History revisited as mill drying shed opens

The museum at Stourton will open the famous drying shed on Saturday following a 200,000 restoration carried out by Leeds Council.

The project has seen the combined drying shed and warehouse restored to its former glory to allow visitors to see its unique underground heating system which was used to dry and store the mill's putty and ground chalk in the 19th century.

As part of the restoration, which began in September 2009, part of the drying shed and warehouse has also been turned into three gallery and exhibition spaces.

The president of the Thwaite Mills Society, Hilary Benn MP, said yesterday: "I am delighted to see another stage completed so successfully in the development of the Thwaite Mills Watermill complex, which is an extremely important recreational and educational facility for south Leeds."

The opening is at 2pm at the museum, which is one of the last remaining working examples of a water-powered mill in Britain.