Since around 1870, the mill had been grinding animal feed rather than flour for people. But when the Second World War broke out in 1939, Britain's grain supplies from Canada were blockaded in the Atlantic and the steam mills at Liverpool were being blitzed. Hundreds of little rural mills, including Stretton, which had been clinging on to existence were to rise to the challenge during those dark days and play their part in feeding the nation. Stretton Watermill was operating night and day, seven days a week to produce the flour needed.
Volunteers in the Women's Land Army worked in fields in the area, converting pasture land into arable for a more productive food resource. One lady who had been a Land Girl stationed at nearby Tilston told us how on her first day she was sent by the farmer to take a cart load of grain to Stretton Mill. She had never been close to a horse before and was a little nervous. She needn't have worried, as the horse knew the way and took the grain, waited for the flour and returned to the farm without her having to touch the reins.
So we welcomed visitors, collecting some stories and memories along the way.
We laid on a display of ration book recipes, including mock sausages, eggless cake and the famous Woolton Pie.
In between blasts from the portable air raid siren we listened to wartime songs on the gramophone.
Children tried "German Jumps" - skipping with elastic and seeing how far their could get the stirrup pumps squirting.
A folding paratroopers bicycle was spotted leaning against the watermill.
Chris told a tale of the rediscovery of a soldier's story etched on a water bottle which intrigued visitors and left some with tears in their eyes.
We often think of our mill as being full of ancient stories, which indeed it is, but this was a lovely reminder of some of the memories which are just within touching distance today.
