16/09/2026
The Story of The Olde Watermill
Chapter Seven – From Flour to Flowers
For centuries, Barton Watermill was associated with grain, flour and the steady turning of its great waterwheel. But as its working life as a mill drew towards a close, another fascinating story began to blossom—this time among roses.
Harry Hynd was closely connected to the Watermill during the early 20th century. The caption beneath this remarkable photograph identifies him as the mill owner in 1913, while an official valuation carried out in 1927 also records H. T. Hynds as the owner of the mill, its surrounding land and mill banks.
Alongside his connection to the Watermill, Harry worked for the celebrated Harkness Rose Growers of Hitchin. Roses were grown for the company here at the Watermill, giving the historic site a very different purpose as its milling days came to an end.
The photograph captures a particularly special moment: Harry Hynd presenting a rose to Queen Mary at the Chelsea Flower Show while representing Harkness.
Although we have not yet discovered the exact year in which the photograph was taken, it provides a wonderful glimpse into Harry’s work and the Watermill’s unexpected connection to one of Britain’s best-known flower shows—and to royalty.
It is quite a contrast: a building once filled with the sound of grinding millstones later becoming associated with the colour and fragrance of beautiful roses.
From flour to flowers, the Watermill’s story continued to change with the passing years.
If you recognise Harry Hynd, know more about the roses once grown here or have any photographs or memories connected to this period, we would love to hear from you.
Next week, our story continues…
