Height of dedication as wind mill owners laps the paint on
A HOMEOWNER has completed the ultimate DIY project at one of Britain’s last fully working windmills, using a cherry picker to paint the sails by hand.
Jeanette McGarry, 58, painstakingly spent three weeks painting the five- tonne sails as part of the renovation of the historic Berkswell windmill.
The 70ft Grade II- listed building has been standing for nearly 200 years in the village of Balsall Common in the West Midlands, and was bought by Ms McGarry in 2005.
She then spent £ 200,000 restoring the 19th century fourbladed tower mill to its former glory with the help of English Heritage after it fell into a state of disrepair.
It has been described as one of the finest Georgian windmills in Britain and one of the most complete in the UK, with all its original working parts and machinery.
Ms Garry has now taken the time during a local lockdown in her area to complete muchneeded renovation work throughout September. The maintenance has involved continuous limewashing of the interior, dressing the millstones and painting the sails with the help of the cherry picker to reach the top.
The mill, built in 1826, is now fully operational and Ms McGarry hopes to welcome visitors back to the property once Covid- 19 restrictions are eased.
She said embarking on what must be one of the biggest DIY projects undertaken during the pandemic had been a real labour of love. The mother- of- three, a local government worker, said: “I want to make sure the windmill is preserved so it’s here for generations to come.”
She added: “It’s like a time capsule.”