Drinkstone mill spins again with new sails fulfilling lifelong dream of restoration

A windmill believed to be the oldest in Suffolk is turning once more after restoration work saw its sails reinstalled.

Built in 1689, the post mill in Drinkstone was worked by generations of the Clover family from 1775 and became a landmark in the village near Woolpit.

After decades of repairs starting around 1949, its sails were removed in the early 1970s — just after the mill famously featured in series four of Dad’s Army, when Lance Corporal Jack Jones got attached to the sails and shouted his iconic line ‘don’t panic!’ while spinning around.

In the 2000s, the mill was listed as ‘at risk’ by Historic England which prompted restoration work to begin in 2005.

Last year, Bob Baker, 86, took over ownership with a lifelong ambition to restore the historic structure to its former glory.

“This project is really special to me,” he said. “When I was five, I stood with my dad at the top of the mill’s stairs and watched Flying Fortress bombers fly overhead — the roar of the engines was extraordinary.

“I’ve always wanted to buy the mill and to see it like this again is just brilliant.”

He said he remembers visiting the mill during the war to collect flour, with the miller always dusted head to toe in white.

Believed to be the oldest post mill in the country, some of its timbers date back to 1543 and one large beam is carved with the date 1689.

Thanks to Bob’s efforts and the expertise of millwright Bill Griffiths, the mill’s new 54ft sails — produced by AJ Laminated Beams Ltd in Cockfield — were installed on May 1, following a fresh coat of paint and extensive prep work.

A special ceremony marked the occasion which was attended by Jack Clover, 88, who is the oldest living member of the Clover family.

Trish Baker, Bob’s wife, added: “He was thrilled and it was wonderful to have them there for that. It really was a full circle moment.”