These notes are not intended as Minutes and do not report on each Meeting held. The aim is to give an observer's view of significant points as progress is made.
December 2018
2018 Review
The year ended with the windmill and the Trust in a very satisfactory position. Maybe the progress has been a little slower than we would have liked but extra Listed Building Consent has been gained and work is underway on the last two pieces of the structural restoration jigsaw. The grant from Historic England has sufficient remaining funds to cover work on the tail and sails required to satisfy HE’s requirement for removal of the mill from the Heritage at Risk listing and the Trust has plans for income to cover on-going maintenance.
Repair of the tail structure was deemed essential on two counts: anyone wishing to enter the mill has to pass beneath the fantail so loose, decaying timbers and ironwork were unacceptable and, for the long-term safety of the mill, turning to wind to minimise stress on the structure is necessary. Bill Griffiths, our millwright, is currently working on the tail carriage at his workshop and committee members are stripping and repainting wood and metal parts of the fantail with the enthusiastic help of local farmer, Chris Bates. Committee member, Tony Andrews, is well advanced in laying a circular track for the carriage to roll round so we are looking good for a Spring finish to the work. HE would also have liked to have seen the sails restored with a full set of shutters, but this will have to be a future project.
With respect to the finances beyond the HE grant, the Parish Council has been most generous in offering to undertake repairs to the access stairway and the fitting of safety handrails - another essential for visitor access. Furthermore we have had a successful year with novel fundraising ideas.
Sales of apple juice, tea towels, etc. and the raffle for our ‘windmill clock’ made and donated by David Brearley (nephew of our Trust founder, the late Jim Brearley) at the Craft Fair before Christmas raised over £500. Together with half of the proceeds of the Fair itself, generously donated by organiser, Lindsey Crawley, we made over £800 contribution to the fund. This, together with contributions from the Pink Wellies metal dectorists and the kind supporters who are making donations following our standing order appeal, provides a good start to our target of a sustainable income stream that will see our iconic windmill safe for the foreseeable future.
2018 Review
The year ended with the windmill and the Trust in a very satisfactory position. Maybe the progress has been a little slower than we would have liked but extra Listed Building Consent has been gained and work is underway on the last two pieces of the structural restoration jigsaw. The grant from Historic England has sufficient remaining funds to cover work on the tail and sails required to satisfy HE’s requirement for removal of the mill from the Heritage at Risk listing and the Trust has plans for income to cover on-going maintenance.
Repair of the tail structure was deemed essential on two counts: anyone wishing to enter the mill has to pass beneath the fantail so loose, decaying timbers and ironwork were unacceptable and, for the long-term safety of the mill, turning to wind to minimise stress on the structure is necessary. Bill Griffiths, our millwright, is currently working on the tail carriage at his workshop and committee members are stripping and repainting wood and metal parts of the fantail with the enthusiastic help of local farmer, Chris Bates. Committee member, Tony Andrews, is well advanced in laying a circular track for the carriage to roll round so we are looking good for a Spring finish to the work. HE would also have liked to have seen the sails restored with a full set of shutters, but this will have to be a future project.
With respect to the finances beyond the HE grant, the Parish Council has been most generous in offering to undertake repairs to the access stairway and the fitting of safety handrails - another essential for visitor access. Furthermore we have had a successful year with novel fundraising ideas.
Sales of apple juice, tea towels, etc. and the raffle for our ‘windmill clock’ made and donated by David Brearley (nephew of our Trust founder, the late Jim Brearley) at the Craft Fair before Christmas raised over £500. Together with half of the proceeds of the Fair itself, generously donated by organiser, Lindsey Crawley, we made over £800 contribution to the fund. This, together with contributions from the Pink Wellies metal dectorists and the kind supporters who are making donations following our standing order appeal, provides a good start to our target of a sustainable income stream that will see our iconic windmill safe for the foreseeable future.
October 2018
Progress on the track around the windmill has been good (thanks to Tony Andrews). More hardcore will be required when the tail has been removed to fill in the gap.
