Brent Pelham Windmill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brent Pelham Windmill |
|
|---|---|
| Origin | |
| Mill name | Brent Pelham Mill |
| Mill location | TL 433 313 |
| Coordinates | 51°57′42″N 0°05′11″E / 51.96167°N 0.08639°E |
| Operator(s) | Private |
| Year built | 1826 |
| Information | |
| Purpose | Corn mill |
| Type | Smock |
| Storeys | Two-storey smock |
| Base storeys | Single-storey base |
| Smock sides | Eight sides |
| No. of sails | Four sails |
| No. of pairs of millstones | Two pairs |
Brent Pelham Windmill is a historic smock mill located in Brent Pelham, Hertfordshire, England. It is a Grade II listed building, meaning it's an important historical structure. Today, the windmill is no longer working and is considered derelict. Windmills like this were once vital for grinding grain into flour.
Contents
A Look Back: The Mill's Story
Brent Pelham Mill was built a long time ago, in 1826. A person named William Halden was responsible for its construction. This mill was actively working for many years, helping to grind corn for the local community.
When the Mill Stopped Working
The mill continued to operate until at least 1890. However, by 1898, it was no longer in use. Over time, the machinery inside the mill was removed. A water tank was later built on top of the smock tower. The windmill still stands in this altered form today, covered with corrugated iron for protection.
What the Mill Looks Like
Brent Pelham Mill is a special type of windmill called a smock mill. It has two main levels, or "storeys," built on top of a single-level brick base. Smock mills get their name because their shape looks a bit like a farm worker's smock (a loose outer garment).
Key Features of the Mill
This mill originally had four large sails that would catch the wind. These sails powered two pairs of millstones inside. The millstones were used to grind corn. The outside of the mill was originally covered with vertical wooden boards, called weatherboarding. This original wood still exists underneath the corrugated iron that covers the mill today.
Who Worked at the Mill?
People who operated windmills were called millers. They were very important in the community, as they turned grain into flour for bread and other foods. Here are some of the millers who worked at Brent Pelham Mill:
- Peter Harris (from 1839 to 1854)
- Thomas Miles (from 1855 to 1863)
- Walter Watson (from 1863 to 1890)
