In these depressed financial times, it looks as if survival is going to be the key word, you could say the same about our Summer weather, which was conspicuous by it's absence.

All the mill gutters and downpipes have now been replaced, they are wood box gutters, so these have to be made, not bought as standard ones. All the doors and windows have been painted externally, now the whole building looks as good as it did in 1998.

The wind pump head has now been repaired and the whole unit repainted and serviced ready to go back in place. All we have to do now is turn it around ready for the crane to lift. As the head weights about 6cwt this is no easy task as bits turn and swing when not restrained, it's fine when located on its tower and everything connected, but a bit of an unruly monster on the ground!!

Ben progresses with te inside works in the mill building, the line shafts now form a working new drive train to the rear wall at the west end of the mill. With our container now on site giving us much more room inside the mill, the machines on the mill floor are being located in their final running position, this has caused some debate ont he logistics and practical feasibility of where they can be located to be able to work them, how this will comply with the safety aspects of their location and most important that visitors on the gallery will be able to see them working.

Here's hoping that things pick up for the last quarter in 2008, it has been pretty grim up till now, the site is so wet that when it rains, as it seems to every day, the water just lays about and forms puddles or runs away leaving muddy channels.

Think that's about all for now. Don't forget our Winter Folk Festival on 7th December, a good opportunity to buy unique bespoke Christmas presents.

Trevor