Coldharbour Mill receives King’s Award for Voluntary Service

10 August 202410 August 2024 Peter Holdway-Bradley

Coldharbour Mill receives King’s Award for Voluntary Service

Volunteers at Coldharbour Mill have been presented the prestigious King’s Award for Voluntary Service at a ceremony held at the Mill. The accolade, which is the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK, was presented to the mill’s dedicated volunteers by HM Lord-Lieutenant of Devon, David Fursdon, in a ceremony that celebrated their extraordinary contributions.

Over 60 volunteers attended the celebration, marking a significant milestone for Coldharbour Mill. The award recognises the mill’s outstanding commitment to benefiting local communities through its voluntary work. This achievement highlights the vital role that volunteers play in preserving the historical and cultural heritage of Coldharbour Mill, which continues to thrive due to their tireless efforts.

“We are incredibly proud of our volunteers whose hard work and dedication have earned us this distinguished recognition,” said Bryher Mason, chair of the Board of Trustees. “This award is a testament to the profound impact that our volunteers have on the community, and we are deeply grateful for their unwavering support.”

The King’s Award for Voluntary Service highlights the exceptional contributions made by Coldharbour Mill’s volunteers, whose passion and dedication ensure the preservation and promotion of this historic site. The mill remains a vibrant part of the community, providing educational opportunities and preserving an important piece of local and industrial heritage.

Coldharbour Mill extends its heartfelt gratitude to all its volunteers and looks forward to continuing its mission with their invaluable support.

Letters from the Archive

14 May 202429 June 2024 Peter Holdway-Bradley

Letters from the Archive

Here we will be exploring the numerous letter books which can be found in Coldharbour Mill’s Fox Business Archive. After many years, these fascinating business records have been stabilised and conserved by our volunteers, in order for us to better understand their contents.

Our archive volunteer, Peter, has been transcribing these letters. Keep checking this page as we delve deeper into the rich history of the Fox brothers business.

The Mill is very fortunate in holding a set of Letter Books dating from 1807 to 1827, the early period of Thomas Fox’s manufacturing business and not long after the Mill began work in 1799.

Before computers, or even type writers and carbon copies, all the letters sent out of the firm’s office (or Counting house as it was known) were copied into a letter book, so we have a record of the business activities of the period: we do not have any of the in-coming correspondence, but it is still possible to build a fascinating picture of Fox’s business at this time.

The first relates to the important matter of buying suitable wool.

Page 1

Resp^d. Friend Wellington 27^th: 5^th mo: 1826

John Elliott

Since thou wast here the price of wool has declined considerably, so that we should not now incline to give more than 6^d plb 21^lb for 20^lb for thy lot, and then only on condition of our J. Mullett’s throwing out any that may be found at the time of packing to be injured by damp or lying on the ground or against the wall. We conclude that good 2 months Bills would suit thee for part of the amount, but if thou accept our offer we shall expect thy reply in course of post ~ We should expect to have the wool delivered part of the way to Exeter ~ Ugborough n^r. Ashburton

Elliott was a wool stapler; he purchased wool from his local farmers (or growers), sorted it and then sold it on. John Mullett worked for Thomas Fox as a wool buyer and would often be tasked with visiting the staplers to assess the wool before it was purchased. Note the attention to price and the conventions of receiving a pound of wool more than is paid for and the stapler having to pay part of the transport cost of bringing the wool to Wellington. The Bills mentioned are Bills of Exchange, much like a cheque, except that they were used many times in succession without actually being cashed.

Page 1

Bowring & Son Wellington 29^th: 5^th mo: 1826

Exeter

We send herewith 8p^s. Serges to be dyed exact to pattern, & sent home rough dryed ~ The 5p^s. Serges are to be pressed & are much wanted By Chadwell’s waggon we also send 69 Worleys in the raw state ~ you will be pleased to hear that with the exception of the 4p^s. returned to you, the whole of our Worleys are passed up to N^o.73. We are not at present inclined to take more of your Oil at £38 – as Genuine Gallipoli is offered to us at a lower price ~ Your

This letter is addressed to a merchant in Exeter. The Bowrings were manufacturers too, but the Foxs used them to supervise their cloth finishing as they had direct access to dyers, fullers pressers and packers and so on. This particular batch includes serges to be dyed and pressed and the local carter is delivering worleys (a very similar fabric) to be finished: felting of the fabric using fulling stocks in a basin of water and raising a nap in a gig mill (a process that had used teasles to produce a soft fluffy surface, which is then cropped with shears to make it even).

The reference to worleys being passed, shows that they were destined for the East India Company, which had a very strict quality control system.

Gallipoli oil is olive oil, which was used in wool combing.

