Norfolk Mills - East Dereham tower mill

East Dereham
towermill

26th May 1970

East Dereham towermill was built in 1836 by Michael Hardy, a miller & baker and James Hardy, a millwright. The mill was shown on the O.S. map of 1838 as standing on Cherry Drift, later to become Cherry Lane. The 42ft five storey red brick tower was 24ft in diameter at the base and topped with a Norfolk boat shaped cap and a 6 bladed fantail. The two pairs of patent sails on an iron windshaft, drove 2 pairs of stones, a flour mill and jumper.

The tower external wall was constructed of Flemish bond brickwork, while the inside was of English bond rendered with plaster. The oputer brick face appeared to be only half a brick in thickness and wwas not bonded properly to the interior of the wall, giving rise to the question of whether the mill tower had been refaced. The wall at the base of the tower was 2ft 6in thick and a cambered arch was above each of the windows and doors. Carved on the bridge beam above the southwest pair of stones was the inscription:
E. SAUL 22 SEPTR 46

The cast iron bridgetree on the ground floor and the engine drive to the stones on the meal floor bore the
inscription:	R. HAMBLING	DEREHAM
White's 1836: Robert Hambling, Ironfounder, millwright, manufacturer of steam engines, implements and machines for agricultural purposeds, etc. Norwich Road.

Red brick tower mill
‘Newly erected’ 1836
Tower 42 ft. high, 25 ft diam. At base, 20 ft. inside, wall 2 ft.6ins. thick at base.
Brickwork Flemish bond outside, English bond inside.
5 floors
Boat-shaped cap
Petticoat
Gallery with iron railings
4 double-shuttered patent sails
6-bladed fantail
Built with 2 pairs of French burr stones. 3rd pair on stone floor added by Fendick. 4 th pair on 1 st floor driven by engine (c. 1922)

Ground floor:-
Door to north, window and ladder to west.
Drive through east window from paraffin engine (concrete base still in place). All iron bevel wheel on shaft drove iron mortice bevel wheel on stone spindle to one pair of stones on first floor. Wooden block pulley on stone spindle for belt drive governors in window opening. HAMBLING, DEREHAM on cast iron bridge tree, second hand. Dates from 1950/60s.
Sack trap opposite door, to south.

Meal floor (1st):-
Door to north, windows east and west
1 pair of 4 ft. French burr stones on east side underdriven by paraffin engine. Base of octagonal vat.
On the runner stone - W.R. Dell & Son, Mark Lane, London. (c. 1922?)
8-armed iron mortice great spur wheel on 15 in. square upright shaft. Wheel in two parts bolted together, about 106 ins. overall diameter. 120+ cogs (1 of 8 segments 15-16 cogs) all intact.
Original sprattle beams S.E. and S.W. bored for stone spindles at 5 ft. from centre of mill.
On east side of S.W. beam is carved:-
E. Saul 22 Septr ‘46 (Roman Capitals, initial letters 1½ ins. high, others 1⅛ ins. overall length 23½ ins.) the name Saul has been well known in the Norfolk timber trade from William Saul of Norwich, 1802 to the late Arthur Saul and the present firm of Saul & Ransons of Fifers Lane, Norwich, but any connection here has not been found)
Later beam to west of door for 3 rd pair of stones.
Sites for 3 sets of governors driven off stone spindles.
Ceiling beams east to west.

Stone floor (2nd):-
Windows north, east and west.
2 pairs of French burr stones underdriven, with 3rd pair added later.
One runner stone at mill has around the eye half of a cast iron ring with:-
… Ris Maker Hull
(George Marris, Millstone Maker, New George St., Hull, c. 1834)
This is dressed with 28 master furrows only.
Drive through east window from steam engine (1863) and later paraffin engine via outside pulley. Iron shaft with all iron bevel wheel, 20 cogs, to underside of inverted wooden clasp arm crown wheel, about 80 cogs (part rotted away), fixed drive.
Crown wheel drove through a similar bevel wheel on south side an iron shaft with 18 ins. diameter wooden pulley for a 4 inch belt to sack hoist. Could be lowered out of gear.
On upright shaft above crown wheel a double ratchet and pawl device to allow engine to drive lower part of shaft free from upper section and sails.
Beams north to south.

