Coldharbour Mill at Uffculme is appealing to local people to help it with the next phase of its project to create a community woodland and wetland.

The mill needs to raise £200-250,000 for the next phase of Project Splash! to provide more access for visitors, groups and schools, and increase biodiversity around the millpond.

Volunteers will be able to get hands-on during the restoration and enjoy more green space when the project is complete.

Coldharbour Mill’s chief executive Martin Halse said: “We’re excited to launch phase two of our regeneration scheme at Coldharbour Mill where we’re committed to creating a unique historical resource and biodiversity project that is free to use by all of our visitors.

“We aim to ‘co-create’ the space with input from our local community. This project will allow us to hold engaging events and activities, as well as help our volunteers learn new skills around conservation and woodland management.”

The first phase of the Splash! Millpond Restoration and Community Space Project saw the regeneration of the Millpond and waterways. Phase two seeks to create more open water within the millpond area, establish a new community woodland and create an industrial sculpture trail.

A recent successful application to the Woodland’s Trust’s woodland creation scheme means 420 native trees will soon be planted.

The mill is urging local people to support the scheme with a donation via its Aviva Community Fund Page at www.avivacommunity

fund.co.uk/making-a-splash-1

Coldharbour Mill is one of the oldest woollen mills in the UK having been in continuous production since 1797. Project Splash! will help bring the mill back to its former glory, increase the biodiversity of the area, and open up new areas and exhibits that tell the story of the industrial revolution.

English Heritage lauded the site in a report describing it as: “Probably one of the best-preserved textile mill complexes in the country. It retains the full range of buildings and power system features which characterised the development of the 19th Century textile mill with much of the machinery that was used at the site in the 20th Century.”

For more information about Project Splash! and to get involved, visit www.coldharbour

mill.org.uk/projectsplash