 Deprived of its protective covering, the roof sprang a leak and the inside walls were marked, however the building remained stable.On the death of Charles Newbold Eyland in 1925, the mill was bought by George Skidmore of Sandwell Villa, Sandwell Street, a member of the firm of buckle makers of Windmill Street.At the time, Mr. Skidmore was famed for his record in playing cricket for more than sixty years.