Corn or bin floor (3rd)
Windows north, east and west.
No further sections of upright shaft.
Lower half of wall boarded.
Beams east to west.

Dust floor (4th):-
Windows north and west
Sack hoist to south
External cogs to curb

Cap:-
Boat-shaped cap
Gallery with iron railings
Petticoat
17 ft. iron windshaft, canisters 12 ins. by 15 ins. (length) neck 12 ins. diameter.
Wooden clasp arm brake wheel with iron rim and wooden cogs.
6-bladed fantail

Sails:-
Probably 4 double-shuttered patents, but no photograph showing them has been found.

Other stones on premises:-
French burr runners - 1 @ 4 ft. 3 ins. diameter
2 @ 4 ft.
Peak runner 4 ft. 2 ins. diameter, 5 ins. thick
Composition stone 4 ft. 4 ins. diameter on first floor.

Philip Unwin 1972

Tithe Award 1840 Map Pratt & Son, Surveyors, Norwich. 1839 Owner: Michael Hardy Occupier: John Armes
No. 937	Mill & land	Arable	1a. 1r. 19p.	£1.11.3

To be sold by Auction by Mann & Clarke at the George Inn, East Dereham on Friday 10th June next at 6 o'c.
All that newly erected and substantially built Brick Tower windmill eligibly situate within ten minutes walk of the Market Place of East Dereham comprising five floors and driving two pair of stones, with capability of adding a third pair, with patent sails, winding herself, iron shaft, flour mill, jumper, sack tackling and all other necessary machinery on the latest and most improved principles, with stable and cart lodge and about one acre and three quarters of excellent Freehold land adjoining, of all of which Immediate Possession may be had.
Apply to Mr Wm. Drake, Solicitor. East Dereham, to Messrs Beckwith and Dye, Solicitors, Norwich, to Mr Michael or James Hardy, the Proprietors on the Premises or to the Auctioneers, East Dereham or at their offices 73 St Stephens Street, Norwich.
Norfolk Chronicle - 14th, 21st & 26th May & 4th June 1836

TOWER WINDMILL To be Let for a term of years.
A good new built Brick TOWER WINDMILL driving two pair of Stones, with Flour Mill etc. situate at East Dereham & now in the occupation of the Proprietor, Mr. Michael Hardy.
Possession may be had at Midsummer.
Apply to Mr. Hardy or to Mr. Goldson, Solr. East Dereham.
Norfolk Chronicle - 17th & 24th June 1837

By auction by Mann & Clarke at the Kings Arms Dereham Thursday 14th December 1837 at 6. o’clock in the afternoon. Sale of newly erected and substantially built brick TOWER windmill eligibly situate near the Turnpike Road leading from Dereham to Norwich and within ten minutes walk of the Market Place of East Dereham. Comprising five floors, driving two pairs of stones, flour mill and damper, with patent sails, winding herself, iron shaft and other requisitine machinery, together with brick and tiled stable and cart lodge and one Acre and Three Roods (more of less) of excellent Land, adjoining, now in the occupation of Mr. John Arms.
For further particulars apply to Mr. Wm. Drake, Solicitor, East Dereham, or to the Auctioneers, Saint Michael at Plea, Norfolk.
Same auction:
Sale of Capital Smock Mill, Messuage and outbuildings ‘recently erected smock windmill driving two pairs of stones with flour mill and all requisite machinery situate at Beetley near Gressenhall Fairstead and now in the occupation of George Bayfield.
Norwich Mercury - 7th December 1837

