Restoration work on landmark chimney

Father Christmas shouldn't have any problems delivering presents to people living in a converted mill in Wem, after work was carried out to its historic chimney.

Legendary steeplejack Fred Dibnah told the people of Wem that the town's landmark chimney should be preserved as it was one of only a handful of its kind left in the country.

As part of a project to convert Wem Mill, in Mill Street, into apartments, work has been done to shore up the chimney. Resident Len Staines has taken photographs of the work showing it being carried out.

Dr Staines, of Barkers Green, said the work being done looked "rather impressive".

He said: "It's a good thing the building is being restored because it's an attractive old landmark. There was some debate a few years ago about whether to pull the mill down or reduce it in size.

"The work is well under way now and we will have to wait and see what the end results look like."He said the structure could be seen for miles around adding that the building closed its doors as a functional mill about 15 years ago and was a grade II listed building.

Town and district councillor Peggy Carson said Mr Dibnah had impressed upon the people of the town six years ago that the chimney had to be retained because it was one of only three or four left in the country.

She said: "He said it was very unusual, he said it must be retained. It's being repaired because we had that advice off Fred Dibnah.

"Fred Dibnah said if he had had the time, he would have got a ladder and gone up it.

"There's only about three or four left in the whole of the country.

"It's nice that the chimney has been kept because it's part of Wem's character."

Once finished the development will feature a mix of 36 converted and new build one and two bedroom apartments.

Zoe Coley, for Monks estate agent in Wem, said the development was likely to be finished within two months. She added that prices will start from £125,000.