Derelict red brick tower with collapsed boat cap and no sails. Brakewheel, fan cradle, striking chain wheel and tailpole; medium size, 4 storey.
Arthur C. Smith - 15th May 1976

Tower Mill. Derelict. Red brick tower of medium size with 4 storeys. Cap base frame on top and brakewheel showing but no windshaft. Turbine pump inside. Tower leaning slightly, about 43 ft. high to curb. Date stone, which recorded TWBPB 1874, has been removed since 1976. Alone by river down long track from road. Private. Lease to Norfolk Windmills Trust pending.
Arthur C. Smith - 21st May 1989

A 35 ton All Terrain Crane was hired in for some the heavy lifting .
The crane lowered its hook straight through the Perspex roof of the shed breaking it to enable the removal of the brake wheel segments from inside, to the grass in front of the mill.
The temporary cap was lifted off the mill, followed by the red supporting band. Then the crane lifted the main shaft up and out of the mill and lowered it to the ground.
Work on the mainshaft was done at ground level to ensure it would correctly align with the curb before re-positioning both back into the mill using the crane.
With the brake wheel segments removed, the space in the shed allowed for the assembly of the heavy wooden framework  support for the cap machinery and running gear.
The brake wheel segments were assembled in position on the windshaft, complete with the canister ready to take the stocks.
The complete assembly is having final adjustments and will be lifted intact from the shed to the mill at a later date.
The stocks are on site and are being shaped and prepared, the 120 shutters for the sails are being covered in canvas prior to linseed oiling and painting. 
Anne Grand - Saturday 30th August 2008

The 95 LV wave-form cable supplying electricity to Hardley mill's visitors centre was laid prior to connection on Tuesday 21st October 2008.
Approximately 120 metres of cable were laid by Morrisons, contractors working on behalf of EDF. The cable was laid in a trench dug out across the marshes.
A cable drum was suspended by means of a hiab-crane fitted to the back of a specialised Ford Iveco lorry. This allowed the cable to be pulled into the trench using a winch towed by a landrover. The cable then has a warning tape placed over it before back-filling the trench. The whole task took five men a couple of hours. Another small step closer to the completion of the Hardley mill project!
Phil Grand - 24th October 2008

1874: Mill built

O.S. map 1884: Hardley Draining Pump (Wind)

1985: Mill leased to Peter Grix

1988 Cap frame still in situ

24th November 2006: Waveney, Lower Yare & Lothingland refused permission to build of a visitor centre

March 2008: Visitor centre built

Tuesday 21st October 2008: Electricity supply to the mill connected

2009: New cap and sails fitted

2011: Upper stairs repositioned, new gallery installed and turbine pump lowered into well

Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2006