Work on the cladding for the trestle has been started and will continue, most probably in the spring.
The millwright has confirmed that he will be coming to deconstruct the tail structure and take the carriage away. The super structure bits can then be stored in the dry ready for stripping and painting and a schedule for the work will then be drawn up so that volunteer help can be enlisted.
It was confirmed that the agreed plan with the millwright is to remove the tail carriage leaving us to repaint the superstructure; the carriage refit will be done in the first week of February and then the sail and tail fan will be fitted together with sorting out the handrail and steps. This means the work is expected to be finished in May.
Possible future landscaping of the site was discussed as and when funds allow but in the meantime some basic levelling of the earth would be beneficial and the cutting back of the hedge on the right and the neighbours’ trees. Again, a schedule will be required to enlist volunteer help.
The Craft Fair will take place on Saturday 8th December in the Village Hall. The Windmill Trust will have a stand and various items will be on sale as ‘fundraisers’.
The Grand Re-opening date has been set for Saturday 8th June 2019 and a sub-committee was appointed to lead the plans for this event.
The mill has been featured in the last three issues of the Mill News Magazine along with photographs and updates continue to be sent to The Listing magazine and the Village Web as well as keeping the Windmill website up to date.
Progress on the track around the windmill has been good (thanks to Tony Andrews). More hardcore will be required when the tail has been removed to fill in the gap.
Work on the cladding for the trestle has been started and will continue, most probably in the spring.
The millwright has confirmed that he will be coming to deconstruct the tail structure and take the carriage away. The super structure bits can then be stored in the dry ready for stripping and painting and a schedule for the work will then be drawn up so that volunteer help can be enlisted.
It was confirmed that the agreed plan with the millwright is to remove the tail carriage leaving us to repaint the superstructure; the carriage refit will be done in the first week of February and then the sail and tail fan will be fitted together with sorting out the handrail and steps. This means the work is expected to be finished in May.
Possible future landscaping of the site was discussed as and when funds allow but in the meantime some basic levelling of the earth would be beneficial and the cutting back of the hedge on the right and the neighbours’ trees. Again, a schedule will be required to enlist volunteer help.
The Craft Fair will take place on Saturday 8th December in the Village Hall. The Windmill Trust will have a stand and various items will be on sale as ‘fundraisers’.
The Grand Re-opening date has been set for Saturday 8th June 2019 and a sub-committee was appointed to lead the plans for this event.
The mill has been featured in the last three issues of the Mill News Magazine along with photographs and updates continue to be sent to The Listing magazine and the Village Web as well as keeping the Windmill website up to date.
October 2018
The Windmill Gains from Field Finds
At 8.30am on Sunday October 7th, around 100 metal detectorists of the delightfully named ‘Pink Wellies Metal Detecting Group’ gathered at the windmill under clear blue skies. After hearing an introductory talk explaining the restoration work at the mill and being instructed to ensure that every dig was levelled, and no waste was dropped, the happy band of ‘wand wavers’ crossed the road to start on the first of the fields. Through the generosity of all concerned, especially the farmers working the fields involved, the proceeds of the day were donated to the Great Chishill Windmill Trust.
Within three minutes, one regular detectorist returned to show a Roman coin that he had unearthed on his first signal. The finds grew throughout the day with plenty of medieval and Roman silver coins and several pieces of bronze.
A near perfectly preserved bronze-age spear tip was the most striking find of the morning but of more relevance to the windmill was a shield-shaped lead weight with an impression of a windmill stamped into it. The British Museum describes this type as medieval trade weights used in the early days of the standard weight system of pounds and ounces (avoirdupois). The windmill impression is unusual and we guess signified that it was specifically for grain or flour. The finder has generously donated the weight to our keeping so, once we have display cabinets and are open to the public, everyone will be able to see this interesting piece.
By 5 o’clock, most folk had dragged their weary bodies from the fields but all expressed their pleasure at detecting in such wonderful countryside and on such a perfect day. To add to this satisfaction came the news that they had collected over £1500. This will go a long way to paying for the annual maintenance of the mill so we are truly grateful to all who took part in this alternative style of fundraising event.
