Heron Corn Mill - Beetham, Cumbria UK
Posted by: 
martlakes
N 54° 12.787 W 002° 46.439
30U E 514739 N 6007257
Heron Corn Mill on the banks of the River Bela in South Cumbria is one of the rare working mills in the county. The history of milling here goes back before 1096. In 1973 a Trust was formed to rescue the mill from terminal decline.
Waymark Code: WM35BN
Location: United Kingdom
Date Posted: 02/12/2008
Views: 48
The mill passed through many hands untill in 1927 it came into the ownership of W & J Pye, millers of Lancaster. In 1955 they rationalised their business and closed the mill. For the next two decades the mill was unused and decaying. In 1973 Henry Cooke Ltd., leased the mill to the newly-formed Beetham Trust, to rescue the mill for the benefit of the public.
In 1975 the mill was opened by Princess Alexandra and has continued up till the present time to show the mechanics of a water driven corn mill to the public.
In 2007 a major redevelopment programme, including a hydro-electric scheme was commenced. It will take until April 2009 before the programme is complete and the mill is fully open to the public again.
It is an amazing place to visit and witness the incredible technology of an earlier age all powered by a 14ft water wheel. The weir on the river also serves the paper factory on the other bank. To enable salmon to get up stream there is a by-pass under the mill's wooden aqueduct. The fish by-pass actually goes up through a small cave.
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