Paul has spent most of his working life working on the Broads, building and fitting out boats, including working on world speed record holding boats. He has also had a long interest in the restoration of the mills of the Broads, which led to him owning a local mill and helping restore and repair several […]
Mills
A passion for mills and machines (1960s-2019)
Richard has had a passion for mills and machines since his youth. He lives near the working mill he built himself at South Walsham, Norfolk, while self-employed as a millwright. School I was born in Thorpe in 1958 and attended Hillside Avenue primary school followed by Thorpe secondary school. I can’t say that I particularly […]
And the mill came with the house (1948-2019)
Nick began his working life in his family’s holiday and marina businesses. After this, he worked many years for Brown and Root as an offshore hydrographic surveyor. While living in Thrigby, Nick discovered the remains of a historic mill, and spent years restoring the building. I was born in Great Yarmouth just after the war […]
Boats, mills and marshes (1960-2017)
David was born and brought up on the Broads and worked for the yacht and hire fleets. His passion for windpumps led him to team up with Paul Reynolds to restore Mutton’s Mill, a labour of love for 40 years. I was born in this house in December 1943. I went to Acle Village Primary until […]
Coming home (1946-2023)
Michael has previously spoken with WISEArchive in 2019. He joins us again to tell us about finding family connections to Norfolk and his fascinating working life as the planning and historic buildings adviser with Norfolk County Council. Finding family connections to Norfolk Its jolly nice to be here and thank you for asking me to […]
Falling in love with Keswick Mill (2016-2019)
Juju tells about her home, Keswick Mill near Norwich, its history, surroundings and what it’s like to live in a mill. First view of the mill I live here in Keswick Mill with my husband David Vail and my two adult children. I’m Canadian, but have lived in the UK for over 30 years, all […]
The mills are part of the marshes – and marshmen keep everything flowing (1965-2019)
Michael has family links to Norfolk and moved here in 1990 to take up the position of head of the historical buildings team. He talks about, amongst other things, his work on the Broads, the mills and their history. I grew up in Reading Berkshire and my working life started in 1965. I decided that […]
The Millwright’s Story (1940s-2000)
Peter began work at F. Flowerdew and Son in Norwich aged 16 in 1944 and trained as an agricultural engineer before becoming a millwright. He worked all over Norfolk and many parts of East Anglia. First Jobs My family had got connections with farming and I’d spent all my holidays working on the farm. In […]
The restoration of Hardley Mill (1995-2019)
Following a career in the civil service which took him around the world Mike has been involved with the restoration and upkeep of Hardley Mill for many years. I was born in central Norwich, and went to school at Norwich School where my father was English and Art master before becoming headmaster. After leaving school […]
Thurne Mill and the Wind Energy Museum (1960s-2019)
Debra grew up visiting the Norfolk Broads on family holidays and now runs the Wind Energy Museum at Thurne Mill. She took on her role at the mill after its previous owner Bob Morse saw her passion and asked her to take over. With the mill as a backdrop Debra has also created a social […]