VERY WINDY WINDMILL!!!

[CHRIS]

My wife went out to walk the dog today and found part of Thaxted windmill spread over 100yrds right across the field and bushes, the top small rear sail (I am sure someone will know its correct term) has been destroyed in the storm last night.

Trying to find the correct people to call, tried Parrish council and they are closed until 1030 will try Uttlesford.

will provide updates

 

[middi]

That is a shame Chris, they have spend thousands putting it all back together.

 

[CHRIS]

Trying to track "Len " (not sure of his last name) down as he is the custodian, will try via council at 0830

Any one from Thaxted area know of his number ???

 

[Nemesis]

I've contacted Gareth Hughes...

 

[Gareth Hughes]

I hear the millwrights are on their way there even as we type.

 

[Nemesis]

I knew you would know.

Sad, but possibly repairable without too much difficulty.

 

[Nemesis]

Oooo - cue link to SPAB Mills Section...

Principles and Practice of Windmill Repair

http://www.spab.org.uk/html/spab-mills/the-bookshop/?PHPSESSID=2f1511342744a2c14fcddcb54576466f


(Still not convinced about the new site design...)

 

[CHRIS]

Have been in touch with Len Farron (custodian) and and he has in turn spoke the Millwright who will be on site "sometime".

I have pics but as my server blocks all photo based websites so I could send them via email for someone to post.

 

[plumbers mate]

Fantail - keeps the mill cap/sails facing in the right position to catch the wind.

 

[Gareth Hughes]

Not just Thaxted unfortunately:

http://www.windmillworld.com/news/current.htm

fourth item down. Only recently restored, and a nice, unusual little mill, less than a hundred years old IIRC.

Despite the cap not being blown right off I imagine it's done rather a lot of damage to the gearing.

 

[Gareth Hughes]

Not just Thaxted unfortunately:

http://www.windmillworld.com/news/current.htm

fourth item down. Only recently restored, and a nice, unusual little mill, less than a hundred years old IIRC.

Despite the cap not being blown right off I imagine it's done rather a lot of damage to the gearing.

And a couple more:

http://www.upminsterwindmill.co.uk/latest_news.htm

Upminster mill in Essex - another recently restored mill and hoped to have been working soon.

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/320327

Holderness Road, Hull - just an empty shell cosmetically restored as a feature in a pub car park, but the birthplace of the Rank milling / movie industry.

 

[Matey Plumber]

The problem could be due to rot at the base of the wands - one fell off Fulwell Windmill about 25 years ago because it had rotted and couldn't stand the strain of high winds from the north sea.

One thing you don't do is test the rottedness of any other wand OR any other wood! with a folding penknife - a friend had his hand in plaster for months whilst the sliced tendon in his thumb healed - caused by a folding penknife meeting strong wood and deciding it would fold up again - over the ball of his thumb....

http://www.fulwell-windmill.com/home/default.asp?id=56

I helped a chap measure the machinery inside (all complete) and will never forget sitting looking out over the fantail towards the North Sea whilst eating banana/nutmeg and cheese/apple sarnies at lunchtime - magic day.
Of course it's been restored since then and I haven't seen what it's like now.