Category: Uncategorized

Following a successful fundraising campaign, work has begun on replacing structural timbers and on other refurbishments at Heage Windmill.

The work, which began on Monday, July 24th, requires the removal of all six sails and the cap. It’s scheduled to take around 11 weeks, with Beighton Construction of Chesterfield as principal contractor.

Repairs are going ahead thanks to the very generous donations made by individuals, companies and organisations both locally and nationally.

Significant grants and donations have been received from Derbyshire County Council, the Garfield Weston Foundation, the Pilgrim Trust, Bowmer & Kirkland Ltd, the Duke of Devonshire’s Charitable Trust, Ripley Town Council and the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB).

Several local companies continue to offer their services for free or at cost. In order to reduce costs further, some of the work will be carried out by our dedicated team of volunteers at the windmill.

 

The Stars and Stripes were Blowin’ in the Wind as an array of motors revved up and rolled into the windmill site for another American & Classic Cars event, thanks to the organisers Coffee N Cars.

The weather forecast wasn’t too promising but, as you’ll see, the ever-changing skies resulted in a rich variety of photos as our official photographer and webmaster Ashley captured the cars.

Variety here, too, with appearances by a plush Plymouth Satellite (which won Car of the Day) and a Ford pick-up (which won Truck of the Day) alongside several other Fords, a Cadillac, Chevrolet, and Ford Mustang.

Some cars came in two by two including hot rods, police cars and jeeps, one a military vehicle, with the other looking like a mini car on monster wheels (well, monstrous for a mini).

Over 300 visitors came to enjoy not just the motors but the mill itself – there were tours all day, plus a bric-a-bac stall and burger van, all of which made for a donation of over £800 for Heage Windmill.

Saturday April 22nd was a largely cloudy day but Heage Windmill’s bunting-clad sails turned, and the day felt brighter when our new patron Jack Kirkland, Chairman of Bowmer & Kirkland, officially opened our 2023 season.

The opening ceremony began – as is the custom of the last few years – by our special guest driving a vintage 1947 Fordson Tractor towards Heage Windmill where he was greeted by Trevor Ainsworth, Chairman of the Trustees.

Trevor spoke of the challenge facing Heage Windmill as it emerged from Covid but was delighted to be looking forward to another full season in 2023 comprising mill tours, special events and the milling of flour, continuing Heage Windmill’s standing as an award-winning visitor attraction.

‘However, we have work to do’ added Trevor, referring to the major repairs ahead that will eventually necessitate the removal of the sails, fantail and cap in order to treat wet rot in key structural timbers. He was confident, though, that when the repairs are completed, the windmill will endure long into the future.

Trevor thanked his ‘dedicated’ team of Friends and Trustees but hoped that more volunteers will come forward to help and support the windmill.

 

 

This was a point emphasised when he handed over to Roger Hatcher, Trustee and Chairman of the Friends of Heage Windmill. With the average age of volunteers being around 70, Roger was especially keen to see younger volunteers coming forward, adding that the windmill was aiming to widen visibility to a more diverse audience, involving a greater presence on Facebook and Instagram.

With the restored windmill in its 21^st year, Roger reported that visitor numbers were back to pre-pandemic levels and pointed to nearly 50 five-star reviews on Google and Trip Advisor. As well as saluting the work done by the Friends and volunteers, Roger thanked the Mayor of Ripley, Councillor Nigel Weaving – himself a Trustee – and his Consort for attending, with special thanks to the owner of the land around the windmill, Richard Hallas.

 

Finally, Roger expressed his hope that the windmill’s long-standing relationship with Bowmer & Kirkland ‘will extend well into the future’ adding that ‘Heage Windmill has been  here for 226 years and, as we are but temporary custodians, we must help ensure the windmill survives for another 226 years.’

 

Jack Kirkland, accompanied by his partner Thiago and children Eva and Max, said he felt honoured to be following in the footsteps of his father, John Kirkland, who was a long-time Patron of the windmill, and delighted that Heage Windmill is continuing its association with Bowmer & Kirkland, whose headquarters overlook the windmill. ‘I’ve got you in my sights’ he quipped to the assembled volunteers and visitors.

 

After cutting the ribbon, Jack was presented with a bag of the windmill’s own flour, and his children Eva and Max were gifted a windmill wind spinner each plus a small bag of flour to share. This was followed by the family enjoying a tour of the windmill.

 

 

Below is a video of milling taking place, courtesy of Edward Jones, one of the milling team.

Fresh grain is about to be poured into the storage bin (hopper).  Note how the square shaft (quant) is knocking against the wooden ‘shoe’, and the vibration causes the grain to flow into the centre (eye) of the revolving millstone.

