White Mill Opening Day Saturday 26 June 2021
Incorporating our first Craft Fair open between 10.00am and 3.00pm
We are delighted to be able to welcome you back to the White Mill.
As you arrive at the White Mill you will be greeted by our new Mill sign, which is a replica model of the
actual Mill, made by one of our many skilled carpenters. You will then notice on the frontage three
examples of historic agricultural equipment. Following careful research these have recently been restored
and repainted in the manufacturer’s original colours.
In the car park stands a threshing (or thrashing) machine which in days gone by would have been driven
by a static tractor. This will be restored to it’s original glory after the Mill restoration is finished. Also in
this area are the massive timbers which will form the “stocks” that carry the sweeps. These are currently
being shaped to fit behind the curb on the cap of the windmill. The volunteers had to use almost Egyptian
methods to move those timbers!
From the forecourt you enter the meeting room in which is situated our reading area, where you can
browse our small collection of books on mills, farming and agricultural machinery. There are tables and
chairs for you to enjoy a rest and a cup of coffee, and of course our re-branded shop.
The shop is now well stocked, largely with items created by one of our volunteers from timber from the
Mill structure, and from wood gathered from the Mill grounds. These materials include bark, silver birch
and sweet chestnut which has been imaginatively converted into bird feeders, bird boxes, hedgehog boxes
and many more items. In addition, this same volunteer has created a number of upcycled items from
diverse materials including marble, horse bridles, old tools and mechanical fittings. The variety is
amazing and the prices are very reasonable!
From the shop, you enter the grounds of the Mill and the Miller’s Cottage. On the 26 June 2021 this
attractive garden area will be the setting for the first of our regular craft fairs, with stalls displaying a
range of craft items by local craftspeople. In addition our Mill gardeners have contributed a number of
plants, including lavender, bulbs, strawberry plants, cardoons, sweet chestnut seedlings and others, all of
which are native to the Mill garden. Food and refreshment will also be available.
In the garden you will be able to see the restoration work on the Mill cap, which continues in spite of two
lockdowns, and our fascinating Rural Heritage Museum which is housed in the Miller’s Cottage, the Mill
itself and in the workshops behind the Mill. These workshops include the Tractor Shed, the Cobbler’s, the
Plumber’s, the Wheelwright’s. There is also the Blacksmith’s Forge, where we are extremely fortunate to
have a resident blacksmith who produces unicorn shoes on her furnace, which are charmingly unique.
The White Mill, in line with many places in Sandwich, can only accept cash for purchases. For the Craft
Fair, debit and credit cards are accepted if you wish to purchase.
We all look forward to seeing you at the Mill, now that we are finally able to re-open our doors to the
public.
New Gift Shop with local artisan items
Bakers, Makers & Brewers Fair 2019
Saturday and Sunday 11th & 12th May 2019, 10am to 5pm.
Bakers, Makers & Brewers Fair
Saturday and Sunday 13 and 14 May 2017, 10am to 5.30pm
As part of National Mills Weekend, our Bakers, Makers and Brewers Fair will include a bread baking competition (details below). There will be demonstrations and stalls including baking, brewing, arts and traditional crafts, as well as costumed characters from the past.
The fair is open from 10.00am to 5.30pm on both days, and ENTRY IS FREE!!
Take time while you’re there to climb up inside the windmill (dare you climb to the top?), and browse the museum. See you there…
If anyone wanting to participate, show off your skills, craftsmanship, art or generally loon about, let neil@latitude28.co.uk know asap!
For location and contact details, visit our contact page.
Thank you!
