Mill reopens to public
AN historic tourist attraction re-opens its doors to the public this weekend thanks to a team of volunteers.
AN historic tourist attraction re-opens its doors to the public this weekend thanks to a team of volunteers.
It had been feared that Buttrum's Mill, in Woodbridge, would have to close after the county council, which maintains the 19th century building, said it was unable to afford to pay for a warden.
Last year the mill didn't attract many visitors, making the future even more uncertain.
But now Martin and Betty Whitworth, owners of the mill, in Burkitt Road, have a team of volunteer guides and say the mill will be able to open from 2pm to 5pm on the first Sunday of every month, starting this Sunday, May 3, until September, plus the Bank Holidays of May 25 and August 31.
There will be no admission charge, but people will be able to give to the St Elizabeth Hospice and a blind charity.
“We were so worried that we might not be open this summer and knew that would be disappointing for those people who enjoy coming to visit the mill,” said Mrs Whitworth
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“It's such a beautiful building and such an important part of Woodbridge's history - buildings like this should be open to the public if possible.
“We may not have a warden any more but we have volunteer guides and are so grateful to those people who have volunteered to help out this summer.”
Among the guides will be Sunshine Harvey, 11, who was so distraught when she learned that Buttrum's Mill was in danger of closing to the public, last November she sent �50, which she had saved from the previous Christmas, as a donation.
She also sent a letter, poem, drawings and other artwork illustrating how much she had enjoyed her visit to the mill.
“It's lovely that Sunshine and her mother will both be joining us to be guides,” said Mrs Whitworth.