Click here or go to our Gallery page to see photographs of the gathering and many of the finds.
The Windmill Gains from Field Finds
At 8.30am on Sunday October 7th, around 100 metal detectorists of the delightfully named ‘Pink Wellies Metal Detecting Group’ gathered at the windmill under clear blue skies. After hearing an introductory talk explaining the restoration work at the mill and being instructed to ensure that every dig was levelled, and no waste was dropped, the happy band of ‘wand wavers’ crossed the road to start on the first of the fields. Through the generosity of all concerned, especially the farmers working the fields involved, the proceeds of the day were donated to the Great Chishill Windmill Trust.
Within three minutes, one regular detectorist returned to show a Roman coin that he had unearthed on his first signal. The finds grew throughout the day with plenty of medieval and Roman silver coins and several pieces of bronze.
A near perfectly preserved bronze-age spear tip was the most striking find of the morning but of more relevance to the windmill was a shield-shaped lead weight with an impression of a windmill stamped into it. The British Museum describes this type as medieval trade weights used in the early days of the standard weight system of pounds and ounces (avoirdupois). The windmill impression is unusual and we guess signified that it was specifically for grain or flour. The finder has generously donated the weight to our keeping so, once we have display cabinets and are open to the public, everyone will be able to see this interesting piece.
By 5 o’clock, most folk had dragged their weary bodies from the fields but all expressed their pleasure at detecting in such wonderful countryside and on such a perfect day. To add to this satisfaction came the news that they had collected over £1500. This will go a long way to paying for the annual maintenance of the mill so we are truly grateful to all who took part in this alternative style of fundraising event.
Click here or go to our Gallery page to see photographs of the gathering and many of the finds.
August 2018
The GDPR privacy policy has now been completed and there are 140 Email Friends.
Finances are on target including satisfying the Historic England grant requirements.
Consideration is being given to setting up a Chishill Windmill Blog. Can anyone help with this?
Repair of the sails has almost been completed and these will be stored until they can be re-fitted. A contract has been signed, following a tendering process, to cover work on the tail and its fan. A preliminary examination suggest that most of the material is re-usable. The carriage will be rebuilt in December / January and re-fitted early in the New Year to meet Historic England's deadline of spending their grant money by end of March. It is hoped that the planned work is sufficient to remove the windmill from the Heritage at Risk list.
The track on which the tail of the windmill runs is approximately half complete. A request has been made for more hardcore (old bricks and other fracturable materials).
Consideration is being given to landscaping the windmill area once restoration work has progressed.
Fund raising events are planned including the sale of Windmill themed items at the Village Craft Fair (Saturday 8th December).
The GDPR privacy policy has now been completed and there are 140 Email Friends.
Finances are on target including satisfying the Historic England grant requirements.
Consideration is being given to setting up a Chishill Windmill Blog. Can anyone help with this?
Repair of the sails has almost been completed and these will be stored until they can be re-fitted. A contract has been signed, following a tendering process, to cover work on the tail and its fan. A preliminary examination suggest that most of the material is re-usable. The carriage will be rebuilt in December / January and re-fitted early in the New Year to meet Historic England's deadline of spending their grant money by end of March. It is hoped that the planned work is sufficient to remove the windmill from the Heritage at Risk list.
The track on which the tail of the windmill runs is approximately half complete. A request has been made for more hardcore (old bricks and other fracturable materials).
Consideration is being given to landscaping the windmill area once restoration work has progressed.
Fund raising events are planned including the sale of Windmill themed items at the Village Craft Fair (Saturday 8th December).
May 2018
The Parish Council liaison member had been elected Chair of the PC but he reassured the group that he would continue to be a committee member of the Trust and the PC and that the PC would honour the undertaking to fund the restoration of the access stairway as agreed by the last PC.
Aluminium for covering the trestle timbers was being stored in the mill until the scaffolding was removed – hopefully by early June.
