Photographs, negatives, reports and research notes on UK wind and watermills. Photographs and research material on sugar mills in the Caribbean by David Nicholls and Cyril McCoombe. Micro tapes of conversations with mill workers in Barbados. [3.3.1 To be completed]

Multiple documentation on the condition of Kilcott Watermill including:
(1) A partial copy of a letter from the mill's then owner, W. Medlam, to SPAB requesting advice on prioritisation of repairs at the mill (23 May 1966) and Ken Major's response (12 July 1966) referring to an enclosed report. A full report is not attached to the copy letter but 4 pages rehearsing the mill's incidental history and an extract of repair priorities is attached.
(2) A 13-page report on the condition of Kilcott Mill by Ken Major (undated [July 1966?]) with suggested repairs and their priorities together with a cost estimate.
(3) A 4-page report on the condition of Kilcott Mill by Ken Major (November 1995), the mill being noted as Grade II Listed.
(4) David Nicholl's 16-page report to owners, Mr and Mrs Hayes, detailing the mill's location, history, watercourse, structure, machinery and waterwheel, the latter's condition being assessed as 'fair, considering the age (175 years)' and giving recommendations for the mill's future use and repair. Broad budget costings are also provided.
(5) A stapled bundle of papers relating to Kilcott Watermill which includes extracted pages from Nicholl's report (see (4) above) and 8 photocopied pages of annotated photographs of the mill's interior indicating areas of concern.

8-page report entitled, "Felin Geri. A twin water wheel driven corn and saw mill at Cwm Cou, Newcastle Emlyn, Wales. Owner: Duncan L. Fitzwilliam Esq." The report gives a general description of the mill, its history and location then summarises the findings of an inspection carried out by John Fairbanks, millwright, in 1973. Fairbanks asked David Nicholls (then working for F. Ingram Smith Ltd) to write the survey and report in December 1973. This identified "very serious defects" in the building, the total cost of the recommended restoration scheme being £12,500 with the work being completed over a period of 4 months.

Photographs of UK mills.

The contents of the file are:
(1) Nicholl's 8-page report on Stowell Mill following an inspection on 15 March 1988. The report is addressed to the Agent for the mill's owner, Lord Vesty, and covers the overall condition of the mill, gives recommendations for the future of the mill and provides an estimated costing to get the mill functioning again (£26,700), speculating on the possibility of the availability of grant aid for the project. Nicholls advises that whilst income from tourism and/or milling were possible, it would be "unfair to lease it to anyone wishing to obtain a reasonable living from milling operations". Speciality milling on a seasonal basis is given as one of several alternative uses suggested.
(2) Nicholl's invoice for the survey and report preparation (£180).
(3) Nicholl's cover letter for the report, referencing his and Dan Miles resignation as directors of Millwrights International Limited.

Report addressed to Mr and Mrs John Barker following an inspection on 20/21 March 1986. The 5-page (double-sided) report gives a history of the mill, discusses the condition of its structure, machinery, water courses and controls and makes proposals for their repair/restoration to milling order. Consideration is also given to whether the restored mill could sustain a small scale commercial milling operation and generate sufficient interest for a visiting public. The budget costings provided (£32,790) include provision for a visitor reception area.

A Jameson Marshall Limited report prepared by Nicholls for J.J. Eyston on Mapledurham Mill and addressed to H. Godwin Arnold (architect). The 2-page report proposes a five-week programme of millwrights and associated works on the mill, split into three stages. A schedule of materials required is attached.