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North UK Mills Group 2024 Review

By January 15, 2025No Comments
Inner workings of a mill, black steel circles on black steels rods, surrounded by bricked wall.

Looking back at 2024, the North UK Mills Group has had a great year of progress and collaboration, promoting the preservation of historic milling heritage. The Group was established at a ‘Milling Matters’ conference in Perth in May 2022. It took stock and then in January 2024 it resumed as a series of online meetings about safeguarding the legacy and future of historic mills. It fosters a community of millers, millwrights, molinologists, mill owners and mill workers in the North of the UK: Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern counties of England.  

Key Highlights: 

Events: 2024 saw the group host four online meetings, each looking at a different theme surrounding the history and use of mills. These events were used as a space to encourage discussions and for attendees to ask questions and learn more about mill heritage from one another and guest speakers. We heard case studies from The Mill of Benholm Enterprise and the New Lanark Visitor Centre, who gave insightful presentations on their experiences regenerating mills. These are now freely available to view on our YouTube channel. Thank you to Bryony Robinson at John O’Groats Mill Trust for delivering an excellent presentation.  

Increased Engagement: Throughout the year the group saw a steady increase in event attendance, welcoming mill owners, community groups, and experts from across the North of the UK. The Group’s commitment to connecting individuals who share an interest in historic mills has led to an increased participation in meetings and events. 

After attending our October event, an attendee said they enjoyed getting to speak to other mill enthusiasts, noting that “The mill community is bigger than you remember/expect.”  

Digital Resources: Through polling attendees at events, the group realised the need for a central resource hub for all things mills! A page was created on the Heritage Trust Network website, with support from the working group and the SPAB Mills Section. The page features mills related news, case studies and recent mills research.  

New content is being added all the time – take a look and do get in touch if you’re aware of something we’re missing. 

Below are links to talks which took place in the run up to the ‘Milling Matters’ conference 2022: 

 

Looking Ahead to 2025: 

The Group is committed to furthering its mission of facilitating dialogue and increasing collaboration through the hosting of three further events (22nd January, April 2nd, October 7th).  

The first meeting of 2025 will be held on 22nd January at 10:00am. Join us to hear about the folklore of Scottish watermills from author Sandra Ireland! Get your free tickets now: North UK Mills Group Meeting January 22nd 2025. 

To be kept updated with the news and activities of the North UK Mills Group and how you can get involved, sign up to HTN’s newsletter.  

If you have any questions or want to get involved with the group’s activities, contact Sarah Pearce at sarah.pearce@heritagetrustnetwork.org.uk. 

In summary, 2024 was a pilot year of collaboration for the North UK Mills Group. The Group’s commitment to preserving the region’s mill heritage and fostering a strong, engaged community of enthusiasts and professionals has laid a solid foundation for the future. With continued dedication and a shared vision, the North UK Mills Group looks forward to greater successes in 2025. 

Thank you to our working group partners, Lucy Stewart (Scotland Officer, SPAB), Ciarán Quigley and Mark Watson (Industrial Heritage Team, Historic Environment Scotland) for your hard work and dedication this year. 

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