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.
27 September 2020: The windmill moves again!
David McKeown, chairman of the Trust, writes:
In February 1956, a severe winter freeze followed by storm winds damaged the tail of Will Pegram's windmill to such an extent that he could do nothing but secure it where it stood. Now, almost 65 years later, the mechanism and tail structure has been repaired so that it can proudly turn itself to wind once again.
On Sunday September 27th, Bill Griffiths, our millwright, untied the mill and let a stiff NE wind spin the fantail to turn the mill on its post about 120°. There is a video of the event on the windmill Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/GreatChishillWindmillTrust/videos/368102864369575 If you drove past in the following week you couldn't fail to notice the new view the windmill presented. Then about a week later, Bill set it free in a gentle westerly breeze and the mill dutifully turned gently back to face Barley once more.
People ask us about the main sails, but they are completely separate from the tail mechanism and will not be turning anytime soon as a further restoration programme is required to put them in working order. However, the operation of the tail mechanism is a major achievement as Great Chishill Windmill becomes the only open-trestle postmill in the country that will drive itself into wind.
There are still safety measures to be applied, not least woodwork to cover the wheels and driving gears, but we hope that the mill turning to face the wind will soon become the norm. Of course, we need to carry out risk assessments before we can decide if this will be for demonstration only or if the mill can be allowed to turn automatically as it did for the 60 years before that fateful day in 1956.
David McKeown, chairman of the Trust, writes:
In February 1956, a severe winter freeze followed by storm winds damaged the tail of Will Pegram's windmill to such an extent that he could do nothing but secure it where it stood. Now, almost 65 years later, the mechanism and tail structure has been repaired so that it can proudly turn itself to wind once again.
On Sunday September 27th, Bill Griffiths, our millwright, untied the mill and let a stiff NE wind spin the fantail to turn the mill on its post about 120°. There is a video of the event on the windmill Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/GreatChishillWindmillTrust/videos/368102864369575 If you drove past in the following week you couldn't fail to notice the new view the windmill presented. Then about a week later, Bill set it free in a gentle westerly breeze and the mill dutifully turned gently back to face Barley once more.
People ask us about the main sails, but they are completely separate from the tail mechanism and will not be turning anytime soon as a further restoration programme is required to put them in working order. However, the operation of the tail mechanism is a major achievement as Great Chishill Windmill becomes the only open-trestle postmill in the country that will drive itself into wind.
There are still safety measures to be applied, not least woodwork to cover the wheels and driving gears, but we hope that the mill turning to face the wind will soon become the norm. Of course, we need to carry out risk assessments before we can decide if this will be for demonstration only or if the mill can be allowed to turn automatically as it did for the 60 years before that fateful day in 1956.
August 2020 - Trust meeting
The Trust met for a socially distanced meeting outside. David McKeown (Chairman), Hazel Hayden (Treasurer), John Wahlich (Secretary) together with Bob Hatt and Jeff Gill were reported as Trustees. Clarice Wahlich, Tony Andrews, David Livingstone, Gillian Philpott with Martin Davies and Dave Pearce are committee members. The Trust has 185 individuals registered as friends.
The Great and Little Chishill Parish Council has agreed a grant of £2,500 for this year. The Trust is also under consideration for a grant related to Covid-19 disruption with a response expected in October.
Restoration of the mill has been affected by the pandemic but the millwright is now back at work on the drive mechanism so that the mill will be able to turn into wind and hence be less likely to be affected by future storms. The need to maintain the windmill with regular cleaning / painting of the outside and greasing of moving parts was discussed with a view to putting this on a sustainable basis.
Recent visitors to the windmill have left rubbish (including nappies in the hedge). There is a litter bin on the site and a notice to use this and to consider a donation to the windmill if using the site as a picnic area will be posted.
Plans for various fundraising events have had to be put on hold. However, we are hopeful that windmill gifts and a raffle will be available at the annual Chishill Craft Fair (whatever form this might take).
The windmill is open for guided tours (contact David McKeown at [email protected]) with limited numbers in the mill and appropriate precautions because of the virus.
The Trust met for a socially distanced meeting outside. David McKeown (Chairman), Hazel Hayden (Treasurer), John Wahlich (Secretary) together with Bob Hatt and Jeff Gill were reported as Trustees. Clarice Wahlich, Tony Andrews, David Livingstone, Gillian Philpott with Martin Davies and Dave Pearce are committee members. The Trust has 185 individuals registered as friends.
The Great and Little Chishill Parish Council has agreed a grant of £2,500 for this year. The Trust is also under consideration for a grant related to Covid-19 disruption with a response expected in October.
Restoration of the mill has been affected by the pandemic but the millwright is now back at work on the drive mechanism so that the mill will be able to turn into wind and hence be less likely to be affected by future storms. The need to maintain the windmill with regular cleaning / painting of the outside and greasing of moving parts was discussed with a view to putting this on a sustainable basis.
Recent visitors to the windmill have left rubbish (including nappies in the hedge). There is a litter bin on the site and a notice to use this and to consider a donation to the windmill if using the site as a picnic area will be posted.
