Equipment Donations and Volunteers Wanted

Trafford Mill Restoration Project

A group of volunteers has been busily beavering away over the last 18 months on a project aimed at restoring the historic watermill at Mickle Trafford, parts of which are thought might date back to 1302 when a mill on this stretch of the Gowy was first recorded.

The group's goal is to bring the mill back into use and develop it into a community centre where traditional crafts and skills such as forged metal work, cabinet making, wood and metal turning, joinery, leather work, hedge laying, charcoal making, dry stone walling, lime mortaring, cobbling, food growing and other artisan skills can be revived.

Until recently the mill restoration volunteers – known as 'The Friends of Trafford Mill' – have been working alongside 'The Community Volunteer' (TCV) team, a UK wide organisation. This has been of great assistance to the 'Friends' as it gave access to a wide range of tools and equipment. However, TCV has now moved all of its NW operations to Liverpool, resulting in the loss to the group of these valuable assets.

We are therefore very keen to hear from anyone who has any surplus tools or equipment they're prepared to donate which could be suited to the mill's restoration and the artisan activities mentioned. Particularly useful equipment would be protective clothing, left over building materials, construction equipment, wood and metal stocks or offcuts as well as tools and implements of all types that could be useful to traditional artisan crafts both inside the mill and on the surrounding land.

The 'Friends' can take items that need repairing. Shed and workshop clearances are of particular interest where we can undertake removal of any unwanted items. Collection will be at a time that is convenient to you.

Also, this restoration project offers a great way for guys and gals of all ages who have some free time and who want to join with likeminded people in bringing an historic building back to life as a community asset. We meet every Thursday and alternate Saturdays: attendance is though as and when you can make it.

If you can make a donation of equipment or you're just interested in joining in, please call/text Ceris on 077587 186 776 or email ceris@wildarea.org for more information...or look up wild area cic on Facebook for The Trafford Mill Project album and posts.

You can find the volunteering dates at www.traffordmill.org.uk/

We hope to hear from you soon!