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Sam Smith re-opens<br />
Gt Chishill Windmill<br />
International singing star Sam Smith was in Great<br />
Chishill on Saturday 8 June to help the village<br />
celebrate the re-opening of its windmill after an<br />
extensive restoration programme. Great Chishill<br />
Windmill, on the border of Cambridgeshire and<br />
Hertfordshire, is one of only seven open trestle<br />
mills left in the country and the only one fitted with<br />
a fantail for automatic turning to wind.<br />
In addressing the crowd of around 300, Sam said<br />
“I am delighted to be back in Chishill, the village<br />
that I grew up in from the age of four. I have many<br />
happy memories, like running through the fields<br />
behind us, dancing to Beyoncé.” He later posted on Instagram that it<br />
“made me so emotional to be back home with my family and friends”<br />
and that he was “honoured” to be part of the unveiling.<br />
The programme for the re-opening included a celebratory drink at the<br />
windmill, a coach shuttle, and a complimentary tea and entertainment in<br />
the Village Hall. Chair of the Great Chishill Windmill Trust, Hazel<br />
Hayden, commented that, although there was no charge to attend the<br />
event, nonetheless donations of over £1,900 were received as everyone<br />
expressed their delight at the friendly atmosphere generated.<br />
The Trustee responsible for managing the project, David McKeown,<br />
explained that the Trust received grants from Historic England, Society<br />
for the Protection of Ancient Buildings,<br />
Great and Little Chishill Parish Council,<br />
and South Cambs Community Chest,<br />
and raised more than £26,000 by<br />
fundraising events. The restoration has<br />
so far cost £110,000 but he expects the<br />
total cost to exceed £150,000. This<br />
should see the windmill safeguarded for<br />
another 100 years. Hazel Hayden<br />
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