East Dereham
To be Sold by Auction by Mann & Clarke at the Kings Arms Inn, East Dereham on Thursday 14 December 1837 at 6 o’c
All that Freehold newly erected & substantially built brick TOWER WINDMILL eligibly situate near the Turnpike Road leading from Dereham to Norwich within ten minutes walk of the Market Place of East Dereham, comprising Five Floors, driving two pairs of stones, Flour Mill & Dumper (sic), with Patent Sails, winding herself, Iron Shaft & all other requisite machinery together with a brick & tiled Stable & Cart Lodge & One Acre & Three Roods (more or less) of excellent Land adjoining, now in the occupation of Mr. John Arms.
Apply to Mr. Wm. Drake, Solr. East Dereham or the Auctioneers, St. Michael at Plea, Norwich.
Norfolk Chronicle - 9th December 1837

Four Freehold Windmills
Brick Tower Mill at East Dereham
Brick Tower Mill at Wicklewood
Smock Mill at Gressenhall
Post Windmill at Ovington near Watton

Mr. Spelman
Respectfully informs the Public that he is instructed to Sell by Auction on Friday 16 February 1844 at 4 o’c at the Kings Arms Inn, East Dereham the following valuable Property
At Dereham
A most substantially built Brick Tower Windmill with five floors, Patent Sails, winding herself, drives two pairs of Stones, Flour Mill, Jumper & most complete Machinery, together with a brick & tiled stable & cart lodge, a piece of productive Arable Land adjoining containing 1a. 3r. 0p. more or less, most eligibly situate within a short distance of the Town near the Turnpike road, now in full trade & in the occupation of John Ives.
At Wicklewood …
At Gressenhall …
At Ovington …
Mr. Spelman respectively invites the attention of Merchants & Millers to the above valuable Property. The Mills are situate in good Corn districts, within short distances of considerable Market Towns, are surrounded by a large population & present an advantageous opportunity for either Investment or Occupation.
Early Possession of the Whole may be had.
Particulars of Messrs. Goldson, Browne & Carthew, Solrs. Dereham & of Mr. Spelman, St. Giles Street, Norwich.
Norfolk Record Office - 1844

Mr. Spelman ... to Sell by Auction on Friday 16 February 1844 at 4 o’c at the Kings Arms Hotel, East Dereham.

Wicklewood
Lot 1. Tower mill
Lot 2. Cottage

Ovington
Lot 3. Post mill

Gressenhall
Lot 4. Smock mill

East Dereham
Lot 5. A most substantially-built BRICK TOWER WINDMILL, with 5 floors, patent sails, winding herself, driving 2 pairs of stones, flour mill, jumper & most complete machinery; together with a brick & tiled Stable & Cart lodge & a piece of productive Arable LAND adjoining, containing 1a.3r.0p. or thereabouts; most eligibly situated, within a short distance of the town & near the turnpike road, now in full trade, & in the occupation of Mr John Ives, Tenant from year to year.
FREEHOLD. No outgoings.
Vendors are Mortgagees with power of Sale.
Norfolk Chronicle - 27th January 1844

WANTED
A Man that well understands the Business of a MILLER & a BAKER.
Apply to Mr Fendick, Miller, East Dereham
Norfolk Chronicle & Norwich Gazette - 8th November 1845

To Millers & Bakers
To be Let with Early Possession
A Capital Tower WINDMILL with fixed Steam power attached, Granaries Dwelling house, well situated & accustomed Baking office & several pieces of Land, in a small town in a good wheat district & populous neighborhood in the County of Norfolk.
Apply with statement of capital at command to William drake, Esq., Solicitor, East Dereham.
Norfolk News - 24th & 31st January & 8th February 1863

To Millwrights, Machinists etc.
High Street, DEREHAM
Sale of Stock in Trade of James Hardy (who is declining busoiness in consequence of ill health) on Thursday 13 May 1969.
Norfolk Chronicle & Lynn Advertiser - 6th May 1869

