May 1957
Billingford alias Pyrleston (Nr Diss) towermill |
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May 1957 |
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Billingford tower mill was five storeys high and built of red brick by W. Skinner in 1859-60 at a cost of £1,300 on the site of a postmill that was destroyed in a gale shortly before. White's directory of 1845 and 1864 lists Billingford as alias Pyrleston. The west door had white bricks either sides of the door jambs some 5 feet from the ground that were carved Mr. G. Goddard March 1860 |
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1950 |
The boat-shaped cap with a petticoat was tarred in the latter years of its working life but was painted white during restoration. An unusual 6 bladed fantail replaced one of a more traditional design in the 1930s. Drive from the fan spindle to the rack on the curb was via a spur pinion. After restoration the mill had four wide double-shuttered sails each with 8 bays of 3 shutters that were operated by rack and pinion striking gear. The wooden clasp-arm brake wheel has iron section teeth and bears a tablet W. SKINNER 1860. The cast iron upright shaft was 4½ ins in diameter and the 5ft 4½ ins diameter spur wheel was the smallest recorded by Rex Wailes.The stones were on the second floor and overdriven via wooden cogged iron stone nuts. The mill originally drove two pairs of stones, one of which was restored to working order. A hurst frame supported a pair of composition stones that were sickle dressed and driven via an outside pulley on the second floor by an oil engine that was installed in 1928. The tower had two doors on the ground floor. |
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Oil painting by James Govier c.1950 |
George Goddard who had been working the postmill at the time of its destruction, became the first tenant miller in March 1860 after William Chaplyn of Diss Rose Lane mill built the new towermill. Edward Woodrow took over the mill c.1869 and brought with him his one year old son Charles Edward, who became the owner and miller at Lakenham Peafield towermill. Edward Woodrow moved to Scole towermill in 1875 and then to Horsford towermill in 1883. |
Houses etc. |
Diss County Court Wednesday (Before J. Worlledge Esq., Judge) A Curious Mixture Henry Pike, miller of Billingford sued George Jukes of Brome for £4.17s. for flour & meal supplied. (Summary:- Defence – some barley meal not fit to eat, a quantity of whiting mixed with the meal. Plaintiff admitted some starch fibre mixed in. Judgement for plaintiff, but less 30s. because of adulteration. “Plaintiff” ought to be ashamed of himself”. Not allowed costs) |
Valuable mercantile & residential Properties comprising an excellent Steam & Flour Mill, Post Windmill, four capital Maltings with Barley Stores above & Maltsters houses adjoining, three pleasantly situated Dwelling houses with Gardens, Stables & Outbuildings attached, five Cottages & valuable piece of Building Land situate in the Victoria Road, Diss. Also an excellent Brick Tower Windmill situate on Billingford Common. Salter & Simpson are favoured with instructions from the executors of the late Mr. William Chaplyn to Sell by Auction at the Kings Head Hotel, Diss on Tuesday 21 June 1881 at 3 for 4 o’c in six Lots the above valuable Properties. Lot 3. The Brick & Tiled Steam Flour Mill containing four floors with excellent 14 horse power engine & new fitted 20 horse boiler driving four pairs of 4 ft. French Burr Stones with Flour mill & all necessary gearing. The Four-sail Post Windmill with brick roundhouse driving two pairs of Stones, Flour mill & gearing complete. The above are in the occupation of Mr. William Button. Lot 4. Residence. 0a.1r.32p. Victoria Road in occupation of Mr. Button. Lot 6. In Billingford A substantial built brick Tower Windmill containing five floors etc… Also Bake office, Stable & Cart shed attached situate on Billingford common now in the occupation of Mr. William Button. Possession of all Lots may be had at Michaelmas next. Particulars of Mr. T.W. Salmon, Solr. Diss or the Auctioneers, Attleborough. Diss Express - 6th May to 10th June 1881 |
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Daines Billingford signwritten on tower 20th May 1958 |
Diss & Billingford Salter & Simpson are favoured with instructions from the Executors of the late Mr. William Chaplyn to Sell by Auction at the Kings Head Hotel, Diss On Tuesday June 21, 1881 at 3 for 4 o’c in Six Lots as follows:- IN DISS Lot 1. DWELLING HOUSE, Victoria road, Diss … Lot 2. White Brick & Slated RESIDENCE … Lot 3. Brick & Tiled STEAM FLOUR MILL containing four Floors with excellent 14 horse power Engine & new fitted 20 horse Boiler, driving four pairs of 4 ft. French Burr Stones, with Flour Mill & all necessary gearing. The Four Sail POST WINDMILL with Brick Roundhouse, driving two pairs of Stones, Flour Mill & Gearing complete, Stable, Harness & Hayhouses, Cart Lodge, Granary & Loose Box. The above are in the occupation of Mr. William Button. Also two MALTINGS. Also DOUBLE TENEMENT. Lot 4 RESIDENCE in Victoria Road in the occupation of Mr. Button. Lot 5. BUILDING LAND. The above Properties are most advantageously situate within a short distance of the Railway Station & the rapidly improving Town of Diss. A lucrative Malting & Milling Trade has been carried on for many years & an unusual opportunity is afforded to those seeking a Mercantile Business or a safe investment for Capital. IN BILLINGFORD Lot 6. A substantially built Brick TOWER WINDMILL containing five floors, driving two pairs of stones & all requisite gearing for wind or steam power; also a Bake Office, Stable & Cartshed attached, situate on Billingford Common, now in the occupation of Mr. William Button. Possession of all the Lots may be had at Michaelmas next. Particulars of Mr. T. W. Salmon, Solr. Diss or the Auctioneers, Attleborough & Bury St. Edmunds. Norfolk Chronicle - 28th May & 4th June 1881 |
Billingford Mill for Sale or to Let A well built brick Tower Windmill with patent sails, two pairs of stones, wind & steam tackle with good machinery. Situate at Billingford, near Scole. Apply to W.F. Chaplyn, Diss Diss Express - 29th September, 6th & 13th October 1882 |
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1st June 1971 |
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The last miller was Arthur Daines who used windpower until 1956. By this time the mill was down to two sails and following further wind damage he reverted to auxiliary power before ceasing to work the mill in 1959. Billingford towermill was the last wind powered windmill to commercially work in Norfolk using wind power and after milling ceased it was sold to Mr. Valiant who restored the mill for future preservation that curiously included demolishing the surrounding mill buildings. On completion of the restoration work, with the help of donations from Norfolk County Council, SPAB and the Historic Buildings Council, Mr. Valiant donated it to Norfolk County Council and thus the mill became first to be acquired by the Norfolk Windmills Trust for preservation. |
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April 1993
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31st March 2008 |
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23rd March 2007 |
23rd March 2007 |
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31st March 2008 |
| 1859-60: Towermill
built by W. Skinner for William Chaplyn of Diss at a cost of £1,300 March 1860: George Goddard, miller (tenant)
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If you have any memories, anecdotes or photos please let us know and we may be able to use them to update the site. By all means telephone 01263 587564 or
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| Nat Grid Ref TM16707858 |
Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2004 |