c.1980

Further to the Eastern Daily Press newspaper article of 9th July 2008, we feel we need to set the record straight.
We were not given a chance to give a comment to the newspaper and the article is inaccurate in many ways. Firstly the mill has been in a state of disrepair for years but no pressure was placed on the previous owner (who lived at the mill in Aylsham). The mill was placed on the at risk register in 2005 not recently as has been implied. NO plans have been submitted for flats nor will there be.
The land to the front of the mill has historically always been used by owners of the mill as access and this need remains today. The article states there is no evidence we own the land but the previous owner gave us sworn affidavits that it was in their use and ownership. There is no evidence to the contrary that the Mill does not own the land in question, and indeed is deemed to own to the centreline of the private road adjacent.
Therefore it was shocking to us, when we had barely purchased the mill, that Aylsham Town Council informed us that they would be trying to apply for the small grassed area in front of the mill to become a "village green". This ensued in two years of meetings and correspondence to explain why this application would blight that land and also the future of the mill. They refused to compromise and Councillor Harrison has refused to speak to us. If the mill is to be the "jewel in the crown of Aylsham" why are the Town Council so insistent on ignoring the future of the mill when it has been made clear that it could severely impact on our ability to renovate? Due to the statutory protection over village greens we will not be able to renovate nor maintain the mill. We may even be at risk from not being able to control the river and therefore issues related to flooding could ensue.
The following information is available directly from DEFRA and has been confirmed by our solicitors:
Direct from DEFRA (updated October 2007)
15. Two 19th century statutes protect registered greens from all kinds of damaging activities. Section 12 of the Inclosure Act 1857 and section 29 of the Commons Act 1876 make it an offence to damage or encroach upon a village green or to interrupt its use or enjoyment for recreation. Unlike the Acts which apply to common land, these two provisions do not allow for the landowner to regularise any of these activities by granting consent. The effect of these provisions is that works may not lawfully be undertaken on a village green, unless they are directly beneficial to recreational use, i.e. made with a view to the better enjoyment of the green.
Unfortunately some people were not happy we purchased the mill and we have been falsely accused in the Aylsham Post of obtaining the mill by underhand means! This is not the case but many prejudices about us remain. It is well known that village green applications are used as a tool to stop development and it seems those behind the application have no concern for the future of the mill at all.
The recent village green application actually had more objections than support and despite a quote that we " have upset everybody" this is not the case. In fact we have staunch support from a number of long standing Aylsham residents who have the same aim as we do - to see the restoration of a beautiful building that has a place in history.
23rd July 2008

A relative of mine was Joseph Hallmark Thirkettle, born 1838 I believe in Hempnall. I have him living in Millgate, Aylsham. and in the 1871, 1881, 1891, 1901 census he is a miller or miller's foreman. In the 1911 census he was living Millgate and described as a Miller in a Flour Mill aged about 73, he died in 1916. He is my 3 x grandfather, whose daughter, Fanny Hester Thirkettle married into the Wilkin's from Aldborough.
Richard Lake - 19th December 2008

Earlier this year Aylsham Town Council put in an application to Broadland District Council for planning permission to change the use of the land at Mill Row, near Aylsham Watermill, for recreational activities.
But one of the mill owners, Martine Spalding, who bought the building in 2004 with her husband Jon, said the proposal could put the site's restoration in jeopardy.
Mrs Spalding said: "The land is essential to the mill. For the sake of that mill it needs restoration but it is being blighted by the town council for nine years. If the land was open to the public it would be a nightmare."
The owners put up six-foot high metal fencing around the land in May 2004 for health and safety reasons and because it was the only place to store materials. It has stayed up until last weekend when it was "temporarily removed" so the area could be cleared to help with the sale of a house near the grade II listed mill, according to Mrs Spalding.
Residents from the Mill Row area helped clear the green of brambles and saplings one of the participants, Susan Nicholls, said the grass would be mown imminently.
She now believed the land was now public, something Mrs Spalding disputes.
Ms Nicholls said the area was an "eyesore" before the clear up and people in the town were delighted the work had been done.
She added a win-win situation could be reached for both the town counil and the mill owners and it was important the owners retained access to the historic building.
Members of the Broadland District Council planning committee decided on Wednesday to defer a decision on the town council application because they wanted both parties to resolve the issues regarding the land usage and more formal plans about its proposed use.
Town clerk Mo Anderson-Dungar said earlier discussions with Mrs Spalding had "faulted" after members decided not to go ahead with an agreement to split the land in half for the mill owners and the council. That decision was made in private on July 11 during a full council meeting.
Mrs Anderson-Dungar said: "The town council has always believed it has acted in the interests of Aylsham. It needs to be resolved and we will take things forward. Local people have used the land for generations. It is a small piece of land but it is important for the town."
But Mrs Spalding said: "We were prepared to negotiate for the future of the mill. The town council need to step back."
Sophie Wyllie, Eastern Daily Press - 12 October 2013

Community leaders are celebrating a planning victory after calling for riverside land outside a historic mill to be made available for public use.

