c.1937
West Winch towermill |
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c.1937 |
West Winch mill was a tarred red brick 5 storey mill with an iron stage on the second floor. It was built c.1821 by Francis Plumpton who had bought the land and a house in 1818 from Thomas Begleyon the east side of the road to the north of the village. By 1861 a bake office was being run on the site. |
The mill tower was 42 feet to the curb where the diameter was 14 feet. The ogee cap had a gallery and held a 6 bladed fantail. The cap was vertically boarded and thereby formed the petticoat, which drained rainwater into a gutter and from there to a holding tank used to feed the steam engine. |
In 1975 and 1976, John Lawn and Harry Apling reported on the mill machinery: |
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30th March 1938 |
c.1980, Walter Price obtained the drawings made by Dodman's of Kings Lynn for Mr. Kerrison, dated 14th October 1884. |
The quants were in two portions with the shorter at the top. When the stones were to be raised, the quant divided at the flange joint.
The stone nuts were retained by the top flange. |
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1967 |
By 1855 the two pairs of patent sails were powering three pairs of French burr stones and a dressing machine along with a flour and smut mill. In earlier days the business milled barley but the Peak stones were advertised for sale in 1866. |
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c.1970 |
c.1970 |
On 14th December 1975, millwright John Lawn reported that the adjoining mill house had a V cut out to allow the sails to clear the building. |
In 1973, Philip Unwin listed the remaining machinery: |
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18th May 1973 |
c.1855 a horse mill worked in conjunction with the windmill; it contained a jumper for cleaning grain, a flour dresser and an additional pair of stones. Over the next ten years the thriving business was enlarged with the addition of a granary, a workshop and a bakery. A steam engine was also installed by 1861 to drive a fourth pair of stones within the windmill. |
The windshaft appeared to have been cast in the same mould as the one at Tottenhill_postmill with the brake wheel flanges further forward. |
WEST WINCH
For sale by Auction by Messrs. CRUSO & SON, at Globe Inn, Kings Lynn Tuesday 15 May 1855 at 6 o'c. All the excellent Brick Tower Windmill with Horse Mill adjoining Stable, Granary, Cart-house and various other outbuildings and Two Messuages or Dwelling Houses with Gardens and Yards. Comprising about One Acre of Land, most desirably situated on the east side of the turnpike road in the parish of West Winch near Kings Lynn, now in the occupation of Mr. George Fayers, the proprietor. The above mill has patent sails, contains two mills, works three pair of French Stones, stands well for wind and has always commanded a good grist trade. The horse mill contains flour mill and jumper and works one pair of stones. The mill and premises are distant two miles from Kings Lynn, were built a few years since at great cost and are in excellent repair. All Freehold. For inspection apply to George Fayers, West Winch. Apply to Mr. Robt. Pitcher, Solr. Lynn. Norfolk Chronicle - 21st April & 5th May 1855 |
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18th May 1979 |
April 1980 |
Mark Feltham’s Bankruptcy. |
THE COMMISSIONER acting under a petition for adjudication of Bankruptcy against MARK FELTHAM, of West Winch, In the County of Norfolk, Miller, will sit on Thursday, the 10th day of October, 1861, at half-past Eleven o’clock in the forenoon, at the Court of Bankruptcy, Basinghall Street, London, in order to take the last examination of the said Bankrupt, when and where he is required to surrender and make a full discovery and disclosure of his estate and effects and finish his examination, and the creditors who have not already proved their debts can at such meeting prove the same. |