Scaffolding was not required to complete the planned further work on the sails. After repair of the damaged stock, backstays and sailboards would be fitted to the sails so that they could turn once the mill was able to face to wind.
An application for Listed Building Consent to cover work on the tailfan and stairs was registered with SCDC and due to be decided before 21 June.
A meeting with HE established that the required work on the tail assembly and stairs could be regarded as eligible work for the HE grant. This would replace work to produce fully fitted sails as was originally proposed.
An experienced builder mark out and oversight was considered necessary to mark out the track before volunteer labour could be used. A picnic bench had been sited in the line of the track but it was considered that a small mechanical digger would be able to remove it.
Three new Members were welcomed to the Committee though two were not able to attend this Meeting.
The Trust was at the minimum allowed number of Directors/Trustees and discussion ensued on who might be approachable to take such a position.
The Trust had registered for Gift Aid and a claim would be made after the Trust’s financial year-end (31 May 2018).
Ideas for future events were discussed.
One Trustee had decided to join the SPAB Mills Section to improve communication with the wider mills society. A visit from the Owen family, from whom the SPAB grant had originated, had been arranged for the forthcoming weekend.
The requirements of GDPR were being addressed.
The Parish Council liaison member had been elected Chair of the PC but he reassured the group that he would continue to be a committee member of the Trust and the PC and that the PC would honour the undertaking to fund the restoration of the access stairway as agreed by the last PC.
Aluminium for covering the trestle timbers was being stored in the mill until the scaffolding was removed – hopefully by early June.
Scaffolding was not required to complete the planned further work on the sails. After repair of the damaged stock, backstays and sailboards would be fitted to the sails so that they could turn once the mill was able to face to wind.
An application for Listed Building Consent to cover work on the tailfan and stairs was registered with SCDC and due to be decided before 21 June.
A meeting with HE established that the required work on the tail assembly and stairs could be regarded as eligible work for the HE grant. This would replace work to produce fully fitted sails as was originally proposed.
An experienced builder mark out and oversight was considered necessary to mark out the track before volunteer labour could be used. A picnic bench had been sited in the line of the track but it was considered that a small mechanical digger would be able to remove it.
Three new Members were welcomed to the Committee though two were not able to attend this Meeting.
The Trust was at the minimum allowed number of Directors/Trustees and discussion ensued on who might be approachable to take such a position.
The Trust had registered for Gift Aid and a claim would be made after the Trust’s financial year-end (31 May 2018).
Ideas for future events were discussed.
One Trustee had decided to join the SPAB Mills Section to improve communication with the wider mills society. A visit from the Owen family, from whom the SPAB grant had originated, had been arranged for the forthcoming weekend.
The requirements of GDPR were being addressed.
May 2018
We are entering a time of rather slower pace of activity. Our millwright, MillBill, is involved in a very significant restoration project at Drinkstone Smock Mill in Suffolk so our over-running project has to be fitted in with this.
We have had a very successful restoration to this point, however. MillBill has given us a completely water-tight buck with extra roof covering to ensure its longevity. A great deal of structural repair and reinforcement has also taken place so that we are sure the mill is now in a condition that should last into the next century!
The trestle on which the whole thing stands has been fully restored by volunteers but is awaiting the application of aluminium covers once the scaffolding is removed from site. This will occur after the fitment of a new 'striking rod' which must be threaded through the hollow wind shaft and attached to a spider arrangement at the front (for operating rods to control the sail shutters) and a rack and pinion system at the rear that will allow manual adjustment of the shutters to control the speed of sail circulation.
Turning sails are, however, some time away. The first need is to restore the tailfan so that mill will automatically turn to wind and to make the access stairway safe for public entry. Listed Building Consent has been applied for and volunteer work on the track around which the tail carriage will run is being organised.
We are entering a time of rather slower pace of activity. Our millwright, MillBill, is involved in a very significant restoration project at Drinkstone Smock Mill in Suffolk so our over-running project has to be fitted in with this.
