Newsletter -January 2003

Mill goes from Strength to Strength

2002 was a tremendously successful year for the mill, and involved the most changes and improvements since the initial rebuilding after the 1987 fire. It is hard to believe the difference since just this time last year. A year ago, most of the milling was still done on the small vertical millstones, there was no flour store, no shop, no flour dresser, no dust extraction, and only a fraction of the amount of flour produced compared to now.

Most of this work has been achieved by the core of our volunteer team, supported by many other more occasional helpers. The mill owners are enormously grateful for all the work they have achieved, and to show this appreciation, the mill was the venue for the first Volunteer Christmas Party on December 15th. This was a lovely afternoon and the first time that so many of the volunteers were able to get together and celebrate their achievements.

Organic Food Awards

For the second year in a row, Redbournbury Mill has received a prestigious food award. The Organic Food Awards are run jointly by the Soil Association, and the Mail on Sunday’s “You” magazine. The awards are designed to recognise excellence in different areas of Organic food production and processing.

We entered our unbleached white flour into the competition only a few weeks after we first started producing it. It was tested by professional bakers and chefs at the Awards in Bristol, and we were delighted that it was “Highly Commended”. This is the same award that our 100% Wholemeal flour won last year.

Food Festival Blow Out!

The mill’s annual Food Festival was held on 27th & 28th October. We decided this time to extend the space available to exhibitors by using the mill’s marquee in front of the building.

This turned out not to be such a good idea when the strongest winds of the decade arrived! Justin spent an eventful Friday night putting up more and more guy-ropes and even moving exhibitions at 1am in the expectation that the tent would blow/wash away!

Fortunately, the wind did ease through Saturday, and we had a reasonable turn-out. However, the forecast for the Sunday meant that we had to take the marquee down. The lack of space resulted in several exhibitors cancelling for Sunday, but we were surprised and pleased that so many people did brave the atrocious conditions to visit the mill.

The wind caused several tiles and slates to be blown from the roofs, and would certainly have destroyed the marquee!

We will have to reconsider the food festival as a regular event in the mill due to lack of space, and the unpredictable autumn weather. We may move this event to the summer in 2004.

Flour Production continues to increase….

As mentioned in the last newsletter, 2002 saw a rapid increase in the amount of flour milled. In the previous year we milled approximately four tonnes of wheat compared to over sixteen tonnes in 2002. In just four weeks at the end of 2002 we milled 2½ tonnes of wheat! This was a remarkable achievement and was almost certainly the most flour the mill had ground in a month for well over one hundred years.

It is interesting to note the differences in flour production. Historically, the mill would only have ground cereals as they were brought by farmers and land-owners. Today we mill and package the flour for direct sale to customers at the mill, from local shops and from three Farmers’ Markets

New Flour Available

Over the last few months, we have had several requests for the mill to produce a flour containing malted wheat-flakes.

It has proved difficult to find a supplier of Organic wheat flakes, but we have now been able to do so.

Our new “Malted Wheat-flake Flour” is a blend of our 85% brown flour and the flakes, and is ideal for making a slightly more unusual loaf.

The flour is sold in 1.5kg bags at £1.80 each.

Engine-Generator Drive

The mill’s magnificent Crossley Oil engine has been idle for much of 2002. Installed in 1995 after 18 months of restoration, it was originally connected to the mill via a hydraulic pump and motor. These proved to be extremely noisy and inefficient, and in 2001 they were scrapped.

We were very fortunate to secure sponsorship from Flender Power and Newage-Stamford, who donated an electric motor and generator respectively.

The motor was quickly installed and connected to the mains as a supplement to the waterwheel. Connecting the generator to the engine has proved to be much more challenging.

To do this, we need a belt drive capable of transmitting ~60hp and able to deal with the shock-load at start-up. It must also have a 6:1 speed increase.

The design of this drive has not been easy, and has tested all the mill’s volunteer engineers! We have finally found a power transmission company who are willing to help, and Justin & Peter Smith are discussing with them how the drive can be installed.

We hope to have the engine-generator drive connected by Easter……….

Spring Cleaning Day - Sat. 29th March

With the mill having been closed for the last few months, and with the increase in the amount of milling, it is inevitable that dust has accumulated throughout the mill.

Each spring, we have a thorough clean of the mill ready for the start of the open season. This includes the four floors of the mill, the machinery, the shop area, the engine and engine house, and the outside areas that are open to the public.

This is always a very enjoyable day and lunch is provided for all the volunteers.

Please email us if you are able to help.

Summer Evening of Jazz & Poetry

Following the success of last year’s open-air Mozart concert at the mill, we are planning a similar event this year.

On Saturday 14th June, the mill will be the venue for an evening of Jazz & Poetry. Poet in residence at Magdalene College, John Mole will be reading from his own work, as well as performing as part of the Ron Wilson Trio. Popular Jazz from the 30’s to the 60’s.

A wonderful evening of music and verse in the beautiful riverside setting of the mill gardens.
The evening will start at 6.30pm with your own picnic supper in the garden, followed by two hours of entertainment until 9.30pm.

Tickets for the event are available now, and will be sold on a first come, first served basis, priced at £9.50 per head.

Help Needed!

Despite the many people who help at the mill, we often need additional help on open days. If you would like to help with milling, running the engine, working in the shop, car-parking, farmers markets', catering, or just talking to visitors, please contact us.