Union Mill Union Mill, Cranbrook
Registered charity no.1031879

Renovations (2)

On 23rd September, 2003 the refurbished cap was transported from the millwright's back to Cranbrook. One mile north of Cranbrook, an overhanging branch struck the cap and damaged a couple of pieces of weatherboarding, but nothing drastic. After minor repairs the cap was successfully lifted into position, as shown by the photos below.

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On Tuesday, 21st October, 2003 (Trafalgar Day), the weather was ideal, sunny and with little wind. The lorry carrying the sweeps and stocks arrived in Cranbrook at about 8:30am, and one way traffic working was set up in the narrow road near the mill. The canister had to be scraped and cleaned internally to accept the stocks and fitting these took some considerable time so that the first sailframe and whip was not lifted from the lorry (carefully avoiding the many overhead telephone lines) until mid-afternoon, after the TV crew from Meridian had left! As a result the crane and millwrights were working until about 8pm, well after dark to get the four sailframes and whips bolted onto the stocks. The light was fading fast when the second sailframe and whip was being fitted as can be seen from picture 4 below! The spider mechanism for controlling the shutters was reassembled the following day and clamps bolted onto the side of the stocks for extra strength. To complete the renovation, the stones will be dressed.

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Photos kindly supplied by Maurice Fry

Removing Cap and Sweeps