We have had a very successful restoration to this point, however. MillBill has given us a completely water-tight buck with extra roof covering to ensure its longevity. A great deal of structural repair and reinforcement has also taken place so that we are sure the mill is now in a condition that should last into the next century!
The trestle on which the whole thing stands has been fully restored by volunteers but is awaiting the application of aluminium covers once the scaffolding is removed from site. This will occur after the fitment of a new 'striking rod' which must be threaded through the hollow wind shaft and attached to a spider arrangement at the front (for operating rods to control the sail shutters) and a rack and pinion system at the rear that will allow manual adjustment of the shutters to control the speed of sail circulation.
Turning sails are, however, some time away. The first need is to restore the tailfan so that mill will automatically turn to wind and to make the access stairway safe for public entry. Listed Building Consent has been applied for and volunteer work on the track around which the tail carriage will run is being organised.
2018 Annual General Meeting
Comments from the Chair
General
Firstly, I would like to thank everyone for their valued contributions during the past year.
Two new Members of the Trust joined during the year who have since given a lot of time to work on the trestle and sails.
Charitable Status was approved on the 18th October 2017 and the Trust registered with HMRC for Gift Aid status.
Fundraising
Historic England awarded a significant grant which was subsequently increased when additional work that came to light after the old boards were removed. SPAB agreed to release a further sum to the Trust. The Trust is extremely grateful to both organisations for their Grants.
The Trust was awarded a grant from the South Cambs District Council Community Chest to repair and paint the trestle of Great Chishill Windmill. Great and Little Chishill Parish Council has also been generous in its support.
There are sufficient funds available to complete the current restoration work and plans are in place to finance work on the tail and access ladder to make the windmill safe for public visiting. An on-going means of finance will need to be sought to progress the mill to working order.
A successful Music Night was held in September 2017 which filled the Village Hall to capacity. Thanks were given to the Elderly Brothers and Simon Brearley for their amazing musical contributions, freely given, which helped to make this a memorable evening. The Trust thanked the organiser of a Craft Fair in December 2017 with proceeds split between the Windmill and the Church. The Windmill Dance Group again had a successful season and of fundraising. A ‘Sponsor a Board’ Campaign was launched during the past year which has raised a magnificent sum that fully covered the cost of buying the boards. Other donations were received from a villager, who made light pulls from windmill wood off-cuts, and a local farmer donated the fee from East Coast Searchers who organised metal detecting on his land.
The Trust thanks everyone who helped to give free publicity to the Trust through various newsletters and organisations in the village and beyond.
Restoration
DL and AA carried out preparation work on the trestle and applied epoxy resin to fill the shakes, followed by painting. Restraining irons were fitted to the trestle, which was timely as it was just before the arrival of Hurricane Doris.
Millbill Millwrights was commissioned to undertake the restoration work on the mill. The old boards needed replacing and 10” wide Red Cedar Boards were purchased. When the old boards were removed major problems of rotted support timbers were discovered. All corner posts required cutting back and plating with green oak. At the front, the top rails and weather beam required considerable attention which necessitated the removal of the front gable and the weather beam which has now been strengthened and replaced. It had been necessary to remove the sails to reduce the weight at the front of the building before this work could be completed. The sails were moved to a barn where volunteers are working on them. Repairs to the porch and entrance floor have been carried out and re-boarding of the mill and repairs to the roof are almost complete. The next step is to renovate the tail assembly and the steps leading to the windmill door so that visitors may enter safely. The mill will be painted with a top coat when the weather is more clement as the paint can only be applied over a certain temperature.
Message from Chair
The last 12 months have shown real progress both in fund raising and the restoration work and thanks must go to the Committee for all the time and hard work it has taken to get to this point. I am confident that the future looks bright for this iconic landmark which is being preserved for the local and wider community to enjoy.
Comments from the Chair
General
Firstly, I would like to thank everyone for their valued contributions during the past year.
Two new Members of the Trust joined during the year who have since given a lot of time to work on the trestle and sails.
Charitable Status was approved on the 18th October 2017 and the Trust registered with HMRC for Gift Aid status.
