If you have ever wanted to own your own windmill, or at least a share in one, then read on. 
A year ago Denver Mill, until that point the last working windmill in Norfolk, was struck by misfortune when its sails came crashing to the ground. Things had been looking up for the mill – the television show The Fixer prompted visitor numbers to increase while the introduction of a quarterly Artisan s Farmers Market had brought more people into Denver and had created a buzz in the village. However according to tenants, the Abel Family (Mark, Lindsay & Sally pictured below), the landlords, the Norfolk Historic Buildings Trust (NHBT), have said that they can neither afford to replace the sails nor carry out the essential repairs that the mill requires. Earlier today a film crew from The Fixer returned to Denver Windmill as the Abel Family unveiled what they hope will be a solution to the mill s problems. In effect they are asking the people of Denver, Downham Market, and anyone else who cares about the future of Denver Mill, to help buy it back from the NHBT. The proposal is to set up either a Community Interest Company or Private Limited Company which would purchase the mill, car park and outbuildings from the current landlord, and then begin the painstaking job of renovating it. This company would be run and managed independently of the Abel family who would remain on as paying tenants. 
Funds to purchase and renovate the mill would be raised through the selling of shares to the public. The share price would most likely be set at £10 per share, ensuring that they are accessible to everyone. It is estimated that the new company would need to sell 60,000 shares in order to reach its target. It is clear that the Abels are passionate about the windmill. They refer to it as a she throughout our conversations, and by the end of the afternoon I am doing the same. Their only wish, they say, is to see her restored to full working order again. The family are describing this as a chance to buy a small piece of Norfolk history and from the reaction at today s meeting there is plenty of local support. The idea of owning a share in a working windmill seems like an irresistible one! To express an interest in buying shares you can fill in this online expression of interest form. Alternatively people can visit Denver Windmill where hard-copy forms will be available.
