The Mills Archive

28/05/2026

Brought to our attention by a wonderful friend and once the longest serving volunteer at The Mills Archive Trust, here is Tetiana's Bohachuk's 'Millstones'. An intricately crafted quilt, drawing from Ukrainian folk motifs and inspired by Vasyl Symonenko's poem - 'Millstones'!

This quilt is "Millstones" (85" x 41") by Tetiana Bohachuk. See it in the current exhibit "International Quilt Festival 2024 Judged Show Prizewinners!"

Tetiana says: "Inspired by Vasyl Symonenko’s poem, 'Millstones,' my quilt embodies the resilience of Ukrainians. Millstones are reflected in Ukrainian folk motifs, symbolizing endurance through the 20th century’s trials. Crafted with care, they honor hard work and kinship across generations. Each patch tells a story of beauty, echoing the spirit of my resilient people."

13/05/2026

over 24 years of the Mills Archive Trust, means we have a lot of mill memorabilia. specifically things related to our morning coffee break. here are the coasters, do you want to see the mugs next?

11/05/2026

For those of you interested in how the correspondence between Rex Wailes and John Russell’s (miller at Union Mill, Cranbrook) reveal the strong connections that millers, millwrights, and mill enthusiasts formed in solidarity at a time when the traditional milling industry was in its decline - check out our latest article.

🔗 https://mailchi.mp/millsarchive.org/archives-creation-and-creativity-7790781

Please enquire if you would like to consult these documents yourself! Who knows what else is hidden..

11/05/2026

Mill expert Rex Wailes was key to establishing networks of milling knowledge in the twentieth century. His friendship with John Russell, the last commercial miller of Union Mill, demonstrates how traditional milling circles supported each other and helped preserve mill histories.

Find out in our newest newsletter below - https://mailchi.mp/millsarchive.org/archives-creation-and-creativity-7790781

10/05/2026

And just like that, the sails have stopped turning for another National Mills Weekend!

The theme this year was 'Now and Then,' and after a weekend of hundreds of windmills and watermills throwing open their doors, we are feeling incredibly inspired. To the hardworking millers and volunteers who welcomed the public: thank you for keeping our milling heritage alive.

You may have spent the last two days hearing the creak of wooden gears or feeling the rumble of the stones, these experiences connect us directly to our industrial past.
At the Mills Archive Trust, we preserve the 'Then' so that everyone can continue to cherish the 'Now.' Swipe to see a glimpse of the history we protect. From intricate 19th-century blueprints to personal letters and correspondence, we hold the memories that give these heritage sites their soul.

Did you visit a mill this weekend? Tell us which one captured your imagination in the comments!

07/05/2026

From the mills of old to modern water-power: the VETT hydro project at Eaton Socon demonstrates how renewable energy can build on the UK's milling heritage. VETT is a compact low-head hydro technology that runs silent and minimised visual and environmental disruption. It is especially suited to historic mill locations so they can return to their original purpose of drawing power from waterways - not just as landmarks of the past, but as living contributors to a greener tomorrow.

To find out how your mill could benefit from VETT, visit www.verderg.com or contact us [email protected]



VerdErg Renewable Energy Ltd is a Mills Archive Trust sponsor and a member of the Trust's Sustainability Network.

04/05/2026

Milling and renewable energy are featured in a guided tour at the Reading University Community Festival on Saturday 16 May - find out more in our latest newsletter - https://mailchi.mp/millsarchive.org/archives-creation-and-creativity-7790703

27/04/2026

Marlec wind turbine in the Gobi Desert, Mongolia, 1987. Photo by Peter Fraenkel. Find out more about small scale wind turbines in our latest newsletter - Self-Sufficiency, Participatory Energy, and the DIY Wind Turbine - https://mailchi.mp/millsarchive.org/archives-creation-and-creativity-7790665

23/04/2026

Restoration work at Union Mill, Cranbrook, Kent.
1958. Find it in the Rex Wailes Collection, available online in our catalogue.

(safety was paramount!)

22/04/2026

Today is Earth Day 🌍. A moment to reflect on our relationship with the planet and how it’s changed over time.

Nowhere is this evolution clearer than in the history of milling. For centuries, traditional mills were powered by the steady pulse of rivers or the unpredictable breath of the wind. They operated in harmony with nature's rhythms, providing a sustainable bridge between the earth’s harvest and our survival.

However, the tide turned with the rise of industrialisation. As we transitioned from seasonal, renewable power to high-output, fossil-fuel-driven systems, milling was decoupled from nature's constraints. While this accelerated global growth, it also accelerated our environmental footprint, contributing to the very crises we face today. With droughts, destruction, and biodiversity loss, it’s never been more urgent to embrace renewable energy, sustainability, and regenerative practices.

This week’s Green Screen feature highlights The Turning Point by Steve Cutts: a powerful short animation that captures environmental destruction, climate change, and species extinction from a striking perspective. It’s a quick watch, but one that lingers long after it ends.

To visit our padlet and watch this short film, click on the link below:
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7LDk4D3Q3U&list=RDp7LDk4D3Q3U&start_radio=1