Stone Cross Windmill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stone Cross Windmill |
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The mill in 2007
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| Origin | |
| Mill name | Stone Cross Mill White Mill Blackness Mill |
| Mill location | TQ 620 043 |
| Coordinates | 50°48′58″N 0°17′53″E / 50.816°N 0.298°E |
| Operator(s) | Stone Cross Mill Trust |
| Year built | 1876 |
| Information | |
| Purpose | Corn mill |
| Type | Tower mill |
| Storeys | Five storeys |
| No. of sails | Four sails |
| Type of sails | Patent sails |
| Windshaft | Cast iron |
| Winding | Fantail |
| No. of pairs of millstones | Three pairs |
The Stone Cross Windmill is a historic tower mill located in Stone Cross, East Sussex, England. This amazing windmill has been carefully restored and is now open for everyone to visit. It was also known by other names like Blackness Mill and the White Mill.
Contents
The Story of Stone Cross Windmill
How the Mill Was Built
The Stone Cross Windmill was built in 1876. A skilled mill builder named Stephen Neve from Warbleton constructed it. The tall tower was built by Thomas Honeysett, a local bricklayer. The inside machinery came from the Phoenix Iron Foundry in Lewes.
Life and Times of the Mill
This windmill used wind power to grind corn until 1937. Sadly, two of its large sails were damaged in a strong wind in 1925. During the Second World War, the mill was used as a lookout spot. People could watch for enemy planes or ships from its high position.
Saving the Windmill
In 1962, there was a plan to turn the mill into a house. However, Mr. Ron Hall, who owned the nearby Mill House, bought the windmill. He decided to restore it instead of changing it into a home.
Mr. Hall started repairing the mill in 1966. By 1977, it looked much like it did when it stopped working. It still had only two sails and was missing its fantail, which helps turn the mill into the wind.
Bringing the Mill Back to Life
By the 1990s, the mill was starting to fall apart again. So, a group of people formed a special organization called the Stone Cross Mill Trust. Their goal was to buy and fix the mill. The Trust became a registered charity in 1996.
Work to restore the mill began in 1998. It was a big project! By 2000, the mill was able to grind wholemeal flour again. This was a huge success! In 2005, the Trust received an award for their excellent work. The award recognized the high quality of the restoration.
Many groups helped pay for the restoration. These included the Heritage Lottery Fund, the South East England Development Agency, East Sussex County Council, and Wealden District Council.
Recent Repairs and Connections
In 2009, two of the mill's sails were taken off for repairs. The other two sails and the top part of the mill (called the cap) were also removed for repairs in 2011.
The Stone Cross Mill has a special connection with another windmill. It is "twinned" with the De Wachter mill in Zuidlaren, Netherlands. This means they share a friendly bond.
What Makes the Windmill Work?
Inside the Mill
The Stone Cross Windmill is a five-storey tower mill. This means it has five levels inside. There is a platform, or stage, at the first floor level. This platform would have been used by the miller to reach the sails.
The top of the mill has a round, dome-shaped cap. This cap can turn to face the wind. It moves thanks to a special part called a fantail. The fantail is a small set of sails at the back of the cap. It automatically turns the main sails into the wind.
Sails and Stones
The mill has four large Patent sails. These sails are connected to a strong cast iron shaft called a Windshaft. The Windshaft turns when the wind pushes the sails.
Inside, there is a large iron wheel called the Brake Wheel. It is about 8 feet 7 inches (2.62 meters) across. This wheel helps power the millstones. The mill has three pairs of millstones. These stones are "overdriven," meaning they are powered from above.
Mill Dimensions
The tower of the mill is quite large. At its base, it is about 16 feet 6 inches (5.03 meters) wide. At the top, where the cap sits (called the curb), it is 11 feet (3.35 meters) wide. The tower stands about 38 feet (11.58 meters) tall to the curb.
Who Were the Millers?
Here are some of the people who worked as millers at Stone Cross Windmill:
- Samuel Dallaway: 1876 - 1878
- Frederick Dallaway: 1878 - 1895
- Henry Dallaway: 1895 - 1937
