The Mill’s Sails
The previous Newsletter was published following the storm damage when the stock of the forward pair of sails was broken by the exceptionally high wind on January 18th. At that time we did not know the extent of the damage.
The break occurred near the canister or poll end through which the stock is fitted. The sail fell behind one of the rear pair and became jammed between this sail and the body of the mill. The lightning conductor fitted to the sail also helped prevent it falling. During that day a three second gust of 81 mph and a ten minute average of 61 mph were recorded at a wind measuring station in Lincolnshire, the latter being potentially far more serious from the point of structural damage.
Nigel arranged for a Council contractor to come to the mill on the Friday, with a ‘cherry-picker’ to decide on emergency repair action and also requested the Council’s security team to place barriers near the mill in order to dissuade members of the public getting near the mill. The photo that John Winn had taken of the damage I later emailed with a report to Simon Hudson, secretary of the SPAB Mills Section. Members of the Preservation Trust were also advised.
On Friday morning the contractor arrived and millwright Vincent Pargeter, who had been informed of the damage, also came to advise. The ‘cherry-picker’ was not tall or strong enough for the job and it was arranged that a crane would be brought on the following Tuesday.
Photo: Frank Morley
The contractors and Vincent duly arrived and the damaged sail was lowered. Some of the boarding of the cap roof was unavoidably damaged in the process. As arranged, Richard had brought his chain saw and this was used to cut through the stock and allow removal of the undamaged sail. Nigel and I later fitted temporary boards to the cap roof, Nigel working from inside the cap while I worked from a cradle suspended from the crane. Richard had earlier been taken up in the cradle to take pictures of the damage.
Photo: Richard Moorey
Many Friends turned up to help and we thank them for their support. The ‘good’ sail was dismantled and a section of this will be used to demonstrate to visitors how the shutters are controlled. As Nigel was concerned that there could be a danger of children hurting themselves by climbing onto them, the ‘whips’ of the two sails and the two halves of the stock have now been cut into approx 4’ 6” lengths as baulks of this size may well be useful to millwrights when the cap is removed for repair.
As the mill is a listed building, English Heritage wish the sails to be replaced as soon as possible, as does the Council. We hope Vincent will be given the contract as he knows the mill well. In 1971/2 he and Phillip Leonard fitted the present sails to the mill and also repaired the roof of the cap. It will, however, be a while before repairs are carried out as timber will have to be procured and Vincent will have to work it in with all his projects at other mills (e.g. Willsborough in Kent).
The damage has raised people’s awareness of the mill and many individuals and groups have phoned, written supportive letters and made donations, totaling approximately £700, specifically towards the repair of the sails. Many of these have been from school children dismayed to see ‘their’ mill damaged. The social section of the Upminster and Cranham Residents’ Association have given £500, and the Lions Club of Romford contributed £100. We are very grateful for these donations which show how fond people are of the mill.
The Trust has recently been told that the Council’s buildings insurance will cover the cost of the repair and any incidental costs. When the Trust has the lease of the mill the buildings insurance cover will continue to be provided as part of the support package to which the Council is committed throughout the term of the lease. - Bob Sharp
Photo: Roger Fuller