Fundraising
Historic England awarded a significant grant which was subsequently increased when additional work that came to light after the old boards were removed. SPAB agreed to release a further sum to the Trust. The Trust is extremely grateful to both organisations for their Grants.
The Trust was awarded a grant from the South Cambs District Council Community Chest to repair and paint the trestle of Great Chishill Windmill. Great and Little Chishill Parish Council has also been generous in its support.
There are sufficient funds available to complete the current restoration work and plans are in place to finance work on the tail and access ladder to make the windmill safe for public visiting. An on-going means of finance will need to be sought to progress the mill to working order.
A successful Music Night was held in September 2017 which filled the Village Hall to capacity. Thanks were given to the Elderly Brothers and Simon Brearley for their amazing musical contributions, freely given, which helped to make this a memorable evening. The Trust thanked the organiser of a Craft Fair in December 2017 with proceeds split between the Windmill and the Church. The Windmill Dance Group again had a successful season and of fundraising. A ‘Sponsor a Board’ Campaign was launched during the past year which has raised a magnificent sum that fully covered the cost of buying the boards. Other donations were received from a villager, who made light pulls from windmill wood off-cuts, and a local farmer donated the fee from East Coast Searchers who organised metal detecting on his land.
The Trust thanks everyone who helped to give free publicity to the Trust through various newsletters and organisations in the village and beyond.
Restoration
DL and AA carried out preparation work on the trestle and applied epoxy resin to fill the shakes, followed by painting. Restraining irons were fitted to the trestle, which was timely as it was just before the arrival of Hurricane Doris.
Millbill Millwrights was commissioned to undertake the restoration work on the mill. The old boards needed replacing and 10” wide Red Cedar Boards were purchased. When the old boards were removed major problems of rotted support timbers were discovered. All corner posts required cutting back and plating with green oak. At the front, the top rails and weather beam required considerable attention which necessitated the removal of the front gable and the weather beam which has now been strengthened and replaced. It had been necessary to remove the sails to reduce the weight at the front of the building before this work could be completed. The sails were moved to a barn where volunteers are working on them. Repairs to the porch and entrance floor have been carried out and re-boarding of the mill and repairs to the roof are almost complete. The next step is to renovate the tail assembly and the steps leading to the windmill door so that visitors may enter safely. The mill will be painted with a top coat when the weather is more clement as the paint can only be applied over a certain temperature.
Message from Chair
The last 12 months have shown real progress both in fund raising and the restoration work and thanks must go to the Committee for all the time and hard work it has taken to get to this point. I am confident that the future looks bright for this iconic landmark which is being preserved for the local and wider community to enjoy.
March 2018
Trestle timbers had been filled with epoxy and given a coat of paint. Aluminium covering for the timbers had been purchased but the removal of the scaffolding was required before fitting occurred.
The sail frames had been renovated but one awaited work by the millwright to repair a whip.
Final painting awaited suitable air temperature.
The technical advisers had been surprised at how badly rotted the corner posts were but thought that the millwright’s work of cutting back to sound wood and plating with new oak was a first rate repair technique. The buck was now considered to be in a structurally sound state.
The striking rod, which passes through the hollow wind shaft and connects the control gear at the rear to the spider mechanism at the front that opens and closes the shutters, was missing. Only 2 or 3 feet at the front and rear remain. The Trust had received a verbal quote from the millwirght for fitting a replacement and had authorised him to go ahead.
All recognised that the access stairway and the tail assembly needed to be safe for public access. A detailed survey had been made, a specification been drawn up and quotation for necessary remedial work sought.
The Trust was in discussion with HE to demonstrate the appropriate use of its grant and to achieve release of the final stage payment.
Committee members with support from villagers, had achieved excellent progress on trestle and sails.
The local group of Explorer Scouts would like to help with the restoration. All agreed that to involve the younger generation was ideal but recognised that care was needed to select a safe task. The Meeting decided that perhaps digging the footing for the track under supervision of someone with experience of marking out might be appropriate.
