News from Stotfold
Watermill
It’s great to be back….. On the last Sunday in July the mill was once again open to visitors. The team of millers, like boys with their toys, were excited to be back after almost two years, demonstrating their skills and techniques for turning grain into flour. There were 50 people who came along to watch the mill in action, with guides on hand to recount the mill history and to explain the workings as well as to ensure everyone followed the covid safeguards. Visitors were able to buy flour, oats and gifts from the Kingfisher Shop and enjoy delicious refreshments in Randall’s Tearoom. Hopefully by the end of August many more will have taken the opportunity to re-acquaint themselves with the mill and all those residents, particularly those new to Stotfold, who have yet to discover this heritage treasure will have been along to see us. (NOTE We are not open on 29th August – even our volunteers enjoy a Bank Holiday break)’ On Sunday 26th September we are hoping to hold an exhibition of the pictures taken by the many local photographers that have been appearing during lockdown on the Stotfold in Pictures Facebook page. Look out for further information and get snapping.
Our attention is now focussed on the Working Steam Weekend, which is little more than a month away. The event kicks off on the evening of Friday 8th October, with Live@TheMill. Traditionally, a key feature of our May event we have chosen to celebrate our move out of lockdown by holding this ever-popular evening of live rock music to begin our weekend. With a real ale and cider bar available, gig lovers can have a night to remember with the return of Allergy, the popular three-piece indie/rock band and Hertfordshire’s exciting top rock band, Delorean. Further details can be found on our website https://www.stotfoldmill.com/rock/, where advance tickets can be at £10 can be purchased. New to Stotfold? This is the rock lover’s night of the year not to be missed! Saturday and Sunday, 9th/10th October is the day out for the whole family. Upgraded from our usual steam event, we are expecting an even bigger display of working steam engines taking us through the history of steam power. There will be demonstrations of ploughing by heavy horses, steam engines and vintage tractors and the historic harvesting method of threshing grain from the vintage wheat crop grown on the field this year can be seen. We have a large number of craft stalls on site and an array of food outlets to go along side the real ale bar. Children can enjoy rides on the vintage fair ground equipment. This will be far and away the biggest attraction in Stotfold this year and we anticipate thousands of visitors from far and wide to one of the few national steam rallies to be held in 2021. Again, if you are new to the town or have never been to the Working Steam Weekend please do come along and experience this heritage event raising funds to secure the future of Stotfold Mill for future generations. Whole day tickets costing £10 adults and £5 children over four can be obtained in advance at a 20% discount on our website, www.stotfoldmill.com/working-steam-2021/. For those wanting to make it a really enjoyable family weekend, particularly if coming from further afield, we are offering the opportunity to camp on site for the weekend from Friday onwards. A pitch costing £75 for up to 2 adults and 3 children, giving access to both days at the show (but not Live@TheMill) can be booked on the website.
To contact the Stotfold News Magazine please call 01462 731986
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