ELLINGHAM MILL

A mill on the Waveney was recorded in the Domesday Book but the present mill was built in the 18th century, with additions in the 19th century. Flour milling ceased in c. 1930 and until

c 1967 was an animal feed mill under the ownership of Vitovis Ltd. Thereafter the machinery was removed and it became residential, divided into various properties and finally under a single ownership.

c1900 (From Norfolk Mills Website)

Rear of Mill c 1900 (From Norfolk Mills Website)

Rear of Mill c 1910 lock on right (From Norfolk Mills Website)

Rear of Mill with Wherry by lock c 1910 (From Norfolk Mills Website)

Sketch of the Mill before being rebuilt 1880s

c 1935 (From Norfolk Mills Website)

The Mill cart. 1940s Joshua, the horse, Leslie Seaman, Dot Hood, Horace Neale,

The Mill Staff in front of The Mill House. Left to Right: Horace Neale, Hubert Stone (Manager), Don Tilney, Mary Stone, Eric Gilbert, Major Ellis, Leslie Seaman, Mr Walker, Dot Hood (Reuben) Mr Burrows Sn., Mr Fred Burrows Jn., Sidney Hood.

Mill Staff left to right: Fred Burrows Jn., Eric Gilbert, Sid Hood, Donny Tilney, Major Ellis, (nephew of Mr Walker, Hubert Stone (Manager), Mary Stone (daughter), Fred Burrows Sn., (Foreman) Mr Ernest Walker, Leslie Seaman, Horace Neale, Dot Hood on cart and  Joshua, the horse. 1954 (From Norfolk Mills Website)

1954 as above. Note brick extension to left (From Norfolk Mills Website attributed to Mr Kenneth Burrows, whose father worked at the mill.)

c1950 Hoisting sacks up to or down from the lucum 

(From Norfolk Mills Website)

Mill wirth chute in place c 1965 (From Norfol Mills Website)

C 1967 (From Norfolk Mills Website)

Mill with Elevator in place and The Granary a house. (Sharon Raven)

Mill office girls. Hovis took over the mill in 1947 Flour milling ceased in 1949 but Ellingham Mill took over the animal feed from Earsham Mill.

(Alma Harvey)

"Shortly after Arthur Ernest Walker died Hovis Ltd took over the Mill in 1947, However, before Hovis took complete control the mill was run by a company known as Walker Marston Ltd. and apparently based in Ellingham, Suffolk.. This company was listed as a subsidiary of Hovis Ltd. and was one of their provender mills. It seems that Charles Marston of Bungay Mill got toknow that Hovis was interested in taking over the mill and 'assisted' in the matter by taking a direct interest himself thus facilitating the requisition by Hovis..." (Information from Norfolk Mills Website)

Picture from Tim and Steve Harvey

Walker Marston Ltd 1940s (Alma Harvey)

Rear of Mill with storage building on right where Waterside was built. (From Norfolk Mills Website)

Rear of Mill c 1975 (From Norfolk Mills Website)

c 1984 (From Norfolk Mills Website)

Rear of Mill showing addition of a conservatory. 2004(From Norfolk Mills Website)

11th April 2004 with road narrowed. (From Norfolk Mills Website)

Elevator in position c1984 (From Norfolk Mills Website)

27th November 2004 (From Norfolk Mills Website)

For Sale Notice Possibly 1907 Withdrawn from sale and purchased by Colonel Smith in 1908. The Miller was George Butler, who (Tim and Steve Harvey)

The Vitovis animal feed exhibit at an agricultural show. Flour milling ceased in 1949 and the animal feed business was moved from Earsham to Ellingham and becames a subsidiary of Hovis.  In 1964 the business was moved back to Earsham and the Mill closed and put up for sale.

The Mill Staff at the show. (Alma Harvey)

The Office girls (Alma Harvey)

In 1966 the Mill and surrounding buildings was sold in 6 lots. Mr Hutson from Godmanchester bought the Mill itself for £3000 planning to convert it into two separate dwellings and a large barn and garage (£1650). A Mr Wordley of Norton bought the Mill House, (£3050), the Office (£775) a small granary (£750).

In spite of Mr Hutson's love of the Mill and expressed wish to live there with his wife, and having renovated it at great expense, the Mill was up for sale again in 1970. By now it consisted of two reception rooms, kitchen, cloakroom, office, storeroom, three bedrooms, bathroom, Oil fired central heating, double garage, and storage buildings. Also a flat and top floor maisonette, both let. More than £15.000 was paid for the property.

In August 1973 The Mill house was on the market and expected to fetch more than £40,000. It was described as 14th Century, the front elevation being constructed in about 1820 and includes six Gothic style windows. It has delightful views of the Waveney, with south west facing windows on all floors. A small garden to the front and rear runs 100 feet of river wall frontage providing boat moorings and fishing facilities.

Mr and Mrs Girling bought the Mill from Mr Hutson about 1970 and lived there for 17 years. They had six children and 9 grandchildren. When the children had all left home they  ran it as a guest house in the summer months. No machinery was left. 

The Girlings commisioned Sky Home Improvements to install double glazing, balconies at the rear and a conservatory. The company featured their work on the Mill in their publicity.

The artist Miss Thomas was neighbour of the Girlings and lived in the other part of the Mill, having her studio on the top floor.

  • In 1994 residents Tim and Jennifer Hattersley and Miss Thomas expressed their concerns that strengthening work on the bridge over the mill stream could result in the demolition of the old brick bridge wall. The bridge  was considered inadaquate for lorry traffic. Part of the front of the mill was cordoned off on Christmas Eve (1993) and weight restrictions imposed.

In 1974 The Ellingham Mill Art Society was founded as a Charity by the Californian artist, Chester Williams and his wife Lucy Halford Williams (British Industrial Designer) Residential Summer Art Classes were offered to 6 students in drawing, anatomy, use of oils, pastels, water-colour and basic instruction in lithography. Its gallery was on the top floor where exhibitions were also staged for the public to attend.

Miss Thomas in her studio on the top floor of Ellingham Mill. Following her death aged 99 on Easter Day 2016 the Mill passed to Nicky Aubury, who was the daughter of her friend Isabella Jeanette Jackson. (Paul Farrow)

Nicky Aubury in the studio on the top floor. Miss Thomas requested it be left as it was after her passing. (Diana Wadley)

In October 2013 the road was closed to enable repair to the bridge over the mill stream in front of the mill. (Diana Wadley)

Extensive and complicated scaffolding was erected to allow pedestrians and cyclists to move through and for the safety of the workmen.  The mill pool was drained after fish were stunned and moved. Large pumps worked to keep the pool clear. The road was dug up, rusty girders removed and new ones installed .(Paul Farrow)