NL 38

Photographs of UK windmills. Photographic register of English windmills and related correspondence. Correspondence 1970s-1990s. Letters from H S R Hawksley. Correspondence re windmills and watermills of Middlesex

(1) Two technical drawings (A1 size) for the restoration of Madingley Post Mill prepared for Mr and Mrs Mortlock by Nicholls/the Chiltern Partnership, one of which stamped as approved by South Cambridgeshire DC planning department on 5 June 1995.
(2) 3 sheets of Nicholl's manuscript notes, measurement and drawings (A3 size).
(3) A photocopy of two images taken in 1935, one of the site of Madingley Post Mill and the other of Ellington Post Mill. These were sent to Nicholls by [Wm Todd], English Heritage, on 5 May 1993, and come from the National Monuments Record. Also attached, a photocopy of a 1974 image of a Post Mill marked 'Rex Wailes 29.10.74'.
(4) 4 sheets of photocopied images of Ellington Post Mill ranging in date from 1916 to 1922.

Nicholl's foolscap notebook containing:
(1) 56 double-sided pages of dated notes, drawings, and measurements of the wind and watermills listed at "Place access points below".
(2) A newspaper clipping from the mid 1980s reporting on Millwrights International Limited's work on the restoration and removal of Chiseldon tower mill to Windmill Hill Business Centre, Swindon.
(3) A photocopied newspaper clipping from [the Telegraph] reporting on the restoration of Mapledurham Watermill, also referencing Nicholl's concern about the future of milling machinery at Rhydlydan Watermill, Wales.
(3) Further notes, contacts, addresses and potential suppliers of materials are listed on the last 6 pages of the notebook.

The contents of the file are:
(1) Nicholl's 8-page report on Stowell Mill following an inspection on 15 March 1988. The report is addressed to the Agent for the mill's owner, Lord Vesty, and covers the overall condition of the mill, gives recommendations for the future of the mill and provides an estimated costing to get the mill functioning again (£26,700), speculating on the possibility of the availability of grant aid for the project. Nicholls advises that whilst income from tourism and/or milling were possible, it would be "unfair to lease it to anyone wishing to obtain a reasonable living from milling operations". Speciality milling on a seasonal basis is given as one of several alternative uses suggested.
(2) Nicholl's invoice for the survey and report preparation (£180).
(3) Nicholl's cover letter for the report, referencing his and Dan Miles resignation as directors of Millwrights International Limited.

Report addressed to Mr and Mrs John Barker following an inspection on 20/21 March 1986. The 5-page (double-sided) report gives a history of the mill, discusses the condition of its structure, machinery, water courses and controls and makes proposals for their repair/restoration to milling order. Consideration is also given to whether the restored mill could sustain a small scale commercial milling operation and generate sufficient interest for a visiting public. The budget costings provided (£32,790) include provision for a visitor reception area.

A 12-page, co-authored, Millwrights International Limited report for East Cambridgeshire County Council on Six Mile Bottom Post Mill following an inspection and survey in July 1980. A detailed assessment of the condition of the mill is given together with repair proposals and an estimated budget for the work of £14,000 - £16,000. Nicholls acknowledges background information provided by Rex Wailes and Henry Wozniak. Details of the mill's history are given, referencing its current owner (Delamere Estate) and its Grade II listing in Spring 1980 and hence, East Cambridgeshire County Council's role in ensuring its protection. Nicholls describes its general appearance as "lost, forlorn and forgotten; a real disgrace to a structure so full of historical detail and constructional interest. In this respect she is unique". Reference is made to previous discussions with Millwrights International Limited about moving the whole structure to a rural life museum as a last resort

An 8-page report for East Sussex County Council on the Cross-in-Hand Post Mill following an inspection made on 8 February 1979 which describes the present condition of the mill's structure and provides a summary of the work proposed. Detailed costings are provided, amounting to an estimate of £27,350. Nicholls remarks on this being a considerable amount of money, but for a considerable schedule of work. The use of volunteers for some of the work is suggested, Nicholls commenting, "...and although this decreases the Millwrights income, it may help in funding the overall project". He concludes, "We trust, however, that you will proceed to get a programme under way. Cross-in-Hand is an excellent mill, and should be saved".

A 4-page report for Suffolk County Council on Holton Post Mill examining the mill's: sails; fan, framing and carriage; substructure and buck. The report concludes that public access should be prohibited pending the recommended programme of repair works due to the unsatisfactory condition of certain aspects of the structure. An estimate of £8,600 is given for the repair work (including the replacement of two stocks).

A Jameson Marshall Limited report prepared by Nicholls for J.J. Eyston on Mapledurham Mill and addressed to H. Godwin Arnold (architect). The 2-page report proposes a five-week programme of millwrights and associated works on the mill, split into three stages. A schedule of materials required is attached.

A one-page (double-sided) report addressed to J.V. Skinner, copied to Monica Dance (SPAB) and made by Nicholls on behalf his employer, Jameson Marshall Limited. The mill was inspected on 22 September 1976 and Nicholls makes recommendations for works to be carried out at a cost of c. £2,980, the price quoted being "firm for four months" and taking three months to complete "(weather permitting)".

A 5-page report on the "Waterwheel to Higher Mill Museum, Helmshore" addressed to Lancashire County Council and made by Nicholls on behalf his employer, Jameson Marshall Limited. The waterwheel was inspected on 5 October 1976 (specifically focused on the wheel and not the rest of the fulling mill) and Nicholls makes recommendations for all the timber components of the wheel to be removed and replaced and provides a schedule of replacement materials required. The estimate for the work comes to £7,885, deploying "three men on average, and complete within 12 weeks from commencement", a full day's work being from 6.30 am to 7.00 pm, the estimate assuming that "simple 'all in' accommodation" could be provided locally.

Copy of Derek Ogden's report to Wiltshire County Council on Wilton Windmill following an inspection on 24 May 1971. The 7-page report includes a suggested programme of works, noting that "it can and should be restored to a workable condition" but that if "nothing were done within the next twelve to eighteen months the mill will undoubtably deteriorate beyond an economic repair".