No one can have failed to notice that the UK as well as the
rest of the Western world is currently experiencing the most severe financial
recession in living memory. Through surveying many historic buildings in the
county I have begun to appreciate that the upkeep of these sites has become
even more of a challenge than it was previously. As I was involved as a
volunteer at a local windmill a few years ago an article in the local press
took my interest last week. A group of volunteers from Heckington’s famous
8-sailed windmill had travelled to a similar mill at Alford to view the
recently renewed sails there.
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| Alford windmill |
Because of decay,
Heckington’s own sails are currently in the process of being renewed. The
millers visited the millwright’s
premises to see their sails under construction. The traditional material for
sails in this country is said to be matured pine but due to difficulties in
sourcing wood of the required quality,
the decision had been made to follow Alford’s lead in using laminated larch
wood; structurally strong, but costly (well into six figures, as I understand.)
As such, the costs implications associated with the task of keeping buildings
of this type in a working condition become clear. Curious as to how long
repairs such as these are likely to last before again becoming necessary, I did
some basic research. An old book on windmills in the UK told me that the sails
at Alford had previously been replaced around 1978. Major funding could
therefore be needed in around 30 years; hopefully, several years longer due to
the durable materials that have been used. A windmill without sails is a sorry
sight (as many mills in the county testify) and of course, without sails, the
mills’ intended function of producing flour becomes impossible. Those involved
in securing funding at Alford and Heckington are therefore to be congratulated
in managing to keep their mills in good working condition. Recession or not, the viability of mills
as examples of our industrial heritage present considerable financial
responsibilities for those concerned with their upkeep in the years ahead.
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| Heckington windmill |
Similar considerations of cost beset another sector of our
heritage sites: places of worship.
The press continue to run stories on the theft of lead and
other metals from churches several times a week. An oratory in Birmingham had
its roof lead stolen recently. The church authorities there have faced the all
too familiar collateral effects of this type of
theft, in that to protect irreplaceable items, (in this case mosaics,
marble statuary, woodwork and the church organ,) huge expense has been
necessary to provide emergency sheeting - down of the areas concerned.
Despite legislation introduced in January to regulate the
scrap metal trade it is obvious that opportunities still exist to dispose of
the stolen property for profit. It would appear to be the case that until the
price of lead falls significantly, theft from churches is set to continue.
A novel approach to deter thieves was reported in the Daily
Telegraph this week. An insurance company has made a donation of £500,000 for
intruder alarms to be installed in the 100 churches considered to be at most
risk. Movement sensors are to be hidden in spires and decorative finials and
are designed to trigger a “booming alert” telling intruders that security
guards are on their way. Dubbed as “The Voice of God”, the system is thought to
be a cost effective alternative to replacing stolen roofing materials. Ecclesiastical,
the insurance firm that is said to provide cover for 96% of Anglican churches,
received 2,600 claims for metal thefts last year. For those churches left to
fund alarms themselves however, the cost implications merely add to the
financial responsibilities already incumbent in maintaining these magnificent
but vulnerable buildings.
Colin, Heritage Steward
