Westacre postmill

Contact

Drainage Mills (Windpumps)
Steam Mills
Watermills

Westacre postmill was taken down in June 1870 and transported 16 miles by road to Clenchwarton over the course of 3 days. However, the mill never worked again as it was dismantled and the parts sold by auction in October 1870.


REMOVING A FLOUR MILL. A novel experiment was last week witnesses in this neighbourhood in the removal of a wind flour mill, with all its fittings, from Westacre to Clenchwarton, a distance of about 16 miles. Some time since, a man named William Cranfield, residing at Clenchwarton, purchased the mill and was desirous of having it moved to that place. The mill, a wooden structure, which, with its machinery was of enormous weight, stood upon wheels, and after some consideration it was determined to endeavour to draw it along the road by a traction engine. One or two ineffectual attempts were thus made to move the mill, the engines being used not being of sufficient strength, and it was then decided to procure a powerful steam cultivation engine, and this proved more successful. In ascending a hill the engine proceeded to the summit and then pulled the mill up with the chain used for cultivating purposes, and its removal from Westacre to Clenchwarton occupied nearly three days. Several trees along the route received a pruning, whilst in crossing the Great Eastern Railway at Walton gatehouse the telegraph wire were broken. On arrival at the Freebridge, spanning the Ouse, it was deemed prudent to allow the engine and mill to pass over separately. Accordingly, the engine crossed first and then pulled the mill over by means of the chains, its enormous weight putting the old bridge to a test. Of course a good deal of curiosity was excited as the mill passed through the various villages along the route, the inhabitants flocking en masse to witness it, whilst at Clenchwarton its arrival was received with quite a demonstration.
Lynn Advertiser - 11th June 1870

June 1870: Mill taken down and tansported to Clenchwarton where it was dismantled and sold off


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

 
Top of Page

Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2005