Behind the old stone-built Baily building near the tall chimney on the 31-acre tannery site, the Beckery Island Regeneration Trust (Birt for short) has remodelled the millstream, working to tight environmental specifications. The stream was cleared of silt and then coir mats were laid on the sloping bank containing seeds of native water plants. Water marigolds are now in flower.

  The new brick wall and railed concrete pathway hide new corrugated steel shoring that consolidates the foundations of the building, which is listed Grade II.

  Internal scaffolding now supports parts of the building, and its roof is waterproof. Access doorways have been blocked while the trust consults partners and prepares a business plan to present to potential funders.

  The trust’s overall concept for the Baily buildings is a “business nursery” to stimulate local employment. They could house two or three biggish businesses plus small offices for people working on their own, with a shared reception area.

Surprise at t’mill

  Renovation on the ancient Northover Mill, adjoining the redbrick Morlandcomplex, turned up a surprise: a flight of old steps leading from inside the mill down to the millstream.

  A grant from the county council’s economic development unit helped Birt repair the roof and replace its triple-roman tiles. Windows, taken away for renovation and repair, are now back in place. New rail fencing was installed.

  The mill dates back to Abbot Bere and is listed Grade II, though little of the medieval structure remains. It was last occupied as a private house, by the Revd James and Edna Culross in the 1980s, and has been derelict since. The late Southwest Regional Development Agency deeded it over in 2011 to the Beckery Island Regeneration Trust.