Category: news

Classic Bikes… and more!

It was more than just motorbikes when a Classic Bike Rally assembled at Heage windmill on Sunday, September 10th when, in spite of some inclement weather, some 50 machines were on display.

Along with the bikes, we had a couple of 1933 Morgan three wheel cars and even a custom made Mercian racing pedal cycle.

The Army Bike brought by Ralph and Jane Taylor of Nether Heage

A surprise display was a 1939 wartime dispatch rider’s motor bike, restored and presented by Ralph and Jane Taylor of Nether Heage.

However event organiser for the windmill, Lynn Allen, presented a new award for the event – a Certificate for the Best Bike on Show’, to Graham Walker, who had come on a beautiful 1950’s Norton 19R.

The instigators of the concept of the Windmill rally – Graham Walker and Colin Clemens – told Lynn Allen, event organiser for the windmill: ‘It was always great to come to such a super venue as Heage windmill; everyone is so friendly’.

Despite the weather, many did a tour of the windmill and bought goods from the bric-a brac stall, with all proceeds going to the upkeep of the windmill.

 

American Vehicles a big hit

A glorious sunny day was lit up even more at Heage Windmill with the presence of many large American cars, hot rods and trucks.

Thanks to all those who brought their monster vehicles, namely members of the East Midlands Hot Rods.

On display were several Chevrolets, Fords and Plymouth models.

The event was well supported with craft stalls, mobile refreshments and, of course, the mills renowned ‘bric a brac’  stall.

A ‘significant’ amount was raised for mill funds.

Many people toured the mill, too; and the mill bill, which had been recovered after being stolen in the break in earlier in the week, attracted a lot of attention.

Cobweb Closes the Windmill

The now traditional spinning of a spiders web at Heage windmill took place in lovely sunny conditions at Heage on the windmill’s last day of opening.

Friends of the mill and visitors were all guided by head ‘spider’ Lynn Allen along with her assistant, Jack Evans, into the intricacies of making a web from very stretchy elastic and then carrying and laying it on the field adjacent to the 220-year-old windmill.

This year a good number of adults turned up as well as some children proving that this is an event for people of all ages.

The windmill closed for the winter at 4-00pm on the 29th October and re-opens on 31st March 2018.

In spite of her slumbers the Mill will wake up from time to time as Flour will be on sale at the mill, as available, on the second Saturday of each month, from November until March, from 10-00am until 1-00 pm.

The Mill will also be open for Santa Day on December 3rd when we welcome Santa to use it as his grotto. More details will follow on this event at a later date.

 

 

 

 

 

Alan Gifford

 

Trustee HWS

 

The windmill will be open during 2017 (11-00am to 4-00pm) every weekend from

 April 1st until the end of October.

Santa Day Great Success

Over 400 visitors came to the windmill to enjoy Santa Day last Sunday, December 3rd.

After a very cold week the day dawned cloudy but dry and relatively mild which pleased our Santa who was glad to get away from all that snow up in Lapland.

Santa arrived on a motorised sledge, (kindly loaned by Amber Valley Rotary Club) and was greeted by a crowd of happy and excited youngsters. He soon made himself comfortable in his grotto on the ground floor of the windmill and during his visit saw over 100 children, each of whom received a specially wrapped present from him.

All our visitors enjoyed the entertainments and refreshments available in the nearby marquee and on site, whilst they waited their turn to meet Father Christmas.

To pass the time while waiting, there were various games to play, raffles, Hug a Husky and food, including the very popular hot food van providing a range of things according to taste.

Angela Ward, Chair of the Friends of the Windmill said: ‘It’s been a great day.  Every one of our volunteers has worked hard to make it a success and, above all, the profits will all go to keeping the windmill working. It was also good to see so many people on site enjoying themselves.’

Classic Bike Day – Great Success

At what is now a cherished annual event, well over 100 classic motor bikes made Heage Windmill their destination on Sunday 21st May.

On a bright if largely cloudy day, visitors poured in to see, touch, snap and discuss the bikes, which were of all types, ranging  from tourers to out and out racers.

There were some well known makes such as BSA , Honda, Royal Enfield but notable were a trio of beautiful Vincents, some Harley Davidsons, an MV Augusta and there was even a rare Russian machine on display.

At one point, David Hitchcock from Alvaston appeared on  an unusual bike: a genuine US Secret Service Motorcade Support Vehicle.  In his shades and dark leathers, he replicated the cyborg villain from Terminator 2!

There were a number of back up stalls, including a Tombola and a selection of lovely jewellery, whilst refreshments were in high demand.

All in all the day was a pronounced success, with great feedback from all involved. All profits will go into keeping the mill working and improving the facilities.

