Coldharbour Mill Museum have been announced as the latest winner of RGB Building Supplies’ ‘Well Built Community Fund’, following a public vote from the local community.

Up against groups based in Paignton and Wiveliscombe, people in the local areas were asked to vote for who they would like to be the lucky recipients of £1,000 worth of building materials from RGB. Over 400 votes were received with the museum coming out on top.

Coldharbour Mill is one of the oldest woollen mills in the UK having been in continuous production since 1797. Today the rich heritage lives on as one of the finest working wool museums where visitors can relive the sights and sounds of the industrial revolution, and see crafts people making traditional textiles, knitting yarn and hand woven rugs.

The museum now has £1,000 to spend on building materials, which they are planning to use to repair and relocate the bridge over the Mill stream to improve access.

Mill Museum manager for the past 30 years, Ian Gammon, said: “We are all extremely grateful to receive the Community Fund grant and would like to say a huge thank you to RGB Building Supplies and everyone who voted for us. This really will help us move forward with our maintenance plan for the museum and improve the access for visitors.”

Geoff Dobbs, branch manager at RGB Tiverton, continued: “This is the first time we have asked the local community to decide who should be the recipient of the Well Built Community Fund and were delighted with the way everyone got behind the three finalists. Congratulations to Coldharbour Mill, we look forward to returning to see how the building materials were used.”