Situations Vacant
TO MILLERS
WANTED, a steady Man to work a Tower Windmill & make himself general useful.
Apply to William Fendick, East Dereham.
Norfolk News - 21st October 1871

Red brick tower, tarred, derelict
5 storeys
No cap, sails or fan, but fan-stage almost intact
Had wooden boarded domed cap
Remains of cap gallery at base of tower
Ground floor – one mill stone (burr) standing up by wall, one embedded in floor, another outside with (circular) wooden vat
Auxiliary power (oil engine) in nearby shed drove through iron wheel on horizontal shaft, through horizontal wheel with wooden cogs.
Drove two pairs stones on first floor.
One set of governors.
Iron great spur wheel, tee arm, wooden cogs, attached to wooden upright shaft, square at this point.
Cut into beam on first floor – E. Saul 22nd Sept. ‘46
Second floor – shaft becomes round
Supplementary wooden wallower with wooden cogs driving two iron stone nuts for auxiliary power above second floor level.
Circular upright shaft removed.
Iron windshaft still in place
Wooden clasp arm brake wheel with iron rim & wooden cogs
Worked by wind till c. 1930, then by oil engine till 1937/8
Closed for economic reasons. Left complete, but has gradually deteriorated through disregard.
Philip Unwin - 1972

The mill's sails were removed by Percy Bensley (Jack) Fysh of Portland House, Norwich Road, Yaxham

The derelict mill was Grade II listed in 1972 and then bought by Breckland District Council in 1979 with the view of restoring it as a landscape feature over a period of three years. By 1985 the kerb ring had been repaired and the cap and fantail were completed in 1986. New sails were fitted in 1987 and the mill was formally reopened by council chairman J. O. C. Birkbeck, Esq. on 14th September 1987.
The area adjacent to the mill was then landscaped with the inclusion of a picnic area and a car park. Dereham Town Council took over the running of the scheme in 2002.

17th May 1981

Dereham cemetary:
Gravestone of Mrs. Sarah Fendick, who died in 1886 aged 68 and whose stone records that her husband, William Fendick (l) was buried in Brompton Cemetary, London.
Gravestone of Mrs. Rachel Fendick, who died on 15th October 1936 aged 92, wife of William Fendick (ll) who was born on 2nd August 1841 and died on 12th March 1904.

Sarah Fendick, the widow of Wiliam Fendick (l) made a will on 4th April 1870 and appointed her sons Robert and William (ll) as executors. The mill was left to William (ll) and Mill House, which she had purchased from Charles Bennett was left to Robert.
On 25th August 1887, Robert Fendick conveyed Mill House and 3r. 11p of land to William Fendick (ll).

The Mill House later became 158, Norwich Road and William Fendick (lll) lived at 160, Norwich Road

Death of Mr. C. R. Gray
Notable Dereham Merchant
It is with sincere regret that we record the death of Mr. Charles Robert Gray, which occurred at his residence in Norwich Street, East Dereham early on Thursday morning. The deceased gentleman, who was in his 59 th year, was the head of the well known firm of corn and coal merchants, which was established by his father, the late Mr. Robert Gray, about half a century ago, with establishments at Dereham, North Elmham and Wendling.
Dereham & Fakenham Times - Saturday 4th February 1922

Charles Robert Gray was buried in Dereham Cemetery on 6th February 1922.

His gravestone gives the date of his death as 1st February (Wednesday) but the Register of Deaths gives the date of his death and its registration as 2nd February 1922.

Around the time of the 2nd World War, plans were passed by the Urban District Council to turn the mill into a house. However, these were later turned down by the War Agricultural Committee as chickens were kept on the land round about and there was a lack of proper access.

On 6th December 1977, Lennard & Lawn removed the cap frame and windshaft from Dereham towermill and brought the windshaft back to Caston towermill, owned by John Lawn.
The windshaft was 17ft long and the canisters 15ins long and 12ins wide. The flanges were at 5ft and 7ft 6ins behind the inside canister, the neck was 12ins in diameter and it was 6ft from the rear flange to the tail flange.

