image BQM87.jpg
mill, Little Salkeld, Hunsonby, Cumbria, NY56673599 -- The vat or tun, wherein are the mill wheels.
Over the tun a wooden horse carries a hopper which is filled by an auger. Below hangs a spout or shoe, which is jiggled about by a damsel on the wheel shaft feeding grain into the eye of the runner - the top millstone, the one that goes round. If it isn't by a lever, it's controlled simply and effectively by string! Nowadays the string might be hempen cord or nylon, and might use carabiners as well as knots.
(photo 8.5.2009)