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Working Steam Weekend 2022 Page 4,5 Letters Page 6,7,9 Special Feature Page 10,11 Update from Stotfold Mill
News from Stotfold Watermill
WHAT A FANTASTIC WEEKEND!
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Whilst we kept our fingers crossed for days, or even weeks, beforehand we could not possibly have anticipated the superb weather that we encountered throughout the Working Steam Weekend. With some 5,000 visitors turning out across the two days, it made all the hard work and preparation by our team of volunteers worthwhile. Our sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to the amazing success of the event and also to all those paying visitors who have helped to ensure that we continue to raise the funds essential to keeping the mill open. We were thrilled this month to welcome a couple of very special overseas visitors to the mill. Allan and Jan Waldock, who are shown in the photograph, were visiting this country from their home in Bundaberg in Queensland, Australia. They came to research and retrace some of their family history. Allan’s great, great, great Allan and Jan Waldock visit the Mill. grandfather was David Waldock who owned the mill from 1841 until 1863. David took ownership of the mill from his father George and was responsible for the introduction of several improvements to the mill, notably the installation of a steam engine and the construction of the 65ft chimney that still stands out on the town’s skyline. After a guided tour of the mill, Allan and Jan where able to read some of the family wills and documents that are held in our archives. They were also able to read more about the family in the book ‘They’ll Never Do It!’ written by Pam Manfield and Trevor Radford which provides a comprehensive record of the history and restoration of the mill. To the best of our knowledge there are no longer any members of the Waldock family living in the area. After “We their return t would like to o Australia Allan and Jan wrote sincerely thank you all for your to us warm saying –welcome and the guided Conditions treated include spinal tour of the Mill. ” “For one who is tracing the family history, and to be able to see and extremity injuries, neck related firsthand what the early Waldock’s were involved in, was the highlight of my visit headaches and sprains/strains. to the UK. What your team have achieved in restoring Stotfold Mill, is to me We are NOW OPEN nothing short of amazing. ” “I cannot speak highly enough of the dedication and Our revised opening hours: resourcefulness of the people involved. ” Tues: 2pm-7pm Wed: 10am-7pm We Nat look ional forward Traction to anot Engine her group o Trust, who f visitors this month will be attending the when members of ir AGM locally, and the have Thursday: Friday: 10 Saturday: 3pm-7pm am - 1pm 10am-2pm requested a guided tour of the mill. Members of the NTET are steam engine enthusiasts who: ‘aspire to be the Organisation of Choice for the vintage steam enthusiast, engine owner or driver and events organiser working together to meet a common aim, Preserving our Heritage in Steam on the Road’ NTET members have supported our major events in May and October over many years for which we are most grateful. There is probably still time to book places for children to join our Halloween Spooktacular at 3.00pm until 5.00pm on 30th October. Details of this thrilling, chilling event can be found on our website www.stotfoldmill.com, where tickets can be booked at £3 per child accompanied by an adult. Finally, the Trustees wish to record their most sincere sadness at the news of the recent death of Frances Huckle. Frances has been a member of the Trust since its inception and will be remembered for her commitment to the work of Teasel in the Nature Reserve and also for the China Smash. Inspired by Frances, this attraction at the annual major events, raised many hundreds of pounds for SMPT over the years. She was outstanding as an example of a volunteer who contribution so much to our community and she will be sadly missed.
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