Aythorpe Roding Windmill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Aythorpe Roding Mill |
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The restored mill in February 2005
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| Origin | |
| Mill name | Aythorpe Roding Mill |
| Mill location | TL 590 152 |
| Coordinates | 51°48′43″N 0°18′25″E / 51.812°N 0.307°E |
| Operator(s) | Privately Owned |
| Year built | ca. 1779 |
| Information | |
| Purpose | Corn mill |
| Type | Post mill |
| Storeys | Three storeys |
| Roundhouse storeys | Single storey roundhouse |
| No. of sails | Four sails |
| Type of sails | Patent sails |
| Windshaft | Cast iron |
| Winding | Fantail |
| Fantail blades | Six blades |
| No. of pairs of millstones | Two pairs |
The Aythorpe Roding Windmill is a special type of windmill called a Post mill. It is located in Aythorpe Roding, Essex, England. This mill is a very important historical building, known as a Grade II* listed site. Today, it has been fully repaired and can work again!
Contents
History of the Windmill
The Aythorpe Roding Windmill stands where an even older mill used to be, way back in 1615. The current mill was likely built around 1779. We know this because the year "1779" is carved into one of its wooden beams.
In the late 1700s and early 1800s, the mill was insured, showing it was a valuable property. In 1846, old maps showed it had an "open trestle," which means its main support structure was open to the air.
Around 1860, the mill was put up for sale to be taken apart. But instead, it got a big upgrade! Its old "common sails" (simple wooden sails) were replaced with "patent sails" (more advanced sails that could adjust automatically). The wooden shaft that held the sails was swapped for a stronger cast iron one.
A "roundhouse" was added around the base of the mill. This protected the main support and gave extra space for storage. A "fantail" was also added. This clever device automatically turns the mill so its sails always face the wind, making it much easier to operate. By 1890, a steam engine was even added to help power an extra set of millstones!
The mill kept working until 1937. Later, in 1940, the local council took over its lease. A big restoration project was finished in 1982 by a mill expert named Vincent Pargeter. The mill ground grain again on March 3, 1982, and officially opened to visitors in April 1983.
How the Windmill Works
The Aythorpe Roding Windmill is a "post mill," which means its entire top part (the "body") can turn on a huge central post. This allows the sails to face the wind. It has a single-story roundhouse at its base.
The mill has four "double patent sails." These sails are attached to a strong cast iron shaft. Inside the mill, there are two pairs of millstones that grind the grain. The "fantail" at the back of the mill helps it turn automatically into the wind. The whole mill stands about 13.5 meters (44 feet 3 inches) tall to its roof.
Main Parts of the Mill
The main support structure of the mill is called the "trestle." It sits on large wooden beams called "crosstrees." The lower crosstree has the date 1869 carved into it, which is probably when the roundhouse was built.
The central "main post" is very large and strong, about 6.17 meters (20 feet 3 inches) long. It helps the entire top part of the mill rotate.
The "body" of the mill, where the machinery is, is quite big for a post mill in Essex. It measures about 6.4 meters (21 feet) by 3.6 meters (12 feet). The "crown tree" is a very important beam at the top of the mill's body.
Sails and Windshaft
The mill's "windshaft" is made of cast iron. This replaced an older wooden one. The mill has four "double patent sails." These are more advanced than the original "common sails" the mill would have had when it was first built.
Inside Machinery
The "Brake Wheel" is a large wooden wheel inside the mill that helps control the speed. It's about 3.1 meters (10 feet 2 inches) across. Originally, the millstones were set up differently, but they were changed to a "breast stone layout" when the new cast-iron windshaft and patent sails were added. The "wallower" and "great spur wheel" are other important gears inside the mill that help transfer power from the sails to the millstones.
Millers Who Worked Here
Many people have worked at Aythorpe Roding Windmill over the centuries. Here are some of the millers:
- William Glasscock (1615) - worked at the earlier mill
- Joshua Wright (1798)
- Joseph Knight (1805)
- Tabrum (1833)
- Stephen Crossingham (1848 - 1850)
- E P Bennett (1866)
- James Webster (1874 - 1878)
- Charles Large (1882)
- Thomas Belsham (1890)
- Ernest and John Belsham (1906 - 1937)
In Movies and TV
The Aythorpe Roding Windmill even appeared on television! It was featured in an episode of a TV show called The Protectors. The episode was titled Triple Cross and was filmed in 1972.
