Otterton Mill: back in action after last year's severe floods.Following much hard work to repair the damage caused by the devastating October floods which hit communities along the river Otter last year, Otterton Mill owners Caroline and Simon Spiller and their team of helpers are looking forward to more settled trading conditions. With the credit crunch forecast to encourage more Britons to stay in the UK for their holidays they are optimistic about the future. A new charity to safeguard the future of the historic Mill is also being launched in 2009.
“Good things come from adversity, and we've all been overwhelmed by the support from our customers, suppliers and the community,” say the couple, who live on Exmouth Road. The bakery, shops, restaurant and galleries are now back in action and have even benefited from some improvements as a result of the restoration work. The restored flour-milling machinery is just one of the many attractions to be admired in this ancient building.
“Good things come from adversity, and we've all been overwhelmed by the support from our customers, suppliers and the community,” say the couple, who live on Exmouth Road. The bakery, shops, restaurant and galleries are now back in action and have even benefited from some improvements as a result of the restoration work. The restored flour-milling machinery is just one of the many attractions to be admired in this ancient building.
The Mill was hit by the worst local flooding in 40 years. “Water as high as 2ft swept through the site causing considerable damage to buildings and the surrounding area. As a result, we've been closed for most of November whilst the premises were cleaned, sanitised and dried,” they explained. “We've been overwhelmed by the support from our customers, suppliers and the community. We'd like to say a heartfelt thankyou to all who have offered practical help and words of encouragement. It's been greatly appreciated.” The flooded car park at Otterton Mill last year.
The idea of a charity, Friends of Otterton Watermill, to be launched this year, is one of the good things to have resulted from the disaster, say Caroline and Simon. “Following the flood, we were inundated by so many offers of help that we have decided to create a charity that will hold funds to support the ongoing restoration of the historic mill workings. The maintenance of the Mill is very expensive, but it is our aim to preserve the milling practice and flour production for current and future generations, and continue to hold regular milling demonstrations for the public at no fee.”
The New Year has also seen the return to Otterton Mill of its five rescued battery chickens, Elena, Treacle, Jasmine, Rosie and Pumpkin, who had arrived at the site only a week prior to the flood. The five had had to be rescued again, this time by the RSPCA after their newly restored enclosure was washed away.
The idea of a charity, Friends of Otterton Watermill, to be launched this year, is one of the good things to have resulted from the disaster, say Caroline and Simon. “Following the flood, we were inundated by so many offers of help that we have decided to create a charity that will hold funds to support the ongoing restoration of the historic mill workings. The maintenance of the Mill is very expensive, but it is our aim to preserve the milling practice and flour production for current and future generations, and continue to hold regular milling demonstrations for the public at no fee.”
The New Year has also seen the return to Otterton Mill of its five rescued battery chickens, Elena, Treacle, Jasmine, Rosie and Pumpkin, who had arrived at the site only a week prior to the flood. The five had had to be rescued again, this time by the RSPCA after their newly restored enclosure was washed away.
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