National Mills Weekend
Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th May 2013
National Mills Weekend is a celebration of the UK’s milling heritage held on the second weekend of May each year. Nationally the weekend is organised by the Mills Section of the SPAB. As many wind and water mills as are able open on one or both of the two days of the weekend. This is a great opportunity to visit and look round mills, many of which are not usually open to the public.
In 2012 more than twenty Welsh mills were open to the public during this national festival, and this year we welcome more mills opening for the first time. Here is a chance to see fascinating mill sites that rarely open to the public such as Y Felin, Tynygraig, Ystrad Meurig; Felin Fach,Blaenpennal or Felindre, Aberarth Mill. Some of the working mills which open are more than 300 years old, yet are still efficiently doing the job they were built and designed for into the 21st century. You could visit a the lead and silver mine at Llywernog, Ponterwyd, the woollen mill at Melin Tregwynt, Castlemorris nr. Haverfordwest or watch flour milling demonstrations at the working cornmills, Y Felin in St Dogmaels, Felin Ganol in Llanrhystud, Talgarth Mill, Powys and the only working windmill in Wales, Melin Llynon in Anglesey.
In Wales this year the theme will again be – “Restoration Trail” , so that we can include any mill which has been restored or is being restored ( including being saved from collapse), eventually we hope to provide suggestions for a trail route which visitors can follow around mills in a local area. If you know of any mills ( owned by WMS members or not ) which may be suitable please contact Andrew Findon. More details will be posted here as our plans progress.
