CambridgePPF has two mills in its care: Hinxton Water Mill and Bourn Post Mill. The charity will open both buildings to the public on the afternoon of Sunday 12 May. Individually fascinating, the properties are prime examples of how previous generations used to harness the power of nature before gas and electricity were commonplace.
While CambridgePPF keeps both of its mills in immaculate condition – and regularly opens them to the public – the charity is keen to stress that this work takes considerable time, effort and money, and that extra support is always appreciated.
Around the country the number of wind and water mills in good working order and accessible to the masses is dwindling.
Nicola Banks, a rural surveyor at Carter Jonas, who is a land agent and property adviser to CambridgePPF, believes that windmills can be a mixed blessing for landowners in the modern era. She said: “Landowners are constantly assessing the viability of all their assets, including those of heritage significance, such as windmills. There are schemes, which can keep windmills working in one form or another but accessing funding can be a long and involved process and the schemes usually require considerable community support and input to set-up and maintain. National Mills Weekend serves to remind us that charities such as CambridgePPF are out there, passionately preserving these properties to ensure that we don't lose them forever.”
Philip Robson, Head of Properties and Green Spaces at CambridgePPF, said: “We are exceptionally proud of the properties we have at Bourn and Hinxton. They play a huge part in the heritage of the East of England. National Mills Weekend is a fantastic opportunity for people of all ages to come and see these historic monuments to our industrial and rural past, up close. And for the charity, it's a chance to raise awareness and try to recruit more support.
“We have a great team of supporters at both Hinxton and Bourn, who help us safeguard these special buildings. But we’re always looking for more help. Volunteers come in all shapes and sizes: they can be retired people with spare time to assist at events; professional or hobbying engineers who like tinkering around with machinery and want a pet project; or even local companies looking for unusual team building opportunities. If you are interested to know more about history on your doorstep or volunteering we’d encourage you to come and see us at Hinxton and Bourn over National Mills Weekend – or on any of our other open days.”
On Sunday 12 May, Bourn Post Mill will be open between 2pm and 4pm. Hinxton Water Mill will be open from 2:30pm to 5:30pm. The mills will also be open on the following dates throughout the summer:
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Bourn Post Mill |
Hinxton Mill |
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30 June |
2 June |
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28 July |
7 July |
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25 August |
4 August |
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8 September |
1 September |
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29 September |
6 October |
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Entrance to the mills costs £3 for adults and £1 for children. CambridgePPF members can enter free-of-charge. Money raised through ticket sales will support the upkeep of the mills. Visitors are advised to wear sturdy shoes so they can explore the buildings safely.
For more information – or for anyone interested in volunteering or making a donation to CambridgePPF to help maintain the historical properties and green spaces in its care – please contact: Philip Robson, Head of Properties and Green Spaces at [email protected] / 01223 243830.
About Hinxton Water Mill
Hinxton Water Mill is a small clapboard corn mill that straddles a quiet stretch of the River Cam. Constructed in the 17>th century, it ceased to operate in 1955, quickly becoming derelict. When a closing order was placed upon the mill, CambridgePPF (then Cambridge Preservation Society) stepped in to save the building – working with villagers to make it structurally sound and bring the mill machinery inside back to life.
About Bourn Post Mill
>Bourn Post Mill is one of the oldest surviving windmills in the country. Given to CambridgePPF in 1932 the building is now a scheduled ancient monument and has undergone many repairs and rebuilds during its lifetime. Amazingly, the whole building still turns on its central oak post – a manoeuvre that is often demonstrated at open days.
About CambridgePPF
Founded as Cambridge Preservation Society in 1928, CambridgePPF is a registered charity campaigning to keep Cambridge and its surroundings special by positively influencing planning developments, delivering environmental education and managing the green spaces and historic buildings in its care. Its diverse property portfolio includes Wandlebury Country Park and its Iron Age Ring; Coton Countryside Reserve; Barnwell Leper Chapel; Bourn Windmill plus various wildlife sites and historic buildings. Key achievements include protecting sites such as Grantchester Meadows, the Gog Magog Hills and Wandlebury Estate from development and helping to establish the Cambridge Green Belt in the 1960s. CambridgePPF has a growing membership, which makes a vital contribution to the cost of conserving, managing and developing its sites. With its HQ at Wandlebury, the charity has a mix of busy full and part-time staff and is run by a Board of Trustees together with Advisory Committees staffed by dedicated volunteers. For more information about the charity and benefits of membership: www.cambridgeppf.org
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