Well it says Summer on the top ! Fine weather has helped us to make great steps on the site. The Reed Bed is now lush and green, New footpaths around the site make easier access for wheelchairs, pushchairs , staff and volunteers to move about.

The Water Turbine still awaits to be installed but will be ready when our reservoir has been sealed.

We plan to build a BBQ on one of the terraces and this will give us some pleasant evenings for guests, with a little nosh and a glass of plonk. Sounds good to me but may take a bit of organising, any volunteers. How about a Christmas BBQ ?

We hope our wind generator will be up in August, we are just waiting for planning permission to come through.

There seems to be an awful lot going on but not much to write about this time, it's mostly ongoing projects already mentioned which are being worked on towards completion.

We have a painting display on Saturday August the 21st and a Craft Fair, these have been very popular this year, thanks to Pam for her efforts with these.

On September the 11th & 12th we have our annual Heritage Open Days and again The Tynedale Dyers Spinners and Weavers will be present showing their skills.

Gateshead Creativity and Arts Group are working with us on October 15th to prune, bend and weave our willow trees into an igloo shape, this an event for all and will be a free admission day to give a local event on a Friday to wards the end of the "Summer".

On September the 21st we have a Silk Painting Demonstration and on 25th September a Making Cards Demonstration, so as I said at the outset, quite a bit going on.

A special display is being mounted by "Listed Buildings" during October and November and some 50 will be on display at The Mill for your perusal during these two months.

We are entered into Gateshead Summer Garden Competition Blooming Lovely in category 5. Best Group Project - any broadly connected to horticulture or conservation or conservation outdoors. There are a lot of possible entry sections but we may be lucky, we keep mowing grass and cutting of dead flower heads so watch the press.

Tyne Tees Television have expressed an interest in using The Mill as a location for some filming, no details as yet but seeing a producer next week.

That seems about all for now on a pouring wet Saturday,

Trevor & Ben, July ’04