View from the roof of The House Mill, a Grade I listed 18th century tidal mill in Three Mill Lane, Bromley-By-Bow, owned and managed by The River Lea Tidal Mill Trust

Race to raise funds to save restoration project for historic mill in Bow

Else Kvist, Reporter Monday, February 25, 2013
4:55 PM

Campaigners fighting to restore the world’s largest surviving tidal Mill in Bromley-by-Bow have just two months to prevent the project collapsing.

Beverly Charters, trustee at the House Mill, a Grade I listed 18th century tidal mill in Three Mill Lane, Bromley-By-Bow, owned and managed by The River Lea Tidal Mill Trust.

They only have until May to raise £500,000 towards getting the machinery inside the The Grade I listed House Mill on Three Mills Island operating again.

The money is needed towards match funding required by the Heritage Lottery Fund to release £2.45 million. But the fund-raising has reached a standstill in the current economic climate.

House Mill trustee Beverley Charters said: “If we miss this opportunity to get funding we would be in a situation of having to raise £5million, which would set the project back years.

“What we are trying to do is open the mill up more as a heritage community site. We have also put together a great programme of arts and culture.”

Panoramic view of the bottom floor of The House Mill, a Grade I listed 18th century tidal mill in Three Mill Lane, Bromley-By-Bow, owned and managed by The River Lea Tidal Mill Trust

The plans for the mill would also see modern technology introduced to allow the 18 century mill to generate green electricity for its own use and surrounding homes.

The House Mill has also applied to Newham Council for a licence to hold wedding ceremonies and is hoping to see the first couple married there in the summer.