BURSLEDON WINDMILL GETS TOP FLIGHT SEND-OFF FOR SCHOOL HOLIDAY OPENING

11.02.44am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 27th Jul 2004

Local Lib Dems Welcome Bursledon Mill's New Summer Opening Times

Hampshire's only working windmill had a top flight launch for its new school holiday opening hours when Eastleigh MP David Chidgey, Hampshire MEP Chris Huhne and Eastleigh council leader Keith House paid a flying visit this weekend.

The party of top Hampshire politicians was shown round the windmill by Eastleigh museum curator Dr Gavin Bowie, and bought some of the traditional cob loaves on sale made from Hampshire wheat ground at Bursledon.

'The Bursledon windmill is more than a great local landmark in south Hampshire' said Chris Huhne. 'It is a part of the county's living agricultural history and is a fascinating place for adults and children of all ages'.

'To see the sails whirring round and driving the mill through the enormous system of wooden cogs is to connect with a simpler age before the steam engine, let alone the jet engine' said Mr Huhne. The windmill was built in 1813-14 and worked until the 1880s. Its restoration was completed in 1991 by the Hampshire Buildings Preservation Trust.

Mr Huhne said that he hoped that the new summer opening hours would attract even more families to make the visit. 'There can be few more interesting excursions in the area' said Mr Huhne. For the first time this summer during the school holidays, the windmill is open from 11am to 4pm from Wednesdays to Fridays as well as from 10am to 4pm at the weekends.