For centuries, wind and water mills were an essential part of the economy and the power and romance of these great machines inspired generations of novelists, poets and musicians. From the miller and his daughter to the rats which came for the grain and the cats which caught them, this programme presented some of the songs of mills and millers in the magical setting of the mill itself – inside the wonderfully restored mill at Windmill Hill, the tallest post mill in Sussex.

Both artists are local – Ben Hancox-Lachman is a young tenor who is establishing a strong profile in the area and William Hancox is an experienced professional pianist and founder of Music Box Wealden.

The concert took place on two consecutive evenings as seating capacity was very limited. The programme included songs and piano music by Schubert, Britten, Vaughan Williams, Pierné, Fauré, Wolf, Bennett, Warlock, Gurney and Gibbs.

Venues don’t come more original than this – and many didn’t miss the opportunity to come to a concert in a windmill!