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 12 May 2011

More masonry work and cogging the crown wheel


The North bin floor window has suffered in the same way as it's southern counterpart - invasion by tree roots causing the mortar to crumble. The retained moisture has also caused frost damage to some of the stones. This picture shows the stonework cleared back, to give a reasonably sound starting point for repairs.















As a mental break from the never-ending stones and lime mortar, some recogging of the crown wheel. Good for another hundred years!......

Thursday 5 May 2011

NEWS UPDATE. Mill is open on Sunday 15th May

As part of National Mills Weekend, we will be opening the mill to visitors on Sunday 15th May from 11am until 5pm. Please do come and have a look.

In terms of access, your best bet is to park in Great Haseley, if coming by car, then approach the mill via Back Way and then the footpath/track which leads directly to the mill.

Please be aware that as this is still a 'live' project, the site may not be suitable for the very young or infirm. Unfortunately, there are no facilities at the mill, but hey, that's all part of the charm!......

Putting in the good bits....

They have been waiting in storage for some time, but the two sets of stone furniture were finally installed today. New tuns, horses, hoppers and shoes. Hang on, it looks like a mill suddenly.



Stone floor with new stone furniture added


Closer view of North stone furniture

North stone furniture showing tun, horse, hopper and shoe

Also coming out of storage today was the repaired staircase, leading from the ground floor to the stone floor.
Fortunately, it fits!.. Phew.

Repaired staircase being fitted


Wednesday 4 May 2011

No posts for a while, but we have been busy

Note to self - must remember to bring camera to mill....

Anyway, the weeks have gone by and progress has been made on masonry repairs, boarding out the dust floor and removing the brake wheel for repair.


South bin floor window. This used to be home to an elder tree. The roots had caused widespread damage to the mortar, meaning quite extensive rebuilding of the surrounding stonework. We assume the sill was sloped to assist grain flow.


Dust floor under construction, seen from below. The weather has resulted in the boards shrinking slightly, even though the timber was kiln dried! Can we have some rain please.

Windshaft, with brake wheel and brake removed.


The windshaft bearing has 'sunk' into the supporting beam. We recently carried out a repair on the exact same problem at Lacey Green windmill.




Trimming the dust floor for the staircase

Remember our nice clear chimney in the winter? Persistent devils, these rooks.