Upthorpe Mill, Stanton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Upthorpe Mill, Stanton |
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Upthorpe Mill, November 2006
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| Origin | |
| Mill name | Upthorpe Mill |
| Mill location | TL 971 733 |
| Coordinates | 52°19′20″N 0°53′35″E / 52.32222°N 0.89306°E |
| Operator(s) | Private owner |
| Year built | 1751 |
| Information | |
| Purpose | Corn mill |
| Type | Post mill |
| Roundhouse storeys | One storey |
| No. of sails | Four sails |
| Type of sails | Double Patent sails |
| Windshaft | Wood, cast iron Poll End |
| Winding | Fantail |
| Fantail blades | Eight blades |
| No. of pairs of millstones | Two pairs |
| Other information | Scheduled monument |
Upthorpe Mill is a special type of windmill called a post mill. It is located in Stanton, Suffolk, England. This old mill is a Grade II* listed site and a scheduled monument, which means it's a very important historical building. It has been carefully fixed up and can now work again!
Contents
The Story of Upthorpe Mill
How Old Is Upthorpe Mill?
Upthorpe Mill was first built way back in 1751. That's over 270 years ago! When it was first made, it was an "open trestle" post mill. This means its main support structure was open to the air.
Moving the Mill and Making Changes
In 1818, the mill was moved to where it stands today. Over time, it got some upgrades. Its original "Common sails" (simple sails) were replaced with "Double Patent sails." These new sails were much better at catching the wind. A "roundhouse" was also added around the base of the mill. This helped protect the wooden frame from the weather. A "fantail" was also put on the mill. This clever device automatically turns the mill's main body to face the wind, so it always works its best!
Repairs and Restorations
By 1918, the mill was no longer used for grinding corn. By 1937, it was falling apart. A group called the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings helped raise money to fix it. In 1939, some skilled builders started repairs. They fixed the roof and other parts.
During World War II, the mill was painted grey. This was to make it harder to see from the air, as it was near an air force base. The mill was used again during the war, but it stopped working in 1946 because it wasn't making enough money.
Saving the Mill Again
By the late 1960s, Upthorpe Mill was in bad shape once more. Parts of it were carefully taken down to save them. In 1979, emergency repairs were done. Then, in 1986, a man named Richard Duke bought the mill. He worked hard to restore it, and by 1990, the mill could grind corn again!
Later, in 1993, Peter Dolman bought the mill and continued the restoration work. Thanks to these efforts, Upthorpe Mill stands tall today as a working piece of history.
How Upthorpe Mill Works
What is a Post Mill?
Upthorpe Mill is a "post mill." This means the whole top part of the mill, which holds the sails and machinery, can turn on a giant central post. This allows the sails to always face the wind. The mill has a one-story "roundhouse" at its base.
The Mill's Main Parts
The mill has four "Double Patent sails." These sails are attached to a strong wooden "windshaft" at the top. The windshaft has a special cast-iron end. When the wind turns the sails, the windshaft spins.
Inside the mill, the windshaft connects to a large wooden "brake wheel." This wheel has iron teeth that connect to another wheel called a "wallower." The wallower is on a long wooden "upright shaft" that goes down through the mill.
At the bottom, a large cast-iron "great spur wheel" turns two pairs of "millstones." These heavy stones grind the corn into flour. The mill also has a "wire machine," which is used to sift the flour.
The Fantail System
The "fantail" is a small set of eight blades located at the back of the mill, on the ladder. It's designed to catch the wind. When the wind changes direction, the fantail spins. This spinning powers gears and shafts that slowly turn the entire mill body. This way, the main sails are always pointed directly into the wind, making the mill work as efficiently as possible.
The main post of the mill has a special carving that says R Rix 1807. This might be the name of someone who worked on the mill a long time ago!
Who Ran the Mill?
Here are some of the people who have been in charge of Upthorpe Mill over the years:
- William Bryant (1939–1946)
- Richard Duke (1990–1993)
- Peter Dolman (1993–2002)
- John Craven (2002–2004)
- Dominic Grixti (from 2004)
Can You Visit Upthorpe Mill?
Upthorpe Mill is a private property and is not open to the public for visits.
