THE owner of the historic waterwheel at the Old Mill in Okehampton has thanked everyone who has given their help to get the wheel turning again after it stopped working six months ago. Repairs to the wheel were last week carried out by specialist engineers Derek Humphreys and Robert Clarke. The worn part of the shaft has been ?made up? and a new bearing fitted. These repairs saw the wheel turning, much to the delight of owner Mrs Beryl Holley, for the first time since May when it stopped working. Some furthers checks will be needed but is now hoped the wheel is back in full working order. Mrs Holley said she was now looking into the possibility of utilising the available energy by generator or hydropower. She said contributions towards the cost of repairs had been received from West Devon Council, through an Historic Buildings Grant, and the Okement Rivers Improvement Group without which the work could not have been undertaken, and for which she was extremely grateful. She also thanked those individual members of Okehampton Town, West Devon and Devon County Councils who had given their support and encouragement in the period since the wheel stopped. Mrs Holley acquired the waterwheel with the adjoining flat 17 years ago. At the time the wheel was in a state of disrepair, but over the next four years it was restored at considerable personal cost to her. Mrs Holley also appealed for help from Times readers for her latest project. ?I am also researching the history of the Mill (formerly Town Mill) and would be most grateful for any anecdotes, photographs or information which local residents or organisations might be able to supply,? she said. Mrs Holley can be contacted by e-mail: [email protected]">[email protected]
