We opened Easter 1998 and now at Easter 1999 having been open for one year what have we to report?

The building has settled down and now looks the mature historic gem that it is! The grounds are slowly going green, some still need seeding and this will be in hand now the frosts have gone.

We now have the framework for the Pole Barn on site to accommodate our two large sawbenches, we hope some summer weekend to arrange a vintage tractor meeting and get at least one of the sawbenches working.

Another recent development is a Victorian yard crane which is now erected at the end of the Car Park.

Further , more extensive excavations have been carried out to the mill pond and this has extended our running time and increased our pond area. The spoil heaps still require removal but this is in hand, just needing time and effort!

Current developments include the erection of two stone columns to support the crankshaft and flywheel from Acomb, once these are completed we can extend our lawns (to the South of the Mill) and plant our willow circle to start the growing house.

The further terrace will then be laid out for a stand-on Sun Dial and a path beyond this, will make a walk way round the site returning to the Car Park over a bridge, on our feeder stream.

We have started to try and develop a walk way along side the stream, with seating/picnic area by the bank.

The Mill has had a very good Easter, both in visitors and weather, a distinct change from last year. Let us hope that this is an omen for 1999 and that we can be self-supporting by the end of the Summer, however, to cover any shortfall in core funding our Co-ordinator is now trying to secure five further bids for funding the project.

We are negotiating with Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council to have our ‘Heritage’ road signs on our approach from the A695.
A further development in the tranquil setting of PATH HEAD WATER MILL has been a request from several mental health organisations to carry our rehabilitation exercises on our site. These have been extremely successful and we are receiving enquiries from as far afield as Sunderland.

We now have two part-time disabled volunteers on site, one in a wheelchair and he is learning to letter carve on our balcony.

The Princes Trust have been carrying out tasking exercises by the stream, and BTCV Foundation still persevere with building skills tuition for National Vocational Qualifications.

So as well as continuing to keep our head above water we are certainly helping others!

Many thanks for your support during this difficult opening year.

Trevor, April ‘99

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NEXT NEWSLETTER JULY ‘99