Dereham's delapitated windmill has been bought for £1 by the district council, who will renovate it. ...
Eastern Daily Press - 2nd August 1978

Breckland District Council
Planning & Development Committee
Agenda Monday 7 March 1983
9. Dereham Windmill – Use by Voluntary Groups
Members recently agreed in considering the future of the Dereham Windmill that ‘work necessary to preserve the structure of the Dereham Windmill be carried out but the question of complete restoration be deferred for the time being’.
The Recreation & Leisure Services Officer reports that since its renovation under the Manpower Services scheme three years ago, a number of requests have been received from voluntary groups to use the mill as a meeting place etc., but as yet these have not been conceded to because of the uncertainty over its future management.
A request has recently been received from the ‘Central Division Norfolk Girl Guides’ to tend the mill by keeping it tidy etc. and using it as a meeting place during the summer months.
In view of this latest request and other groups that it is known are interested, members are asked whether they would wish to pursue the principle of such use by voluntary groups. If members are agreeable to this proposal, it is suggested that a general meeting beheld of those groups who have expressed an interest in the past.

Breckland District Council
Planning & Development Committee
Agenda 25 April 1983
13. Dereham Windmill: Use by Voluntary Groups
At its meeting on 7 th March 1983 the Committee asked the Recreation & Leisure Services Officer to arrange a meeting of voluntary groups which had expressed interest in using Dereham Windmill before giving further consideration to the principle of the use of the premises by such organisations. (Minute No. 54/83)
The Recreation & Leisure Services Officer reports that a meeting has taken place at which representatives of the Central Division Norfolk girl Guides, Toc H, Society of Friends and Mid-Norfolk Scouts were in attendance. The Chairman of the Council was also present. It had become apparent that some organisations were under the impression that services were available and, once the reality of the situation had been explained, only the Toc H and Girl Guides retained their interest.
The Recreation & Leisure Services Officer has established that any use would be throughout the summer months only and on no more than a weekly basis. At this stage details of usage are unavailable although this would involve keeping the windmill clean and tidy as well as using it as a meeting place. Insurance and legal aspects are being examined, but would appear to present no problems. Formal leases are not expected to be necessary and conditions of use will make it clear that the Council would have no liability in the event of accident or claims by the user.
If the Committee accepts the principle of the use, the Toc H and Girl Guides will be given permission to make use of the windmill, both groups liaising as necessary over time-taking etc.
The Committee’s instructions are requested.

Breckland District Council
Planning & Development Committee
Agenda Monday 25 May 1983
Minutes of Meeting 25 April 1983
89/83
Dereham Windmill Use by voluntary Groups (Agenda Item 13)
Resolved that

the use of the Dereham Windmill by the Central Division Norfolk Guides and Toc H be approved

the Recreation & Leisure Services Officer agree conditions of such use with the two groups concerned

On a warm summer evening a considerably lower temperature would probably be noticeable in the windmill!!
Harry Apling - 1983

Mill meeting
Voluntary groups are to be allowed to use Dereham windmill:- Breckland council planners have decided, and a meeting is to be called for all those interested. An offer by Norfolk Guides to help keep it tidy in return for using it has been accepted.
Dereham & Fakenham Times - 11th March 1983

Breckland District Council
Planning & Development Committee 23 January 1984
Minutes of meeting 4 January 1984
8/84
Dereham Windmill (Agenda Item 6)
Mr. J.D. Johnson reported that a considerable amount of vandalism had occurred to the Dereham Windmill which undid much of the good repair work carried out by the Council. He stated that as many as 30 window panes had been broken and asked whether funds were available to repair the damage.
The Chief Planning Officer advised the Committee that the Surveyor had a scheme already in hand and that discussions were also taking place with Norfolk County Council with a view to the eventual complete restoration to working use of the windmill. A report on the matter would be available for consideration at the next meeting.
Resolved that consideration of this matter be deferred to the next meeting.

