Union Mill, Cranbrook Registered charity no.1031879
| ||
News and Events Digital Telemetry for Traditional Windmills We had some problems some years ago with the cap sticking, always a potential hazard with windmills. Some clever members of the Friends of Upminster windmill have developed a solution. Their website explains it as follows: “Digital sensors installed in the mill’s cap measure its orientation and transmit data to the smartmolen system, which checks the readings against observed and forecast wind conditions. Alerts can be sent via SMS text message when the system detects a tail wind situation or foresees the risk of one. Device installed in the cap of the mill The Friends of Upminster Windmill won the BAFM Impact Award 2021 in recognition of the benefits of this technology for both preservation and visitor engagement. If you
would like to check the Union Mill's orientation, Click on the image.
CLASSIC CARS at the MILL
CO-OP LOCAL COMMUNITY CAUSES
RENOVATIONS STAGE 2 - Repairs to Smock and Painting - COMPLETED In early 2021, the whole mill was scaffolded so that repairs to windows and doorfames could be carried out, followed by complete painting. Redec, the company responsible, decided to add wedge-shaped tops to the windows (photo below left) so that rain ran off, not back towards the weather-boarding as before. During August 2021, the scaffolding around the smock was removed, giving access to the staging. Rotten window sills and all the slats on the staging have been replaced with oak, which had to be imported from south west France, which caused a delay. The staging metalwork was cleaned and repainted, the chicken wire on the guard rails replaced, and then the lower scaffolding was finally removed. The brick base had to be repaired in several places and then repainted with special paint from Spain – another cause of delay.
To CELEBRATE the completion of Stage 2, we organised a BUGLE CALL Members, friends, and neighbours were invited to the mill on a cool afternoon at the end of August. The scaffolding was still in place, and from a platform around the cap, our chairman addressed the crowd of about 60 with a brief history of the mill (with a megaphone), including the story of how, when the mill was completed in 1814 by the millwright, James Humphrey, his nephew stood on top of the cap and played a trumpet. On this occasion, Max Chesters (right), who lives on the Hill, opposite the mill, played (very competently) a short fanfare by the French baroque composer, Charpentier, and was warmly applauded. After an encore, the onlookers were treated to glasses of bubbly. The proceedings were recorded for posterity by an overhead drone, courtesy of HawkEye Aerial Media of Maidstone and this was used to make a video of the occasion, which you can watch HERE.
STAGE 3 is NEARING COMPLETION
The Shutters are made and painted - now being fitted; just the Fantail to be finished. SOME PHOTOS of STAGE 1 - Removal of Sweeps and Fantail. More details can be found HERE with PHOTOS |