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The National Trust for Jersey is inviting islanders to come and watch the entire milling process at Jersey’s only remaining watermill, le Moulin de Quétivel in St. Peter's Valley, today.
For the first time in decades, the Trust will be milling Jersey wheat, farmed at Le Tacheron in Trinity by the Le Maistre family with the help of their two Shire horses, and threshed at the Pallot Steam Museum.
Open milling is the only opportunity when visitors can watch the whole milling process from start to finish. This year the Trust scheduled the day to coincide with National Mills Weekend, the annual festival of milling organized by the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings.
Visitors will be able to observe the Trust’s Rangers as they open the sluice gates to release the water from the Mill Pond and to follow the water as it travels along the leat to the mill. They will also be plenty of opportunities to admire the ancient waterwheel, which powers the giant mill stones that grind the wheat.
Pictured: Farmers John, Charles and Alan Le Maistre who farmed the wheat that will be milled today.
Blue Badge Guide Jean Treleven will be leading free guided walks to Tesson Mill between 10:00 and 14:30, while the National Trust's very own miller will be sharing his knowledge about Jersey’s milling heritage.
The miller’s wife will also be making bread and churning butter in the historic kitchen. Visitors will be able to purchase some freshly milled Genuine Jersey flour, which has been said to be perfect for baking and bread making.
Refreshments and homemade cakes, served by the Trust’s volunteers, will also be available in the small tearoom overlooking the meadow.
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