Another chapter in Copeland’s history will be written on Wednesday 6 December, when Cumbria County Council hands control of Boot Mill (commonly referred to as Eskdale Mill) to the local Eskdale Mill and Heritage Trust.
Photographers are invited to the Mill at 11:00am to see Cumbria County Council Chairman Allan Caine hand the keys to the historic water powered corn mill over to members of the Trust.
The Mill, thought to be one of the only medieval two-wheel mills still surving in the Britain, gives visitors a window into what it was like to live and work in rural Cumbria hundreds of years ago.
Records show that milling has taken place on the site for over 500 years and that the present group of buildings is at least 300 years old. The historical importance of the Mill is recognised by its national Listed Building entry of Grade II* ( two star).
The county council has owned and developed the Mill as a vistor attraction since the 1970's but took the decsion last year to sell the site to the Eskdale Mill and Heritage Trust for £102,000.
Under the terms of the sale, the Trust will:
- Preserve the historic fabric of the Mill for future generations;
- Continue to run the Mill as a visitor attraction;
- Maintain the employment and tenancy of the existing Mill manager.
ENDS
Media enquiries to Mark Graham, Media Officer on 01228-606337