Urgent repair work has been completed at Dereham Windmill in Norfolk to protect the Grade II listed structure from further deterioration.
The 19th Century windmill, built in 1836 by millwright James Hardy for local miller and baker Michael Hardy, has stood for nearly two centuries. After ceasing work in 1937, it fell into dereliction before being rescued and reopened to the public in 2013 as a community exhibition centre.
Trustee Philippa Whittington said the latest work focused on weatherproofing the building. “We had a number of work we had to do in getting rid of the moss on the outside and making sure the windmill was waterproof because we were suffering from a lot of water coming in through the bricks that were deteriorating so we are very pleased at the work that has been done,” she explained.
The repairs have tackled the most urgent problems, with phases of work still to come. Ms Whittington said the ongoing task of maintaining the site is shaped by financial constraints. “The idea is to keep it looking as it was shortly after 1836 when it was built, so it’s really maintaining that building and making sure it doesn’t deteriorate too much. The bricks tend to deteriorate in the weather, we have to make sure we replace them from time to time.”
Surveys have also shown that further restoration will be needed to the cap of the windmill, which was first replaced in the 1980s.
Dereham Windmill has a long and varied history. Auctioned in 1844 for £650, it went on to operate under the Fendick family, with a steam engine installed to supplement wind power. In later years, milling shifted to animal feed during the First World War, with wheat no longer processed for flour. By the early 20th century, the sails were removed and the paraffin engine took over, but by 1937 the mill had ceased working entirely.
After decades of dereliction, the mill was given Grade II status in 1972. Breckland District Council bought it for £1 in 1978, and restoration efforts began. A new cap and fantail were fitted in 1986, followed by new sails the following year. Despite setbacks, including storm damage and funding struggles, the mill eventually reopened in 2013 as a five-storey exhibition space, run entirely by volunteers.
Today, Dereham Windmill is the last surviving mill in the district. It hosts art displays, community events and educational visits across its five floors. Ms Whittington said her involvement has been an important way of connecting with the town since moving there: “It’s a good way of getting to know people and getting to know things that are going on and it’s nice to see something that is used for the community and it is staffed entirely by volunteers.”
Located in Cherry Lane, near Neatherd High School, the windmill remains a focal point of local heritage. While the recent works have secured the building for now, trustees say repairs will remain an ongoing challenge as they continue to protect one of Norfolk’s most distinctive landmarks.