Resp^d.Friends Wellington 12^th: 6^th mo: 1826

Harrison & Brazier

We have rec^d. your several letters of 30^th Ulto: and 3^rd & 8^th inst: and note the further purchases advised in the last ~ Some of the fleeces have been waiting so long for a vessel, that before they can arrive, even if ship’d immediately, we fear we shall be considerably inconvenienced, having of course depended on them as part of our supply; and in a falling market the detention is the more serious ~ Your’s of 30^th Ulto: mentions 10 days from that date as the probable time of shipment, but we are uneasy at obser ving that no definite time whatever is named in your last, which, of course, leaves us at great uncertainty, and induces us to request, that should not the Polly have commenced loading on your receiving this, you will immediately ship 20 bags of the fleeces for Wool Quay Wharf, London – with directions to reship them on the first vessel for Exeter; when this is effected, advise us p first post. As the freight from London is charged by the bag, you should put as much as possible into each sheet by that route ~ We presume that in the agreement with the owner of the Polly, you made some stipulation as to the time, otherwise we shall be at his mercy: pray reply to this p first post ~ According to the advices from Yorkshire &c. we are on the wrong side in the purchases you have made for us, and we have now to request you will not exceed £9 ppk for the prime lots of Kent fleeces, at this price you may purchase 30 to 40 packs ~ Since some of our firm saw your T. Harrison, we have learnt that Morgan & C^o. of London have been obtaining Kent head & Skin Combing in Kent, one with the other in about equal quantities, or the whole pulls at £7..10 – to £7..15.. You may purchase a little more Kent head at £7..5.. and Fine Head @ £8..5.. say 10 to 15 pks of each. Should any more skin Combing be offered, you may send us samples with the lowest prices ~ Presuming that the skin wools are to be paid for in bills @ 60d^s. we enclose £350 at that date and £350 at 15d^s. Should you purchase any fleeces at £9.. we wish the period of packing to be so arranged as that our remittances may be in Cash on, or at any time after the 29^th inst: either through Willis & C^o. or any other house you may direct – this will save the expence of stamps, which in such short dated bills, makes the rate of discount come high ~ You do not invoice any locks, we could now use some, and presume that they might be bought low ~ Relying on receiving advice of the shipment of a pack, at least of our wools, in a post or two after you receive this, we are Rye

Continuing the wool buying theme, this letter demonstrates the care taken over more distant purchases. Kent was a source of wool for the Foxs from early days in the firm’s existence and Harrison & Brazier longstanding suppliers. However this did not prevent detailed inst-ructions being given, particularly regarding price, with worries that Yorkshire wool was cheaper. An additional difficulty was transporting the wool to Wellington. Land carriage was out of the question, but it is noteworthy that shipping from London is preferred to a more local port; the amount of wool passing through the city justifying a dedicated wharf.

It is also noteworthy that the volume of wool is great and the money required consequently considerable. The comments about packing reflect the need to pay farmers cash in hand for their wool before removing it from the farms and those about stamps, the requirement to pay stamp duty on bills of exchange (our cheques) passing through the banks.

Finally, the ‘locks’ mentioned were a product of the wool sorting, being the lower quality wool from the more peripheral parts of the fleece; generally coarser not of such good colour.

Resp^d. Friend Wellington 12^th: 6^th mo: 1826

John Caffrey

We are in receit of thine of 8^th ins^t. inclosing a bill am^t.£72, which with freight of yarn to Liverpool balances thy acco^t.& for which we are obliged ~ As the warps are required to be spun smaller, it would add to the cost: our present price is 1/10½plb deliver’d in Liverpool, terms as before, but our machinery being fully employed, we could not undertake to execute an order for 10 packs in less than 6 à 8 weeks from receit of thy order &

This is an unusual letter, demonstrating the reach of Fox yarn. The output of the manufactory was generally intended for local consumption, as the firm were principally concerned in producing cloth. However this letter reveals a yarn side line, with sales to a Lancashire manu facturer and of a considerable quantity! The reference to warp yarn suggests that previous orders were for weft yarn (that is the yarn in the shuttle being woven into the warp, which being under tension in the loom, needs to be stronger – hence spun more tightly).

Delia walks 100 Miles in her 80th year to raise funds for the Mill

9 April 202421 May 2024 Peter Holdway-Bradley

Delia walks 100 Miles in her 80^th
year to raise funds for the Mill

Our friend Delia, a local resident and
champion of Coldharbour Mill’s work, has embarked on a 100-mile local walk in
order to celebrate her 80th year and in order to raise funds for Coldharbour Mill in May, and other local causes throughout the rest of 2024.

We are so grateful that Delia has
decided that she will be raising funds for Coldharbour Mill Trust throughout
her May walks and she will be setting out from Coldharbour Mill on 1^st
May.

This is what Delia said about her walk:

“We
are off again during May – my little celebrity companion, (TTT) who rides in
the pouch on my backpack and I are walking another 100 miles locally raising
funds for our important local historic Mill.

