The Future
After the high note of 2006, when we hoisted the sails, it seems now that we have to deal with some less exciting things but which are nonetheless important.
The constructional matters we have to deal with are basically
the roof and walls of the roundhouse, which protects the trestle. Unusually we
have to deal with the roof with its complicated conical structure, before
dealing with the round wall that supports it. We have been working on the design
for some time with Peter Jamieson, our Architect ‘friend’ and, of course,
Vincent Pargeter our Millwright, so watch this space.
We shall shortly be starting a research programme with regard to the Mill connections in Essex and the surrounding counties, particularly the people involved with the Mill. We know that the man who built the Mill in 1757 was William Haylock who lived in the village and that seven members of the Haylock family were married in All Saints Church, Ashdon between 1700 and 1800 and at present there are over thirty Haylocks recorded in the local telephone directory. We are extremely pleased to have made contact with a direct descendant of William Haylock, living in Australia. We very much look forward to enhancing the history of the mill with him.
There are also a number of initials carved in the original timbers of the Mill which we hope to decipher and trace in due course.
The Mill will be open the second Sunday in each month (10.30 a.m. – 4.00 p.m.) from April 2007 including the whole weekend 12th & 13th May as this is National Mills Open Day and we are now listed in the official Essex Mills Register. We can always arrange special personal visits for ‘Friends’, if you telephone David How in advance.
If you have any interest in this project, would like to become a Friend of Ashdon Mill or inspect the Mill we should be delighted to hear from you and you may contact us at feedback@ashdonwindmilltrust.co.uk or by telephone to the Secretary and Treasurer David How on 01799 584382 or facsimile 01799 584011.
