AS Uffculme’s Coldharbour Mill celebrates 225 years of continuous wool production, it has set out its vision for the next 10 years

In the year the mill is also marking 40 years as a museum recognised by Historic England as probably one of the best-preserved textile mill complexes in the country, the trustees of this small independent charity have consulted with the public, stakeholders and supporters over the last three years to produce a vision of what Coldharbour Mill will achieve in the next 10 years.

The trust’s vision is to be innovative with its heritage, developing a relevant and resilient future for Coldharbour Mill; Its mission is to educate and inspire future generations.

Coldharbour Mill intends to create a centre for artists and artisans with a variety of work spaces where they can make, exhibit and sell their work creating sustainable businesses.

The mill will continue to be a nationally significant resource for schools and continue over 200 years of wool production maintaining its collections as an Arts Council Accredited Museum alongside  sharing, living, creating and sustaining heritage with new audiences.

Martin Halse of MRH MS Ltd, who have been assisting the trustees with the mill’s development over the last five years, explains: “it’s a tremendously exciting time for Coldharbour which had lost its way. The volunteers, trustees, staff and stakeholder have taken real ownership to propose widening and diversifying its audiences and income by making access to heritage as simple as possible with an ambition to remove both physical and financial barriers to access”

Coldharbour Mill is committed to sustainability, and intends to be carbon neutral by 2030 and to understand, explain and mitigate the impact it has had on the planet since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.

Coldharbour Mill continues the production of heritage wool and textiles on heritage machines keeping traditional skills alive and constantly inspiring visitors, while offering volunteers the opportunity to acquire heritage skills across its estate, and provide work experience, placements and apprenticeship opportunities.