AONB transport grant will help schools visit Woodbridge Tide Mill Museum

The Woodbridge Tide Mill Museum is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a grant from the Suffolk Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). This generous support will enable the museum to offer partial transportation cost subsidies to schools located within the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB region that are interested in arranging educational field trips.

The Woodbridge Tide Mill, a historical landmark, stands as one of only two operational tide mills in the United Kingdom, actively producing flour. This site has housed a tide mill for more than 800 years, making it an invaluable testament to our industrial and cultural heritage. The mill not only serves as a symbol of historical significance but also provides a unique educational opportunity for school students. Through visits to the mill, students can delve into the rich history of the local area, forging connections to the River Deben and its evolving role in the lives of the community over the centuries.

The Tide Mill provides unique opportunities for learning in a range of subjects. Children can come along and learn the story of flour from field to fork and how we work sustainably to continue the ancient milling practice. They can also discover more about our geographical setting and how the river plays an incredibly important part in the running of the Mill, its socio-economic importance to the area of Suffolk and other elements that cover a range of National Curriculum objectives.

Woodbridge Tide Mill Charitable Trust Chair, John Carrington says: “With the help of this generous grant from Coast & Heaths AONB, we will encourage more schools to visit by working with teachers and school leaders to offer personalised visits that meet their curriculum needs. We initially plan to offer subsidies to schools outside the AONB area, using the grant to bring them to visit the Mill and experience the AONB area. We are aiming to meet at least 50% of their transport costs. If the project is successful, then we will roll it out to other schools”.

“This project will be led by our Education Lead, Tassa Deparis. Tassa has a wide range of teaching experience and is involved in delivering an exciting outreach programme to schools. Tassa works closely with both the Senior Mill Warden – Steve Molyneux and the Mill Project Coordinator  Ian Gray, who are both involved in running school visits and organising the volunteers who lead groups around the Mill during their visit”.

Read more news about The Tide Mill Museum here.

Photo credit:  Simon Ballard