The first cutting describes the fire at Cleator Moor Flour Mill, near Whitehaven, and the second details an anecdote after a meeting of the National Association of British and Irish Millers.
A 4-page report summarising the principle operations of Phase II of the restoration project. The report notes the donation of considerable resources including free shipment of equipment from the UK by Geest Line. Disappointment at having to reject some of the timber from Guyana (and consequent delays to the project) is noted. Likewise, disappointment at having to import a UK blacksmith to the project team is expressed, there being "no able blacksmith of an acceptable working age" remaining on the island despite a previously "strong tradition of superb workmanship". Allowing students from the local college's carpentry and joinery classes to join in aspects of the repairs had been a success, "and potentially of use in the ongoing repair of historical structures on the island".
The Chiltern Partnership's 44-page report on the Morgan Lewis Sugar Mill based on Nicholl's January 1994 survey. The report describes the background to the project, the mill's location, layout and its structural condition and that of the machinery. A recommended programme of repair is provided which takes into account limitations in resources and the unique nature of the mill's machinery. Aspects of funding are also considered, including the need to secure an income stream from visitors/additional facilities but retaining the "unique atmosphere of the complex". A conditional budget/estimated costs for the total project is given, the total assessed cost being BBD 196,074.00. The report concludes with a proposed maintenance schedule and suggestions for the future development of the site.
A 10-page narrative account of the Morgan Lewis sugar mill restoration project including principal areas of work carried out at each stage, from the initial survey in January 1994 up until 1999. Nicholl's ascribes the awakening of his interest in Caribbean sugar mills to a Newcomen Society paper written by Rex Wailes on, "Windmills and steam power in Barbados". Other influences include "A Windmill in Barbados", a film shot in the 1920s at the Corbin family's Mount Pleasant mill (Barbados). The important roles of the Barbados National Trust (and especially Penelope Hynam Roach and Richard Goddard) and Nicholl's hosts, the Choate family, are also acknowledged. Adjacent topics include: the history of milling on the island and its importance to the Barbadian economy; the end of steam-powered sugar milling on the island; the mill's listing on the World Monuments list 1996; the various local trades used in the project (including the recommissioning of an old lime kiln to supply lime mortar) as well as the rotating team of craftsmen from the Chiltern Partnership in attendance; consultation on additional restoration projects including at Six Men's plantation mill (St Peter's); a visit to view the Boiling House at the River Antoine watermill (Grenada) and another to the Essequibo River (Guyana) for timber-sourcing; meetings with the Barbadian Ministry of Education for the Amy Nicholls Mill Wall recording project; a list of 42 mill remains/mill walls visited by Nicholls for research purposes.
Stored with Nicholl's formal reports and correspondence on Morgan Lewis Sugar Mill, these research materials comprise: (1) a photocopy of a late 18th c. to early 19th c. return listing enslaved persons working on Scawen Kenrick Gibbon's estate, the Morgan Lewis sugar plantation. (2) a faxed copy of a page from a late 19th c. order book showing an order for "Morgan Lewis, Est Barbados" for two "vertical roll 23 ¼ x 35" in 1880 and 1881 and an order for "Windmill gear" dated 1892. (3) a short booklet on the Morgan Lewis Sugar Windmill produced by the Barbados National Trust (undated). (4) 5 editions of "Our Heritage", the Newsletter of the Barbados National Trust (March 1994, September 1995, June 1996, September 1997 and December 1999), all of which referencing the Morgan Lewis restoration programme. (5) 3 newspaper/magazine clippings/copies relating to the progress of the Morgan Lewis restoration programme (1997-1998).
Correspondence between Nicholls and the High Commission for Grenada beginning by referencing a recent meeting concerning the future of the River Antoine Estate which Nicholls feels should be maintained " as an essential part of the history of Grenada. Further, it is a prime example of a water powered sugar mill, unique now in the whole of the Caribbean. It can be compared in importance with the huge Morgan Lewis Sugar Wind Mill in Barbados". A visit from a television crew (Carlton Televsion) to the estate is arranged (December 1999), the crew extending a visit to film the completion and commissioning of the Morgan Lewis sugar mill. A previous visit by Nicholls to the River Antoine Estate with D.M.Simpson & Co Limited in 1997 is also referenced. Arrangements are made for a visit to the estate by Cyril McCombe who Nicholls describes as "a consultant to our business in the UK and is a world wide authority on cast iron".
26 colour photographs in a wallet labelled, "Grenada. River Antoine Estate. First visited c.1996. David Nicholls". Images show both the exterior and interior of the distillery, some of which showing the equipment in use.
55-page report addressed to the Caribbean Development Bank by D.M. Simpson & Co (1984) Limited, a firm of mechanical engineers based in Bridgetown, Barbados. The report is entitled "Technical assistance mission to RDF Enterprises Limited at River Antoine Estate, St. Patrick, Grenada" and provides an assessment of the engineering and technical requirements for upgrading operations and increasing production at the estate's rum distillery. The report contains maps, plans, technical drawings and a photographic survey of the current distillery equipment and processes. This includes an evaluation of the canal, millpond, water course and waterwheel, the latter described as "in fair condition and in working order". An engineering and technical recommendations are made and a summary budget of likely expenditure given.
Two 83 cm x 52 cm photocopied sheets of technical drawings of the waterwheel at the River Antoine Estate labelled, "Waterwheel. 27ft diar. x 3'6" wide. River Antoine Est. Grenada. Septr. 14th 1876.