GOODWIN, PARTRIDGE & EDWARDS. |
Solicitors, King’s Lynn. |
Lynn Advertiser - 28th September 1861 |
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April 1980 |
Freehold Corn Mill, Messuage, TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION, BY |
(By order of the Assignees of Mr. Mark Feltham, a Bankrupt,) at the Duke’s Head Inn, King’s Lynn, on Wednesday, the 16th day of October, 1861, at 6 o’clock in the evening, subject to conditions to be then produced, |
Freehold Corn Mill, Messuage, TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION, BY |
(By order of the Assignees of Mr. Mark Feltham, a Bankrupt,) at the Duke’s Head Inn, King’s Lynn, on Wednesday, the 16th day of October, 1861, at 6 o’clock in the evening, subject to conditions to be then produced, |
To Millers and Bakers
Wanted immediately, a good Workman in the above Business. One who is capable of taking the entire management himself. None need apply without first rate references. Apply H. Judd, West Winch Mills near Lynn. Norfolk News - 9th November 1861 |
Miscellaneous
To Millers and Bakers WANTED, a respectable middle aged Man in the above Businesses. One that can give good references, a Dissenter preferred. Apply to H. Judd, West Winch, Kings Lynn. Norfolk News - 17th January 1863 |
Miscellaneous
To Millers For SALE (equal to new) a Pair of BARROW STONES, in excellent condition. Apply to H. Judd, Miller, West Winch near Lynn. Norfolk News - 12th December 1863 |
Miscellaneous
For Sale, almost equal to new, a pair of FRENCH BURROW STONES, 3 ft. 6 in. in size. For price etc. apply to Henry Judd, Miller, West Winch near Kings Lynn. Norfolk News - 19th December 1863 |
Situations Vacant
To Journeymen Millers WANTED, an experienced MAN for the Mill and also a MAN for the Baking. The latter will be required to go out with the cart. None need apply who have not been used to country work and unexceptional character will be required. Middle aged Single Men will be preferred for both Situations. Apply to H. Judd, West Winch, Kings Lynn. Norfolk News - 9th April 1864 |
Situations Vacant
TO MILLERS Wanted, a steady middle aged MAN who understands the Business; a Dissenter preferred. Apply to H. Judd, Miller, West Winch near Lynn. Norfolk News - 8th October 1864 |
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1981 |
The mill was refitted at some point c.1865. The iron brake wheel was cast in two parts and the windshaft, made by Dodman of Kings Lynn, dates from 1864 or later. Three pairs of millstones were overdriven by a cast iron spur wheel, below which a bevel gear transmitted power to a smutter and wire machine. A mortise iron wallower was mounted on an octagonal wooden upright shaft. At second floor level an iron reefing stage allowed access to the brake and striking chains. An interesting feature of the mill was the downpipe and circular gutter around the top of the tower that collected excess water from the petticoat. |
Situations Vacant
To Bakers WANTED, a Man that understands his Business in the above employment. He must have been accustomed to country work. A Dissenter preferred. Apply to H. Judd, West Winch, Lynn. Norfolk News - 18th February 1865 |
Miscellaneous
To Millers, Millwrights and others FOR SALE, one pair FRENCH BURR MILL STONES 4 feet 6 in. and one pair of BARLEY STONES, PEAKS, 4 feet. Apply Henry Judd, West Winch, Lynn. Norfolk News - 8th February 1866 |
Local Bankrupts (from LONDON GAZETTE)
Friday June 29 Divd. M. Feltham, West Winch, Nfk. Miller Norfolk Chronicle - 7th July 1866 |