Breckland District Council
Planning & Development Committee
Agenda Monday 3 December 1984
Minutes of Meeting 12 November 1984
336/84 Dereham Windmill Agenda item 8.
The Committee felt unable to approve a complete restoration project for the windmill at the present time in view of the high costs which were likely to be involved.
However, it was considered that if the windmill could be provided with electricity and other services, it might be possible to bring it into greater use and thus substantially reduce the likelihood of its being vandalised.
Resolved that

repair works be carried out to the windmill to make it watertight, replace the glass to the windows and fix new locks to the doors, the cost to be met from the Conservation fund.
The Chief Planning Officer investigate the possibility of providing electricity and other services to the windmill and report back to a future meeting.

Breckland District Council
Planning & Development Committee
AGENDA Monday 17 December 1984
Dereham Windmill
Report of the Chief Planning Officer

At the 12 th November meeting of the Committee it was agreed that immediate repairs should be carried out to make the Mill watertight, to repair the windows and doors; the cost to be met from the Conservation fund.

Notwithstanding that the Committee felt unable to agree to the cost of full restoration at the present time, the M.S.C. has agreed to undertake the repair work and work has already commenced to make the roof watertight.

The R.L.S.O. * has been informed that as the tower is likely to be scaffolded for several months and the dangerous condition of some machinery, the mill should be closed to all members of the public until further notice.

The Committee also requested an investigation into the cost of providing services to the site. A year ago, Eastern Electricity Board estimated the cost of providing electricity to be approximately £1100. Mains water can be laid on along Cherry Drift by the M.S.C. team at relatively little cost for materials and the Water Authority’s connection fee. It would be of greater immediate benefit to the M.S.C. team to have the water laid on first.

Although the Committee has decided for the time being, against expenditure on full restoration, the Council is committed to this ultimate aim by the terms of the original purchase agreement. It is essential therefore to obtain a detailed schedule of works and costings from a millwright at some stage. Mr. Lawn, the Caston millwright, has estimated his fee would be approximately £250 to produce such a report during the next few months.

* Recreation and Leisure Services Officer

Breckland District Council
Planning & Development Committee
Agenda Monday 5 August 1985
For proposed Report on the mill by the Chief Planning Officer which was not considered.

Agenda Monday 2 September 1985
New Report on the Mill by Chief Planning Officer with John Lawn’s costs for restoring mill as a landscape feature, with or without Manpower Services Commission. Cost over 3 years £25,000. with MSC.

Recommendation

Additional expenditure of £2000 be approved from the Conservation fund to provide water and electricity to the site.
The services of Mr. Lawn be engaged to prepare a detailed schedule of works including working drawings and costs and that his fee of £250 be met from the Conservation fund.

December 1984.
(Chief Planning Officer’s Report)

AGENDA for Monday January 1985:-
Above recommendation resolved.

RESTORATION under MANPOWER SERVICES COMMISSION COMMUNITY PROGRAMME

30 April 1986
New curb ereccted. Other work completed included new windows and repairs to brickwork and floors.
27April 1987
New cap and fantail erected. New steel stocks on site.
40 otherwise unemployed workers have been involved.
15 July 1987
Socks & sails, brakewheel & brake and fangears erected.
14 September 1987
Official opening of mill by Mr. J. O. C. Birkbeck, Chairman of Breckland District Council.
Cost £30,000

May 1993

The recently restored mill lost half a sail during the storm of Tuesday 13th January 2004

