Lode Mill Restoration Works
For the past few months, we have been unable to run Lode Mill, due to deterioration of some of the machinery that turns the mill. Due to Covid restrictions, the mill remained closed from March 2020 until June 2021. We were lucky enough to have had the support of our team of mill volunteers throughout this time, some of whom were carrying out essential maintenance and conservation tasks on the building and machinery whilst the mill was closed. However, as we were unable to turn the mill properly, despite our best efforts, some of the machinery still deteriorated beyond our control.
The restoration works currently taking place are being carried out by Dorothea Restorations, a millwright contractor that have worked with Lode Mill for many years. These works will be quite extensive and include:
- repairing and fitting the upright shaft top gudgeon that helps to keep the upright shaft vertical and turning
- reseating the pit wheel on the horizontal shaft so that the mill can turn and produce flour
- redressing the mill stones that grind the flour
- fitting a new sack hoist drive chain which will enable us to lift bags of grain to the top floor of the mill
These restorative works provide a fantastic opportunity for us to learn and understand more about the inner workings of the mill and how we can best look after this machinery to ensure that the mill continues to run smoothly and safely for years to come. We look forward to providing further updates once the mill is up and running again.