The wheel was so seriously corroded and in a state of collapse that it needed rebuilding at a cost of £60,000.
We also acquired a large Hindley steam engine similar to the one installed here in 1876. This engine has been refurbished and housed in a pupose built building alongside a smaller Hindley engine, a Siemens electrical generator and vertical boiler. Recent donations are a Hindley Cheese Press and a Hindley Circular Saw Bench. The boiler has been lagged to improve its effiiency through a generous donation by one of our Trustees.
These projects were funded through donations from members, visitors and substantial grants from the following organisations:
Sherborne Town Council, West Dorset District Council, Digby Memorial Trusts, Garfield Westion Trust, Pilgrim Trust, Prism Grant Fund, Awards for All, Wessex Watermark Award and Sherborne & District Society (local branch of CPRE), DEFRA, EU Chalk & Cheese, Sainsburys, Waitrose, Association for Industrail Archaeology including the Dorothea Award for restoration.
These items greatly enhance visitor attraction on open days.
SSWC is a registered Charity number 1099153
The new wheel and steam engines can be seen operating on open days.
We are extremely grateful to all donors for their generous support.