cYB3T5OG-Mh2V4vBn3oTYCD35mrVv79TmJLMPehE_ClWkOBF7mm2i72Ey8TGGe24wdSf2oP9apcbaXuB9qLIBfmXXK/s1600/heri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJ6KYXEYXG6j3UjWRdfXklmU3YsiL1nwztbWjVhzB1rxQbZu7B0cYB3T5OG-Mh2V4vBn3oTYCD35mrVv79TmJLMPehE_ClWkOBF7mm2i72Ey8TGGe24wdSf2oP9apcbaXuB9qLIBfmXXK/s1600/heri.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
We were delighted to learn at the end of November that our first round application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for a major grant has been successful. £67,000 has been awarded to fund the development stage when, assisted by various consultants, we will work up the second round application for the full cost of building conservation works, and an activities and interpretation programme.<br />
The trustees are very grateful to HLF for endorsing our plans for the conservation and improved presentation of the mill, and also to Copeland Community Fund, who have agreed to provide match funding of £5,000. We are particularly pleased that refurbishment of the now vacated mill cottage has been accepted as part of the work to be funded, even though our intention to use it again as accommodation for a resident miller/custodian takes it outside the scope of HLF’s usual guidelines. The cottage is an integral part of the site, and badly in need of repair to bring it up to an acceptable standard.<br />
At the time of writing, we have not yet been able fully to publicise the award, or to thank individually the many people and organisations who gave us invaluable letters of support, or assisted in other ways. Notification of our first round pass was followed by a start-up meeting, which could not be arranged until 15 January, and then by a further application for permission to start work, which is currently still pending. HLF have appointed a mentor, Kate Dickson, a freelance heritage consultant, whose experience and expertise will guide us through the development stage. Following a helpful meeting with Kate at the mill on 26 February, we have submitted some amendments to our project management and procurement proposals and a revised budget allocation.<br />
Once permission to start has been secured, we will invite competitive tenders from potential project managers, the first consultants to be appointed. They will then assist us as we move on to the appointment of conservation engineers and activities/interpretation consultants, and commission further work on a business plan.<br />
We had originally hoped to complete the development stage and to submit our second round application to HLF by August this year, but in view of the delayed start we are now aiming to submit in November, for decision early in 2017. We have also to work up a second application to Copeland Community Fund, for a much larger tranche of match funding.<br />
After the pattern of modest background activity which followed the Trust’s formation and its acquisition and leasing out of the mill, these are challenging times for EMHT. We know our organisation and commitment needs to move up several gears. HLF’s emphasis not just on the maintenance of buildings, but on providing a stimulating experience which people will enjoy, is entirely consistent with EMHT’s charitable objects, carried out for the public benefit. It is an exciting and worthwhile challenge, and without doubt the right thing to do to secure the mill’s future.<br />
<br />
Paul PharaohAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913053327823486081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203113823730605051.post-39984190130217968672016-04-07T07:33:00.002-07:002016-04-07T07:33:18.031-07:00Volunteering and mill opening in 2016<br />
<br />
When the Trust decided on a major restoration project and change in the presentation of the mill, to follow Dave King’s retirement early this year, we anticipated remaining closed for the 2016 and 2017 visitor seasons, whilst funding was secured, work was carried out and plans for future operation were put in place. That would have meant at least two years without income to cover insurance, business rates and other continuing outgoings, as well as suspension of our main charitable object, making the mill available to the public.<br />
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So we began to look for volunteers, who after appropriate training would keep the mill going until the eventual appointment of a new resident miller. The number of volunteers would determine how often we could open. Appeals at first met with limited success; volunteers are in short supply, and EMHT is not the only local concern seeking to recruit them.<br />
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Fortunately we are now able to call on the services of Karl Bartlett as the Trust’s Volunteer Development Officer. Karl lives close to the mill, at Dalegarth Cottages. He has not only a post-graduate diploma in heritage management and experience in running projects, but can offer a substantial commitment to opening the mill to visitors himself, and co-ordinating the contributions of other volunteers. Thanks to Karl for the substantial amount of work he has already put in, particularly on the repair of drystone walls.<br />
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On 16 January Karl organised a volunteer recruitment day, starting with an introduction at Dalegarth station and continuing with a tour of the mill, led by Dave King. This was followed on 13 February by a clean-up day, when volunteers made a start on improving the appearance of the grounds. Both events generated a cheerful atmosphere and were supported by a mixture of new faces and existing supporters.<br />
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From Easter onwards, Karl will himself be opening the mill to visitors, and guiding tours, between 11.00 and 4.30 each Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. The admission charge, previously £1.50, will be raised to £2.50, but there will be concessions for families and groups, and no charge to members on production of a membership card.<br />
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This arrangement is entirely new : Dave King ran the mill as his own business, had the legal responsibilities of the occupier and retained admission fees for himself, but Karl Bartlett will open it on behalf of the Trust, which is now the legal occupier, and fees will belong to us. In recognition of the extensive commitment he is taking on, we have agreed terms with Karl which include an honorarium, fixed by reference to visitor numbers.<br />
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Whilst visitors to the mill will see some changes this year, none will necessarily be permanent and all are reversible. This transitional stage gives us a valuable opportunity to try out ideas, ahead of the major rethink of the mill’s presentation, led by professionals, which will follow as part of the Heritage Lottery Fund project. There is a small budget in the development stage, which is about to begin, for pilot activities designed to engage people’s interest in the mill and the valley’s history. Volunteers will be a key part of the mill’s operation for the foreseeable future, not only during the HLF project.<br />
