Water and wind milling heritage investigated at Castleford’s Queen’s Mill

Delegates from across the country travelled to the Queen’s Mill for the annual conference of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB).

More than 60 people took part in Milling in God’s Own County - which explored Yorkshire’s wind and water milling heritage - at the Aire Street facility last week.

They heard a number of presentations, including The Queen’s Mill past, present and future, milling and water power in Yorkshire, the rebirth of Gayle Mill, Tockett’s Mill today, Worsbrough Mill in the 21st century and Dandy Mill and its mates: wind and watermills in the Castleford and Pontefract area.

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The delegates also enjoyed a delicious lunch provided by the Queen’s Mill’s own tearooms.Alison Drake, chairman of the Castleford Heritage Trust, which owns the mill, said: “Everyone was absolutely delighted with the mill. I am very proud of the volunteers who had prepared the venue - they worked very hard and it looked pristine.

“All the talks were extremely interesting and the catering was delicious - the event was really good. We had delegates from all over - Devon, Dorset, Hampshire, Cumbria - as well as from mills closer to home such as Darrington and Ackworth.

“The organisers were delighted with the mill, they had no complaints.

“They have now said they will get behind the Queen’s Mill projects and help us move forward with the restoration. We are delighted as SPAB is a very prestigious organisation looking after all kinds of buildings.”

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