Alfred(Alfie) Shrubb (left in the photo above) operated the Cream of Barley Mill from 1928 to 1945 when he took over ownership of it after the death of James Morden. Alfie had his own claim to fame, however. From 1899 to 1912 Alfie was a champion middle and long-distance runner, virtually unbeatable at distances up to 15 miles. Alfie often raced against Canada’s famed long-distance runner Tom Longboat (second left in the photo above). Over the course of their racing careers, Shrubb would win at all of the distances under 20 miles and Longboat would win those over 20 miles.
Today the Mill is owned by the Municipality and run as a visual arts centre. Its restoration began when the Rotary club purchased it in 1964.