Lockgate Mill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lockgate Mill |
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Lockgate Mill
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| Origin | |
| Mill location | 2 miles west of Great Yarmouth |
| Grid reference | TG4802507140 |
| Coordinates | 52°36′21″N 1°39′41″E / 52.60592°N 1.66126°E |
| Year built | Late 19th-century |
Lockgate Mill is an old windpump located in Norfolk, England. It is also known by other names like Freethorpe Mill. This mill sits on the Halvergate Marshes, which are part of The Broads. The Broads is a special area with many rivers and lakes.
The mill is about 2 miles (3.2 km) west of Great Yarmouth. It is also 3 miles (4.8 km) northeast of Berney Arms. You can find it near the northern edge of Breydon Water. Lockgate Mill is a Grade II listed building. This means it is an important historical structure that needs to be protected.
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History of Lockgate Mill
The mill we see today was built a long time ago. It was constructed between 1800 and 1825. At first, it was known as Freethorpe Mill. The mill is made of red bricks, which were then covered in black tar. It stands about 35 feet (10.7 meters) tall. The base of the mill is 24 feet (7.3 meters) wide. It has two doors and four windows.
How the Mill Worked
When the mill was working, it had four large sails. These sails turned in a clockwise direction. They powered a big scoopwheel that was 19 feet (5.8 meters) across. This wheel had paddles that were 7 inches (18 cm) deep.
Most mills in this area drained water into the Halvergate Fleet. But Lockgate Mill was different. Even though it was close to the fleet, it drained water from the Acle marshes. These marshes are located to the north of the mill.
People Who Worked at the Mill
The first person recorded to work at the mill was Mr. Dan Banham. Later, Mr. Bob Banham took over. The Banham family stopped working at the mill in the early 1920s.
After them, Mr. Gordon Addison worked there for a short time. He lived in the nearby Lockgate Farm. The last person to work as a marshman at the mill was Mr. Leonard Carter. He left the mill in the mid-1940s.
The Mill's Decline
After Leonard Carter left, the mill started to fall apart. In 1953, a strong storm blew off the mill's sails. The mill was left to decay for many years. In 1988, a temporary aluminum cap was put on top. This was done to protect what was left of the mill.
Lockgate Mill Today
In 2001, a fire caused damage inside the mill. Vandals started the fire, which blackened some of the bricks. You can see the mill from the Weavers' Way and Wherryman's Way footpaths. These paths run between Yarmouth and Berney Arms.
However, you cannot go inside the mill. There is a fence blocking access because the building is unsafe. It is important to stay safe and respect historical sites.
