Clayrack Drainage Mill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clayrack Drainage Windmill |
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Clayrack Drainage Windmill
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| Origin | |
| Mill location | On the east bank of the River Ant |
| Grid reference | TG369193 |
| Coordinates | 52°43′10″N 1°30′23″E / 52.71944°N 1.50635°E |
| Information | |
| Purpose | Drainage Mill |
The Clayrack Drainage Windmill is a special type of windmill found in Norfolk, a county in England. It sits on the east bank of the River Ant. This is near How Hill, which is a large building from the Edwardian period. How Hill is now home to the Norfolk Broads Study Centre. The windmill is about 1¾ miles west of the village of Ludham.
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What is the Clayrack Windmill?
The Clayrack Drainage Windmill has a very interesting design. It is one of only two "Hollow Post" drainage mills left in the Norfolk Broads. It is also the only one that uses a "scoop wheel" to move water. A hollow post mill means its main support is a hollow wooden post. This post allows a shaft to pass through it.
Unique Features of the Mill
This windmill has a small cap, sails, and a fantail. These parts look like those on much bigger windmills. You can see these larger windmills in other parts of the Norfolk Broads. Just south of Clayrack, there is another small and interesting drainage windmill. It is called Boardman's Windmill. The Clayrack mill gets its name from the "Fen" (a type of marshy land) it stands on.
History of the Clayrack Windmill
The Clayrack drainage windmill is not in its original spot. It was moved in 1981 from Ranworth Marshes. That old location was about 2¾ miles south of where it is now.
Saving the Windmill
The mill was in very bad condition at its old site. It was almost lost forever. People decided it was important to save it. So, a plan was made to fix it up. Ranworth Marshes had many nesting birds. Moving the mill helped protect these birds from being disturbed by the repair work. That is why it was moved to its current spot at How Hill. Now, the mill is fully restored. Sometimes, you can even see it working. It still pumps water, just like it was built to do!
