Being a volunteer at a mill brings all sorts of benefits. It is not only an opportunity to be part of a team preserving our heritage, but it can be great fun too. Like most activities in life; what you get out of it depends on what you put into it. As a volunteer, you can commit as much or as little time as your lifestyle permits. It could even lead to a whole new career. Many volunteers are retired from full-time work and like to have their experience and commitment put to good use. Those that are working full-time during the week welcome a change of activity at a weekend. For those nearer the start of their working lives it can be a useful source of experience and an opportunity to develop new skills.
There is almost no limit to the types of jobs to be done at a mill. The most obvious one is that of miller; operating the machinery to produce flour, but in a successful mill there will be a team of people supporting the miller. There are many locations around the site where visitors will welcome an explanation of what they can see, or enjoy a story of milling life long ago. Just being a friendly face to say ‘hello’, collect admission fees and sell souvenirs is a vital job. Making tea, if there is a café, baking scones or washing up, are all as important to keeping visitors happy as any higher profile milling work. You might find that your niche lies in making sure that the other volunteers are not neglected; by taking them a cup of tea or watching over something whilst they have a toilet break, or simply relaying messages over a large site. Sometimes just being there can be very useful, especially on a busy day.
Mills in the Lincolnshire Mills Group area who welcome volunteers include:
Belper North Watermill
Contact: The Mill 01773 880474
Burgh le Marsh Windmill
Contact: Church Farm Museum 01754 766658
Caudwell’s Watermill, Rowsley
Contact: Mr G Walker 01629 734374
Ellis’ Windmill, Lincoln
Contact: Museum of Lincolnshire Life
01522 528448
Heage Windmill
Contact: The Mill 01773 853579
Heckington Windmill
Contact: The Mill 01529 461919
Sibsey Trader Windmill
Contact: Mr I Ansell 01205 460647
Waltham Windmill
Contact: Mr J. Liles 01472 822425
Wrawby Windmill
Contact: Mrs S Day 01652 653699
Contacts at above mills / refer to mills page
Behind the scenes there is always plenty of paperwork. Accounts, insurance, grant applications, advertising. You don’t even need to go to a mill in order to help. And then there’s the maintenance….
Whatever your level of interest or ability, everyone is welcome.
No two mills are the same, and each has different needs at any given time. Each mill also has it’s own character. Visit some mills and get to know the folk already there, and you will soon find a rewarding new lifestyle.
