East Riding of Yorkshire Council is about to embark on a major refurbishment of a much loved East Riding landmark – Skidby Windmill.
The refurbishment will require the removal of all the sails and the fantail and their transportation to a traditional millwright in Norfolk where they will be stripped and carefully examined for rot and other damage and then restored to their former glory.
Paul Kilvington, the council’s group manager, building facilities, says: “Skidby Windmill is a fine example of a Victorian working windmill and requires a great deal of maintenance. The mill is listed grade two with Historic England and this is a very high listing indeed. The council wishes to do everything it can to ensure the mill is in fine condition for the next generation to enjoy’.
Nial Adams, museums and archives manager, says: “In the short term, the mill will look very odd with its sails and fantail removed. We don’t quite know what the millwrights are going to find when the sails are stripped and examined and therefore how much will require to be done.
“We will also have to wait until the weather is right before everything is put back on so we cannot say exactly when the mill will be returned to its former state. But it will happen, and Skidby Mill will be able to have its sails turning again. We just ask for people’s patience in the meantime”.
John Skidmore, director of adults, health and customer services, added: “The council is determined to play its part in looking after the heritage of the East Riding and is delighted to be able to fund the restoration of a building which symbolises the proud agricultural history of the area.”
The removal of the sails and the fantail will take place as soon as the weather conditions allow.
