Reflections on the Year

Whilst we like to think that life at Stretton Watermill continues an unchanging pattern, following the rhythm of the seasons through the centuries, on reflection each year is a little different and we head off in new directions, have new ideas and meet new friends.

We have had a particularly busy year in 2011 in terms of schools visiting the mill, often travelling considerable distances to discover the unique atmosphere of our mill.  We started in March with the first of many schools coming for our special Air Raids and Evacuees workshop on partnership with the Cheshire Military Museum, and continued right through until the end of October with some of our Harvest workshops for younger pupils.

In April, the BBC chose Stretton Watermill as the best example of a working historic mill in Britain and came to film part of their Great British Bake Off programme at Stretton.  Though the theme was the many dangers and hazards of milling, we will be more careful with our visitors! 

Our special living history events were wonderfully well attended with record numbers for both our Tudor Festival in July and Victorian Harvest weekend in September. 

We said goodbye to our curator Matt Wheeler, who has headed off to be in charge of the Irish Agricultural Museum in County Wexford and also to John Herson, a miller at Stretton of over two decades experience.  We also said hello to Chris Hocking, who has joined us as a miller after several years of volunteering his melodeon playing and penny farthing riding skills.

So, what plans for the future.  Well in 2012, you can look forward to a new historic event, the Wartime Mill in April, a Tudor Festival in July and the Victorian Harvest and Food Weekend will once again close the season at the end of September.  We'll be planting more apple trees and adding to our interpretation in the shippen exploring the history of the mill and the people who worked there through the centuries.

Do keep visiting us at the mill itself and on this blog, we love to keep learning from you all.  And remember, you are very welcome to join us to wassail the apple trees on Old New Year, Saturday 14th January 2012, at 4pm.  All best wishes against the New Year from us jolly millers.