Bishops Lydeard Mill Museum distributes profits to charities

Bishops Lydeard Mill Museum allocated equal shares of the profits to Cancer Research UK, Sure, Open Door, and Macmillan <i>(Image: Supplied)</i>
Bishops Lydeard Mill Museum allocated equal shares of the profits to Cancer Research UK, Sure, Open Door, and Macmillan (Image: Supplied)
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A Somerset museum has distributed its summer profits to four charities.

Bishops Lydeard Mill Museum, located on Mill Lane, allocated equal shares of the profits to Cancer Research UK, Sure, Open Door, and Macmillan.

Each charity received £1,500, despite a challenging summer with fewer visitors.

The museum, which features a functioning water wheel, a shepherd's hut, a gypsy caravan, and a Royal Mail horse-drawn coach among its exhibits, has become a beloved local institution.

Inside, life-size figures depict scenes from the past, including thatching, family life, and flour grinding.

This year, the tradition of sharing the museum's profits with charities was carried on by Yvonne Back, following the passing of her husband and museum founder, Charlie.

Yvonne has been instrumental in sourcing many of the museum's exhibits and baking treats for the mill café.

Representatives from the charities gathered at the museum for coffee and cake in the mill café.

The charities also provide volunteers to help run the museum and staff the café on open days.

However, an ageing volunteer base has made it increasingly difficult to find volunteers each year.

Despite this, the museum was still able to make a significant contribution to the charities.

Abby, Yvonne's daughter and an accountant, assisted in handing out the cheques to the charities.

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