Sent: 04 October 2006 18:46

Subject: water mills

Hi my name is Joy Smith (was Pepper).

My mother owns the Home Farm at Apedale and I grew up at the farm. I owned home farm cottage and Apedale House which was the school to the Heathcote Estate, I therefore lived at Apedale for 40 years.

I also have maps of the coal seems on Apedale and spent many years involved in opencast mining in Apedale.

The three sides of the Water Mill Tower say LIVE AND LET LIVE - BE JUST - FEAR NOT - REGARD THE END

The Heathcote family were going through hard times at the time the chimney was built; it was the chimney to the steam engine and this was made into a monument by Heathcote when the pit closed. As Wedgewood had built one on the top of Talke which was insight of Apedale Hall, so this was Heathcotes contribution. In the early 1970s my father was ploughing in the field next to the chimney, also called Water Mills, and he found a horse shoe that was from a pit pony. It is completely round to protect the frog of the pony’s foot as they slid on the sleepers where the pit rails ran. I can’t remember the date on the fourth side but I am sure I can get it for you.

Hope this is of help

Regards

Joy