We’re all pleased to hear and see that restoration work on Mount Pleasant Windmill at Kirton in Lindsey has been completed and this fantastic building is now back in its prime.
The windmill is a major local landmark, and after eight years of complications the four sails are now back in position following the devastating storm in 2015.
Mount Pleasant Mill on North Cliff Road was built on the site of a previous post-mill (known as both ‘North Mill’ and ‘Far Mill’), which had to be replaced after a gale in the 1870s. In 1875 the current tower mill was built for miller Edric Lansdall as a four-patent-sailed, slightly tapering four-storeyed tarred tower mill with the characteristic Lincolnshire onion-shaped ogee cap and fantail. The initials E.L. and the date 1875 are carved above the loading door.
Parts of the mechanism were built in 1916 by Marshall’s of Gainsborough.
It is the only windmill in the area beside Heapham Mill with original and unrestored equipment and machinery of the 1920s and 1930s.
The mill worked by wind until 1933 and by a diesel single cylinder Crossley engine until 1973. The sails, having reached end of life, were removed in 1936.
The mill was Grade II listed in 1958.
The mill was fully restored with grants from English Heritage, Glanford Borough Council and community efforts reopening in 1991, and once again milling by wind power was possible. The barn which housed the engine was turned into a tearoom and shop and the grain store next door was converted into a house.
The windmill has since remained a commercially working flour mill, making pure stone-ground organic flours available for purchase.
In May 1992 then owners Pat and Jane White were awarded a plaque from the Protection of Ancient Buildings Society in recognition of the restoration works.
The mill has continued to work since the storm damage through the use of electric motors and business continued as usual producing a range of organic flours and fresh breads using a wood-fired oven.
Current owner, Mervin Austin is also award winning, having won the grocery section in the Waitrose Small Producers’ Awards and chosen by Rick Stein as one of his ‘Super Food Heroes’, both in 2003.