New sails for 200-year-old working windmill

A 200-year-old windmill which had two of its four wooden sails removed more than a year ago is set to be restored to its full glory.

Wilton Windmill, near Marlborough, Wiltshire - the only working mill in the Wessex region - has been standing with just two sails since October 2024 after the wooden structures began to rot.

The Grade II*-listed landmark is owned and funded by Wiltshire Council in partnership with the Wilton Windmill Society which fundraises to help with operations and maintenance.

Chairman of the voluntary organisation Peter Wilson said work was set to begin on 16 April to replace all four sails because "the rot had set in a lot more" than had previously been thought.

Plans for the new and improved sails had to go through an application process.

"Although they will look identical to the old ones, they are going to be subtly different in the hope they will give us more efficiency in lighter winds," Wilson said.

"It will look a lot nicer - like it is meant to with four sails - and also, more importantly, we will be able to start milling wheat grain again and making flour which we then sell."

Built in 1821, the mill is now used to educate visitors on the tradition of milling wholemeal stone-ground flour.

The imminent restoration is particularly poignant following the recent death of the president of the society, Peter Lemon, who was born in the former miller's house in 1945.

"His first living memory was of his mother rearing chickens in the windmill when it was practically a ruin," Wilson said.

"He and his father were very actively involved in getting Wiltshire Council to buy the site and - with other organisations - they got the money together to do the full refurbishment.

"It started milling again in 1976.

"He [Peter] will be sorely missed. As we await the replacement of all four sails, the remaining two have been placed in the 'mourning' position in his memory.

"The top sail is just past the 12 o'clock position, indicating a life just passed," he said.

A spokesperson for Wiltshire Council said: "All work has been carefully designed to respect the windmill's historic character, ensuring Wilton Windmill can continue to be enjoyed by residents and visitors for generations to come."

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