SANDFORD   MILL

                
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       CHELMSFORD  MUSEUMS

Sandford Mill was originally the site of Chelmsford Borough Waterworks and was built in 1926.   The site was acquired by the Essex Water Company in the mid seventies when the water industry was rationalised.   To avoid duplication it was decided to concentrate water treatment operations at Langford works making Sandford Mill redundant.   In 1984 it was stripped of its pumping machinery and returned to the Borough.

At the same time museum activities were being expanded and the storage of artefacts was becoming a problem.   A site at Lockside was acquired for general storage and it was decided that the Engine House at Sandford Mill would be suitable for the storage of industrial artefacts,  and so it has proved.

The primary function of museums is the preservation and storage of artefacts but equally important is their contribution to education,  in conjunction with schools.   This activity has been intensely developed at Sandford Mill Science Education Centre where there is hands-on emphasis on science and engineering,  but with one unfortunate limitation,  the lack of heating.   This means that educational activities at the Mill are limited to the period between early spring and late autumn during which time there are two school parties per day.

The Friends of Chelmsford Museums was formed in 1990 and was soon involved with helping to sort the artefacts at the new stores.   At Sandford Mill, four small working parties were eventually formed meeting once a month and there was so much to do that once a month became once a week.   Inevitably,  the Monday Morning Group is comprised mainly of pensioners and whilst the majority belong to the Friends,  others are always welcome.

What do we do ?   The short answer is literally anything and everything !   As mentioned,  the two main museum activities are the care of artefacts and education.   Artefacts are being continuously offered to the muaeum and if they are in a very poor condition we often help with restoration ander the guidance of Dr Geoff Bowles.   The science experiments and demonstrations which form part of the courses require a considerable amount of apparatus and once again this is where we can help in their design and construction.

Over the years we have successfully completed several restorations.   One very successful project was the restoration of the Marconi Writtle Hut and another was the creation of a blacksmith's forge to display the contents of the High Easter Forge.

                                                     
                                                                                                                                                            J  A                                                                                                                                                                    J  A
                   Two members of the Monday Morning                                          Making model lighthouses for
                   Group building the blacksmith's forge.                                          the Science for Schools kits.