Flashback to 2008: Historic mill is brought back to life
Back in 2008, champagne corks were popping at a celebration to mark the reopening of an historic mill.
Daniels Mill was brought back to life after being damaged during the previous summer's flash floods, which also caused devastation along the Severn Valley Railway line between Bridgnorth and Kidderminster.
The 38ft cast iron wheel at the tourist attraction in Bridgnorth was put out of action after a wall was pushed forward due to the force of flood water.
The mill brings in hosts of tourists to the town every year, so local tradesman, a number of volunteers, and new trustees of Daniels Mill Trust spent months tirelessly restoring the site to its former glory
Around £140,000 was spent repairing the wheel and landscaping the area around the mill.
A celebration ceremony at the mill, was attended by members of the Daniels Mill Trust along with those who offered grants for the restoration work.
They included Shropshire County Council, Grantscape, Bridgnorth District Council, Advantage West Midlands and Midlands Mills Group.
Alan George, owner of Daniels Mill, said: “It’s still a family-run mill and my aim is to keep it that way.
“People have been ringing us while it has been closed asking when they can come, well it’s open now and they can come along and see a working mill.”
His son Ian George, one of the trustees, said he was delighted it was open again.
“The flood crashed the wall into the side of the wheel, which has meant the wheel hasn’t been turning for 12 months.
“It has been a very busy and stressful four months but the mill is now turning, everything is in place and it is starting to look like a working water mill again.
“We are absolutely over the moon," he added.
Alan's daughter, Anne Dingley, also one of the trustees, said, “Now all of the work has been completed we want to take the opportunity to thank our funding partners for their support.
"Within the last year lots of changes have taken place at the mill and now we are fully operational we want to let everyone know Daniels Mill is very much back in business”.
Bridgnorth district councillor Elizabeth Yeomans, who was also a member of the Daniels Mill Trust, said: “I think it’s tremendous that it’s come together again. They’ve worked so hard.
“The mill is such an important part of our heritage, I’m absolutely delighted to see it up and running again.”
She added: “The trust was only set up this year and it’s fantastic how it’s been put together.”
Tim Booth, of Midland Mills Group, said: “Initially we have provided encouragement over a long period of time to get the wheel back to the way it should be. I’m absolutely delighted to see it back.”
Les Winwood, of Bridgnorth District Council and a trust member, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that the mill is up and running again. It’s a central part of Bridgnorth district’s tourism.
“Tourists have been missing out not having it here. Tourism is a vital part of economics and the mill attracts so many visitors. We can’t afford things like the mill to be out of action."
Daniels Mill was one of 10 businesses in the Severn Valley receiving support from the Severn Valley Campaign to encourage visitors back to the area.
The campaign was being spearheaded by Shropshire Tourism on behalf of Bridgnorth District Council and funded by Advantage West Midlands.
A trip to the mill included a guided tour for all visitors, an opportunity to buy the mill’s traditionally produced flour and sample homemade scones made from the flour which visitors can see being made.
In December 2008, the attraction unveiled plans to convert a stable block into a tea room. The project was to also include a visitor centre, shop and disabled toilets.
Anne said: “We are extremely grateful for the grants we have received from various bodies and for donations from the public."
At the time, Daniels Mill produced around 50 tons of flour a year which is sold to visitors to the mill and customers at Acorn health food shop in Bridgnorth, while loaves made from the flour were also sold every day at Catherines Bakery, also in Bridgnorth.
Today, the attraction, located in a wooden valley crossed by the 19th century viaduct carrying the Severn Valley Railway to Bridgnorth, is run by a charitable trust which is committed to operating and maintaining the mill for future generations.
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