To mark National Heritage Open Days (Saturday/Sunday 13/14 September) there will be a special steam event at Loxwood. A historic flour mill will also be open to the public.

On both days there will be over 10 steam engines of different makes and sizes in the car park next to the Onslow Arms pub (on the B2133 in Loxwood). There will also be a wood sawing demonstration to show how steam fitted into rural life during the 1930s and 1940s.

On Saturday 13 September, a 6?-mile road run will take place at 2.30pm around Plaistow. Vintage and commercial vehicles will also accompany the steam engines to give a real nostalgic flavour of historic transport.

Also, on both days, Brewhurst Mill will be open to the public, free of charge, from 2-4pm. Teas will be available.

Both the steam event and Brewhurst Mill opening will be in aid of The Wey & Arun Canal Trust. Programmes for the steam rally will be available during the day from the Trust's sales stall next to the Onslow Arms. The normal weekend programme of public boat trips will operate (12.30, 1.30, 2.30 on Saturday and 12.30, 1.30, 2.30 and 3.30 on Sunday).

Brewhurst Mill has been in existence since at least 1500. A major fire around 1890 destroyed the two upper floors leaving only the existing brickwork, and it is not known how long the rebuilding took to complete but it is thought that the reduced amount of water usage during this period contributed towards the silting up of the mill pond.

The original power to drive the mill came from an overshot waterwheel situated below the ground floor. The remains of this wheel are thought to date from 1840. In 1928 further modernisation of machinery took place and a Blackstone 41hp oil engine was installed which ran all the machinery until 1981, although commercial grinding had ceased in 1968. This engine has now been restored and is able to drive the machinery once again. The engine room will be open to visitors.

Further information and photographs in the form of JPEG files can be obtained from the Wey and Arun Trust's Public Relations Officer: Sally Schupke (01483 560543): e-mail: pr@weyandarun.co.uk.

For general information on the work of the Wey and Arun Canal Trust, please telephone the Trust office on 01403 752403.