Why an 18th Century windmill has been split in two

An 18th Century windmill has been cut in half for urgent repairs to be carried out following the discovery of "a serious structural problem", its owner said.

Saxtead Green Post Mill, positioned between Framlingham and Earl Soham, Suffolk, has been successfully rebuilt three times since being raised in 1796.

The four-sailed corn-grinding mill needs further conservation work after issues with its main oak post were discovered, which if left untreated could lead to it toppling over.

Jonathan Sullivan, the fourth-generation owner of the Grade II listed, three-storey mill, said the past four months had been a "rum old time".

"It is a significant problem, because the huge oak post has to be either repaired or replaced," he told the BBC.

"So, we really need a piece of oak that someone's had in their shed, which is about 18ft long and has been there seasoned for about 100 years.

"The question is: where do we find an oak post of this magnitude that is seasoned and ready to go?" he added.

Investigations started when Jonathan's nephew, the mill's caretaker Nathan Sullivan, found fragments of wood on the floor of the structure's round house during a safety check.

"It's like any machine, if you find a bolt or a washer or a nut on the floor, you don't just put it in the bin, you have to investigate where it's come from," he said.

While there was currently no definitive answer, the post could be breaking down either because of its age, changes in climate, or the use of modern lithium grease.

After the structure was deemed unsafe, action was required to remove the mill's buck – the main upper wooden housing unit – using a huge crane.

Jonathan added that due to the mill being classified as a nationally important building, the removal - funded by the English Heritage Trust - had to be approved by Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy

"This is the first time that a post mill has ever been lifted in this manner - we made history," added Jonathan.

Nandy indicated the mill should be put back together within 12 months, according to Jonathan, who said that would be a "very tall order".

Nathan added: "The first thing that has to happen is the post has to be inspected in situ, which Historic England is in the process of getting organised.

"Then we will go from there."

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