Seems suddenly, I find myself in my 80th year and so having reached this
milestone I would really like to celebrate my many blessings and am so grateful
that I am able to ‘walk with a purpose’.

As always, my little companion who rides in the pouch on my backpack
accompanies me. He is a very well-travelled little bear particularly in
Scotland and around this local area. His main claim to fame however is
when he accompanied a trio of cyclists who rode from London to Glasgow to
attend COP 26 summit in Glasgow in November 2021.

I had read the book ‘Cold Hands, Warm Heart’ by Tess Burrows and was so amazed
by her story of courage and adventurous determination that I contacted
her. Since then we have kept in touch and I wondered if she would take my
little companion with her to Glasgow on the back of her bike! What a
story he would have to tell!

I was delighted when she said she would take him and indeed it was she who
named him TTT – Team Together Ted! Hence, I feel very honoured to have him as a
little companion on my various fund-raising travels.

So, we will be pleased to be able to
walk again for the Mill and particularly if the weather is a little more
amenable than it has been in recent weeks.”

We want to send a huge
thank you to Delia (and TTT!)

If you wish to sponsor Delia on her walk you can donate via the button or
if you wish to donate in cash this can be dropped in to the Grist Mill Café Bar.
Cheques can be made out to Coldharbour Mill Trust Ltd

‘Team Together Ted’ in his packet – ready for the 100 mile walk

Delia on her 2023 walk

Catch up diary (1) on 100 mile walk for Coldharbour Mill

Wednesday 1^st May and we were hoping to start the walk this morning especially after the rather nightmarish weather we have been experiencing, so we started by meeting at the Mill for coffee to see how the weather was going to plan out.

Having enjoyed our coffee and chat, I decided to chance our luck although the sky didn’t look too promising. We can cope with rain if we really have to, but definitely can’t deal with the possibility of thunder and lightening. Actually, it would have been very easy to have remained seated and then wandered home having scanned the black clouds and threatening skies, but decided to make a move in the hope and faith we would make it around the circuit.

It was with great relief that we made our first 8 miles safely and it turned out to be quite a pleasant walk. The small woodland area in Willand is now white with wild garlic scenting the air and the small weir is still very much in full spate. It is interesting to think that this section of the river is such a short distance away from the Culm in Uffculme. Even walking through the Hitchcocks estate the trees are so heavily laden with their beautiful spring-time blossom.

So, the first 8 miles have been safely completed and am pleased we chanced the weather and didn’t let it stop us – this time!

We will be back very soon with the next report.

Delia and TT
———————————————————————————————————————

Catch up diary (2) for
100 mile walk for Coldharbour Mill

Tuesday 7^th May
and the strange old weather is still playing tricks with the seasons. I
cautiously looked at the sky to try and sense it’s mood and decided to make a
start and see how we fared.

Five miles into the walk
and all was well – thankfully! so decided to carry on and notch up the 10
miles. 35 miles completed so far and hope to make better progress this
week.

Will be back to report
progress a bit later.

Delia

————————————————————————————————

Catch up diary (3) on 100 mile walk for Coldharbour Mill

Since our last catch-up we have experienced a mini-heatwave for 3 or 4 days but it is now Monday 13^th May and it has rained all day resulting in wet and bedraggled waterproofs and, for the first time, ‘leaking’ shoes! I have been waiting for it to happen I have to say, and after they have kept my feet dry for well over 2 ½ thousand miles, plus ‘normal’ wear, it is now going to force me into Exeter to reluctantly replace them!

I am thankful TTT doesn’t have any of these problems! – so is he!

During the mini-heatwave, it was wonderful to step out of the front door wearing sandals and shorts, and not have to consider ‘do I take ….. ?’, but just be able to go!

These were the few days when the wonderful natural world looked vibrant with the young leaves on the trees a glorious shade of vivid green and shining in the bright sunlight. The ‘candles’ on the horse chestnut trees proudly displaying their delicate colours so intricately designed before they are replaced by the seeds of the next generation. How incredible nature is.

Whilst taking a few moments to drink in the healing silence and watch the river making it’s way along the valley, I was fortunate to capture the brief visit of an Egret searching for it’s mid-day snack.

Tuesday 14th, and our total mileage is now 71 so not too much further to go until I can report ‘Mission Accomplished’.

Delia and TTT

———————————————————————————–

Final ‘diary’ (4) for Delia’s 100 mile walk for Coldharbour Mill

It has certainly been a bit of a challenge weather-wise to complete the last few miles this week.

On Thursday we set out to do a longer circuit as there were only 19 miles to do, but the weather looked very unsure of itself and so thought we could try and knock a few miles off. Walked just over 2 miles, and watching the sky which showed unfriendly signs, decided to catch the bus home as one happened to be due. Thankfully I made the right decision as just minutes after arriving home, it started raining and then carried on for the rest of the afternoon! Oh dear!!

