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Amber Sound News
Trouble at Mill
Heage windmill, a Grade 2* listed building, is owned by Derbyshire County Council and operated by the Heage Windmill Society. She was restored to working order in 2002 and has since become a major tourist attraction in Derbyshire, attracting up to 6000 visitors to the site last year. Flour is regularly milled by wind power alone and is much sought after by many home bakers.
When the millwrights arrived at the windmill last week to carry out routine maintenance they discovered that some major structural components were showing signs of severe wet rot. These members were not replaced in the 2002 restoration programme since, in accordance with guidelines set by English Heritage, they were adjudged by the restoration millwrights to be suitable for continued use. The members in question are made from very large section timbers, exposed to the elements at all times and form part of the support structure for the windshaft and also of the fan tail at the rear of the mill, which turns the entire cap to face into the wind.
At a meeting held at the mill last night The HWS Trustees decided, with full support of the Friends of the Mill that, based on advice from the millwrights, they will continue to open the mill to the public but will not be turning the sails, or milling wheat, until repairs have been completed, possibly during the winter closed season. The work is expected to cost in excess of £90K, a sum far above the reserves held by the Trust. Grants and support will therefore be sought to enable the work to go ahead and various fund raising activities will be organised. All supporters and past visitors to the mill are invited to make contributions to help match the shortfall in funds, seeking at least £50K.
In due course the sails will be removed to minimise the risk of further damage whilst the problematic members are addressed.
Piers Bostock, the Chairman of the Trust and a regular guide at the mill and lives in Heage, said this was a serious setback but provided that the community as a whole gave their full support the mill would be back in full operation next season.
Donations which would help enable the work to proceed can presently be sent as cheques made payable to ‘Trouble at Mill Appeal’ at
Danny Ashley
Treasurer, Heage Windmill Society
12 Woodland Way
Old Tupton
Chesterfield
Derbyshire
S42 6JA
Details as to how donations can be made by other media will be announced as soon as suitable arrangements have been made.
The repairs can only be undertaken by competent millwrights and there is a major shortage of such organisations. Every effort will be made to ensure the repairs are done as soon as possible.
In the mean time the mill will continue to be open to public at weekends from 11.00 am until 4.00 pm, with tours of the interior, plus a full explanation of the current problems. We really anticipate and hope the public will continue to support us and come to visit the mill.
18 August | Amber Sound FM News
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