IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Holme Eden Gardens, CARLISLE, CA4 8RZ

On Little Corby Road.

The high breast shot waterwheel that powers this working water mill. The miller opened the gate to allow this view after the wheel had stopped.

The restored high breast shot waterwheel at this working flour mill. Milling had finished for the day and the miller very kindly opened the gates to allow this unobstructed view. This wide wheel could drive up five sets of stones.

A restored and working corn mill that was producing flour with one set of stones. The wheel is behind the grating over the large arched opening. We arranged a private tour and it was superb value at £5/head. The guide and miller were friendly and knowledgeable and we were allowed to wander almost at will and take pictures after an initial orientation. This was possibly the high spot of the week up north. The mill is Listed Grade II*.

This water powered mill is being restored and from 2019 will be operated commercially. This was a guided tour for Heritage Open Days and I was delighted to be able to secure a space. This view is along the tail-race. By the 2019 Heritage Open Days the mill was largely finished and had just ground its first corn for 31 years.

The wallower and great spur wheel are higher up the wooden main shaft out of shot. The footstep bearing is instrumented for temperature and vibration although the miller is not convinced of their efficacy. She says the smell of hot grease is a good indication of things getting too hot. The half bearing on the wheelshaft is the usual culprit.

A water mill built in 1839 for the Howard family of Corby Castle. It was in use grinding oats for animal feed until 1989, and much of the machinery, including the water wheel, is still intact. The buildings had been deteriorating for some years, but a restoration scheme is now in place. The North of England Civic Trust acquired the mill in 2015, and hope to have it working again within a few years http://www.nect.org.uk/warwick-bridge-corn-mill . The site was flooded in December 2015, but the wreckage in the foreground of this photo is not as disastrous as it might look. It was the floor of a shed which had already been demolished, and was due be removed as part of the renovation work.

This disused oscillating sieve or jog scry was part of the oat milling process but oats are now milled here by a different process. All the kit was retained during restoration but only two sets of French burr stones can be used. The mill was busy making flour and it was a real treat to visit and see it working. It is not open usually but it may be possible to arrange a visit on request. One of the highlights of my week.