Kentish Express Ashford & District
MP pops round to visit windmill
Ashford MP Damian Green received a warm welcome from Pat White and the team of volunteers at Willesborough Windmill when he visited the working mill, situated on the outskirts of Ashford.
Last Friday’s visit was organised by Visit Kent and took place during Tourism Constituency Day, when Mr Green showed his support for local tourism businesses in Ashford as part of English Tourism Week and ahead of the Kent Big Weekend.
During his visit, the MP was shown around the beautifully restored windmill, ande earned a Miller’s Certificate after a lesson in making the Windmill’s wholemeal bread flour on the quern stones.
Run entirely by volunteers, the attraction also holds a series of special events throughout the year, ranging from weddings to the National Mills Weekend in May, featuring the mill’s vintage 110 year old engine and a Teddy Bears’ Picnic in June.
Willesborough Windmill is a regular supporter of Kent Big Weekend and has donated 30 tickets to the campaign so that local Kent residents can experience the attraction for themselves.
The mill welcomes about 4,000 visitors a year.
Mr Green said: “The Windmill is one of Ashford’s great attractions. It’s great to see the enthusiasm of the volunteers who keep it open for the public and another reason to celebrate English Tourism Week.”