Hi Mill CIC

28/10/2026

28/10/2026

They are here!

28/10/2026

Calling all Ex Precision Products workers who worked at High Mill, specifically on the golf clubs. We have a historian visiting High Mill on Wednesday 11th November.
He made this YouTube video a few years ago;

Link: https://youtu.be/pf97ge46rWQ?si=d_ppOx5rx0PE6Roj

He is coming to look through the casting history in fine detail and would like to speak to the people who played a part in the history he is most interested in.

Guided tours by Jon Muir before or after speaking to Nick (historian) so you can see what has changed or stayed the same. A chance to reminisce and grant us a valuable insight into the history of this site for both Nick and Hi Mill CIC to use to better tell the story of High Mill.

Please reach out to Jon on 07514480109 to let him know if you're coming and roughly what time.

Thanks in advance,
Hi Mill CIC

It may well surprise you to learn that at one time over half of the...

21/10/2026

Exciting discoveries at High Mill today finding the control arm for the Diverter flap in the Penstock Box. We knew we'd find it somewhere behind the render and here it is. Intact!

07/10/2026

Wood for sale £35 per dumpy bag all proceeds to Hi Mill CIC.
Mainly softwood from the mill and factory most of it was likely installed in the 50's. Will contain nails, some bits will have paint on them. It's reclaimed timber.

Contact Jon on 07514480109 for collection from High Mill, Alston CA93HS.

Delivery charged at £50 per bag all in (delivery charges will not go to Hi Mill CIC)

07/10/2026

The last bit of pit wheel archeology

30/09/2026

We found a fireplace and tidied it up a bit.
A massive thank you to the volunteers who helped work on this today.

30/09/2026

Digging out the wheel pit again today, will we find the rest of the ALS-... Bottle can we collect all the pieces of the broken plate and will we have a complete skeleton to the bones we found?
Come and get involved in piecing together the history of the cog wheel pit. It's the last day to do so! 10-4 today!

05/07/2026

Volunteer Wednesdays at High Mill, Alston

Starting Wednesday 15th, High Mill will be holding a regular volunteer day every Wednesday, 10:00am–4:30pm.

We will be skipping Wednesday 22nd due to jury duty, then continuing every Wednesday for the foreseeable future.

This is a chance to get involved at the very beginning of an exciting restoration project and help bring one of Alston’s most important historic buildings back to life.

There is work available for all levels of ability. Some jobs will be light and practical, while others will suit people who are happy to get properly stuck in. Early tasks will include:

Clearing rooms ready for contract works

Moving and sorting materials

Light demolition, including removing old ceilings

Sorting through historic casting moulds, disposing of damaged ones and cleaning/preserving the interesting examples

De-nailing timber joints

Sanding staircases and floors

Assisting with interior joinery work

Hacking out old mortar

Learning how hot lime is used before helping with future room fit-outs

As the project develops, and subject to prospective funding in 2027, we hope to offer training opportunities in hot lime pointing, lime plastering and lime washing. These are traditional building skills that will be central to the repair and conservation of High Mill.

There will be 7 volunteer training spaces available, offered on a first come, first considered basis, so getting involved early is a great way to show interest and help secure a place.

No experience is necessary. PPE will be provided (bring your own steel-toe-cap footwear if needed). All we ask is that you bring a willingness to help, learn, and be part of something meaningful.

Whether you can stay for the full day or just drop in for a few hours, you would be very welcome.

Come along, get stuck in, learn new skills, and help preserve Alston’s heritage.

Contact Jon Muir on 07514480109 or message us here [email protected]