Bronze plaque № 59968

This bronze commemorative plaque records: Wells Water Courses - St John's Priory Mill (5). This is the site of St. John's Bridge where the brethren of St John's Priory, opposite, had a mill (5) which utilized the power from St Andrew's Stream flowing from the wells of the Bishop's Palace. It continues on to Sheldon's Mill on West Street where, the ground having fallen 2 metres, it turned a breast shot wheel of which the remains can be seen in the entrance of the old Mill buildings (6). St Andrew's Stream carries on to Keward Mill on Jocelyn Drive (7) which ceased working in about 1970 but the hatch spillway and mill intake are preserved as are the 5ft water wheel and some mill machinery. The stream eventually joins the River Sheppey and Brue. Recorded plaque organisation: Mendip District Council and Wells City Council.

St John's Priory Mill was one of several mills powered by St Andrew's Stream, showcasing the medieval and post-medieval reliance on water power for milling in the area; remnants of these operations, including a breast shot wheel and mill machinery, are preserved at Sheldon's Mill and Keward Mill.