VISITORS can raise cash towards repairing Nottingham's last working mill this weekend.
The sails on Green's Mill in Sneinton. have been out of action for two months after two of the four were found to be rotten. They have been in place on the historic mill since 1986, but are to be replaced at a cost of over £40,000.
Nottingham City Council. has agreed to cover most of the cost but the Friends of Green's Mill charity that runs it aims to raise £8,000 towards the work.
The group is opening the mill for behind-the-scenes tours today and tomorrow to raise money.
Jamie Duff, heritage development officer, said: "You are only supposed to get 20 years out of a set of sails and we've had these on for nearly 30. The last thing we want to do is take them off and have no sails. From a health and safety point of view we decided that we should stop using them until they are repaired.
"There are only a few millwrights left in the UK so it's quite a specialist task and a long job. The millwright has a slot to work on it from July to September. We're hoping to have them finished and ready to put in place in October."
Green's Mill is run by the Friends and the city council. The trustees took over the running costs from the council in April last year.
Last summer they launched a major appeal to raise £1 million to secure the mill's future and replace the sails.
The vision for the money not only includes covering the £14,000 annual running costs but also plans to expand the science centre and shop, and replace the sails.
This weekend's tours will be taking place on the hour between 10am and 3pm, costing £3.50 per person.
A council spokesman said: "The mill has always been at the heart of the local community which has played a large part in its operation.''
Post readers can help raise funds towards the mill's repair through our Cash for Your Community campaign.
It has been named as one of the successful groups to receive part a £35,000 giveaway.
The size of the share depends on how many coupons people collect for it. Coupons will be printed in the Post until Saturday, June 28.
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