The Mills Archive

Happy Global Wind Day!

Today, we celebrate an invisible force that has shaped human civilization for millennia. Long before the modern wind turbine, humans were engineering ingenious ways to harness the breeze. From the vertical-axis windmills of ancient Persia used to grind grain, to the iconic Dutch mills that drained wetlands and powered early industry, wind has always been a key partner in agricultural, technological, and industrial progress.

In an era defined by the climate crisis and insecure global energy supplies, understanding this history is more important than ever. At the Mills Archive Trust, we believe that to build a sustainable future, we must preserve the brilliance of our past. This includes the constantly evolving green technology of today:the future history.

Visit us online at millsarchive.org or in person at our library in Reading to:

📜 Explore our extensive digital catalogue of historic mills.

⚙️ Trace the mechanical journey from ancient millstones to modern turbines.

💡 Read exclusive articles on the art, science, and heritage of milling.

Missed your mills? Fear not, because we are back with an exciting new talk by Director of the Mills Archive Trust, Liz Bartram, for Reading Climate Festival 2026.

🗓️ When? Wed 10 June 2026, 2pm-3pm GMT+1
💻 Zoom link will be sent out before the talk.
🙌 Sign Up Here
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/echoes-of-energy-archiving-our-renewable-transitions-tickets-1988017364453?aff=odcleoeventsincollection

If you have any questions send us a dm 📥 or email us! 📧

Using documents from the archives, Liz Bartram traces how the legacy of traditional mills influenced early experiments in electricity generation; and what this means for our modern return to wind and water.

Today, as we accelerate the transition to renewable energy, a new challenge emerges: contemporary records of green innovation are often more vulnerable to loss than those already recognised as “historical.” How can we preserve the environmental memory of our current moment?

Join us to explore the role of The Mills Archive Trust in safeguarding the knowledge, experimentation and technology that underpin renewable energy from past to present.

This is the cap roof of the tower mill at Sporle, moved to Tottenhill post mill and set up as a shed. It was still there in 1998. The onion shaped cap (to be accurate an ogee cap) is a design feature commonly found in the Midlands and East Anglia.

Brought to our attention by a wonderful friend and once the longest serving volunteer at The Mills Archive Trust, here is Tetiana's Bohachuk's 'Millstones'. An intricately crafted quilt, drawing from Ukrainian folk motifs and inspired by Vasyl Symonenko's poem - 'Millstones'!

This quilt is "Millstones" (85" x 41") by Tetiana Bohachuk. See it in the current exhibit "International Quilt Festival 2024 Judged Show Prizewinners!"

Tetiana says: "Inspired by Vasyl Symonenko’s poem, 'Millstones,' my quilt embodies the resilience of Ukrainians. Millstones are reflected in Ukrainian folk motifs, symbolizing endurance through the 20th century’s trials. Crafted with care, they honor hard work and kinship across generations. Each patch tells a story of beauty, echoing the spirit of my resilient people."

For those of you interested in how the correspondence between Rex Wailes and John Russell’s (miller at Union Mill, Cranbrook) reveal the strong connections that millers, millwrights, and mill enthusiasts formed in solidarity at a time when the traditional milling industry was in its decline - check out our latest article.

🔗 https://mailchi.mp/millsarchive.org/archives-creation-and-creativity-7790781

Please enquire if you would like to consult these documents yourself! Who knows what else is hidden..

Mill expert Rex Wailes was key to establishing networks of milling knowledge in the twentieth century. His friendship with John Russell, the last commercial miller of Union Mill, demonstrates how traditional milling circles supported each other and helped preserve mill histories.

Find out in our newest newsletter below - https://mailchi.mp/millsarchive.org/archives-creation-and-creativity-7790781

And just like that, the sails have stopped turning for another National Mills Weekend!

The theme this year was 'Now and Then,' and after a weekend of hundreds of windmills and watermills throwing open their doors, we are feeling incredibly inspired. To the hardworking millers and volunteers who welcomed the public: thank you for keeping our milling heritage alive.

You may have spent the last two days hearing the creak of wooden gears or feeling the rumble of the stones, these experiences connect us directly to our industrial past.
At the Mills Archive Trust, we preserve the 'Then' so that everyone can continue to cherish the 'Now.' Swipe to see a glimpse of the history we protect. From intricate 19th-century blueprints to personal letters and correspondence, we hold the memories that give these heritage sites their soul.

Did you visit a mill this weekend? Tell us which one captured your imagination in the comments!

From the mills of old to modern water-power: the VETT hydro project at Eaton Socon demonstrates how renewable energy can build on the UK's milling heritage. VETT is a compact low-head hydro technology that runs silent and minimised visual and environmental disruption. It is especially suited to historic mill locations so they can return to their original purpose of drawing power from waterways - not just as landmarks of the past, but as living contributors to a greener tomorrow.

To find out how your mill could benefit from VETT, visit www.verderg.com or contact us [email protected]



VerdErg Renewable Energy Ltd is a Mills Archive Trust sponsor and a member of the Trust's Sustainability Network.

Milling and renewable energy are featured in a guided tour at the Reading University Community Festival on Saturday 16 May - find out more in our latest newsletter - https://mailchi.mp/millsarchive.org/archives-creation-and-creativity-7790703