A lasting legacy at Fladbury Mill
Share on:
Gifts in wills provide an enduring legacy that help us to protect old buildings. We’re immensely grateful that David Wynn of Fladbury Mill, Worcestershire, decided to leave the SPAB an extraordinary legacy – this beautiful watermill.
The watermill is Grade II listed. Credit: SPAB.
SPAB member David Wynn sadly died in 2021 after a long and productive life. As a young man, he emigrated from New Zealand to the UK. He developed a varied and fruitful career in architecture, engineering, property renovation and tour-guiding. In 2019 David decided to leave Fladbury Mill, its contents, and a generous bequest to the SPAB. We are so pleased that we were able to meet David at Fladbury Mill to discuss the gift with him and his executors.
A photo of David (standing at the middle at the back row) with his family in his office at Fladbury Mill.
A rich history
There’s been watermill at Fladbury from at least the time of the Domesday Book in 1086.
The river Avon, which powers the mill, was the first in England to be made navigable by means of locks (1635-1666). The oldest part of the current Grade II listed building at Fladbury Mill dates from c 1650, when Fladbury Lock was built and the weir levels were raised.
Fladbury Mill has great local importance, but is also of national significance. As long ago as 1888, electricity from the mill was used to power a few houses in the village. By 1900, two turbines were installed and the mill powered the village’s street lighting and houses at “a penny per light per night”.
An historic view of Fladbury Mill from across the weir at Cropthorne Mill.
In the late 1970s a new turbine was installed which now provides electricity for all purposes at the mill, generating more than can currently be used. We expect to gain possession of Fladbury Mill by the end of 2022 and we will share more news as our plans for this beautiful building develop.
Give our past a future
All gifts in wills, no matter the size, leave a lasting impact. Your gift could train a craftsperson, save a building from dereliction, conserve a precious document in our archive or ignite the imagination of a school child. In whichever way it supports our work, your gift will give our heritage a bright future.
If, after looking after your loved ones, you decide to remember the SPAB in your will, please get in touch with us. The SPAB is proud to be a member of Remember a Charity. They can help with finding a local solicitor and offer a 20% discount from the Co-op's will writing services. Find out more.
School children learn traditional craft techniques at a SPAB Working Party. Credit: Ralph Hodgson.
Sign up for our email newsletter
Get involved
