Repairs to windmill tower get under way

The first phase of repointing Stansted's windmill has been completed, but the fund-raising continues to repair all the structure's brickwork.

Millers estimate about 10% of the tower has been repointed at a cost of £5,000, but it won't be until at least next year before work can resume when funds allow.

A quiz night on Saturday (October 26) brought in another £500.

Miller Richard Thomas said: "We were very pleased with the work carried out by Rob Wilks and it will certainly made a big difference because when it's as bad as it was, it lets damp in.

"If this job isn't done then over a period of time the whole structure would eventually crumble and fall down."

The work wasn't without a few hiccups, however - cutting out the old mortar resulted in clouds of dust and complaints from neighbours so scaffolding had to be erected with a plastic sheet to contain the debris. And rain also hampered the repairs.

The next major fund-raiser will be Santa's grotto in the mill on Saturday 14th December, 1-5pm.