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Warwickshire, an idyllic nook of Britain, is home to the Charlecote Mill which dates back to 1752. Located between the villages of Charlecote and Hampton Lucy, this watermill has a rich history associated with it.
The presence of watermills may be traced back to the first century BC, marking the initial recorded instances of their use. This then-ingenious technology swiftly spread across the globe, gaining prominence. In Roman Britain for example, commercial mills were already in operation, and by the late 11th century (as indicated in the Doomsday Book) England boasted an impressive count of over 6,000 watermills. As time progressed, hydropower emerged as the preeminent source of motive power in Britain and Europe, attaining its zenith in the 16th century with a staggering estimated total of more than 20,000 mills.
Following the Norman Conquest, the feudal system was introduced to the country, leading to the imposition of "soke rights," which obligated individuals to have their grain ground exclusively at the mill owned by their manorial lord. Surprisingly, this practice endured until the 19th century, despite never being formally codified in law. The "Right of Soke" remained prevalent in Britain and throughout Europe until the 16th century, even as the nation transitioned away from feudalism. Watermills maintained their pivotal role in British rural life, experiencing increased demand due to advancements in farming techniques that enabled greater corn production. These mills, such as the renowned 'Old Mill,' served as vital local centres for grinding corn into flour.
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With the advent of the Industrial Revolution, a notable shift occurred as people distanced themselves from agriculture and ventured into other burgeoning industries. The populace gravitated toward expanding towns and cities of Britain, seeking new employment opportunities. Consequently, Britain underwent a profound transformation by the mid-nineteenth century, with its population doubling within a span of less than six decades, urbanisation intensifying, and technological advancements revolutionising production processes.
Within urban areas, the demand for flour surged, leading to shortages. To address this scarcity, Britain increasingly relied on imported corn from countries like the USA and Russia. However, the restrictive '1815 Corn Laws,' which imposed quotas and levies on crops to safeguard British landowners from competition, impeded the import of these vital supplies. Finally, in 1846, the 'Corn Laws' were repealed, allowing unrestricted imports of corn into the UK. This pivotal event marked the definitive demise of water mills.
While water mills somehow managed to hold their place during this transitional period, they encountered mounting pressure from the emerging steam mills. Huge imports of corn into British ports, coupled with the rise of steam-powered mills, played a significant role in the fading prominence of water mills.
Similarly, Charlecote Mill too had a tumultuous run, having been completely inactive for a few years in between. But luck favoured the mill as it passed hands from one considerate owner to the other. A pleasant sight for sore eyes, the mill was even featured on the BBC in their 1978 adaptation of George Eliot's The Mill on the Floss. Constructed on the site of an older mill, Charlecote Mill was first established by the Fairfax Lucy family in 1752. With 18-inch thick walls, the watermill is an antiquity of sorts since it's one of the last of its kind in Europe. The splendid structure artfully employs a two-wheel system, where a larger portion of the water is ingeniously directed to the rear, while a gentle stream delicately graces the front.
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Interestingly, the watermill also has an Indian connection. One of its main businesses involves providing to the Asian community since the flour is essentially chapati flour. The mill transports daily supplies to almost 600 such families in and around Coventry while implementing the exact same process of milling as they would in India. The method is so foolproof that it ensures the vitamins and essential oils don’t burn even after being pounded. The other faction of the mill produces stoneground flour required by bakeries, restaurants and home bakers.
The entire crop is locally sourced from a three-mile radius around the mill. The farmers’ association with the mill spans more than three decades, making the entire process more authentic and dependable. In fact, the use of Glyphosphate or Roundup (a chemical fertiliser) prior to harvesting crops is a common feature followed everywhere in the UK. However, Charlecote uses purely organic methods while producing its ware.
In 2018 however, the mill’s entire existence came under the scanner after the Avon Navigation Trust released a proposal. The trust suggested an alteration to the waterway's depth in a specific area of the River Avon where the mill is located. If the water levels increased (as per the demands of the Trust) it would function as a brake on the mill. Due to the considerable surge in water pressure at the rear end, the sluice gates would get impeded and wouldn’t open. As a result, the entire mill would immediately shut down.
This difficult phase was followed by an unprecedented fortuitous period which came along with the dreaded coronavirus pandemic. As grocery stores and shops began routinely closing down, Charlecote Mill found itself in a demand overdose of sorts. The current miller, Karl Grevatt, was so perplexed by orders flooding in, that he even claimed to have been abused and guilted into providing for certain customers. With as much as a seven-week backlog of flour orders, Charlecote Mill was a hub of activity and overworked hours.
As the Charlecote Mill is one among only 10 such commercial mills still functioning in the UK it is a piece of history that requires special care and attention. With tourist attractions opening up by way of hiking trips and ticketed mill visitations, the future for the Warwickshire establishment looks bright.