LAW REPORTS
Court of Bankruptcy Tuesday July 24 (Before the Hon. SPRING RICE, Registrar) Final Dividend Meeting. This was a dividend meeting and for the further proof of debts under the bankruptcy of Mark Feltham of West Winch in the county of Norfolk, Miller, dealer and chapman, whose creditors reside at Kings Lynn, West Winch and other places in this county. Mr. T. M. WILKIN, Solr. Kings Lynn filed the bankrupt's petition so far back as the 30th August 1861 and on the 10th October following the bankrupt's examination sitting was adjourned SINE DIE by the late Mr. Commissioner EVANS, in consequence of the bankrupt not surrendering to the court and protection from arrest was refused him. Mr. LINKLATER appeared for the trade assignees, Mr. John Tuck BARNES of Kings Lynn, banker's clerk and W. Warwick HAYLES of Woodgate Street, accountant. Among the bankrupt's creditors is the East of England Banking Company for £1026. 18s. 11d. One of the assets recovered a dividend of 7s. 8d. in the £ has already been paid to all the creditors who have proved their debts under the estate and there is now a balance in the bank of England of £97. 12s. 10d. which will be sufficient to pay an extra 1s 6d. in the £. After some formal proceedings had been gone through, the sitting terminated. Lynn Advertiser - 28th July 1866 |
Situations Vacant
Miller and Baker wanted WANTED, a Single Man as MILLER and BAKER. None need apply only one that understands both Trades. A good character. Apply to J. H.,West Winch Mill, Lynn. Norfolk News - 12th, 19th & 26th January 1867 |
Situations Vacant
TO MILLERS Wanted immediately, an experienced Single Man. A Member of a Christian Church preferred. For particulars apply to Mr. H. Judd, West Winch, Kings Lynn. Norfolk News - 20th July 1867 |
Miscellaneous
To Millers, Millwrights and others FOR SALE. one pair FRENCH BURR MILL STONES 4 feet 6 in. and one pair of BARLEY STONES, PEAKS, 4 feet. Apply to Henry Judd, West Winch, Lynn. Norfolk News - 6th February 1868 |
Situations Vacant
To Bakers WANTED, immediately, a good Hand. as BAKER, to serve customers, with Horse and Cart, to live in the House; middle age. A character required. State wages. Apply Henry Judd, West Winch, Lynn. Norfolk News - 28th March 1868 |
To Millers, Millwrights and others
FOR SALE. two pairs FRENCH BURR MILL STONES 4 feet 4 inches and 4 feet 6 inches. Good in quality. Apply to Mr. H. Judd, West Winch, Lynn. Norfolk News - 28th August & 4th September 1869 |
WEST WINCH
To Millers and Bakers TO LET A BRICK TOWER WINDMILL in full Trade, with Fantail and four Pressure Sails on the improved principle, driving three pair of Stones and other requisites. Also a good Baker's Oven doing a good business and a commodious Dwelling house with 12 rooms, Garden and Orchard. For particulars apply to Mr. H. Judd, West Winch Mill near Lynn. Norfolk News - 25th March 1871 |
| Census 1871: | William Woodham b.Sculthorpe c.1825, farmer
Ann Woodham née Tigh b.London c.1823
George Victor Eugene Manders, nephew of Ann Woodham Arthur Frederic William Manders, nephew of Ann Woodham The Mill House, West Winch |
To Millers and Bakers
Wanted, a Young Man as IMPROVER who has served part of his time; to make himself generally useful. Apply to W. Palmer, West Winch Mill, near Lynn. Norfolk News - 20th January 1872 |
To be Let
With Possession at Michaelmas WEST WINCH TOWER MILL driving three Pairs of Stones, with large Granaries and good Dwelling house, Baking Office and convenient Premises with Orchard and Garden and Miller's Cottage, as now in the occupation of Mr. Walter Palmer, whose agreement terminates on the 29th September. Norfolk News - 6th & 20th September & 4th & 11th October 1873 |
re Sale by Auction 27 November 1873.
From SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF SALE:- 6. The tenure of each lot is freehold. 8. Lots 1 & 2 are sold with vacant possession on completion an Lot 3 is sold subject to the subsisting tenancy of Mrs. A. H. Willgress. 9. The title of each lot shall commence with a Conveyance on sale dated the 26th day of November 1887 and made between Sir Lewis Whincop Jarvis of the one part and Herbert Charles Kerrison of the other part. 12. The description of the entirety of the property comprising Lots 1, 2, and 3 in the said Conveyance dated 26th day of November 1887 is as follows:- Lynn Advertiser - 23rd & 30th June & 7th July 1877 |
To Let
A Four Roomed House, attached to the Mill House, West Winch, Lynn. Possession at Michaelmas Apply to L. W. Cutter, Miller, West Winch, Lynn. Lynn Advertiser - 19th September 1874 |
Situations Vacant
To JOURNEYMEN MILLERS Wanted immediately, a Married Man without family. Constant employment for a steady honest man. Good character required. Apply to Mr. S. Cutter, West Winch Mill, Lynn. Lynn Advertiser - 17th October 1874 |
To Journeymen Millers
Wanted, a good steady man immediately. Apply to L. W. Cutter, Miller, West Winch Mill, near, Kings Lynn. Lynn Advertiser - 12th December 1874 |
PUBLIC NOTICE
WEST WINCH MILL L. W. Cutter has good Flour, Bran, Randan and genuine Barley Meal always on hand. Lynn Advertiser - 22nd & 29th April 1876 |
RANDAN
The produce of a second sifting of meal; the finest part of the bran of wheat. Lloyds Dictionary - 1896 |
To Millers, Bakers and others
WEST WINCH, Norfolk To be Sold by Auction by Messrs. Miles & Son At the Globe Hotel, Kings Lynn on Tuesday July 10, 1877 at 4 o'c precisely in the afternoon. All that brick TOWER WINDMILL with patent sails and containing five floors, three pair stones, flour and smut mill and excellent steam mill with one pair extra stones. There is attached to the property a capital Bake Office with 3-stall stable, hayloft, cart shed and carpenter's shop. And also Two DWELLING HOUSES fronting the Turnpike Road with front and back gardens and orchard, the whole comprising about ¾ of an acre, Now in the occupation of Leonard William Cutter at the rent of £50. The property is well situated for trade, within two miles of the town of Kings Lynn. Apply to the Auctioneer or to L. W. Jarvis, Esq. and Mr. Edward M. Beloe, Solr. Lynn. Lynn Advertiser - 23rd & 30th June & 7th July 1877 |
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Centre post and framework October 2003 |
Underside of stone October 2003 |
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Great spur wheel October 2003 |
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Belt pulley October 2003 |
Belt pulley and auxiliary drive October 2003 |
Kerrison - 3rd Sep 1908, West Winch Mill, Herbert Charles Kerrison, aged 59 years.
Mrs. Kerrison and son wish to thank the many kind friends for letters of sympathy and lovely flowers for grave. Lynn Advertiser - 11th September 1908 |
West Winch Tragedy
Shocking Death of Mr. Ernest Kerrison Loss to Agricultural Circles Within two days of his 52nd birthday Mr. Ernest Robert Kerrison, proprietor of the West Winch mill died in tragic circumstances on Wednesday afternoon. His body was recovered from the machinery into which he had apparently fallen. The first indication of the tragedy was noticed about 1.15 pm. when Mrs. Kerrison detected an unusual note in the beat of the engine. Leaving her household duties, she made the tragic discovery, but retained sufficient presence of mind to stop the engine and to summon assistance. P. C. Spencer, assisted by Mr. S. Cooper, (licensee of the "Sportsman" inn ) succeeded in recovering the body from the machinery near the delivery chute. Apparently Mr. Kerrison had been attending to the engine when his arm was trapped in the belt leading to the hopper. This would have dragged him round the shaft. Both lags had been severed below the knee and the left arm, also severed, was tightly jammed between the belt and the wheel. Mr. Kerrison was the son of the late Mr. Charles Herbert Kerrison. He took over the management of the mill upon the death of his father in 1908. He had lived in the Mill House all his life. He was of a quiet, but genial, disposition and his death will be regretted by a wide circle of friends including his associates at Lynn cattle market which he attended regularly. He was formerly prominent as a good all-round cricketer and was a member of several teams in the district. For over 20 years Mr. Kerrison was leading batsman for North Runcton, and he also played frequently during his service in the army. Mr. Kerrison was secretary to the "Sportsman" hotel sick & dividing club and last year he succeeded the late Mr. C. H. Plowright as secretary to the West Winch branch of the Lynn Division Conservative Association. Mr. Kerrison was also a member of the church electoral roll. In addition to his wife, Mr. Kerrison leaves a 13 year old son. An inquiry into the circumstances of the tragedy will take place at the "Sportsman" this (Friday) afternoon. The funeral will take place tomorrow. Lynn Advertiser - Friday 25th June 1937 |
Re Ernest Robert Kerrison, deceased.
