Work at tide mill to replace flood-worn wood frame

A mill has stood on the site in Woodbridge since the 12th Century

A tide mill - one of only two still producing stoneground wholemeal flour in the UK - is set to be revamped, after the trust that runs it secured about £17,000 in grants.

The Trustees of Woodbridge Tide Mill Museum received about £12,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and £5,000 from East Suffolk Council to carry out work on its Hurst frame - a wooden frame which supports the machinery that harnesses the River Deben's tides to mill the grain.

Due to rising sea levels, the frame spends long periods submerged in salty river water and a timber survey recommended structural repairs.

The lower sections will be replaced with brickwork and are due to be completed by mid-December.

The current mill is 220 years old, but the earliest known mill on the same site was built in the 12th Century.

During the work, sections of the lower part of both Hurst frame legs need to be cut away and replaced with engineering brickwork.

Parts of the frame will be replaced with bricks to help secure its future

John Carrington, chair of Woodbridge Tide Mill Charitable Trust, said: "We are delighted to have received the support from National Lottery players through The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and East Suffolk District Council.

"This enables us to do this essential work without dipping into our reserves.

"The mill is of national importance, and because of its age and location needs continual maintenance. Our reserves mean that we can respond quickly if an urgent repair is needed."