Museum fundraising for 'major restoration' project

Museum trustees are hoping donations could help them reach a £60,000 fundraising target for a "major" restoration project.

Woodbridge Tide Mill Museum has started a fundraising page to raise money to be repainted in September.

The museum, in Suffolk, has said the effects of being on the riverfront has meant weatherproof paint needs applying.

John Carrington, Tide Mill Charitable Trust Chairman, said: "Visitor income is insufficient to maintain the Mill and so the trustees must use grant applications and fundraising."

The tide mill, built in 1793, is the fourth to be located on the site.

Mr Carrington said: "We are in a rather exposed position and we get pounded by the elements."

He added that "major restoration of the outside" was needed again this year after previous attempts to renew and refresh the building.

A heritage lottery grant in 2011 was spent rebuilding the mill's structure and replacing machinery.

In 2012, the mill and museum underwent work - completing an estimated £1.25m renovation project.

A GoFundMe has been set up by the museum to raise money to be put towards repainting the outside.

Mr Carrington added: "We are launching a campaign in the next week.

"We've got about six months to meet our target."

The Woodbridge Tide Mill Museum is set to reopen to visitors on 31 March.

Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.