Thankfully Friday was a bit better and we were able to complete 10 miles, so only another 10 to do. One lovely little bright spot which caught my eye was a wonderful golden fungus growing on a tree stump very close to the ground, and hidden in the undergrowth. It was such a brilliant colour in the depths of the dark surroundings.

Saturday 18^th – was really looking forward to completing today, but ……. it was not meant to be! However, we did manage to walk 5 1/2 miles before there was yet another downpour (just after we arrived home – again!) Thought about venturing around another 5 miles after lunch but as thunder was forecast, decided to call it a day and hope we can finish on Monday. It is all a bit frustrating but feel the weather patterns are going to be more challenging with climate change, and we must learn to deal with it and adapt accordingly.

So, here’s to the last 5 miles in the next couple of days! Sunday 19^th – it was such a beautiful morning I felt it would be good to get out, so left home about 9 am to get this 5 miles finished. It was perfect – sun, blue sky and lovely breeze and – MISSION ACCOMPLISHED – finally! 102 miles completed – and thank you for your donations to help our historic Mill.

Wild Garlic in the Woodland

Springtime Blossom

A snacking Egret

Golden Fungus

Coldharbour Mill Celebrated in Ordination

1 March 20241 March 2024 Peter Holdway-Bradley

Coldharbour Mill Celebrated in Ordination

Tartan woven at Coldharbour Mill in Uffculme, has been included in a deeply personal celebratory stole commissioned for the ordination of a Church of England priest.

Rev Zoë Braven-Giles, originally from Uffculme, was ordained as a priest in the Church of England in June 2023, and commissioned the deeply personal stole in celebration shortly afterwards. Zoë, née Pollard, lived in Uffculme until 2002, her children were all dedicated in St Mary’s Church in the heart of the village, and the village remains an important part of her life. Zoë explained why she chose the tartan to form part of her clergy uniform.

“Including a piece of tartan in my stole, woven at Coldharbour Mill, was
very important to me. It reminds me of my history, my childhood, and that
I wouldn’t be where I am now without the support growing up of so many
people in the village. I now have a piece of the village which will be with
me whenever I preside wearing it.”

Stoles are worn ordained members of the church to show their office. A deacon wears their stole across their body, right to left, and a priest wears theirs hanging straight down. Zoë’s stole was designed and created by Bournemouth textile artist Katalin Horváth, and depicts the changing of the seasons and creation.

Zoë plans to visit Uffculme, and Coldharbour Mill with her stole in the near future.

Coldharbour Mill receives The King’s Award for Voluntary Service

5 January 20245 January 2024 Peter Holdway-Bradley

Coldharbour Mill receives The King’s Award for Voluntary Service

Volunteers at Coldharbour Mill have just been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service. This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.

Coldharbour Mill, is one of the oldest working woollen mills in the UK having been in constant production since 1797. Originally owned by world-renowned textile producers Fox Brothers, the Mill took fleece from all over the world and transformed it into yarn, cloth and textiles.

Largely unchanged since this time, today the rich heritage lives on as one of the best-preserved examples of a textile mill complex in the country. Now run as a charity, Coldharbour Mill welcomes visitors to experience not only industrial revolution, but also a unique opportunity to see artisan men and women making textiles, beautiful knitting yarn and hand-woven rugs on traditional looms.

Coldharbour Mill is one of 262 charities, social enterprises, and voluntary groups from across the UK to receive the prestigious award this year since its inception in 2002. Their work, along with the other recipients, reminds us of all the ways fantastic volunteers are contributing to their local communities and working to make life better for those around them.

The King’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to benefit their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee and, following his accession, His Majesty The King emphasised his desire to continue the Award.

Recipients are announced annually on 14th November, The King’s Birthday. Alongside Coldharbour Mill Award winners this year are wonderfully diverse and include volunteer groups from across the UK, such as a social support network for disabled adults in Banffshire; a charity using a refurbished pool as a community hub in south Wales; volunteer doctors providing pre-hospital care across rural Cumbria and a village renewal organisation promoting sustainability, equality and social inclusion in County Antrim.

6 representatives of Coldharbour Mill will receive the award crystal and certificate from David Fursdon HM Lord-Lieutenant of Devon, later this year. In addition, two volunteers from Coldharbour Mill will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in 2024, along with other recipients of this year’s Award.

Bryher Mason, Chair of Trustees at Coldharbour Mill Trust says: “We are delighted that our dedicated and committed volunteers have been recognised in this way and is a real testament to their hard work and commitment to preserve and share our national treasure. We now have over 85 volunteers donating their time to Coldharbour Mill – supporting everything from running the steam boilers to gardening, hosting groups and schools and creating the national archive of woven patterns. Each one of these we are privileged to call friends.”

A Thirty-Year Headache Solved!

20 March 202322 March 2023 Luke Kitteridge

A Thirty-Year Headache Solved!

