Wicken Smock
Mill
| Wicken, Cambridgeshire
A
'smock' windmill. Inside, the mill drove three pairs of millstones,
the two larger pairs being of 4 feet 6 inches (1.37m) diameter.
Wicken Corn Mill is a large windmill with many characteristic
Cambridgeshire features.
- The tarred tower carries the white domed cap with its vertically
boarded roof.
- The cap carries the four large sails of 63 feet (19.2m) overall span
and 9 feet (2.74m) width.
- The sails open to spill the wind and control the power according to
Cubitt's patent of 1807.
- The cap and sails are turned to face the
wind automatically by the blue fantail, a small wind rotor set above the
rear of the cap.
Built in 1813, to grind wheat into bread-making flour for use by the
villagers, and to grind feed for the local farmers' animals. The How family
owned the windmill for many years from 1891 onwards. After the 1914-18 War
smaller milling businesses generally became less economic in England and milling
by wind at Wickham ceased in the 1930s.
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Temporary picture
By
Gareth Hughes
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After the milling operation stopped the mill became more derelict. The
sails were dismantled, and later, the roof failed progressively in the
1950's and 60's. By 1971 Wicken Windmill was in a very poor state of repair.
Fortunately at this stage Mr G C Wilson of Over Windmill fitted a temporary
domed roof to Wicken Mill with the cooperation of the then owners, Mr and
Mrs Johnson. This slowed the decay of the mill.
In 1987 the Wicken Windmill Preservation Group, of amateur millwrights and
supporters, bought the mill to repair it to working order. This was to be a
spare time project, with all repair work being done by the Group. Grants for
materials were obtained from English Heritage and East Cambridgeshire District
Council: the grants together with individual donations have allowed timber and
metal to be purchased as the work has progressed. The repair programme has moved
forward steadily, the wooden tower was strengthened and reclad, the cap was
rebuilt on the ground and lifted back in place by crane. The replacement sails
were fitted in 1996, and since, have been fitted with a complete set of
shutters. The internal gearing has been restored and one set of stone furniture
made. A small amount of meal has been produced. Currently, a 'wire machine', for
dressing the meal into various grades is being made.
They are looking for others to join them in restoring this further.
Further information Grid
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Location: |
Wicken Smock Mill, Wicken, Cambridgeshire
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Ceremonial County: |
Cambridgeshire |
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Grid Reference: |
TL 571706
OS Sheet – 154 |
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Map Link: |
Multimap
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Aerial photo: |
Google Aerial Photo
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Route(s):
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Best Times to Visit: |
When open if you want to go inside. When not
being worked on if you want to avoid cars. Access when not open is unclear |
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E-mail: |
dave@pearce52.freeserve.co.uk
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Website: |
www.geocities.com/wickenmill/history.html
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Other useful
websites: |
Limited other pictures
on
windmillworld
mills
open
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Nearby Locations: |
Wicken Fen
nature reserve and windpump ½ mile. Stretham Old Engine 5m |
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Other Relevant pages: |
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Classification: |
Windmill |
Date Updated:04/2008 |
Planning Grid
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Location: |
Wicken Smock Mill, Wicken, Cambridgeshire |
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Grid Reference: |
TL 571706 |
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Getting there: |
About 9 miles
south east of Ely, on A1123 in the centre of Wicken village.
Behind house on A1123 High Street, Wicken |
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Access: |
Access opposite
the pub, 500yds west.
From the aerial photograph there appears to be
a gap between two houses to access off road and under trees. There is also a
back lane that runs nearer behind. |
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Parking: |
Not Known |
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Facilities: |
None |
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Things To Do,
See and Photograph: |
Windmill, but its large and space is limited.
Take a look at the aerial photograph to see alignments of views from other
roads and access points. |
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What to take: |
A variety of lenses, wide angle for close,
telephoto to shoot through gaps from further away |
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Nature highlights: |
Unlikely |
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Address: |
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Postcode: |
CB7 5XR |
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Telephone: |
Enquiries -
Dave Pearce
Tel - 01664 822751 |
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Opening times: |
The first full
weekend each month, from March to November, and both days of National Mills
Weekend, 10.00 – 18.00. Other open days; phone for details. They say "If the
sails are turning we are open". Parties by arrangement. |
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Charges: |
Don't Know - None
specified |
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Photo Restrictions: |
None specified. None
from public right of ways |
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Other Restrictions: |
None specified |
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Special Needs Access: |
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Special Needs Facilities: |
None, maybe facilities in Wicken |
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Children Facilities: |
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Dogs Allowed: |
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CIN Page Ref: |
wicken_smock |
Date Updated: 04/2008 |
Please let us know any other information that we
can add to the Further information and Planning Grids or page and any errors that you discover. Before making a long trip to any location it is always
wise to double check the current information, websites like magazines may be
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