{"id":45332,"date":"2026-01-30T16:12:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T16:12:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsblogs.ihbc.org.uk\/?p=45332"},"modified":"2026-01-30T13:08:43","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T13:08:43","slug":"ihbcs-context-185-under-the-spotlight-ihbcs-accessible-cpd-for-conservation-professionals-features-reslating-an-ancient-water-mill","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsblogs.ihbc.org.uk\/?p=45332","title":{"rendered":"IHBC\u2019s Context 185 under the spotlight: IHBC\u2019s accessible CPD for Conservation Professionals, features \u2018Reslating an ancient water mill\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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IHBC\u2019s last edition of our members\u2019 journal Context<\/em><\/a> \u2013 No. 185<\/a> \u2013 is available to read online and for this NewsBlog round we feature Terry Hughes on \u2018Reslating an ancient water mill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

IHBC writes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The need for major repairs to a historic mill provided a rare opportunity to record, study and repair early vernacular roofs, using authentic materials and traditional techniques.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Terry Hughes writes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Melin Daron is an ancient water mill in Aberdaron village on the Ll?n peninsula in Gwynedd, north Wales. The buildings were covered in a variety of slate roofs as the mill grew over the centuries, but by 2022 they all needed substantial repairs. This provided a rare opportunity to record, study and repair early vernacular roofs, using authentic materials and traditional techniques. The re-roofing was mostly completed in 2024, with the final two roofs due to be conserved in 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The mill is the most complete survival in the region, with the majority of the machinery still in its original position. It is believed to have existed from at least the 13th century, when the village was the embarcation point for pilgrims visiting Bardsey Island. Three pilgrimages to Bardsey, acts of Christian devotion, were the equivalent of one to Jerusalem\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slate supply<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As many slates as possible were reused. Where new tally slates were needed to make up a short- fall, they were obtained from Welsh Slate Ltd in appropriate colours: heather blue from Penrhyn, and grey from Cwt y Bugail quarries. Random slates were made on site by WJC using block from the same quarries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Driving rain<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wind resistance<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Completion<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Work started in September 2024 and was completed by Christmas, with the original vernacular and modern techniques applied throughout and using authentic slate types on each slope. The techniques\u2019 effectiveness was demonstrated dur- ing Storm Darragh when only Slope 1 had been slated \u2013 the opposite slope was effectively open to the 96mph wind measured in Aberdaron. Not a single slate was disturbed, although other roofs nearby were damaged. Later the finished slating was completely unaffected by the severe Storm \u00c9owyn in January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Terry Hughes is an independent and Historic England slate and stone roofing consultant, and the UK slate industry\u2019s representative on UK and European technical committees. He is grateful for contributions to this paper from Chris Wood and Richard Jordan, and to Welsh Slate Ltd for support in obtaining special slates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Context 185<\/em><\/a>: CONTENTS<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Themed Articles<\/p>\n\n\n\n