Coldharbour Mill have been granted £495,000 by the Museum Estate and Development Fund

Coldharbour Mill is one of more than 70 cultural organisations across the country have been given a financial boost by the government to improve people’s access to arts and support local economic growth through culture while safeguarding vital local collections for future generations.

The fund, which totals more than £200 million and was launched in 2019, is made up of three separate streams, the Cultural Development Fund, the Libraries Improvement Fund and the Museum Estate and Development Fund. It is designed to protect and improve people’s access to culture, regenerate communities, upgrade buildings and digital infrastructure and use investment to promote economic growth.

Coldharbour Mill are thrilled to have been awarded £495,000 of funding in order to tackle a backlog of urgent maintenance issues to the Estate, this includes replacing the Mill’s main fire escape part of which had been condemned for over 30 years closing off more than 25% of the Victorian Factory. In addition, other urgent maintenance will be completed, seeing the leat bridges replaced and the Mill Yard re-surfaced allowing for greater access across the estate for our visitors and volunteers, and the outside staircase to the Carpenters workshops will be replaced.

This funding will see us tackle this significant maintenance backlog, which had been exasperated by the Covid-19 pandemic, and will lead to transformational change for Coldharbour Mill.

This funding will allow Coldharbour Mill Trust to progress its plans laid out in ‘Coldharbour Mill Vision 2032’, our ten-year vision for the progress of Coldharbour Mill. Dealing with these maintenance issues and repairs are key to making Coldharbour Mill financially self-sufficient and allowing Coldharbour Mill to remain relevant to our audiences into the future. This will be one of the first steps for Coldharbour Mill as we continue on our journey towards Vision 2032, a massive leap forward in securing the future of the Mill and continuing to share our heritage with future generations.

Pattern Book Conservation

20 February 202320 February 2023 Luke Kitteridge

Kathleen Sprague Conservation Room

In November 2022 we were ecstatic to open a Conservation Room dedicated to Kathleen Sprague MBE, who was a huge supporter of the Mill for over 30 years. The previously unused space has been transformed into the Conservation Room thanks to funding from South West Museum Development and match-funding from Coldharbour Mill Trust

The Conservation Room is to play a massive part in helping Coldharbour Mill Trust restore and exhibit our hugely significant Pattern Books. It will also allow the Trust to train more volunteers in Conservation & Curation.

This new facility will enable volunteers to be trained in conservation work .This is the first time the Museum has had a dedicated space for a programme of works on conserving our collections.

Restoration of hugely significant Pattern Books

The Restoration and Conservation of our Pattern Books is now underway and will continue throughout 2023 thanks to Idlewild Trust, The Arts Society and AIM (Association of Independent Museums). With over 100 of the Pattern Books to survey, our Curatorial volunteers are working hard behind the scenes ensuring the books are carefully looked after to secure the future of them at the Mill for visitors to enjoy. You can keep up to date with the progress below!

With thanks to..

“We support programmes that address the lack of opportunities for professional musicians, dancers, actors, writers, artists and those involved creatively in the arts at an early stage in their career.

We also support the conservation of important works of art and historic objects being lost through the lack of funds to look after these works.”

More can be found on their website HERE

“The Arts Society is a leading arts education charity with a global network of local Societies which bring people together through a shared curiosity for the arts.

Our events provide welcoming places to hear expert lecturers share their specialist knowledge about the arts.

We preserve and contribute to our artistic heritage through volunteering and grants.

Our strength is our people, joined together by a passion for the arts which can nourish and empower us all. Our work creates a better, healthier and more connected society.”

More can be found on their website HERE

“

AIM was established in 1977 to address the needs of the growing independent museum sector, providing a network of mutual help and support that would share good practice and create a singular voice for hundreds of organisations.

Today AIM continues that work, supporting and championing independent museums, galleries and heritage sites across the UK.”

More can be found on their website HERE

“South West Museum Development exists to support museums and heritage organisations to develop and improve across all areas of their operation. We provide trusted, local and relevant development services to support museum and heritage organisations to improve, innovate, collaborate and celebrate. We understand the specific context and priorities of museums at both a regional and local level.”

More can be found on their website HERE

Nominations Galore!

7 February 20237 February 2023 Luke Kitteridge

Nominations for Coldharbour Mill

Having recently been nominated for Small Attraction of the Year and winning Bronze at the awards – more HERE

The Mill has also been nominated for the Tech Champions’ Choice in the #DigitalCultureAwards! In this new category, Digital Culture Network recognise an organisation or individual’s dedication to developing digital skills or using technology to drive change.

For us, a new eCommerce website (www.coldharbourmill.com) dedicated to the story of the Mill and as a shop for our unique yarns & textiles!