All Persons having any claims against the Estate of Ernest Robert Kerrison deceased, late of the Mill, West Winch, Kings Lynn, in the County of Norfolk, Miller, who died on the 23rd day of June, 1937 are requested to send particulars thereof forthwith to us the undersigned; and all persons being indebted to the said deceased are requested to remit to us the undersigned the amount of such indebtedness forthwith. Dated this 24th day of June, 1937 Alan G. HAWKINS & CO., Solicitors, Kings Lynn. Lynn Advertiser - 2nd July 1937 |
Miller's Death at West Winch
Twisted Round on the Driving Shaft |
Mr. Ernest Robert Kerrison, proprietor of the West Winch mill died in tragic circumstances on Wednesday within two days of his 52nd birthday.
His body was recovered from the machinery into which he had been drawn whilst working amongst it. The first indication of the tragedy was about 1.15 pm. when Mrs. Kerrison detected an unusual note in the beat of the engine. Leaving her household duties, she made the tragic discovery, but retained sufficient presence of mind to stop the engine and to summon assistance. P. C. Spencer, assisted by Mr. S. Cooper, (licensee of the "Sportsman" inn) succeeded in recovering the body from the machinery near the delivery-chute. A Keen Cricketer. Mr. Kerrison was the son of the late Mr. Charles Herbert Kerrison. He took over the management of the mill upon the death of his father in 1908. He had lived in the Mill House all his life. He was of a quiet, but genial, disposition and his death will be regretted by a wide circle of friends including his associates at Lynn cattle market which he attended regularly. He was formerly prominent as a good all-round cricketer and was a member of several teams in the district. For over 20 years Mr. Kerrison was leading batsman for North Runcton, and he also played frequently during his service in the army. Mr. Kerrison was secretary to the "Sportsman" hotel sick & dividing club and last year he succeeded the late Mr. C. H. Plowright as secretary to the West Winch branch of the Lynn Division Conservative Association. Mr. Kerrison was also a member of the church electoral roll. The Inquest An inquiry into the circumstances of the tragedy was held at the "Sportsman" on Friday afternoon by the Lynn district coroner (Mr. Donald F. Jackson) sitting with a jury. Inspector Aldis represented the police and Mr. E. H. Dixon (Messrs. H. W. Clarkson & Son, Lynn) watched the proceedings on behalf of the insurance company. Mr. P. T. Hodgson was appointed foreman of the jury. Charles Gore, retired farmer, of North Runcton, a cousin of Mr. Kerrison's said that he last saw him on the previous Saturday, when he was cheerful and in his normal state of health. He had no financial worries or troubles of any sort. Carried round on the Belting. Horace Heyhoe Berry, haulage contractor, West Winch said that he went to the mill about 1.15 on Wednesday in consequence of what his wife told him. Mrs. Kerrison was there and asked him to stop the engine, which he did. Mrs. Kerrison, apparently, had already thrown the machinery out of gear. He saw Mr. Kerrison lying across the driving shaft. The machinery was on the ground floor and was used for grinding malt. Witness had seen Mr. Kerrison on several occasions go to the spot to oil up the bearings. Mrs. Kerrison told him that she had gone to the mill and found her husband being carried round with the belting and she had immediately thrown the machinery out of gear. Witness last spoke to Mr. Kerrison on the previous Monday night and he was in his usual spirits and the best of health. Squeezed between post and wall? P. C. Spencer said that he went to the mill at 1.30 pm. ad saw Mr. Kerrison's body lying over the driving shaft on the barley malt mixer. On the floor nearby witness found an oil tin and brush, a spanner, a tin containing a black substance and a stick. Bloodstains were to be seen on the barley chute and on the wall opposite and these seemed to indicate that Mr. Kerrison had been twisted round on the driving shaft. The machinery was protected and a guard had to be removed before Mr. Kerrison could be released. Nothing was found on the body which might throw any light on the matter. It appeared that he squeezed between the post and the wall to get near the driving shaft. He might have been examining the machinery or putting some of the black substance found in