Wilton Windmill

What a joy to see these old mills still in working order i it is so sad to see them derelict. Hope you enjoy your local home made bread!

I'm sure I will, I'll try and remember to photograph and share with you! :o)

Yes Pita its good to see them, shame it wasn't working whilst you were there, we went to one local to us a couple of years back and were lucky enough to seee it in action, my grandson insisted on buying some flour for his dad so as they could have a loaf made at home lol......

There were hundreds of them in the 17th c.
Ever since I learned how the modern milling process destroys the wheat germ I have bought it at the health food shop. Have it every day on my porridge, with extra bran of course. Very good for the nerves.

We went to Preston Mill in East Linton last week. It is not yet a working mill but full restoration to a working mill is the plan. Unlike Wilton the Preston Mill was powered by water turning a wheel. That is working and we were able to see it in action. These mills were usually owned by the land owner. His Tenant farmers had to use his mill. It was a very green solution but most profitable for the owner. The farmers paid for the service in a proportion of their crop so a bad harvest could mean thin pickings for some. The Millar leased or rented the mill from the owner. We were not able to buy flour there but we did make bread when we came home. It is good to see what happens to our food. OH was keen to see the power from the wheel used to produce electricity too.

Good to see these old buildings :o)

There is a tidal mill in Carew pembs but sadly it isn't working - the mill visitor centre sells flour milled elsewhere - so sad.

Thank you for all your comments and interesting snippets, the windmills are amazing hey? We also went for a walk and found Crofton Beam engines, which I'll blog later. It's such a shame our food is tampered with. I shall make my bread knowing it's better for me and has it's wheat germ in tact. Xx

Stera I looked up the Carew mill to see how it worked and found it was called a French mill. Named for the grinding stones which came from France. Preston used to have stones from Derbyshire but they did wear out and they were able to source a harder stone from France. We think we are the travellers and able to see the world but the more you look in to the history of how people did live it is obvious that there was a lot of interaction all over the world. I do find that very interesting.

Interesting to know the millstones came from France - Thank you Scotsgran.