IT'S not often one wishes for a blustery day with breathtaking winds, but that's just what was hoped for, and happened, at Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings when it held its Waking the Windmill event recently.

After a couple of false starts, when the wind fell disappointingly calm, things soon picked up, and the mighty structure swung into action, much to the delight of people who had turned up to witness the awe-inspiring scene.

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The 19th century post mill, one of just three surviving in the Midlands area, was brought to the museum from Danzey Green, near Tamworth-in-Arden and reconstructed in 1969 thanks to Mike Field, a senior volunteer at the museum.

It is one of the main attractions at Avoncroft drawing thousands of people from near and far every year, but disaster struck in January 2012 when fierce winds ripped one of the sails from the structure, damaging it beyond repair.

But a new one was built and the mill, which is currently run by a team of 10 immensely dedicated volunteers, was restored to full working order by October 2013.

Michael Skoda, who became head of milling operations last year, said the mill faces a busy future, with exciting plans in the pipeline.

"We want to start milling our own flour and making products from it," said Mr Skoda.

"It will only be on a small scale, we don't want to compete with Hovis or Warburtons, but it's still very exciting.

"The hope is that we will make things such as bread, rolls, scones, anything which can be make with flour, then sell them in our Edwardian tea room to our visitors."

The museum plans to have an event where they invite local bakers to come and test their flour and products, and eventually may even hold bakery courses.

For more details about the museum and events taking place there, visit Avoncroft Museum.