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North Leverton Windmill, c 1925 – MCFC-08974 |
North Leverton Windmill has been milling since 1813. It is the only wind corn mill in England to have worked continuously from its original construction to the present day. Its story began in 1812 when local people from the small Nottinghamshire village got together to form the North Leverton Subscription Mill Company. A subscription mill was a windmill owned by its users, local farmers who banded together to pay into a common fund, enabling the construction of a mill which they could all use to grind their grain. |
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North Leverton Windmill was constructed in 1813. The document shown here is the deed establishing the company, written on three vellum sheets; here you can see the final sheet with the signatures and seals of all the members. Some of them were illiterate – in this case, they have simply marked the deed with a cross, around which someone else has written their name and the words ‘his mark’. Each member has also noted the amount of money which they have paid in – usually five or ten pounds. |
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The deed was clearly a working document, brought out whenever circumstances changed so that names could be crossed out or added to the list, and this frequent use has left its mark – the outside of the document is stained and weathered and there are tears in the corners and at the folds. |
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North Leverton Windmill, c 1960s – ASHL-04-29 |
The height of the mill was increased in 1884, giving it its unusual shape. As well as the members it also served other local people, especially the less wealthy. By 1956 the mill was being maintained more for its historical interest than its practical use, and a new company and charitable trust were formed to take over its running. It still grinds today and is open to visitors.
You can find out more about North Leverton Mill on their website. |