HOLGATE Windmill will ring – or should that be grind? – to the sound of stories and music in a magical evening for adults and older children tomorrow from 7pm to 9pm.

York’s single remaining windmill has some surprising stories of its own, ripe for sharing by members of the Friends of Holgate Windmill, while local storyteller Nettlefoot Kate will add tales of mills from around the world. Classical guitarist Toby Wardman will contribute atmospheric music, and the mill on Windmill Rise, off Poppleton Road, will be decorated to light up the winter evening. Hot drinks and spicy cakes will be served to audience members, who are advised to bring a rug or cushion and wear warm clothing.

“Windmills have always been the scene for unusual stories, some strange, some sad, some spooky and some even true,” says Nettlefoot Kate. “If you come along, you’ll never look at Holgate Windmill the same way again.”

Tickets cost £3 for adults, £1.50 for children aged seven and upwards, and can be booked from Jen Hay on 01904 792638. All proceeds will go to the restoration of this Holgate landmark, which is being returned to fully-functioning mill mode.

The Holgate Windmill Preservation Society predicts that the work could be completed by the end of this year, in readiness for the mill’s opening in 2010.

The Grade II-listed windmill was built in 1770 and stopped working 75 years ago, and the restoration is being carried out through a partnership between City of York Council and the preservation society.

Much of the cost has been met through grants to renovate the brick tower and create new sails to facilitate the grinding of flour once more.