The method statement on care of bats had been revised after discussion with an ecologist such that work did not need to stop in winter as there was no evidence that the mill had ever been used as a hibernation roost.
A bat box had been fitted to a nearby tree as recommended by the ecologist for Long-eared Brown Bat. Unfortunately, a recent storm had broken the tree but arrangements had been made to have it refitted.
The Trust had achieved the dual status of company and a charity. HMRC had agreed gift aid tax status.
Two further villagers had agreed to join the Committee.
Sponsor a Board had been an outstanding success that not only financed purchase of the boards but also showing grant funders how committed the community was to saving the mill. Gift Aid would further boost this figure.
A villager had made light pulls from waste wood from the mill and donated the proceeds to the Trust.
The Chair was working on a book that chronicled the history of the restoration, both as a record of contributors and as a book for sale.
One supporter had set up a standing order to benefit the Trust. This principle was considered worthy of promotion as a method of encouraging assistance in funding routine maintenance costs.
The Meeting concluded that the mill could not be opened for Mills Weekend in May 2018 but was keen to organise an opening when mill entry was safe.
Trestle timbers had been filled with epoxy and given a coat of paint. Aluminium covering for the timbers had been purchased but the removal of the scaffolding was required before fitting occurred.
The sail frames had been renovated but one awaited work by the millwright to repair a whip.
Final painting awaited suitable air temperature.
The technical advisers had been surprised at how badly rotted the corner posts were but thought that the millwright’s work of cutting back to sound wood and plating with new oak was a first rate repair technique. The buck was now considered to be in a structurally sound state.
The striking rod, which passes through the hollow wind shaft and connects the control gear at the rear to the spider mechanism at the front that opens and closes the shutters, was missing. Only 2 or 3 feet at the front and rear remain. The Trust had received a verbal quote from the millwirght for fitting a replacement and had authorised him to go ahead.
All recognised that the access stairway and the tail assembly needed to be safe for public access. A detailed survey had been made, a specification been drawn up and quotation for necessary remedial work sought.
The Trust was in discussion with HE to demonstrate the appropriate use of its grant and to achieve release of the final stage payment.
Committee members with support from villagers, had achieved excellent progress on trestle and sails.
The local group of Explorer Scouts would like to help with the restoration. All agreed that to involve the younger generation was ideal but recognised that care was needed to select a safe task. The Meeting decided that perhaps digging the footing for the track under supervision of someone with experience of marking out might be appropriate.
The method statement on care of bats had been revised after discussion with an ecologist such that work did not need to stop in winter as there was no evidence that the mill had ever been used as a hibernation roost.
A bat box had been fitted to a nearby tree as recommended by the ecologist for Long-eared Brown Bat. Unfortunately, a recent storm had broken the tree but arrangements had been made to have it refitted.
The Trust had achieved the dual status of company and a charity. HMRC had agreed gift aid tax status.
Two further villagers had agreed to join the Committee.
Sponsor a Board had been an outstanding success that not only financed purchase of the boards but also showing grant funders how committed the community was to saving the mill. Gift Aid would further boost this figure.
A villager had made light pulls from waste wood from the mill and donated the proceeds to the Trust.
The Chair was working on a book that chronicled the history of the restoration, both as a record of contributors and as a book for sale.
One supporter had set up a standing order to benefit the Trust. This principle was considered worthy of promotion as a method of encouraging assistance in funding routine maintenance costs.
The Meeting concluded that the mill could not be opened for Mills Weekend in May 2018 but was keen to organise an opening when mill entry was safe.
January 2018
Report on a year of activity.
We have achieved funding that will allow the completion of structural work to make the mill safe and available for public access. Historic England (HE) provided major financial assistance with the aim of removing the building from the Heritage at Risk list. A significant sum was also donated by the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB). South Cambs Community Chest provided funds for work on the trestle and the Parish Council has been generous in its support for our efforts.
