For the Trustees, and particularly the George family whose association with the Mill goes back nearly 300 years (Alan George being the present miller), this was a very special day. After the heart-break of seeing a dramatic flash-flood cause serious damage to the Mill and its surroundings in June 2007, full water power has now been restored. Just as importantly, with its millstones once again grinding wholemeal flour, Daniels Mill is now very much back to being a major tourist attraction for the county of Shropshire.
Celebrations included a demonstration of the Mill’s iconic waterwheel being driven by water from its re-instated cast iron overhead tank, locally known as a “pentrough”, the original tank having been dismantled in 1967 when it became unsafe. The pentrough, together with the cast iron piping running to it from the top pool, was funded by GrantScape, as were works to completely re-profile the top pool to ensure a sufficient flow of water to power the wheel.
Steven Hargreaves, GrantScape’s Chief Executive, said:
“We chose Daniels Mill to receive funding because of its importance as the only working watermill in Shropshire, its close ties to the nearby birthplace of the Industrial Revolution and our wish to see water power restored to the Mill’s splendid 38ft cast iron wheel - the largest in England driving a corn mill. Without the project and our support, there was also the risk that the condition of Daniels Mill would deteriorate – so we are delighted that this risk has been averted.”
In November 2007, the eight groups selected by GrantScape to receive grants through our Community Heritage Fund “Windmill and Watermill Challenge” were announced. Amongst these was the Daniels Mill Trust which was awarded £67,500 for its ambitious project to restore Daniels Mill, near Bridgnorth, to full working operation as originally intended when it was “refurbished” in cast iron in 1854.
Full details of Daniels Mill’s opening times and location directions can be found on the Shropshire Tourism website: http://www.shropshiretourism.co.uk/attractiondetails.php?estid=111
Coverage of the Mill’s re-launch can be viewed on the BBC website:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7508550.stm
