🌾 Skidby Mill Sails Set to Return as Major Restoration Nears Key Milestone ⚙️

Skidby Mill is set to undergo a major visual transformation in the summer of 2025, with East Riding of Yorkshire Council aiming to reinstall the mill's four sails - two repaired originals and two newly manufactured replicas. After years of structural work and unexpected complications, this marks a pivotal point in a restoration that has drawn widespread attention.

The sails, removed in 2019-2020 due to safety concerns and advanced wet rot, have been stored off-site while critical repairs to the mill's cap and main support beam are prepared. As of April 2025, quotes for the cap repair work are expected within weeks. The council has confirmed that reinstalling the sails will follow once this phase is complete. The project has faced multiple setbacks, including the pandemic, sourcing skilled contractors, and the discovery of structural problems beyond the sails themselves.

Initially, the sails will return "bare" - without canvas shades - and will be allowed to turn slowly when the wind permits. This prevents rainwater from building up in the joints and reduces the risk of rot. However, no milling will take place at this stage due to the stress that turning sails would place on the historic internal mechanism. A full return to flour production remains a possibility but will only be considered after the structural work is completed.

A Landmark of Regional Heritage

Situated on the edge of Skidby village near Beverley, the Grade II* listed Skidby Mill is the last working English windmill north of the Humber. First constructed in 1821, it is deeply tied to East Yorkshire's agricultural identity and once played a vital role in what was known as the "breadbasket" of the region.

The mill's story began long before the 19th century. Records show milling activity on the site as early as 1388, with a post mill known to have existed in the 1700s. The current tower mill, built by Norman and Smithson for miller William Watson, was later significantly expanded during the Victorian era. In the 1870s, the tower was raised by 20 feet, and additional outbuildings were added to accommodate a shift toward animal feed production under the Thompson family, who operated the mill for over 100 years.

Despite technological changes and economic pressures, Skidby Mill continued adapting. Between 1954 and 1966, electric rollers were introduced, running alongside the traditional wind-powered millstones. The mill ceased commercial operation in 1966 and was sold to the local authority in 1969 for £1.

Transformation into a Heritage Site

Following renovation, the site reopened to the public in 1974 as a working museum. The adjoining Victorian outbuildings now house the Museum of East Riding Rural Life, featuring exhibits on agriculture, market gardening, and rural traditions. Notable displays include the Wolds Wagon and recordings from the Skidby Mill Oral History Project, which document local experiences throughout the 20th century.

While the upper levels of the mill tower remain closed during restoration, the museum and its grounds - including a wildlife meadow, pond, picnic space, and play area - are open. The Sails Café operates independently on-site.

A Complex Restoration Effort

The ongoing restoration has been far more intricate than initially projected. The sails, which had not turned for nearly a decade before their removal, had developed severe wet rot. Stationary sails trap water in their joints, leading to decay. Millwrights found two of the four sails to be beyond repair, prompting the need for replicas.

Additional complications included the original contractors ceasing sail production during the pandemic and the absence of detailed historical blueprints. The 2005 sails were used as templates, but this required Listed Building Consent due to design differences. The council sourced a new sailmaker in Suffolk, and the sails were returned to the site in February 2023.

However, reinstalling them must wait until the cap and beam are safely repaired. Each sail weighs approximately 1.5 tonnes, requiring calm weather and specialist crane work. The delay has also been exacerbated by the national shortage of skilled millwrights.

Looking Ahead

The approved restoration plan, passed by East Riding Council's planning committee in November 2023, prioritises structural integrity and sustainability. Initially, the sails will turn slowly without powering the millstones. The possibility of resuming flour milling will be reviewed later and would require hiring a qualified miller.

The council's stated goal is the long-term, sustainable operation of the site. While the mill's "working" status remains paused, the site continues to function as a living heritage destination through the museum and grounds.

Visiting Information

• Location: Beverley Road, Skidby, Cottingham, HU16 5TR.

• Museum Access: The Museum of East Riding Rural Life is open. The mill tower remains closed.

• Facilities: Museum shop, Sails Café (check opening times), picnic area, wildlife garden, play area, toilets, and free Wi-Fi.

• Accessibility: Wheelchair available; lift access to education room. Mill tower is not wheelchair accessible.

• Website: www.eastridingmuseums.co.uk/skidby-mill

As Skidby Mill approaches a major milestone, its ongoing restoration serves as a powerful reminder of the care and expertise required to preserve historical landmarks - and of the community's enduring connection to this proud symbol of East Yorkshire's past.