Tide Mills in East Sussex showcasing what life was like

The project, which started on Wednesday and finishes this Sunday, is being held at Tide Mills and showcases the former corn grinding mill’s rich history from the 18th century, right up until the present day.

Some of the projects include the whole site being mapped in high-definition 3D by a drone to create an augmented reality landscape for visitors to explore, overlaying buildings and artefacts onto the current landscape. There is also going to be a VR version of this for people to access remotely.

People in the village.

The event is on over the weekend between 5.00pm and 10.00pm with a variety of workshops and music on.

Rachel Cunningham, organiser of the event said people can learn to make their own bread and bake it on site.

She said: “There is a scaffold which is an installation demonstrating the size and shape of the 18th century tidal mill, so there is a light and sound show that goes with which references its past as a giant tidal mill.

“It is absolutely enormous when you stand up close to it and you think ‘it must have been really noisy here at one point’ but it’s pretty deserted now.

The mill and village.

“There is a giant 3D zoetrope with willow horses, which turns and as it turns with the strobe lighting, it gives an animated effect of the horses rushing towards you.”

Tide Mills boasts a rich history from when it was first built in 1768 as a tide mill for grinding corn by Thomas Pelham, Duke of Newcastle and Prime Minister.

The site went from tiny hamlet to a bustling working village, and has some fascinating stories at different points over its history.

Chailey Marine Hospital which was for disabled boys.

Tide Mills once had Chailey Marine Hospital, which was established in 1924, and served as a hospital for disabled boys. The hospital formed part of Chailey Heritage School to provide the boys with an education.

David Dale was another resident who established a stable for lame race horses in the 1920s. The location was ideal to provide the horses with therapy by swimming in the seawater.

All pictures from Newhaven Historical Society and Museum.

There was also a seaplane station at Tide Mills from 1917, during the First World War.

Rachel said that the event is specially designed for the night time with its use of lighting for many of the projects.

Seaplanes during the First World War. Pictures from Newhaven Historical Society and Museum.

For more information on all the projects being showcased this weekend, visit the project’s website https://tidemillsproject.uk/.