Work is underway on the restoration of Skidby Mill.
The mill stopped commercial grinding in the 1960s. The sails were removed in 2019 after rot was discovered in the support beams, raising concerns for the structural integrity of the site.
The mill officially closed for restoration in 2020, following East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s approval of a comprehensive restoration plan. The site had seen delays to the restoration work when additional damage to the timber structure inside the mill’s cap was discovered, combined with the difficulty of securing the services of a specialist millwright to undertake the work.
Following a period of preparation to ensure all conditions were right, the eagerly awaited restoration work has begun and the sails are due to return later this year.
In order for works to begin, the cap weighing approximately ten tonnes was removed from the mill and lowered to the ground to be inspected by the millwright. The millwrights will be working to replace the tail-beam and waterproof the cap. They have also identified and removed three failed bearings which will need to be fabricated by a specialist contractor.
The remainder of the cap and fantail assembly will be inspected, repaired, waterproofed and redecorated prior to it been reinstalled on the mill later in the year. The essential repairs will help prevent water ingress and safeguard the integrity of the mill structure.
When the restored sails are reinstated, they will remain stationary and without shades as the site is no longer a working mill, this will protect the sails’ structure and ensure their longevity for years to come.
