The tower is of red brick, the outer walls being tarred (provided with a black bitumen paint in order to keep moisture out).A tail-wind made the sails run backwards after the destruction of the fantail by lightning leaving the cap rotating uncontrolled, blew off the entire cap with the curb smashing it with parts of the upper gear and all five sails to pieces, and destroyed the tower rim.Later he installed a large circular saw-mill in a shed on one side, also driven by wind-power using line-shafts.Only four of the eight sails could be installed (from the Old Bolingbroke and Wainfleet St Mary mills, ~ 22/25 miles north east of Heckington).On the ground floor a fifth pair of stones was installed which could also be driven by wind if desired or rather by engine.In 2014 the Trust purchased the buildings and land surrounding the windmill with help from a Heritage Lottery Fund grant.The original Victorian miller's house has been converted to a tea room and cafe.
A view of the grinding floor in mid-2011
Eight-sailed post windmill with short sails on
Kizhi
island,
Lake Onega
, Russia