Energy costs at Coldharbour Mill

18 January 202318 January 2023 Luke Kitteridge

Energy costs soar for the Heritage sector

The costs of energy bills have gone up substantially for all of us in the last 6 months and the heritage sector is no different. Coldharbour Mill are just one of many affected museums and we have encountered a massive rise of 360%.

The winter period is always extremely challenging for the charity, with less visitors we see our income drop, and that provides serious challenges to our cash flow, the situation will become self-sustaining once we get the seasonal visitors in numbers from April, however the next year will be challenging in the current financial climate.

A survey by the Association of Independent Museums (AIM) has shown that a fifth of the museums that responded are considering reducing opening hours and 40% have or plan to scale down their activities to cope with rising energy bills. A small number said they were at risk of insolvency over the crisis, although 70% said they had reserves to get them through the short term.

Association of Independent Museums

The soaring cost of energy bills could be more of a risk to the UK’s museums than the Covid-19 pandemic, Museums Association (MA) director Sharon Heal has warned.

Association of Independent Museums

Energy Bill Relief Scheme 2023

The UK’s museum sector will continue to receive an enhanced discount on its energy bills until 31 March 2024, the UK Government has confirmed.

Eligible areas of work include museum activities, library and archive activities, operation of historical sites and buildings and similar visitor attractions, and botanical and zoological gardens and nature reserve activities.

These businesses will receive a discount reflecting the difference between a price threshold and the relevant wholesale price. The price threshold for the scheme will be £99/MWh for gas and £185/MWh for electricity.

Source – Museums Association

The NCVO

The NCVO (The National Council for Voluntary Organisations) have been working on a long-term solution to the energy crisis including:

Targeted support. All high-energy use charities to get enhanced support, such as hospices, refuges, social care and community leisure providers.
A fairer solution for charities. Government should bring innovators, energy leaders and the charity sector together, exploring options for a social/community tariffs as well as energy caps for voluntary organisations.
A reduction in energy usage overall. The Budget in March must cover energy reduction measures, including better plans and incentives for introducing renewable energy and immediate solutions like insulation.
A decrease in the UK’s vulnerability. The government must prevent this happening again by lowering the impact of external shocks that affect energy supply and drive up costs.

Booking Steam Days in advance

17 January 2023 Luke Kitteridge

Coldharbour Mill announced as finalist in Devon Tourism Awards

3 January 2023 Luke Kitteridge

Coldharbour Mill have been announced as a finalist in the Devon Tourism Awards in the Small Visitor Attraction Of The Year category.

The annual competition is now in its 13th year, with plenty of developments along the way as the awards have evolved in parallel to the industry itself. This year’s awards have taken ever greater account of entrants’ commitment to the environment and community, as well as displaying an exemplary digital presence. The awards organisers have evolved too, this year winning their own ‘Outstanding’ accreditation in the Awards TrustMark scheme.

Winners will be announced at Home Park, the home of Plymouth Argyle Football Club, on 2 February 2023, with successful businesses in many categories fast tracked into the South West Tourism Excellence Awards in March 2023 and possibly invited to represent Devon in the national VisitEngland Awards, in which Devon has previously had many top winners.

For a full list of finalists please click here

Virtual Tour

3 January 20233 January 2023 Luke Kitteridge

Charitable Foundation secures the future of textile heritage skills at Coldharbour Mill

21 October 202217 November 2022 Luke Kitteridge

Multi Award winner Meg Stavaru joins the Coldharbour Mill team at their historical textile Mill in Devon

Meg Stavaru joins the Coldharbour Mill team in November having worked previously at the Queen Street Mill in Lancashire. Meg has a plethora of skills that she brings to Devon and went to Norwich University of the Arts to receive her Masters Degree in Textile Design. Also completing an internship at Whitchurch Silk Mill.

Winner of The Batsford Prize in Applied Arts / Textile design, first prize in the Society of Dyers and Colourists Regional Heat Competition and Meg was recently selected for the Vice Chancellors Commendation Award in Norwich.

Previously Coldharbour Mill have had to limit the amount of days that they are in production, meaning there was limited training and engagement opportunities and only some visitors were able to see its heritage machines in action but this new position opens up more opportunities for others to discover and learn about textiles and the heritage of the Mill, once described as “probably one of the best-preserved textile mill complexes in the country.” By Historic England.

Creating more opportunities to work closely with schools and universities through the Mills increased ability to host apprentices, placements and work experience, in addition to the broadening of volunteer opportunities to gain experiences and skills running the vintage looms and wool spinning machines on the factory floor.

Meg said “I am passionate about the journey of woven textiles from thread to cloth. I enjoy the hands on approach and physicality of being a part of the heritage whilst continuing an age old tradition. I believe in a sustainable future where buying British is at the forefront.”

Chief Executive Martin Halse says “The timing of Meg joining Coldharbour Mill couldn’t be better as the Mill are launching a new e-commerce website specifically for the sale of yarn and textiles produced at the Mill in November, our thanks to the great support given by The Scottish Power Foundation who’s £76,000 grant has secured heritage textile production at the Mill for future generations.”

Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butterfly Count at Coldharbour Mill

11 July 2022 Luke Kitteridge

Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butterfly Count takes place from Friday 15th July to Sunday 7th August. You can take part here at Coldharbour Mill!

In another nature-based collaboration, Coldharbour Mill and Uffculme Green Team’s Wildlife Group are urging people to take part in this year’s Big Butterfly Count and to use their visit to Coldharbour Mill to record their sightings. Gardens around the Mill complex are planted with many wildlife-friendly flowers ideal for a butterfly count and a stroll through the Splash meadow will reveal different species among the grasses and wildflowers. Copies of Butterfly Conservation’s identification and recording sheet will be available in the Coldharbour Mill cafe/ticket office together with information about how you can download the app to your smartphone to submit your sightings instantly if you prefer.

We’d love you to send us your sightings and have a chance to be featured on our website!

As the summer warms up we’re seeing more species flying and enjoying the abundant nectar from butterfly-friendly flowers and shrubs. But do you know a Gatekeeper from a Meadow Brown? Was that a Ringlet flying past or a Small Tortoiseshell? And what’s the difference between a Red Admiral and a Painted Lady? Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butterfly Count will not only help you with identification but will also contribute valuable information which will help the organisation understand how butterflies and day-flying moths are doing.

Chris, a co-ordinator of Uffculme Green Team’s Wildlife Group, told us: “We’re looking forward to this year’s Big Butterfly Count. We regularly monitor the wildlife, plants and insects, including butterflies, around the millpond and Splash meadow. Two years ago a Brown Argus butterfly was spotted there – a species which hasn’t previously been recorded in this area. We excitedly sent photos to the County Butterfly Recorder for confirmation and for his ‘official’ records – and we were thrilled to be told it was indeed a first for the area! So come to Coldharbour Mill to take part in the Big Butterfly Count – who knows what might be waiting for you!”

Yet another good reason to visit Coldharbour Mill in July and August.

Uffculme Green Team’s Wildlife Group can be contacted via uffculmegreenteam@outlook.com and there’s more information at
https://bigbutterflycount.butterfly-conservation.org/

Vision 2032

9 June 202230 August 2022 Peter Holdway-Bradley

Your invitation to Coldharbour Mill Vision 2032

What will Coldharbour Mill look like in 2032?

Saturday 24th September 2022 – 10.30am

Bryher Mason, Chair of Trustees warmly invites you to join us for a presentation of our vision for 2032 on September 24th September 2022, 10.30am at Coldharbour Mill in the Fox Gallery.

The morning will give insight of how we plan to take the Mill through the next decade together with a opportunity to discuss the plans with the Board of Trustees.

If you would like to join us, please book your place by clicking the button below as early as possible as tickets are strictly limited. There is no charge for your ticket.

Amy Stevens placement

30 May 202213 June 2022 Luke Kitteridge

On Tuesday I helped the volunteers to organise the textile archives which are going to be restored and displayed in the future. This was an amazing experience, being able to view past samples across hundreds of years produced in the mill. Recording them in numbered boxes so they can be identified more easily.

I also worked with the production volunteers on Thursday and I learnt about the 5 stages of spinning and got hands on experience working the traditional machinery! I found this knowledge really interesting and it will benefit me in the future whilst weaving to better utilise the properties of spun wool.

Development of Artisan units | Devon Elevation Fund

26 May 202231 May 2022 Luke Kitteridge

As well as developing the artisan units allowing artists, makers and craftspeople to make and display their goods, this project longer term would offer individuals opportunities to experience and learn new skills and also help Coldharbour Mill grow into different areas. Additionally, the project will help safeguard existing jobs and potentially create new jobs and volunteer opportunities to help preserve the history whilst shaping the future of the mill for future generations.

Platinum Jubilee Events throughout the local area

13 May 202217 November 2022 Luke Kitteridge

Saturday 4th June – Uffculme Lights Committee have put together a fantastic whole day of entertainment. The ‘Jubilee Music in the Meadow’ will include live entertainment, music and competitions. There will also be a 12 piece Michael Bublé tribute band at 6pm. Please bring your own chairs!

Where? Tribute band will be at Magelake Hall but starting at Coldharbour Mill for the Royal Fancy Dress competition.

What time? 1.30pm for the event start at Coldharbour | 6pm for the tribute band

How much? Band cost is £10 (this includes a £2.50 food voucher)

How to book? Tickets will be available on the door

Sunday 5th June – Platinum Jubilee Steam up. Coldharbour Mill have a fun filled day with street entertainment, actors/drama tours, a new Jubilee exhibit compiled by Uffculme Local History Group and the chance to plant a tree for the Queens’ Green Canopy Imitative.

Where? Coldharbour Mill, Uffculme.

