A SALE volunteer at Styal Mill has expressed his delight after the visitor attraction received £3.9m from the National Heritage Lottery Fund.

Stephen Roberts, 64, from Firs Road, said:“It sounds like a lot of money but the total improvements will come to £9.45 million of which we have to raise £1.9 million from an appeal. The rest will come from other small grants.

“The first thing we will do will be to build a new visitor centre near the car park.

“We also intend to restore the 1830 greenhouses in the upper gardens and a National Trust owned cottage in Styal village.

“Because we have always struggled to help people with mobility problems, we are installing a lift which will cover five levels at the mill which we will also improve.

“We intend to restore bridges, footpaths and landscapes in the Northern wood and open mill owner’s Samuel Greg’s house to the public,”

Because of his role as a volunteer education guide, Stephen is part of a small committee which will redevelop a learning programme for schools.

A retired claims officer for a large insurance company, Stephen has volunteered there for six years.

He tells six –18-year-old how modern expressions began. For instance, carrying the can which means you are to blame, originates from children who carried a cylinder from floor to floor, dropping it.

Stephen said that he taught young visitors to the mill to take bobbins off the mule.

“I love showing people round,” he said.

* On Bank Holiday Monday, May 4, the mill will host a Victorian May Day Fair. Admission is free, normal car park fees apply.