Green’s Windmill & Science Centre has received notification of over £685,000 from the national Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND), following a successful application by the Museum Service team within Nottingham City Council.
Nottingham City Council is pleased to confirm that it has received notification of this major grant to enable this historic windmill to be restored to full working order – with its’ sails catching the wind once again.
The grant aims to ensure repairs to the mill sails, stock, clamps, fantail, internal machinery, timber and brickwork, as well as repair of the mill cap (roof). Milling is currently restricted but following this project, the mill will once again be fully operational and be an environmentally responsible site, harnessing wind power.
Built in 1807 to help feed Nottingham’s growing population during the Napoleonic War with grain from the mill; it was famously the home of George Green, the owner’s son from 1841, who devised the Green’s Theorem – a mathematical equation still used in scientific endeavour today. It opened in 1985 as a museum, working windmill and science centre and since then has been a cultural heart of the local community in Sneinton. The landmark is a striking part of Nottingham’s cityscape and the windmill has been working with the active support of volunteers from Green’s Windmill Trust, a local charity established to provide volunteer support and fundraising for the site.
As one of few examples of working windmills in Nottinghamshire, in November 2022, it was with great regret that time took its toll on the machinery, leading to the sails having to be taken down for safety reasons, while successful funding for restorative works could be secured. With community advocacy and the applications of the Nottingham City Museum’s teams, this funding is gratefully received to restore Green’s Windmill to it’s former glory – and ensure Nottingham’s cityscape contains sails of the windmill once again.
The MEND grant exists to help fund urgent maintenance and infrastructure works at museums accredited by Arts Council England that are not directly funded by the Department of Culture Media and Sport (DCMS). The Green’s Mill Science Centre, Spalding Gentlemen’s Society and Nottinghamshire County Council’s Cultural Services are among five organisations that are set to receive a share of more than £5.5 million through the Government’s Cultural Investment Fund.
Speaking today, Councillor Pavlos Kotsonis, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture said:
“This is fantastic news and it is good to know that the Council has been successful in what was obviously a highly-contested process. Our Museums team will now begin the hard work of ensuring the programme of works can be completed over the next 18 months to get the Mill working again. The support of the volunteer team at Greens Mill trust will be vital to ensure that this vital asset can be in place for generations to come”.
Heritage Development Officer, Jamie Duff of Green’s Windmill & Science Centre said:
“We are excited that the funding for Green’s Windmill has been secured, to ensure the sails can be restored to working order once again. There has been sadness, since the sails had to be removed for safety reasons in November, and there is a great deal of excitement that the mill will come back to life once again.”
Announcing the grant, Arts and Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay said:
“Museums and libraries are the lifeblood of our community, promoting our shared heritage and opening our minds to new worlds and perspectives.
“From urgent repair work to protecting precious historical collections, this funding from the Government will support a wide variety of institutions across the East Midlands so they can continue to educate, inform and entertain their visitors for many years to come.”