The last
surviving windmill on the Isle of Wight, which is
owned by the National Trust, has been renovated as
part of a £38,000 project. The work was funded by a
grant from the government’s Culture Recovery Fund as
well as local fundraising.
Bembridge
Windmill, which was immortalised in a
watercolour painting by J M W Turner, was built
in the 1700s. It was in action for more than 200
years, falling out of use when its workers left the
island to fight in World War 1, and was later used
as a Home Guard headquarters during World War 2.
It was
reported on the local news in March that new stocks
and sails have been fitted, replacing the previous
set, which were taken down in 2019 because of
decay. The work was undertaken by Dorothea
Restorations, a company that specialises in
millwrighting. Geoff Wallis, of Dorothea
Restorations, was the last millwright to fit sweeps
to the mill 40 years ago and oversaw the renovation.
The mill is
really looking forward to welcoming visitors, to
discover its stories, and to enjoy the thrill of
clambering to the top and taking in those glorious
views across the fields and out to the sea. In
order to keep the building and visitors safe, the
sails won't be turning in the wind, unfortunately.
A copy of Turner’s unfinished painting has been kept
in the windmill kiosk.
Information from Russell Jones and BBC News website
