About Us

Huncote Mill is listed in the Doomsday Book as the only mill in the local area.  The mill was placed in an elevated position and, once completed with the mill race in place, Thurlaston brook was diverted to the rear of the mill, so creating a dam on the brook.  This formed a large millpond to the rear of the property producing the essential water volume required to drive the main water wheel, which was housed in the main three-storey building.   The Mill was a working water mill up until the late 1800’s when the wheel was replaced by a steam engine.  The grain was ground primarily for animal feed for the 45 horses pulling stone carts in the nearby Croft Quarry.  When the horses were replaced by motorized trucks, the Mill became redundant and in 1957 was abandoned to the elements. 

More recently Huncote Mill was renovated over a twelve year period and sold as a residence in 2004.  It stands in the shadow of Croft Hill, which itself has an intriguing history, not least of which is being the location of the infamous record of the most men being hanged on one day!  In December 1124, 44 men were hanged, 6 more had their eyes gouged out and their testicles cut off in a Norman tyrannical measure to keep the Saxons at bay. 

Shane Smith and Julie Allen are partners in the business of Shane Smith Shooting Academy.  They have both won places in the England DTL clay shooting teams and their joint scores won the Husband and Wife Tropy at the English Open in June 2009.  Shane is a CPSA qualified Clay Shooting Instructor, an Associate of the Institute of Clay Shooting Instructors, Managing Director of IPSSCHOOLS LTD, a Level 3 Airgun Instructor and an IPSSCHOOLS Clay Shooting coach and Archery Instructor.   He is driven by a desire to offer a Professional approach to shooting instruction in unique, beautiful, private surroundings. 

Julie’s background is in Scurry Driving and SCUBA diving instruction hence she loves and cares for the water features at the Mill.  She is also the Financial Director and Company Secretary of IPSSCHOOLS LTD and a qualified Level 3 Airgun Instructor, a GNAS Course Leader and IPSSCHOOLS Archery and Corporate Clay Instructor.  Julie is responsible for the ‘amusing’ features at the Mill and her sense of mischief compliments the strictly professional stance taken by Shane.  They are, however, united in their aspirations to provide clients with a very enjoyable, memorable experience.  They insist on high standards of expertise, equipment and maintenance but at the same time are very approachable and extend a warm welcome to all clients.

Both Julie and Shane have standard Criminal Record Bureau disclosures and are trained in coaching disabled people in sport.