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New volunteers who can assist in caring for the mill and presenting it to visitors this year are very welcome. Please contact Karl Bartlett on 019467 23335 or themillatboot@gmail.com<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913053327823486081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203113823730605051.post-41552243958834847992016-04-07T07:29:00.005-07:002016-04-07T07:29:39.509-07:00HYDRO SCHEME PROGRESS <br />
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<br />
By the end of October last year, the waterwheel, gearbox and motor-generator had all been installed on the structural steelwork previously bolted to the granite bedrock by the designers and constructors, Smith Engineering of Maryport.<br />
<br />
We have taken up the generous offer of the Worthington family to provide timber from their woodland at nearby Dalegarth for the launder which will take water to the new wheel, saving the Trust some £5,000. However the winter weather was atrocious, with probably the most persistent rain and winds in living memory. This made the felling and abstraction of timber (by Ronnie Phizacklea and Johnny Crow) very difficult, and just too dangerous for extended periods. Eventually in January there was sufficient opportunity, and the european larch was transported to Muncaster Castle to be sawn into planks. The weather continued to play havoc with Murray Wilson and Martin’s efforts at Muncaster, so that as I write the sawing operation is not yet complete, although it should be finished by the time you read this. <br />
<br />
The delays have caused us to miss out on the availability of our joiner, so we are currently arranging for another craftsman to carry out the work. He will not be able to start until the end of March. It will take about four weeks to make the launder, and another couple of weeks to install it. Electrical installation and commissioning may take a further two weeks, so we are looking at completion in early June, compared with my previous estimate of the end of 2015. Full commissioning and approval by Ofgem before September is essential.<br />
<br />
The two existing sluice gates have been fully restored, and a new one has been built to control flow to the waterwheel. A trench has been cut from the wheel to the stable, where a mounting board for the control panel has been erected in the hay loft. Another trench from the stable to the cottage will become the cable route for delivering the electricity. Internet cables are also to be laid, so that the performance of the system and security of the site can be remotely monitored by CCTV. <br />
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After commissioning, displays of information for visitors, construction of a protective barrier wall and fencing, and restoration of the paved viewing area will be required. We will fit wire mesh screening over the launder, to prevent things from falling into the water, and make an assessment of tree branches, which might damage the installation by falling on it. The building of steps over the launder will be needed to enable visitors to follow the route across the footbridge overlooking the waterwheel. <br />
<br />
The system will be capable of delivering a maximum output of 3.68 kW. If its efficiency is as the designer says, and water flow is at least 100 litres per second for 75% of the year, then we should realise about £5000 per annum via the Feed-in Tariff arrangement.<br />
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Len WatsonAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913053327823486081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203113823730605051.post-13363768001167737952015-11-09T03:33:00.000-08:002015-11-09T03:33:27.531-08:00Retirement of David King<br />
Earlier this autumn, Dave King showed his last visitors around the mill as resident miller/custodian, the position which he has held since 1992. Originally from the East Midlands, Dave worked as a miner, draughtsman and engineer before being selected (from over 300 applicants) by Cumbria County Council to succeed Thom Staites as custodian at Boot.<br />
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<br />
When ownership of the mill was transferred by the Council in 2006, Dave continued in day-to-day control as the Trust’s tenant, and has continued in that role ever since. The Trust therefore has no experience of direct responsibility for managing the mill, or its operation without him. Continuing to keep the mill running and opening it to the public without his vast experience will present a severe challenge.<br />
<br />
Dave has declined any formal presentation to mark his retirement, and probably would not appreciate any lengthy encomium here. But it is absolutely necessary to acknowledge and thank him for his phenomenal knowledge of mills in general, and his great understanding of, and love for, Eskdale mill in particular. Thousands of visitors have been enthralled by his guided tour, and many have recorded their appreciation of his contribution to the mill’s quirky character and eccentric charm, in the visitors’ book, on TripAdvisor, or in the surveys conducted recently. <br />
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In order to ensure the preservation of some of Dave’s wit and wisdom, Len Watson has made sound and video recordings of several of his tours, and film and TV production students from the University of Cumbria made the film you can see on the home page. <br />
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The Trust thanks Dave and Chiko for the huge contribution they have made to Eskdale mill, and wishes them a long and happy retirement at their new home, not too far away. We hope Dave will not mind if we call on his experience and expertise just occasionally in future.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913053327823486081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203113823730605051.post-74813906841575118542015-10-04T11:33:00.000-07:002015-10-04T11:33:02.026-07:00Heritage Lottery Fund project update<h2>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our round-1 application to the Heritage Lottery Fund was submitted in August. If we are successful in November, a nine month development period will lead to a full round-2 bid in August 2016. We will appoint project managers to write the bid, and assist with the appointment of consultants for business and activity plans, and detailed specifications for works. All appointments will be by competitive process.