{"id":430,"date":"2023-11-04T16:09:07","date_gmt":"2023-11-04T16:09:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.skingsley.co.uk\/?page_id=430"},"modified":"2025-01-06T18:31:46","modified_gmt":"2025-01-06T18:31:46","slug":"mill-history","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.oldlandwindmill.org.uk\/newsite\/mill-history\/","title":{"rendered":"Mill History"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/h4>\n

Oldland Mill was built in 1703 and saw service for over two hundred years grinding wheat and grain for local communities. It was a focus for local celebrations during Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887 and Platinum Jubilee in 1897.It was eventually abandoned around 1912 and by the 1980s it was in a sorry state. \u00a0Only one pair of sweeps (the Sussex term for sails) remained, much of the cladding had either fallen off or was rotten, and the brick roundhouse was falling down.<\/h4>\n

Inside, the Mill was largely complete. \u00a0Its remote location had probably saved it from vandalism.Restoration began in 1980 but the first 15 years were spent stripping the mill to its bare bones.The main post and wind-shaft, which hold the sweeps, were left in place and the rest of the structure built around them, taking care to use as many of the original timbers as necessary.<\/h4>\n

Construction of the new sweeps began in 2005. \u00a0As with the rest of the Mill, these were built entirely by hand by skilled volunteers under the guidance of an experienced millwright. \u00a0All four sweeps, each weighing about half a ton, were finished in 2007.In 2011 we were pleased to receive the prestigious Sussex Heritage Trust award in recognition of the effort and high standard of the work undertaken in restoring the mill.<\/h4>\n

Detailed History by Key Dates<\/strong><\/h4>\n

1703<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span> Earliest record of Oldland mill on the Turner Estate map as an open trestle windmill.<\/h4>\n

1755\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 Mill mentioned in the Ditchling Churchwarden\u2019s Accounts.<\/h4>\n

1801<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span> Mill mentioned in the National Defence Schedule for the Napoleonic Wars.<\/h4>\n

1839<\/strong><\/span> \u00a0 Earliest name of a tenant miller (Joseph Winchester<\/a>)<\/span>carved on the main post.<\/h4>\n

First evidence of the round house shown in a carving on the main post.<\/h4>\n

1870<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Steam engine installed around this date, beside the mill, to provide alternative power to drive the mill.<\/h4>\n

1873<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0 Replacement cast iron wind shaft installed. Existing granary probably constructed.<\/h4>\n

1887<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 Mill used to celebrate Queen Victoria\u2019s Golden Jubilee.<\/h4>\n

1892<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 Date inscribed on tail pole.<\/h4>\n

1912<\/strong><\/span> \u00a0 Mill ceased working commercially. Last driven by both wind or steam power.<\/h4>\n

1927<\/strong><\/span> \u00a0 Mill conveyed to the Sussex Archaeological Society (SAS) by the Turner family.<\/h4>\n

Round house used as a museum of Agricultural Tools.<\/h4>\n

1934<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 \u2018Shilling Fund\u2019 launched to restore the mill. Estimated cost \u00a3150.<\/h4>\n

1935<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 Some repairs carried out, but restoration then abandoned.<\/h4>\n

1951<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 Frank Brangwyn launched a second appeal to restore the mill.<\/h4>\n

Estimated cost \u00a3500. Later abandoned.<\/h4>\n

1958<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Repairs to the mill’s breast.<\/h4>\n

1976 <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0A presentation on restoration is made at a meeting of the Hassocks Field Society.<\/h4>\n

1980<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 Hassocks Amenity Association (HAA) acquired the lease on the mill.<\/h4>\n

Exhibition mounted by the Bourne sisters of Ditchling with John and Iris Annett.<\/h4>\n

Volunteer group formed and restoration commenced.<\/h4>\n

Estimated timescale 7 years and cost \u00a37,000.<\/h4>\n

1981<\/strong><\/span> \u00a0 Remaining pair of original sweeps and both stocks removed.<\/h4>\n

1985<\/strong><\/span> \u00a0 Mill stones, some machinery and stone floor removed.<\/h4>\n

Fund raising commenced in earnest.<\/h4>\n

1987<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Brick supporting piers partly dismantled to aid removal of the cross tree.<\/h4>\n

1988<\/strong><\/span> \u00a0 Trestle and crown tree replaced.<\/h4>\n

1991-93<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0 New frames for sides, breast, sheers and tail wall constructed.<\/h4>\n

1993-95<\/strong><\/span> \u00a0 Remaining machinery removed and scaffolding erected.<\/h4>\n

1995-97\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0 Rotten timbers in mill body removed and new frames erected.<\/h4>\n

1997<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0 Oldland Mill Trust (OMT) formed as a charity linked to the HAA.<\/h4>\n

1998\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 New tail ladder constructed. HAA acquired the freehold to the mill.<\/h4>\n

2000<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 Round house walls dismantled.<\/h4>\n

The use of Jenner’s Barn for mill activity commenced.<\/h4>\n

2001<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 Breast and port side weather boarding completed.<\/h4>\n

2002<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 New rafters erected. Starboard side, roof and tail wall weather boarding completed.<\/h4>\n

2003<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 Spout floor relayed, tail ladder fitted and round house foundations reconstructed.<\/h4>\n

Formal topping out ceremony conducted.<\/h4>\n

2004<\/strong><\/span> \u00a0 DEFRA Grant of \u00a360,000 awarded under the Rural Enterprise Scheme.<\/h4>\n

Round House rebuilt using original bricks, and new roof constructed to original design.<\/h4>\n

