You may have seen this imposing building during your travels in the Great Haseley area of Oxfordshire. Sadly, it has fallen into neglect and the years have taken their toll. A major restoration project is now underway, aiming to return this historic building to its former glory. Follow the progress of the restoration in our blog....


The Restoration Team

Thursday 25 November 2010

Lintels and brass monkeys

This should kill the death watch beetle
A couple of very cold days at the mill saw us resurrecting one of the two fireplaces. Very warming, although if there's too much west in the wind direction, we end up nicley smoked by the end of the day. We must get around to cleaning the other chimney out, on the opposite side of the tower, although it could be a never ending battle against the crows and their deposits of nesting material.


Mid and inner lintels installed
The two new lintels have been installed and the stonework above made good. Sighs of relief all round.... Looking at the window above, the lintels there could be even more 'fun'.

Wednesday 24 November 2010

Supports for the crown wheel



In order to preserve the crown wheel, seen here from the stone floor, we are adding some extra bracing. These are being let-in to the main shaft, although the knots seem perfectly positioned to hamper these efforts. The angle of the knots shows that the tree, from which the shaft was made, is upside-down in the mill.

Thursday 4 November 2010

New lintels for south stone floor window

New middle lintel member in place



The old interior lintel member, in decayed condition

The lintels above the south bin floor window would have comprised three members. These have badly decayed, as in keeping with the other timbers on this, the exposed, side of the mill. We have started on replacement of these lintels. This will give some much needed support to the stonework above, which is in a somewhat precarious condition.