Restoration work has started on Ash Tree windpump, on the Halvergate
marshes off the Acle Straight, near Yarmouth. The windpump was built in
1903 by Smithdales of Acle, and hence had the latest and best machinery.
It was put out of action in the floods of 1953, when the fantail jammed,
allowing the mill to be tailwinded.
The mill is owned by Tom Banham of Ash Tree Farm, and the work is being
done via the Norfolk Windmill Trust, thanks to a Heritage Lottery grant.
Work will take 18 months, and once back in working order a closed water
system will allow the mechanism to be demonstrated, since with modern
electric pumping, the natural water level is now too low to be reached.
Restoration of Ash Tree windpump, Halvergate