Please help us save our precious Blackpool landmark - Little Marton Windmill

Little Marton Windmill is the only one of its kind in the town itself but it is going to take around £45,000 to replace its sails and further funds to coat it with protective paint.

Its sails were found to be rotten and two years ago they were removed.

There is now a serious issue with damp and this landmark building, completed in 1838 by John Hays for grinding corn, is already in decline.

Blackpool Council, which owns the building, is committed to carrying out essential repairs but funds are currently not available to find the huge amount to but new sails and have them installed.

A GoFundMe campaign has been set up by Blackpool resident Kevin Hodgson, working on behalf of the Little Marton Windmill Friends group, and he is hoping the appeal can generate as much funding as possible - and ideally, the £50,000 required.

Already a petition for help has gathered 1,253 signatures but what is now needed is solid financial assistance.

We cannot let it decline any more

Retired civil servant Kevin, 61, who lives off Whitegate Drive said: “We cannot allow this wonderful windmill to decline, it is too important.

“i am asking for people to help us save Little Marton Windmill.

“Not only is this the first heritage site visitors see coming into Blackpool off the M55 motorway, but since we started with this campaign, it has become clkear what this windmill means to people.

“We’ve had messages from people all over the world, in Canada, Australia and across the UK, who have the most wonderful childhood memories of the windmill.

“It’s also a Grade II listed building.

“Blacvkpool Council are supporting thi fundraiser and hopefully they can look at other funding pathways to raise additional money.” Little Marton Mill is a 19th-century English tower windmill in Marton, Blackpool, Lancashire, England.

After being established in 1838 it worked until 1928.

In 1937 the windmill was given by Cornelius Bagot of Blackpool to be maintained as a memorial to Allen Clarke, author of Windmill Land who died in 1935. 

Kevin added: “ Any amount people could give would be greatly appreciated to restore and repair this iconic landmark windmill for future generations to enjoy.”

Last week it was revealed that plans by Blackpool Council to restore the historic windmill had stalled after all four existing sails from the landmark were found to be rotten.

The mill on Preston New Road has stood without its sails since they were removed in May 2023 after one of the sails was damaged during high winds.

But the council has pledged to work with the community to put together a repair programme while urgent repairs will be carried out to the cap of the windmill.

It is hoped to work in partnership with the Friends of Little Marton Windmill to eventually replace the missing sails.

Coun Mark Smith, cabinet member for economy and built environment, said: “The council has had reports of significant leaks to the roof/cap of Little Marton Mill and has commissioned a survey to look at repairs.

“These emergency repairs will be a priority and will be carried out as soon as ground and weather conditions permit. It is likely the cap will need more work in the next two to three years and the survey will establish its overall condition and set out what further repairs might be needed in the future.

“With an eye to the longer term future of the mill, the council has met with the friends to discuss a longer term programme of improvements including the replacement of the sails and a re-painting of the mill and a review of internal access arrangements.

“This will see the council working in closer partnership with the friends and third party funders like the National Lottery Heritage Fund.”

Shirley Matthews, of the Friends of Little Marton Windmill, said: "We do hope we can get the work done which is needed, and we are working with the council to achieve this."

The Fylde coast has two other windmills - Marsh Mill in Thornton and Lytham Windmill.

Anyone wanting to help the campaign can visit the site https://gofund.me/e40c3943