The unique 8-sailed windmill at Heckington began a new chapter in it’s amazing history this with the purchase of the historic buildings and land around it from the Pocklington family.
Being awarded the Heritage Lottery Fund grant for £990,200 late in 2012 was just the beginning of an exciting journey for the windmill, its trustees and for the villagers of Heckington. It is a journey that can now gather pace following the completion last week of the buildings and land from the Pocklingtons who have owned it for almost 125 years.
The ambitions of both the Trustees and the many other partners who have so enthusiastically supported the project are now set to be realised in bricks and mortar. Along with the Heritage Lottery Fund, our partners include Lincolnshire County Council, North Kesteven District Council, Heckington Parish Council, The Bicker Trust, The Charles Hayward Trust and the many private donors and volunteers have combined to facilitate a total spend of £1.2m.
Repair and Restoration
A repair and restoration programme will embrace the granary, cart shed, garage, bake house, brewery, Nissen hut and of course the mill house. Restoring their original appearance on the outside will recreate this unique Victorian complex and make an instant impression on visitors who will then experience a real wow factor on entry. High quality exhibition space, a shop and toilets with disabled facilities set the tone but it is how the Bakehouse, Windmill, Café and Brewery combine in an exciting and interactive way that will really make Heckington Windmill an outstanding attraction.
Like all great journeys, this one will take some time to complete and a great deal of planning and organisation to ensure it succeeds. Trust volunteers started the same day to improve the site for visitors. The summer will see the exciting arrival of the new sails which will see the mill working again. As well as grinding flour it will also produce malt for the on-site brewery – the only brewery in Britain using stone ground malt produced by wind power.
The Project Board are determined to invest time and energy making sure the idea is just right, so wider consultation with trust members and the public will also be canvassed around Easter this year.
The idea is to go to tender later this year knowing exactly what we want our building to look like and what they will do for us. A 12 month build programme commencing in 2015 followed by a fitting out programme points to a 2016 completion.
For Trust Chairman Charles Pinchbeck this has been the culmination of a lifetime’s work but one he believes “has been worthwhile, not only to secure the mill’s future for another century, but also because it brings with it a heritage attraction of international standard.”
Find out more
For full details and information on our regular opening hours visit the www.heckingtonwindmill.org.uk. You can also find out about the many ways you can get involved in this amazing project.
