West Blatchington Windmill

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The mill in 2002
The mill in 2002

West Blatchington Windmill (TQ 279 068 50°50′49″N 0°11′06″W / 50.847, -0.185) is a grade II listed[1] smock mill at West Blatchington, Sussex, England which has been restored and is open to the public.

Contents

[edit] History

West Blatchington Windmill was built in the 1820s, first appearing on Greenwood's map of 1823. It was painted by John Constable in 1825. The mill is hexagonal in plan, whereas most smock mills are octagonal. She was working until 1897, when two sails were damaged. In 1937, the mill was acquired from the Marquess of Abergavenny by Hove Corporation, and has been maintained as a landmark. Repairs were done to the mill by Neve's, the Heathfield millwrights in 1937.[2]

[edit] Description

For an explanation of the various pieces of machinery, see Mill machinery.

As built, West Blatchington Windmill is a three storey smock mill on a three storey brick base, with a stage at third floor level. In 1825 she had four Common sails but latterly was worked with four Patent sails. These were carried on a cast iron Windshaft, mounted on a cross, similar to the Lincolnshire practice. The mill is fitted with Holloway's screw brake. The cap is in the Kentish style, winded by a fantail. The mill drove two pairs of underdrift millstones. The mill stood at the junction of three barns, one of the original barns remains standing today,[2] and one of the others was replaced with a new build barn in 1997.[3] Most of the machinery was removed in 1937, leaving the Brake Wheel and Upright Shaft.[2]

[edit] Millers

  • Hodson - 1887
  • John Brown 1887 -
  • Whittington - 1897

References for above:-[2]

[edit] References

  1. ^ WEST BLATCHINGTON MILL AND BARNS, HOLMES AVENUE, HOVE, BRIGHTON AND HOVE, EAST. English Heritage. Retrieved on 2008-05-11.
  2. ^ a b c d Brunnarius, Martin (1979). The Windmills of Sussex. Chichester: Philimore, p68-71, 83, 190. ISBN 0 85033 345 8. 
  3. ^ The Mill's Recent History. Brighton & Hove Museums. Retrieved on 2008-05-11.

[edit] External links

[edit] Further reading

Hemming, Peter (1936). Windmills in Sussex. London: C W Daniel.  Online version

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