An 18th century Alderney watermill is turning again, its story has inspired a new set of stamps
- Guernsey Post to release six-stamp set celebrating Bonne Terre Watermill on 7 July 2026
- The watermill pre-dates 1792 and served Alderney farmers for generations before ceasing operation in 1911
- The Alderney Society received the mill as a gift in 1972 and restoration efforts intensified in the 1990s
- Water power was successfully returned to the mill in 2025, allowing the waterwheel to turn again
- Stamps depict historical scenes including farmers bringing corn by horse and cart and the rebuilding of machinery
A new set of Alderney stamps celebrating the restoration and heritage of the Bonne Terre Watermill, one of the island's most significant historic sites, is being released.
They trace the story of the watermill from its role at the centre of Alderney's agricultural community through to its decline, restoration and revival as a working heritage site.
The history of milling in Alderney can be traced back centuries, with references to a mill appearing in records dating from around 1236. The present Bonne Terre Watermill pre-dates 1792 and served local farmers for generations, grinding grain into flour and animal feed before ceasing operation in 1911.
The stamps depict scenes inspired by the watermill's history, including farmers bringing corn by horse and cart, livestock being tended beside the mill, and the rebuilding of the Blacksmith's Forge lean-to and internal machinery.
Following years of decline, the watermill was gifted to The Alderney Society in 1972 for preservation. Restoration efforts gathered momentum in the 1990s through the commitment of volunteers and supporters, with significant work undertaken to conserve the site and restore its machinery. In 2025, water power was successfully returned to the mill, allowing the waterwheel to turn once again.
Bridget Yabsley, head of philatelic at Guernsey Post, said: "The Bonne Terre Watermill is an important part of Alderney's heritage and a remarkable example of community-led conservation. This stamp issue celebrates not only the history of the mill itself, but also the people, skills and traditions connected with island life over many generations."
She added: "The restoration of the watermill has ensured that an important part of Alderney's working history has been preserved for future generations. Through these stamps, we are pleased to share the story of its revival and continuing significance with collectors and audiences around the world."
The six-stamp issue, to be released on 7 July 2026,
They will be produced by Brebner Printers using offset lithography, with values ranging from 75p to £4.86. Designed by Wendy Bramall, each stamp measures 30mm deep by 40mm wide.
Background and history
The Bonne Terre Watermill has served as a vital cornerstone of Alderney's agricultural life for nearly eight centuries. The earliest documentary evidence of milling on the site dates from around 1236, making it one of the oldest continuously documented buildings in Alderney and establishing its medieval origins during a period when watermills were transforming agricultural production across Europe. The present structure, however, dates from a later rebuild in 1796, though references suggest a mill existed at the location prior to 1792. For over a century, the watermill ground grain into flour and animal feed for local farmers who would bring their corn by horse and cart, operating as a working mill until it ceased production in 1911. Following five decades of decline, the mill was dismantled in 1961. A turning point came in 1972 when the Impey family gifted the watermill, millpond and adjacent lands to The Alderney Society, a heritage organisation established in 1966 and dedicated to the historical, environmental and scientific promotion of the island. Restoration work began in earnest in 1996, with volunteers clearing the derelict and overgrown Bonne Terre Valley before tackling the mill structure itself. Progress was painstaking, with volunteer teams meeting each Tuesday morning over two decades. In July 2017, a topping-out ceremony marked the completion of the roof after more than 20 years of restoration work. By 2018, the mill stood free of scaffolding with a tiled roof and rebuilt walls, though still requiring floors and windows. The blacksmith's forge, believed to have been added in the early 18th century during British fortification efforts against French invasion, was also partially reconstructed. The restoration reached a triumphant milestone in 2025 when water power was successfully returned to the site, allowing the 17-foot waterwheel to turn once again after more than a century of silence.
Q&A
Q: When will the Bonne Terre Watermill stamps be issued?
A: The stamps will be issued on 7 July 2026 by Guernsey Post's philatelic bureau.
Q: How long has the watermill been part of Alderney's history?
A: References to a mill in Alderney date back to around 1236, and the present Bonne Terre Watermill pre-dates 1792. It operated until 1911.
Q: When was water power restored to the mill?
A: Water power was successfully returned to the mill in 2025, allowing the waterwheel to turn once again after more than a century.
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