Worthing Borough Council Buys Windmill
The Worthing Gazette of 1st June 1955 reports an imminent announcement to Worthing Borough Council (WBC) that the owners of High Salvington Windmill have refused their offer to purchase the mill and surrounding land. The council was urged by the Parade and Open Spaces Committee to authorise spending £1,800 on repairs to the windmill. The Town Clerk, Mr. E. G. Townsend, O.B.E., was to negotiate with the owners for an option for the Corporation to purchase the whole of the land and buildings on vacation of the present tenant for life at a price to be fixed by the district valuer.
On 1st August 1956, the council is informed that the death of a senior trustee for the owner of the mill has complicated negotiations for the purchase. Responding to a question from Councillor H. L. Frampton at the General Purposes Committee meeting, as to whether anything could be reported about High Salvington Windmill, which he understood was getting into a serious condition, the Town Clerk, Mr. E. G. Townsend, O.B.E reported that he had been in touch by letter with West Sussex County Council, but that the "whole thing had been complicated by the death of a senior trustee for the owners of the mill." The present occupier, Captain W. D. Douglas-Jones was only tenant for life. The Town Clerk reported that after the affairs of the senior trustee had been wound up they might be able to get moving.
On 1st October 1958 the council is told that it will cost over £2,500 to repair the windmill. Negotiations on a price continue between the owners of the mill and the district valuer. The Borough Engineer has reported that the cost of repairing the mill would be more than £3,500. He suggests that temporary roofing should be fixed for the winter and repairs started in the spring. The Finance and Law Committee was to suggest that further consideration should be deferred pending the outcome of the negotiations on the sale of the mill.
The Worthing Gazette of 11th February 1959 reports on Alderman D. W. Morecroft's defence of the proposed purchase of High Salvington Windmill after Councillor Charles Cooper questioned whether it was worth spending almost £6,000 on the acquisition and renovation to preserve the mill. He further questioned what the cost of upkeep would be after spending that £6,000. While Alderman Morecroft confirmed that there was, as yet, no estimate yet of upkeep, there were very few windmills remaining in the country and it was felt it was a point of honour to preserve it.
