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Restoration work on Throop Mill under way

4:00pm Sunday 7th February 2010 in


RESTORATION work on Throop Mill has got under way again almost four decades after the historic building’s machinery ground to a halt.

Since the grade II listed building, on the banks of the River Stour, ceased working in 1972 campaigners have been calling for its transformation into a heritage centre.

Following representations from Bournemouth civic leaders and Christchurch borough council’s conservation officer Melanie Sutton the Environment Agency agreed to carry out repairs to the sluice gates to enable the mill to continue to control the river flow.

Work started last autumn but was halted due to the weather. The Environment Agency has now returned to the site to install a cofferdam and commence much-needed stonework repairs.

Cllr Ron Whittaker, who has campaigned for repairs to the deteriorating mill for many years, said he had visited the site to find that all the hatches were fully covered in preparation for repair work.

He told the Daily Echo: “I am delighted with the progress but saddened that the mill still remains closed. My only wish now is that the owner could see the massive advantages of transforming this lovely listed building into a tea room, café or craft centre.

“Visitors could have the chance to see this beautiful building, which retains much of its original machinery, restored to its former glory.”

Comments(16)

pete furtada says...
5:01pm Sun 7 Feb 10

I love this place we spent our childhood behind there playing at the rivers edge we used to take some sandwiches and a bottle of water we had a fantastic times down there.

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pete furtada says...
5:15pm Sun 7 Feb 10

The bridge behind the mill, I stood on there last year smoking my pipe reminiscing where have the last 73 years gone to.

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Rikthe sweep says...
5:39pm Sun 7 Feb 10

At last a good news story about an historic landmark having something done. And I agree with Ron Whittaker it would be nice for it to be turned into a tearoom/ heritage centre I for one would love to work there or help run it for them..

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pete furtada says...
5:47pm Sun 7 Feb 10

I remember Ernie Benetts pony 'Blize' we used to ride him no saddle no halter, Priesty and the locals nicknamed us kids 'the night riders'

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jobsworthwatch says...
5:54pm Sun 7 Feb 10

Re-instating the mill pool should be part of the restoration, diverting the river totally spoilt this area and was thought to have contributed to the serious flooding at Iford several years ago. Converting it to a restaurant would certainly be popular and why not use it to generate power too!

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Arjay says...
6:39pm Sun 7 Feb 10

I remember well seeing the miller, covered in flour, by the hoppers round the back of the building, during the 1950's --and being convinced that we could see the millwheel inside, through the dusty windows.

I know now that there was no millwheel as such, at that time, having had the chance to visit inside the mill during the open days in the more recent past, and hearing of the turbine and the diesel engine that actually powered the mill in later years.

The mill is mentioned in the Domesday Book, so surely we have a duty to future generations to maintain the history of the setting, if we can?
I look forward to be able to visit again one day, perhaps, as others have suggested, to enjoy a cup of tea and a slice of cake in that idyllic surrounding.

Or does the relentless 'onward' thrust of modern life make that kind idea too sentimental?

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Redgolfer says...
10:06pm Sun 7 Feb 10

I am a Bournmouthian and my dad was a river bailiff under head bailiff Bob Olly and the owner was a Mr. Tomkins in the 50s and 60s, I to took a stroll last year along the old weir and new one and was so SAD at the demise of the place, does this news mean that they are going to open a section of the Stour above the new weir so that a new flow of water goes through the weir and mill as it would help with the stagnent water that is there now.
I to would love to see it opened and back to former glories and as Pete said where have all those years gone and just one other thing, can we have another chicken farm opposite the mill as there use to be.

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SonofKinson says...
11:53pm Sun 7 Feb 10

I can remember my Grandad and Dad walking us down from Luckham Road back in the 50s and 60s, to walk over the weir, see the swans, and the huge Garbel fish in the pools. We would see the millers covered in flour, and thought they were ghosts. The days of fun and laughter. Hope they do get it running again, even as part of what goes in its place. Should have never been allowed to fall in to the state it is.

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colin 50 says...
5:48am Mon 8 Feb 10

SonofKinson wrote:
I can remember my Grandad and Dad walking us down from Luckham Road back in the 50s and 60s, to walk over the weir, see the swans, and the huge Garbel fish in the pools. We would see the millers covered in flour, and thought they were ghosts. The days of fun and laughter. Hope they do get it running again, even as part of what goes in its place. Should have never been allowed to fall in to the state it is.
and you dont think the landsdowne clock falls into the same criteria, hypocrite

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cantique says...
9:10am Mon 8 Feb 10

Yes, fond memories of the mill in the 50s and 60s, together with the more recent open days. Restoration, a museum and cafe would be wonderful.

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Avengerboy says...
9:19am Mon 8 Feb 10

Why does it not have a turbine in place to generate electricity through hydro? Is there not a national project for this? If the council get involved it will take 600 years to reclaim its costs. Forget I mentioned it, i'll get me coat.

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pete furtada says...
10:01am Mon 8 Feb 10

There is a chicken breeder a few yards from there, he has got beautiful 'Polish crested breed' that I noticed last year.

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oneshortleg says...
11:19am Mon 8 Feb 10

Who own the mill? I am sure that the majority of Bournemouth council tax payers would sooner buy this than the imax and turn this lovely building into a heritage centre for everyone to use powered and paid for by hydro energy. Come on Council you know you have the cash get on with it!

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Bournemouthian says...
12:35pm Mon 8 Feb 10

We have one working mill in the area, and wouldn't it be wonderful to have Throop Mill transformed so visitors can benefit. What does the owner want to do with it? Surely if they are not interested they could sell it on to someone who will spend some money on it. I am sure readers would contribute, and once open again would find volunteers to help.

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mike the moustache says...
1:12pm Mon 8 Feb 10

Wouldn't it be wonderful to have Throop Mill transformed so visitors can benefit
Wouldn't it be wonderful to have council employees who did not grab each other by the throat and pull his dicky bow off....always said it was a rip off.

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CaptColin says...
3:02am Tue 9 Feb 10

I spent many childhood days in the 50's and early 60's around Throop Mill fishing and birdwatching. I also remember Olly the bailiff checking our permits. Since I'm living overseas now and haven't been back there for 30 or more years, I often wonder if the swallows and martins still make their mud nests under the eaves of the old Throop Mill?

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Throop Mill. Picture: Richard Crease. Throop Mill. Picture: Richard Crease.

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