Plans for various fundraising events have had to be put on hold. However, we are hopeful that windmill gifts and a raffle will be available at the annual Chishill Craft Fair (whatever form this might take).
The windmill is open for guided tours (contact David McKeown at [email protected]) with limited numbers in the mill and appropriate precautions because of the virus.
April 2020 - AGM
The Trust held their AGM via video link. David McKeown updated the Trust on the restoration status which has been slowed due to the workload of the millwright. In early April, he returned to collect parts of the manual winding gear that he has taken to his workshop for restoration and rebuilding during the period of lockdown due to Covid-19. He intends to continue working and is expected to return in May to fit the manual gear and test the movement of the mill before tackling the fitting and commissioning of the automatic winding gear.
The Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) status of the Windmill Trust requires that Trustees are subject to regular retirement after a three year term. David McKeown's term came up for renewal at the AGM and he was unanimously re-elected for a further term. Jeff Gill tended his resignation as Treasurer and will remain as a Trustee. Hazel Hayden stood down as Chairperson and was appointed Treasurer. David McKeown was appointed as chairperson. Other Trustees are John Wahlich (who became secretary of the Trust and Bob Hatt).
David reported that the Trust has 173 Friends some of which are couples increasing the individual numbers to 196. A donation option has been added to the Website.
February 2020 - Trust meeting
Hazel Hayden reported that the Windmill Trust's stall at the Great Chishill Christmas Craft Fare had raised just over £1000. David and Wendy McKeown together with Hazel Hayden of the Trust had also dressed a windmill themed tree in Great Chishill church's Christmas tree festival. David and Wendy McKeown's dance classes have raised £200 funds for the windmill.
The Trust has now become a Charitable Incorporated Organisation which will simplify its financial reporting requirements.
David McKeown reported that he had met with volunteer guides at the windmill to familiarise them with the history and workings of the mill so they could be available to show interested parties around the mill when its current renovation is complete (anticipated to be early Summer 2020).
February 2020
John Wahlich has been elected as an addition Windmill Trustee.
February / March 2020
A meeting was held at the windmill with David McKeown (Windmill Trustee), Martin Davies and Dave Pearce (both of the Cambridge Windmills Consultancy) and Bill Griffiths (MillBill Millwrights). Prior to the meeting there had been discussions as to whether the tailfan of the windmill should be temporarily dismantled until the windmill is able to turn wind-wards and hence prevent damage due to wind gusts. It was decided that as the windmill had weathered the recent storms very well that there was no need to do this.
It was agreed that priority would be given to re-fitting a drive to the wheels, perhaps the hand cranking system, so that windmill could be set to wind in the event of another storm.
Subsequently Bill Griffiths has taken some parts of the windmill away to work on them in his workshop during the virus lockdown period.
The Trust held their AGM via video link. David McKeown updated the Trust on the restoration status which has been slowed due to the workload of the millwright. In early April, he returned to collect parts of the manual winding gear that he has taken to his workshop for restoration and rebuilding during the period of lockdown due to Covid-19. He intends to continue working and is expected to return in May to fit the manual gear and test the movement of the mill before tackling the fitting and commissioning of the automatic winding gear.
The Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) status of the Windmill Trust requires that Trustees are subject to regular retirement after a three year term. David McKeown's term came up for renewal at the AGM and he was unanimously re-elected for a further term. Jeff Gill tended his resignation as Treasurer and will remain as a Trustee. Hazel Hayden stood down as Chairperson and was appointed Treasurer. David McKeown was appointed as chairperson. Other Trustees are John Wahlich (who became secretary of the Trust and Bob Hatt).
David reported that the Trust has 173 Friends some of which are couples increasing the individual numbers to 196. A donation option has been added to the Website.
February 2020 - Trust meeting
Hazel Hayden reported that the Windmill Trust's stall at the Great Chishill Christmas Craft Fare had raised just over £1000. David and Wendy McKeown together with Hazel Hayden of the Trust had also dressed a windmill themed tree in Great Chishill church's Christmas tree festival. David and Wendy McKeown's dance classes have raised £200 funds for the windmill.
The Trust has now become a Charitable Incorporated Organisation which will simplify its financial reporting requirements.
David McKeown reported that he had met with volunteer guides at the windmill to familiarise them with the history and workings of the mill so they could be available to show interested parties around the mill when its current renovation is complete (anticipated to be early Summer 2020).
February 2020
John Wahlich has been elected as an addition Windmill Trustee.
February / March 2020
A meeting was held at the windmill with David McKeown (Windmill Trustee), Martin Davies and Dave Pearce (both of the Cambridge Windmills Consultancy) and Bill Griffiths (MillBill Millwrights). Prior to the meeting there had been discussions as to whether the tailfan of the windmill should be temporarily dismantled until the windmill is able to turn wind-wards and hence prevent damage due to wind gusts. It was decided that as the windmill had weathered the recent storms very well that there was no need to do this.
It was agreed that priority would be given to re-fitting a drive to the wheels, perhaps the hand cranking system, so that windmill could be set to wind in the event of another storm.
Subsequently Bill Griffiths has taken some parts of the windmill away to work on them in his workshop during the virus lockdown period.