Several of our Members and their guests had the pleasure of visiting Stelling Minnis Windmill the other day. Known as a "wooden smock" mill, it is a grade 1 listed building that is managed by the Stelling Minnis Windmill and Museum Trust.
It was a lovely day for the visit to Stelling Minnis, which is just a few miles outside Canterbury.
After parking their cars, the visitors met up at Stelling Minnis Village Hall (a short walk/drive from the Windmill) where they enjoyed lunch (a beef casserole pie with roast potatoes and veg) and plenty of jovial chat. They then made their way to the Mill for the tour.
The Mill is the third to stand on the site and was built in the mid-1800s; apparently, it's known locally by some as "Davison’s Mill" after the Davison family who ran the mill for many, many years. (Alec Davison was the last miller and died in 1970.)
The Mill has since been lovingly restored and now stands as a lovely tall, dark building with white sails. Our visitors were able to climb up the Mill to the white "cap", all while passing the internal fittings and equipment of the Mill.
Members also visited the on-site museum which is currently featuring a display of photos, newspaper cuttings and other documents in a display of village life in Stelling Minnis over the last seven decades, put together by the Stelling Minnis History Group.
Having enjoyed their visit to the Mill and Museum, the visitors went on to savour a tasty traditional cream tea (with homemade scones!) before they all set off home.
For further information about the Mill, click here.
Picture: Stelling Minnis Mill. Picture credit: Maxine blades/Rotary Club of Canterbury.
With many thanks to Rtn Andrew Barchi for organising the visit, assisted by our Secretary Maxine Blades.
