Spring has arrived !
Windmill looking glorious.

 

Cley Windmill oak remnants (from the old sails)

Engraved Wooden Gifts of Cley Windmill

Written by Ben & Davina : Posted on August 9, 2014 : No Comments

Cley Windmill is a Grade II listed Windmill which dates back to the early 18th Century and is a well-known landmark on the north Norfolk coast.

It commands breathtaking views over the salt marshes to Blakeney Point and the sea, while nestling comfortably by the old quay, and alongside the flint-walled cottages of the village. The windmill itself has been converted into a guesthouse of immense character, charm and comfort.

The old stables and boathouses are now stylish bedrooms with Dovecote a self catering retreat for independent holidaymakers. The windmill featured in MGM’s 1949 film ‘Conspirator’ with Elizabeth Taylor and was the scene of various intrigues in the televised Ruth Rendell Mysteries.

It featured extensively in David Bellamy’s television series and was used for several years, with the sails apparently turning, as the BBC1 continuity link.

Where do we fit into the picture? – Well, some months ago, we had a telephone call from the owner who said that the —sail— was being replaced and he wanted to do something with the —100— year old oak rather than just simple setting fire to it.

He had seen our products and asked if we could do something with the oak. A deal was done and a few weeks later the gentleman arrived with a trailer full to bursting with huge beams of oak.

As you can probably imagine, they weren’t crisp, clean beams, they had many years build-up of white paint, huge metal bolts and nails coming out of everywhere and were riddle with rot and years upon years of where-and-tere.

…Quite a challenge then!

Some head scratching, a purchase of a good metal detector, a chainsaw and several pairs of pliers, we set about de-nailing the beams, removing the paint and cutting them into manageable pieces.

You,d be amazed, once we had stripped away the top layer, the oak beneath was stunning, and once planed and sanded it looked as if it was brand new, fresh from the saw mill. Avoiding, the large holes where bolts and rot had been, we cut the timber into what we thought would work best. Interestingly – the timber was dictating the products, rather then the other way around…

Engraved oak tree swing:

 Engraved oak serving board:

 Engraved oak tea light holders:

Engraved oak key or change bowls:

 Engraved oak chopping boards:

Beautiful, personalised wooden gifts, manufactured from the sails of Cley Windmill. A true Limited edition collection made from a true English heritage. This is a one off opportunity to own a true piece of English Heritage crafted into a practical, durable and truly beautiful engraved wooden gifts. Once these are gone – they are gone – there is no more.

If you like the look of these engraved wooden gifts, visit MakeMeSomethingSpecial.co.uk

For enquiries on products, give us a call on:

01252 703 196

or you can email us at:

sales@makemesomethingspecial.co.uk

Best Norfolk Wedding Venue - Wonderful images

Thanks to  Chris Taylor

What a delight to see these pictures posted on his blog by local Norfolk photographer Chris Taylor.
He has really captured the joy and intimacy of a small Cley Windmill wedding.
Many thanks Chris.

See Chris Taylor's wonderful photo blogg here:

 

 

What a delight to see these pictures posted on his blog by local Norfolk photographer Chris Taylor.
He has really captured the joy and intimacy of a small Cley Windmill wedding.
Many thanks Chris.
See Chris Taylor's wonderful photo blogg here:

Starlings over Cley Windmill

A must watch !

A big Thank You to Ray Cordell for this inspiring youtube posting of starlings over the windmill.
They DO seem to love the sails as a landing point.
Enjoy!

Cley Windmill - Still here 'out of season'

Cley Windmill - come and have an old-fashioned country-house party.

We had eighty-six requests to book our windmill weekend between Christmas and new Year, and we are sorry that only one party was able to take advantage of that opportunity.
I write to say that Cley Windmill is very much still here over the winter months. There are some significant advantages to visiting us in the quieter months ahead (not least 10% off between now and February).

This is possibly an ideal time to plan your own house party, taking over the whole windmill and having the whole building to yourself and up to 19 friends, just as we have done on many memorable and happy occasions - its a great way to get together with close friends or family,  in the style of an old fashioned country-house party. Simon & Sarah would be happy to find a slot in our winter callender when we can accommodate your own house party.
You can always pass this email on to a friend so that they can play host, and you can attend as their guest! Forward  to a friend


(Alternatively, just book a single room and enjoy our acclaimed Cley Windmill 'welcome' as a normal B&B guest. 
Either way - we'd love to see you ! Please check our availability:  AVAILABILITY

FatFace photo-shoot at Cley Windmill

We were pleased to welcome a lovely crew from the clothing line FatFace - the cameramen, make up and props and, of course, the gorgeous models have come up with a great, atmospheric sequence featuring the windmill, its rooms and environs. Bicycles, boats, atmospheric reeds and mudflats - Very Norfolk!
Click on the image.
Enjoy !

