John Webb's Mill, Thaxted

, which has been restored to working order.

History

"John Webb's Mill" or "Lowe's Mill" was built in 1804 for John Webb, a local farmer and landowner. cite book | first = Kenneth| last = Farries| year = 1982| month = | title = Essex Windmills, Millers and Millwrights - Volume Two – A Technical Review | pages p75-78| publisher - Charles Skilton| location = London & Edinburgh| id = ISBN 0 284 98637 2] The windmill was constructed to satisfy the increasing demand for flour both locally and in London.cite web|url=http://www.thaxted.co.uk/?History_of_Thaxted:Thaxted_Windmill|title=Thaxted Windmill |publisher=Thaxted.co.uk |accessdate=2008-08-13] It was constructed using local materials, with timber from two local farms and the bricks were made at a nearby location in the Chelmer Valley also owned by John Webb.

The mill was always worked by millers named Lowe or John Webb, thus gaining its names. The mill was last worked commercially in 1910. The mill was disused for over twenty years until the Thaxted Civic Trust carried out essential repairs and made the structure waterproof. The lower floors were used as a scout hut. The mill passed into the ownership of Thaxted Parish Council in the 1950s. The Thaxted Society, formed in 1964, has been instrumental in the restoration of the mill to full working order. cite book | first = Kenneth| last = Farries| year = 1988| month = | title = Essex Windmills, Millers and Millwrights - Volume Five - A Review by Parishes, S-Z| pages p50-51| publisher - Charles Skilton| location = Edinburgh| id = ISBN 0 284 98821 9]

In 2004, the cap and sails were removed to enable repairs to the brickwork at the top of the tower.cite web|url=http://www.windmillworld.com/news/archive12.htm#299 |title=Work progressing on Thaxted windmill |publisher=Windmill World|accessdate=2008-08-13] The repairs were completed by the end of the year.cite web|url=http://www.windmillworld.com/news/archive12.htm#413|title=Thaxted windmill back in action once again |publisher=Windmill World|accessdate=2008-08-13] The mill was officially reopened on 8 April 2005 by Lord Petre.cite web|url=http://www.windmillworld.com/news/archive12.htm#466|title=Thaxted windmill officially reopened by Lord Petre |publisher=Windmill World|accessdate=2008-08-13] At present, it is a fully restored windmill, capable of grinding corn into flour. On the ground and first floors there is a rural museum containing agricultural artifacts.

Description

"John Webb’s Mill" is a five storey tower mill with a domed cap with a gallery. The cap is winded by an eight blade fantail. There is a stage at first floor level. The tower is convert|24|ft|m|2 diameter at base level and convert|15|ft|m|2 diameter at curb level. The tower is convert|48|ft|6|in|m|2 high, having been raised by some convert|4|ft|m|2 at some time. The mill is convert|54|ft|m|2 high to the top of the cap. The brickwork is convert|4|ft|m|2 thick at ground level and convert|18|in|mm thick at curb level.

The cast iron windshaft carries a clasp arm brake wheel with 88 cogs. It drives a wooden wallower with 50 cogs carried on a cast iron upright shaft. The convert|8|ft|10|in|m|2 clasp arm great spur wheel has 122 cogs and drives three stone nuts – two with 19 cogs and the third with 20 cogs. The millstones are convert|5|ft|m|2, convert|4|ft|6|in|m and convert|4|ft|3|in|m diameter.

As built, "John Webb’s Mill" had a wooden windshaft some convert|18|in|mm longer than the present one, carrying four Common sails. It drove two pairs of millstones, the third pair being added at a later date. In 1890, the mill was carrying four double Patent sails and by the early 1900s was working on two double Patent sails and two single Patent sails.

Millers

*John Webb 1823
*Lowe 1837
*John Webb 1848 - 1853
*Harry Lowe 1907 - 1910

References for above:-

Public access

"John Webb's Mill" is open in the afternoon on weekends and Bank Holidays from Easter to September and at other times by appointment.

External links

* [http://www.windmillworld.com/millid/2404.htm Windmill World] webpage on John Webb’s Mill

References