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WRAPPINGS COME OFF HISTORIC WINDMILL
THE COVERS have finally come off of one of the best-loved landmarks in the area.
The windmill at Windmill Hill has been obscured by nets and scaffolding for four years but has now been unveiled — to the delight of project organisers.
Bee Frost from the Windmill Hill Trust said, 'Somebody pushed a letter through the door.
'It said, 'Thank you for giving us the windmill back, it looks beautiful'.
'This has given the windmill back to Windmill Hill and we're thrilled to be able to do that.
'Now it is back standing proudly.'
The main body of the 50ft mill has been restored by specialist millwrights IJP Building Conservation of Henley.
Millwright Ian Pritchett, of IJP, said, 'This is the Manchester United of this type of work because it's the biggest post mill in England and was in such a state of disrepair.
'It's probably one of the biggest conservation and restoration jobs as in the past a mill in that state would've been discarded and replaced.'
With the 30ft sweeps due to go up in May, a lot of work still needs to be done.
Repairs to the roundhouse's brickwork, doors and windows all need to be completed.
When the mill is up and running, it will be moved into the wind to keep the sails turning, so a trackway needs to be built all the way around.
Bee said, 'It has solar panels on the roof and a wind generator which will power batteries to keep the mill turning.
'This is a prototype device that has never been used before.
'But the mill is so carefully balanced that you can still turn it with one man.
'Whenever the wind changed direction the miller would push it round, but we're told it wasn't that heavy.'
Volunteers are needed to help out with the work and 12,000 still needs to be raised to complete the restoration.
Bee said, 'We have funding from the Wealden and Rural Rother Partnership for a learning facility.
'And we are going to have to equip that with displays over the next six months.
'But to complete the restoration we are looking for donations and contributions.'
The mill was originally built in 1815 but has stood derelict since 1894.
Ian Pritchett will be giving a talk on the project at Herstmonceux Village Hall on March 8 at 8pm.
Anyone who can help out with work at the mill or who wants to make a donation should call the Windmill Hill Trust on 833033.
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Weather for Eastbourne
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 12 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: East
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Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
