The owner of Calbourne Water Mill has issued a clarification about its future.
At the beginning of the month, the Water Mill shared a post to their Facebook page which stated that it was set to permanently close its doors to the public, with an auction of all items due to take place in May.
Chaucer: We had to accept that this was an impossible situation
Sally Chaucer, the owner of the Water Mill has now clarified that the Water Mill is not closing, but that they must change.
She said,
“We recognise that all our efforts to keep it, as it is, is not enough, especially in the wake of Covid and our pit wheel breaking.
“The Cafe and the adventure golf will be open in the summer with free entry.
“After much work, following every avenue to raise funds and become accredited, we had to accept that this was an impossible situation. We are not eligible for any grants or funding.”
Chaucer: After many tears, we decided to have an auction
She went on to add,
“Museum accreditation standards are high, public museums are finding it hard to fund and support collections. What hope do we have?
“Our Museum items need loving homes to renovate them and care for them. Hence, after many tears, we decided to have an auction on 4th May 9am.”
Members of the public are being invited to bid for the items they would like at the auction.
There will be free entry, and the cafe will be open.
Article edit
9.30am Second para, ‘shared a post to their Facebook page’ replaced ‘revealed’. Third para ‘However’ and ‘Now’ removed and ‘clarified’ added.
