What a year this has been, Foot and Mouth has seemed to dominate every bit of countryside news, we were not in a restricted area, but people were not making country visits as they thought they may be restricted. Our visitor figures reflect this feeling but we are still up on last year.

Now to the Mill’s progress, the old sawbenches are now completed and await three extension ends. The Compass has been moved to the East end of the terrace to give more space for the bench to work and make a more realistic environment.

Grants have been completed from European Regional Development Fund and a part payment received from The Local Heritage Initiative so our funding remains on an even keel especially with an increase in takings.

We are still trying to recruit further Trustees, anybody with a couple of hours a month who could help with administration and funding, would relieve me for more time to do work in the Mill and strengthen our constitution.

Our volunteers have now just about finished pairing down the Ash tree trunk to a suitable size for the Acomb water wheel and we hope to be fitting the end boss in the next couple of weeks, then comes the hard bit, to fit the hubs and spokes for the water wheel sections and rebuild part of the wheel, with what parts we have recovered, about a quarter of it!

The whole site is now really in it’s prime, everything is growing a pace including the grass which at this time of the year becomes a full time job, so I am quite familiar with the handles of the mower.

The garden shed we hoped to have on the allotment is still awaiting planning permission so our “clutter “ is still in the Mill viewing area. We hope for a result soon! I think that’s about all for now, I am looking into grants for generating from water and wind power but more anon.

It is with great regret that I have to record the passing of Ernest Wilkes, he died in the Spring of this year and will be sorely missed. Ernest was one of our first members and did a great deal to support your co-ordinator and our project in the early days of our work at Path Head. He arranged for me to meet the people of Wall and do a presentation about our Mill in the village Hall, following from this came a visit to the very old Wall Mill, a delightful building on the banks of the Tyne. Rest in peace Ernest we shall miss you.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has now developed some specialised lines and local committees will be taking grant decisions on local projects. One of the new grants is called “Your Heritage” and this involves revenue funding and capital funding for “physical work” so we should be able to make a mark in this section.

A new strategic plan is being developed for 2002 - 2007 and this is to broaden ideas of Heritage, ways of delivering funding and issues relating to the long term effect of Heritage funding. There would also appear to be a possibility of some joint funding with schools from the Education Authority. see website www.hlf.org.uk.

Trevor, July 2001