Two sails removed from historic working windmill

Equipment was brought in to remove the sails and allow repairs to be carried out on the 203-year-old windmill

Two sails have been removed from a historic working windmill after rotten wood caused them to fall out of place.

People working at Wilton Windmill, near Marlborough, Wiltshire, heard a "loud crack" before seeing wooden splinters fall from the structure.

A section connecting the sails to the mill was later found to be damaged and the volunteer organisation which runs the mill called in experts to remove the sails for repairs.

David Jackson, chairman of the Wilton Windmill Society, said it can operate without all of the sails but he hoped that they would all be attached again early in 2025.

The windmill was built in 1821 and restored in the 1970s

"It just doesn't look very pretty" he said, explaining that they would need plenty of wind now to carry on milling.

"A good gale would be just the job."

Mr Jackson said one of the sails had dropped out of place from the central iron cross and had become wedged in position, stopping it from falling to the ground.

The chairman said they were glad that noone was hurt and that the sails were not badly damaged.

He added: "There's a piece of wrought iron in the middle called the cross tree. Bolted to that are two timbers called sail stocks and bolted to those are the sails.

"Just where the stocks meet the cross tree, there was a loud crack and that piece of wood failed."

Wilton Windmill, built in 1821 and restored in the 1970s, is the only working windmill in Wessex and makes wholemeal stone-ground flour.

It is used for events and to teach people the traditions of milling and making flour.