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Page 4

Newsletter 91, Winter 2010  © Hampshire Mills Group

 

CRUX EASTON WIND ENGINE

 

Appeal for donations to fund
emergency work to stabilise the pump rods in the well house

Even though successful and lengthy restoration work has been carried out,  more recent explorations have revealed a potential disaster in the rotting supports and missing vital parts, as we discover  through a letter of appeal from Ruth Andrews and funds are urgently required to cover the work.

Ruth explains: “During work in the well house a modern concrete floor was removed, which now allows visitors to view the remains of the pump rods.  The remaining parts of the pump mechanism were seen to consist of two reciprocating rods connecting the submerged pumps to a crank shaft which is now missing;  this shaft would have been located across the well head.  Originally the rods were kept in position by approximately 70 wooden beams with metal rollers to guide the rods.  Almost all of these have rotted out of their wall boxes and are held in place only by the corrosion which has developed around the rollers.  Therefore the weight of the full 400ft assemblage appears to now be supported only by the pump rods and a temporary wire rope.  This impressive relic was not included in the original restoration work because it had not been unearthed at that stage. 

The Trustees feel that the whole assemblage is becoming progressively more unstable.  Urgent work is needed to replace the four most accessible wooden beams and use them to support the weight of the remaining original beams.  The nature of the work needed is such that it has to be done professionally, and a quote of £10,808 has been obtained.  The Trustees have now received an offer of grant aid from Basingstoke and Deane of £4352 (40% of cost), providing the work is completed and approved by 27 July 2011.  Some other monies have been promised by private donors. 

During the 10 years since the wind engine was restored, several alterations have been made to the site, including construction of a better fence and replacement of the wooden walkway around the tower, assisted by donations from HMG.  In addition, the Trust has developed better information displays about the wind engine and its surroundings and history (including its links with Geoffrey De Havilland), signage, and publicity leaflets.  Why not visit us and see for yourself ? 

As you may know, Crux Easton Wind Engine Conservation Trust – which is quite separate from both HIAS and Hampshire Mills Group – consists of just 6 Trustees and has very limited funds itself.  It would therefore help us enormously if you could send us a donation to enable us to take advantage of this grant aid.

Please send a cheque payable to Crux Easton Wind Engine Conservation Trust to me,   

Ruth Andrews,  at 13 Ashley Close, Winchester, SO22 6LR.

 As a charity, the trust can claim Gift Aid on your donation if you are a taxpayer, so please tell us if you agree to this being done.”

 

 

Photos by Ruth Andrews

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