Pupils from Sageston Community Primary School have created a bright new mural at Carew Tidal Mill with the help of local artist Helen Astley, telling the story of how wheat was grown, turned into flour and used to make products such as bread.

Local farmers would bring their grain to be ground into flour at the Mill, which used the power of water to turn the grindstones. Although the Mill ceased operating in 1937, the building still contains much of its original machinery.

Carew Tidal Mill is set across the Millpond from the picturesque Carew Castle, with both buildings managed by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority. The Castle and the Tidal Mill are jointly run as a popular visitor attraction.

National Park Authority interpretation officer Jill Simpson said: “The idea of the project was to create a backdrop to one of the popular child-orientated interactives in the Mill - a hand-operated stone quern.

“We are delighted with the finished artwork and hope this will inspire people of all ages to learn more about the central role the Mill held in this community. We also hope the children enjoyed the experience and gained some valuable knowledge of the links between farming, local food production and the use of renewable energy in milling the grain.”

Artist Helen Astley was chosen from a group of talented applicants to lead the five-month project and help the class of 25 children create the colourful painting. The pupils worked with grains, clay and paint at school, and did a bushcraft session making damper bread, before creating the mural at the Mill.

Helen added: “This was a wonderful project with the mural design coming from all the children’s ideas and drawings, which developed from a series of process-led multi-media workshops. Hopefully, it has given the children a deeper connection with their local landscape and heritage.”

The mural was officially launched with children visiting the Mill to see the finished product. Members of the local community were then invited to an event to see the children’s work for themselves.

The funding for the project came from the Little Green Grant, which was secured through Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services.

Carew Castle and Tidal Mill is open every day 10 am - 5 pm during the summer (last admission at 4.30 pm). For more information, visit www.carewcastle.com.