Group: Chiltern Society
Project: Lacey Green Windmill
Grant: £3,639
Fund: General Fund
Lacey Green Windmill, the oldest surviving smock mill in England, has stood on the Chiltern Escarpment for centuries, with some of its intricate timber machinery dating back to the 1600s. A symbol of rural heritage, it holds deep emotional value for the local community and generations of visitors exploring the iconic Chiltern footpaths.
A grant from Heart of Bucks contributed to the first major renovations to the windmill since the 1970s and has helped rescue it from a sad decline. Expert assessments revealed rot in the timbers that turned the sails, and structural weaknesses that made the mill unsafe. Without intervention, this local landmark risked falling into permanent disrepair.
The funded work has been transformative. New cap rollers and winding gear were cast, new stocks installed, sails and external features repainted, and weatherboards replaced. These vital repairs not only restored the windmill’s function and beauty but also safeguarded its place in the Chilterns’ landscape as a beloved sight for the community. The windmill will continue to welcome visitors, school groups, and historians. Crucially, it remains a space of purpose for the volunteers, some of whom have devoted decades to its care. With the mill now safe and restored, they can continue to share its story and reap the benefits that volunteering in such a unique building brings.
“It’s a privilege to work on a piece of our Chiltern history. The mill stands as a monument to our ingenious ancestors and our fantastic volunteers over the years. Getting it back in working order brings a great sense of pride to all of us.”
Read more of our funding stories here.
