Woodbridge Windmills
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In 1920 there were nine windmills in Woodbridge
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There were nine mills in Woodbridge at the time that Buttrum’s
brick tower mill was built in the 1830s. Now only two working mills
remaining, Buttrum’s Mill and The Tide Mill, a visit to either
is a fascinating experience. Both are in excellent order (although
in the case of Buttrum’s Mill the machinery is disengaged and
awaits a full programme of restoration). Buttrums Mill
Well-known Suffolk millers, the Buttrum’s took over the mill
in the 1860s, George Buttrum introducing an auxiliary steam drive
in 1886 allowing work to continue whatever the weather. Buttrum’s
Mill worked until 1928, when the stones turned for the last time.
The tallest surviving windmill in Suffolk, the tower is built of
red brick,
laid in Flemish bond. It is 24ft 6ins outside in diameter at ground
level with two feet thick walls. The height to the top of the brickwork
is nearly 50ft and to the top of the cap 61ft.
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Buttrum's Mill the tallest windmill in Suffolk
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Times of Opening Sundays and Bank Holidays
from 31st March to 29th September,
inclusive - 2.00pm to 5.30pm.
Saturdays
from 4th May to 31st August, inclusive - 2pm - 5.30pm.
Admission charges
Adults £1.50 Children £0.25
The Tide Mill
Tide mills are reliant on the movement of the tides and as such operating
hours are short, just two hours either side of the low tide, a maximum
of twenty eight hours a week The incoming tide opens lock-type gates
in the banks of the pond and fills the pond. As the tide falls, the
first out-flowing water closes the gates which are held in position
by the pressure of the trapped water. Once the water wheel is completely
clear of tidal water, the sluice gates can be opened so that the released
water rushes out turning the wheel and in turn the machinery.
There has been a mill here since the twelfth century, the first reference
dated 1170, giving one Baldwin of Ufford easier access to the building.
During the middle ages, the mill was owned by the Augustinian Canons,
the tithe of the mill in 1340 being valued at three shillings per annum.
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View over the Deben towards the Tide Mill
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Two hundred years later the sea-water mill - molendinium aquaticum
marinum - was described as being in a ruined state. With the dissolution
of Woodbridge Priory the mill reverted to the Crown who promptly
sold it to Sir John Wingfield, a member of the local gentry. With
the death
of Sir John the Tide Mill became the property of Queen Elizabeth
who, in 1564, granted it as part of the manor of Woodbridge Late
Priory,
to Thomas Seckford.
In 1792 the present building was constructed, improvements made
to the quay and along with the creation of additional warehouse space.
The work finished it went up for sale in January 1808. Advertised
in ’The
Bury Post’:
To be sold - situated at Woodbridge. A spacious quay with sufficient
draft for ships of 100 tons and a capital and well constructed
and much admired new tide mill, 3 stories high, stage area = 42 ft.
Divided
into stowages for 700 quarters of wheat + flour mill, cylinder,
dressing machine, flour bins. Water wheel - 20ft diameter, 3 pairs
French stones
4ft 6 ins diameter, and one pair of French stones 4ft diameter.
The mill will cut 12 to 14 loads of corn per week.
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The Tide Mill before repairs in 1968
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By 1968 the Woodbridge Tide Mill was near collapse; and only
through the efforts of a lot of dedicated enthusiasts did the slow
and laborious
task of renovation get under way. Work took fourteen years
and now the Woodbridge Tide Mill is up and running again. Open to
the
public,
a trip around the mill is a fascinating experience. There is
much to see but do note the mill wheels only work for two hours
either side
of low tide. Times of Opening
Easter - Saturday to Monday.
April weekends.
Every day from 1 May to 30 September.
Weekends in October.
Times of opening.
11.00 am to 5.00 pm.
Admission charges:
Adults £2.00, Accompanied children £1.50
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