King's Mill, Shipley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shipley Windmill |
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King's Mill
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| Origin | |
| Mill name |
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| Grid reference | TQ 143 218 |
| Coordinates | 50°59′05″N 0°22′22″W / 50.9848°N 0.3727°W |
| Operator(s) | Private |
| Year built | 1879 |
| Information | |
| Purpose | Corn mill |
| Type | Smock mill |
| Storeys | Four-storey smock |
| Base storeys | Two-storey base |
| Smock sides | Eight sides |
| No. of sails | Four |
| Type of sails | Patent sails |
| Windshaft | Cast iron |
| Winding | Fantail |
| No. of pairs of millstones | 3 |
King's Mill, also known as Vincent's Mill, is a special type of windmill called a smock mill. It is located in Shipley, West Sussex, England. This historic mill was built in 1879. It has been carefully fixed up over the years and was open for people to visit until July 19, 2009.
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History of King's Mill
King's Mill was built in 1879 for a person named Friend Martin. It cost £2,500, which was a lot of money back then! The builders were Messrs Grist and Steele, who were skilled millwrights (people who build and repair mills) from Horsham. Some parts of the mill might have come from an older windmill in Coldwaltham.
Friend Martin ran the mill and the local village shop until he passed away in 1884. Since the mill didn't sell right away, his wife hired Robert Miller to operate it for her. In 1895, Richard Vincent bought the mill and hired Ernest Powell as the miller.
The famous writer Hilaire Belloc bought the mill and the land around it in 1906. Ernest Powell continued to work as the miller. The mill was used for grinding grain until 1926, sometimes even with the help of a steam engine. Hilaire Belloc owned the mill until he died in 1953.
Restoration and Public Access
After Hilaire Belloc's death, King's Mill was restored as a way to remember him. E Hole and Sons, another group of millwrights from Burgess Hill, did the repair work. The mill opened to visitors for the first time in 1958.
West Sussex County Council was in charge of keeping the mill in good condition, even though it was still owned by the Belloc family. A local group called the Friends of Shipley Windmill helped open the mill to visitors until 1986.
Major repairs were needed again. The County Council and the owners decided to create a special charity to manage the mill. This charity, called the Shipley Windmill Charitable Trust, was formed in 1987. They took over looking after the mill.
More restoration work was done between 1987 and 1990. The mill reopened in 1990, but it only had two sails at first. The other two sails were added in 1991. A brand new set of sails was put on in November 2004.
On April 7, 2009, it was announced that the mill would close to the public. The charity's agreement to use the mill was ending, and it would not be renewed. The mill opened for its last season on April 5, 2009, and had its very last open day on July 19.
How King's Mill Works
King's Mill is a four-storey smock mill built on a two-storey brick base. This means it's a tall windmill with four main levels, sitting on a strong two-story brick foundation.
It has four special Patent Sails that catch the wind. These sails are connected to a strong cast-iron rod called a windshaft. The top part of the mill, which is shaped like an eight-sided cone, can turn to face the wind. This turning is done by a fantail, which is a small set of blades at the back of the cap that automatically moves the mill into the wind.
Inside, a large wooden Brake Wheel turns a cast-iron Wallower. This Wallower is on a strong oak Upright Shaft. This shaft then turns a cast-iron Great Spur Wheel. This big wheel helps to power three pairs of millstones, which grind grain from above.
The mill is listed as a Grade II* listed building. This means it's a very important historic building that needs to be protected.
Millers of King's Mill
Here are the people who worked as millers at King's Mill:
- 1879-1884 Friend Martin
- 1884-1895 Robert Wood
- 1895-1926 Ernest Powell
King's Mill in Culture
King's Mill is famous for being the filming location for the home of the main character, Jonathan Creek, in the BBC television series of the same name.
