Proposal for the restoration of the cap, fantail and sail frames

Holgate Windmill is a Grade II listed building and is the last surviving windmill of nearly 20 mills which once surrounded York. It is a Lincolnshire style tower mill and was built in 1770, and was last renovated in 1939. The mill contains much of it's original machinery but is missing it's sails and fantail. Currently the mill is undergoing an exterior renovation programme funded by a partnership between City of York Council and Holgate Windmill Preservation Society. This work covers work to the tower including repairs to the brickwork, a new render and tar finish, new windows and oak doors and the installation of an electrical system. The mill is owned by City of York Council who are preparing to lease the building to Holgate Windmill Preservation Society for a nominal rent.
This following set of proposals prepared by the society show how the mill could be given a restored cap, fantail and sail frames and outline how much it would cost.
	• The cap could be stripped of it's corroded metal sheets; the wooden supports repaired and replaced where necessary, and double skin softwood boarding applied. This could then be painted in the traditional off white paint. • The fantail stage which was removed in 1939 could be reinstated with new sheers, repairs to the curb ring, new fantail gearing and a skeleton fan. • The original iron cross supporting the sails could be renovated, five new whips installed and fitted with double sets of sail frames. The society has planning permission for all the works scheduled in this document. HWPS currently have around £30,000 available to go towards this project. With VAT, transport and storage costs, the amount the society is seeking to raise is around £98,000.
Costings for a renovated cap, fantail and sails for Holgate Windmill Prepared by Tom Davis, Thompsons Millwrights, Alford, Lincolnshire - August 2006. 1 Remove cap and examine curb £3,000 2 Contingency sum for curb repairs £3,500 3 Strip off cap cover, examine spars etc and dismantle. Lift off cross, windshaft and brakewheel. Dismantle cap frame and transport to Thompson's yard. Temporary cap £3,700 4 Major repairs to cap frame and new fantail stage. Two new sheers and tail beam £14,700 5 New turned oak finial and 28 new oak spars £6,500 6 Refit neck and tail bearings, guide sheaves and cast and fit eight new pigs £2,500 7 Fit new spars and finial to cap. Dismantle, make new bolts for cap and fantail. Transport to York and refit. Cap ring repairs £9,000 8 Double board cap with top board in ceder. Three coats paint finish £33,000 9 Refit cap and fantail £3,000 10 New fantail bearings, hub and eight skeleton fan boards £3,800 11 Five new double sided sail frames with refurbished bolts and shackles £38,000 12 Site meeting and travel expenses £1,100 Total Cost £121,800
If this interests you and you would like to contribute towards the project please see our fundraising page for more details
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