Snowdrops were flowering in the garden in Woodrow Park, and it is only late November. It is nice to know spring is already on its way and we should be seriously considering next years programme.
Looking back, we have had a good year fundraising – despite another wet summer. We only had to cancel two of our nine car boot sales, and the last one had a record number of 70 sellers, almost making up for our missed two.
We have been successful in obtaining a Lottery Grant helped by NELC funding to the tune of £70,000. This will be used to employ a site manager for two years with the aim of raising the public profile of the windmill site.
Back to reality – we have organised our three usual winter tabletop sales. It’s nice to keep in touch with our car booters during the winter, who appreciate a warm St Giles Church Hall.
On Friday 21 November we had our first country music attraction at Ross Hall – many thanks to Jolene and Barry for a superb evening much enjoyed by the audience.
Guy Fawkes Night celebrations at the mill went off with a dazzling firework display. Many thanks to all the hard-working helpers.
I will end wishing everyone a Happy Christmas and a Happy (I use the word cautiously) New Year and make the usual plea for new blood for our Committee. We meet at 2pm on the second Wednesday of every month at Ross Hall, Barnoldby Road, Waltham – please join us.
Dr P A Carter, Chairman
I have already seen Comma, Speckled Wood and Brimstone butterflies, and Easter has only just gone – let’s hope it will be a good summer for flora and fauna. Certainly, the municipal flowerbeds in the area are magnificent.
Fund-raising for our Mill has got off to a cracking start – there were no less than 58 sellers at our first car boot sale at the Mill site on 29th March. Many thanks to all involved.
Apart from our regular car boot sales (every 3-4 weeks), coming soon is the Classic Car Rally at the Mill site on 4th May, and the New Riverside Jazzmen at Ross Hall, Barnoldby Road, Waltham on 15th May – ring Grimsby (01472) 823444 for details.
Our Miller, John Liles, has lime-washed all the interior walls during the winter, so our Mill was very smart for the start of the season at Easter. Hopefully, the outside of the Mill will be tarred and painted in the early summer (millwrights’ timetable permitting!).
Wishing us all a good hot summer so you can fully enjoy our forthcoming list of fund-raising events at the Mill.
Dr P A Carter
Chairman, Waltham Windmill Preservation Society
and Waltham Windmill Trust