Vintage Cars light up National Mills Weekend

The Veteran Car Club made it a memorable National Mills weekend, organised by the Society for Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB), and supported by Heage Windmill, who welcomed large numbers of visitors on both Saturday and Sunday.

There were 27 cars from the Veteran Car Club, whose members owned cars dating from the 1930s and earlier.

The oldest car was a 1924 Vauxhall 30-98 Tourer whilst the ‘newest’ was a Riley 12/4, dating from 1937.

The cars arrived and departed throughout the day and attracted much attention from mill visitors.

In a corner of the site the Nunsfield Radio Club set up a mobile radio station and made a total of 114 contacts with places as far away as eastern Russia and the United States. They also managed to contact 14 similar clubs who were based at other wind and water  mills in this country, although radio air conditions did not favour local contacts.

Aleena Naylor opens Heage Windmill 2017 Season

Heage Windmill Opening 2017 - Aleena Naylor 002BBC Radio Derby presenter Aleena Naylor, accompanied by husband Paul and daughter Unity, officially opened Heage Windmill’s 2017 season.

As is usual at our windmill openings, our guest of honour made a grand entrance driving a vintage tractor kindly provided by John Allsop of Belper.

Amidst the celebration was poignancy at the sight of the Derbyshire flag flying at half-mast in memory of Andy Potter, the last Radio Derby presenter to open the windmill in 2014.  Andy died only a few months ago.

Opening proceedings, Trustees Chairman Piers Bostock, welcomed volunteers, friends and visitors and spoke of Andy Potter as a great friend and supporter of the windmill.  Aleena said she was ‘very moved’ to see the flag, then wished the windmill well for the season ahead and cut the ribbon – with a bit of help from Unity.

The Derbyshire flag flies at half-mast in memory of 2014 opener Andy Potter
The Derbyshire flag flies at half-mast in memory of 2014 opener Andy Potter

Heage Windmill Opening 2017 - Aleena Naylor 010Angela Ward, Chair of the Friends of Heage Windmill, thanked all the volunteers for their support and then made an impassioned appeal for more volunteers to help keep the sails turning.

Following a presentation of flowers to Aleena – and a cuddly rabbit and Easter Egg for Unity presented by our own Easter bunny Wosemary Rabbit – Aleena’s family went on a tour inside the windmill, conducted by miller Danny Ashley.  The photos below show what a great family day out can be had visiting the windmill.

The Bank Holiday celebrations continue on Monday when Wosemary Rabbit will lead an Easter Egg Hunt.

 

Tractor Day Great Success

On a pleasant, some time sunny day, with a steady  wind to turn the sails, Heage Windmill entertained a multifarious collection of 39 tractors.

They were supported by a restored 1920s steam traction engine* which itself was backed up by two (3” to a foot) working scale models of steam tractors – both of which were giving rides to children – old and young.

A surprise visitor was a  wartime  restored 1942 25lb Howitzer Gun, towed by a 1943 Morris C8.  We have never had such a large weapon on site before!

We also had about a dozen portable steam engines on site, all in working order. These, together with  tractors, helped to replace horses on farms over the last 100 years.

There were a very large number of visitors to the site who enjoyed the veteran machines, with many taking on the mill tours  where our guides explained the history of the mill and how it worked.  They also took full advantage of our bric a brac stall and came away with bargains galore.

All in all – a great day for everyone.

*The  Garratt Traction Engine, owned by David Bosworth from Smalley, was built in 1920. She is called ‘Queen Mary’, as named when built, and was first  used for moving goods, mainly timber,  along public roads. Powered by coal and water, she would travel up to 15 miles before she needed more water, even though she could hold up to 250 gallons.

Windmill receives Best Volunteer Project award

Angela, Lynn and Alan with the windmill's award
Angela, Lynn and Alan with the windmill’s award

Heage Windmill has won Best Volunteer Project in the Derbyshire Heritage Awards for its Trouble at Mill Appeal (TAMA).

The award honours the magnificent efforts made by volunteers at Heage to get the windmill quickly back in action after wet rot was discovered in the cap structure.

The event was attended  by Angela Ward, Chair of the Friends of the windmill, Lynn Allen representing the fundraising team and Alan Clark, who was one of operations team, both teams being set up to deal with the emergency following the discovery of wet rot in August 2015.

As Angela reports: ‘It was quite nail biting as I think we were in the most contested category and I believe there may have been 6 or 7 worthy contenders. When Andy  Potter (Radio Derby) announced the winners as Heage Windmill, I felt so privileged to represent the Friends & Volunteers of the Mill, such an excellent team of hardworking, committed and enthusiastic people who give their time freely to ensure that the ‘Old Lady’ keeps turning for everyone to enjoy.  The award was just the icing on the cake after a demanding time getting her better!’

 

The award plaque will be on permanent display as soon as this can be organised.