BathNES Liberal Democrats

£50,000 repair programme for Saltford Brass Mill

Cllr David Bellotti, B&NES Cabinet member for community resources, announced a major repair and maintenance project at Saltford Brass Mill at the April meeting of B&NES Cabinet held at the Guildhall, Bath. Expenditure will be in the region of £50,000. The announcement was made in response to a speech in public time by Duncan Hounsell, the Lib Dem organiser for Saltford and community campaigner. The Saltford Brass Mill volunteers had heard from Sir Graham Watson MEP on his tour of the Brass Mill in January this year that Cllr Bellotti was committed to the repair of the damaged roof making it watertight and a re-wiring of the electrics. Duncan Hounsell said “£50,000 is the biggest investment in Saltford Brass Mill since English Heritage carried out a £170,000 restoration in 1997. This major repair and maintenance project will bring the re-opening of Saltford Brass Mill to visitors ever closer. It is the opening of the Mill to visitors that motivates and galvanises the volunteer team. Their continued presence and dedication are crucial to the longer term future management of the Brass Mill.” Brian Cooper, the Chair of the volunteer group, said “It is very satisfying to learn that the Council has been able to find the resource necessary to undertake the repairs to the Mill that will allow it to re-open to visitors; the volunteers now have a real incentive to put in their effort to develop displays ready for the big day.” Cllr Bellotti said that he expected Saltford Brass Mill to be open to all visitors again by the end of the Summer. Work at Saltford Brass Mill is now underway. Duncan Hounsell and Farida Wilson, a local resident, are pictured after hearing the good news.You can see and hear Duncan’s statement at the Cabinet meeting and Cllr Bellotti’s reply (after a short delay) on the link at time 00:23:57 http://www.bathnes.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/131718