Thank you for your very interesting photograph (which I have attempted to 'sharpen'). I suspect this might be the earliest photograph taken of the Mill in Duddington - or perhaps any structure. The River Welland runs behind - driving the water-wheel - with the picturesque Duddington-Tixover Bridge nearby (to the right). Of course, today, there is a parking space to right of the Mill - that we use when walking around that area. If memory serves me right - I think houses have been built in-front of the Mill that prevent a similar photograph being taken today from that angle. Of course, I would have to check this when next visiting. I remember that on occasion there has been severe flooding in the area (an elderly relative in his 80s fell into the flood water and drowned according to local Press reports) - one of the reasons many of the 1600s Parish Records are missing (as the Church was flooded destroying the local paper records). Today, the flooding problem has been solved through various structural modifications of the bridge and the re-routing of the water, etc. The picture I took of the Bridge in 2009 (our first visit) show a very low water-level - revealing stone steps dropping down into the river - perhaps locals often slipped and fell off these objects in bad weather!
Best Wishes
Adrian
I regret photo is not as clear as it might be ; depicts my Great Grandmother Charlotte Astin and her family outside the Mill House Duddington circa 1892/4. Eldest (tallest) boy is James Thomas Astin (1881-1938) ; Lottie (Charlotte Ann) is girl. (1882 - 1929); and other younger family include my Grandfather, George Astin (1886 - 1950) ; Alfred William Astin (1884 - 1972) ; and Albert Victor Astin (1887 - 1973). It was Gt Uncle Victor who once looked at this and identified everybody - one of the maids was one Rose Skinner - whom I only recently discovered married later in 1904 when she was a barmaid in Stamford. Hope this is of some interest to you. My father's late cousin Alfred Ronald Astin (Ronnie) gave us another photo - same period / vintage in an oak frame which depicts only the actual Corn Mill over the Road to the side of the River Welland - so cannot easily photograph this.
My Grandfather George Astin whom I never knew was reprimanded for once falling in the " damned river " ! Regards John Astin ; Yorkshire.