Bardwell Windmill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bardwell Windmill |
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The mill in 1910
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| Origin | |
| Mill name | Bardwell Mill |
| Mill location | TL 941 738 |
| Coordinates | 52°19′40″N 0°50′58″E / 52.32778°N 0.84944°E |
| Operator(s) | Private |
| Year built | 1823 |
| Information | |
| Purpose | Corn mill |
| Type | Tower mill |
| Storeys | Four storeys |
| No. of sails | Four Sails |
| Type of sails | Patent sails |
| Winding | Fantail |
| Fantail blades | Eight blades |
| No. of pairs of millstones | Two pairs |
Bardwell Mill is a historic tower mill located in Bardwell, Suffolk, England. It is a special building, listed as Grade II*, which means it's very important and protected. This old mill is currently being restored so people can learn about its past.
Contents
History of Bardwell Mill
Building and Early Use
Bardwell Mill was built in 1823. For over 100 years, it used wind power to grind corn. In 1925, it switched to an oil engine to do the work. The mill continued to operate this way until 1941.
Restoration Efforts Begin
By 1978, the mill was no longer in use and was falling apart. James Waterfield bought the mill and worked hard to restore it. He finished this first restoration in 1985. In July 1987, the mill was sold to Geoffrey and Enid Wheeler.
The Great Storm and New Challenges
Just a few months later, on October 16, 1987, a huge storm hit. The mill was badly damaged when a part of its steering system, called the fantail, broke. This caused the main shaft (windshaft) to snap, and the large sails crashed down.
Restoration work had to start all over again in 1989. However, it was difficult because there wasn't enough money. Geoffrey Wheeler passed away in 1995.
Community Support and Final Restoration
In 1997, a group called The Friends of Bardwell Windmill was formed. They wanted to help save the mill. With help from English Heritage and St Edmundsbury Borough Council, they received over £73,000. The total cost was about £92,000, so the Friends worked to raise the rest of the money.
In 2004, a new top (cap), a strong cast-iron windshaft, and a new fantail were put on the mill. Because costs were still high, volunteers decided to build the new sails themselves. The first two sails were finished by late 2008 and put on the mill in 2010. The last two sails were added in April 2012, bringing the mill closer to its original look.
How Bardwell Mill Works
Bardwell Mill is a four-storey tower mill. This means it has a tall, round stone tower.
Key Parts of the Mill
- Beehive Cap: The top part of the mill is shaped like a beehive.
- Fantail: This small windmill on the back of the cap automatically turns the cap and sails into the wind.
- Patent Sails: The mill has four large sails. These are "patent sails," which means their canvas can be adjusted from inside the mill, even while they are turning. Each sail is about 63 feet (19.20 m) long.
- Windshaft: The sails are attached to a strong cast-iron shaft called the windshaft. This shaft turns when the wind pushes the sails.
- Brake Wheel: Inside the mill, the windshaft turns a large wooden gear called the brake wheel.
- Wallower: The brake wheel turns another gear, the wallower. This gear is on a long, vertical wooden shaft called the upright shaft.
- Great Spur Wheel: At the bottom of the upright shaft, a large wooden gear called the great spur wheel turns.
- Millstones: The great spur wheel powers two pairs of overdrift millstones. These are heavy stones that grind the corn into flour. "Overdrift" means the power comes from above the stones.
- Crownwheel and Sack Hoist: A wooden crownwheel on the upright shaft also powers a sack hoist. This is a machine that lifts heavy sacks of grain up to the top floors of the mill.
Millers of Bardwell Mill
- James Waterfield (1985–1987)
- Simon Wooster (1987)
- Geoffrey Wheeler (1987–1995)
Visiting Bardwell Mill
The mill is open to the public. You can visit "at any reasonable time" to see this historic building and learn more about how windmills work.
