Oldland Mill in 1887

www.oldlandwindmill.co.uk

The history of Oldland Windmill

Oldland Windmill is an 18th century post-mill situated in the village of Keymer (approximately 2 miles from Jack and Jill windmills). The earliest known record of this windmill is an Oldland Estate map dated c.1703. The map is drawn on parchment, bordered by a highly decorative cartouche, and clearly shows an 'open trestle' post-mill similar to that standing at Nutley. As technology progressed, a brick roundhouse was later added to provide storage space and has in itself become a unique feature because, unlike other post-mill roundhouses, this one is octagonal. Oldland Windmill was sometimes called 'Ditchling Mill' and is mentioned in the Ditchling Churchwarden's accounts in 1755. It is also documented in the National Defence Schedules of 1801, recording its capacity for milling wheat, barley, oats and animal feed during the Napoleonic Wars. There are several other unique features within the mill including a fine collection of Victorian cast ironwork. Much of the cast iron machinery was installed by the Medhurst family, who were well known millwrights across sussex in the 1800's, and who also worked on Jill Windmill. It is thought to be the only surviving post-mill in Southern England with a steam engine drive within it's body to enable grinding on windless days. Oldland Windmill is currently being restored to full working order by a dedicated team of local volunteers. Most of the oak structure has had to be rebuilt and currently the greater part of the mill body has been re-weather boarded. Work to re-erect and weatherboard the roof is also in progress. (Philip Hicks, June 2002)     RECENT HISTORY April 1976 At the AGM of the Hassocks Amenity Association a talk was given by a member of the Weald and Downland Museum from Singleton. At that meeting the issue was raised of Oldland Windmill and the possibility of saving her. She was owned by the Sussex Archaeological Society (SAS) and the site was leased to Mr.Geoffrey Hawkings-Byass as she was alongside his garden. 1977 Tommy Gee, Herbert Sale, Geoffrey Hawkings-Byass and Frank Gregory met to consider the restoration. Surveys were done by Mr.Vincent Pargeter, millwright, and Frank Gregory and an opinion was given by Edwin Hole, millwright, and a variety of solutions were proposed. The mill was clearly in a very bad state and the first priority was to save her from collapse. One proposal, from the architect Mr. Rowell, was to erect a steel frame inside and just restore the appearance. However, The sub-committee, encouraged by Mr. Pargeter, wanted to restore the mill to full working order. Funds would not be available to have the work contracted out so it was decided that it would be a long term project carried out largely by volunteer labour as and when funds became available. It was felt that it was not sensible to raise funds and spend time working on the mill when HAA neither had a lease or a freehold on the mill. 1979 to 1980 was spent in very protracted negotiations with SAS. Transferring the freehold would raise problems with the Charity Commission and HAA were not ready for that stage. A new 21 year lease at a peppercorn rent was agreed but it was not signed until September 1980. The first working party was 2nd August 1980. The first job was to clear the mill of rubbish and put felt on the roundhouse roof as a temporary repair to prevent further damage to the trestle. 1981 Only two sweeps were left and they were removed. Sailors from HMS Daedalus got the stock down. Started negotiations with SEEB to get an electric supply laid on to Mr. Hawkings- Byass's garage. Electricity poles, given by SEEB, poles delivered to act as supports for mill body and wind-shaft. 1982 Electric supply fitted. 1983 An "A" frame made from the telegraph poles was fitted to support the outer end of the wind shaft. More of the poles were used to make side supports. 1984 It had been decide at an early stage that oak would be used for the restoration as it was the original timber. An oak beam was delivered for the new crown tree as well as oak for the trestle. 1985 More fund raising and preparatory work. 1986 More timber delivered for side girts and two breast beams. 1987 Trestle replaced. Trestle jacked up to replace brick supports. 1988 Crown-tree replaced by Austin Cradles. 1989 Up to now it had been thought that much of the old frame would be useable but further investigation showed that what would be required was a new frame, new roof, new weatherboard cladding and a new roundhouse. 1990 SAS agreeable in principle to HAA having the freehold. Setting out the new side frames. 1991 -1993 Side frames completed, breast frame completed, tail frame completed, flour floor frame completed, all these in shed on site preparatory to erection. During this period there was an enormous amount of time spent in raising money and that, together with a shortage of volunteer labour at times, slowed down the restoration. Officers of the mill restoration sub committee. Secretary 1976 - 1980 Tommy Gee   1980 - 1994 Iris Annett Site Supervisor 1976 - 1980 Frank Gregory   1980 - 2000 John Annett Treasurer 1976 - 2000 Philip Sandwell Photo of Philip Sandwell Some of the volunteer labour force during the period 1976- 1994 (with apologies to those who have not been mentioned):- John Annett Gavin Maillardet Iris Annett Guy Nason P & C Bolton Peter Pearce Mr.& Mrs.Dadswell Mrs M Pryke R.Colliver Herbert Sale Mrs Goodare Peter Casebow Mr.Rowell Mr.Costa Mrs Shelton B & L Ellicker Mr & Mrs Turner Miss Field Mr & Mrs Wellberry Tommy Gee Frank Gregory R.Harbud Mr.Holden   Photo of John and Iris Annett Principal Patrons Ventaxia The Woodroffe Benton Foundation Turner Dumbrell Trust Dr.Richard Turner British Telecom Joanna & Hilary Bourne Reg Adsett Herbert Sale Mr.G Hawkings-Byass Photo of Reg Adsett and Clive Petrides