Stourbridge watermill history to be told at Churchill Forge
The history of a Stourbridge watermill which dates back to the 1800s is being celebrated this month.
The organisers of Churchill Forge, located on Churchill between Stourbridge and Kidderminster, will open up their doors to the public on Saturday and Sunday.
National Mills Weekend is taking place on both days which celebrates the milling heritage in the country.
The annual festival provides the public with rare opportunities to visit watermills and windmills.
Churchill is only one of four water-powered hand-tool forges left in the UK, and the final remaining one in the Black Country.
The forge dates back from around 1800 and has two working waterwheels from the 19th century, which measure 17 feet in diameter.
The waterwheels power crocodile shears in the yard and line shafting in the workshop – which has the original pneumatic hammers, a press and a drop stamp which are all driven from the line shafting.
Today, the forge looks as it did in the early 1900s, and is a miniature time capsule of hand-tool iron-working from the 20th century. During the festival both wheels will be in operation for the public to see. Other mills that will open in the Midlands region during the festival are: Sarehole Mill, in Hall Green, in Birmingham; Daniel’s Mill, in Bridgnorth; Charlecote Mill, in Hampton Lucy between Stratford and Warwick; New Hall Mill in Sutton Coldfield; Clenchers Mill in Eastnor and Shelsley Mill in Shelsley Walsh.
Watermills and windmills used to number in the thousands around the country, but today there are just a fraction of that with rare examples dotted around the country.
Churchill Forge was one of the last working water-powered forge mills in Britain. It produced metal tools and implements such as spades, shovels and ladles until the early 70s.
The site has been maintained by a group of volunteers since it closed down, as the group had concerns about its future. Group members believed it is an important example of the industrial heritage of the West Midlands.
The forge is normally open on selected days throughout the summer.
The public can organise for private sessions to view the forge by contacting organisers.
The forge will be open between 2pm and 5pm on both days. Contact David Bache on the number 01527 870168 for more information.
Alternatively, visit churchillforge.org.uk or visit nationalmillsweekend.co.uk.
