Pakenham Windmill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pakenham Mill |
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The restored mill
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| Origin | |
| Mill location | TL 931 694 |
| Coordinates | 52°17′19″N 0°49′56″E / 52.28861°N 0.83222°E |
| Operator(s) | Friends of Pakenham Windmill |
| Year built | 1831 |
| Information | |
| Purpose | Corn mill |
| Type | Tower mill |
| Storeys | Five storeys |
| No. of sails | Four Sails |
| Type of sails | Patent sails |
| Winding | Fantail |
| Fantail blades | Eight Blades |
| Auxiliary power | Steam engine |
| No. of pairs of millstones | Three pairs |
Pakenham Mill is a historic tower mill located in Pakenham, Suffolk, England. It is a special type of building known as a Grade II* listed structure, which means it's very important and protected. This old mill has been carefully fixed up and is still kept in working order today, just like it was when it first started grinding corn!
Contents
History of Pakenham Mill
Pakenham Mill was built a long time ago, in 1831. A miller named Clement Goodrich was working there in 1846. Later, in 1885, the Bryant family took over the mill. Sometimes, a steam engine was used to help the mill work, especially when there wasn't enough wind.
In 1947, the mill had a close call! It was almost damaged by strong winds from the wrong direction, but the miller managed to turn the top of the mill just in time to save it.
Restoration Efforts
The mill was first restored in 1950. During this time, new parts were added. A special viewing platform, called a gallery, was built around the top of the mill. This gallery was designed to look like one from another mill in Buckinghamshire. New sails were also put on the mill.
More restoration work happened in 1961. This time, local councils helped pay for the repairs. The top part of the mill, called the cap, was rebuilt and covered in aluminum. This made it easier to look after. A new main beam (stock) and two new sails were made. The fantail, which helps turn the mill into the wind, was also rebuilt.
In June 1971, lightning struck the mill! It split one of the main beams and damaged a sail. Luckily, a metal chain inside the mill helped the lightning go safely into the ground, stopping the mill from burning down. After this, a lightning conductor was added to protect the mill from future strikes.
The most recent big restoration of Pakenham windmill finished in May 2000. This work cost a lot of money, but most of it was paid for by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
How Pakenham Mill Works
Pakenham Mill is a five-story tower mill. It has a round, domed cap at the top with a gallery around it. The mill is turned to face the wind by a special part called a fantail.
Inside the mill, there are three pairs of millstones, but only two of them are still there today. These millstones are used to grind corn into flour. The parts that control the millstones, called governors, are driven by chains. This is a bit unusual, as most mills use belts for this.
Millers of Pakenham Mill
- Clement Goodrich (1846)
- Bryant family (from 1885)
- John Bryant (until 1947)
Visiting Pakenham Mill
You can visit Pakenham Mill! It is usually open every day during working hours for individuals. If you want to bring a group, you can arrange a visit by appointment. The mill is also open on both Saturday and Sunday of National Mills Weekend from 2:00 PM to 5:30 PM.
Pakenham Mill in Media
Pakenham windmill has appeared in several films and TV shows:
- It was in a short film called And now they rest in 1938.
- The BBC used footage of Pakenham windmill in the 1950s.
- It appeared in an episode of the TV series Survivors called The Peacemaker in 1977.
