Whitchurch Silk Mill have launched a poster competition for local children for their Save the Mill Campaign.
The Mill has been through many periods of hard times during its lifetime, and its survival is threatened once more. They need our help now more than ever.
At what is usually their busiest time of year, they have joined the national effort to prevent the spread of Covid-19 by closing their doors to ensure the safety of visitors, volunteers and staff. The Mill is funded by visitors admission fees and income from the sale of gifts and refreshments; they usually welcome about 30,000 visitors a year. The closure means they have lost vital income.
The monthly cost of maintaining the Mill even when closed is £10,000. They care for an historic building and stretches of the River Test, a world famous chalk stream and a Site of Special and Scientific Interest, as well as a museum, visitor centre and collections. A small team of staff and lots of volunteers are ensuring the Mill is safe and can safely reopen as soon as it can.
They have little external funding and no significant reserves. The Government’s support has been vital at this time, and they are doing all they can to secure funding and donations to ensure they survive. Their volunteers, supporters, friends, regular visitors and staff are all helping in whatever way they can too. But these efforts alone cannot make up for the huge loss of visitor revenue.
Without enough money to maintain cashflow through the rest of the year, as they have fewer visitors than they need to survive, and with very little in reserve to reopen, the Mill is now at great risk – a risk that increases with every day that they remain closed.
Every donation helps the Trust preserve living silk weaving heritage at the Mill. Please give what you can. If you cannot donate, please share this campaign with friends, colleagues, and your community. These are difficult times for everyone, and Whitchurch Silk Mill needs your help.
They have set up a Just Giving Campaign here
Zoe from Whitchurch Silk Mill tells us more about the children competition the are running as part of the save the mill campaign.
To enter: design a poster, snap a photo and email your entries to: info@whitchurchsilkmill.org.uk with your name, age and contact details by Monday 8th June!
Children of any age can enter, and they will choose a winner and runners up, there are prizes to be won.