DEREHAM windmill is facing a make-or-break opportunity for restoration after storm damage to one of its sails.
The historic windmill, which has been the focus of a campaign to restore it to full working order, lost half of one of its wooden sails in high winds on Tuesday morning. The windmill was cordoned off early last week after a small piece of wood fell off.
Dereham Town Council clerk Pat Jarrett, who went out immediately to inspect the damage, said she hoped that the insurance would cover it.
Geoff Hayton, of the Friends of Dereham Windmill, said that any insurance money could be a lifeline for the windmill. He is confident of gaining Lottery Heritage funding for around 90 per cent of the estimated £600,000 cost of restoration to full working order, and hopes that the insurance money for repairing the sail could provide the other 10 per cent.
The Friends of the windmill have been waiting for the town council to decide what they want to do with the historic mill. Any bid to restore the windmill would need their backing, not least because funds would need to be raised.
Mr Hayton said: "The ball is in the council's court. We cannot go any further until the council says whether it wants to go down our road, or let it disintegrate further, or hand it over to the National Trust or English Heritage.
Mrs Jarrett said: "The council has received the report from the millwrights and will be discussing it in detail at the next meeting."
Councillors were told of the damage to the mill at their meeting on Tuesday night. Deputy mayor June Barnes said: "Council staff have moved debris and cordoned off the area. We would ask people to keep away from the area until further advice has been sought."
Eastern Daily Press - 16th January 2004


1st September 2005

Michael Hardy jnr c.1880

I am writing from Australia and have been looking into my Family history for sometime and recently discovered that my Great Great Grandfather owned East Dereham Towermill, his name was Michael Hardy and his son was Michael Hardy as well.
Phil Williams - 2nd September 2009

2008: Mill open for public viewing to the exterior only.

Contact tel. 01362 694030

A project to restore Dereham's historic 19th windmill, to make it one of the town's biggest tourist attraction, looks set to be mothballed because of a lack of funding.
The Grade II listed structure in Penny Lane has had a chequered and colourful history, but now it seems that after years of lobbying for funding by the mill's trustees, they have resigned themselves to it just being made structurally safe and left boarded up.
Trustee chairman and mill restoration campaigner Geoff Hayton said it looked as if they have come to the end of the road because repeated attempts to secure funding to carry out complete restoration of the red-brick 42-feet high mill had failed.
He said: “For just £400,000 the Dereham windmill could have been preserved for posterity, but our efforts to secure funding have continually hit a brick wall. The trustees feel so frustrated and it looks like they will be wound up as a body,” said Mr Hayton.
Last year, the EDP reported how a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for £338,000 had been turned down over fears of the long-term sustainability of a new visitor attraction in the area - a claim refuted by Mr Hayton.
He added that there was to a meeting next week at which it is likely Norfolk County Council will agree a small amount of cash for essential repairs to make the structure safe and watertight.
He strongly believed that had £400,000 been spent to restore the mill, it could have paid its way and been further developed using income from admission prices and a tea room facility.
“The restored mill could then have become part of a tour of Dereham setting out from the Mid-Norfolk Railway and other tourist “hot-spots” could have included been Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse and historic Bishop Bonner's Cottage in the town centre.
The windmill was built in 1836 by Michael Hardy, a miller and baker and James Hardy, a millwright.
The 42-feet high five-storey red-brick tower was topped with a boat-shaped cap and fantail sails. It was restored by Breckland Council and The Manpower Services Commission under the supervision of millwright John Lawn. It was opened by the then chairman of Breckland Council, John Birkbeck, on September 14, 1987.
Richard Parr, Dereham Times - 24th February 2010

1836: Mill built by Michael and James Hardy

May 1836: Mill advertised for sale by auction

1837: Michael Hardy, miller

June 1837: Mill advertised to be let

1837: John Arms, miller

December 1837: Mill advertised for sale by auction

O.S. map 1838: Mill

1839: Isaac Arms, retailer of flour, Cherry Lane

Tithe Award 1840: Owner: Michael Hardy; Occupier: John Armes, miller (also Ovington & Gressenhall)

16th February 1844: Mill sold at auction for £650 (reserve £540) Rent £30 per annum

