An auction selling off pieces from the rural museum at Calbourne Water Mill last weekend (Saturday 4th May) has raised vital funds that are to be spent on fixing the mill’s pit wheel. It was back at the beginning of the month, that the popular attraction shared a post to its Facebook page stating that it was set to permanently close its doors to the public – as previously reported by Island Echo – with items from the establishment’s museum to be auctioned off. Despite the initial fears of total closure, it has now emerged that the mill would remain open but that funds were desperately needed to repair the pit wheel. Over 300 lots went under the hammer at the event held over the Bank Holiday Weekend. Among the lots that sold at the public event were;
- Lot 4 – A 1940 Dennis Fire Engine with original wooden ‘turntable’ ladder, hosing, nozzles, etc (Guide price £4,000-£6,000) SOLD for a whopping £6,800.
- Lot 82 – An Elizabeth II red painted telephone box (Guide price £100-£200) SOLD for a whopping £2,000.
- Lot 84 – A Bailey cast iron turnstile – originally from Ryde Pier and which was used at the first Isle of Wight Festival (Guide price £100-£200) SOLD for £700 to Councillor Jonathan Bacon.
- Lot 94 – A Tasker & Sons of Andover early farm steam engine (Guide price £1,200-£1,500) SOLD for a whopping £13,600.
- Lot 95 – A 50’s Saunders Roe built experimental Black Knight rocket test casting – this was part of Britain’s first attempt at the space race and it’s engines were tested at The Needles (Guide Price £2,000-£3,000) SOLD for £1,500.
- Lot 308 – A 6ft high cast metal water feature in the form of a Mythical Dragon (Guide Price £4,000-£5,000) SOLD for £3,800.
- Lot 372 – An antique cast metal cannon with GR embossed motto which is 7ft long and was situated at the entrance of the mill (Guide Price £200-£300) SOLD for £4,000 (the other one that was there sold for just £1,800).
“We appreciated you coming and bidding for the items. Please keep us updated on how you renovate and treasure them. “We are hoping to have raised enough funds to finish the repairs to our pit wheel and be milling flour again. It will be brilliant to provide stone ground, water-powered, top-quality flour to Islanders again. “Thank you to all our wonderful Island community, for all your kind words and messages of understanding. We are truly blessed to live in a caring community and beautiful place.”
Article continues below this advertisement
I’m really pleased that so much money was raised. Can’t wait to see the wheels turning again.
Shame alot of items are to leave the mill..decaeds ago schools went there with dosens of kids ..but no more..maybe times have changed..hopefully soon back to fully working and more tourists come back.
Maybe the schools would have been better off keeping the kids in class to work on their spelling.
Lots 95 Question that it was the black knight.more shape of black arrow!!
If it was part of rocket??
The owners should take a look at the pit wheel repair case study by Sylmasta in order to spend their money wisely.
Search for: “repair and refurbishment of a 19th century pit wheel using Sylmasta AB Epoxy Putty“