This process is called ‘chattering’. The ‘shoe’ is held taught against the rotating ‘quant’ by a rope connected to a wooden leaf spring.

The brass bell rings when the grain in the ‘hopper’ has nearly run out, giving the miller about 5+ minutes to add more grain.

COME ON A MILL TOUR AND SEE THIS AREA CLOSE UP AND HEAR ALL ABOUT THE PROCESS

(Because of noise and dust the millstone is not normally turning when visitors are in the mill)

Coffee n Cars is a bunch of car enthusiasts who meet up at random places for a coffee or tea and discuss their cars. And meet up they did, here at Heage Windmill on Sunday, April 24th.

It was windy, sunny, slightly chilly and very, very busy, but with a terrifically friendly atmosphere and people from near and far came out in great numbers to enjoy the friendship and fun.

We flew the American flag as we welcomed Pontiacs, Chevys and Cadillacs, though there were European classics as well: an MG 1600 Roadster with cases packed and fastened on the back, ready for a three-week tour of northern Scotland, amongst others. And let’s not forget the bikes that came with their characteristic roaring sound.

The Burger Van worked hard all day adding further fun day atmosphere.

And the mill’s sails turning gave that heritage backdrop. There were non-stop groups of visitors going round the inside of the mill on guided tours.

The Visitor Centre/Shop welcomed the many visitors, organised the mill tours, sold souvenirs, teas and coffees, ice cream etc., and, of course, the sought after Heage Windmill flour, stone-ground here at the mill.

Important to the success of this and future Event Days is the use we now have of the neighbouring field, owned by Richard Hallas, as a car park. It’s estimated that 100 cars parked there. Thank you, Richard.

Our next Special Event Day – Classic Bikes – is on May 8th.

 

On a glorious sunny morning on Saturday April 16th, the well-known TV Personality and local Auctioneer Charles Hanson officially opened Heage Windmill’s 2022 season.

The opening ceremony began – as is the custom of the last few years – by our special guest driving a vintage 1947 Fordson Tractor towards Heage Windmill where he was greeted by a large gathering, made up of well over 100 visitors and Friends of the windmill.

Charles, accompanied by his wife Rebecca and their children Matilda and Freddie, was welcomed by Roger Hatcher, Trustee and Chairman of the Friends of Heage Windmill, who said Charles’ visit was a long-standing event, having been originally planned to take place in 2020, but was somewhat delayed by the onset of Covid 19.

Roger went on to say how, throughout the pandemic, the mill had continued to mill grain whenever possible and thanked all who had made this happen.

Roger was followed by Kevin McDonald, Vice Chair of Heage Windmill Society, who said he was also pleased, on behalf of the Society, to welcome a local ‘Antique supremo’ to such an antique jewel in its own right: Heage Windmill.

Kevin said that the recent passing of John Kirkland (of Bowmer & Kirkland) meant that the windmill had lost its first patron.  However, he was pleased to announce that his son Jack will take over that role and maintain the strong link between the Kirklands and the windmill.

 

Kevin thanked all the trustees and volunteers for their efforts but singled out founder Trustee Alan Gifford and John Boucher, Consultant Millwright, for their roles as driving forces over more than 25 years.

Both had helped make the windmill, the only working one in Derbyshire, the great tourist attraction it now had become.

 

As an antique expert Charles then said he felt honoured to be invited to open a 225-year-old antique working machine.

He recognised that this required significant effort by the volunteers and commended their work.

He went on to cut a tape and declare the mill ‘well and truly open’.

Charles was presented with a large bag of Heage flour and his wife Rebecca was presented with flowers.

Then, joined by his wife and their young children, Charles went on a tour of the mill.

 

 

 

Charles finally signed the Visitor Book as follows:- ‘Provenance and pedigree personified in Heage Windmill – and a jewel in Derbyshire’.

2022 SEASON EVENTS 

Sunday September 11th – Classic Bikes

Sunday October 30th  – Cobweb Day

Sunday December 11th – Santa Day

Early Sunday morning and the ferocious weather of Saturday has slightly abated. The two marquees are still standing.

The wind is still stormy and the windmill sails are rattling at us. The helpers are arriving and final preparations are made.

 

 

Santa is due at 11.00 but families are already arriving in spite of the windy and chilly weather. People are so loyal to the mill.

Santa is spotted at the Chesterfield Road gate. There’s excitement in the air as he approaches and we can already hear his bell and the resounding ‘Ho, Ho, Ho’.

Down from his sleigh – organised by Belper Rotary – he is greeted by his chief helper at the mill, Lynn, who escorts him to his decorated grotto inside the ancient mill.

