MELIN DARON VIABILITY REPORT Report for: Melin Daron Cyf Marc Roberts [email protected] Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................ i 1. Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 1 2. The Mill ..................................................................................................................................... 3 3. Ownership and Management..................................................................................................... 8 4. Options for Future Use ............................................................................................................ 15 5. Action Plan .............................................................................................................................. 19 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Vi This viability study has been commissioned by Melin Daron Cyf to determine which if any route offers the best solution for the redevelopment of the old Mill at Aberdaron. The company is in receipt of support from the Architectural Heritage Fund to progress this report, and the format follows the recommended template provided by the Fund to reach its conclusions. Melin Daron Cyf was established as a social enterprise in 2019 by four residents of Aberdaron with the intention of redeveloping the former Mill in the village. The Mill had previously been bought by one of the Directors in order to preserve the building and its heritage for the community. The Mill is a Grade II listed building Felin’ (Cadw -building ID: 19992) and described as “a substantial village corn-mill of vernacular type, and, despite the loss of the wheel, still retains character as a rural industrial building” The proposal is to renovate and reinstate the building as a working Mill. At present the building is in a serious state of disrepair, but the hope is to secure funding and the support of the community to safeguard and revitalise the Mill. The Project will accentuate the architectural and historical importance of the building whilst also focusing on the significant economic benefits of bringing the mill back to commercial use. The idea is to restore the building and existing machinery within the Mill. Once operational the intention will be to produce genuine welsh flour from local wheat sourced from local crops. This flour would then be used to produce breads, cakes, pastries and a range of innovative produce, including health and fitness bars. Melin Daron will operate as a social enterprise, and as such will provide training education and volunteering opportunities as well as creating much needed jobs. This report has considered the key issues that need to be addressed in moving forward and has considered alternative options for the site. However, the conclusion of the study is that the above option is the most appropriate and viable, and the one which will most feasibly preserve and sustain this key historic building on the Llŷn. i 1. Introduction 1.1. The primary aim of Melin Daron is to redevelop the old Mill at Aberdaron, a former water mill and a key building at the heart of the village. The Mill is of particular architectural and historic interest, and has Grade II listed designation. The intention is to redevelop the building into a working mill, producing flour from locally grown crops; and is part of a wider ambition to revitalise and sustain the rural economy of this part of Gwynedd. 1.2. A mill on the existing site is attested in a document of 1777, but it is possible that there was an earlier mill here or nearby. The mill was enlarged in the early and mid-19th century and fell out of use in the 1930s. Melin Aberdaron is listed Grade II as ‘Y Felin’ (Cadw -building ID: 19992). It was included in the list as “a substantial village corn-mill of vernacular type, and, despite the loss of the wheel, still retains character as a rural industrial building” 1.3. The plan is one which would see Y Felin restored to its former glory and reinstated as a working Mill. The Project will accentuate the architectural and historical importance of the building but will also focus on the significant economic benefits of bringing the mill back to commercial use. 1.4. The idea is to restore the building and where feasible the existing machinery within the Mill. Once operational the intention will be to produce genuine welsh flour from local wheat on the Llŷn. This flour would then be used to produce breads, cakes, pastries and a range of innovative produce, including health and fitness bars. Melin Daron Directors are also reviewing the possibility of growing wheat on nearby Bardsey Island and ultimately producing bakery products which could be branded Bardsey Flour, Bardsey Loafs etc. 1.5. The Mill possesses an old kiln, and various options, including firing genuine Llŷn Pottery and developing a Welsh Pizzeria, using dough made from the flour and other locally sources produce, are also being considered. 