24 Apr 2015
To celebrate the 40th anniversary since the restoration of Heatherslaw Cornmill, there will be forty days of fun family activities at the Ford and Etal Estates in Northumberland.
Set upon the River Till, Heatherslaw Cornmill is the last working watermill in Northumberland. There has been milling history on the site since the 1200s, and the workings of the mill of today is almost unchanged since Victorian modifications in the 1830s.
Steady decline in business throughout the 1900s saw the mill closed by the 1950s. It stood empty and unused until the formation of the Heatherslaw Mill Charitable Trust in 1972, which saw the beauty in this piece of Northumberland's industrial heritage and the mill was sensitively restored to its Victorian glory. It reopened in May 1975 as part of a regeneration of the Ford and Etal Estate into a successful blend of rural tourism and working estate.
Now the mill is an important asset to the county. Not only has it become a popular visitor attraction for the Ford and Etal Estate, the mill is producing stoneground flour which is sold online and throughout Northumberland. Sales have soared thanks, in part, to shows like the Great British Bake Off.
Lord Joicey, chairman of the Heatherslaw Mill Trust, said: “At the time of restoration in the 1970s, I don't think anyone foresaw the huge interest in cookery and bakery that we see today.
“Although locally grown wholemeal wheat flour is still the major product milled at Heatherslaw, there is an increased demand for rye flour and spelt flour, both of which are also milled here. We are looking forward to seeing this develop even further.”
Highlights of the anniversary celebrations include a 70s theme, the chance to gain hands-on milling experience, and talks from local Northumbrian producers such as Doddington Dairy, Chain Bridge Honey Farm, and Northumberland Bread Company.
If you would like to discuss visiting Ford and Etal, or more information to feature the event in your publication, please contact Bethany Gallacher.
Email: bethany.gallacher@northumberlandtourism.co.uk or direct tel: 01670 794526
More information to inspire a visit to Northumberland can be found at www.visitnorthumberland.com
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
Northumberland Tourism is the official destination-marketing organisation for Northumberland, working with businesses and public agencies to achieve the vision for Northumberland and to promote the area and ensure visitors have the best possible experience.
Free images are available for download fromwww.marketingnorthumberland.com