Scaffolding removed from around the mill.<\/h4>\n

2005<\/strong><\/span> \u00a0 Upper and lower tail beams reinforced with steel plates.<\/h4>\n

Round house floor relayed using original bricks.<\/h4>\n

Iron bands fitted to the millstones and the stones redressed.<\/h4>\n

Mill was winded for the first time since the restoration began.<\/h4>\n

2006<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/span>Four new sweeps and the brake wheel constructed.<\/h4>\n

Millwright contracted to build the new sweeps died.<\/h4>\n

All contracted work brought back in house to be carried out by volunteers.<\/h4>\n

2007<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0New brake wheel fitted.<\/h4>\n

New stocks fitted and new sweeps hung.<\/h4>\n

OMT reformed as a charity independent of the HAA.<\/h4>\n

2008<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0New sweeps turned by the wind for the first time.<\/h4>\n

Front mill stone drive installed and flour produced.<\/h4>\n

Skirt finished and restoration of the mill exterior completed.<\/h4>\n

2009<\/strong><\/span> \u00a0 Grand Celebration event to mark the first milling post restoration.<\/h4>\n

Oldland Mill and Jill Mill both have their sweeps turning at the same time for the first time in about 100 years.<\/h4>\n

2011<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Sussex Heritage Trust Award given to OMT.<\/h4>\n

Two of the four sweeps were removed, using a mobile crane, and refurbished with the help of new volunteers.<\/h4>\n

2012<\/strong><\/span> \u00a0 A servery was installed and given a food hygiene rating of 5<\/h4>\n

2013<\/strong><\/span> \u00a0 The flour dresser was installed.<\/h4>\n

The new website went live.<\/h4>\n

The remaining two sweeps were removed, using a mobile crane, and refurbished.<\/h4>\n

2014<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0English Heritage Angel Award given to OMT, following a national vote.<\/h4>\n

2015<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Auxiliary drive demonstrated, for the first time, using a local Traction Engine.<\/h4>\n

2016<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0The Shenton Family kindly allowed the use of a garage for use as a mill store and workshop.<\/h4>\n

2017<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Mill Safety Officer appointed and the Accident Prevention Team formed.<\/h4>\n

2018<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Sweeps 1 & 3 were removed, using traditional rope and pulley methods, and refurbished with the help of volunteers painters.<\/h4>\n

2019<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Sweeps 2 & 4 were removed, using traditional rope and pulley methods, and refurbished with the help of volunteers painters.<\/h4>\n

2020<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Lightning protection was installed.<\/h4>\n

2021<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Removal of the temporary Porta-Cabin workshop.<\/h4>\n

Construction of new boundary walls and a permanent workshop commenced.<\/h4>\n

For a history of the Oldland Windmill Millers please go to page 3 below.<\/h4>\n

The Millers of Oldland Windmill<\/strong><\/h4>\n

There would have been many Millers and their Assistants working at Oldland Windmill over the years. Some Assistant Millers would have been Journeymen, moving between Windmills seeking work, so may have worked at Oldland Windmill for just a short period of time.\u00a0Unfortunately, records are scarce so the list below only identifies those known to have worked there.<\/h4>\n

Please click on any highlighted Miller’s name for further information about the individual and their family:<\/h4>\n

1819<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0George Bennett<\/a><\/span><\/span> (<\/span>born 1789 in Keymer, Sussex). Tenure: c1819-1828.<\/h4>\n

1828<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Joseph (Josh) Roots Beard<\/a><\/span>\u00a0(born 1796 in Chailey, Sussex). Tenure c1828-1840.<\/h4>\n

1839<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Joseph Winchester<\/a><\/span>\u00a0(born 1818 in Hurstmonceux, Sussex). Tenure c1839-1860.<\/h4>\n

1860<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0<\/span> \u00a0Thomas Ashdown<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>(born 1820 in Ditchling, Sussex). Tenure c1860-1869.<\/h4>\n

1869<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Jesse Washington White<\/a><\/span>\u00a0(born 1841 in Chiddingly, Sussex). Tenure c1869-1891.<\/h4>\n

1878<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0James Turner<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>(born 1806 in Nuthurst, Sussex). Tenure c1878-1895.<\/h4>\n

1894<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0John White<\/a><\/span><\/span>\u00a0(born 1847 in Chiddingly, Sussex). Tenure c1894-1904.<\/h4>\n

1891<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0David Driver<\/a><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>(born 1871 in Nutfield, Surrey). Tenure c1891-1912.<\/h4>\n

Jesse Washington White and John White were brothers.<\/h4>\n

David Driver was the last of the Oldland Millers, up to to closure in 1912.<\/h4>\n

All the Millers listed above were Tenant Millers, with the exception of James Turner whose family owned Oldland Windmill and a considerable amount of the surrounding land.<\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Oldland Mill was built in 1703 and saw service for over two hundred years grinding wheat and grain for local communities. It was a focus for local celebrations during Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887 and Platinum Jubilee in 1897.It was eventually abandoned around 1912 and by the 1980s it was in a sorry state. … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-430","page","type-page","status-publish"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oldlandwindmill.org.uk\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/430","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oldlandwindmill.org.uk\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oldlandwindmill.org.uk\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oldlandwindmill.org.uk\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oldlandwindmill.org.uk\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=430"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/www.oldlandwindmill.org.uk\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/430\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":911,"href":"https:\/\/www.oldlandwindmill.org.uk\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/430\/revisions\/911"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oldlandwindmill.org.uk\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=430"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}