West Blatchington Windmill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids West Blatchington Windmill |
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The mill in 2002
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| Origin | |
| Mill name | West Blatchington Mill |
| Mill location | TQ 279 068 |
| Coordinates | 50°50′49″N 0°11′06″W / 50.847°N 0.185°W |
| Operator(s) | Friends of Blatchington Windmill |
| Year built | c1820 |
| Information | |
| Purpose | Corn mill |
| Type | Smock mill |
| Storeys | Three-storey smock |
| Base storeys | Three-storey base |
| Smock sides | Six sides |
| No. of sails | Four sails |
| Type of sails | Patent sails |
| Windshaft | Cast iron |
| Winding | Fantail |
| No. of pairs of millstones | Two pairs |
West Blatchington Windmill is a special historic building in West Blatchington, near Brighton and Hove, England. It is a type of windmill called a smock mill. This old mill has been fixed up and you can visit it today!
Contents
The Mill's Story: How Old Is It?
The West Blatchington Windmill was built a long time ago, around the 1820s. It first showed up on a map in 1823. A famous painter named John Constable even painted it in 1825!
Why Is This Mill Special?
Most smock mills have eight sides, but the West Blatchington Windmill is special because it only has six sides. It worked hard grinding grain until 1897. That year, two of its sails got broken.
In 1937, the Hove Corporation (which is like the local council) bought the mill. They wanted to keep it safe as an important landmark. Special builders called millwrights from Heathfield helped fix it up that same year.
A Protected Building
The windmill was officially named a Grade II* listed building on March 24, 1950. This means it's a very important historic building that needs to be protected. In 2001, it was one of 70 buildings in Brighton and Hove with this special Grade II* listing.
What Does the Windmill Look Like?
The West Blatchington Windmill is a tall building. It has a three-storey wooden top part, which is the "smock" part. This sits on a three-storey brick base. There's also a platform around the mill on the third floor.
How the Mill Worked
When it was first built, the mill had four simple sails. Later, it was changed to have four "Patent sails." These sails were connected to a strong cast iron shaft inside the mill. The mill also had a special brake system.
The top of the mill, called the cap, was shaped in a style common in Kent. A "fantail" helped turn the cap so the sails always faced the wind. Inside, the mill used two pairs of large millstones to grind corn.
The Mill and Its Barns
The windmill used to be connected to three barns. One of these original barns is still standing today. Another barn was replaced with a new one in 1997. Most of the old machinery was taken out in 1937, but the main brake wheel and a big upright shaft are still there.
Images for kids
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An old barn next to the windmill
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The mill in 1937, painted by R Jameson
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Another painting of the mill by R Jameson from 1937
These four watercolour paintings were made in 1937 by an artist named R Jameson. At that time, the mill was part of a farm run by Arthur and Helen Paul.
