AFTER 40 years standing in Wilton, the sails on the Wilton Windmill have been taken down so restoration work can be carried out on the historic site.

The windmill, which is the last one in Wessex still used, was bought by Wiltshire Council in 1975 and restored with sails which mimicked the same ones it had from 1821. Now the sails have been taken down so any rot can be fixed before refitting them in autumn. The works, carried out by Reading- based firm Owlsworth IJP, is set to cost £25,000 and take up to two months to complete. The team of six started work on Monday (August 8) loosening the sails before starting the dismantling at 6am on the following morning.

James Arnold-Baker, 73, of Wilton, member of the Wilton Windmill Society, said: “The windmill was built in 1821 and was used as a watermill for the Kennet and Avon Canal. It was used for 100 years for this purpose until the steam based engines came in. Now the mill is used to grind grains to make flour which is then used to supply the farm shop and local stores.”

The cost of the works is being split between Wilton Windmill Society, from fundraising, and Wiltshire Council which owns the windmill. Regularly visited as a tourist attraction for the Marlborough area, the windmill is a big part of the local community, providing produce for local shops.

“We have been living here for 37 years and I have been part of the society for nearly as long. The windmill attracts visitors from all around. There are only 150 people in the village and all of them are involved with the windmill in some way or another,” added Mr Arnold-Baker.

After the work is carried out everything will be business as usual for the Windmill Society, with hopes that the mill will have a longer life.

“In autumn everything will go back to normal, the restoration works are important to keep the mill up and running, we just need to wait and find out how much needs to be done following the inspection,” said Mr Arnold-Baker.