Letheringsett Watermill near Holt floods in Norfolk storms

Letheringsett Watermill, near Holt, flooded overnight on Monday (October 2) when the River Glaven burst its banks after storms which saw a month’s worth of rainfall in just an hour in some parts of Norfolk.

Michelle Thurlow, who took over the mill from her late father, Michael Thurlow, in 2013, and now runs it with her partner David Gay, said the damage has left them with no choice but to close their tea room for the foreseeable future.

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Michelle Thurlow and David Gay at the flooded Letheringsett Watermill and Thurlow tea room, near Holt (Image: Adam Barker)

“The tea room won’t be open for a long time,” Miss Thurlow said.

“It’s the only way we subsidise the running of the mill because we don’t make much money from our flour, which is only just about enough to pay the bills.

“We worked so hard to make this tea room in memory of my mum and dad.”

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The flooding at Letheringsett Watermill (Image: Adam Barker)

Miss Thurlow said this was the first time since 1912 that the 225-year-old mill had flooded.

The deluge left the downstairs of the mill submerged in more than a foot of water on Tuesday (October 3) morning – leaving behind a trail of silt and residue once it finally drained away.

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“I had to get waders on to come in the mill,” Mr Gay said. “I’ve never seen water like that in my life.

“It’s wiped us out. The kitchen is gone – everything. We’re insured but that doesn’t undo the years of work Michelle has put into this."

Inside Thurlow tea room at Letheringsett Watermill (Image: Adam Barker)

Inside the kitchen of Thurlow tea room at Letheringsett Watermill (Image: Adam Barker)

Michael Thurlow took on the mill in 1987, fully restoring it.

Letheringsett is one of just 24 working water mills in the UK.

The couple uses the flour it produces in the cakes, pastries and sausage rolls sold at the tea room.

Although the tea room will remain closed, Miss Thurlow said she hopes to start making and selling flour again from next week.

Michelle Thurlow and David Gay at the flooded Letheringsett Watermill and Thurlow tea room, near Holt (Image: Adam Barker)

The flooding at Letheringsett Watermill (Image: Adam Barker)

David Gay and the River Glaven (Image: Adam Barker)

The damage caused by the flooding (Image: Adam Barker)