Kibworth Harcourt Post Mill Volunteers to get training
Over the last year The Chronicle has printed a number of updates regarding the ongoing repairs to Kibworth Harcourt post mill by the Bristol based contractor Dorothea Restorations.
Working for SPAB (the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings) who officially own the mill and the land immediately around the mill, Dorothea Restorations are one of the leading UK specialists in architectural metalwork restoration.
The small team, led by Andy Butt, have been dealing with the conservation of many industrial heritage sites around Britain: Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol being one such site along with our local post mill.
Now their work is finished the mill looks stunning but it is not yet open.
Volunteers required
Mildred Cookson, a trustee of the Kibworth mill and a millwright, has put a plea out for more volunteers to come forward to help with the mill. She says, “It is repaired but still needs constant attention.” She goes on to say, “Volunteer training is essential if the volunteers are to have confidence and understanding of how the mill works and be able to show and tell this to the visitors. The training of volunteers is a priority for us (SPAB) and we hope to get this sorted as soon as possible.
There are still a few items needing work from the Millwrights so I am feeling the mill will not be open fully to visitors, possibly the exterior and roundhouse but I would not foresee the sails turning until training has been put in place which is not a ‘one day’ event but several days for volunteers to be fully aware and confident of the tasks to be undertaken.”
There is therefore a volunteering opportunity with training at this unique Leicestershire site. Are you interested in helping? If so in the first instance please contact David Holmes on David@holmesoak.co.uk.
Our photo was taken by Terry Eato of Harborough Welland u3a (Photography.Tuesday group)
Picture Quiz No. 7
