In September the sales came off - and this month, after 47 years, the cap has been lifted. It was Roger Wagg, who bought the windmill in 1975, that, after years of restoration, put this one on.
But it's in need of repair, and it's Roger's grandson, Alec Chalmers, who's taking it on.
Alec takes me to the top of the mill to show me why.
Alec Chalmers
"If you look above your head, this is a shear, and this has shown bad signs of water damage each end.
"There's a temporary cap that's gong to go up here, to keep it watertight - and then we will do the work and put it back up again."
Alec makes it sound easy, but this has taken a lot of planning and preparation - and one very large crane (the cap weighs about 8 and a half tonnes). As we watch the team prepare, quite a crowd gathers.
Eve, Malcolm and Claire are here on holiday from Kent, "We've loved Bircham Mill for years," Claire says, "And we know this is a once in a lifetime experience, who sees a top taken off a windmill?! It's history in the making, absolutely fantastic."
All the generations of the Wagg family are watching, including Roger and his wife Gina - I ask how wonderful it is that their grandson has wanted to be so involved.
"It's a dream come true," Gina tells me, "It's absolutely fantastic, he's so capable, and so keen - just lovely.
"It's quite an emotional day really, I saw one go on 47 years ago, which was another big moment, it's like seeing my life flash before me really!"
It takes a few hours for the straps to be put around the cap and weather beam, but finally, very slowly, it is lifted - the weather for the occasion couldn't be better, blue skies and sunshine.
It's carefully manoeuvred to the ground, where over the winter Alec will be working hard to restore it.
"I've got a few good contacts that will help me along the way, my cousin Charlie, my dad - it's a family affair really.
"The windmill means a lot to me, it's been in the family for years, and hopefully it can be maintained for the community as well."
Roger and Alec, chatting one the cap is safely on the ground
Roger's daughter Ellie and her husband Stevie (Alec's parents) now run the mill, which is, of course, the only working mill in North Norfolk open to the public.
Now closed for the season, it's hoped by March next year, the cap and sales will be up and working again - and this iconic landmark will delight generations to come.
We can't wait to see it!
