2023 is a year of celebration for our windmills here in Swaffham Prior and National Mills Weekend which takes place on the 13th & 14th May marks the start of those celebrations!
Both mills will be open on Sunday 14th May from 2pm to 5pm. Tour the new sails ready to be lifted into place at the Smock Mill, explore Fosters Mill with a guided tour and, wind permitting, see flour being produced. Refreshments available at Fosters Mill!
Swaffham Prior to become the only place in the UK where you can see two windmills working together in close proximity
Swaffham Prior has had two mills since the mid 19th Century, but not since 1927 have both mills been able to work together. In June 2023, we will once again be able to witness this magnificent site and become the only place in the UK where two mills are able to work (sails turning and pointing into wind) in such close proximity!
At the end of May, James Forsyth and his team will be installing the windmills sails at the Smock Tower Mill. Since 1927 when the Smock Tower was severely damaged in a storm, no sails have turned on the Smock Mill – by June 2023, they will be turning once again along with Fosters Mill. We have been enjoying the sight of both mills facing into the wind for some months since the cap was installed and commissioned on the Smock Tower, now James is ready for the next stage in the re-birth of the Smock Mill!
25 Years of the Priors Flour
Fosters Mill reaches an important milestone in 2023, celebrating 25 years of the Priors Flour, the brand which carries the Swaffham Prior name across the whole of the UK at least in terms of flour! As a reader of our updates, you will be aware that the business continues to enjoy great success working with shops, bakeries, restaurants, direct customers and a click & collect / mail order business which sees flour go across the UK and into Europe.
We hope we will welcome you to the mill in our anniversary year and look forward to seeing you soon! We also want to take this opportunity to thank you for your support and business and look forward to continuing to supply you with great flour! Happy Baking!!