Eling Tide Mill on Suite 101

I have just published another article on Suite 101.  This one is about Eling Tide Mill, which I find fascinating and have written about several times, including for my book, Folklore of Hampshire.  Enjoy!

The Lady

Imagine my surprise when, first, the post was delivered before noon this morning and then, I found that there was a copy of The Lady inside the single envelope delivered!

Not only that, but on page 48 (yes, I know, a fair way into the magazine) there was my article on Eling Tide Mill, just outside Southampton, which I mentioned on this blog a little while ago. 

To say that this was unexpected is not quite true as I heard a little while ago that the article had been accepted but I did not know when it would be published.  Today is the day!

So, if you are going past a newsagent today, you might like to look in and pick up a copy of The Lady.  It really is a good read!

Eling Tide Mill

The Tide Mill at Eling has been absorbing my attention recently.  I popped over to see it and have a chat with the Mill Assistants, John Hurst (pictured beside the giant waterwheel) and Andrew Turpin.  This proved to be a very informative afternoon and I was soon absorbed in the history of this unique place.

There has been a mill standing on the site for centuries.  It is mentioned in the Domesday Book and it was owned by Winchester College for over 600 years.  The current building was rebuilt about 230 years ago and is of a mellow red brick with low ceilings, narrow staircases and the pleasant odour of salt water, old wood and flour dust.  

The millpond, on the opposite side of the toll bridge outside, is a huge dam.  It is a haven for waterfowl and wildlife.  The tide comes in, opens the sea gates, fills the millpond and the sea gates close on the change in the tide.  On milling days the sluice gates are opened and the trapped water cascades over the waterwheel, sending the grinding stones around.  A simple idea using ancient, environmentally friendly and fully sustainable energy!

For those interested in visiting the last working Tide Mill in the UK, it is signposted off the A326 when you leave Southampton, Hampshire, going towards the New Forest.  It is open from 10 a.m.  to 4 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday.  Flour milled there is for sale in the shop on site.