Bembridge Windmill is 1 of 445 heritage organisations across the country set to receive a lifesaving financial boost from the Government thanks to the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to help them through the coronavirus pandemic.
445 organisations will share £103million, including the National Trust’s Bembridge Windmill to help restart vital reconstruction work and maintenance on cherished heritage sites, keeping venues open and supporting those working in the sector.
£10,400 has been awarded to the last remaining windmill on the Isle of Wight. The funding will be used to complete the installation of replacement external timber sails and stock sections of the windmill, known as sweeps. They have been manufactured and are ready to be put in place, but coronavirus put their installation at risk.
Standing for over 300 years, the windmill was given to the National Trust in 1961 and has even featured in a watercolour by JMW Turner. It is an iconic sight in the landscape and much loved by the local community, who were central in helping to raise the initial funds.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said:
“As a nation it is essential that we preserve our heritage and celebrate and learn from our past. This massive support package will protect our shared heritage for future generations, save jobs and help us prepare for a cultural bounceback post covid.”
Kathryn Wilson, Visitor Operations and Experience Manager for the Isle of Wight National Trust said:
“We are delighted to have received the DCMS grant funding to replace the sweeps on Bembridge Windmill. When lockdown happened earlier in the year we thought it could be a couple of years before we would have the finances to make this happen. It will be great to see Bembridge Windmill standing proud with its sweeps in place.”
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A fantastic result for this iconic monument. With wind turbines in vouge, nice to see the one of the early forms of wind power still standing.
Thank you to the parish council workers for helping construct the now walkable footpath across the marsh behind this wonderful Windmill.