The most wonderful achievement, though, is through the generosity of the villagers and Friends of the Windmill. Our campaign to raise funds for the purchase of Western Cedar weatherboarding has produced sufficient to cover the full cost of the Western Red Cedar weatherboarding. This together with terrific contributions from sale of our recipe book, dance classes, music nights and craft fairs, helped us to convince HE that the community was serious about restoring our windmill, leading to their agreement to support us with an initial grant.
The second half of the year has been one of intense practical work on the structure itself. The trestle was anchored with steel straps the day before Storm Doris shook us all and work began in earnest in June with the agreement to employ MillBill Millwrights. Newly appointed committee members have repaired the trestle timbers and applied coats of paint. It will be finished with an aluminium protective cover early in 2018.
Initial stripping of areas of weatherboarding showed that a multitude of ills had been covered by the 1967 re-boarding. We simply could not nail on the new boards without addressing the rot on the corner posts and the rear porch area. The front, horizontal weather beam that takes the weight of the windshaft and sail assembly was hardly attached and was in danger of falling forwards which would see the sail assembly crash to the ground.
In effecting the repair to the weather beam, the sails were removed which allowed stripping of the old paint, repair of the woodwork and application of modern paint protection. One of our committee members spent a huge amount of time of this job with able assistance from volunteers.
The millwright also found that the floor had slipped in one rear corner pulling the joints of the uprights away from their seating. The extent of this damage and the work required to rectify it led to HE increasing its grant very significantly.
The year concluded with all structural timbers trimmed to solid material and re-faced with new oak, the rear porch fully restored and the new weatherboarding fitted. During January 2018, our millwrights are completing repairs to the roof and fitting an aluminium cover to further protect it.
We will remount the sails then address the condition of the tail assembly and the steps leading to the windmill door. Hopefully, we can bring the tail fan back into operation and get the mill to turn into wind automatically. That will be a sight not seen since the 1950s!
Report on a year of activity.
We have achieved funding that will allow the completion of structural work to make the mill safe and available for public access. Historic England (HE) provided major financial assistance with the aim of removing the building from the Heritage at Risk list. A significant sum was also donated by the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB). South Cambs Community Chest provided funds for work on the trestle and the Parish Council has been generous in its support for our efforts.
The most wonderful achievement, though, is through the generosity of the villagers and Friends of the Windmill. Our campaign to raise funds for the purchase of Western Cedar weatherboarding has produced sufficient to cover the full cost of the Western Red Cedar weatherboarding. This together with terrific contributions from sale of our recipe book, dance classes, music nights and craft fairs, helped us to convince HE that the community was serious about restoring our windmill, leading to their agreement to support us with an initial grant.
The second half of the year has been one of intense practical work on the structure itself. The trestle was anchored with steel straps the day before Storm Doris shook us all and work began in earnest in June with the agreement to employ MillBill Millwrights. Newly appointed committee members have repaired the trestle timbers and applied coats of paint. It will be finished with an aluminium protective cover early in 2018.
Initial stripping of areas of weatherboarding showed that a multitude of ills had been covered by the 1967 re-boarding. We simply could not nail on the new boards without addressing the rot on the corner posts and the rear porch area. The front, horizontal weather beam that takes the weight of the windshaft and sail assembly was hardly attached and was in danger of falling forwards which would see the sail assembly crash to the ground.
In effecting the repair to the weather beam, the sails were removed which allowed stripping of the old paint, repair of the woodwork and application of modern paint protection. One of our committee members spent a huge amount of time of this job with able assistance from volunteers.
The millwright also found that the floor had slipped in one rear corner pulling the joints of the uprights away from their seating. The extent of this damage and the work required to rectify it led to HE increasing its grant very significantly.
The year concluded with all structural timbers trimmed to solid material and re-faced with new oak, the rear porch fully restored and the new weatherboarding fitted. During January 2018, our millwrights are completing repairs to the roof and fitting an aluminium cover to further protect it.
We will remount the sails then address the condition of the tail assembly and the steps leading to the windmill door. Hopefully, we can bring the tail fan back into operation and get the mill to turn into wind automatically. That will be a sight not seen since the 1950s!
