Horse Whim - Construction Progress
The Horse Whim is a horse driven timber windlass used for
winding a rope to raise water from a well at West Kingsdown, Kent. It
was acquired in 1980 and had two walls of weatherboard framing, and contained a well and
an overhead horse wheel to raise water in buckets. The building had collapsed, but
some timbers were rescued, including all of the winding gear and pulley frame. In
the reconstruction most of the timbers will be new. The
project has been fully funded by the PRISM Fund (Museums and Galleries Commission) and the
Pilgrim Fund.
The horse whim and the 18th century Charlwood
Open Shed have been re-assembled near the stables at the top of Gonville Drive. Both
are of great interest in themselves but also provide a new opportunity to improve the
stables area and expand on the interpretation of draught horses and horse-drawn vehicles.
The wagon shed will provide covered space for three wagons from the Museum’s
collection, one each from Kent, Surrey and Sussex. It is hoped that the conservation
work on these wagons will be carried out early in 2001 in full view of museum visitors.
Reconstruction of the Horse Whim
Existing roof timbers were repaired, new timbers were cut and the complete roof
was reassembled under cover.
The site was cleared, levelled and foundations prepared.
The timber frame is erected with each post in the open section
supported by stone staddles and the remainder by brick piers.
The winding gear starts to take shape
Three sides of the structure are close boarded with Douglas fir.
The base of the walls is infilled with flint
Thatching commences-
The finished job
The winding gear and well head are completed.
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