A labour of love ~ restoring Howsham Mill back to its Gothic Georgian glory!

Howsham  Mill is a Grade II listed building, built in 1755 and attributed to the architect, John Carr of York.  It was both a folly and a working grist mill on the Howsham Hall estate.  The mill was powered by a breastshot waterwheel connected by a gear wheel to millstones, that ground the grain into flour. Grinding ceased in 1947 and by the 1960s the mill had fallen into serious decay.

Over grown and lost to the world the derelict mill lay hidden in the trees on a small island in the River Derwent, in North Yorkshire until one day in 2003 it was discovered by Mo McLeod and Dave Mann who fell in love with the ruin and bought it in 2004. They had plans to renovate it and turn it into their home but they soon discovered that sadly this was not to be as they were turned down no matter what road they took.

Howsham Mill in 2003
Howsham Mill in 2003 ~ Photo Credit – Renewable Heritage Trust

Undeterred by all the set backs they decided to change tactic and formed the Renewable Heritage Trust with the help of the local residents with the aim of restoring the mill as an environmental study centre promoting renewable energy and local history and wildlife. It will also be available for use as a community venue for local people.

Photo Credit - Renewable Heritage Trust
Photo Credit – Renewable Heritage Trust

The first phase of the restoration was completed in 2007 and involved installing the new waterwheel and  an Archimedean screw as well as rebuilding the walls and roof of the granary to the north of the main building, allowing the installation of a kitchen and toilets as well as housing the control equipment for the hydro generation. Fund raising and grant funding enabled the installation of a new waterwheel and  the Archimedean screw to generate electricity and help fund the project in the long term. Much of the hard work of restoring the mill was done by enthusiastic volunteers, with families joining in for work days, and regular groups of trainee soldiers and school parties  helping out at the mill.

Archimedean Screw hydropower at Howsham Mill
Archimedean Screw hydropower at Howsham Mill

Both the waterwheel and the Archimedean Screw generate electricity from the fall of water over the weir. The reinstatement of the waterwheel will again harness the power of the river, but rather than driving millstones, this time will generate electricity. Both the water wheel and the Archimedean Screw are grid connected and excess electricity generated is sold to the National grid.

2nd Archimedean Screw Installed

A second larger Archimedes Screw was installed in 2017 started a second larger screw was added during 2017 and has been generating electricity since May 2018. To date, about 2,750,000 kWh has been exported.

Two Archimedean Screws installed side by side

Since January 2022, the mill has been supplying Howsham Hall directly with green electricity. An underground cable was laid across the field to the Hall. The electricity is sold at a price between the grid wholesale rate and the standard import rate, thus benefiting both parties.

A view of the water wheel taken from inside Howsham Mill
A view of the water wheel taken from inside Howsham Mill

In June 2012 work began on restoring the main part of the building. Today, a decade on, Howsham Mill has been returned to its former glory as it was when it was abandoned in 1947.

Howsham Mill restored to its former glory
Howsham Mill restored to its former glory
Howsham Mill
Howsham Mill
The magnificent restored ceiling in Howsham Mill
The magnificent restored ceiling in Howsham Mill
Howsham Mill - copyright Eco Evolution)
The magnificent Gothic windows and stone work at Howsham Mill

The aim of the Renewable Heritage Trust is to make the building totally self-sustaining for the 21st century using revenue from power sales to fund future restoration and conservation work at the site.

The mill has underfloor heating beneath the flag stones which is a wet system with a sealed network of pipes connecting to a coil in the hot water tank, which is heated partly by the solar thermal panel installed on the roof of the mill and topped up by an immersion heater run from their own electricity.  A wood-burning stove connected to a flue liner has been installed in the original fireplace and will burn logs from the island.

Solar Thermal panels supplement the underfloor heating in the mill
Solar Thermal panels supplement the underfloor heating in the mill

The final stage of the restoration was the placing of the statue of Diana the huntress created by wire-mesh sculptor Nikki Taylor which replaces the original lead sculpture of the Roman goddess, most of which was taken for scrap.