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have asked HLF for £67,000 so far. Match-funding of at least 5% is required. We are grateful to Copeland Community Fund for agreeing to provide £5,000 for this purpose. Their positive feedback will encourage us to apply to them again at round-2.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Working closely with the trustees and advisers, the round-1 bid and accompanying documentation was compiled by Shirley Muir Associates, based in Blennerhasset, who subcontracted input on interpretation and activities to Minerva Heritage of Lancaster. This work was generously paid for by the Lake District National Park Authority’s Communities Fund, with match-funding from Cumbria County Council’s Community Fund, via Cllr Keith Hitchen. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In preparation for the bid, visitors to the mill in early summer were asked to complete a questionnaire, and people were surveyed at Dalegarth station. We asked for expressions of support from schools, local businesses, Eskdale Parish Council, and national organisations interested in mills. The resulting letters were heartening, showing that the mill’s importance to the valley’s economy, as well as its educational and cultural significance, is widely valued.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have taken a risk in asking HLF to fund the internal refurbishment of the miller’s cottage, which will be for the private occupation of a new miller. Such expenditure is outside the normal guidelines, and must be justified by a very strong case. We believe there are convincing reasons for requiring the miller to occupy the cottage as a condition of employment.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If we progress to round-2, we shall ask HLF for a further £720,000, leaving us to raise £86,000 in match-funding and volunteer time, to pay for : </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">an archaeological survey, utilising the data from laser scanning in 2014;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">re-roofing, timber and masonry repairs and other conservation work on the mill and outbuildings, recommended by the 2014 buildings condition survey;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">repairs to the mill machinery recommended by the 2014 millwright’s report, including replacement of the 1970’s wooden launder, restoration of the second waterwheel (currently out of use) and consideration of producing flour for sale; </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">improved external signage, and internal display and interpretation;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">external and internal refurbishment of the cottage;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a display area for Mary Fair’s photographs of Eskdale’s wider heritage;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a small refurbished shop;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">connection to mains water and installation of a visitor toilet;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">repairs to boundary walls, fences, pathways and steps, improving disabled access where practical, but providing virtual access where this is not possible;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">reclaiming the grounds and gardens and the field behind the cottage, perhaps as a hay meadow;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">business, marketing and activity plans, including : volunteer roles; improved website and use of social media; co-operation with R&E Railway, National Trust and local businesses; involvement of schools, further and higher education; visitor activities, eg guided walks from the mill with LDNPA, baking haverbread, children as millers;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a financially sustainable model for maintaining the mill as a visitor attraction, after HLF support ends in June 2020.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We hope that the mill will be kept open to visitors in 2016, probably on a restricted basis, by the volunteers currently being mustered by Bob Hoye-Turner for training in October; details will be in the spring Newsletter. We are likely to close for most of the 2017 season, whilst works are carried out. A new miller/custodian should be in place in time for re-opening around Easter 2018. HLF funding is intensely competitive, so of course nothing can be taken for granted.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every decision taken by the trustees in getting us to this stage has been unanimous. We have benefitted from the advisers’ views, both at meetings and in writing. There is a tension between conviction that an ambitious development programme of this sort is both necessary and appropriate, and apprehension that the mill’s authenticity and eccentric charm could be compromised or lost in the process. The trustees are determined to ensure that those who design and implement the project for us should find and maintain the right balance, between essential conservation and the need for financial sustainability, on the one hand, and over-restoration or dumbed-down presentation on the other.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Paul Pharaoh </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913053327823486081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203113823730605051.post-32091803563112604062015-10-04T11:28:00.002-07:002015-10-14T07:51:34.447-07:00Hydro scheme progress<div align="justify" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="line-height: 16px;"><b>Hydro scheme progress </b></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 16px;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="line-height: 16px;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks to the generosity of Marcus Worthington, and of all those members who responded to the appeal in the last Newsletter, and to the patient fund-raising skills of Peter van Zeller, we have secured sufficient funding to order our waterwheel generator. Because public funding would disqualify us from the benefits of Feed-in Tariff, all the money is from private sources.</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The suupliers are two Cumbrian firms, Smith Engineering of Maryport and Border Hydro of Lorton, near Cockermouth. The steel girder framework has been manufactured, galvanised and painted. On 9-10 September it was transported to the mill and has now been installed in its final location. The motor and gearbox have been ordered, and the machining of other component parts is planned. Smith Engineering have arranged for the specially shaped buckets to be laser-cut and shaped. The control panel design is complete and the parts have been ordered.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrCg03juQFZZehwXN1dP9-QO7-TbwscQQwAbZOs28EZ8e_a5b3Rl6BZDU0t78BWFaj6Plmun7887JYmMXdjPpYOjL8Drx1fWidrjF7YbqGTD79LEO_ZcKwWb4vGiufIEGUAJwtiW1LUuR/s1600/gen2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrCg03juQFZZehwXN1dP9-QO7-TbwscQQwAbZOs28EZ8e_a5b3Rl6BZDU0t78BWFaj6Plmun7887JYmMXdjPpYOjL8Drx1fWidrjF7YbqGTD79LEO_ZcKwWb4vGiufIEGUAJwtiW1LUuR/s320/gen2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Framework in place</td></tr>
