Beacon Mill, Benenden

Beacon Mill is a Grade II listed[1] 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.

Beacon Mill, Benenden
The mill in May 2016
Origin
Grid referenceTQ 822 325
Coordinates51°3′43.5″N 0°35′52″E
Year builtEarly nineteenth century
Information
PurposeCorn milling
TypeSmock mill
StoreysThree storeys
Base storeysTwo storeys
Smock sidesEight-sided
No. of sailsFour
Type of sailsSingle Patent sails
WindshaftCast iron
WindingFantail
Fantail bladesEight blades
No. of pairs of millstonesThree pairs
Size of millstones4 feet (1.22 m) diameter

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.[2] 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 4-foot (1.22 m) diameter millstones from the mill were installed in the Union Mill at Cranbrook.[3] Some repairs were carried out to the mill in 1950 to make it waterproof.[2] On 3 December 1977 the cap suffered damage in a storm, and most of the roof was subsequently removed.[4] The remains of the cap, and the windshaft had been removed by 1981.[5] 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 50 feet (15.24 m) 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 10 feet (3.05 m) diameter, driving a 5 feet (1.52 m) diameter Wallower. The Brake Wheel was wood, as is the Wallower and Upright Shaft.[6] whilst the Great Spur Wheel is cast iron with wooden cogs.[2]

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
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See also

    References
    1. Historic England. "OLD SMOCK MILL, ROLVENDEN ROAD (north east side), BENENDEN, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT (1085218)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 2008-04-18.
    2. West, Jenny (1973). The Windmills of Kent. London: Charles Skilton Ltd. pp. 25–27. ISBN 0284-98534-1.
    3. Coles Finch, William (1933). Watermills and Windmills. London: C W Daniel Company. p. 160.
    4. "Brief history and description of mill". The Mills Archive Trust. Retrieved 2008-04-13.
    5. "View of mill from garden, cap and windshaft removed". The Mills Archive Trust. Retrieved 2008-04-13.
    6. "Report on structural condition (1 of 2)". The Mills Archive Trust. Retrieved 2008-04-13.
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