Sails to be restored to 'last workable' windmill

An historic windmill near Cottingham will see its sails turn again after the local council approved restoration plans.

The sails at the Grade II listed Skidby Mill had stood still for around a decade, and were removed in 2019 after wet rot was found in the oldest sails.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC) has now passed plans to fit new and repaired sails to the mill, which was built in 1821.

Geraldine Mathieson, who worked at the mill, said: "We’re down to the last workable windmill out of about 200 in East Yorkshire. The best way to preserve a mill is to use it."

Three objections had be lodged against the plans, claiming the new sails were not accurate reproductions.

Details from the mill's original sails were not available at the time of reconstruction, so there are subtle differences between the four sails.

But the plans stated these would not be visible from ground level.

ERYC said no milling would be done at Skidby because the sails would turn at a slower speed than in the past, to shed water and preserve the structure.

Mrs Mathieson said while the replacement sails were not ideal, the lack of detailed historical drawings to work from meant there was no alternative but to fit new ones.

She said the council should try to get those details so that more accurate sails could be made when the current ones reach the end of their lifespan.

But Councillor David Nolan was critical of the plan, saying the council should respect the mill’s heritage.

He said: "We should be making an effort to keep it as it should be and not just get the sails up.

"Saying we’ll put these up and then make some notes for later seems a bit weak."

Skidby Mill is one of the East Riding’s leading tourist attractions and features a museum and cafe.