Author: admin

Thursday, October 12th… the weather was dry with just a little wind – a perfect day for lifting the windmill cap back onto the mill tower.

First, the temporary cover was removed from the tower. After all the necessary checks, the lift began.

 

As the cap was lifted up into the sky, everyone had a fine view of the massive timber sheers that had been replaced.

At the top of the tower, the contractors – Beighton’s from Chesterfield – were there to guide the cap into place, a very delicate procedure in spite of the weight of the cap.

In the photo above, one can just see the brake wheel with its iron band, and four of the 24 rollers, upon which the cap rests and turns.

Before leaving, the crane helped turn over the last two sails that required one more side to be painted. Once that paint job is finished, the sails will be ready to go back on.

Our thanks to the guys from Beighton’s as well as McGovern’s Crane Hire for their great work.

Following a successful fundraising campaign, work has begun on replacing structural timbers and on other refurbishments at Heage Windmill.

The work, which began on Monday, July 24th, requires the removal of all six sails and the cap. It’s scheduled to take around 11 weeks, with Beighton Construction of Chesterfield as principal contractor.

Repairs are going ahead thanks to the very generous donations made by individuals, companies and organisations both locally and nationally.

Significant grants and donations have been received from Derbyshire County Council, the Garfield Weston Foundation, the Pilgrim Trust, Bowmer & Kirkland Ltd, the Duke of Devonshire’s Charitable Trust, Ripley Town Council and the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB).

Several local companies continue to offer their services for free or at cost. In order to reduce costs further, some of the work will be carried out by our dedicated team of volunteers at the windmill.

 

The Stars and Stripes were Blowin’ in the Wind as an array of motors revved up and rolled into the windmill site for another American & Classic Cars event, thanks to the organisers Coffee N Cars.

The weather forecast wasn’t too promising but, as you’ll see, the ever-changing skies resulted in a rich variety of photos as our official photographer and webmaster Ashley captured the cars.

Variety here, too, with appearances by a plush Plymouth Satellite (which won Car of the Day) and a Ford pick-up (which won Truck of the Day) alongside several other Fords, a Cadillac, Chevrolet, and Ford Mustang.

Some cars came in two by two including hot rods, police cars and jeeps, one a military vehicle, with the other looking like a mini car on monster wheels (well, monstrous for a mini).

Over 300 visitors came to enjoy not just the motors but the mill itself – there were tours all day, plus a bric-a-bac stall and burger van, all of which made for a donation of over £800 for Heage Windmill.

Saturday April 22nd was a largely cloudy day but Heage Windmill’s bunting-clad sails turned, and the day felt brighter when our new patron Jack Kirkland, Chairman of Bowmer & Kirkland, officially opened our 2023 season.

The opening ceremony began – as is the custom of the last few years – by our special guest driving a vintage 1947 Fordson Tractor towards Heage Windmill where he was greeted by Trevor Ainsworth, Chairman of the Trustees.

Trevor spoke of the challenge facing Heage Windmill as it emerged from Covid but was delighted to be looking forward to another full season in 2023 comprising mill tours, special events and the milling of flour, continuing Heage Windmill’s standing as an award-winning visitor attraction.

‘However, we have work to do’ added Trevor, referring to the major repairs ahead that will eventually necessitate the removal of the sails, fantail and cap in order to treat wet rot in key structural timbers. He was confident, though, that when the repairs are completed, the windmill will endure long into the future.

Trevor thanked his ‘dedicated’ team of Friends and Trustees but hoped that more volunteers will come forward to help and support the windmill.

 

 

This was a point emphasised when he handed over to Roger Hatcher, Trustee and Chairman of the Friends of Heage Windmill. With the average age of volunteers being around 70, Roger was especially keen to see younger volunteers coming forward, adding that the windmill was aiming to widen visibility to a more diverse audience, involving a greater presence on Facebook and Instagram.

With the restored windmill in its 21^st year, Roger reported that visitor numbers were back to pre-pandemic levels and pointed to nearly 50 five-star reviews on Google and Trip Advisor. As well as saluting the work done by the Friends and volunteers, Roger thanked the Mayor of Ripley, Councillor Nigel Weaving – himself a Trustee – and his Consort for attending, with special thanks to the owner of the land around the windmill, Richard Hallas.

 

Finally, Roger expressed his hope that the windmill’s long-standing relationship with Bowmer & Kirkland ‘will extend well into the future’ adding that ‘Heage Windmill has been  here for 226 years and, as we are but temporary custodians, we must help ensure the windmill survives for another 226 years.’