1.6. A later phase of the project will be to develop the adjoining buildings, with a view to providing incubator space for new and emerging small businesses in the area. The hope is to entice associated business that can add value to the existing offer in Aberdaron, and 1 those that will complement Melin Daron. 1.7. The project is attracting the interest of a number of interested parties, and discussions have now been had with Welsh Government’s Food Sector, Visit Wales, Cadw, the National Lottery and the Local Authority (Gwynedd Council). The adjoining Bakery was recently visited by HRH Prince Charles; and significant interest and subsequent supportive correspondence was received in relation to the proposals for the Mill. 1.8. The freehold owner of the site is Geraint Jones, a local businessman who has also developed the adjacent bakery. He purchased the Mill in 2015 in order to secure the building for the benefit of the village. The intention, however, was always to offer the Mill as an asset to the community. 1.9. Geraint is now one of four people who have come together to form the Melin Daron Cyf Limited Company. The company was set up in 2019 with the intention of realising the vision for the Mill and the village. However, work to develop the ideas and concepts for the Mill have been ongoing for the last five, with over £16,000 invested in studies and reports that have helped identify the heritage, architectural and archaeological worthiness of the Mill. The company now has a 20 year lease on the site and will be responsible for developing the Mill. This is a tangible opportunity to move forward and realise the dream of brining Melin Daron back to operational use. The Mill also act as a catalyst and focal point for a wider range of economic and social activities in the village and beyond. 1.10. The initial four directors of the company are: Geraint Jones. A local businessman and entrepreneur. Geraint runs a number of businesses within the village and was responsible for buying and preserving the building. Geraint is also one of the people responsible for “Be Nesa Llŷn”, a privately funded initiative designed to help young entrepreneurs in the area start and grow their businesses. Roy Milnes. Trained as an electrical engineer at GEC-AEI turbine generators Trafford Park, later National Contract Manager building automation systems for JEL part of Thorn group. Roy is a key volunteer and advocate for renewable energy projects on Ynys Enlli. He is also the Walks Secretary for Eryri Ramblers. Jo-Anne Milnes. An experience Hotelier & Restaurant Owner. Jo-Anne is also a qualified Secretary /PA and was previously PA to a Director of Physiotherapy in the NHS and PA to the Vice Principal of Craven College, Skipton. Jo-Anne is also the website and Facebook webmaster for Eryri Ramblers, and a volunteer on Ynys Enlli. Stephen Bull. Currently Manager for Aberdaron Advent Campsite, a camp and leisure facility just outside the village. He has a construction and mechanical background and apprenticed in the crafts industry. Stephen is also trained in outdoor recreation and has a hobbyist interest in Aberdaron’s industrial past. He sees this project as a way of combining his life skills experiences into one project that offers much to others as well. 2 2. The Mill 2.1. History According to research undertaken by historian Gwyn Roberts, a mill has been in Aberdaron since the Middle Ages and is mentioned in the census undertaken by King Edward III in 1352. By the eighteenth century much of the land in the Aberdaron parish belonged to the Cefnamwlch estate. A document at the National Library of Aberystwyth dating from 1717 lists the lands left by William Griffith, Cefnamwlch in his will to his brother John Griffith, Cefnamwlch. These lands include Moelfre, Rhedynva, Cilbooth, a smallholding in the tenur of Thomas Frederick and Aberdaron MillThe mill has been associated with Cefnona farm since at least the eighteenth century. William Williams was registered as a tenant of the mill and Cefnona in 1785 and several of their children were baptized in the Church in Aberdaron. When William Williams died in 1811 his sons, Griffith, William and Hugh followed him as Millers. Cefnamlwch Estate papers from the same year also note the refurbishement of the mill at that time. It is likely that Griffith was the senior Miller and his name is noted as the tenant on the tithe map of 1845. Hugh worked at Aberdaron Mill for a while and then, on marrying, worked as a Miller at Pentrefoelas Mill. In the 1861 census, William Williams is recorded as a Miller and widower, and in the following census of 1871 is again recorded as a Miller. Death records show that he passed away three years later in 1874. William Williams died in 1811 and his sons, Griffith, William and Hugh followed him as Millers and there is a document in the Cefnamwlch estate papers dating in to 1811 noting the refurbishment of the mill. Griffith was probably the Chief Miller and his name is noted as a tenant on the tithe map of Figure 1 - Hugh Williams outside 1845.