Appeal to stop mill grinding to a halt
One of the Chilterns’ last remaining watermills, still capable of grinding wheat into flour for breadmaking, faces an uncertain future unless new volunteers step forward urgently.
Ford End Watermill, tucked away on the edge of the village of Ivinghoe, has been part of the local landscape for centuries. Fed by the chalk stream Whistle Brook, it’s a living example of traditional rural engineering. A place where visitors can still see grain turned into flour by water power, just as it was hundreds of years ago.
However, the Ford End Watermill Society, which operates and maintains the mill entirely through voluntary effort, says it urgently needs new people to help run, maintain and administer the operation.
‘This is really about time rather than money, we don’t need donations so much as people willing to get involved. Without volunteers, we simply cannot keep the mill open and operating’, said a mill spokesperson.
Today, the mill opens on selected Sundays and Bank holidays between April and October, drawing visitors from across the region.
Volunteers perform a wide range of roles. Some help operate and maintain the complex machinery and water systems; others welcome visitors, guide tours, manage publicity or handle administration. The society stresses that no prior knowledge of mills or engineering is required.
The team is particularly keen to attract people who can commit even small amounts of time. Tasks range from occasional open-day support to behind-the-scenes maintenance and committee roles.
The society is appealing not only to individuals but also to families, community groups, retirees, engineers, history enthusiasts and anyone curious about how things used to work.
If you are interested in learning more or in volunteering contact Ford End Watermill Society Chair Stephen Booth at stephen.booth@btinternet.com.