Repairing the Fantail
2012
April
Milling of flour ceased as control bars on two sails sheared preventing shutter operation.
September
Fantail spokes and blades replaced after storm damage as a memorial to Denis Moreton.
October
New committee elected
November
Started locating grant bodies for replacing the head frame.
Applied to English Heritage for Grade II* status.
December – January 2013
Obtained quotes from consultants for a survey.
2013
March
Started windows refurbishment.
May
ATG apprentices making (free) replacement parts for sails controls.
June
Awarded grant from BHBT Ltd towards cost of survey and costing for replacement head frame.
July
Fitted replacement control bars to two sails; removed ‘temporary’ striking bar operating mechanism and refurbished the original mechanism—the Y-chain wheel. The sails turned again after a break of a year but unable to mill flour as the head frame is too weakened.
December
Survey reports showed the head frame so weakened that the sails had to be removed for safety reasons.