The Oldest and Prettiest Windmill in Cambridge?
A lecture about the history and restoration of Impington Windmill
Impington Mill (often referred to as Histon Mill, but actually within the parish of Impington) has a long history of development from Tudor foundations (thereby laying claim to be the oldest in the area) through to the 20th Century. John Chivers (of jam fame) bought the mill in 1901 and worked it until his death in 1930. Steve Temple and his wife bought it in 1999 in a very derelict state but with most of its working machinery present. Since then, he has been restoring it gradually without the help of grants or cranes but with lots of volunteer effort. Meanwhile, his wife has been developing the 1.5 acre garden, and we now open both the Mill and the garden for charity.
Steve Temple states that it is the prettiest mill in the Cambridge area, as it has some extraordinarily elegant design features and a unique iron framed fantail which has survived unmodified from 1882.
Speaker information
Steve Temple is an inventor by profession and an engineer by education and finds the technology of mills fascinating, not least because they were such major contributors to the know-how of the Industrial Revolution. He bought Impington Mill out of proceeds from co-founding and eventually listing an ink-jet printing company called Xaar, which now has some 500 employees. Now retired, he is vice chairman of the SPAB Mills Section, and teaches annually at the Cambridge University’s Impulse programme for budding entrepreneurs. The restoration of the mill is ongoing – he refuses to answer the question “When will it grind again?” – he just wants to do it well!
IT requirements: Please note that this is an online lecture and will be held via a webinar platform. You will be sent instructions on how to join the session the day before the lecture. To participate, all you need is an internet connection, and a laptop, computer or phone with the ability to play video and audio.
Accessibility: please contact the SPAB before booking to discuss any special access requirements.
United Kingdom
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