Burgh le Marsh windmill update: Devastated volunteers fear £500k bill to repair damage

The hopes and dreams of villagers in Burgh le Marsh who have fighting to save their landmark windmill were crushed when more than 175 years of history came crashing to the ground yesterday, destroying the museum and damaging roof of the heritage centre..

Villagers stood aghast as gale force winds sent the five sails spinning out of control before being ripped away.

Just weeks ago, the community had crammed into the heritage centre at Dobson's Mill to come up with a plan to take on the historic site from Lincolnshire County Council, who was to offload it to save money.

Now it is estimated by volunteers at the Burgh Le Marsh Heritage Centre that the total bill for repairs could be around £540,000 - and with that figure on top of annual running costs the future is uncertain.

"It has ripped the heart out of the village," said Malcolm Ringsell, the treasurer of Burgh Le Marsh Heritage Centre and community site manager, on Monday during a day of meetings organised by Lincolnshire County Council to discuss if there is any hope the windmill and heritage centre can be returned to its former glory.

"The whole cap will need replacing, the five sails will need rebuilding - we are talking about £500,000.

"Then there is the damage to the building, which could be another £20-40,000.

"I'm hoping with the county council coming down that it can be rebuilt but I'm afraid it won't be within my tenure.

"It could be five to six years to be rebuilt.

"I've given my best over the past few years since I retired - this is devastating."

Located on the High Street, the Grade 11 listed Dobsons' Mill named after the last miller and owners from a Spilsby farming family, it was built in the early to mid 1800’s by Sam Oxley an Alford millwright.

It was purchased by the Local Council in the 1960’s to save its historical significance and prevent it from being developed and modernised by private ownership.

Coun Nick Worth, executive member for heritage at Lincolnshire County Council, said: "I am shocked and saddened to see what has happened to the mill.

"It such an important local landmark and we know how devastating this must be for the community. We believe just due to the sheer strength of the wind – the sails, cap and an outbuilding were damaged. We've had teams at the mill yesterday and this morning, trying to see what had happened.

"For us, at this stage, it is important to take time to make a careful assessment of the damage with specialists and consider the next steps."

The first signs of an imminent disaster came around breakfast on Sunday.

Residents were evacuated just minutes before the sails of Dobson's Mill in Burgh le Marsh were ripped away by gale force winds as Storm Ciara ravaged the coast.

"I was just driving into Burgh and saw it go. The top has completely blown off," described local resident John Caborn, also devastated at the loss of such an iconic part of the village's landscape. "The sails and half of the top went first, then the rest went.

"I believe a lot of it landed on the museum and damaged the roof of the tearooms. You could see one of the sails sticking out of the roof

"I feel very sad. It's such a loss to the village."

Mick Smith lives near Dobson's Mill and told us just minutes before: "The police are now evacuating us. I called the police because the windmill sails are turning out of control.

"Some of the lats have been flying off - one flew over a house opposite and nearly landed in the road.

"Police and the fire service are monitoring the situation."

The High Street was closed to traffic before the sails crashed - along with the Windmill Restaurant car park.

In spite of an Amber warning for gales, the rest of the coast escaped with little damage..

Skegness flood warden Malcolm Gabbitas in spite of no flood warnings, traders along the sea front took the precautionary steps of boarding up their kiosks.

More high tides were expected in the week but there are no further concerns/

"We should be OK so long as the wind direction doesn't change and at this time there are no indications it will," he said.