The mill officially closed for restoration in 2020
Skidby Mill restoration work is currently underway and the historic sails will be reinstated at a later date, East Riding of Yorkshire confirmed. The sails were originally removed in 2019 after rot was discovered in the support beams.
The mill closed in 2020 for restoration work, but sadly the site has seen delays due to additional damage to the timber structure cap. The council said there has also been difficulty in securing the services of a specialist millwright to undertake the work.
Now it has been confirmed that the eagerly awaited restoration work has begun, with the sails set to return later this year. The cap, which weighs approximately ten tonnes, has been removed from the mill and lowered to the ground so it can be inspected by the millwright.
Three failed bearing have also been identified. These will need to be fabricated by a specialist contractor.
The council said that the remainder of the cap and fantail assembly will be inspected, repaired, waterproofed and redecorated prior to it been reinstalled on the mill later in the year. The essential repairs will help prevent water ingress and safeguard the integrity of the mill structure.
When the restored sails are reinstated, they will remain stationary and without shades as the site is no longer a working mill. The council explained this will protect the sails’ structure and ensure their longevity for years to come.
Originally constructed in 1821, Skidby Mill, a grade two star listing with Historic England, has long stood as a symbol of East Yorkshire’s cultural heritage. While it stopped commercial grinding in the 1960s, the building has remained an iconic structure in the area.
Councillor Barbara Jefferson, East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s cabinet member for heritage and coastal said: ‘’Many people have eagerly awaited this restoration work and it is marvellous to see the progress which has been made at Skidby Mill. Not only do the sails restore the grandeur and cultural iconography of the site, they also symbolise our commitment to protecting cultural heritage within the region. We have worked hard to reinstate the features of an iconic landmark which means a lot to residents while inspiring our loyal visitors and inviting new ones to the local area.’’
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