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Jack Windmill

@jack_windmill

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19th-century tower mill in the South Downs National Park

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Here is a deceptively peaceful looking timelapse of the cap coming off. Not shown is the trepidation of everyone standing beneath it when the crane’s maximum capacity alarm began to beep, the quiet rumble of the frame as it lifted free, and the exclamations of relief that followed.

An exciting high stakes day full that could have had a far more dramatic ending without @suffolkmillwright ‘s foresight and diligent prep work securing the structure. Thanks to Tim and his team for making this complex lift look almost delicate.

More footage to follow once I find time to organize things.

⏳September 2024

#historical #windmill #restoration taken in Jack & Jill Windmills by @jack_windmill

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8 months ago

Jack was severely damaged by Storm Henk in January 2024. Part of the fanstage collapsed, one of the fan blades landed in a neighbouring field, and the fan spindle was bent and hanging precariously. Fallen projectiles were recovered and stored. A crane and three men secured the spindle and surgically removed loose timbers until the cap could be lowered for extensive repairs.

The plan was to restore Jack and Duncton before getting the cap to rotate to the weather, but this now meant that Phase I and Phase II of the project had to be tackled simultaneously.

🎥 January 2024

#windmill #falling #from #the #sky taken in Jack & Jill Windmills by @jack_windmill

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9 months ago

Our first job moving here? Get Jack’s cap turning again. ⚙️

Despite the recent restoration by previous owners and diligent greasing by friendly neighbours, the cap was seized in place, unable to face the weather and vulnerable to winter winds.

This reel shows initial optimism on a sunny day - but we were not victorious. A previous reel shows the consequences of those winter winds.

We now know better than to stand on the fan stage without proper protection.

⌛️June 2021

#historic #windmill #restoration taken in Sussex, England by @jack_windmill

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8 months ago

The total eclipse is complete! ⚫️

After years of damage, the roundhouse of Duncton windmill was made watertight again, marking a significant milestone in its conservation.

The central post of the rotating mill body once rose through this circular opening. It was demolished and its timbers were used to build neighbouring Jack in 1866.

A smooth process for thanks to @myriad_construction_ltd @iqglass @liftassistltd @chloeblain

⏳June 2026

#Heritage #Conservation #Glazing taken in Jack & Jill Windmills by @jack_windmill

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3 months ago

Is a roof the difference between a ruin and a building? 🛖

Duncton windmill is one step closer to keeping the rain out.

The roof sits on a ring beam that prevents the the flint walls from spreading further.

The rooflight marks the point where the original post of the rotating windmill body once rose through the roundhouse.

Stay tuned for glazing installation next week.

#historic #windmill #restoration

Artists are South Coast Metal Roofing Ltd taken in South Downs National Park by @jack_windmill

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4 months ago

Jill turning with the weather 𖣘 by @jack_windmill

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7 months ago

Jack windmill played her part in the war effort.

Inside the Granary, tail components for WWI aircraft and wire handles for artillery shells were produced at scale.

On the back of one photo, a note reads:
“20,000 wire handles made for 3”/4” shells”

⏳1915
📷 Emmy Eustace Collection at the The Mills Archive and Frank Gregory Collection

#windmill #war #effort #ww1 taken in Sussex, England by @jack_windmill

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7 months ago

See what I found when my husband was enlisted for a historic cleanup.

Completely unwarranted in a very belated celebration of International Women’s Day!

⌛️October 2021

#internationalwomensday #heritage #restoration taken in Sussex, England by @jack_windmill

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7 months ago

Duncton Windmill was built sometime before 1765 and has lived many lives. She was dismantled in 1866, but not lost.

Some of her original timbers were repurposed in Jack and are still visible today.

Her roundhouse became Henry Longhurst’s study a century later.

Now she is getting a new roof, and we are tending to her cracks and quirks to last centuries more.

Next I will be sharing why the mouldy cladding had to go and what we uncovered in the process.

📷 *My Life and Soft Times* by Henry Longhurst, 1971

#heritagerestoration #britishhistory #beforeandafter taken in Jack & Jill Windmills by @jack_windmill

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7 months ago

Just a few more to go…

⏳ February 2026

#windmills #renovation #holes taken in Jack & Jill Windmills by @jack_windmill

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8 months ago

Did you know that “sails” are called “sweeps” in Sussex?

steady sweeps and sweet snowdrops 🤍

@jackandjillwindmills

#sussex #snowdrops #sweeps taken in Sussex, England by @jack_windmill

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8 months ago

Our findings? 👀

Excavation quickly reached virgin chalk, with no archaeological features or finds of historical significance.

Reassuring for the project, but disappointing for the treasure hunters amongst us.

⏳March 2025

#archaeology #sad #treasure #hunt taken in Sussex, England by @jack_windmill

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8 months ago