From David McKeown
On Thursday October 17th, Historic England (HE) published its listing of Heritage at Risk for 2019. Prominent in the press release was this: ‘Saved ‘ Little Chishill Mill, Great and Little Chishill, South Cambridgeshire
The Great Chishill Windmill Trust has carried out three phases of renovation with grant support from Historic England and the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings. The local community is passionate about its history – funds were raised to repair Chishill Mill at the same time as fundraising campaigns to replace the roof of Little Chishill Church and to repair the parish church. The Mill has now been removed from the Heritage at Risk Register.
We should all pat ourselves on the back for congratulations like that from HE. A huge ‘thank you!’ to all who helped in whatever way. There is still work to be done on the mill, of course. We are awaiting connection of the tailfan to the wheels and then a continuous campaign to keep our mill in fine fettle for the next 120 years begins. There is also that dream of restoring the internal machinery so that we can grind grain once more!
But the publicly announced recognition by Historic England of a job well done is very good reason for us all feel proud! Top picture by Peter Homent, lower ones by David KcKeown
