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.
August 2021
Chishill Windmill gains its 'Windependence'
A happy crowd of people gathered at Great Chishill windmill on Sunday afternoon to celebrate the completion of work that allows the windmill to turn automatically to wind. Bill Griffiths, a millwright from Ipswich, has been restoring the windmill over a period of four years and was present to see the culmination of his efforts as David McKeown, Chairman of Trustees, released the fantail which caught the wind and steered the mill gently to a new position.
The whole event, originally planned for July 4th and therefore dubbed 'Windependence', was organised by Trustees John Wahlich and Hazel Hayden with a willing group of volunteers. They supplied picnic boxes, games, a raffle, windmill memorabilia and a chance to see inside the windmill itself. Local pub, The Pheasant, ran a bar and music was provided by the Melodybeats.
Visitors arrived from near and far to spend time sitting in the sun, chatting and enjoying new-found freedom to dance and play with family and friends. The day was considered a huge success by all, as the many happy faces testified.
The windmill will remain free to turn and the Trustees have a plan to keep it maintained for the foreseeable future so, as David said when releasing the fantail “Chishill now has the biggest weathervane in the district!”
A happy crowd of people gathered at Great Chishill windmill on Sunday afternoon to celebrate the completion of work that allows the windmill to turn automatically to wind. Bill Griffiths, a millwright from Ipswich, has been restoring the windmill over a period of four years and was present to see the culmination of his efforts as David McKeown, Chairman of Trustees, released the fantail which caught the wind and steered the mill gently to a new position.
The whole event, originally planned for July 4th and therefore dubbed 'Windependence', was organised by Trustees John Wahlich and Hazel Hayden with a willing group of volunteers. They supplied picnic boxes, games, a raffle, windmill memorabilia and a chance to see inside the windmill itself. Local pub, The Pheasant, ran a bar and music was provided by the Melodybeats.
Visitors arrived from near and far to spend time sitting in the sun, chatting and enjoying new-found freedom to dance and play with family and friends. The day was considered a huge success by all, as the many happy faces testified.
The windmill will remain free to turn and the Trustees have a plan to keep it maintained for the foreseeable future so, as David said when releasing the fantail “Chishill now has the biggest weathervane in the district!”
May 2021
Great Chishill Windmill features on The National Mills Weekend YouTube video. Tune in at 38:49 to hear David McKeown, the chairman of our Trust, and Bill Griffiths the mill wright who is working on the mill discuss the mill renovation.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=35Vo97NLr1Y
Great Chishill Windmill features on The National Mills Weekend YouTube video. Tune in at 38:49 to hear David McKeown, the chairman of our Trust, and Bill Griffiths the mill wright who is working on the mill discuss the mill renovation.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=35Vo97NLr1Y
April 2021: Trustee meeting
The Trustees met at a socially distanced outdoors meeting.
A grant of £2,500 was received from the Parish Council in October 2020. A Community Chest grant of £1,000 has been awarded to pay for work on the upper level of the mill. The Trust decided not to pursue a Covid disruption grant.
Bill Griffiths the mill wright has been working on the mill and work to be completed by end June includes: covering the wheels to make them safe when the windmill moves around its track, a braking system, access for greasing various components, work on the upper level of the mill, fitting of lightning conductors.
A risk assessment will be conducted on the automatic turning of the windmill and of visitors access to the site once these activities have been completed.
Cleaning of the mill to remove dirt will be undertaken shortly, followed by repainting of some components.
The Trustees were disappointed that visitors were leaving rubbish at the mill despite the provision of a litter bin.
It was agreed to hold an event at the mill on Sunday 4th July to be known as Windependence. This will be a celebration of summer, the windmill moving and (hopefully) end of lockdown.
The Trustees met at a socially distanced outdoors meeting.
A grant of £2,500 was received from the Parish Council in October 2020. A Community Chest grant of £1,000 has been awarded to pay for work on the upper level of the mill. The Trust decided not to pursue a Covid disruption grant.
Bill Griffiths the mill wright has been working on the mill and work to be completed by end June includes: covering the wheels to make them safe when the windmill moves around its track, a braking system, access for greasing various components, work on the upper level of the mill, fitting of lightning conductors.
A risk assessment will be conducted on the automatic turning of the windmill and of visitors access to the site once these activities have been completed.
Cleaning of the mill to remove dirt will be undertaken shortly, followed by repainting of some components.
The Trustees were disappointed that visitors were leaving rubbish at the mill despite the provision of a litter bin.
It was agreed to hold an event at the mill on Sunday 4th July to be known as Windependence. This will be a celebration of summer, the windmill moving and (hopefully) end of lockdown.