Sculpture of the goddess Diana - Photo Credit www.yorkpress.co.uk
Sculpture of the goddess Diana – Photo Credit www.yorkpress.co.uk

Howsham Mill is located in a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The small wooded island has a wealth of native trees including ash, sycamore, oak, wych elm and hawthorn trees.  Above and below the weir are beds of water crowfoot, teeming with invertebrates eaten by fish and birds. Otters were re-introduced to the river in the mid-1980s and can occasionally be spotted from the island.

The weir on the River Derwent
The weir on the River Derwent
A rich diversity of plant and animal life
A rich diversity of plant and animal life

Photographs unless otherwise credited are copyright of Eco Evolution

Blog Awards Ireland 2013 ~ We’ve been Short Listed!

Wow, Friday 13th 2013 will be a day to remember for Eco Evolution as we were short listed in the Blog Awards Ireland 2013. We were thrilled to have been nominated in the first place but are absolutely blown away by the fact that we made the short list in the Best Eco/Green Blog category sponsored by ESB eCar.

The quality of blogs in every category is very high this year and it’s great to see that so many of the blogs that we read on a regular basis have also been short listed in the various categories.

Thank you so much to those who nominated our blog and a big thank you to the judges who read it and decided that it was worthy of a place in the short list and to the organisers who were hard at work behind the scenes. I hope you all had a relaxing weekend after such a mammoth task.

Wishing everyone the very best of luck in the next round!

Better Energy Homes Schemes to continue in 2014

Today marked the significant milestone of 250,000 homes upgraded in Ireland through the highly successful Better Energy Homes schemes. Free home energy upgrades have been completed in 100,000 homes through Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme. A further 150,000 homeowners have availed of the popular Better Energy Homes grants for insulation and heating upgrades. These homeowners  have already made energy savings of €150m over the past few years, and will continue to save €60m annually.

Funds for the ‘Better Energy Homes’ Schemes will continue to be available throughout 2014.  A separate programme of retrofit investment in the Local Authority housing stock has also recently commenced and a new fund has also been created this year to boost activity in terms of public and commercial building energy efficiency initiatives.

We will continue to provide funds for the Better Energy Schemes next year. We recently commenced a separate programme of retrofit investment in the Local Authority housing stock. We have also created a new fund this year to boost activity in terms of public and commercial building energy efficiency initiatives.” – See more at: http://www.seai.ie/News_Events/Press_Releases/2013/250-000-homes-upgraded-to-date-through-Better-Energy-schemes.html#sthash.2oAcDpcL.dpuf
Cavity Wall Insulation
Improve the Energy Efficiency of your home with Cavity Wall Insulation

The Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme (BEWH), administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, funds energy efficiency improvements in the homes of the elderly and vulnerable, making the homes more comfortable, healthier and more cost effective to run. The Better Energy Warmer Homes services are provided by a panel of SEAI appointed non-profit community based organisations (CBO’s) and a panel of SEAI appointed private contractors. The Installers are assigned to a household depending on their geographic location. CBO’s and contractors deliver the BEWH to the highest quality assurance standards. Inspections are carried out on a sample of homes completed to ensure the standards are maintained.

The scheme is available to non-Local Authority owner occupied homes constructed before 2006. The owner of the property has also to be in receipt of one of the following:

  • Fuel Allowance as part of the National Fuel Scheme
  • Job Seekers allowance for over six months and with children under 7 years of age
  • Family income support

The service involves the installation of standard energy efficiency measures appropriate to the eligible household subject to SEAI survey, budget allocation and available capacity. The service is provided at no cost to the household and the measures currently available under this scheme are:

  • Attic insulation.
  • Draught proofing.
  • Lagging jackets.
  • Low energy light bulbs.
  • Cavity wall insulation.
  • Energy advice.
Attic Insulation - The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme
Improve the Energy Efficiency of your home with  Attic Insulation

Landlords can avail of grants from Better Energy Homes if they have tenants in, or at risk of, energy poverty.

