The six-sailed
Heage Windmill
in Derbyshire was built in 1797, like many another run by volunteers anxious to
raise public awareness, plays host to
many activities but the one event which sets it apart from just about all others
in England, is that of well dressing. An
ancient custom in the Midland counties, wells are “dressed” with marvellously
artistic floral displays and blessed by the local vicar.
Castleton Water Wheel Museum
at
Sherborne in Dorset, will be open to the public on October 7th.
This will be a unique opportunity to see the 26 ft diameter waterwheel
with its 72 steel buckets and cast iron rimgear.
William Fairbairn invented the ventilated bucket system in the 19th
century. Water is supplied to this
massive wheel by 3 leats providing water to a high breast slot sequence.
The wheel’s job was to help pump water from an acquifer to a reservoir
along the Bristol Road for Sherborne residents from 1868 to 1959.
High Salvington Windmill Trust
who so ably hosted us on the Susssex Day Tour, are to receive an award from The
Campaign for Rural England for the restoration of the
Glynde Water Pump,
sited adjacent to the windmill.
Congratulations on this award for the fine work you have carried out.
Andy Fish
has
discovered another anniversary, this time on the
www.flickr.com
website as in the July of 1999, an enthusiastic bunch of young people walked to
several mills in the north of Hampshire, as part of their Duke of Edinburgh’s
Award Scheme. The event was recorded in photographs of them visiting
Dipley, Hartley Wespall, Riseley, Old Basing and Longbridge
among others and they learned about how the mills worked and their usages. David
Quick took the photographs and we
have tried to make contact with him without any luck so far.
David, if you happen to read this, please contact Sheila whose details on
the first and second pages of this newsletter.
And, dear HMG member, if you know David or any of his fellow DoEAS’ers
please tell us.
Tuxford Windmill
near Nottingham has opened an extension to a tea room.
A cake cutting ceremony was
carried out by the local M.P. for owners, Paul and Fari Wyman.
Made from wholemeal flour milled on site, the most popular cake is
chocolate but cream teas are in demand too. So reports the Retford Trader &
Guardian. For more information, you can call 01777 871202, or visit the website
at
www.tuxford-windmill.co.uk.
Planning decisions have been deferred pending
Hassocks District Council’s further perusal into the
Oldland Mill Granary
application by the Mill House owners for
residential use. More than 130 letters of
observation from the public, mill volunteers and public bodies are being
considered but a new hearing date is not known at the time of going to print.
HMG members visited the sizeable, and restored to working order,
Oldland Mill during the Sussex Mills Trip.
The close proximity of the granary was rather disconcerting regarding
residential use. The mill, mill house and
granary are Grade II listed.