A long-running dispute ovber the use of land next to Aylsham Water Mill could soon be over after a compromise was reached.
An extraordinary meeting was held in the town on Monday, July 3 to discuss the latest twist in the saga.
It ended with mill owner Jon Spalding agreeing to negotiate with the town council and two residents over the public use of an access path to the River Bure on the land, measuring about 1metre wide.
He had previously insisted the land came with the mill when he bought it in 2004, and opposed its use by the public.
The council has been eager to give people a chance to access the river and clerk Sue Lake said the authority was hopeful that an agreement could be reached ahead of its full council meeting on July 13.
She said: "At present there is limited access to the river from Mill Row."
Mr Spalding, who is carrying out renovation work to the mill, did not wish to comment on the saga but confirmed that he was prepared to negotiate.
However, resident Judi Meredith, who is opposed to the council's plans, said the access path would be a "waste of taxpayers' money".
She said: "I think it's ludicrous to have an access path - very few people know about it, and hardly anyone goes up there. When you get to the end of the path there's just a view and then you come back."
Fellow resident David Warren, however, said it seemed a "sensible compromise" to allow visual access to the river, and allow Mr Spalding to complete his renovation work, at the same time.
Broadland District councillor for Aylsham, David Harrison said it was "good news" that negotiations were about to take place to end the saga.
For more than a decade the water mill has been at the centre of a battle between its owner and the town council over its use - with the argument divided between public access to the river and private ownership.
The saga appeared to be over in September 2015 when Broadland District Council turned down a request to obtain the land without permission.
The compulsory purchase order had been requested by the town council, which wanted the access path, and was doubtful over the land's ownership.
David Balee, Eastern Daily Press - 4th July 2017

It began as pension project but 14 years later, the renovation of Aylsham's watermill is finally complete and the third and last property is up for sale. Property editor Caroline Culot went to take a look at Wagtail, for sale for a guide price of £625,000.
The sale of this final property in the renovated and converted former watermill in Aylsham marks the end of 14 long years endured by owner, structural engineer Jon Spalding who purchased the mill building, in a state of disrepair in 2004 as a pension project. He never imagined its renovation and conversion into three homes would take so long. But with delays caused by everything from the housing crash to a long running dispute with Aylsham town council, which is now fully resolved, it has taken until now for the property to be finished.
But, boy, it really is something worth waiting for.
The huge former mill building, which dates to 1798, has been divided into three homes (two have sold) and the last to be finished, Wagtail, incorporates the original workings, much of which has been painstakingly rebuilt and now serves as a rather special feature and daily reminder of its history.
Much of the workings including the wheel, which could still turn but has been blocked off so it remains stationary, are presented behind glazed panels in the kitchen and quite remarkably, you can walk through, off the kitchen. and hear and see the water which still rushes beneath.
This home is a fantastic combination of tradition and modernity; you've got some beautiful old timbers and exposed brickwork along with many little nods to the mill's origin. For example, some of the original wood from the wheel has been strengthened and used as cupboard fronts and on the top floor for doors into storage in the eaves.
Another superb little touch is a pulley wheel encased behind glass which makes a novel feature, and adds light.
Mr Spalding has tirelessley worked with the local authority and heritage specialists to renovate the mill as authentically as possible; look for the beautiful leaded panes in windows with black aluminium surrounds and monkey tail latches, adding double glazing and its benefits yet looking almost identical to the black iron originals.
Yet, you've got a real feeling of luxury too; particularly with the kitchen where marbled granite worksurfaces adorn beautiful dark grey contemporary units, all bespoke. The same luxury can be found in the bathroom and en suites; the one leading off the master bedroom on the top, third floor, is absolutely beautiful with a shower enclosure boasting textured, light brown tiles which look like wood.
In another en suite, a shower enclosure has the tiniest of tiles with glass to add just the right sparkle and glamour.
The entire property is also versatile; currently you have a large kitchen, utility and a dining room/reading room/family room on the ground floor with a lounge on the first floor where the mill gearing is showcased and a study/bedroom four.
Views from the windows are just breathtaking, over the water from both sides. Another two bedrooms, one with a dressing room and a bathroom, is on the second floor with the master bedroom and en suite bathroom on the top floor. At the centre is the most beautiful oak staircase, an example of craftsmanship, winding gently round taking you to each of these floors.
I loved the statement bath tub fitted ingengiously into what would have been the lucum. I also loved the little balcony created off the master bedroom overlooking the water at the rear of the building but with just enough room for a table and two chairs. Up there, it's utterly private and so peaceful.
This is a triumph in so many ways; the resulting home is just beautiful but it represents much more than aesthetics. This was a chapter in one man's life which is just about closed. It was at times a struggle, at times required patience and determination, the willpower not to give up and thanks to all of this, Aylsham now has a very fine converted watermill which enhances the surrounding area.
Wagtail, Aylsham Watermill is for sale for with Arnolds Keys on 01263 738444.
Caroline Culot, Eastern Daily Press - 25th October 2018