Another successful site visit

Another successful site visit (photo by Owen Llewellyn)

Eight Friends of Windmill Gardens were treated to a site visit to see how the restoration of Brixton Windmill was going on Monday. Because of the work in progress, they were divided into two groups, guided by Ulrike from Stonewest and Sophie from Dannatt, Johnson Architects.

The first-floor doorway has been repaired (photo by Owen Llewellyn)

Since the last Friends’ visit, work has progressed on the outside of the mill. The brickwork around the door on the first floor is complete, the old lintel has been removed and a new one made.

The large hole in the wall behind the provender mill and the windows are being repaired. It was quite hard work removing the cement covering the brickwork, which is about an inch thick. Also, when working on a crooked windowsill, Stonewest uncovered a large nest of ladybirds and some more tree roots encased in the cement.

 

 

 

The sack hoist wheel has been repaired (photo by Owen Llewellyn)

 

Inside, the sack hoist wheel has been renovated, and new floorboards are being laid on the second floor. Once the boards on the first and second floor have been sanded and varnished, the restored stone furniture and provender mill can be returned.

 

 

Test panel of distemper (photo by Owen Llewellyn)

Trials are continuing on paint for the interior, using distemper instead of limewash. However, this is quite translucent and shows all the repairs underneath, which may not be what we want!