News from Stotfold Mill

News from Stotfold Watermill

EIGHT IS GREAT, BUT YOU NEED A LEAD………

For those of you who have not recently visited the nature reserve we are very pleased to announce that our resident pair of swans have brought forth a brood of eight cygnets. Back at the end of May they all looked fit and well so hopefully if you visit the nature reserve this month, or the mill on a Sunday afternoon when they often appear to be fed, you will hopefully find they have all avoided attack by pike in the river or other predators. When I first saw them making their way down the River Ivel to the mill I was reminded of John Masefield’s poem ‘Cargoes’ that I had to learn by heart at primary school. The regal parents leading like ‘Stately Spanish galleons’ with the cluster of small fluffy grey chicks chugging along behind, each as a ‘Dirty British coaster with salt-caked smoke stack’ .

If you do decide to take a walk around the nature reserve to see the family of swans and you bring a dog with you, we would ask that you obey the signs at the entrance and keep them on a lead. We have had reports recently of visitors ignoring this instruction. Remember that even the best controlled dogs can wander from you side and disturb the wild life. Also, please remember to bring a poo-bag with you and take any deposits to the bin in the carpark.

From this month the mill and tearoom will be open every Sunday afternoon until the end of September with the exception of the Bank Holiday, August 28th.It will also be open on Saturday July 23rd/ Sunday 24th, from 10.30am for an exhibition of paintings by the Stotfold Art Club. The Kingfisher tearoom and mill floors will open at 12.30pm as usual on each day.

We are noticing a decline in visitor numbers this year, which is disappointing as our volunteers have been putting in a good deal of time and effort to enhance the attraction of a Sunday afternoon visits with new archive displays, children’s activities and more guides and millers on hand to explain the mill workings. This is undoubtedly because we currently lack volunteers to manage the publicity and marketing of the mill. Currently, for example, we do not have a leaflet advertising Stotfold Watermill and its opening times to go out to other museums and tourist attractions in Bedfordshire and neighbouring counties. If you have a little time, experience, skill or simply ideas and are willing to join a marketing team that could advertise and promote the mill, please call in to see us or visit our website, www.stotfoldmill.com/volunteer. You can also find out more about us and other opportunities for volunteering by visiting our Facebook page, Stotfold Watermill. Do consider helping us ensure the future of this local treasure.

All types of electrical work undertaken.

Installation, Fault finding, Heating controls. Test and inspection, EV charge points, NICEIC approved contractor.

Tel: 07817 545314

E:bk.electrical@outlook.com

STOTFOLD GARDEN CLUB

Meetings and Trips Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month at St. Mary’s Church Hall, Church Road.

Wednesday 13th July 2022

Russell Bowes ‘The Painted Garden’ Tea and Coffee served - meetings start at approx 10:15am.

For more information, contact Peter on: (01462) 834854 or 07758649721 stotfoldgc@gmail.com

RAY THE CARPENTER Building Maintenance

Kitchens & Bedrooms Windows Internal/External Doors Skirtings-Architraves-Dados Stairs-Handles-Balustrades Handle & Lock Replacements Loft Hatches Flat Pack Furniture All aspects of carpentry No job too small