Medmerry Mill, Selsey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Selsey Windmill |
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The mill in 2020
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| Origin | |
| Mill name | Medmerry Mill |
| Coordinates | 50°44′04″N 0°48′19″W / 50.73458°N 0.8053°W |
| Operator(s) | Private |
| Year built | c1827 |
| 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 (missing) |
| No. of pairs of millstones | Two pairs |
Medmerry Mill is a cool old tower mill located in Selsey, Sussex, England. It's a special building, officially listed as a Grade II building. This means it's an important historical place to protect. Today, it has been fixed up and is used as a shop!
Contents
The Story of Medmerry Mill
Building the Mill
Medmerry Mill was built around 1827. It replaced an older type of windmill called a post mill. This new tower mill started working right away, using wind power. It helped grind corn for the local area.
Working Years and Repairs
The mill worked steadily until about 1890. After that, it started to fall apart. But don't worry, it got a second chance! Between 1907 and 1908, a company from Shoreham completely fixed it up. The mill was then able to work again until the early 1920s.
Later Challenges
By 1928, the mill was in bad shape again. All four of its large sails were broken. In 1960, during another restoration, a part called the "fanstage" was removed. This part helped the mill turn to face the wind. The mill was damaged again in 1987, but its sails were later repaired.
How Medmerry Mill Works
Mill Structure
Medmerry Mill was first built with five floors. It used to power two sets of millstones. These large stones would grind the corn. When it was refitted in 1908, it became a four-story brick tower mill.
Key Parts of the Mill
The mill has a round, domed cap on top. This cap used to turn automatically to face the wind. It did this with a special part called a fantail, but this part is now missing. The mill has four large Patent sails. These sails are carried on a strong cast iron "Windshaft." Inside, there's also an iron "Brake Wheel." These parts all worked together to turn the millstones and grind the corn.
Who Ran the Mill?
Here are some of the people who operated Medmerry Mill over the years:
- William Reeves (worked the older post mill in 1783)
- H R Arnell (from 1858 to 1878)
- Sampson Copstake
- F W Sharpe (from 1882 to 1890)
- Farne and Co. (from 1905 to the 1920s)
