Since Sliced Bread

A visual arts project celebrating and exploring the culture and history of our windmills.

Tag Archives: Heckington Mill


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Heckington Heights

Heckington Mill

Heckington Mill

Heckington Mill‘s manager Jim Bailey took me to the top (called the cap) of the Mill last week where I discovered that a mill needs lots of TLC and the mechanics  haven’t really changed for hundreds of years.  What struck me as amazing was that wind alone can drive the movement of those heavy cogs!  I guess that is why I’m an artist and not an engineer!  The other thing that blows my mind ( I can’t help a pun!) is that the cap itself is not fixed onto the tower, it is free to move with the wind.

Enjoy this short video…

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Patterns of History

 

An example of a millstone pattern

An example of a millstone pattern

A visit to Heckington Windmill is always enlightening and this week I found out (from the very knowledgeable and helpful) Jim that millstones are carved according to a pattern. And that the grooves on the surface are called furrows and the flat areas are called lands.  There used to be millstone pattern makers and here is an example of a pattern made in a rubber-like material.  Mmm, I wonder if that would work for lino-cut printing?  Only one way to find out!

The more I learn about Mills and the processes involved, the more they just keep on supplying food for thought!


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Doh!

 

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Our opening weekend at Heckington Mill was a joy and not just because of the cakes that emerged at Fay’s baking demo!  Lots of people visited and had a go at the creative activities including Doh!  Salt Dough creations as well as Bill and Ben the Flour Pots and Whispering on the Wind sail designs.  It was a great way to start to get to know the local community as well as hear the sayings people use or value.  Some visitors even invented their own proverbs/words of wisdom.

Thanks to all the volunteers at the Mill and especially to Finn for his support with the activities.

“The kids were completely enthralled……lovely to see the children’s imaginations at work……the dough activities upstairs were fabulous…..It was a very nice relaxed and easy-going environment for the kids to get stuck in and enjoy themselves……I would definitely look out for other events at the mill especially involving creative activities “.