Teunis Bleijenberg is a trained traditional miller from The Netherlands who came to Foxton in 2023 to train local De Molen millers and volunteers.  Safely operating a mill is a big job, with traditional millers usually training for two years to equip them for all types of mills- plus an extra four months learning the specifics of each new mill they work at.  With Foxton's De Molen being the only traditional Dutch windmill operating in the Southern Hemisphere, expert help has to come from far afield!

This photograph was made by local photographer Jacob Brookie as part of a series of photo-stories highlighting the work of local volunteers- including the millers Teunis was training. The photo was made with a 1966 Marshal Press camera and Kodak T-Max film.

While you don't normally associate wooden footwear with dining, 'The Wooden Shoe' on Levin's Oxford Street was in business for many years.

A jubilee publication in 1981 shows that 'The Wooden Shoe' was till located on Oxford Street and appears to have occupied it's building since 1964. Saturday shopping became fully legal in 1980 (beforehand it was for essentials only) and many cafes opened during the weekend to satisfy this trade. Maybe this was when the slide was made?

The shoe itself seems to be a Dutch clog- complete with a windmill on the front. With nearby Foxton fast becoming a hub for the Dutch community this might have been some clever branding or it may have been owned by Dutch immigrants.

This slide was kept in a hot projector for too long- there is a crack going through it!

Opening of De Molen over looking South East. Foxton water tower in distance.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”

Group in Dutch dress at opening of De Molen setting up speakers Dodeel B. Flax stripper museum in back.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”

First walls up for De Molen Foxton. Foxton Windmill project funds barometer in frount

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”

Colour photograph.

May Flynn in Dutch costume selling chocolate windmills at the Foxton Racecourse of funds for Windmill project.

Those in the photograph are from left to right:-Roy Edwards, Ridley Stockwell, May Flynn, Sue Stockwell

Colour photograph.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”

Yes I know it's a windmill. This streetscape would be improved by the addition of a library just where my gran is pointing!