Brixton Windmill scoops restoration award
Brixton Windmill has won a prestigious Museums and Heritage Award for conservation and restoration.
Receiving the award at the ceremony and dinner on 16 May, Jean Kerrigan, Chair of Friends of Windmill Gardens, said,
“This award is a real testament to what a committed community group can do.
“The Friends of Windmill Gardens were formed in Brixton in 2003 to achieve two things: to restore Brixton’s historic but neglected Grade II* listed windmill and to improve the small public park where it stands.
“This award is proof that we have successfully achieved the first.
“In partnership with Lambeth Council we convinced the Heritage Lottery Fund to give us a grant, topped up by the Council and an estimated £70,000-worth of volunteer time from the Friends. This is recognised by this fantastic award today.
“We thank everyone involved – particularly Sophie of the architects Dannatt Johnson, who is here tonight. Thank you for your great restoration project.
“Thank you Stonewest, the main contractor, and special thanks to Paul Sellwood, our millwright from OwlsworthIJP.
“And to Lambeth Council: thanks for finally recognising what a wonderful building Brixton Windmill is.
“But above all, thanks to the people of Brixton, who campaigned tenaciously for more than a decade for Brixton Windmill to be beautifully restored and re-opened for free public tours and school visits.
“It is now a well-known and popular local landmark, and our next goal is to create a beautiful park around it for everyone to enjoy – we don’t stop here!”
Now we look ahead to Brixton Windmill’s 200 birthday in 2016! And to secure the future of this wonderful, and unique reminder of inner London’s rural past that so amazes everyone who visits!”