1844: John Ives, miller

1845: William Fendick (I), corn miller, Norwich Rd

1850: John Willden, miller

White's 1854: John Willden, corn miller, Norwich Rd

White's 1856: John Willden, corn miller

1858-61: William Fendick (I), corn miller

16th January 1861: William Fendick (I), died in Guy's Hospital, London from cirrhosis of the liver, aged 48

January 1863: Mill adverrtised to be let

1863: Mrs. Sarah Fendick, corn miller

White's 1864: Sarah Fendick, corn miller, Norwich Road

1868: Sarah Fendick, miller

1871: William Fendick (II), miller

Kelly's 1879: William Fendick (II), miller, Norwich Road

White's 1883: William Fendick (II), miller, Tower Mill, Norwich Road

Kelly's 1892: William Fendick (II) (wind), miller, Norwich Road

Kelly's 1896: William Fendick (II) (wind), miller, Norwich Road

Kelly's 1900: William Fendick (II) (wind & steam), miller, Norwich Road

Kelly's 1904: William Fendick (II) (wind & steam), miller, Norwich Road

1908: William Fendick (III) left to take over Mattishall Mill St towermill

Kelly's 1916:

Robert Gray, corn, coal, cake, manure, salt & seed merchant & miller; agent for Ind. Coope & Co. ales & stout, Norwich street (T A Grain, Dereham; Telephone 12 Dereham); also at Elmham & Wendling

1922: Sails removed by Percy Bensley (Jack) Fysh and mill then powered by diesel engine

Kelly's 1922:

Robert Gray, corn, coal, cake, manure, salt & seed merchant & miller; agent for Ind. Coope & Co. ales & stout, Norwich street (T A "Grain, Dereham;" Telephone 12 Dereham); also at Elmham & Wendling

Wednesday 1st February 1922: Charles Robert Gray died

Kelly's 1925:

Robert Gray, corn, coal, cake, manure, salt & seed merchant & miller; agent for Ind. Coope & Co. ales & stout, Norwich street (T A "Grain, Dereham;" Telephone 12 Dereham); also at Fakenham & Wendling

1926: Mill being worked by diesel engine

Kelly's 1929:

Robert Gray, corn, coal, cake, manure, salt & seed merchant & miller; agent for Ind. Coope & Co. ales & stout, Norwich street (T A "Grain, Dereham;" Telephone 12 Dereham); also at Fakenham & Wendling

1932: Painting by Karl Wood showed the mill with the cap and windshaft still in place

Kelly's 1933:

Robert Gray, corn, coal, cake, manure, salt & seed merchant & miller; agent for Ind. Coope & Co. ales & stout, Norwich street (T A "Grain, Dereham;" Telephone 12 Dereham); also at Fakenham & Wendling

Kelly's 1937:

Robert Gray, corn, coal, cake, manure, salt & seed merchant & miller; agent for Ind. Coope & Co. ales & stout, Norwich street (T A "Grain, Dereham;" Telephone 12 Dereham); also at Fakenham & Wendling

c.1937: Mill ceased working

1949: Mill derelict

1972: Mill given a Grade II listing

July 1973: Mill owned by Green family partnership and awaiting demolition for possible use as building land

December 1977: Remains of cap frame and windshaft removed by Lennard & Lawn

1978: Mill bought by Breckland District Council from Greens (Nurseries) Ltd. for £1

1986: New cap and fantail fitted

1987: Mill fitted with new sails

14th September 1987: Mill opened to the public by J. O. C. Birkbeck, Esq

2002: Mill taken over by Dereham Town Council

Tuesday 13th January 2004: Mill lost part of a sail during a gale

August 2005: Appeal for old photos to find out correct type of sails to replace incorrect refurbished type

Tuesday 8th August 2006: Sails removed for renovation with £600,000 Lottery Grant being applied for

February 2010 - Mill to be boarded up and left weatherproof as all attempts at funding failed

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 713658 or

Nat Grid Ref TG00331297

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