ONCE York had 20 windmills, but only one survives. Holgate Mill was built in 1792, on the site of a 15th century mill, and now stands in the middle of a roundabout at the top of Windmill Rise. The photograph shows it, then known as Acomb Windmill, as it was when in use in the early 1900s with its unusual five sails - standard designs had just four - still attached.

50 years later, the sails had been taken down and external paintwork has started to peel off. In the early 1970s plans were made to try to renovate it to its former glory but, it was left to further ruin. Even the sail masts were removed.

Happily, though, plans are now under way to restore Holgate Mill to its glory, with the establishment of the Holgate Windmill Preservation Society last month. Further information about the society and its plans can be found on their web page on http://www.communigate.co.uk/york/holgatemill/index.phtml.

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