120 guests welcomed Lord Burlington to Heage Windmill for the Official Opening of the mill following extensive repairs to the 227-year-old building. Having driven down to the windmill on a resplendent 1947 Fordson tractor (owned by Mr John Allsop), Lord Burlington thanked the many individuals and organisations who have supported the work carried out and the volunteers who maintain and operate the only functioning windmill in Derbyshire.
Having cut the ribbon and been presented with a special bag of stone ground flour milled at Heage, Lord Burlington (who was accompanied by his son James) then took a tour of the windmill whilst guests were entertained by the Amber Band and the Makeney Morris dance group.
Completed in 1797, Heage Windmill is the last stone tower six sailed windmill in Britain and the only working windmill in Derbyshire. Preserved, maintained and operated by volunteers, the windmill opens to the public every weekend and Bank Holiday Monday from the beginning of April to the end of October. There is no charge for parking or access to the site – donations are welcomed. A guided tour of the windmill is offered as are a range of traditionally stone ground flour milled on site (subject to availability).
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