History of Union Mill from 1958

1958 - Dutch Millwrights
When Kent County Coucil took over the Union Windmill in 1958 it was in a sorry state so they employed a team of Dutch Millwrights to make the structure safe and weather-proof although intitially there were no plans to mill even though the machinery was still intact.

The Mill had a number of ancilliary buildings which were leased to a feedstuffs delivery firm for the next 20 years.

1982 - CWA formed
The Cranbrook Windmill Association was created with the intention of opening the mill to the public.
Find out more about Volunteering HERE

2002-3 - Major Renovation by IJP millwrights near Henley-on-Thames.
Sweeps removed, repaired, and reinstalled
Steel Stocks fitted in 1958 replaced by lighter wooden ones.
Cap Repaired and weather-boarding replaced and painted.
More details and Photos can be found HERE
 

Protecting the Mill from the Elements

The cost of scaffolding, just for painting such a large building, was too much so the solution was to do it while

2010 - Abseiling
Paint, formulated for lighthouses, was used for the woodwork and tar for the brick base. Click HERE.
 

2017 - Sweeps repaired

The sweeps had to be removed due to rot in the timbers. One was completely rebuilt, the other three repaired, all at the millwrights' workshops in Reading.

For photos and a video of the re-installation click HERE.

2020-21 - Sweeps and Fantail
These were removed and rebuilt at the millwright's workshop in Saxmundham, Suffolk" led by Tim Whiting.
"Suffolk Millwright" had previously carried out work on Chillenden post mill in Kent, blown over by a gale.

More details (and link to a video) of this major renovation HERE.