Bernard Barwick is not your average volunteer.
He is a 65-year old (semi retired) Company Director living practically next door to Broxbourne Old Mill and Meadows. His other role is as unofficial caretaker responsible for the mill wheel operation and sluice as well as provider of public information to those enquiring minds keen to know more about the mill.
For the last year, Bernard has been researching the archives to glean historical information and is keen to open up his search to local residents.
“I find it fascinating that you can stand on a spot that has been woven into the thread of local affairs for a thousand years,” he says.
Broxbourne Old Mill is amongst just one of the many impressive and easily accessible sites across Lee Valley Regional Park. Other attractions include Bow Creek Ecology Park, Cornmill Meadows Dragonfly Sanctuary, Gunpowder Park, Tottenham Marshes and the WaterWorks Nature Reserve.
“My dream discovery is a plan, sketch or description of the interior of the mill building and miller's house before it burned down in 1949. I’m also looking for information about the use and ownership of the buildings since 1890. Somebody installed a power turbine to power engineering works in the building - who and when?” Bernard asks.
“Finally,” he says, “in the 18th and 19th century, there is mention of 'Broxbourne Lock' being the millers responsibility, probably a 'flash lock' of which nothing remains and that the immediate area was called 'Le Baas Island' and the estate as 'Broxbourne Mills' and that there were two or more mills. A map or plan or description that clarifies this would be great. Please get in touch with any new information."
The mill was first mentioned in the Doomsday Book, 1086. The Knights of St John of Jerusalem were the first recorded owners of the mill. Under the reformation of Henry VIII in 1544, ownership was taken away from the monasteries and granted to a local miller, John Cook. The mill’s function and ownership changed repeatedly over the years.
“Broxbourne Mill is an essential part of the Borough of Broxbourne’s history,” says Park Ranger Amy Lewis. “Lee Valley Regional Park Authority has carried out projects to conserve the remains of the mill and ensure it continues to be a window into a bygone age. Volunteers are an integral part of the Park and Bernard has become our resident font of knowledge for all things mill-related. We’re very lucky to have him and wish him well with his project.”
The role of the mill up until 1892 was to grind corn into flour. Then in 1919 the restoration of the water turbine allowed the owner to produce auxiliary power. By the 1940’s the mill was used as factory storage space but on 1 October 1949 the mill was destroyed by a fire.
Now all that remains of the mill is the 16th century brickwork floor, and window frames of a 19th century two-storey miller's house that was originally restored in 1977 by Lee Valley Regional Park Authority. Since then further refurbishment has taken place and will continue to, to preserve this important site.
Park Ranger Amy continues: “We always welcome volunteers to the Park for projects as varied as wildlife surveys and practical conservation. Do get in touch if you have particular experience in these areas!”
River Lee Country Park is one of the many attractions which make up the Lee Valley Regional Park. It has been transformed from old gravel pits into attractive countryside by St Albans Sand and Gravel Co Ltd and Lee Valley Regional Park Authority. Gravel has been extracted from the 1930’s onwards. Although this landscape is less than a hundred years old, the flooded gravel pits and grassland are so special for birds and insects that much of the area has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Covering a thousand acres on either side of the River Lee between Waltham Abbey (Essex) and Broxbourne (Herts) River Lee Country Park is a unique patchwork of lakes, waterways, green open spaces and countryside areas all linked together by paths, walkways and cycle tracks.
For more information on all events visit www.leevalleypark.org.ukor call 08456 770 600
To send information to Bernard Barwick, contact him at Brbswift@aol.com
Notes to Editors
Broxbourne Old Mill is a site combining history, conservation and leisure which has close links with bus and railway network. The site has car parking and toilet facilities both of which are suitable for disabled people. On weekends and holidays there is a catering van on site to provide refreshments and holiday chalets which can be hired out from the Broxbourne Boat Centre. Site also offers visitor interest in the form of cycle hire between April - October, Wednesday to Sunday. A model railway club opens their doors to the public on weekends and Day Ticket Fishing during open season.
Heritage Projects
Wheels in motion project: keen to restore the Old Mill Wheel back into working order, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority commissioned Mill Green Forge from Hatfield to repair the Wheel in 2001. The wooden paddles were recycled with plastic ones, these plastic paddles not only have a much longer life than the wooden alternative, but they weigh less than their wooden counterparts, therefore less stress is placed on the original cast iron wheel meaning it will continue to turn for longer. A 'Trash Screen' was also installation in front of the mill wheel and a new side sluice to allow sediment and excess water to pass through during periods of heavy rain.
Stand the test of time project: this is a two stage project concentrating predominantly on the historic brick work of the remaining walls of the mill.
• Stage One took eight weeks ending in April 09, this dealt with the brick work under the water line or which could only be accessed from areas which were under water. To this end two temporary dams were put in place and the water pumped out to allow a survey of the Old Mill structure and repairs to the brick work. Mill Green Forge returned to undertake further repairs to the wheel and sluice gates inside the wheel house. Two cracks were found on the cast iron wheel frame which has been reinforced. The two old Oak sluice gates in front of the mill wheel had become very rotten over the years. These have been replace by Mill Green Forge with new ones also Oak which should last a good many more years.
• Stage Two is to be completed over the next couple of years, all of the walls will be surveyed and restored similar to the works that has already taken place. Cracks, missing and crumbling brick work have developed due to the elements, vegetation and vandals, which will need specialist attention. The wheel house roof, over time, has developed cracks and holes. Although not in immediate danger it is in a fragile state and will be reinforced with wire mesh and concrete to prevent it from degrading any further. Finally the cog gearing that had to be taken down in 2007 due to safety reasons will be put back up again and bracketed to the wall for stability.
About Lee Valley Regional Park
Lee Valley Regional Park is playing an active part in the London 2012 Games. The new White Water Canoe Centre (just north of the M25 between Waltham Abbey and Waltham Cross) and the VeloPark and Hockey and Tennis Centres in Olympic Park will be owned, managed and funded by Lee Valley Regional Park in legacy. They join our existing sports facilities which include Lee Valley’s Athletics Centre, Riding Centre and Ice Centre to create a chain of sporting excellence across the region.
Press Information:
For more information please contact Lee Valley Regional Park Authority:
Michelle Rosenberg: 01992 709 830, (M) 07920 810 403, (E) mrosenberg@leevalleypark.org.uk