£90,000 repair work for ‘at risk’ Moulton Mill

Moulton Mill has reappeared on the Heritage at Risk register after part of the £2million restoration project carried out there failed – but work is well under way to resolve the issue.

A £80,000 to £90,000 piece of work is needed to replace part of the fantail staging where wood that was expected to last for 30 years has failed after ten.

Janet Prescott, project manager, said the mill was at risk of collapse if nothing was done and a relisting was necessary to preserve it.

Ms Prescott said: “Moulton Mill has the same category listing as the Tower of London and because the building is of such significance and the current problems means it would be at risk of collapse if we didn’t do anything, it has been put back on the Heritage at Risk register.
“A design team has been appointed including an architect, millwright and structural engineer.

“We are now considering different materials and different type of design that won’t look any different to the naked eye, but will have a longer life.”

Heritage England has pledged to cover around 75 per cent of the cost of repairs and Moulton Windmill Project will cover the rest.
The windmill became the tallest working one in England when it had new sails put on in 2011.

The current issue was discovered during the regular routine maintenance at the mill and part of the fantail was removed in September last year to prevent damage. It is hoped repairs will be done by Easter.

In the meantime the mill has still been able to grind corn using its back-up electric powered stones.
The mill relies upon funds raised through its shop and cafe and is supported by Friends of Moulton Mill.

Alan Lambert, trustee and treasurer of Moulton Windmill Project, said: “We would urge people to support us, even if it is just by coming in for a tea or coffee.
“We are the only tearoom in the village and the more people use it makes us better able to pay our bills.”

It costs £12,000 annually just to cover general overheads to keep the doors of the windmill open, without ongoing maintenance.