Appeal to raise £10,000 for Thurne MIll repairs before its 200th birthday
Debra Nicholson at the Wind Energy Museum. Picture: TMS Media - Credit: Archant
A historic windmill which has long been a Broads landmark has launched a £10,000 appeal for much-needed repairs before its 200th birthday.
Debra Nicholson at the Wind Energy Museum. Picture: TMS Media - Credit: Archant
The former drainage mill at Thurne Dyke is, with the nearby Wind Energy Museum, today enjoyed as a tourist attraction and well-known wetlands sight. But with algae growth slowly turning its chalk white torso pink, the mill, which was built in 1820, is in need of a facelift before the milestone in 2020.
Work to remove the algae and repaint the mill is likely to come in at about £10,000 – a cost which will be on top of the £15,000 already needed every year to keep the sails turning at the Repps-with-Bastwick museum.
A lone reed isolated against the blue sky with Thurne Mill in the background.Picture: James Bass - Credit: Eastern Daily Press © 2012
Museum and mill owner Debra Nicholson, who is launching the appeal, said: 'Thurne Dyke is one of just a handful of working windpumps left in Norfolk, so it is special.
'We need to remove the algae growth and to repaint it – which will cost £8,000 to £10,000 – so we will need a major campaign to find the funding.'
Sailing. Pictured: yachts at Thurne Mill race back to Horning. Date: 22 apr 1957. Picture: EDP Library - Credit: Archant
The mill, which was maintained by the Norfolk Windmills Trust until 2014, is just a five-minute drive from the museum, which details 200 years of wind energy history.
It houses a collection amassed by Bob Morse, who restored Thurne Mill in the 1940s, which includes a waterwheel from Whitlingham Lane and a steam engine from Hemsby.
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It is one of the attractions under the Greater Yarmouth Tourism and Business Improvement Area (GYTABIA) umbrella.
Chairman Gareth Brown said: 'This small but unique and fascinating museum shows the kind of hidden treasures there are in the Greater Yarmouth area. We would encourage people to visit and support ventures like this, run by a handful of dedicated people, which add to the rich tapestry of things to do a short drive from the main resort and seafront.'
The museum will host festive open days on the weekends of December 3 and 4 and 10 and 11 from 12pm to 4pm.
To keep up to date with the appeal, or to help, click here or call Mrs Nicholson on 07796 407864.
• Do you have a tourism story? Email lauren.cope@archant.co.uk
