Community

21 May 2018

GTAccess has once again been brought in to help Avoncroft with the restoration of one of their prized buildings.

The 19th century post mill – one of only three surviving examples in the English Midlands – was rescued from Danzey Green near Tanworth-in-Arden in 1969 and reconstructed at Avoncroft. The Windmill was last repaired in January 2012 when high winds brought down one of the sails and damaged the supporting round house. The sail was broken beyond repair and a new one had to be manufactured to replace it. By October 2013 the work was completed, and the windmill was restored to full working order.

Now, only six years later, the intergrity of the sails has declined and Avoncroft enlisted the help of GTAccess to repair the sails once again. GTAccess supplied Avoncroft with a Niftylift SD170 to help the specialist company bring the old sails down and the new sails up.

The windmill, which is now in full working order, is an enduring favourite with visitors to Avoncroft Museum who are keen to explore the round house and talk to guides from a team of specially trained volunteers who look after the windmill. These expert guides give fascinating insights into the history and rescue of the mill and the milling process. There are monthly “sailing” days when – weather permitting – the windmill is operated by a team of specially trained volunteers, details of these can be found on Avoncroft’s website.