Suffolk’s oldest working watermill is in the running for a prestigious national award as Britain’s best landmark.
Pakenham Water Mill, near Bury St Edmunds, has made the shortlist of the BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards 2019 and is up against Hadrian’s Wall and Antrim’s Dunluce Castle in the best landmark category.
Readers of the magazine were asked to nominate their favourite landmarks last year and a panel of expert judges whittled them down to five places in ten different categories including holiday destinations, beaches, landmarks and gardens.
David Eddershaw, curator at Pakenham Water Mill, said: “We are delighted to have been nominated in the best landmark award, alongside such places as the iconic Hadrian’s Wall.
“Here at Pakenham Water Mill we are so proud of its history and the fact it is still fully working for today’s visitors.”
The 18th century watermill is now owned by the Suffolk Building Preservation Trust and is operated by a dedicated team of volunteers who continue the 1,000-year-old tradition of milling at the site.
The Suffolk mill finds itself among esteemed company in the best landmark category, with Dunlace Castle in Antrim, Northern Ireland, Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, Huer’s Hut in Newquay, Cornwall, and Nine Standards Rigg in Cumbria also vying for the top spot in the prestigious awards.
Jo Churchill, MP for Bury St Edmunds, tweeted: “Congratulations to Pakenham Water Mill which is shortlisted as one of Britain’s Best Landmarks in the Countryfile Magazine Awards.”
To vote for Pakenham Water Mill in the BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards 2019, visit www.countryfile.com/awards.
The 18th-century watermill is now owned by the Suffolk Building Preservation Trust and is operated entirely by a team of dedicated volunteers who continue the age-old tradition of milling on the site.
For more than 1,000 years, millers have been using the simple technology of water power to produce stone-ground wholemeal flour from locally-grown wheat at the site.
Anyone interested in volunteering to become a miller, help in the tearoom or shop, be a guide and show visitors around, help in the garden or sell flour at a farmers’ market are welcome to get in touch.
Anyone interested in volunteering at the watermill can contact Brian Aket on 01359 230275 or email info@pakenhamwatermill.org.uk
To vote for Pakenham Water Mill, visit www.countryfile.com/awards and voting closes on Sunday, February 17.
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