 

FatFace photo-shoot at Cley Windmill 

http://www.fatface.com/get-involved/fat-films/page/getinvolvedfilms

Host your very own house party over Christmas or New Year, and take the entire windmill as your own.
We have had a cancellation and thus you have an opportunity to take the entire windmill as your own, over Christmas or New Year.
22nd December for 5 nights  - sleeps 20. (£3000 - this works out at £30 per night per person!)
or
Over New Year 27th December for 7nights  - sleeps 20 (£4000 - this works out at £28.50 per night per person)
We only provide this service twice each year, since we normally operate as a B&B/Guest House/ Boutique Hotel (whichever you prefer!)
However, over these two periods, you and up to 20 friends or family can live in Cley Windmill as if it were your own.
You have full run of the whole windmill, with full access to the spacious and characterful kitchen, and can prepare your own meals as well as Christmas or New Years celebrations.
We have had wonderful feedback from those who have booked in previous years. (see picture for a previous happy house party)
Please ring Simon or Sarah on 01263 740209 if this sounds good to you.
or email info@cleywindmill.co.uk

Do feel free to pass this email on to a friend so that they can host you, and you can be their guest! Forward  to a friend

Cley Windmill is to become a star of Childrens' television
We are thrilled to announce that one of the country's favourite actors, James Bolam, is to star in the fourth series of Grandpa in My Pocket.

For those of you who don't know this very popular programme, it features Grandpa (James Bolam) who posesses a magic flat cap -  when he puts it on he shrinks, and in his teeny form, he gets up to all sorts of mischief. (Older readers may be reminded of Mrs Pepperpot.....).  The series has run on CBeebies for over four years, and now,  a new fourth series has been commissioned. In this series Mrs Grandpa (OK - I guess that will be Grandma !) wants to upgrade from her present lovely house in Aldeburgh and has asked if she could move to a windmill. I was delighted to accept the offer from the TV company, which will now ensure all sorts of excitements and adventures will come from our very own windmill. The film crew have visited many times,  and have taken lots of photos, and taken detailed measurements of the windmill. They have now created a dedicated film set in Wales, a reconstruction based on the first three floors of the tower. Much of the action will take place inside this mocked-up version of the windmill which the directors have re-christened 'The Mill-on-the-Marsh'.

Apparently the house where Grandma currently resides has become quite a Mecca for young viewers, as have other buildings that feature in the plots. The imaginary village called Sunnysands is actually Aldeburgh in Suffolk (which will now have a Norfolk windmill attached to its western suburb!) We are expecting Cley to have many more youthful visitors in the years ahead. To date, Grandpa in My Pocket has been sold to more than 104 territories worldwide and is one of the highest rated shows on CBeebies.
James Bolam says: “Grandpa In My Pocket is such a great idea – first class scripts, original and funny, and the kids love it. I’m really looking forward to another series. In a word – magic!”
The first episodes are due to start screening in February 2014 - what fun!
Here's a trailer to whet your appetite  
http://www.grandpainmypocket.co.uk/online/ 

The Hotel Guru lists Cley Windmill in the best hotels in Norfolk

Thank you to Fiona Duncan and The Hotel Guru for listing us in the best hotels in Norfolk.
When Fiona wrote her article in the Sunday Telegraph, after her stay at the windmill she wrote:
Cley Windmill just happens to be one of the most memorable and enchanting places to stay in Britain (in my opinion)...
See the recent listing here 

http://www.thehotelguru.com/best-hotels-in/united-kingdom/norfolk. 
 

Water Colour master act

I have seen thousands of images of the Cley Windmill, but I particularly love this washy effect from Allan Kirk, with his Monday art class.

see Allan's blog:

Watercolour with Allan Kirk at Tarnincolour: Cley Windmill, Norfolk, UK Cley windmill is an iconic symbol of Norfolk and very much painted by artists of all media. With my Monday group we worked from photos to create a sketch and  ... tarnincolour.blogspot.com/.../cley-windmill-norfolk-uk.html