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Page 5 |
Newsletter 139 Winter 2022 © Hampshire Mills Group |
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Upwey Watermill
Andy Fish
Photos by Richard Willett
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I got an enquiry from Richard Willett of Upwey
Watermill on the outskirts of Weymouth. He had read
an article in the Autumn 2021 HMG Newsletter (134)
about Island Mill, Kingsclere, and wanted to know
which timber we had recommended to Oliver Barnes,
who had sent a request for information regarding the
best wood to use for a long life hatch replacement.
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Richard’s hatch, which he rebuilt in 2006, had
rotted and now needed attention again after 16
years. It had been rebuilt using oak from the same
timber yard that supplies British Waterways.
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Ivor New had replied to Oliver and mentioned oak,
opepe, and iroko. He had also organised the rebuild
of the sluice at Hockley and had carried out
research into suitable timbers comparing properties
including expected life and price. Ivor and I
visited Upwey Watermill in January 2022 to give
advice.
Richard has now reconstructed the hatch. The
uprights are made of opepe, which was supplied by
East Brothers, West Dean Sawmills, near Salisbury.
The cross timbers are reused oak from the 2006 build
and the gate is new oak with a stainless steel plate
on the face, which he hopes will extend its life.
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The new hatch
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Editor:
Notice the milstones in the bed of the channel. |
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