A FASCINATING book looking at the history of local mills has been produced by Kirkbymoorside History Group,

The Millers of Kirkbymoorside is the seventh book by the group and has been written by one of the founder members Chris Boddy who grew up at Kirby Mills, now the Cornmill Hotel. His father was one of the last millers to produce and sell flour in Kirkbymoorside.

Chris has recorded the history of one of the strangest mills in Kirkbymoorside, the tower mill in West End which fell foul of a dispute with neighbours and was not able to retain the traditional sails. It is there today and makes a unique holiday home.

The Rivis family feature heavily in the book, they were, and still are, a local large family who began their milling history in Sherburn before building numerous mills in the local area, including Yoadwath, West End and Helmsley. William Rivis who worked the mill at Yoadwath in the 1830s allegedly fell foul of the treacherous waters and family legend has it he was swept away and drowned along with one of his horses, leaving his widow to work the mill alone.

Louise Mudd, from Kirkbymoorside History Group said: "William's gravestone in Kirkby Churchyard was one of the stones restored in the our recent Heritage Lottery Funded project – Not Lost But Gone Before – which remembers his daughters Mary Anne and Rosanna who both died young.

"Chris is also indebted to John K Harrison who wrote the definitive history “Eight Centuries of Milling in the North East of Yorkshire” in 2001 and who kindly allowed the group to use his work on West End mill as a starting point. "

Louise said the book also takes in the outlying mills of Howkeld and Hold Cauldron, both of which are now private homes and businesses.

"We would like to thank the owners and keepers of these wonderful buildings, who kindly threw open their doors and allowed us to document and record the stories and remnants of machinery, which have been preserved and incorporated into their homes," she added.

" We were also very grateful to Ashley Burgess from Burgess Pet Foods, based in Thornton le Dale, who was able to fill in the missing history of Howkeld Mill in the 1940s until its closure."

Louise added: The mill was run by Herbert Prattley, who lived in West End and would cycle to and from work each day, often seen carrying a sack of flour for customers who couldn’t get to the mill. He was also one of the few men who were able to dress the millstones, a dying art even in those days. "

The Sinnington History Group also worked alongside Chris and produced a chapter dedicated to Sinnington Grange Mill; an impressive redbrick building dating from 1844 which was a very busy site in its heyday, now too fragile to be used.

The mills at Lowna and Gillamoor, Bransdale and Marton have been included as they all had a long and interesting history. The only site which retains a working mill wheel is the one at Lowna, which is now used to generate electricity.

Louise said: "To bring the story full circle Chris invited Yorkshire miller Joe Coughlan to describe the return of locally produced flour from Spaunton Mill which is now used by local baker Jane Thomas.

"Jane bought the Summit Bookshop just over a year ago and transformed it onto a bakery, where she now has a thriving business, producing bread made with locally milled flour. "

Louise said that perhaps one of the most interesting chapters however was the one regarding Keldholme Priory Mill and the nuns, who led a colourful and rebellious life tucked away in the corner of Keldholme.

"Their list of misdemeanours included wearing lace-up shoes and keeping lapdogs who accompanied them into chapel," she added.

The book, priced at £12, is available from the Children in Distress and Something Special shops in Market Place, Kirkbymoorside or direct from the Kirkbymoorside History Group by phoning Louise Mudd on 01751 432064 or Rita Gibson 01751 431272.