“Imagine a time. It’s the 1970s. The Moulin \u00e0 vent de Leers stands abandoned its sails silent against the wind.”
Hello everyone. Welcome. We stand before the Moulin \u00e0 vent de Leers. This brick windmill is a symbol of Leers. It stands proudly between the Buisson and Vert Bois districts.
Today we will explore the Moulin \u00e0 vent de Leers. We will discuss its history. We will uncover some interesting facts.
The original Moulin \u00e0 vent de Leers was a wooden structure. A storm destroyed it in 1850. In 1852 the current brick windmill was rebuilt. The Fourez family owned it. Later the Derache family took ownership. It operated until 1914.
During the First World War the German army suspected the owner. They thought he was signalling with the sails. The miller was Arthur Derache. The Germans accused him of sending coded messages by moving the sails intermittently. He justified himself. However he ceased milling activities until the end of the war.
By 1971 the Moulin \u00e0 vent de Leers had fallen into disrepair. The commune of Leers purchased it. In 1973 a referendum was held. The population approved the restoration by 76%. The restoration began in November 1973.
In 1974 the rotating cap was installed. New metal sails were installed in 1975. They spanned 23 meters. The official inauguration took place on June 13 1976. After more than 60 years of silence the Moulin \u00e0 vent de Leers could turn again.
The community celebrates the Fêtes du Moulin every June. These festivals began after the restoration.
In 1986 the drive shaft broke during a festival. Festivities continued. The shaft was later repaired. The Moulin \u00e0 vent de Leers could operate again.
Technically the Moulin \u00e0 vent de Leers features a truncated brick tower. It has a ground floor and two stories. A rotating cap sits on top. The cap turns on a track. A winch on the tail operates it from the outside. This allows adjustment of the sails to face the wind.
The Moulin \u00e0 vent de Leers underwent another renovation in 1984. This allowed it to grind grain again. Another restoration occurred from 1991 to 1992. This addressed damage to the main shaft. This damage unfortunately occurred during a festival.
The Moulin \u00e0 vent de Leers stands as a testament to community spirit. It also represents the dedication to preserving local history.
As we conclude our visit take a moment to appreciate the Moulin \u00e0 vent de Leers. Consider its long journey. From its origins as a wooden mill. To its current brick form. From periods of abandonment to community restoration. The Moulin \u00e0 vent de Leers continues to stand tall. It is a symbol of Leers. It reminds us of the past. Also it inspires hope for the future.