Heron Corn Mill will re-open to the public on 19 April 2014 following a major refurbishment.

Funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe, investing in rural areas, the refurbishment of the Cumbrian mill has enabled major repairs and restoration.

With other matched funding provided by the J Paul Getty Jnr Charitable Trust, a spokesperson said the project was “testimony to the growing trend of mill restoration”.

In October last year British Baker reported the announcement of the awarded grant. Read the original story here.

The mill will be opened on Easter Weekend by scholar, broadcaster and writer Ivan Day as part of a weekend of programmed activities for the public. He will provide a talk and a demonstration of the traditional food of the working people of the Lakes counties, with an emphasis on the grain.

Audrey Steeley, project manager, said: “We are very much looking forward to re-opening. Over the recent years, much work on site has prevented us from offering the full visitor experience, but now, with the mill looking great, new interpretation and better access, and with more staff and volunteers on board, we are ready to greet the public.”

Visitors can expect improved access and a “new interpretation”, including a colourful downloadable hydro game, a visitor app and a live feed from the hydro, which shows the energy and equivalent income generated.

They will be able to explore the three-storey corn mill, see the water power connection of the old and the new, meet Stuart the miller, join guided tours and watch the millstones turn to grind grains.

The on-site archive, containing many examples of local milling and agricultural history including plans, maps, books, ledgers and photographs, is also being digitised, so that some of the collection can be accessed online.

There will be a year-round programme of activities and events for the community, including hydropower training programmes, education packages for primary schools, arts projects with community groups and presentations for colleges and other groups.

The mill is open from 11am-4pm Wednesday to Sunday all year (except January.

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