Monday, 26 August 2013

Cap-on Day

The cap (with repainted fantail) is due to be lifted back on to the mill tower on the morning of Thursday 29th August. It has to be done by 2pm as the museum is open then with Children's Activities.
Below are a couple of photos of the cap with most of the scaffolding and sheets removed. (the mill tower remains shrouded with corrugated iron, scaffolding and sheets). The fantail, which is currently in the museum grounds, will be reattached to the cap shortly before the cap is lifted.
You might want to wear sunglasses to see the cap in person as the gloss paint is brilliant white!



Saturday, 17 August 2013

Restoration Update - August 2013

More photos of the restoration work that has been taking place during late July and August.
The repairs are still on schedule, with the cap now due to go back on in late August and the sails going on in October or November.
All 4 sails are now complete and are in our Millwrights workshop in Lincolnshire awaiting the shutters. The volunteer Shutter Team have almost made enough shutters for 2 sailsIf you would like to help make the new shutters (at the museum) contact Ann Wise, Volunteer Coordinator -volunteers@burwellmuseum.org.uk
Click on a photo to see a larger version. Oldest photos at the bottom. Newest at the top.
All photos by Steve Boulton of Traditional Millwrights Limited
Grain Bins rebuilt

New handrails

Millstones refitted after refurbishment

Sail number 4 (almost complete in the photo. It has since been completed)

Sunday, 28 July 2013

Restoration Update - June & July 2013

 More photos of the restoration work that has been taking place during June and July.
The repairs are still on schedule, with the cap now due to go back on in late August (sometime before the Bank Holiday weekend) - and the sails going on in October or November.
If you would like to help make the new shutters contact Ann Wise, Volunteer Coordinator - volunteers@burwellmuseum.org.uk
Click on a photo to see a larger version. Oldest photos at the bottom. Newest at the top.

Fantail gearing back in position.
Tubes forming part of the automatic
lubricating system can be seen.

Fantail stage and frame painted
Cap finial repainted
(with a little bit getting on the waterproof sheet above it).



Cap being painted


     
Cap being painted





Cap prepared for painting
Cap prepared for painting 
External rendering repair
nearing completion
Metal parts of the shutter mechanism
in the process of being painted by volunteers.





Metal parts of the shutter mechanism
in the process of being painted by volunteers.


New shutters made by volunteers


New rear porch and doors to fantail stage.


Close-up of new rear porch.

Underside of temporary roof.
A new room/emergency light and an uplight can just be seen.

Internal plastering repair plus a new window.





The boarding is completed and treated. 
Lead flashing added

Wednesday, 29 May 2013

More Restoration Photos - May 2013


 More photos of the restoration work that has been taking place this month.
The repairs are on schedule, with the cap and sails due to go back on in late September - early October.
Click on a photo to see a larger version. Oldest photos at the bottom. Newest at the top.


Neil and Steve, the millwrights, nailing on the planks. The planks are tapered to a point so they lie without gaps between them. Another layer of planks will cover the joints between the first layer.



Cladding the cap with cedar begins



Cap frame with repairs.
New wooden floor
More brick repairs. The mill is actually built of clunch, a local hard chalky stone. The walls are very thick here and the bricks are just used to fill the gaps where the outer edges of the large clunch blocks have deteriated. This prevents the need to replace the whole block.
Rotten window to be replaced.
New bricks replacing old bricks that had come loose in an old repair.
Damaged clunch and bricks removed and new brick repair started.

Saturday, 11 May 2013

Restoration Update - April/May 2013

Here are some photos from Steve, one of our Millwrights, of what they've been doing for us over the last few weeks. Captions by Steve, too. (Click on a photo for a larger version)
Burwell mill rear porch
Burwell mill noggins nogged
Stevens mill Burwell minus ugly alloy sheeting

Burwell mill sail no.1 on its stock with
back stays and weather boards
Burwell mill sail no.1 finished

Burwell mill,stock clamps fitted
Burwell mill second sail on its stock

Patterns for Burwell mill rocker arms
Burwell museum birds eye view