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</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Joiners are assessing timber requirements for the launder (the trough that will carry water from the existing mill leat to the top of the ‘overshot’ waterwheel). The timber used will probably be European larch and perhaps some green oak. Whilst ensuring that the required flow rate is maintained, water must be fed as slowly and calmly as possible into the buckets. Otherwise, air gets trapped in the flow and, being much less dense than water, would reduce the efficiency of the waterwheel. The design of the buckets gives them capacity to develop more power in future, should it be decided to move to a 3-phase electrical system. They are carefully shaped to hold the water as far out as possible on the radius of the wheel, thus developing the maximum torque (turning force). A trench will be dug, away from pathways, to take the power cable to the location of the controls for the generator.</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are on track to be generating power by the end of 2015, well within the limit of one year from the approval date allowed for installation and commissioning of the generator, thus qualifying us for the Feed-in Tariff under the government’s renewable energy initiative. The boost to the mill’s normal income will begin at the same time.</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc421xmwZBRa5GxvQr_Tk3-s3wgKXSi4uEYX3A62-pgQEfjNIS21QdvCCDpADUJoPo_G1FxhBnks1pi1gaAIGnnHSaVteafp-a7J87qlgkqFxUNF-IB7IELXOBw75CYsEXOh7UAD8u3Ils/s1600/genorator.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc421xmwZBRa5GxvQr_Tk3-s3wgKXSi4uEYX3A62-pgQEfjNIS21QdvCCDpADUJoPo_G1FxhBnks1pi1gaAIGnnHSaVteafp-a7J87qlgkqFxUNF-IB7IELXOBw75CYsEXOh7UAD8u3Ils/s320/genorator.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Motor going into position</td></tr>
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<span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The similar waterwheel built by Smith Engineering and Border Hydro at Skelwith Bridge, in Great Langdale, has now been operating successfully and very efficiently for almost a year, giving us confidence that the generator will serve our purpose well. It is designed to produce a maximum 3.5kW of electricity, given a water supply of at least 100 litres per second. That should be available in all but the driest periods, which used to occur most often in late spring and early summer; but who knows what to expect in the next 25 years ? If we are able to keep the equipment running for most of the time, say 75% of the year, then at the kilowatt-hour tariff rate of 25 pence per kWh we should earn around £5,000 per annum, provided the efficiency of our wheel and the one at Langdale are the same.</span></span><br />
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<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: -1.27cm; margin-right: -0.91cm; text-align: left;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913053327823486081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203113823730605051.post-72300319927424904432015-09-13T08:04:00.001-07:002015-09-13T08:04:58.414-07:00Dalegarth Hall Open Day<div align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.49cm;">
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<h2 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.49cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>Dalegarth
Hall open day in aid of the Eskdale Mill Trust</b></span></span></h2>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.49cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Earlier
this year, Margie Foots agreed to succeed her mother, the late Anne
Stanley, as a patron of the Trust. Margie generously responded to
our hydro generator appeal, by offering to open her home and gardens
at Dalegarth Hall. This was a rare opportunity to view Eskdale’s
oldest house, and to learn more about the Stanley family. Eskdale
mill belonged to the Stanleys from at least 1633, but was sold to
Edward Hartley of Miterdalehead in 1737.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOlGk1C2ND8OM-qX68ZqCjg9fYKUEWaf1WmivxO7e1ea0UHFVtcihJs2uN4-Ba7sNeqUDaowGzZnLodGsWhG3CAeFXjL8IQhc5tWoXGTWf1kXuFxRlUs2Jh1H8j1L8aWgKkvfRiarwTEkx/s1600/Dalegarth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOlGk1C2ND8OM-qX68ZqCjg9fYKUEWaf1WmivxO7e1ea0UHFVtcihJs2uN4-Ba7sNeqUDaowGzZnLodGsWhG3CAeFXjL8IQhc5tWoXGTWf1kXuFxRlUs2Jh1H8j1L8aWgKkvfRiarwTEkx/s320/Dalegarth.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.49cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The
event on Sunday 9 August was a tremendous success. By paying
for entry and buying tea and cakes, plants, raffle tickets, and some
of Anne Stanley's pictures, locals and visitors together contributed
the magnificent total of £1,597 for the Trust. People enjoyed
themselves in a good cause, and EMHT raised its local profile. </span></span>
</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.49cm;">
<br /><br />
</div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.49cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We
are immensely grateful to Margie for allowing all-comers into her
home, laying on a guided tour and enlisting other members of the
Stanley family to assist. Special thanks to John & Diane Bromage
for master-minding and publicising the whole event, with help from
Paddy O’Neill and posters provided by Chris Jones. John also ran
the raffle, with prizes donated by local businesses. Many
thanks also to the gatekeepers, parking attendants (a stressful
task), stall-minders and caterers : Paul and Morag Dean, Bob and
Christine Hoye-Turner, Joan Marlow, Rosey Benn, Damian McSweeney,
Roger and Mu Putnam, Peter and Kate van Zeller, and Len & Denise
Watson, and all the others who helped out. Finally, thanks to
Gill Hart, the new vicar of Eskdale, who by attending with David
ensured that the rain held off for the whole afternoon.</span></span></div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.49cm;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%;">Paul
Pharaoh</span></div>
<h3 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.49cm;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 100%;"><b>A
brief history of the Stanley family of Dalegarth by Margie Foots</b></span></h3>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.49cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Nicholas
Austhwaite Stanley (1909-1985) was 25</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">th</span></span></sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
in direct line descended from a Noman lord who accompanied William
the Conqueror and was given the manor of Stoneleigh in Cheshire.
