Community support plays a vital role in the survival of the Tidemill
The Tide Mill relies on the support of the surrounding community. The Tide Mill used to be the centre of industry in Woodbridge but even though that has changed it is still a large part of the local community. Without the support of the local community the Woodbridge Tide Mill would not be able to be one of only two mills still milling flour in a traditional stoneground way. Whether you can help as an active Volunteer or by donating financially as a Friend of The Tide Mill, we welcome any support!
Mission Statement
Woodbridge Tide Mill Museum seeks to preserve and develop the Tide Mill and its Collections as living links to the agricultural, industrial, and maritime heritage of Woodbridge, and to its cultural and social history. The museum endeavours to provide an accessible heritage experience that entertains, educates and inspires all its visitors.
Interested in supporting The Tide Mill?
Become a Friend
Support The Tide Mill financially by becoming a Friend of Woodbridge Tide Mill Museum
The earliest known record of a tide mill, at Woodbridge on the River Deben, is from 1170. A tide mill has stood in Woodbridge for over 850 years, using the renewable energy of the tides to drive its waterwheel, and produce stoneground wholemeal flour. The Tide Mill embodies generations of English technological and cultural heritage, from Norman times to the present day. The mill that stands today was built in 1793 and its machinery showcases much of the innovation and technology of the early Industrial Revolution. As a very old wooden building on a river, the Mill has to be repainted by craftsmen every 5-10 years. This, along with substantial ongoing maintenance costs, means the Tide Mill requires significant financial support.
The lion’s share of these costs, which amount to hundreds of thousands of pounds, are covered by entrance fees, merchandise sales and the kind donations of Friend’s of the Tide Mill.
Becoming a Friend costs a minimum subscription of £10 a year – but we hope you’ll give more!
Benefits of becoming a Friend of The Tide Mill
Free entry to the museum with a friend
Three newsletters a year and periodic updates
Invitations to bespoke events
Discount on bagged flour purchases
Discount on Mill hire
Pay by bank transfer
Instruct your bank to pay one off of regularly using the following details: –
Bank Sort Code: 30-99-85
Bank Account: 47677468
Payment Reference: Friend*yoursurname*
By cash or cheque
Call in and pay in person or
post a cheque payable to ‘Woodbridge Tide Mill Charitable Trust’ to:
The Manager
Woodbridge Tide Mill Museum
Tide Mill Way
Woodbridge
Suffolk
IP12 1BY
Are you a Friend of the Mill and DON’T receive updates or the newsletter by e-mail but would like to?
To ensure we have the correct e-mail address for you please (click here) to send an e-mail to our Friends Coordinator and she will check and confirm matters with you personally.
Donate Here
This is for people who just wish to help the Tide Mill by donating and do not wish to become a Friend of the Tide Mill (see above)
Pay by bank transfer
Instruct your bank to pay one off of regularly using the following details: –
Bank Sort Code: 30-99-85
Bank Account: 47677468
Payment Reference: Donate*yoursurname*
By cash or cheque
Call in and pay in person or
post a cheque payable to ‘Woodbridge Tide Mill Charitable Trust’ to:
The Manager
Woodbridge Tide Mill Museum
Tide Mill Way
Woodbridge
Suffolk
IP12 1BY
Become a Volunteer
Support The Tide Mill by Donating Your Time and Skills
As a Volunteer at the Tide Mill you can be involved in all aspects of the Tide Mill from guiding visitors, milling, to bagging the stoneground flour. You can support the administration of the Mill and assist in selling and delivery of the flour to our outside customers. As part of the engineering team, you can learn the skills of millwrighting and help maintain the machinery and fabric of this Grade I listed building.
Our Volunteers Take On Many Different Roles…
Trustee Volunteer
Charity trustees provide leadership of the charity and are responsible for ensuring it does what it was set up to do.
Resident Warden
A Resident Warden is responsible for welcoming visitors to the Mill, and manning the counter area.
Treasury Volunteer
A treasury volunteer is responsible for a number of accounting and treasury functions.
Guide Volunteer
A Guide volunteer is responsible for supporting the resident warden and welcoming visitors to the Mill.
Merchandising Volunteer
A merchandising and procurement volunteer is responsible for looking after merchandise for resale, and procurement of various consumable items connecting with managing the mill.
Maintenance Volunteer
A maintenance volunteer is one who helps in the periodic maintenance of the building and machinery.
Bagging Volunteer
A bagging volunteer will be part of a team of 3—5 volunteers filling and sealing retail flour bags ,and wholesale flour bags.
Sales, Orders and Deliveries Volunteer
A sales, orders and deliveries volunteer receives details of customer orders (through a pre-determined route/routes), records and processes the order.
Public Relations Volunteer
A marketing and PR volunteer will work with the Trustees to promote the Trust and its activities to the public via all forms of media, and to liaise with any professional media agency working with the Trust.
Activities Volunteer
An events and activities volunteer will work with Trustees and Friends to help in the organisation and delivery of events in the Activities Calendar.
Fund Raising Volunteer
A fund raising volunteer will work with Trustees and Friends to devise, plan and run fund raising schemes of any description.
Milling Volunteer
A milling volunteer will be part of a small team undertaking milling duties, using either the electric motor or the waterwheel.
Current volunteering opportunities
Download the current volunteering opportunities using the button below, and then send your CV or details of your experience to enquiries.woodbridgetidemill@gmail.com