Anikae Philadelphia (right) serving up bottles of cane juice to several patrons waiting in line at Morgan Lewis Mill yesterday.

OVER 400 VISITORS, 150 bottles of cane juice and four tonnes of cane ground, were the result of grinding at Morgan Lewis Mill, in St Andrew, yesterday.

The event, put on by the Barbados National Trust, was one that drew a varied patronage of long-stay visitors, and quite a few islanders, many of whom turned it into a family event, showing their children and grandchildren the good old ways of sucking cane.

President William Gollop said the Trust was only able to operate the mill when a special team was on hand to help turn it, namely Richard Goddard and Christopher Choat.

The mill, which dates back to 1727 and was restored in 1996, underwent inspection two years ago by David Nicholls, who did the restoration. It was then it was realised maintenance would have to be carried out more frequently.

"We have to put a maintenance programme in place annually. The National Trust handled the restoration on its own but ideally funding annually for restoration would be most welcomed," said Gollop.

He said businesses like Shelbury Construction through Chris Armstrong, had been good to the Trust, lending scaffolding for the last two months to help with the servicing of the mill.

There were some good winds on the East Coast yesterday, and the churning produced quite a few bottles of juice.

The mill stopped several times as there was a noise coming from the roundhouse, the main part of the mill; and only after it was felt all was well, did grinding recommence.

The mill is the last one of its kind which is still used to grind cane anywhere in the world.

Its next turning will be on March 30. (WB)