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Barnsley's iconic Worsbrough Mill will celebrate its 400th birthday with the greatest gift - funding has been secured to save it after a £40,000 appeal by Barnsley Museums and Heritage Trust (BMHT).
The ancient water mill ground to halt because an upright oak shaft that drives it needs to be replaced by specialists. Barnsley Council has now announced that, due to the urgency of essential repairs and an outpouring of public support, it will provide remaining funds to safeguard the iconic and treasured heritage site. It also acknowledges the tremendous efforts of BMHT in launching a Trouble at T’Mill appeal and the generosity of the community.
Cllr Robin Franklin, cabinet spokesperson for regeneration and culture, said:
“We are delighted to announce the council will provide funding to ensure the vital repairs to Worsbrough Mill. This will build on donations already given by the public and local businesses following the tremendous efforts of Barnsley Museums and Heritage Trust.”
"The Trust, a charity, will continue sourcing further funds, to support longer-term plans for Worbrough Mill and the town's four other council run museums, Experience Barnsley, The Cooper Gallery, Elsecar Heritage Centre and Cannon Hall Museum. All contributions are deeply appreciated. The council remains committed to preserving our local history and we look forward to the successful completion of this important project."
David Exley, Chair of the Barnsley Museums and Heritage Trust, added:
“This is truly wonderful news for Worsbrough Mill and for everyone who treasures its place in Barnsley’s heritage. Thanks to the Council’s support and the community’s generosity. Our heartfelt thanks go to everyone who has supported this campaign. The passion and commitment shown by the community in preserving the mill speaks volumes, and we’re excited to celebrate this milestone with everyone who helped make it possible.”
As one of only a handful of working mills in Yorkshire, Worsbrough Mill grinds around 16 tons of grain each year, keeping local bakeries and artisan bread makers powered by flour. But that’s where the good news ends: our beloved mill needs your help to keep its wheels grinding.
The upright shaft, a 5m long piece of oak installed back in the 1970s, has seen better days and is warped beyond repair. If we keep milling, the vibrations could damage our precious, centuries-old building so, for now, we’ve had to hit pause on flour production.
Fixing this isn’t easy—it takes a specialist millwright, a rare breed of individual, and with only a few left in the UK, the cost to restore Barnsley’s pride and joy is a hefty £40,000. This includes a brand-new, hand-picked oak shaft and the delicate expert work needed to replace the old shaft with a new one and then get the mill working once again.
Photo credit www.frontrowlive.co.uk
In 2025, Worsbrough Mill is celebrating 400 illustrious years of milling using waterpower from the River Dove. This 240-acre country park and reservoir is a slice of paradise for nature lovers, with birdwatchers, anglers, and over 250,000 dog-walkers and fresh air enthusiasts flocking here every year to soak up the stunning views.
However, unless our millers are at work, the machinery sits silent, and the stories of the Mill remain untold. A rare survivor, of national significance, and of immense potential for our communities, so we need to act now to realise that potential and ensure its survival.
We are calling on the generosity of people from Barnsley and beyond to help raise the £40,000 needed to repair the shaft and preserve Worsbrough Mill for future generations.
If each of the 250,000 visitors to the mill contributed just 40p – less than the cost of a bag of crisps – we’d easily hit our target. Alternatively, just £5 from 8,000 people (that’s 5% of the Barnsley population) would do the same.
Every little bit helps! Whether you donate a small amount or something larger, your contribution will help save this precious piece of history giving it the best birthday gift whilst preserving it for the community and generations to come!
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