What time? This event starts at 10.30am and finishes at 4.30pm

How much? Tickets are between £10-£18 | Free EX15 Residents tickets

How to book? You can book tickets for this event HERE – you can also purchase tickets on the day.

Reimagine Grant – Design Residency by Emily Sorrell

5 May 20225 May 2022 Luke Kitteridge

We are thrilled to have kicked off our latest project in collaboration with award winning creative strategist and innovation designer, Emily Sorrell. Emily specialises in ‘experience architecture’, working with heritage collections and cultural sites across the UK to design and produce multi-sensory spaces that allow visitors to immerse themselves in moments in history.

Over the next four months, Emily will be at the helm of Coldharbour’s first ever creative research residency, laying the foundations for continuous collaborations with other artists and innovators in the Mill’s future. This has been made possible with the support from Art Fund’s Reimagine grant, which aims to help museums, galleries and cultural organisations to re-examine what a museum could look like post-pandemic.

A series of future-gazing conversations with Emily back in 2020 became the catalyst for these “Unravelling Residencies”. Emily explains, “There has been a mill on this site since (at least) the days of the Doomsday Book – a manuscript record cataloging much of England and parts of Wales: basically the first medieval Yellow pages. This was published in 1086, roughly 37 generations ago. When I first chatted with the Trust back in 2021, I asked what the mill might look like in another 37 generations… an interesting question for any heritage organisation, since preservation and progress aren’t mutually exclusive.”

Emily has already spent a week on site, wandering the spaces, gathering information and exploring the collections and archives, beginning to uncover the lesser-known stories of the wool trade in industrial Britain; its rise, fall and small-scale revival; its worldwide reach; its enormous work force; its innovators… and its black sheep.

Emily is now working remotely from her studio in Cornwall to design an immersive exhibition that pulls on some of these threads, tracing the collection’s enduring relevance across the past present and future to explore how textiles and human lives have always been like warp and weft.

Emily says, “I often talk about the Overview Effect; it’s a dramatic cognitive shift that has been reported by some astronauts. Looking back at the earth changes them deeply. This is a guiding star in my work with museums and communities: bringing a shift in perspective that allows us to see and understand ourselves differently, leaving us with a clearer sense of our place in the context of everything.”

If you’d like to discuss the project, or share your own history of Coldharbour Mill, you can reach Emily here: https://linktr.ee/emilydoesdesign

Vision 2032

28 April 20223 May 2022 Peter Holdway-Bradley

What will Coldharbour Mill look like in 2032?

Thursday 12th May 2022 – 12:30pm

Bryher Mason, Interim Chair of Trustees warmly invites you to join us for a presentation of our vision for 2032 on Thursday 12th May 2022, 12:30pm at Coldharbour Mill in the Fox Gallery.

The presentation will give insight of how we plan to take the Mill through the next decade together with a opportunity to discuss the plans with the board of trustees.

ITINERARY

12:30 – 13:30 – Arrival Drinks & Buffet Lunch

13:30 – 14:15 – Welcome – Bryher Mason, Interim Chair of Trustees

Vision 2032 Transformation – Martin Halse,

MRH MS Ltd, Chief Executive Services Provider

14:15-15:30 – Tours of the Mill
15:30 – Depart

If you would like to join us, please book your place by clicking the button below as early as possible as tickets are strictly limited. There is no charge for your ticket.

Letters from the Archive

The first relates to the important matter of buying suitable wool.

Coldharbour Mill receives The King’s Award for Voluntary Service

A Thirty-Year Headache Solved!

Coldharbour Mill have been granted £495,000 by the Museum Estate and Development Fund

Kathleen Sprague Conservation Room

Restoration of hugely significant Pattern Books

With thanks to..

Nominations for Coldharbour Mill

Energy costs soar for the Heritage sector

Energy Bill Relief Scheme 2023

The NCVO

Book 4 weeks in advance and get a huge 30% off your admission tickets!

Coldharbour Mill announced as a finalist at the Devon Tourism Awards

Virtual tour of Coldharbour Mill

Multi Award winner Meg Stavaru joins the Coldharbour Mill team at their historical textile Mill in Devon

Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butterfly Count at Coldharbour Mill

Getting involved at Coldharbour Mill

Big Butterfly Count

Be featured on our website!

Another nature-based collaboration

Uffculme Green Team’s Wildlife Group

Your invitation to Coldharbour Mill Vision 2032

Amy Stevens joins Coldharbour Mill on a three week placement

Week Commencing 30th May 2022

Future Inspiration

Textile Archives & Spinning

Week Commencing 6th June 2022

Development of Artisan units & workshops

Future-proofing

MAY EVENTS

JUNE EVENTS

Exploring innovative ideas for immersive learning experiences at Coldharbour Mill with support from Art Fund.

With support from Art Fund.

Coldharbour Mill Vision 2032