Stembridge Mill, High Ham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stembridge Tower Mill |
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| Origin | |
| Mill location | High Ham, Somerset, England |
| Grid reference | ST432305 |
| Coordinates | 51°04′17″N 2°48′39″W / 51.0713°N 2.8107°W |
| Operator(s) | The National Trust |
| Year built | 1822 |
| Information | |
| Purpose | Corn mill |
| Type | Tower mill |
| Storeys | Four storey tower |
| No. of sails | 4 |
| Type of sails | Common sails |
| Windshaft | Wood, with a cast iron cross |
| Winding | Wheel and chain |
| Auxiliary power | Formerly had a steam engine |
| No. of pairs of millstones | 2 |
| Size of millstones | 4 feet 0 inches (1.22 m) diameter |
| Other information | Restored 1971/74 and 2009 |
The Stembridge Tower Mill is a special old windmill located in High Ham, Somerset, England. It's super unique because it's the very last windmill in England that still has a thatched roof! This means its roof is made from straw or reeds.
This amazing tower mill was built way back in 1822. It has four floors and a special thatched "cap" on top. For a while, a steam engine helped power the mill, especially after a big storm damaged it around 1897. The mill stopped grinding grain for money in 1908. Today, The National Trust owns and looks after it. In 2009, the mill got a big makeover, costing £100,000, and was reopened for visitors.
Contents
A Look at the Mill's Past
The Stembridge Mill was built in 1822 for a person named Robert Tatchell. It even used some parts from an older mill nearby. The mill has a tower that is about 26 feet (7.9 m) tall. It sits on an old mound, with a low wall around it to keep people and animals safe from the moving sails.
Who Ran the Mill?
Robert Tatchell rented the mill to his son-in-law, John Sherrin. John then inherited the mill in 1824. After John passed away, his three sons took over, but only one, Robert, actually worked there. Later, Simon Spearing became the miller in 1869. His son, William, helped him, even though William had an accident at another mill and lost an arm.
The Sherrin family owned the mill until 1902. In the late 1880s, George Parker rented the mill. He added a portable steam engine to help power it. This engine could turn one set of grinding stones.
Storms and Changes
Big storms hit the mill in 1897 or 1898. After that, the windmill part was too damaged to work. So, the mill was only powered by the steam engine, which had been put in place in 1894. Around this time, the mill's bakehouse also stopped being used.
Robert Hook bought the mill next. But it was hard for him to compete with grain coming from other countries. So, Stembridge Mill stopped being used for business in 1908. Hook sold the mill and some land for £500.
Becoming a National Treasure
When Dr. Hugh Hale Leigh Bellot passed away in 1928, his son, Professor Hugh Hale Bellot, inherited the mill. In 1969, Professor Bellot left the windmill, the miller's house, and the garden to The National Trust in his will.
New sails were added in 1971, and more repairs happened in 1974. In 1986, it was officially named a Grade II* listed building. This means it's a very important historic place. Stembridge Mill is the last of five windmills that used to be in this area.
Recent Restoration Work
In 2009, the mill got another big restoration. The sails were replaced, and the roof was re-thatched by local experts. This work cost £100,000 and was paid for by a special fund. The mill was reopened later that year.
Even though the sails don't turn with the wind anymore, they are moved a little bit four times a year for maintenance. Before the restoration, people found that the mill was home to long-eared and lesser horseshoe bats. The restoration made sure the bats could still get in and out after the work was done.
How the Mill Works
Stembridge Mill is a tower mill. This type of windmill has a strong brick or stone tower. On top of the tower is a roof, called a "cap," that can turn. This allows the sails to always face the wind.
The great thing about tower mills is that you don't have to turn the whole building to catch the wind. This means there's more space inside for all the machinery and for storing grain. At first, people used a long pole to turn the cap. But at Stembridge, a looping chain with gears is used to turn the cap.
The mill's windshaft is made of wood and has a cast iron cross. This cross holds the four common sails. The brake wheel is also still there. However, other parts like the wallower, upright shaft, and great spur wheel were removed after the mill stopped using wind power.
Inside the Mill
The mill has four floors and its special thatched cap. It's built from local limestone called Blue Lias. Inside, there are two pairs of 4-foot (1.22 m) wide millstones. One pair is made of French Burr stones, which were added in 1859. The other pair has a French Burr runner stone on a different type of stone.
Both pairs of millstones were first turned by the windmill. Later, one pair was also turned by the steam engine. You can still see the remains of the old bakehouse at the back of the mill.
People Who Worked at the Mill
Here are some of the millers who worked at Stembridge Mill:
- John Sherrin (started 1822)
- Robert Sherrin (1861–1869)
- Simon Spearing (1869–?)
- Joseph Loader (1879–1881)
- George Parker (1889–1897)
- Frank Parker (1897–1898)
- Robert Mead (1898–?)
- F. G. Harding (after 1898)
- Mr. Hill (after 1898)
More to Explore
- List of National Trust properties in Somerset
- List of windmills in Somerset