 

Jack Kirkland, accompanied by his partner Thiago and children Eva and Max, said he felt honoured to be following in the footsteps of his father, John Kirkland, who was a long-time Patron of the windmill, and delighted that Heage Windmill is continuing its association with Bowmer & Kirkland, whose headquarters overlook the windmill. ‘I’ve got you in my sights’ he quipped to the assembled volunteers and visitors.

 

After cutting the ribbon, Jack was presented with a bag of the windmill’s own flour, and his children Eva and Max were gifted a windmill wind spinner each plus a small bag of flour to share. This was followed by the family enjoying a tour of the windmill.

 

 

Below is a video of milling taking place, courtesy of Edward Jones, one of the milling team.

Fresh grain is about to be poured into the storage bin (hopper).  Note how the square shaft (quant) is knocking against the wooden ‘shoe’, and the vibration causes the grain to flow into the centre (eye) of the revolving millstone.

This process is called ‘chattering’. The ‘shoe’ is held taught against the rotating ‘quant’ by a rope connected to a wooden leaf spring.

The brass bell rings when the grain in the ‘hopper’ has nearly run out, giving the miller about 5+ minutes to add more grain.

COME ON A MILL TOUR AND SEE THIS AREA CLOSE UP AND HEAR ALL ABOUT THE PROCESS

(Because of noise and dust the millstone is not normally turning when visitors are in the mill)

Coffee n Cars is a bunch of car enthusiasts who meet up at random places for a coffee or tea and discuss their cars. And meet up they did, here at Heage Windmill on Sunday, April 24th.

It was windy, sunny, slightly chilly and very, very busy, but with a terrifically friendly atmosphere and people from near and far came out in great numbers to enjoy the friendship and fun.

We flew the American flag as we welcomed Pontiacs, Chevys and Cadillacs, though there were European classics as well: an MG 1600 Roadster with cases packed and fastened on the back, ready for a three-week tour of northern Scotland, amongst others. And let’s not forget the bikes that came with their characteristic roaring sound.

The Burger Van worked hard all day adding further fun day atmosphere.

And the mill’s sails turning gave that heritage backdrop. There were non-stop groups of visitors going round the inside of the mill on guided tours.

The Visitor Centre/Shop welcomed the many visitors, organised the mill tours, sold souvenirs, teas and coffees, ice cream etc., and, of course, the sought after Heage Windmill flour, stone-ground here at the mill.

Important to the success of this and future Event Days is the use we now have of the neighbouring field, owned by Richard Hallas, as a car park. It’s estimated that 100 cars parked there. Thank you, Richard.

Our next Special Event Day – Classic Bikes – is on May 8th.

 

On a glorious sunny morning on Saturday April 16th, the well-known TV Personality and local Auctioneer Charles Hanson officially opened Heage Windmill’s 2022 season.

The opening ceremony began – as is the custom of the last few years – by our special guest driving a vintage 1947 Fordson Tractor towards Heage Windmill where he was greeted by a large gathering, made up of well over 100 visitors and Friends of the windmill.

Charles, accompanied by his wife Rebecca and their children Matilda and Freddie, was welcomed by Roger Hatcher, Trustee and Chairman of the Friends of Heage Windmill, who said Charles’ visit was a long-standing event, having been originally planned to take place in 2020, but was somewhat delayed by the onset of Covid 19.

Roger went on to say how, throughout the pandemic, the mill had continued to mill grain whenever possible and thanked all who had made this happen.

Roger was followed by Kevin McDonald, Vice Chair of Heage Windmill Society, who said he was also pleased, on behalf of the Society, to welcome a local ‘Antique supremo’ to such an antique jewel in its own right: Heage Windmill.

Kevin said that the recent passing of John Kirkland (of Bowmer & Kirkland) meant that the windmill had lost its first patron.  However, he was pleased to announce that his son Jack will take over that role and maintain the strong link between the Kirklands and the windmill.

 

Kevin thanked all the trustees and volunteers for their efforts but singled out founder Trustee Alan Gifford and John Boucher, Consultant Millwright, for their roles as driving forces over more than 25 years.

Both had helped make the windmill, the only working one in Derbyshire, the great tourist attraction it now had become.

 

As an antique expert Charles then said he felt honoured to be invited to open a 225-year-old antique working machine.

He recognised that this required significant effort by the volunteers and commended their work.

He went on to cut a tape and declare the mill ‘well and truly open’.

Charles was presented with a large bag of Heage flour and his wife Rebecca was presented with flowers.

Then, joined by his wife and their young children, Charles went on a tour of the mill.

 

 

 

Charles finally signed the Visitor Book as follows:- ‘Provenance and pedigree personified in Heage Windmill – and a jewel in Derbyshire’.