| Bardwell
is a village in Suffolk. I visited on June 2, 2006 to see the windmill
which is undergoing re-construction.and returned in July 2007
and July 2008 & June 2011 to
see how work was progressing.
Other Pics
Millers Trail (inc walk) |
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Bardwell Mill |
School Lane, Bardwell, Suffolk IP31 1AD - England, UK
Phone: +44 (0)1359 251331
IoE
284019
Mills Archive
Map
BBC
Millers Trail
Status
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| When I first visited the
windmill had no sails......... |
Some work on the fantail has
been completed |
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........but the wood was
ready for construction to begin in June 2006 |
By July 2007 some work had
been done. |
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We met the owner, Enid
Wheeler, who was incredibly hospitable. We
not only climbed up the mill to see the next level but also inside her
house.
This made it such a special birthday for Judy.
Her husband,
Geoffrey Wheeler, (who died in 1995) was an illustrator of trains and
drew centre page
cutaway pictures in
"The Eagle" comic for boys which john remembers well.
Examples of other Eagle cutaway drawings on this page
Prints of Geoffrey Wheeler's locomotive and
traction engine drawings
can be obtained.
The mill is at School Lane, Bardwell, Suffolk IP31 1AD
,England
Phone: +44 (0)1359 251331
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| July 2008 |
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 We decided to support the
work by sponsoring a vane |
 Up some steps |
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Extract from
UK Attractions:
Bardwell Windmill lies smack
bang in the middle of the tranquil village of Bardwell deep in the
beautiful Suffolk countryside. The current windmill has been in the same
place since 1829 but there has been a windmill in Bardwell since the
13th Century. It worked by wind power up until 1925 but then transferred
over to engine power. Sadly the mill was unlucky enough to be the only
windmill in the country to be damaged in the great winds of 1987 when
the sails and fantail were torn off.
Information on the impact of the 1987 storm |
John was particularly
interested in the "governor" early Cybernetics |
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Extract from EDP's "On the Trail of the Miller" Going back to the Miller’s Trail, the next stage of the
route travels across the A143 to Bardwell, where Enid Wheeler and her
family have spent years restoring their private windmill after it was
badly damaged in the great storm of 1987.
Two years ago a new cap was fitted but the mill now needs sails to
complete it. Despite this it attracts a steady stream of visitors from
all over the world who visit the mill to look around, to browse the
numerous craft stalls and other attractions it has on open days and to
enjoy Mrs Wheeler’s legendary hospitality.
“Restoration is very slow because the sails will cost around £65,000 and
unfortunately we can’t afford as a family to put up the lump sum that’s
needed before we can apply for a grant,” she said.
“So instead we have to fund-raise for it, which takes time, but we’re
ever hopeful we’ll get there eventually. With the cap on the mill
already looks gorgeous and people who visit are very appreciative,
though some who’re looking for a twee, finished mill sometimes drive off
without coming in.
“I’ve always let people come in whenever I’m around because I think it’s
important that people should be able to see inside these places and feel
welcome and it really is amazing how kind people who give donations are.
Opening the mill has been an honour really, I’ve met people from all
over the world. Only the other day I got a letter from an American who’d
visited us and inside the letter was a cheque for £50.” |
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I have been in correspondence with the owner's son, Jonathon Wheeler,
who gave me an update that
the first pair of
sails were hoisted on the mill on August 12, 2010 and sent me these two
photos. |
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I visited again on June 25, 2011 as part of "Bardwell Open Gardens" |
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Video of first sail rotating on "Threshing Day" July 21, 2011
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View from the Church Tower Click
for more |
Threshing Day July 21, 2011 |
