Worm and wheel

Last day of our Dorset holiday so kept it simple. A short drive to Sturminster Newton, a walk along the old railway to Fiddleford Mill then back to the Sweet Pea Cafe for lunch. The mill was originally powered by a mill wheel taking energy from the water as it flowed through a channel between the river and the Mill pond, recently the wheel has been replaced by an Archimedes screw which drives a generator to provide electricity to the nearby houses. The height difference between river and pond was maintained by lock gates which could be opened and closed with a worm and wheel moving a rack and pinion, the worm and wheel are looking the worse for wear and the passage of time