Past Projects

PRESS RELEASE

Denver Mill

The Trust is delighted to report that it has received a contribution of £15,000 from the Garfield Weston Foundation towards the restoration of the sails at Denver Mill, following the fracture of the stock which occurred last October. Faced with an estimated repair bill of £100,000, the Trust is now working to raise the funds required to enable the Mill’s sails to turn again.

Dr Douglas Munro, Secretary of the Trust, said : ”This is a very encouraging start. We hope very much that other grant-making organisations will also help the Trust to restore the wind powering of the Mill. Denver Mill is an important part of Norfolk’s heritage, and the Trust very much wants to see it back in action.”

The Trust played a central role in restoring the Denver Mill site between 1995 and 2000, at a cost of over £1 million. Since then it has been operated by two tenants, and the Trust has spent over £100,000 more on repairs. The sudden, unpredictable fracture of one of the steel stocks carrying the sails in October came as a big blow.

Dr Munro explained that the Trust’s insurance policy specifically excludes “latent defects, gradual deterioration, and wear and tear”. He said : “As a result, we are left facing an unexpected six-figure bill  – having already spent that much on the Mill in the past two and a half years. Frankly, the Trust cannot afford this. Not only do we have about twenty other properties to look after – including Waxham Great Barn, Nelson’s Monument and Homersfield Bridge – but also last April we lost our Annual Grant from Norfolk County Council, which we had been receiving for just this purpose for many years. A double whammy, really : losing the Grant and then suffering this unexpected fracture and its consequences.”

The Trust will continue to try to raise the £100,000, and looks forward to being able to restore a much-loved landmark.

Contact : Dr Douglas Munro, 01603 629048 and nhbt@btconnect.coms

Denver Mill Complex

Denver Mill was built in 1835, and ceased working in 1941 after being struck by lightning. The mill is listed grade II* and the adjacent granary is grade II. The mill complex was given to Norfolk County Council in 1971. However, the Miller's House remained in private ownership with restrictive covenants limiting access and operation of the mill.

Denver Mill before repair

In 1995 the Miller's House became available, and was purchased by the Norfolk Historic Buildings Trust. The County Council sold the mill and outbuildings to the Trust at the same time, creating the opportunity to develop the whole site as an important visitor centre, to provide income for the long term maintenance and repair of the building complex.

Denver Mill after repair

Works included repairs to the grade II* mill; conversion of outbuildings to cafe, toilets, workshops, interpretation centre and staff accommodation; and conversion of the Miller's House into three holiday house lets.

The Miller's House after repair

The Miller's House after repair

The project cost just over £1 million and was assisted by Norfolk County Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Rural Development Commission, and Objective 5b ERDF funding.

Additional further support was received from the Architectural Heritage Fund through a low interest loan to provide necessary working capital.

The mill complex opened in March 2000, and operates as a highly successful visitor attraction, open every day of the year.

Picture Archive

Denver Mill before repair
Denver Mill after repair
Miller's House before & after repair

For other buildings considered as projects click here.