the tin on to the belt to prevent it from slipping. Dr. Morley Chadwick said that he went to West Winch on Wednesday in consequence of a telephone message and found that the body had been taken from the machinery. Upon making an examination he found that Mr. Kerrison had received several head injuries, several compound fractures and extreme laceration of both forearms were shown and both legs had been torn off below the knee joints with multiple fractures of the bones and extreme laceration of the feet. Witness thought that the lower right ribs were also fractured. He came to the conclusion that death, which would be instantaneous, was due to shock and haemorrhage from excessive injuries. Witness added that he was Mr. Kerrison's medical advisor, but had not seen him for the past three years. The Coroner said that there was no doubt that the fatality was a pure accident and that Mr. Kerrison was killed instantaneously. The jury, without retiring, returned a verdict that Mr. Kerrison was accidentally drawn into the machinery and died from the resulting shock and haemorrhage. Sympathy with the relatives was expressed by the Coroner, Inspector Aldis and the jury. (Details of the funeral follow) Lynn News & County Press - Tuesday 29th June 1937 & Lynn Advertiser - 2nd July 1937 |
West Winch Mill
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It was on Tuesday 29 June 1937 when the Lynn News & County Press reported that a Mr. Ernest Robert Kerrison, proprietor of the West Winch Mill had died in tragic circumstances on the previous Wednesday, the 23rd - two days before his 52nd birthday. His body had been recovered from the machinery into which he had been drawn whilst working on it. |
re Sale by Auction 27 November 1973.
From SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF SALE:- 6. The tenure of each lot is freehold. 8. Lots 1 & 2 are sold with vacant possession on completion and Lot 3 is sold subject to the subsisting tenancy of Mrs. A. H. Willgress. 9. The title of each lot shall commence with a Conveyance on sale dated the 26th day of November 1887 and made between Sir Lewis Whincop Jarvis of the one part and Herbert Charles Kerrison of the other part. 12. The description of the entirety of the property comprising Lots 1, 2, and 3 in the said Conveyance dated 26th day of November 1887 is as follows:- All those two messuages or dwelling houses with the Windmill, stables, outhouses, gardens and piece or parcel of land situate lying and being in West Winch aforesaid containing by admeasurement two roods and twenty eight perches or thereabouts being part of three acre close numbered 28 in the Terrier belonging to the Rectory in North Runcton in the said County of Norfolk bounded by the remainder of the said three acre close formerly the property of Matthew Coates Hersley afterwards William Hindsons devisees and now of the devisee of John Pole deceased in part and by land belonging to the Marcuis of Cholmondeley in other part towards the North by other land of the Marcuis of Cholmondeley towards the East and South and by the Turnpike Road leading from West Winch aforesaid to King's Lynn towards the West which said premises were late in the occupation of Leonard William Cutter and his undertenants and now of the said Herbert Charles Kerrison and his undertenants. |
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Plan of Lots for Sale 27th November 1973 |
Particulars of Sale:-
Charles Hawkins & Sons, Bank Chambers, King's Lynn on the instructions of H. C. Kerrison Esq. Ref. No. K. L. 11923 WEST WINCH To be offered in three lots. Lot 1. The Mill Lot 2. The Mill House Lot 3. The Mill Cottage For Sale by Public Auction at the Duke's Head Hotel, Tuesday Market Place, King's Lynn on Tuesday 27th November 1973 at 3 p.m. Solicitors:- Messrs. Ottoways, 1 St. Peter's Street, St. Albans, Herts. Lot 1. The Mill The Mill presents an unusual opportunity to purchase a property in need of imaginative renovation and reconstruction. Much of the original mechanism remains; although the three floors require attention, the main structure of brick is in sound order, averaging 18 feet in diameter and standing in grounds of ½ ACRE, subject to survey. Adjoining the Mill is a derelict cottage. Vacant possession on completion. |
re Sale by Auction 27th November 1973:-
