Beacon Mill, Benenden

Infobox Windmill
name = Beacon Mill, Benenden


caption = The mill in February 2007
name_of_mill =
location_of_mill = TQ 822 325
Coord|51.062|0.599|display=inline|format=dms
operator =
built = Early nineteenth century
purpose = Corn milling
type = Smock mill
storeys = Three storeys
base_storeys = Two storeys
roundhouse_storeys =
smock_sides = Eight sided
sail_number = Four
sail_type = Single Patent sails
windshaft = Cast iron
winding = Fantail
fantail_blades = Eight blades
auxpower =
pairs_of_millstones= Three pairs
stone_size = convert|4|ft|m|2 diameter
saw_type =
pump_type =
scoop_dia =
lost =
other =

Beacon Mill is a Grade II listedcite web| url= http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/details/default.aspx?pid=2&id=170197| publisher = English Heritage| title = OLD SMOCK MILL, ROLVENDEN ROAD (north east side), BENENDEN, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT| accessdate= 2008-04-18] smock mill in Benenden, Kent, England which is in need of restoration. The mill has been out of use since 1923 and is privately owned.

History

"Beacon Mill" is one of two windmills marked on the 1819-43 Ordnance Survey map. It was also marked on Greenwood's 1821 map. Towards the end of the nineteenth century, "Beacon Mill" was run in conjunction with Wandle Mill, on the River Rother. The mill was last worked for trade in 1921 and the sails and fantail were removed in 1923. Two of the sails were re-erected on the White Mill at Headcorn. The other pair were intended for re-use on the Union Mill, Cranbrook but proved unsuitable for that mill. A pair of convert|4|ft|m|2|sing=on diameter millstones from the mill were installed in the Union Mill at Cranbrook.cite book | first = William| last = Coles Finch| year = 1933| title = Watermills and Windmills| pages = p160| publisher = C W Daniel Company| location = London] Some repairs were carried out to the mill in 1950 to make it waterproof. On 3 December 1977 the cap suffered damage in a storm, and most of the roof was subsequently removed.cite web | url = http://www.millsarchive.com/aspx/secured/item.aspx?intItemID=24839&strTitle=Brief%20history%20and%20description%20of%20mill| publisher = The Mills Archive Trust| title = Brief history and description of mill| accessdate = 2008-04-13] The remains of the cap, and the windshaft had been removed by 1981.cite web | url = http://www.millsarchive.com/aspx/secured/item.aspx?intItemID=19812&strTitle=View%20of%20mill%20from%20garden,%20cap%20and%20windshaft%20removed| publisher = The Mills Archive Trust| title = View of mill from garden, cap and windshaft removed| accessdate = 2008-04-31] The mill was clad in plywood in the early 1980s in an effort to keep the weather out. It retains the plywood cladding today.

Description

"Beacon Mill" has a three storey smock on a two storey brick base. It was approximately convert|50|ft|m|2 high overall (to the roof of the cap). It had four single Patent sails mounted on a cast iron windshaft and was winded by a fantail. There was a wide wooden stage at first floor level. The Brake Wheel was convert|10|ft|m|2 diameter, driving a convert|5|ft|m|2 diameter Wallower. The Brake Wheel was wood, as is the Wallower and Upright Shaft.cite web | url = http://www.millsarchive.com/aspx/secured/item.aspx?intItemID=24933&strTitle=Report%20on%20structural%20condition%20(1%20of%202)| publisher = The Mills Archive Trust| title = Report on structural condition (1 of 2)| accessdate = 2008-04-13] whilst the Great Spur Wheel is cast iron with wooden cogs.cite book | first = Jenny| last = West| year = 1973| title = The Windmills of Kent| pages = p25-27| publisher = Charles Skilton Ltd.| location = London| id = SBN 284-98534-1]

Millers

*William Oxley
*Richard Reeves 1839-47
*John Barton
*Richard Corke
*F Richardson
*Thomas Collins Sr. - 1884
*Thomas Collins Jr. 1884 - 99
*Robert Burgess 1899 - 1921

References

External links

* [http://www.windmillworld.com/millid/2712.htm Windmill World page] on the mill.