Work has been taking place at Green's Windmill in Nottingham - ahead of planned "urgent repairs" at the attraction. As part of the work, the sails were temporarily removed from the Grade II-listed windmill at the end of November.
They were removed before the weather conditions became too cold and icy. Due to wear and tear, the sails were unable to turn in the wind, and rot was found in three of the four beams that make up the cap frame, and the cap was no longer aligned with the tower.
On the Green's Windmill website, a notice on the homepage states: "Due to the winter season and essential maintenance works required to the windmill the sails have been removed. During this time we continue to welcome all visitors as normal, for school visits, birthday parties etc."
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The Green's Windmill Trust believes that the attraction will be without its sails for a period of time as funding is needed ahead of "urgent repairs". The trust runs the site and keeps it open on a day-to-day basis, but works in partnership with Nottingham City Council, which owns the building.
Both organisations will be working together to apply for funding, with an estimated £400,000 needed to complete all of the work and repairs. A City Council spokesperson said: “We acquired Green’s Windmill in the 1980s and with widespread community and University of Nottingham support, restored it to full working order and set up the children’s science centre on the site, turning it into the popular attraction it is today.
“However, it is an old building which is susceptible to weather damage and we have identified a series of urgent repairs which, in the short-term, require the temporary removal of the sails and cap before winter sets in, to avoid the risk of any further deterioration. The site will remain open and meanwhile we will work with the Green's Windmill Trust, which manages the site, to apply for funding and grants so the repairs can be carried out.”
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