A founder member of the Bunbury Watermill Trust has been honoured for his part in saving the historic venue.
Ernest Croley was presented with a framed painting of the mill by trustees and volunteers in recognition of his time as a founder member and chairman of the trust.
Ernest has twice been instrumental in saving Bunbury Watermill.
The first time was in 1970 when it was threatened with demolition.
And again in 2010 when he gathered a group of people to establish a charitable trust to acquire the mill to keep it open as an educational and heritage institution.
Ernest was also key in raising funds from village organisations, business sponsors and 70 households within Bunbury.
This helped make the trust’s bid to run the mill on behalf of the local community credible.
A spokesman for the trust said: “The fact Bunbury Watermill is now open to the public, schools and organised groups and run by volunteers thanks to Ernest’s vision and leadership.
“Ernest has retired from the board of trustees, but is still to be found at the mill with his paintbrush in hand on Wednesday mornings, and he is organising our next social event, a musical evening, on 14th March.
“We are sure he would like us to say how much his wife, Barbara, has contributed to the Mill enterprise.
“And we know her encouragement has supported Ernest in bringing the mill back to life for Bunbury village.”
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