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Milling around in Jersey |
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© Courtesy of The National Trust for Jersey
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In May 1945, Jersey was liberated by British Forces and islanders returned to farming potatoes and tomatoes, replacing grain. The mill became idle again and was used purely for storage, leading to a gradual deterioration of its condition.
Watermills have always played an important part in Jersey's socio-economic history, even from medieval times. Over time, the mills' function became increasingly commercial and they were operating as a local cartel by the 19th Century. They set the price of flour and grain from as far away as the Baltic region was shipped to Jersey for milling.
The St Peter's Valley stream, where Le Moulin de Quetivel is situated, served eight mills at one time. As well as grinding corn, these mills would have been used for the preparation of cloth, crushing sugar, making paper and grinding malt for beer.
By their very nature, watermills are vulnerable to fire, with very dry materials and fast-moving stones that readily generate sparks. In 1969 the National Trust planned to restore the mill once again but their plans suffered a setback when the Quetivel was nearly destroyed by fire.
However, they persevered with their restoration campaign and in 1979 it became operational. Today it produces organic flour and remains a popular local attraction.
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