Dalegarth Hall became the seat of this Cumbrian branch of the family
in 1345 when Nicholas, son of John Stanley who had moved from
Cheshire to Embleton, married Constance, heiress to the manor of
Austhwaite. He also bought the manor and demesne of Ponsonby from
Adam de Eskdale in 1388.</span></span></div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.49cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The
descendants of Nicholas continued to accumulate more property and
gained status by marrying into other notable families and taking on
responsibilities such as becoming High Sheriff, Justice of the Peace
and Members of Parliament.</span></span></div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.49cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In
1566 / 1567 Thomas Stanley bought the manor of Birkby for a sum of
£760, and his son Edward was given the property of Brotherilkeld on
the dissolution of Furness Abbey. He was also able to buy the tithes
of Eskdale, Mitredale, Wasdale and Nether Wasdale from St Bees
Priory.</span></span></div>
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.49cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">During
the civil war, his son John was an active and zealous royalist and
was heavily fined by Parliament. The family have a portrait of him
and letters from Oliver Cromwell and General Fairfax at Dalegarth. He
was succeeded by his son Edward who bought the manor of Birker from
Edward Fletcher of Moresby Hall in 1671 for £212. 5s. He also bought
the rights for the holding of Ravenglass Fair and was High Sheriff
of Cumberland and proclaimed King William 3</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">rd</span></span></sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
in 1689.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Edward
was the last Stanley to live in Dalegarth Hall as Lord of the Manor.
His son John bought the Rectory of Ponsonby and moved his family to
Ponsonby Old Hall in 1689 and retained this as the family seat. This
would reflect the beginning of changes in farming practices and the
role of the Lord of the Manor to “Gentleman Farmer”.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">John’s
son Edward married Mildred, daughter of Sir George Fleming, Bishop of
Carlisle. He was High Sheriff in 1731 and was on the grand jury at
the trial of the Jacobite prisoners in Carlisle in 1745. When he died
his heir, George Edward, was a young child and his mother organised
the running of the estate till he came of age. There are detailed
records of his schooling and information about the running of the
estate and improvements at a time when land was being enclosed and
properties enfranchised. He built a grand new house, Ponsonby Hall,
now Pelham House, and in Eskdale planted the woods round Dalegarth
and saw to the building of walls as fell-land was being enclosed.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He
died aged 58 in 1806 leaving very generous gifts to his children and
an annual allowance of £600 to his wife. This presented a problem to
his son Edward when he inherited the estate and most of the property
had to be mortgaged. Edward was an MP for 20 years and High Sheriff
in 1823.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">His
son William succeeded him and he was followed first by Edward who
sold the whole of the Eskdale estate to Muncaster to cover some of
the debts, and as he and his brother William died unmarried, their
younger brother Philip moved to Ponsonby Hall with his family in
1928. His son Nicholas succeeded him and sold Ponsonby Hall to the
Home Office in 1940 and bought back the manor of Austhwaite. He was
the last High Sheriff of Cumberland. He moved into Dalegarth Hall in
1959 and it is now the home of his daughter Margaret.</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913053327823486081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203113823730605051.post-43635983993866972262015-04-02T07:12:00.000-07:002015-04-02T07:12:54.029-07:00SPRING NEWSLETTER 2015 Planning Ahead<br />
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PLANNING FOR THE MILL’S FUTURE<br />
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After examining several options for the Mill’s operation and management after David King’s retirement in February 2016, last autumn the trustees accepted the recommendation of our consultants, Minerva Heritage Ltd, to open it to the public as often as possible, with demonstrations of the machinery by a new custodian. He or she will be an employee of the Trust, not a tenant as at present, and will occupy the refurbished cottage as a condition of employment.<br />
<br />
Just before Christmas, we received Minerva’s final review of the Mill as a visitor attraction, and a condition report on all our buildings from Blackett-Ord Conservation Engineers, with estimated repair costs. By February, we also had a specialist millwright’s report on the machinery from Martin Watts, a national authority, again with estimates. We are very grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund and Lake District National Park Authority Communities Fund for enabling us to obtain these reports, each containing essential information for future planning. Including VAT, capital expenditure will be about £420,000<br />
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Also in February three trustees, supported by John Hodgson and Rec Cathey from LDNPA, met HLF representatives to discuss a second and larger funding application. Although of course making no commitments, they gave us generally encouraging advice. There may be a problem with funding internal improvements to the cottage, as payment for privately used residential facilities is not normally allowed. HLF emphasised that grants for capital work on buildings follow on from funding of audience development, interpretation and activities for people, not the other way round. Those activities in the first five years will cost another £108,000, taking the total project cost to around £528,000. We will have to find match funding from other sources of 5% of the amount applied for. <br />
