Mills Conference

Event details

SPAB Mills Section Conference
Saturday 4 October 2025, 10am – 4.15pm

Watlington House, Watlington Hall, 44 Watlington Street, Reading RG1 4RJ   

The conference will focus on the maintenance, repair and monitoring of mills and how to create, preserve and display documents.  

Mildred Cookson and Nathanael Hodge from the Mills Archive Trust, will share their knowledge on caring for documents and images. Dr Toby Huitson and Duncan McCallum will explore the Mills at Risk theme and the intricacies of listing historic buildings. Justin Coombs will demonstrate his innovative Smartmolen Project. Millwright Cameron Southcott will talk about mill repair and maintenance and Dr. Mike Nevell will present the Industrial Heritage Support Project. 

Who is this conference for?

SPAB Members and Non-Members - particularly mill volunteers, heritage professionals, trustees and enthusiasts. 

You will learn and discover 

By the end of the course, you will know/understand/be able to: 

• how to record and preserve documents 

• obtain an overview of mills at risk and mill listing 

• learn about the newest technology to monitor the wind flow of windmills 

• hear about challenges and receive advice about mill repairs and maintenance  

• find out information about the Industrial Heritage Support Project 

Programme 

This programme is subject to minor changes. 

• 9.45-10am Arrival, registration and coffee/tea 

• 10-10.50am Mills Archive Trust - Mildred Cookson and Nathanael Hodge 

• 11 – 11.50am Mills at Risk – Dr Toby Huitson and Duncan McCallum 

• 12noon – 1pm Lunch, networking 

• 13 – 13.50pm Smartmolen – Justin Coombs 

• 14 – 14.50pm Mill Repair and Maintenance – Cameron Southcott 

• 14.55 – 15.10pm Break 

• 15.10 – 16pm Industrial Heritage Support Project – Dr Mike Nevell  

• 16 – 16.15pm Q&A, event finishes 

Accessibility 

• Ground floor access 

• Limited parking 

How to get there 

• The address is Watlington Hall, 44 Watlington Street, Reading RG1 4RJ 

• If you are travelling by train, the nearest station is Reading Station, which is around 15 minutes from Watlington Hall by bus or on foot 

• Parking is very limited, if you are planning to arrive by car, please send an email to millsinfo@spab.org.uk at least 14 days before the event 

Photos and filming: We may take photos or videos at this event to be used in future promotion, including in print and online. Participants may take photos and short videos for personal use, with permission of the course leader and all other participants in frame. If you want to post on social media, please message SPAB's Comms Team (press@spab.org.uk or @spab1877) for permission. If your material is good, we might ask to share it with our followers.

All bookings are subject to our Terms and Conditions.

Photo credit: Brampton Mill © James Innerdale