Bidston Windmill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bidston Windmill |
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The mill in 2013.
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| Origin | |
| Mill name | Bidston Mill |
| Grid reference | SJ 287 893 |
| Coordinates | 53°23′49″N 3°04′26″W / 53.397°N 3.074°W |
| Operator(s) | Public |
| Year built | c. 1800 |
| Information | |
| Purpose | Corn mill |
| Type | Tower mill |
| No. of sails | Four Sails |
Bidston Windmill is an old building on Bidston Hill, near Birkenhead, in England. It's a type of windmill called a Tower mill, which means it has a tall, round stone base. For many years, it helped grind corn into flour for people to use.
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History of Bidston Windmill
People believe there has been a windmill on Bidston Hill since 1596. This spot was perfect for catching the wind. The mills here could grind a lot of flour very quickly!
The First Windmill and Its Fiery End
The very first windmill on this site was made of wood. It was called a peg mill. Sadly, this wooden mill was destroyed by fire in 1791. During a big storm, the mill's sails spun out of control. The fast-moving wooden parts created a lot of heat from friction. This heat caused the whole mill to catch fire and burn down.
Building the Current Windmill
The windmill you see today was built around 1800. It kept working as a flour mill until about 1875. After that, it wasn't used for grinding flour anymore.
Later, the local council, Birkenhead Corporation, bought the windmill and the land around it. They started restoring it in 1894.
A Special Plaque and Public Land
There's a special plaque on the windmill. It tells us that the land, including the woods around the mill, was bought for the public. This happened between 1894 and 1908. Money for the land came from the Birkenhead Corporation and from people who donated money.
The plaque explains that this land must always be an open space for everyone to enjoy. It should stay as wild and natural as possible. Special care is given to protect the trees, plants, and the windmill itself.
Repairs and Upkeep
The windmill has been damaged and repaired several times over the years. In 1927, it was badly damaged again. People raised money to fix it.
Since then, the windmill has been repaired many times to keep it in good shape. For example, in 2006, the roof of the windmill was replaced. This helps make sure this historic building lasts for many more years.
