Thornage Mill Raking + Baking

Thornage Mill is a late 18^th century , red brick, undershot mill, restored in the late 1990s and early years of the 21^st century to become a fabulous family home. It is one of 19 mills on the Glaven mentioned in the Doomsday book. It is set in several acres of lovely land beside the River Glaven, a mile outside Thornage. Part of the land is a Country Wildlife Site – including the meadow Felbeck Trust volunteers were invited to work on.

Thornage Mill

So, one very hot morning in mid-July, seven of us turned up at the Mill, to be greeted by its owner, Kate Dickson who promised both doughnuts and a tour of the mill. The meadow had been mown the previous day and our job was to rake the hay into piles. It was so hot that it took us four short, 20-minute sessions, with hydration breaks inbetween (and doughnuts halfway through) and even then we didn’t quite finish the job. However, we raked approximately three-quarters of the meadow and plan to go back to finish later in the month.

Raking Team + Kate

Thornage Mill Raking

Before we left, Kate kindly showed round the house, which still contains the original mill machinery. Many thanks to her for a hot but enjoyable morning in a really beautiful setting.

Peter Maingay

10^th July 2026