Hurt Wood Mill, Ewhurst facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ewhurst Windmill |
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The converted mill in 2003
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| Origin | |
| Mill name | Hurt Wood Mill |
| Grid reference | TQ 078 427 |
| Coordinates | 51°10′23″N 0°27′32″W / 51.173°N 0.459°W |
| Operator(s) | Private |
| Year built | 1845 |
| Information | |
| Purpose | Corn mill |
| Type | Tower mill |
| Storeys | Four storeys |
| No. of sails | Four sails |
| Type of sails | Patent sails |
| Windshaft | Cast iron |
| Winding | Fantail |
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Listed Building – Grade II
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| Official name | Ewhurst Windmill |
| Designated | 9 March 1960 |
| Reference no. | 1190554 |
Hurt Wood Mill is a special old building in Ewhurst, Surrey, England. It is a type of windmill called a tower mill. Today, it is not used for grinding grain anymore. Instead, it has been turned into a home! It is also a Grade II* listed building. This means it is very important and protected because of its history.
A Look Back in Time
Hurt Wood Mill was built in 1845. It replaced an even older post mill that had been standing since 1648. The first post mill was blown down by strong winds.
The new tower mill worked by wind power until around 1885. After that, its large sails and fantail were removed. The mill was later changed into a house. In 1914, two new sails were added to the building.
In 1937, a company called Neve's from Heathfield fitted four new sails. They also added two new main beams, called stocks, for the sails.
How the Mill Was Built
Hurt Wood Mill is a four-storey building made of brick. It has a special dome-shaped roof called an ogee cap. It used to have four "Patent sails." These were advanced sails that could adjust automatically to the wind.
The sails were connected to a strong cast iron shaft. A "fantail" helped turn the cap of the mill. This kept the sails facing the wind. Inside, a large wooden "Brake Wheel" was part of the machinery.
When the mill was working, its sails spun in an anticlockwise direction. However, the sails added in 1937 were designed to spin clockwise if they had been used for grinding.
Millers Who Worked Here
Many people worked at Hurt Wood Mill over the years. They were called millers. Here are some of the millers who operated the mill:
- Richard Evelyn (1648, worked the older post mill)
- George Hard and Daniel Randell (1705)
- John Twist (1718)
- Edward Bennet (1730s)
- William Bray and William Lassam (1748)
- Jacob Lassam
- Mary White (1843)
- David Lassam (1845, worked the new tower mill)
- H Joyes (1855)
The Mill in Pop Culture
Hurt Wood Mill has appeared in art and on television!
It can be seen in a painting called "Harvest Time." This painting was created by George Vicat Cole (1833–1893). You can find this artwork at the Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery.
The mill also appeared in a TV show called The Tomorrow People. It was in an episode titled The Doomsday Men.
A famous musician, George Harrison, wrote a very well-known song at this windmill. He wrote "Here Comes the Sun" with Eric Clapton in 1969. He was staying at the mill to avoid a meeting with The Beatles' record company, Apple Records.
