VIDEO: Sails come off Wiltshire's only working windmill

A crane was used to remove each of the one-and-a-half tonne painted sails from Wilton Windmill, near Marlborough.

The windmill was built in 1821 and restored in the 1970s with the sails being described as being in a "terrible condition".

Kevin Challon, of Wilton Windmill Society, said: "The sails haven't come off for about 40 years so we're having to use angle grinders to actually free the bolts.

"A couple of mills have actually had sails fall off - so we're doing a complete check and all four are being taken off to be completely rebuilt and restored."

The windmill is used for events and to demonstrate milling flour.

The renovation is expected to take four weeks.

The windmill was bought by Wiltshire Council in 1975 and restored with sails which mimicked the same ones it had from 1821. 

James Arnold-Baker, 73, of Wilton, who is a member of Wilton Windmill Society, said: “The windmill was built in 1821 and was used as a watermill for the Kennet and Avon Canal. It was used for 100 years for this purpose until the steam based engines came in.

"Now the mill is used to grind grains to make flour which is then used to supply the farm shop and local stores.”

Regularly visited as a tourist attraction for the Marlborough area, the windmill is a big part of the local community.

“We have been living here for 37 years and I have been part of the society for nearly as long. The windmill attracts visitors from all around. There are only 150 people in the village and all of them are involved with the windmill in some way or another,” said Mr Arnold-Baker.

After the work is carried out everything will be business as usual for the Windmill Society, with hopes that the mill will have a longer life.

“In autumn everything will go back to normal, the restoration works are important to keep the mill up and running, we just need to wait and find out how much needs to be done following the inspection,” said Mr Arnold-Baker.