Millennium Millstones

"A special landmark .... a tangible link with the Wolston of the past"

Millstone cottages and Brook In 1999, a pair of heavy Millstones was recovered from the woods near the old Wolston Mill.

Several villagers had suggested that the stones should be used as a feature on the bank of The Brook, something that would act as a link with the village of the past and the village of the new Millennium.

Unfortunately one of the stones disintegrated before it could be used, but the remaining stone was safely installed in August 2000.

Mrs Kathleen Holloway (nee Lissaman), the oldest Wolstonian at the time, and Mackenzie Newman, the youngest child on the school roll, unveiled the Millstone and plaque on Saturday 30th September 2000, during a special ceremony to mark the event.

Millennium Memories

Millstone 2000 in cemetery Millstone 2000 beingi nstalled Millstone 2000 being installed

Bob Green and Paul Simpson working to put the Millstone in place on Tuesday, 1st August 2000, so that W.H. Builders could construct the surround to make the Millennium feature. Two stones had been recovered from the woods from near the old Mill. One of the stones disintegrated before it could be used in the feature.

Dedication Ceremony on Saturday 30th September 2000.

The Millennium Project waiting to be unveiled. (Would anyone come to the ceremony?)

Reverend Nancy Cervantes addresses the crowds who had come to see the Mill Stone unveiled.

Kath Holloway, the oldest Wolstonian, and McKenzie Newman, the youngest child at Wolston St Margaret's School

Kath Holloway, the oldest Wolstonian, and McKenzie Newman, the youngest child at Wolston St Margaret's School, had performed the unveiling at the Dedication ceremony and can be seen cutting the Millstone shaped cake in the Baptist Chapel.

On the rear of the Mill Stone is a brass plaque

On the rear of the Mill Stone is a brass plaque with the following inscription:

Wolston Parish Council
Millennium Project
Officially unveiled
30th September 2000

This Mill Stone was recovered from the ruins of the old Wolston Mill, and is intended to provide a tangible link with the past.

It should be a reminder of our common bond with the people who have gone before and those who will take our place.

Millstone completed 2000

The Finished product

Millstone Stitchers

A glorious tapestry made to celebrate the Millennium is displayed in the Village Hall. The unusual circular piece was modelled on a stained-glass window and is the result of 15 months hard work by a dedicated band of women who wanted to do something for the village. The circular theme was loosely based on the mill stone in the village, and woven into it are various aspects of village like.

Millstone Stitchers

The making of this embroidery came about following a course that was run by Rugby Borough Council teaching various sewing techniques. A small group decided that they would like to continue on their own and make something original to commemorate the Millennium in Wolston. With Sylvia Hall and Kay Jesson’s inspiration and enthusiasm the group worked out what they would like to do. Keith Berry kindly drew the design and the Millstone Stitchers received a grant from Rugby Borough Council.
The roundels depict scenes from nature and vignettes of village life. The “teardrop” shapes show architectural features of the village. The centre of the window shows the various events, which took place during the Millennium year, all beautifully embroidered on a TV screen with fireworks. The abstract embroidery holding the stitching together suggests the village brickwork, its bridges and Brook.

The following were involved in making the commemorative “Millstone”.

Stitchers: Sylvia Hall, Kay Jesson, Margaret Hodges, Madeleine Riley, Wendy Gilsenan, Ruth McCartney, Ruth Underwood, Doreen Skinner, Sue Marlow, Sue Marlow, Phoebe Johnstone, Maureen Shirley, Jenny Jones, Lyndsey Terry.

Technicians: Keith Berry, Rob Jesson, Tony Hardy-King, Frank Hall.