Mill location TQ 582 041 Storeys Four storeys Fantail blades Six blades Purpose Gristmill Type of sails Windmill sail | Operator(s) Private No. of sails Four sails Year built 1817 Winding Windmill fantail Windshaft Cast iron | |
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Mill name Ovenden's Mill
Mockett's Mill Address 28 Park Croft, Polegate BN26 5JX, UK Similar Black Mill - Whitstable, Starston Windpump, Caston Windmill, Bragg's Mill - Ashdon, Thrigby Windmill | ||
Ovenden's Mill or Mockett's Mill is a grade II* listed tower mill at Polegate, East Sussex, England which has been restored and is open to the public.
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History
Ovenden's Mill was built in 1817 and was working by wind until 1943. The mill was worked by auxiliary engine, latterly an electric motor, until 1965. By the time the mill stopped working, it was becoming derelict. Eastbourne and District Preservation Trust bought the mill and grounds, and a restoration carried out by E Hole and Sons, the Burgess Hill millwrights. One of the new stocks broke in July 1974, bringing the sail with it. This particular stock was only seven years old. Thompson's, the Alford millwrights fitted a replacement stock and two new sails in May 1976. Further restoration work was undertaken in 2004, including the fitting of a cowl to the adjoining malthouse. Two new sails were fitted in 2009.
Description
Ovenden's Mill is a four storey brick tower mill with a domed cap winded by a fantail. There is a stage at first floor level. It had four Patent sails carried on a cast iron Windshaft. The Brake Wheel is wooden. The mill drove two pairs of overdrift millstones, with a third pair driven underdrift by auxiliary engine. The tower is 45 feet (13.72 m) high to the curb.
Millers
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