Heritage Mill, North Chailey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids North Chailey Windmill |
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The mill in 2009
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| Origin | |
| Mill name | Heritage Mill Beard's Mill |
| Mill location | TQ 386 214 |
| Coordinates | 50°58′30″N 0°01′37″W / 50.975°N 0.027°W |
| Operator(s) | Chailey Heritage Mill Trust |
| Year built | Mid-19th century |
| Information | |
| Purpose | Corn mill |
| Type | Smock mill |
| Storeys | Three-storey smock |
| Base storeys | Single-storey base |
| Smock sides | Eight sides |
| No. of sails | Four sails |
| Type of sails | Patent sails |
| Windshaft | Cast iron |
| Winding | Fantail |
| Fantail blades | Eight blades |
Heritage Mill, also known as Beard's Mill, is a special type of windmill called a smock mill. It's located in North Chailey, Sussex, England. This historic building is protected as a Grade II listed site. Today, it stands as an important landmark and is open for people to visit.
Contents
The Amazing Journey of Heritage Mill
How Old is This Windmill?
A windmill has been on this spot since at least 1596. The Heritage Mill you see today is actually the seventh mill built here! It was first constructed in 1830 in a place called Highbrook, West Hoathly. Back then, people knew it as Hammingden Mill.
Moving a Giant Windmill
In 1844, the mill was moved to Newhaven. It replaced another mill that had unfortunately burned down. Later, a new steam-powered mill was built, making the windmill less needed. So, the mill was moved again! This time, it came to its current home in Chailey. It replaced an even older type of windmill called a post mill. A special mill builder from Lewes named Medhurst helped with this big move. Heritage Mill continued to grind grain using wind power until 1911.
When the Wind Was Too Strong
In 1928, a strong wind blew from the wrong direction, hitting the back of the mill. This caused the top part, called the cap, and the huge sails to blow right off! The mill was fixed in 1933 by mill builders from Heathfield named Neve's.
Just a few years later, the mill was hit by strong winds again. This time, the main shaft that holds the sails, called the windshaft, snapped. Neve's builders found a replacement windshaft from another windmill, Punnetts Town Windmill, which had been taken apart in 1935.
What Does Heritage Mill Look Like?
Heritage Mill is a three-storey smock mill. This means it has a wooden tower that looks a bit like a farmer's smock (a loose shirt). This tower sits on a single-storey brick base.
The mill has a special roof, or cap, that looks like those found in Kent. This cap can turn to face the wind thanks to a fantail. A fantail is a small windmill at the back of the cap that automatically turns the main sails into the wind.
When the mill was working, it had four large Patent sails. These sails were attached to a strong cast-iron windshaft. Today, most of the inner machinery is gone. However, you can still see the clasp arm great spur wheel. This is a large gear that was important for turning the millstones to grind corn.