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Applying for a heritage grant is a two stage process. If we are successful this year with a first round application, there will be a development period during, and perhaps beyond 2016, with HLF funding for working up a detailed second round application. That will include full activities, action and business plans, specifications and architect’s drawings. Professional support will be needed even for the first round, outline application; we hope to pay for that by making yet another grant application – but are still short of the £600 match funding required. <br />
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If we succeed at HLF round two, building work will not begin until 2017, at the earliest. Whilst the Mill may close at the construction stage, we shall do our best to keep it ticking over, and to maintain some income from admissions, during the 2016 season onwards. That will probably mean relying on volunteers to guide people round, at times fixed according to train arrivals at Dalegarth. Identifying & training those people is therefore a priority for this year.<br />
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Are we daunted by all this ? Of course we are. But as our newest [trustee/adviser’s] father used to tell him, “It's the job that doesn't get started that takes the longest”.<br />
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Paul Pharaoh<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913053327823486081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203113823730605051.post-52196075030731373582015-04-02T07:09:00.001-07:002015-04-02T07:12:26.402-07:00SPRING NEWSLETTER 2015 Hydro<br />
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HYDRO PROGRESS & APPEAL<br />
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We are still working to secure the funding required to manufacture and install a new waterwheel, that will supply ‘green’ renewable electricity to the grid, and offer an added attraction to visitors coming to see the last working corn mill in the Lake District National Park. <br />
<br />
The only outstanding regulatory requirement is the granting of preliminary accreditation by Ofgem, who are currently examining our application. Once they give us the final go-ahead, and the money is in place, we are ready to sign a contract with our preferred supplier, who has recently completed the successful installation of a similar system in Langdale at Skelwith Bridge, near Ambleside.<br />
<br />
The output from our new waterwheel should produce enough electricity to give the Trust an income of between £3,000 and £4,000 each year, which would enable us to pay the Mill’s fixed overheads and some maintenance costs. In addition, the electricity produced will reduce the cost of power used at the cottage. Without this boost to our income we are unlikely to achieve financial sustainability, even if visitor numbers and revenue increase in line with our consultants’ projections. If the financial performance of the last few years were to remain unchanged, the Trust could not survive for more than another three or four years.<br />
<br />
The total cost of the hydro project will not exceed £50,000, reducing to £40,000 if, as we think is likely, we qualify for a lower than standard rate of VAT. So far, we have raised £27,000 from Trusts and individuals, and some other potential donors have yet to respond to applications. Projects which will benefit from the feed-in tariff, by selling the energy produced, are not eligible for capital funding from public bodies, because of a perceived double benefit. So the new waterwheel, which is so necessary to our continued existence, must be paid for only from private sources.<br />
<br />
The funding gap of only £13,000 is frustratingly small. But we are still some way off securing sufficient financial support to make us sure of achieving the Trust’s principal object of protecting the survival of this wonderful historic feature of the Lake District, and of being able to offer an enhanced visitor experience in future, that will inform and enthral those who come to see it.<br />
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<i>As the Trust’s very survival is doubtful unless the hydro project is successfully completed, the trustees are appealing to patrons, advisers and members to donate to the Eskdale Mill Generator Fund. All contributions will be acknowledged, and their value can be increased by 25% through Gift Aid if you are a UK tax payer.</i><br />
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Please send your donation with the membership renewal form which accompanies this Newsletter, or to Peter van Zeller, Company Secretary & Treasurer, Inglenook, Main Street, Ravenglass, Cumbria CA18 1SD; cheques payable to Eskdale Mill & Heritage Trust.<br />
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Len Watson<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913053327823486081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203113823730605051.post-47389116769940958012015-04-02T07:04:00.005-07:002015-04-02T07:04:46.845-07:00HYDRO PROGRESS autumn 2014<div class="western" style="margin-left: -1cm; margin-right: -1cm; text-align: justify;">
