Five great mills There is no doubt that Heckington Mill is an imposing structure - the only eight sailed working windmill in the world! It is owned by Lincs County Council but operated by a group - the Heckington Mill Trustees. Originally built in 1830 for Edward Ingledew as a five sailed mill it suffered damage in a severe thunderstorm and was repaired in 1892 using eight sails from a Boston Windmill. It ceased to work in 1946, was purchased by Kesteven Council in 1953 and in recent years has undergone extensive regeneration work, the latest £1.65 million project coming to an end this spring. Situated in an interesting village with its own railway museum at the station and a tearoom and shop at the mill - this makes for a very pleasant afternoon visit. www.heckingtonwindmill.org.uk
Bircham Windmill This tower mill is only 53 miles from Market Deeping and for 6 months of the year it offers many rural life experiences for both adults and children to enjoy. It is the oldest mill in North Norfolk capable of working and visitors are allowed to make the very steep climb right to its top to stand on the fan-wheel platform, some 55 feet above ground, from whence there is an unrivalled view. The less ambitious can view the countryside from the outside staging at second floor level which was used by the miller to set the sails. The current mill was built in 1846 and it was more recently renovated by the current owners but it existed in several forms prior to this date. It is believed to be on the site of a post mill erected in 1769. These days the mill mechanism is not operated but you can follow the milling story through the building and its artefacts. The on-site bakery still produces the sort of bread you just want to eat on its own, plus there are tempting cakes to buy. At certain times children can make their own bread and have it baked whilst they explore other things. Outside there are museum areas for visitors to discover the past and also see a variety of farm animals. Expect any visit to last longer than you had planned…..especially if you get lured into the teashop after your exhilarating climb to the top! John Woolhouse 38
Maud Foster Windmill Maud Foster Windmill stands close to Boston town centre and it is the remarkable story of one family - the Reckitts. Brothers Thomas and Isaac had the Mill built in 1819 but after making improvements to the Mill, installing a steam engine to grind bones for fertiliser and a bakehouse, the business still failed in 1833 after a series of poor harvests. This did not deter Isaac Reckitt who eventually moved to Hull and entered the starch business becoming Reckitt & Sons of ‘blue’ fame. His great grandson, Basil on hearing of the Mills dereliction in the 1950s arranged for two Reckitt family trusts to finance essential repairs. He was present in 1988 to re-open the mill after extensive repairs by the current owners, the Waterfield family! This is a particularly attractive mill and it is possible to purchase organic flour and porridge oats from the mill. Call 01205 325188 or visit www.maudfoster.co.uk
Image: The Maud Foster Mill partnership
Heckington Windmill
National Mills Weekend May 12th & 13th
