Gainsford End Mill, Toppesfield facts for kids
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Quick facts for kids Toppesfield Mill |
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|---|---|
| Origin | |
| Mill name | Gainsford End Mill |
| Coordinates | 51°59′17″N 0°30′43″E / 51.988°N 0.512°E |
| Operator(s) | Private |
| Year built | 1869 |
| Information | |
| Purpose | Corn mill |
| Type | Tower mill |
| Storeys | Five storeys |
| No. of sails | Four sails |
| Type of sails | Patent sails |
| Windshaft | Cast iron |
| Winding | Fantail |
| Fantail blades | Eight blades |
| No. of pairs of millstones | Three pairs |
| Size of millstones | 4 feet 6 inches (1.37 m) and 4 feet 4 inches (1.32 m) |
Gainsford End Mill is an old tower mill located near Toppesfield in Essex, England. It's a special building, listed as grade II listed, which means it's important historically. Today, it's not used for grinding grain anymore; it has been turned into a home.
History of Gainsford End Mill
Gainsford End Mill was built a long time ago, in 1869. It cost about £2000 to build, which was a lot of money back then! This new mill replaced an even older one, a post mill, that had been on the same spot since the late 1700s.
The mill worked for many years, grinding corn, until around 1928. After that, it stopped working and became old and rundown, or "derelict."
Interestingly, a part of this mill, called the windshaft, was moved to another mill, Duck End Mill, Finchingfield, in 1958 to help restore it. However, that windshaft was later replaced with a new wooden one in 1986. Gainsford End Mill itself was changed into a house in 2007.
What Gainsford End Mill Looks Like
Gainsford End Mill is a tall, five-storey building made of brick. It has a rounded roof, called a domed cap. This cap would turn to face the wind, helped by an eight-bladed fantail.
When it was first built, the mill had four large patent sails. These sails were attached to a strong cast-iron windshaft. Inside, the brake wheel turned a cast-iron wallower. This wallower was on a thick upright shaft made of cast-iron.
A large great spur wheel, about 6 feet 4 inches wide, helped to turn three pairs of millstones. These millstones were used to grind grain into flour. Two pairs of stones were about 4 feet 4 inches wide, and the third pair was about 4 feet 6 inches wide.
The base of the mill tower is about 20 feet wide, and its walls are 2 feet thick. The tower itself stands about 40 feet high. With its cap on top, the whole mill reached about 50 feet into the sky.
Millers Who Worked Here
- Lewis Steward (1874 - 1898)
- Joseph Chaplin (1902)
