Tower mill, Thelnetham

A wind-powered corn mill in the historic county of Suffolk, England.

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A small tower mill of four storeys dating from 1819, a replacement for a post mill on the same site. It worked until a tailwind damaged the sails in the mid 1920's. It then stood derelict until bought for preservation by a group of mill enthusiasts in 1979. Restoration took eight years and was carried out using almost entirely volunteer labour. Milling recommenced in 1985, and although now not working the mill is maintained in operational order.

The original machinery was of an early type, mainly of wood, but in 1832 it was altered extensively with the introduction of much iron machinery and it is in this form that the mill has survived. There is an engine driven hurst on the ground floor which is in working order but is not used. The brake wheel is of wooden clasp-arm type with iron section teeth and drives an iron wallower. The upright shaft is of wood and a crown wheel above first floor level drives the sack hoist via a slack belt and jockey pulley system. Two pairs of French burr stones, on the first floor, are underdriven by a wooden clasp-arm great spur wheel and metal stone nuts.

Externally, the mill is tarred. There is a loading door at first floor level. The cap is beehive-shaped and features an eight-bladed fantail painted red, white and blue. This colour scheme dates from Queen Victoria’s jubilee. The wide double-shuttered patent sails have shutters of equal width on either side of the whip, and swing close to the ground.

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References

• Anthony Bryan, Mills Research Group Database
• Windmill World

Related shop products

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Related publications in the library

• Buttrum's mill
• Thelnetham Mill
• Thelnetham windmill
• Thelnetham windmill
• Thelnetham windmill
• Thelnetham windmill

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