Heage Windmill receives £10,000 boost to repair fund

The donation of £10,000 by Bowmer & Kirkland has helped Heage Windmill Society achieve a challenging fundraising target to repair the 220-year-old mill.

When hidden wet rot was discovered in the windmill last August it seemed that the mill would be out of action for a long time.

The estimated cost of £90,000 to carry out the necessary repairs to the attraction’s cap structure and sails led to the group appealing for donations.

Slowly the new established target for costs of £60,000 was being reached – but had stalled around at £42K.

The fundraising effort needed a huge push and it came in the form of a donation from the Heage-based construction firm Bowmer & Kirkland.

Company chairman John Kirkland is the Patron of Heage Windmill and his office overlooks the site.

He has supported the work at the mill from its initial restoration in 2002 up to the present time and felt that he could help further with the funding efforts.

He presented a cheque for £10,000 to Piers Bostock, chairman of the Heage Windmill Trust.

John said: “I have always loved seeing the mill and it has been part of my life in Heage.

“I want to see her working again.”

Piers said: “This magnificent contribution brings the funding target within the resources of the Trust to complete the repairs.

“Together, they and the volunteers will have her turning again as quickly as possible.”

The windmill is open every weekend between 11am and 4pm until the end of October.

Visit www.heagewindmill.org.uk.