The Better Energy Homes scheme provides assistance to homeowners to reduce energy use, costs and greenhouse gas emissions and improve the comfort levels within their home. It is a national scheme therefore all homeowners of dwelling built before 2006 may apply. Landlords and owners of multiple properties may also apply, however they must submit a separate application form for each property.  Grants are available for eligible applicants for under taking the following upgrades.



The Minister further commented: “The significance of reaching this milestone should not be underestimated – retrofitting 250,000 homes out of 1.6m permanently occupied homes is a huge achievement. However, it’s also appropriate to look forward and consider the economic and health benefits that we could realise if the rest of the inefficient housing stock was upgraded. I encourage everyone to ‘get efficient’ and take advantage of the Better Energy grant programmes.”
– See more at: http://www.seai.ie/News_Events/Press_Releases/2013/250-000-homes-upgraded-to-date-through-Better-Energy-schemes.html#sthash.AN22IxeN.dpuf
Better Energy Warmer Homes (BEWH) services are provided by a panel of SEAI appointed non-profit community based organisations (CBOs) and a panel of SEAI appointed private contractors. – See more at: http://www.seai.ie/Grants/Warmer_Homes_Scheme/How_are_the_services_provided.html#sthash.Fy4cpN9g.dpuf
The Better Energy Homes scheme provides assistance to homeowners to reduce energy use, costs and greenhouse gas emissions and improve the comfort levels within their home.  – See more at: http://www.seai.ie/Grants/Better_energy_homes/About_the_Scheme/#sthash.70EBadk9.dpuf
Mr Pat Rabbitte TD, Minister for Communications Energy and Natural Resources, today marked the significant milestone of 250,000 homes upgraded in Ireland through the highly successful Better Energy schemes. Free home energy upgrades have been completed in 100,000 homes through Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme. A further 150,000 homeowners have availed of the popular Better Energy Homes grants for insulation and heating upgrades. – See more at: http://www.seai.ie/News_Events/Press_Releases/2013/250-000-homes-upgraded-to-date-through-Better-Energy-schemes.html#sthash.fgqwjAOa.dpuf
Mr Pat Rabbitte TD, Minister for Communications Energy and Natural Resources, today marked the significant milestone of 250,000 homes upgraded in Ireland through the highly successful Better Energy schemes. Free home energy upgrades have been completed in 100,000 homes through Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme. A further 150,000 homeowners have availed of the popular Better Energy Homes grants for insulation and heating upgrades. – See more at: http://www.seai.ie/News_Events/Press_Releases/2013/250-000-homes-upgraded-to-date-through-Better-Energy-schemes.html#sthash.fgqwjAOa.dpuf
Mr Pat Rabbitte TD, Minister for Communications Energy and Natural Resources, today marked the significant milestone of 250,000 homes upgraded in Ireland through the highly successful Better Energy schemes. Free home energy upgrades have been completed in 100,000 homes through Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme. A further 150,000 homeowners have availed of the popular Better Energy Homes grants for insulation and heating upgrades. – See more at: http://www.seai.ie/News_Events/Press_Releases/2013/250-000-homes-upgraded-to-date-through-Better-Energy-schemes.html#sthash.fgqwjAOa.dpuf
Mr Pat Rabbitte TD, Minister for Communications Energy and Natural Resources, today marked the significant milestone of 250,000 homes upgraded in Ireland through the highly successful Better Energy schemes. Free home energy upgrades have been completed in 100,000 homes through Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme. A further 150,000 homeowners have availed of the popular Better Energy Homes grants for insulation and heating upgrades.
– See more at: http://www.seai.ie/News_Events/Press_Releases/2013/250-000-homes-upgraded-to-date-through-Better-Energy-schemes.html#sthash.fgqwjAOa.dpuf
Mr Pat Rabbitte TD, Minister for Communications Energy and Natural Resources, today marked the significant milestone of 250,000 homes upgraded in Ireland through the highly successful Better Energy schemes. Free home energy upgrades have been completed in 100,000 homes through Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme. A further 150,000 homeowners have availed of the popular Better Energy Homes grants for insulation and heating upgrades.
– See more at: http://www.seai.ie/News_Events/Press_Releases/2013/250-000-homes-upgraded-to-date-through-Better-Energy-schemes.html#sthash.fgqwjAOa.dpuf
Mr Pat Rabbitte TD, Minister for Communications Energy and Natural Resources, today marked the significant milestone of 250,000 homes upgraded in Ireland through the highly successful Better Energy schemes. Free home energy upgrades have been completed in 100,000 homes through Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme. A further 150,000 homeowners have availed of the popular Better Energy Homes grants for insulation and heating upgrades.
– See more at: http://www.seai.ie/News_Events/Press_Releases/2013/250-000-homes-upgraded-to-date-through-Better-Energy-schemes.html#sthash.fgqwjAOa
Mr Pat Rabbitte TD, Minister for Communications Energy and Natural Resources, today marked the significant milestone of 250,000 homes upgraded in Ireland through the highly successful Better Energy schemes. Free home energy upgrades have been completed in 100,000 homes through Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme. A further 150,000 homeowners have availed of the popular Better Energy Homes grants for insulation and heating upgrades.
– See more at: http://www.seai.ie/News_Events/Press_Releases/2013/250-000-homes-upgraded-to-date-through-Better-Energy-schemes.html#sthash.fgqwjAOa.dpuf
Waterwheels ~ Ancient Wheels of Power

