Problems with the sweeps at West Blatchington
After eleven years in place, the vagrancies of the British climate have taken their toll on the sweeps of West Blatchington windmill and with health and safety a key element in today's world, it was decided that the worst affected of the two pairs, should be removed before the winter weather caused them to fail completely.

On Wednesday 27th October, despite atrocious weather conditions, thanks to the meticulous planning and organisational skills of Simon Potter, a team of volunteers from Jill windmill achieved this daunting task

Throughout the morning and eventually soaked to the skin, Simon along with Roger French, Paul Barber, David Meares, Lionel Cole and Douglas Cairns (a young enthusiast who had come down specially for the occasion from North Shields, Tyne & Wear !) skilfully removed backstays and bolts in preparation for the final lift off once the crane and cherry picker from Coussens had arrived on the scene.

From beginning to end the whole operation went without a hitch and took just six hours and with the sweeps down at ground level, Peter Casebow from High Salvington mill, immediately set to taking measurements etc. in preparation for constructing a new set.

This exercise proves just what can be achieved when the individual skills of volunteers from different mills within the group are brought together on a single project

Photos by David Meares, Peter Hill, Roger French, Paul Barber and Joey Barber     
Text by Peter Hill