Holgate Windmill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Holgate Mill, York |
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
The mill in June 2014
|
|
| Origin | |
| Mill name | Holgate Mill |
| Grid reference | SE 5841 5148 |
| Coordinates | 53°57′22″N 1°06′41″W / 53.9561°N 1.1113°W |
| Operator(s) | Holgate Windmill Preservation Society |
| Year built | 1770 |
| Information | |
| Purpose | Corn mill |
| Type | Tower mill |
| Storeys | Five storeys |
| No. of sails | Five sails |
| Type of sails | Double Patent sails |
| Windshaft | Cast iron |
| Winding | Fantail |
| Fantail blades | Eight blades |
| Auxiliary power | Electric Motor (1930) |
| No. of pairs of millstones | Four Pairs |
| Other information | Restored and working |
The Holgate Windmill is a tall, old tower mill found in Holgate, which is part of York, England. This historic building has been carefully fixed up and can now grind grain again, just like it used to!
Contents
The Mill's Story: From Past to Present
Building and Early Years
The Holgate tower windmill was built in 1770. It was made from brick by its first owner, George Waud, who was also a miller. A miller is someone who operates a mill, grinding grain into flour. George, his son, and his grandson ran the mill until 1851. Around the same time, a house was built next to the mill.
The mill first had five special sails called Roller Reefing sails. These were later changed to Double Patent sails. By 1841, the mill had three pairs of grinding stones, called French Burr millstones. It also had machines to prepare the flour.
Changes and Upgrades
In 1859, a new building for storing grain was added. A steam engine was also put in to help the mill work better and make more money. An extra floor was built, making the mill as tall as it is today.
In 1930, a large electric motor replaced the steam engine. The old chimney and boiler house were taken down. After some storm damage, the mill could no longer grind grain using wind power. The city council then removed the sails and the fantail. The fantail is a small windmill at the back that helps the main sails face the wind.
Stopping Work and Becoming a Landmark
Milling with the electric motor completely stopped in 1933. In 1939, a new white cap was built on top of the mill tower. The last known miller was Thomas Mollet. The last owners of the mill were the Eliza Gutch family.
In 1954, the mill was given a special status called Grade II listed building. This means it's an important historical building that needs to be protected. More repairs were made to the cap in 1955. The five long wooden arms that held the sails were removed in 1956.
Bringing the Mill Back to Life
In 2001, a group called the Holgate Windmill Preservation Society was started. Their goal was to save and restore the mill. In 2005, the mill opened its doors to the public for the first time in 70 years.
Planning for the restoration began in 2003, and the actual work started in 2006. Scaffolding was put up around the mill. Workers removed the old black paint and plaster from the outside. New electricity was installed, and new oak doors and windows were built. A new type of plaster, called lime render, was put on the outer walls.
In autumn 2006, the old cap, along with its gears and brake wheel, was lifted off by a crane. The old ring that helped the cap turn was broken, and its wooden frame was rotten. By 2007, most of the outside repairs were finished. A new turning ring was put in place, the scaffolding was removed, and the open top of the mill was sealed to keep out rain.
The Mill Today
On November 28, 2009, a new white cap was lifted onto the mill. This new cap included a ball on top, a brake wheel, a windshaft (the main axle), and the frame for the fantail. Five new sails were put on the mill on December 20, 2011. The next year, special shutters were added to the sails. In April 2012, the sails turned by wind power for the first time since 1930! The mill was officially opened again on June 23, 2012.
Today, the mill usually works one day a week. It produces about 75 kilograms (165 pounds) of wholemeal and spelt flour. During the Covid-19 outbreak, more people wanted flour. So, the mill increased its production to about 400 kilograms (880 pounds) per week!
-
June 2009, before the outside was restored
-
November 2009, when the new white cap was added
-
December 2011, just after the sails were restored, but before the shutters were installed
-
The fully restored mill in July 2013
How the Mill Works
Holgate Mill is a five-storey tower mill. This means it has five main levels, including the ground floor. These levels are called the meal floor, stones floor, bin floor, dust floor, and the cap.
The mill originally had a black, rounded cap. Since 1939, it has had a white cap. This cap is turned by a fantail to make sure the main sails always face the wind. There are five Double Patent sails that are held by a strong cast-iron windshaft. This windshaft is like a giant axle that turns when the sails catch the wind.
Inside, the mill uses four pairs of millstones to grind the grain. Three pairs are French Burrs, and one pair is made of a type of stone called Peaks. These stones work together to turn grain into flour.
Who Ran the Mill: The Millers
Many people worked as millers at Holgate Windmill over the years. Here are some of them:
- George Waud (1770–1792)
- George Waud Jr (1792–1811)
- George Waud (grandson) (1811–1851)
- John Thackwray (1851–1855)
- George & Joseph Chapman (brothers) (1858–1860)
- William Bean Horseman (1860–1866)
- Joseph Chapman (1866–1896)
- Charles Chapman (son of Joseph) (1896–1902)
- Herbert Warters (1902–1922)
- Thomas Mollett (1922–1933)
See also
