The Cap Goes On

The cap of Stevens' Mill was lifted back on top of the mill tower on the morning of 29th August 2013.
We are very grateful to our neighbours in Mill Close for putting up with the enormous crane being parked in their street for half a day. Special thanks to the neighbours who allowed people to stand on their drives and lawns to get a better view of the cap lift. 
Photos below. Video at very bottom of the page.

Not an Anthony Gormley sculpture but one of the millwrights preparing to attach the crane to the mill's temporary roof. As seen from Saxon Drive.

The temporary roof is removed.

The millwrights prepare the cap to take the fantail.

The fantail is lifted from the museum site.

Fantail lowered in to place.

With the fantail attached the cap is prepared for lifting.

Cap lifting. Photo by millwright Steven from the top of the mill tower.

Another view from the top of the mill by Steven. You can see some local residents watching the lift.

Guiding the cap into position as it's lowered.

Millwright Neil lowers the cap the last few centimetres using the chain blocks.

The chains and strops are now slack meaning the cap is in place.

Safety rails for the fantail stage are attached to the crane.

Safety rails lowered on to the scaffolding for Neil to put in place on the fantail stage.

View from across Mill Close

View from Saxon Drive.

Inside the cap

Inside the cap

Inside the cap

The mill site looking tidier and bigger with the safety fence removed and the grass cut.

This where the cap sat from 13th March 2013 until 29th August 2013.
The grass will grow back soon.

VIDEO

This video is in HD. Click on the cog symbol once you have started the video to select picture quality.
Click on the dashed square symbol to view full-screen.

www.burwellmuseum.org.uk

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!

www.burwellmuseum.org.uk

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)

www.burwellmuseum.org.uk

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