I found this old article..
 

and because it predates t'internet (for me at least) and few Downers are likely to have been reading the Grauniad in '92, I thought others might be interested in this rare interview.

I only found it because I hope to be going to Warwickshire to visit friends and family next month and thought I might have a look at Sarehole and was trying to find out where it was relative to the family smials.

http://books.guardian.co.uk/departme...596112,00.html

The old mill site
 

Goodday,
Please do visit the site it is quite lovely, and do take in the surroundings. the old mill was built on the old Biddles mill site , however not many know that that old mill was built on Stooris mill site from back in 1221. A remarkable place I do remember it vividly. though it has been awhile, do take some photos and post them.

Barahir

Well at the moment I still use film (quaint I know), but I might be able to borrow a digital or learn to work a scanner....

Bob Blackham gave an interesting talk about Sarehole at Oxonmoot the other year. I don't know if any of the other Downers went to part 2 last year (it was unfortunately scheduled at the same time as another a talk I decided I wanted to hear more). It seems quite close to a few places I know I went to as a child - it is possible I went when I was too young to know or care about the significance. Certainly it seems to have had a huge impact on Tolkien and it is hard otbelieve that it was "out in the country" in his day.

I did go there when I was in Birmingham a couple of years ago and enjoyed seeing the mill! It's a Tolkien museum inside. Unfortunately I didn't have time to walk around the area to see the original "two towers" and the "countryside", which would have been a nice experience.

The mill
 

Do not worry about being quaint, do as you will, do as you can, take some photos.
Some believe that the old mill of Stooris was not the first and that one existed there before that but was destroyed by the Saxons.

Barahir

Mithalwen, if you're planning a trip round Sarehole and that area I'd recommend getting that Bob Blackham book, Roots of Middle-earth:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Roots-Tolkie...1370360&sr=8-3

I thought you went to something else instead of his talk at Oxonmoot 2006? Or did you? I think that was before you identified yourself! :D But he really knows his stuff doesn't he? I'd recommend this to everyone. He's a Brummie, a local historian and a member of the TS. It's a fab book and not only is it enjoyable and gives you a thirst to see Sarehole and the other places Tolkien knew, but it's also a decent guide.

And it's only £10.99 ;)

Ahem
 

I am not Schroedinger's cat, Lal :rolleyes:- my being is not dependent on your being aware of it... I was at the back. I think you were a few rows directly in front.

http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpos...4&postcount=74

Being a cheap skate I bought his £2 photostat version :D ..having been lured by the lovely but pricey Artist and Illustrator.... and absolutely having to buy the letters which I have coveted for years but never got around to ordering...

Oh don't mind me and my ramblings, I thought I was going mental for a bit there! ;)

My memories of what happened when and so on have got all mixed up! :(

Well I am sure parts of my memory self destructed as an act of compassion after being exposed the singing of a certain person.... on the same theme - the woman who droned about 50 of her "sub-vogon" poems - as a more charitable member of the audience described it, did a review of Oxonmoot on the TS website. Fortunately the Sound of Mumaks saved the day.

BTW did I tell you I spent the Ents with Len Sanford and family?