A final wave at the door and only those with the numbered tickets will now be able to see him. Another helper, Monica, appears at the door, and it is she who will organise entry into the grotto.

Festive music can be heard from inside the mill, and outside we are likewise treated to festive music.

The mill, of course, is a hive of activity with Santa talking to and giving presents to the excited children.  However, there is more activity in the marquees, in the Undercroft next to the Shop, and in the Shop itself, run on this very busy day by Frances and Vera.

In the marquee Mary and Brian have been busy warming up the Mulled Wine and unwrapping the mince pies, all so welcome on such a cold morning.

But where would a Santa Event be without a big raffle, and a Hamper Raffle? The mill volunteers, David and Jenny with Jan, are offering these and a Name The Bear competition, al0ong with two Tombolas. For the little ones there is an ‘Everything 20p Box’, run by Andrew, who is also keeping an eye on decorative and festively lit bottles, which would brighten up any room.

The Wine Or Water game, organised by Hannah and Sarah, had two great surprises. As well as the bottles with wine or water, there was a bottle of whisky and a Golden Bottle, which was a hamper they had prepared. The winner was Esmai Goodall, seen in the photo with her mum and younger sister. Braving the cold outside was Gill, mum to Hannah and Sarah, meeting and greeting with a basket of sweets for the children.

And then in the Undercroft Pete and Patricia were offering activities for the children: colouring and drawing and the Marble Game, similar to Bagatelle – always a favourite. To add to the fun and atmosphere there was our favourite Burger Van and it was definitely an ‘Eat a Burger Day’.

There was plenty for everyone while waiting to see Santa. Above all, there was a great festive atmosphere, and our thanks go to the families that trusted in us and came in spite of the challenging weather.

Santa saw over 150 children and, some time after 3 o’ clock,  he said goodbye to his last young visitor.

But Santa had made a special promise to Evie, which he now kept. Evie had been coming to see Santa every year, but because she was poorly with COVID, she couldn’t come this year, and so Santa paid a special quick visit to Evie in Heage as he left Heage Windmill. They waved to each other through the window.

Get well soon Evie from Santa and all your friends at the windmill.

Tim C and Anthony were Duty Millers and Tim L, definitely, was ‘Man Of The Match’ – Santa!

The forecast had been dire and the day began with stormy rain, totally unfit to be out in. However, the rain did pass and the sun appeared in time for the 12 o’clock web spinning start. It was cold but mainly dry and in the background there was the magnificent sight of the mill with her sails turning. 

 

 

It was cold but mainly dry and in the background there was the magnificent sight of the mill with her sails turning. 

 

Our mother spider Lynn Allen started spinning the web, and this year she was helped by our friend from the American Cars, Attila Csorba. It is so important for the success of the spinning that nobody lets their section of the web slip through their fingers, but everybody concentrated and the cobweb was a great triumph.

Now the cobweb had to be moved to its final resting place and this required a major effort of synchronisation as the whole web was carried in the air to a neighbouring grass area, where it was fastened to the ground.

 

Meanwhile the shop was busy dealing with flour and other sales, serving drinks and organising tours, the guides were taking tours till after 4 o’clock, and the miller was dealing with a very gusty wind, and eventually had to stop the sails.

 

What a wonderful day and a fitting end to the short 2021 season. The mill and site are now closed until next Spring, with the exception of Santa Day on December 5th.

The Stars and Stripes flag was raised at 8.30 on the morning of October 10th as final preparations were made for this momentous event at Heage Windmill.

Attila Csorba, a great friend of the mill and the instigator of this event, was a significant part of an excellently organised day which, once again, proved a great success.

The American Car Day is always a colourful, atmospheric and fun event. The owners are full of good humour and totally relaxed, and of course immensely proud of their ‘beauties’.  Also, every time an engine starts up, there is that wonderful V8 throaty sound!

 

To add to the success of the day, the Visitor Centre organised tours in and around the windmill throughout the day with over 60 people taken round the mill.

Feedback in the Visitors Book was very encouraging. Sales of ice cream, flour, tea and coffee, souvenirs kept the shop staff busy.

The two ‘Bs’, the Burger Van and Bric a Brac, were, as ever, very popular, but the main joy was to be able to walk among the wonderful vehicles, to talk with the owners and enjoy the sight of the windmill with its sails turning, knowing that Heage Windmill Flour was milled here. And we must not forget the glorious weather!

A final vote of thanks… once again, Bowmer and Kirkland kindly allowed us to us their Car Park. This was a tremendous help, so many thanks to this local firm – and our neighbours, who are always always supportive.