 | OK, so Herne Mill is in Herne, not in Whitstable, but the Friends of the Mill need all the support they can get. The sails were sent away to a specialist for repair. Unfortunately they were in a worse state than had been estimated and the bill now exceeds £20,000. Although the mill is owned by Kent County Council it is run and maintained by the Friends. Whilst they await possible help from the lottery fund they are organising events to help raise the money. The mill is the nearest working one to Whitstable and can be seen from the town. When you visit make sure you take in the view from the upper floors. It gives a new perspective on the coast and the height makes the sea's horizon look much different from the view we are used to from the beaches. |
On the lower level the mill has an array of displays of old pictures and information about past residents of the tow. On the upper floors you will find the mill stones and wooden gears amongst the other parethenalia of tools and samples of the foodstuffs milled. Adjacent to the mill is a refreshments area which also used as a presentation room for groups of visitors and schoolchildren.
The Friends made us very welcome and we thank them for their hospitality. We wish them all the luck in restoring the Mill, and our skyline, to it's former glory.
The rain clouds were gathering and anxious eyes were tracking them. The last thing these vintage car owners wanted was rain. That would mean hours of work drying and polishing their pride and joys before they could be safely covered and tucked away for the next outing.  Nevertheless they hid their fears as they welcomed people, young and old, and showed them every nut and bolt of these wonderful examples of transport history. They told stories of their searches to track down original parts and kept their audience enthralled with their enthusiam for their hobby. |  |
The cars ranged from Ford model T's to a Triumph Stag and included an Austin Ruby (Winston Churchill had one) and a large American Packard. The event wasn't just for cars. A BSA motorcycle and a local Fordson tractor were also present.
 |  If you fancy yourself as an American gangster you can probably hire this Packard complete with the violin case and machine gun found on the back seat! |  |
The rain did come eventually but too late to spoil the day for everyone who turned up.