Collis Mill, Great Thurlow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Collis Mill, Great Thurlow |
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Collis Mill, September 2005
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| Origin | |
| Mill name | Collis Mill |
| Mill location | TL 671 500 |
| Coordinates | 52°07′N 0°26′E / 52.117°N 0.433°E |
| Operator(s) | Private |
| Year built | 1807 |
| Information | |
| Purpose | Corn mill |
| Type | Smock mill |
| Storeys | Three storey smock |
| Base storeys | One storey |
| Smock sides | Eight sides |
| No. of sails | Four Sails |
| Type of sails | Common sails |
| Winding | Fantail |
| Fantail blades | Eight blades |
| Auxiliary power | Portable steam engine |
| No. of pairs of millstones | Two pairs |
Collis Mill is a special old windmill located in Great Thurlow, Suffolk, England. It is a type of windmill called a smock mill. This mill is very important because it is a Grade II* listed building. This means it is protected for its history and unique design. Today, it has been carefully fixed up and restored.
The Mill's Journey
Collis Mill wasn't always in Great Thurlow. It was first built in a place called Slough. But in 1807, it was moved piece by piece to Great Thurlow. It took the place of an even older type of windmill called a post mill.
A millwright named Thomas Hunt helped fix the mill in 1914. A millwright is someone who builds and repairs mills. Collis Mill stopped using wind power in 1915. Its big sails were taken off around 1920.
After that, the mill was powered by a special engine. It used a portable steam engine to grind grain until 1937. By 1959, the mill was in bad shape. It was "derelict," meaning it was falling apart. It was also "capless," which means it had lost its top part.
A person named R A Vestey bought the mill that year. He wanted to fix it up so it would look nice again. This restoration was finished in 1962.
How Collis Mill Looks
Collis Mill is a smock mill with three main levels. These levels sit on a single brick base. The mill has four large sails. These are called "Common sails."
The top of the mill is shaped like a "pepperpot." This cap turns to face the wind. It moves using a special part called a fantail. The fantail has eight blades that catch the wind.
Inside the mill, there are two pairs of millstones. These millstones grind grain into flour. They are "underdrift," which means they are turned from below.
The Millers
A miller is a person who operates a mill. They use the mill to grind grain into flour. Here are some of the people who worked as millers at Collis Mill:
- Thomas Gardner (1841-1844)
- Joseph Dearsley (1845-1850)
- Elijah Dearsley (1850-1875)
- Archibald Robinson (1875-unknown)
- Gabriel Savage (unknown dates)
- Joseph Collis (unknown dates - 1937)