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Our efforts to put in place an electricity generating waterwheel are progressing steadily. We intend to position the new free-standing wheel so that it may be seen by people as they approach the Mill from the village and cross the packhorse bridge which spans the Whillan Beck. The Mill’s integral waterwheels are not visible from the road, so the location of the new wheel should serve to increase visual interest for potential visitors. It will also add educational value as a demonstration of the power of water, one of Cumbria’s greatest natural resources, taking part of the flow from the existing millrace via a new wooden launder. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The energy produced from this renewable source will reduce our carbon footprint and, what is more, earn us income to keep the Mill and Trust going. We need around £3,000 each year for insurance and maintenance costs alone.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />With the support of Eskdale Parish Council, we have made good progress in obtaining firstly the necessary planning permission from the Lake District National Park Authority, and secondly agreement to installation of the generator from the electrical network authority, Electricity North West. We are currently waiting to hear about our third necessary application from Ofgem, the authority which controls access to the Feed-in Tariff system for renewable energy providers. If that is successful, we are then in the position of being able to make final arrangements with the wheel’s manufacturer, who has already installed a similar waterwheel generator in Langdale.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The one major problem still confronting us is that so far we have secured less than half of the funds required, about £50,000. Fundraising is made more difficult because organisations benefitting from Feed-in Tariff payments are ineligible for grant aid for the project cost from ‘public bodies’, for example Lottery Funds, local government agencies or any organisation funded by national taxation. We cannot therefore approach many of the most likely sources of funding, and are limited to appealing for help to trusts, companies and individuals.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The wheel’s design should enable it to generate up to 4 kilowatts of power from the water flow we normally experience. If that power is maintained for 75% of the year at 60% efficiency, then we could produce annually about 16,000 kilowatt hours of energy, which would currently earn £3,800 from the FIT scheme. That would cover the Trust’s insurance costs and routine maintenance and repairs to the Mill and cottage.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />There are limits on for how long the various permissions remain valid. We must build, install and commission the generator within the next twelve months, or we would have to re-apply to at least one authority. We therefore need to reach our funding target quite soon. So, although we have made really encouraging progress with the regulatory regime, and the manufacturer is ready to start work, we are still at a critical phase in the project.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Len WatsonAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913053327823486081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203113823730605051.post-41352763481676274282011-02-13T08:06:00.001-08:002011-02-13T08:06:28.975-08:00Dave King Writes<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>On Monday October 18</i></span><sup><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>th</i></span></sup><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>, I attended the re-launch of Pevner’s Architectural Guides (Cumbria), held at Holker Hall. All the great and the good were present ~ with the notable exception of Roger Putnam; Matthew Hyde, the author, Professor Simon Bradley, editor ~ who had forwarded the invitation to me, Sir Simon Jenkins, Guardian journalist and Chairman of the Pevsner Trust, and of course, Lord and Lady Cavendish, owners of the stately pile. Eskdale Mill is featured in the Guide, and is a particular favourite of Simon and Sarah Bradley, who are regular visitors and friends.</i></span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Hugh ~ Lord C to you ~ and I chatted at quiet some length about our former acquaintance before afternoon tea was taken by all; I sat with fellow minion Andy Lowe, former LDNP officer, who was able to point out other dignitaries over the cream scones. I took my leave of the Lord, having at first purchased a signed copy of the said Guide on behalf of the Mill Trust.</i></span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <span style="font-size: medium;"><i>After that, it was off to Sproxton (pronounced Sproaston), halfway between Grantham and Melton Mowbray, to contemplate millstones. I was met at the Crown Inn, one of the many possessions of Barry Spencer, by Colin, one of his employees; Barry was in the south of France, doing up a property there. Colin drove me to a remote field several miles away, where many salvaged items lay strewn about. We eventually came across the much discussed items and these are my thoughts.</i></span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The two stones, which are obviously a pair, each measure 54 inches by 11, virtually unused, each stone weighs over a ton. The hole in the bedstone has been filled with cement with a metal pipe to support a parasol in the centre. They have been ‘dressed’ and so were used for milling grain. There is a possibility that they are composites (man made) and not grits, somehow they look too perfect, cast rather than hewn and both exactly the same; I have never come across artificial stones, so cannot be sure, but I’m fairly confident that they are the real thing; probably stones were machine cut in later years.</i></span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The present stones in use at Eskdale are 58 in. diameter, but this 2 in. smaller radius would not present too great a problem, and searching for a stone of the correct span might be like looking for the proverbial needle in a haystack. My advice is to purchase them (Barry might be prepared to sell only the runner stone, but I doubt it). Even if they were never used, they would always be there.</i></span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <span style="font-size: medium;"><i>October 25</i></span><sup><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>th</i></span></sup><span style="font-size: medium;"><i> 2010</i></span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913053327823486081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203113823730605051.post-33269165309153943632010-10-03T04:27:00.000-07:002010-10-03T04:27:12.107-07:00Seeking the Stainton Snuff Mill!DAVE KING WRITES .... <br />
<br />
