Worsbrough Mill saved to celebrate 400th birthday after £40k Trouble At T'Mill appeal
Funding has been secured to ensure Barnsley's iconic Worsbrough Mill museum will celebrates its 400th birthday in working order next year.
It follows the launch of a Barnsley Museums and Heritage Trust £40,000 Trouble At T’Mill appeal, to replace an upright oak shaft that drives it.
Due to the urgency of the essential repair and an outpouring of public support - with £6,558 raised in the first two weeks - Barnsley Council is to provide remaining funds.
It also acknowledges the tremendous efforts of BMHT and the generosity of the community.
The Trust, a charity, will continue sourcing further funds, to support longer-term plans for the mill and the town's four other council run museums, Experience Barnsley, The Cooper Gallery, Elsecar Heritage Centre and Cannon Hall Museum and Worsbrough Mill.
Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/campaign/savethemill or text a donation to SAVETHEMILL followed by the amount you’d like to donate (e.g., SAVETHEMILL5 for £5) to 70450.You can also donate directly to BMHT on its website at www.bmht.org.
VIRTUAL TOUR: Explore Worsbrough Mill and discover its rich history in the amazing free online 3D walkthrough tour from Barnsley Museums, created by www.frontrowlive.co.uk and packed with information hotspots, including explainer videos featuring miller Simon Dodd - click on the image below or visit here.
The mill, which has been grinding grain since 1625, is one of only a few remaining working mills in Yorkshire and until recently was capable of producing around 16 tons of grain each year, providing flour to local bakeries and artisan bread makers.
Nestled in 240-acre Worsbrough country park, next to a reservoir, it is a top tourist destination attracting over 250,000 visitors a year.
Coun Robin Franklin, cabinet spokesperson for regeneration and culture, said: “We are delighted to announce the council will provide funding to ensure the vital repairs to Worsbrough Mill.
“This will build on donations already given by the public and local businesses following the tremendous efforts of Barnsley Museums and Heritage Trust.
"The Trust, a charity, will continue sourcing further funds, to support longer-term plans for Worbrough Mill and the town's four other council run museums, Experience Barnsley, The Cooper Gallery, Elsecar Heritage Centre and Cannon Hall Museum. All contributions are deeply appreciated.
“The council remains committed to preserving our local history and we look forward to the successful completion of this important project."
David Exley, Chair of the Barnsley Museums and Heritage Trust, added:“This is truly wonderful news for Worsbrough Mill and for everyone who treasures its place in Barnsley’s heritage. Thanks to the Council’s support and the community’s generosity.
“Our heartfelt thanks go to everyone who has supported this campaign. The passion and commitment shown by the community in preserving the mill speaks volumes, and we’re excited to celebrate this milestone with everyone who helped make it possible.”
The upright shaft, a 5m long piece of oak installed back in the 1970s, has seen better days and is warped beyond repair. If we keep milling, the vibrations could damage our precious, centuries-old building so, for now, we’ve had to hit pause on flour production.
Fixing this isn’t easy - it takes a specialist millwright, a rare breed of individual, and with only a few left in the UK, the cost to restore Barnsley’s pride and joy is a hefty £40,000.
This includes a brand-new, hand-picked oak shaft and the delicate expert work needed to replace the old shaft with a new one and then get the mill working once again.
BMHT web: bmht.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BMHeritageTrust
X: @BarnsleyMHT
Worsbrough Mill Museum and Country Park web: www.worsbrough-mill.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/WorsbroughMill