A GROUP of dedicated volunteers who keep York’s 18th windmill in working order are being honoured for their hard work and community spirit.

The volunteers behind the Holgate Windmill Preservation Society are to receive the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service - known as the MBE for volunteer groups.

York Press:

The society was set up in 2001 and has since raised more than half a million pounds to restore and maintain the historic mill, and keep it in full working order.

Chairman of the society Steve Potts said: “It is a reflection of the passion and commitment of our past and present committee and volunteers in preserving, restoring and making a community resource of our wonderful windmill.”

Now the windmill regularly produces traditional stone-ground wholemeal flour for sale in the mill and for local bakeries, and the windmill preservation society volunteers give regular talks on the history of the mill.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) was announced earlier this month, and the windmill volunteers will receive a certificate signed by the Queen, and a QAVS crystal, presented by the Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire Barry Dodd CBE, at a reception at Ganton Hall, near Scarborough in September.