Walford Mill Crafts, Knobcrook Road, off Stone Lane, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 1NL01202 841400 info@walfordmillcrafts.co.uk
16th Century | Reference to a 'mille at Wimburn Town Centre ende' Believed to refer to Walford |
1760-1770 | Approximate date of the mill buildings on the site |
c. 1880 | Date attributed by David Popham ('The Book of Wimborne') to the mill |
1883 | The mill is auctioned by Richard and Sons at Crown Hotel |
c. 1900 | Construction of boiler room and furnace to drive the mill |
c. 1900 | Change from waterwheels (undershot) to turbines |
1956 | Construction of w.c. on the ground floor and extension of the office building for a female clerk |
1966 | The mill ceased operation. There followed a period of change when the mill was used successively as a coal yard, builders yard and a furniture showroom |
1971 | Chilcott planning application for change of use from coal yard to builders yard |
1972 | Chilcott application for demolition of cottage on site and construction of a single storey workshop. Removal of part of the first floor |
1972 | Avon and Dorset planning application granted for diversion of the river, infilling of hatches and construction of a gauging station |
1974 | Following diversion of the river, flow in the millstream was severly reduced resulting in silting of the leat. At the request of the owner of the 'Mill House' the turbines were removed |
1977 | Planning application granted for a portable office onsite by Guildcrest |
1982 | On the death of Lord Bankes, the mill and the rest of the Kingston Lacy estate was bequeathed to the National Trust |
1983 | The mill was acquired by Wimborne District Council |
1986 | Walford Mill becomes home to the Dorset Craft Guild |
1996 | Walford Mill Education Trust assumes control of all activities |