Bragg's Mill, Ashdon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ashdon Windmill |
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Bragg's Mill in 2009
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| Origin | |
| Mill name | Bragg's Mill, William Bragg's Mill Bartlow Hamlet Mill Stevington End Mill |
| Grid reference | TL 595 425 |
| Coordinates | 52°03′30″N 0°19′33″E / 52.0584°N 0.3258°E |
| Operator(s) | Ashdon Windmill Trust |
| Year built | 1757 |
| Information | |
| Purpose | Corn mill |
| Type | Post mill |
| Roundhouse storeys | Single storey roundhouse |
| No. of sails | Four Sails |
| Type of sails | Patent sails |
| Windshaft | Wooden windshaft, cast iron poll end |
| Winding | Tailpole |
Bragg's Mill, also known as William Bragg's Mill, Bartlow Hamlet Mill, or Stevington End Mill, is a historic windmill in Ashdon, Essex, England. It is a special type of windmill called a post mill and is a grade II listed site, meaning it's important and protected. This old mill has been carefully brought back to life through restoration work.
Contents
The Mill's Story
Bragg's Mill was built a long time ago in 1757. A carpenter named William Haylock from Ashdon constructed it. In 1813, the mill was put up for sale. At that time, it had two pairs of millstones, which are big stones used to grind grain.
Back then, it was an "open trestle mill." This means its main support structure was open to the air. Around 1815, the mill was made a bit longer at the back. About five years later, in 1820, a roundhouse was added around the base. This roundhouse helped protect the mill's lower parts.
The mill kept working until about 1912. By 1932, it was in bad shape and needed props to hold it up. The mill was fixed up in the late 1950s, but by 1974, it was falling apart again. More repairs were done then. The large sails were taken off in the 1990s to keep them safe.
Bringing the Mill Back to Life
In April 1999, the people of Ashdon had a meeting. They all agreed that the windmill should be fully restored, including putting its sails back on. To make this happen, the Ashdon Windmill Trust Ltd was created. This group became a registered charity. They also got permission to restore the mill, as it's a listed building.
In 2000, the Thurlow Estate, who owned the mill, gave it to Ashdon village. They also promised to donate £25,000 once the Trust raised the same amount. In 2001, the Essex Environment Trust gave a big grant of £40,000.
The actual restoration work began in March 2002. A skilled restorer named Vincent Pargeter was hired for the job. The mill's main frame was straightened, and its outside was completely covered with new weatherboards. By 2004, the mill looked amazing with a fresh coat of white paint.
In July 2004, the project received another large grant of £46,900 from the Heritage Lottery Fund. This money helped a lot. Finally, new sails were put back on the mill on July 5, 2006. This was a big moment, making the mill look complete again.
What Bragg's Mill Looks Like
Bragg's Mill is a post mill, which means its entire main body can turn on a central post to face the wind. It has a single-story roundhouse at its base. The mill has four patent sails. These sails are special because they can be adjusted automatically to catch the wind.
The sails are connected to a wooden shaft called a windshaft. This shaft has a metal end where the sails attach. Two of the sails have double shutters, and two have single shutters. The mill uses two pairs of millstones to grind grain. It is turned into the wind using a long wooden pole called a tailpole. The mill stands about 34 feet (10.4 meters) tall to its roof.
The Mill's Base
The mill's main support structure, called the trestle, has large wooden beams called crosstrees. These beams are quite low, about 3 feet 4 inches (1 meter) from the ground. The brick supports under the crosstrees were once tarred and the beams painted white. This shows the mill was originally built without a roundhouse.
The main central post, which the whole mill body sits on, is about 17 feet 6 inches (5.3 meters) long. It is about 27 inches (69 cm) square at its base.
The Mill's Body
The main part of the mill, called the body, measures about 19 feet 10 inches by 11 feet (6.05 by 3.35 meters). At one point, the back of the mill's body was made longer. This was done to make room for a machine called a bolter, which helps separate flour. Originally, the body was only about 16 feet 6 inches (5 meters) long.
Sails and Windshaft
The windshaft, which holds the sails, is made of wood. It has a cast iron poll end, which is a metal cap where the sails attach. This metal end was likely added when the more advanced patent sails were put on. When the mill was first built, it probably had simpler "common sails."
Inside the Mill: Machinery
The mill has large wooden wheels inside that help turn the millstones. The main wheel, called the head wheel, is about 7 feet 4 inches (2.2 meters) across. Another wooden wheel, the tail wheel, is about 6 feet 4 inches (1.9 meters) across. The mill was first built with only one pair of millstones. The second pair was likely added when the mill's body was extended.
Millers of Bragg's Mill
Here are some of the people who worked as millers at Bragg's Mill over the years:
- Josiah Giblin (1809 - 1819)
- John Ruse (1830)
- John Brown (1848)
- Frederick and John Ruse (1850)
- John Bragg (1898)
- William Bragg (1894 - 1912)
Bragg's Mill in Books
Bragg's Mill was mentioned in a book called Five Miles from Bunkum. This book described the mill during its last years of operation.
Visiting the Mill
You can visit Bragg's Mill! It is open to the public on the second Sunday of every month. The visiting season starts in April each year.
