Grant will preserve a heritage site for years

A HISTORICALLY important watermill is close to landing a grant for conservation and restoration.

Sacrewell Farm and Country Centre’s 18th century watermill has made it through the first round of bidding for a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £78,500.

It is hoped the William Scott Abbotttrust, which owns and runs the centre, will be able to use the money to conserve and restore the mill so it can be used as an educational resource and a source of enjoyment for the community.

Mike Rooney, general manager of the farm, said: “All the staff and volunteers at Sacrewell are absolutely delighted to receive support from the Heritage Lottery Fund to secure the future of the watermill.

“We have always known the building is a vital resource, not only to the site but to the community. It is definitely an undiscovered treasure.

“The watermill is one of only a few surviving examples and if it had been allowed to fall into disrepair, or even to cease working, it would have been a massive loss to the community.

“This funding will help preserve the watermill for future generations to discover and enjoy.”

Assuming the final plan is successful, the site will be saved for future generations and will become a centre of excellence for watermill-based training.

And a hydroelectric generator will be installed in disused building to demonstrate old and new methods of using water for power generation and provide clean energy.

impressed: Pupils at the Duke of Bedford Primary School, Thorney, were impressed by Peterborough MP Stewart Jackson. (METP-27-04-12AS023) Picture: ALAN STORER.

historically important: The watermill at Sacrewell Country Farm is one of the last of its kind in the country.