National Mills Weekend sees special Exeter event

Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) is running its popular annual National Mills Weekend event this Sunday (10 May). Cricklepit Mill, DWT’s headquarters and visitor centre on Exeter’s Quay is the last working watermill in the city.

Visitors will be given the chance to see the historic mill in action and hear traditional mill songs from Exeter’s folk choir. The wildlife garden will be open and the flour that is milled will be available to buy.

The free event will take place on Sunday 10 May from 10am until 2pm and is part of National Mills Weekend, the annual festival of the UK’s milling heritage.

National Mills Weekend is the chance for everyone to explore their local windmills and watermills. The weekend is coordinated by the Mills Section of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings.

Exeter once had many mills in the city but Cricklepit is the only one to survive in its working state, and represents an integral part of the city’s industrial heritage.

Milling demonstrations are run by volunteer millers who will be on hand to answer questions and show visitors around the building.

Devon Wildlife Trust’s Jasmine Atkinson said ‘We are proud to support National Mills Weekend by providing practical milling demonstrations along with a few special extra activities. If anyone has been hoping to come and see the mill, this is the perfect opportunity!’

Jasmine added, ‘The flour produced in the morning will be on sale, straight from the mill stones! Visitors will be able to see the whole process and take away some local flour to bake with.’

Devon Wildlife Trust is delighted to welcome Exeter folk choir ‘Voices in Common’ to the milling day this year. The group will be singing mill songs from 11-11.30am.

The choir’s John Vincent said ‘Voices in Common is the Exeter Folk Choir which provides open access singing for all. We have learnt a set of milling related songs including a traditional folk song collected in Devon called the 'Millers Three Sons', and the 'Water Wheel' which reflects the sounds of the mill.’

The wildlife garden will also be open to visitors on Sunday 10 May. Cricklepit’s garden is an urban oasis in the heart of the city. Late spring is the perfect time to visit this community-led project. Orange-tip butterflies, grey wagtails and occasionally Kingfishers can be seen in the garden!

For more information about the Mill visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org. For people who cannot make this date the Mill’s visitor area and gardens are open 9am-5pm weekdays throughout the year and regular milling days are normally held on the second Friday of every month.