An historic gem in the Shropshire countryside is looking forward to a boom in visitors in 2009 after receiving funding to transform a derelict building. Daniels Mill at Eardington has the largest waterwheel powering a corn mill still working in England.
The mill, which dates back more than 400 years, has been lovingly restored to its former glory by the owners, the George family. But the labour of love was devastated by the 2007 summer floods which also wrecked the nearby Severn Valley Railway.
Torrents of storm water and mud slides caused major damage to the mill, which has been in the same ownership for more than 250 years.
Daniels Mill re-opened to the public in July 2008 with the help of grants and donations totalling about £150,000.
Now, with their fingers crossed for an untroubled 2009, the trustees are hoping that a £60,000 scheme to convert a stable block into a tea room will be opened for the start of the season next Spring.
The cost of the project, which will also include a visitor centre, shop and disabled toilets, is being helped by a Redundant Building Grant of £12,000. Funded through Advantage West Midlands’ Rural Regeneration Zone, the scheme has supported the transformation of more than 80 buildings over the past five years.
Two part-time jobs will be created and another two safeguarded as a result of the work.
Mrs Anne Dingley, a trustee of the mill and daughter of the owner Alan George, said: “My father has put his whole life into the mill and the restoration has been a challenge at every turn. My father, my two brothers and I – along with the four independent trustees – are committed to ensuring that this wonderful working mill is kept for posterity.
“We are extremely grateful for the grants we have received from various bodies and for donations from the public.
“When completed, the tea shop project will be a welcome addition to the facilities at the mill. The Redundant Buildings Grant has been a key factor in ensuring that it is affordable.”
Caroline Cattle, programme manager for the Redundant Building Grant Scheme, said: “Daniels Mill is a landmark in Bridgnorth and is an important part of the tourism offer for the town as it links well with the Severn Valley Railway.
“The application for the tea room and visitor centre will help to support the site as an attraction and continue with the recovery from the devastating floods of 2007.”
Daniels Mill has stood on the same site for centuries and has been known as Donynges Mill, Dunnings Mill and Dunnells Mill before taking its present name in 1880.
The mill – deep in a beautiful wooded valley is crossed by a Victorian viaduct carrying the Severn Valley Railway between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth. The mill stayed unaltered from 1858 until 1957 when it stopped production after the death of the miller, Alan George’s father.
Mr Alan George, who is now 80, took on the monumental challenge of restoring the mill with his wife, Joyce, who died 10 years ago. He was told the task was impossible but Mr George’s dogged determination and the support of his children, friends and well-wishers finally won through.
In October 2007, Daniels Mill was awarded a £67,500 grant by the GrantScape Community Heritage Fund but while the work was still in the planning stage, the mill was hit by the floods.
But a grant from the Shropshire Tourism Action Plan programme from the European Regional Development Fund – together with funding from Bridgnorth District Council, the Society of Protection of Ancient Buildings and the Midland Water Mills Group and donations to a public appeal – helped to save the mill.
Daniels Mill produces about 50 tons of flour a year which is sold to visitors to the mill and customers at Acorn health food shop in Bridgnorth, while loaves made from the flour are sold every day at Catherines Bakery (formerly Whitneys) also in Bridgnorth.
