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Page 5

Newsletter 132 Summer 2021   © Hampshire Mills Group

 

 

Bembridge Windmill Sails

 

 

The last surviving windmill on the Isle of Wight, which is owned by the National Trust, has been renovated as part of a £38,000 project.  The work was funded by a grant from the government’s Culture Recovery Fund as well as local fundraising. 

Bembridge Windmill, which was immortalised in a watercolour painting by J M W Turner, was built in the 1700s.  It was in action for more than 200 years, falling out of use when its workers left the island to fight in World War 1, and was later used as a Home Guard headquarters during World War 2.

It was reported on the local news in March that new stocks and sails have been fitted, replacing the previous set, which were taken down in 2019 because of decay.  The work was undertaken by Dorothea Restorations, a company that specialises in millwrighting.  Geoff Wallis, of Dorothea Restorations, was the last millwright to fit sweeps to the mill 40 years ago and oversaw the renovation.

The mill is really looking forward to welcoming visitors, to discover its stories, and to enjoy the thrill of clambering to the top and taking in those glorious views across the fields and out to the sea.  In order to keep the building and visitors safe, the sails won't be turning in the wind, unfortunately.  A copy of Turner’s unfinished painting has been kept in the windmill kiosk.

Information from Russell Jones and BBC News website

 

 

 

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