There were originally three pairs of stones on this floor.   A pair of stones comprises a stationary bed stone with a rotating runner stone over it.   One pair was sold in 1914.

 The iron hoops around the second pair have rusted away and the stones are in pieces on the ground floor awaiting restoration.  

 The third pair of French Burr stones is intact and has been fitted with stone furniture.   This comprises a circular stone case or tun, and a horse, which is the frame sitting on the case and supporting the hopper and shoe that feed grain from the bins on the floor above into the eye of the runner stone.   The shoe is adjusted up or down by the crook string at its front to feed grain into the stones at the desired rate.   The rotating damsel keeps the shoe vibrating to ensure that grain continues to run and does not pile up.   (It is called a “damsel”  because it is always chattering!)   The shoe is tensioned against the damsel by the miller’s willow, a wooden spring.   To avoid the damsel damaging the side of the shoe, a rubbing block is fitted.  The ideal speed of the top runner stone is 120 revolutions per minute (rpm). The weight of the stone is 15cwt (762kg); its diameter is 4ft (1.2m).

 A bell alarm is available to warn the miller that the hopper needs to be topped up with grain.   When the grain level in the hopper falls, a strap is released allowing an arm to contact with the damsel and sound the bell.

 On the wall is an original shoe dating from the 1880’s.

Like the one in use it is fitted with a rubbing block. The long brush on the wall was used in times past to sweep clean the working surfaces of the stones, the miller having first raised the top (runner) stone to gain access.

 Note the stone crane used to raise, and turn over, the runner stone for cleaning or re-dressing, i.e. to re-cut the grooves in both stones that will grain into flour.

Originally the runner stone would have been raised with levers and wedges.

.On the wall is a steel bill and a wooden thrift used to dress the stones.   The miller might dress the stones himself, or use a local millwright to do the job.   Alternatively, he might employ an itinerant stone dresser.   The action of the steel bill on the stones throws off small particles of metal that become permanently lodged in the hands of the dresser.   Therefore, before allowing an itinerant stone dresser to start work on his stones, the miller would probably ask him to “show him his metal” to demonstrate the extent of his stone-dressing experience.