WET HARVEST DOESN’T HOLD UP CORN MILL PRODUCTION (August 2008)

Heavy rain may have held up this year’s grain harvest but North breadmakers will be pleased to know they can still source supplies of stoneground wholemeal flour from Heatherslaw Corn Mill on the Ford and Etal Estates in north Northumberland.

Thanks to careful husbandry by head miller Julia Nolan and her small team at the mill on the banks of the River Till near the border with Scotland, there is enough breadmaking quality wheat in store to meet current demand. “We still have 10 tonnes of grain harvested from last year in our hopper and that should keep us going until this year’s crop arrives, albeit later than we anticipated due to the rain,” said Julia.

The water-driven corn mill which dates back to the 19th century and is administered by a small charitable trust, buys its grain locally from East Flodden and Encampment farms run by Phil Moore. “He supplies us with Avalon wheat which has specific breadmaking qualities and is very popular with our customers,” added Julia, who began work at the mill 14 years ago.

The stoneground wholemeal flour produced at the mill for 50 weeks of the year has other baking applications and is used extensively by the neighbouring Heatherslaw Bakery which has customers for its cakes and biscuits throughout the country. The bakery also helps promote the corn mill products at trade and consumer food fairs.

The corn mill also markets under its distinctive packaging a range of oat-based products from Hogarths of Kelso, a long-established miller and processor, and barley and rye products from Silvery Tweed Cereals, of Berwick. Oat flakes and barley kernels are mixed with imported fruits and nuts to create muesli, which is becoming increasingly popular.

The corn mill underwent restoration in the early 1970’s and uses traditional methods and original machinery, powered by the River Till, to grind wheat into wholemeal flour which has no additives or preservatives. Not only does the mill attract visitors from all over the world, it is also used as a teaching resource for North school children and adult students, many on field study courses at nearby Ford Castle.

Julia Nolan, who is originally from Seaham in County Durham, says that in addition to those who enjoy making bread at home, there is a growing number of small artisan producers who are finding that people are still prepared to pay good money for quality bread products.

Heatherslaw Corn Mill recently renewed its membership of Northumbria Larder, the lead organisation in the North East England Food and Drink Group, which promotes the interests of food producers in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Tees Valley.