Swannington Heritage Trust report on renovation developments at Hough Mill, in Leicestershire.
In October 2012 the Swannington Heritage Trust installed the 1.75 ton, 3m diameter brakewheel on the windshaft of the mill, the culmination of a year’s hard work by Trust volunteers. Since then, the building the wallower has been the Trust’s next step. Preparation for the wallower project took place during the first half of 2013 and is now complete.
What is a wallower?
The wallower, a large wooden wheel crafted from seasoned oak with 46, individually tailored wooden teeth, that enables the transfer of wind energy generated by the sails to the drive shaft to operate the mill’s machinery.
Funding the project
Because the Trust is working towards Accreditation with Arts Council England, it was able to obtain a £2,000 small grant from Museum Development East Midlands towards the cost of the timber and a band saw.
Next steps for the Trust
During November the wallower will be dismantled in the workshop and taken to the mill. Chain hoists will be used to lift the components to the cap where it will be positioned to mesh with the brakewheel.
Find out more
To find out more about the restoration of Hough Mill by the Swannington Heritage Trust, please take a look at the Hough Mill page of their website.
