John Webb's Windmill in Thaxted celebrated its 220nd birthday with a family fundraising day and the launch of a special beer.

The family fun day was due to take place at the windmill itself on Saturday, September 22, but moved to Bolford Street Hall because of bad weather.

Children enjoyed face-painting, decorating the pinwheel and traditional games, while adults relaxed in the licensed bar and listened to live music from Clare Killed the Lemons, Reboot and James.

The Thaxted Morris Men also performed, and there was a barbecue with sausages paid for by a private donation and bread rolls from Dorringtons bakery.

Attendees could buy locally-made crafts, homemade preserves, wines and pet treats from Thaxted Pet Co.

Ali, the yard manager at H Lowe & Co, drew the winning ticket for the Thaxted Windmill Fund Lottery - which was appropriate as successive members of the Lowe family were the millers at the windmill.

The event raised £4,000, which will go towards the repair and conservation of the windmill, access improvements and opportunities to learn about the windmill's history and heritage.

Mark Rickards, secretary to the trustees, thanked everyone who supported the event, bought lottery tickets or made individual donations.

He said: "It was wonderful to have such support from the community and to know that so many people in Thaxted care about our windmill."

Vince Salter serving a pint of the Windmill AleVince Salter serving a pint of the Windmill Ale (Image: Thaxted Windmill Trust CIO) Leon and Vince from the Maypole pub in Thaxted also helped raise money by selling a bespoke 'John Webb's Windmill Ruby Ale'.

The ale was sold as part of their beer festival celebrating Cask Ale Week from September 19 to 24, with a donation made towards the windmill repair project from each pint sold.

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Commissioned through Braintree-based brewery Bishop Nick, the ale uses a trio of hops to deliver flavours of blackcurrant and warm spice with a touch of chocolate malt.

The Maypole is hosting a charity night on Sunday, November 3 to support the restoration project.

Both the ale and the windmill are named after John Webb, a businessman and farmer who owned property in Thaxted and financed the building of the windmill in 1804.