Jim Cotterell’s cartoon of 1975 was his humorous reaction to the Society’s request to be allowed to turn the waterwheel when it had been freed. Next year will mark a quarter century’s restoration work, besides giving rise to our aim of: PANN MILLENIUM MILLING

What incentives to begin demonstration flour milling in 2000!

PROGRESS

Aware of time ticking by, the Project Team has been in top gear. Since last Summer:

• The waterwheel has been lifted with a 50 ton jack to re-align the pit wheel with it.

• The pit wheel cogs have been renovated and the wheel re-connected to the wallower.

• Flooring has been laid around the two bedstones.

• A second-hand stone crane has been acquired and is being fitted.

• A second and more user-friendly stairway is being installed.

NATIONAL MILLS WEEK-END

For the first time SPAB. Mills Section, have extended their annual mills day to a week-end. Each mill has elected to open on the Saturday or Sunday or on both days. We have decided to continue for the time being to open only on the Sunday that is May 9th 1999 from 11 to 5.

PROJECT LEADER’S JOTTINGS ON: The Pann Mill Volunteers

It has occurred to me that earlier newsletters have not recorded an acknowledgement to the helpers of the High Wycombe Society who have brought the restoration project to the point where milling of flour is now only a year away. Amazing to think that milling was beyond the dreams of those involved early in the project; mills in those days were not cherished as they are today. Turning the waterwheel for visitors in a beautiful water garden garden was their goal, and very laudable too.

Jack Scruton MBE was undoubtedly our inspiration back in 1971 when the old mill was demolished. Colin Kennedy, whose remit was to design the present building for single floor exhibitions only. It has proved remarkable for its ability to accommodate all essential milling equipment on two floors.

Robert Jarvis, whose family operated the old mill from 1921 to 1967. He has taken great pleasure in assisting with milling expertise and light engineering work.

Brian Honess worked consistently to bring vital parts to the mill, and under his guidance a large workshop was erected.

Ian Stone created the upper ‘stone’ floor and masterminded the fitting together of the Hurst Frame and the ironmongery inside. He made a new set of spur wheel cogs that are now being fitted. His wife Diana prepared and served teas on Open Days.

Vic Day brought his wide experience to this restoration after working on the Lacey Green windmill. He and Ian Stone worked together for many years to provide the important groundwork we are now able to build on.

Colin Adams gave construction assistance over many years.

Dick Hoare extended his skills to stone-dressing.

Chris Wallis has provided essential assistance including the recent lifting of the four half ton, four foot diameter stones to the stone floor. Not so spectacular as putting the top on Lacey Green windmill, but nevertheless still needing fine engineering skills.

Today our team consists of - Myself, Myra King, Project Leader, "gofer" and Wycombe District Council liaison.

Owen Rush our lifting expert and lender of specialist tools as well as compost expert.

Peter Hazzard, grounds security (he lives opposite) and ideas person.

John Mumford, versatile wood and metal worker as well as our video film maker. Ian Barratt who will do anything at any time besides being a signmaker and artist.

Robert Turner our newest and youngest member who has clad an area with my 70 year old lounge floorboards and is currently installing our second-hand stone crane.

Cathy Kraft, who comes from Acton is the daughter of a founder member of the Society. She keeps an eye on the roses planted in remembrance of her father.

Margaret Simmons our gardener who makes the mill garden her second home. The results of her labours have created a beautiful place for all to enjoy. On Open Days we value the services of Sarah, Lesley and Helen who serve teas.

The Garden

There is usually something interesting to see in Pann Mill garden if you have a few minutes when you’re in the neighbourhood, to sit and watch; plants, squirrels and birds - even the occasional kingfisher. Have you ever watched moorhens in courtship? It has to be seen to be believed. On one particular evening whilst straightening my back from battling with obnoxious ground elder, I was amazed to see two moorhens within six feet of me, for they are usually so very shy of people. They were oblivious of me and their courtship was a stately gavotte - total commitment as they stood face to face with gentle bows and caressing of the beaks. It made me very privileged to see them and I wished I had Loma Cassidy’s skill to draw a picture of the scene. Compare this with the antics of mallard ducks. I have many of them patronising the garden and when St. Valentine’s Day approaches it is Bedlam - a mixture of a Rugby match and mud wrestling orchestrated with klaxon horns - a swirling Swan Lake!

The snowdrops this spring were lovely and the Local Council donated daffodil bulbs which turned out to be quite spectacular, though the heavy rains at Christmas time caused the swollen channel to tear the soil away from them. I hope they might last until National Mills Day in May, even if not, there are still the bluebells to come.

The garden is slowly recovering from the onslaught of caterpillar tractors and diggers of the Pumping Station contractors, whose only access to the river was across the garden. Their operation left subsoil and rubbish on top. It has proved the value of a compost heap, for generous layers of the stuff has greatly improved the soil. I must still have the biggest heap in Wycombe (apart from Ecovert). I had red and white Christmas roses blooming well before Christmas; and then Winter aconites, like bubbles of bright sunshine everywhere; and now wood anemones, violets, fritillaries and cowslips. I’ve had little success with primroses - has anyone some to spare?

I hope lots of people come and visit the garden throughout the year, for I love hearing how much people enjoy the peace there. If I’m in the garden when you visit, do stop and talk - I’m happy to accept advice or even dig a root of something for you to take away.

THE RIVER - TOO MUCH WATER?

For several years until March 1998 the serious low flow of the river led to a recent plan to increase the flow in times of drought. How the tables have turned since the April 1998 deluge! Although the strong flow of the river continues unabated, at Pann Mill the waterwheel has encountered a most unusual problem. Whilst the strong flow transfers much power to the wheel, the high water level in the tail race holds back the lower buckets that are constantly under water! The required 7 revolutions per minute of the waterwheel are only just attainable.

The high water level between Pann Mill and Rye Mill that causes this problem is constantly only a few inches from the top of the bank in a critical spot. As the water level just above Abbey Way and below Rye Mill is by no means high, it is felt that the cause of the high water level below Pann Mill should be found and eradicated.

JOIN THE TEAM

You know how it is when you’re trying to finish a project on time - you find that you have just too much to do and too little time to do it in. You will have read about those who have brought the Pann Mill Project to its present position. Now, to achieve our target of demonstration milling next year we could do with more help for the final push, and beyond. A team of volunteers is always changing and new blood is most welcome.

So, if you are between three and eight feet tall, have close to the average number of arms and legs, have even the slightest interest in the project, and are prepared to give a fews hours on the occasional Sunday morning - we would love to talk to you. If you enjoy pulling, pushing; scraping, painting; lifting, lowering; hitting things with hammers, or helping with administration - we would love to talk to you. If you are a professional millwright with your own engineering workshop - we would love to talk to you.