Owing to possible difficulty in obtaining planning permission for a change of use of the Mill to residential, the property was offered as a whole. Purchaser Mr. Walter Price, North Runcton, builder. £13,000. Bidding began at £8,000 rising by bids of £250. The mill had been in the Kerrison family since 1887 when it was bought from Sir Lewis Jarvis. Bread was made there until the end of the 19th century, using flour ground at the mill which was sail-driven until 1925. A paraffin engine then took over. The mill has not been used since the death of the miller in 1937. Eastern Daily Press - 28th November 1973 |
Mrs. O. Youngs of West Winch wrote to Philip Unwin on 13th November 1973 to say she had heard that there had been a reserve of £7.000 on the mill, £7,000 on the mill house and £2,000 on the cottage. |
On 5th June 1975, Harry Apling reported that a brick building, possibly a house was being built alongside the mill on its north side and that the mil had been cleared of ivy. |
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19th August 1978 |
Walter Booth Price, of The Mill, West Winch, who died on February 16th, left estate valued at £106,780 gross, £105,776 net.
Eastern Daily Press - 3rd August 1984 |
CHARLES HAWKINS, King's Lynn
A unique beautifully converted Mill ... Offers invited around £95,000 or £125,000 for mill plus 2 cottages. Eastern Daily Press - 29th March 1985 |
I am West Winch bred & born as they say and have never moved away, The living accommodation at the mill was beside the A10 in my young days 2 semi-detached cottages With Mr & Mrs Kerrison living in the one to the North and my widowed grandmother a tenant in the other one, the house built on to the mill was used for storage.
I lived further down the village towards Setch and in the 1930s when my parents went to Kings Lynn I was often left with granny for the day, which meant that I could spend lots a time with Ernie K in the mill, He really took a shine to me and I was always welcome in their home where he would show a huge collection of wild birds eggs and other items he had collected, he was a lovely man very kind and understanding, I was very restricted in the mill when it was working, for obvious reasons he kept a close watch on me but in the evenings when all was still and almost dark he would call me to go to the mill with him, he had a .410 shot-gun and I would hold a torch, we would sit quietly in the dark, wait for a rustle when I would flash the torch and he could shoot the rat as it ran across floor or the overhead beams, We did this quite often as there always seemed to be rats.
I was born 1925 so you can judge time time of these events. Sadly the only photographs I have is one of their grave in West Winch churchyard and a wedding photograph of one of my relatives dated 1912 where they are posed among the other guests in front of the mill cottages.
I do have happy memories.
Ray Bocking - 18th December 2006
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The mill ceased working in 1937 and became derelict over the next 35 years. By the early 1970s the sails and stocks had gone and the cap was disintegrating, although some machinery remained. The area around the mill site was sold for housing but the mill complex itself was sold to Walter Price in 1975 and he began restoration using the help of professional millwrights. The remains of the old cap were removed by crane in November 1975 and by early 1977 a new ogee cap with working 6 blade fantail had been installed. It was realised after the roof of the adjoining cottage was restored that a slot would be needed to allow clearance for the sails. A single pair of sails had been fitted by 1979. |
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May 1993 |
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O. S. Map 1884 Courtesy of NLS map images |
White's 1864: Alfred Dodman, engineer, ironfounder etc., St. James' Works, Kings Lynn
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c.1821: Mill built by Francis Plumpton
1852: Francis Plumpton snr died leaving mill and cottage to daughter Christiana
August 1861: Mark Feltham bankrupt
White's 1883: Frederick William Lemmon, miller; Mrs Margaret Lemmon
1937: Milling operations ceased 2001: Mill bought John & Rose Owen |
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 07836 675369 or
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| Nat Grid Ref TF 63131678 | Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2005 |