Rescue for landmark mill

THE famous Sussex landmark that gives the picturesque village of Windmill Hill its name will be restored to its former glory, thanks to a 577,000 Lottery grant.

The Windmill Trust now needs to raise a further 130,000 before work can begin. At a recent trust meeting at Herstmonceux Village Hall, members were enthusiastic about the new possibilities for the mill and discussed what they would do next.

Chairman of the trust, Bee Frost, explained to the group that they would be applying for matched funding to help finance the refurbishment of the sweeps (sails), tail pole and ladder. When the project is complete, the main body of the mill will turn, as will the sweeps.

Millwright David Nicholls, from the company IJP, said the work would be undertaken in the most authentic manner possible, retaining all the existing fabric where possible and only renewing when absolutely necessary.

The mill itself will be dismantled, and all components except the timber post and crosstrees will be transported to workshops in Oxfordshire where they will be repaired. The mill will then be returned to the village in sections and rebuilt on-site.

There were many questions from the public, comments of support and suggestions for ways of fundraising. A number of new members also joined the Friends of the Windmill.