Sidestrand smockmill was shown on old historic sea charts as the Black Mill and used as a seamark to those at sea.

During the from the 1860's to 1916 the mill was in the hands of Alfred JERMY. His daughter Maria Louisa was born at the millhouse 1864 and in 1883 she met the jounalist Clement Scott of the Daily Telegraph who had been dispatched to Cromer to write and artice on the recently expanded rail line from Norwich. The drama critic of the Daily Telegraph and the Morning Post Clement Scott arrived in Norfolk in August 1883. Unable to find himself accommodation he was put up in the Miller's House in Sidestrand. He was so taken with the area that he wrote a number of articles in the newspapers expounding the virtues of Norfolk, which eventually resulted in Cromer and the surrounding area becoming a fashionable place for holidays for the rich and famous. He named his articles and, subsequent book Poppy-land. The book was dedicated to the Miller's daughter.. The millhouse itself became a magnet for other writers and bohemians who followed Scott in search of the tranquil experience he had described so poetically. Whilst for Louie - she was immortalised as"The Maid of the Mill".
Thus the story of mill at Sidestrand, the miller and his daughter is intwined with the story of the birth of 'Poppy Land' and the tourist industry in Norfolk. For a short period of history the mill and its little family were acquainted with the well known and the famous of London society. It is quite a story.
Louie is my first couisn five times removed!
Scott wrote the poem the "Garden of Sleep" whilst staying with Louie and her father.
Fe Mukwamba-Sendall - 4th April 2007

My father knew Louie as he was born in 1909 and used to stay with her. I know when dad visited she had moved out and  and to quote dad "was living a rather eccentric life."

Louie was born in the millhouse on 31st Mar 1864. She died 7th Sep 1934 at her cottage in Overstrand. Alfred was born at Swanton Abbott on  24th Jan 1834 and died at the mill 29th Oct 1916. During his tenancy of the mill Alfred had 4 wives and a total of 6 children.
Fe Mukwamba-Sendall - 4th April 2007

White's 1883: Alfred Jermy

White's 1890: Alfred Jermy, cornmiller

1910: Miss Louie Jermy, tenant

1921: Mill finally collapsed

Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2004