Lottery cash flow helps keep water wheel turning at mill

A GRANT of almost £50,000 will help secure the future of a working watermill that has been turning to make flour since the 17th century, it was announced yesterday.
By The Newsroom
Published 1st Mar 2012, 06:00 BST

Barnsley Council’s arts and museums service has been awarded £48,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for its new project called Flour Power at the borough’s Worsbrough Mill Museum and Country Park.

The council said the scheme will be led by its “dedicated site team” and volunteers from the local community, and will “concentrate on telling the stories of this special place and getting more local people involved in their heritage”.

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The project will research the history of the site and produce new display panels and interactive exhbitions in a bid to improve the visitor experience and learning opportunities offered at the attraction

A range of new activities are being devised including visits and resources for schools as well as walks, talks and tours for adults and families.

Coun Tim Cheetham, Barnsley Council’s cabinet spokesman responsible for leisure, said: “I am thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund for this special place .

“I’m confident this grant will enable transformational improvements to the visitor offer and the engagement of our local community.”

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Explaining the importance of the HLF support, the head of the HLF in Yorkshire and the Humber, Dr Fiona Spiers, said: “Flour Power will enable local people to get involved with the heritage that is on their doorstep.

“With opportunities to learn new skills and help tell the stories of the site this project will help transform the mill for future visitors and let as many people as possible enjoy this amazing site.”

A council spokesman added: “There will be lots of opportunities to get involved as a volunteer and develop new skills with training opportunities offered in a range of areas including archive research and leading learning activities.

“Worsbrough Mill Museum is set in over 200 acres of beautiful countryside, parkland and reservoir.

“The 17th century water powered mill still produces flour today. Information about visiting and what’s on can be found at www.barnsleylive.co.uk”

Related topics:Barnsley Council