When the millwrights carried out maintenance at the grade II* windmill (see Heage Windmill) in late summer 2015, they discovered that some major structural components were showing signs of severe wet rot.
The rotted members were not replaced in the 2002 restoration programme since, in accordance with guidelines set by English Heritage, they were judged by the restoration millwrights to be suitable for continued use. The members in question are made from very large section timbers, exposed to the elements at all times, and form part of the support structure for the windshaft and also of the fan tail at the rear of the mill; which turns the entire cap to face into the wind.
Donations which would help enable the work to proceed can be accepted in several ways. For ease and convenience, you can make an online donation. Just click here to take you to the BT Donate page.
To donate £5 – simply text TMA15£5 to 70070, or for £10 text TMA15£10 to 70070.
If you prefer to send a cheque, please make it payable to HWS Trouble at Mill and send it to and mention GooseyGoo if you do!
Danny Ashley: Treasurer, Heage Windmill Society, 12 Woodland Way, Old Tupton, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S42 6JA.
Follow them on Facebook HERE!
Or on their website HERE!
Updates:
At the end of August 2015:
The work has been separated into two elements – the front end, where the sails operate, and the fan tail at the rear; this automatically turns the sails to face into the wind. We have also determined that as a prerequisite to obtaining finance from major funders that no work can be started at all until funding processes have been agreed by them, generally a four month process. This would mean it would not be possible for the mill to operate by the end of March 2016, when the new season starts. As a result the Trust has decided that they will proceed immediately with the ‘front’ end work and continue to seek major funds for the fantail area, possibly meaning this work may not be implemented until the following winter.
The initial action will be to remove the sails, which will be stored locally, and the mill maintenance team of volunteers will then service them while they are on the ground. Tenders will be quickly circulated to millwrights and contracts then placed as soon as possible for other front end work, to commence hopefully in December and be completed before the end of March 2016.
When the millwrights carried out maintenance at the grade II* windmill (see Heage Windmill) in late summer 2015, they discovered that some major structural components were showing signs of severe wet rot.
The rotted members were not replaced in the 2002 restoration programme since, in accordance with guidelines set by English Heritage, they were judged by the restoration millwrights to be suitable for continued use. The members in question are made from very large section timbers, exposed to the elements at all times, and form part of the support structure for the windshaft and also of the fan tail at the rear of the mill; which turns the entire cap to face into the wind.
Donations which would help enable the work to proceed can be accepted in several ways. For ease and convenience, you can make an online donation. Just click here to take you to the BT Donate page.
To donate £5 – simply text TMA15£5 to 70070, or for £10 text TMA15£10 to 70070.
If you prefer to send a cheque, please make it payable to HWS Trouble at Mill and send it to and mention GooseyGoo if you do!
Danny Ashley: Treasurer, Heage Windmill Society, 12 Woodland Way, Old Tupton, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S42 6JA.
Follow them on Facebook HERE!
Or on their website HERE!
Updates:
At the end of August 2015:
The work has been separated into two elements – the front end, where the sails operate, and the fan tail at the rear; this automatically turns the sails to face into the wind. We have also determined that as a prerequisite to obtaining finance from major funders that no work can be started at all until funding processes have been agreed by them, generally a four month process. This would mean it would not be possible for the mill to operate by the end of March 2016, when the new season starts. As a result the Trust has decided that they will proceed immediately with the ‘front’ end work and continue to seek major funds for the fantail area, possibly meaning this work may not be implemented until the following winter.
The initial action will be to remove the sails, which will be stored locally, and the mill maintenance team of volunteers will then service them while they are on the ground. Tenders will be quickly circulated to millwrights and contracts then placed as soon as possible for other front end work, to commence hopefully in December and be completed before the end of March 2016.
