Lyme Regis Town Mill is to celebrate the 10th anniversary of its reopening.

The mill was reopened a decade ago last Thursday, and this important milestone in its history will be marked with a series of events running throughout 2011.

The restoration of the mill began in 1991 when West Dorset District Council announced plans to demolish and redevelop part of the mill site.

Through the efforts of a group of dedicated volunteers, led by David West, the Town Mill Trust was started in the same year.

In 1994 the trust was formally constituted with the aims of renovating the mill buildings for the people in Lyme and restoring the milling equipment to working order.

Refurbishment of the buildings began a year later, and the initial phase of renovation included the provision of art galleries, studios, workshops and a café/restaurant.

The miller’s house was purchased in 2001 and converted for use as the mill shop, a community room and offices.

Finally, a salvaged Victorian waterwheel was installed early in 2001 and the milling machinery was returned to full working order.

The restored Town Mill was formally opened to the public by John Fowles – who later became a patron of the mill – on May 26, 2001, when grain was milled again for the first time in 75 years.

In the decade since, the mill has continued to develop with the construction of the footbridge in 2006, the introduction of the hydroelectric turbine in 2007, and the restoration of the Town Mill Malthouse from 2009 to 2010.

Current patrons of the mill are playwright Ann Jellicoe, photographer Roger Mayne, garden expert Anne Swithinbank, chef and television presenter Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Lyme Regis town crier Phil Street and chef Mark Hix.

A summer anniversary party for volunteers, friends and supporters of the mill will be held on Saturday, August 20, at the Town Mill Malthouse to recognise their contribution to the venue.

On Wednesday, October 12 in the evening, the Blue Hills Theatre Company will present three of Thomas Hardy’s best known short stories at the Malthouse.

Two other interesting events are being planned and dates and details will be announced as soon as they are available.

One is expected to be held at the end of June and the other in September.