For the third time in as many weeks, I arrived in Loddington in search of the building or at least the ruins of the old Loddington mill. The last attempt was a complete flop when after a few rainy days I thought I would try the old road to the left of the church field. It was flooded, but I had become prepared and slipped on the wellington boots I had brought with me. Half way through the flood I realised both boots were leaking. Making a quick retreat and drying myself off as best I could, tried another route, but no sign of the mill.
Well, here I was again more determined than ever.

The reason for my interest was because my ancestors, Thomas and Joseph Miles were millers at Loddington Mill in the late 1700's early 1800's. Thomas had married Rose Freestone at her home village of Medbourne-cum-Holt in 1765. After a couple of years living at Slawston they moved to the mill at Loddington where son Joseph was born in 1769.
In 1784 Joseph was working for his uncle, also Joseph, at Great Glen, helping to run the mill there, when he was suddenly recalled to Loddington on the death of his father, Thomas. Whether he died by accident or from a fatal disease is unknown, but it's possible the severe winter of 1783/84 was a factor in his demise. Joseph at the age of 14 then operated the mill, undoubtedly with the help of his mother. At the age of 20 he married local girl, Ruth Broom, who was 21. The mill must have had substantial accommodation because between 1790 and 1801 they had 10 children, all raised there.
Around 1818 they left the mill and moved to Billesdon where they lived until his death in 1842. He was brought back to Loddington for burial. Some of his descendants work Hill Top Farm at Billesdon today.

So, across the field in front of the church and over the style, trying a path to the right, through what used to be the tunnel under the old railway. My excitement rose after a few minutes walking when I spotted some sort of building in the distance. As I got nearer the truth became clear. The buildings turned out to be fairly recent ones, there was no sign of the mill, or the mill--pool and a vain search was made for some small relic. So I had to satisfy myself with the knowledge that I was standing where my ancestors stood all of those years ago. That is typical family history.

If anyone can supply more information, about the history of Loddington Mill, I can be contacted by e-mail to MILESRON@SKY.COM
Any photographs would be particularly welcome. Thank you.

Here I am standing on the site of the demolished Mill House. Below is a sketch map of the layout of the mill around 1886.

Loddington Mill around 1886, sketched from an old map.

Ron Miles