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.”
