On this rather chilly evening HMG members met at the Windmill.

This small tower mill, which will be celebrating the 200^th anniversary of its construction next year, went out of use in 1882 and had a major restoration in 1978 – 81.   It is currently without sails due to a major failure of the wooden windshaft.   However a successful Heritage Lottery Fund grant will enable it to be triumphantly back in working order for its birthday celebrations in 2014.

The site is shared by a sizable pond (which was looking rather swampy when we visited), a granary on staddle stones (rescued from Hiltingbury Farm), and a barn from Four Lane Farm at Chineham which now acts as a visitor centre.

The meeting started with very welcome hot drinks and biscuits, followed by a showing of a 2001 video of Gavin Bowie milling.   Tom DeWhit, the Area Curator and Emma Hart, Community Engagement and Learning Officer, then outlined some details of the HLF-funded improvements:-  these will include longer opening hours (currently only Sunday afternoons), more toilets (only one at present which is rather inadequate when school groups are on site), and various strategies for involving local people and attracting volunteers.   The programme for schools and adult education will be enhanced and a separate bid has been made to ‘Happy Museum’ for a kitchen to enable baking sessions; at present there is a barbecue in the grounds.

This was followed by a brief HMG meeting:

Andy Fish asked anyone interested in a 3-day trip to Cornwall next year to contact him – no dates or details yet.

Pam Moore reported that Whitchurch Silk Mill has a new manager, Sue Tapliss, and has resumed weaving.   It recently hosted a very successful picnic for local people and is preparing to host a Hampshire Buildings Preservation Trust summer meeting on 17^th July, 6-8 p.m. at which HMG members are welcome.

Helen Robinson, Eling Experience Manager, reported that the sluice gate repairs should be completed in the next two weeks and milling will recommence by the end of June.   An inspection by Martin Watts has revealed that replacement stones are needed.   Does anyone know where there are some?   The HLF first-stage funding application has been successful;  the aim of the main HLF application is to restore the second waterwheel and enable it to generate electricity and to refurbish the Visitors Centre.   If anyone has archive material – particularly from the time of the mill’s restoration – please contact Dave Plunkett or Helen.

Dave Plunkett reported that the Mills Research Group meets on 16^th June at House Mill to celebrate ‘World Gin Day’.   The tide mills display will be at Eling on 28^th September with a site tour on 29^th September which hopes to visit Beaulieu, Testwood, Eling, Chase and Bursledon Mills.   For more information ask Dave.

Richard Ellis thanked Peter Mobbs for making a new key for Headley Mill.

The meeting concluded with a tour of the mill and a second video ‘Bursledon Mill – A History’.  

Many thanks to Tom and Emma for giving up their evening to host our members to a most interesting evening.

The autumn meeting will be held at Whitchurch Silk Mill on Friday 13 September?