Iconic Broads mill back in action
An iconic landmark of the Norfolk Broads will be back in working action on Sunday 11 May, 2.00pm - 5.00pm, for the first time in over 70 years, to celebrate National Mills Weekend.
The sails of Thurne Mill, a grade 11 listed building, will be turning and its pump will be working for the first time since 1936 at an open day from 2.00pm to 5.00pm. The 190 year old glistening white mill, which stands at the end of Thurne Dyke, has had its sails and pump restored and has been repainted by Broads Authority trainee millwrights as part of a major restoration programme.
The celebrations are in honour of Mr Bob Morse, from Repps with Bastwick, who bought the mill from the Internal Drainage Board in 1949 and saved it from dereliction. He restored the sails and fantail with the help of Albert England, a descendent of Englands of Ludham who built the mill in 1820.
Mr Morse later leased it to the Norfolk Windmills Trust who have employed Essex millwright Vincent Pargeter to complete its restoration. By 2002 a third of the shutters had been added to the sails and since then Mr Pargeter has been restoring the water pump to working order. His wherry Maud, which he and his wife also restored, will be moored alongside the mill on Sunday.
Bob Morse died in January 2007 and gave the mill to Debra Nicholson who has also taken over his collection of historical wind engines. The mill remains leased to the Norfolk Windmills Trust.
Thurne Mill is open to the public on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of every month 2.00pm - 5.00pm from April to September as well as by appointment.
07/05/2008
