Trouble at Mill

Andy Fish

Heage Windmill in Derbyshire is the only six-sailed stone tower windmill in England. The Derbyshire attraction is a Grade II* listed building and dates back to the reign of George III, sited on a hill providing spectacular views towards the Derwent Valley Hills World Heritage Site, the Mill was restored to working order in 2002 and looks as splendid as when first built in 1797.   But now disaster! A maintenance check revealed severe wet rot in major structural components.

Heage Windmill Society said the repair bill was likely to be in the region of £90,000, and has launched its “Trouble at Mill” appeal. Piers Bostock, tour guide and chairman of the society, said ‘’it was a serious setback for the attraction.”

The mill will remain open for the rest of this season but we have had to stop turning the sails or milling flour until the issue is resolved. We have now sold out of flour but still have bran and fine bran in stock’’.

Piers went on to say the affected timbers were not included in the earlier work carried out in 2002 but are now showing signs of rot. "The tail fan, which is used to keep the mill facing into the wind, will need taking down, with most of it needing to be replaced. The beams at the front, which support the sail bearings, will also need attention.  Note the temporary timber strut, fitted to support the tail fan (see picture)