I was invited by a local History Group to visit Stainton village near Penrith, in the hope that my experience might throw some light on the exact whereabouts of the former local Snuff Mill, which had according to legend been demolished in the early 19th Century by customs officers for nonpayment of tobacco duty. <br />
The position of the buildings shown as 'Snuff Mill' on the 1861 map made it very unlikely that they had ever employed water power, and there were no structural dues. So we tracked a nearby beck as it made its way to the River Eamont, and noticed a trickle of water on the other side possibly a tail race. We crossed the beck and discovered slates and stones, probably the site of a former building. <br />
Evidence of a mill race ran parallel to the beck with a stone wall between, and upstream an area that would have served as the mill dam, where sluice gates would have controlled the available water power to the wheel which was either an undershot or a pitchback. Presumably production of snuff would not have required excessive power. An excavation could reveal more. <br />
When the mill ceased operating, it is likely that most equipment would have been taken for use elsewhere. But I have been informed since my visit that workmen in the loft of a nearby building could not stop sneezing! <br />
My own experience of snuff dates back to my time working in a coal mine, where taking snuff helped to clear the airways. It was very much a social ritual underground; the owner of the snuff tin would tap the lid before removal and offer its contents to the gathering, each of whom would take a pinch. This was divided into two mounds on the back of the left hand, an equal amount for each nostril. It was unsociable to refuse! DK.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913053327823486081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203113823730605051.post-88454600346512217432010-10-03T04:25:00.000-07:002010-10-03T04:25:14.961-07:00News from the Trustees<b style="color: #ffd966;">2010 Membership Renewal. </b><br />
Membership fees have been held at 2009 levels, and the Trust has decided not to introduce payment by standing order or direct debit for the time being, in view of the cost involved. We hope to substantially increase membership in 2010. <br />
<b style="color: #ffd966;">Appeal for New Trustees. </b><br />
The Trust is keen to strengthen its Trustee body in the coming months, and invites members to consider taking on this responsibility. The Trust is likely to decide to move to a new corporate structure (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) which is being developed under the new Charities Act to make life simpler for Trustees of small charities. If you would be interested in becoming a Trustee, please contact Company Secretary Peter van Zeller. <br />
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;">Looking further ahead. </span></b><br />
The second Object of the Trust is as follows: <br />
"To advance the education of the public in the history, heritage, geography and geology of Eskdale so as to increase their understanding of the built and natural environment." <br />
Trustees are assessing how this second object might be moved forward, in order to conserve the unique social, environmental, agricultural and industrial heritage of Eskdale. There is a danger that much of this heritage may be lost or forgotten in an era of rapid change. Links are being strengthened with Eskdale & District Local History Society and other local bodies. <br />
<b style="color: #ffd966;">Hydro</b><br />
Hydro-electric power generation (cont'd) Initial funding has been provided by the Lake District National Park Authority, which is keen to initiate work of this type where appropriate. A National Park survey shows that the Whillan Beck has great potential for hydro-power, although any such development will have to safeguard the exceptional scenic value of the gorge alongside the Mill. Much will depend on the level of the feed-in tariff" to be introduced by the Government in 2010. <br />
The capital cost of such a development will be high, but it would then provide a small additional revenue stream for the Trust and at the same time contribute to the 'greening' of Eskdale valley.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913053327823486081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203113823730605051.post-11656817181415253062010-10-03T04:09:00.000-07:002010-10-03T04:09:02.707-07:00The Kiln at Eskdale MillDAVE KING WRITES .... <br />
<br />
Most people visiting the Mill pass straight through the Drying Room Without even pausing to inspec.t the kiln, but on closer scrutiny it is quite an Impressive construction. <br />
A few years ago, Hubert Dawson, an old lad from .Dereham in. Norfolk, wrote to me regarding the kiln hIes, havmg worked on them in the 1950s. This prompted me to clamber down into the chamber to record, measure and photograph. <br />
The kiln is an upturned pyramid, with a firebox 12 in. x 18 in. x 30 in. deep, situated in the lower floor, .expanding to a.12 ft: square drying area upstaIrs. InsIde the kiln, eIght stone buttresses jut out from the sloping sides to support four awsome 12 ft. stone lintels, where 30 in. slate 'T' pieces sit. 144 cast iron tiles, 12 in. square, rest on these. <br />
The oats would be spread out on these tiles to dry above a peat fire, fuelled by peat cut and dned on Eskdale fell. An oak roller was fitted to the side to assist the Miller when hauling the sacks onto the kiln floor. <br />
Most kiln tiles are made of fired clay, perforated to allow the heat through. Cast iron ones are fairly rare. Some of the old clay tiles which were used ?efore are s~ill about, and I have acquired a selection of clay hIes from other mills as well. <br />
Carved into a granite stone on the left hand side of the firebox is the date 1819, with the name of M. Tyson - probably an ancester of John and Tom who recently repaired the bakehouse roof! <br />
Also the initials D.T. - possibly the Miller, Daniel Tyson.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913053327823486081noreply@blogger.com0