Travelling throughout the country both here in Ireland and in the UK I see mills dotted around the countryside that are just derelict structures on a river bank and some that are working mills with water wheels generating electricity. The waterwheel is an ancient device that uses flowing or falling water to create power by means of a set of paddles or buckets mounted around a wheel. A waterwheel consists of a large wooden or metal wheel, with a number of paddles or buckets  arranged on the outside rim forming the driving surface. Most commonly, the wheel is mounted vertically on a horizontal axle.

Derelict Mill and Waterwheel
Derelict Mill and Waterwheel

Prior uses of water wheels include milling flour in gristmills and grinding wood into pulp for paper making, but other uses include hammering wrought iron, machining, ore crushing and pounding fibre for use in the manufacture of cloth.

Bretts Sion Mills
Working Waterwheel

On occasion the old water wheel is still insitu and can be refurbished but in many cases the wheel has been removed and sadly sold for scrap metal value or taken apart to be kept as keepsakes or used as garden ornaments.

Derelict Mill and Wa
Derelict Mill and Waterwheel

If a mill has a vacant wheel pit it is possible to construct a water wheel which is aesthetically pleasing and brings the character back to the old mill.

Waterwheel Components
Waterwheel Components

 

Completed laser cut waterwheel
Completed laser cut waterwheel
The installed laser cut waterwheel
The installed laser cut waterwheel

Advantages of waterwheels

Waterwheels are widely regarded as being rather inefficient compared with turbines. This is not necessarily the case as studies have shown that waterwheel efficiency can be in excess of 80% for Overshot waterwheels and 75% for Breast-shot waterwheels [Muller 2004]. This in combination with highly respectable part-flow performance and lack of fine intake screening requirements can often result in very worthwhile overall energy capture so are still a viable proposition for producing electricity for domestic purposes. They are simple to control and aesthetically pleasing. Although they run relatively slowly and require a high ratio gearbox to drive a generator, for low powers – say below 5kW – and heads below 3m, they are worth considering.

Water wheels are also safe for the passage of fish.

  • Output reduction due to screen blockages is avoided since fine intake screens are not required.
  • Part-flow performance of waterwheels can be very good without requiring complex control systems.
  • Often minimal building work is required, particularly at former watermills if there is a vacant wheel pit.
  • Waterwheels have obvious aesthetic benefits over turbines and provide an excellent attraction at sites where visitors are encouraged.

If you are the owner of an old mill or indeed a mill site and would like to find out more please contact us here for further information and we will endeavour to point you in the right direction.

All photographs are copyright of Eco Evolution