John Webb's Windmill

John Webb's Windmill

Constructed in 1804, this Grade II* listed red brick tower mill stands as the last remaining windmill in Thaxted, Essex. Built by local businessman and farmer John Webb, the mill was designed to meet the growing demand for flour during a period of agricultural expansion. It was constructed using local materials, with bricks made and fired in the Chelmer Valley, approximately half a mile away. (historicengland.org.uk)

The mill features a gallery at the first-floor level, which was originally used for easy loading and unloading from carts and wagons. This gallery also allowed for the adjustment of the sails, known as sweeps, to suit the wind conditions. Initially, spring sails were fitted, but these were later replaced with patent sails, enabling all four sails to be adjusted simultaneously using a centrally controlled system of levers known as a 'spider'. (thaxted-pc.gov.uk)

Operational for a century, the mill ceased commercial milling in 1910. Following a period of disuse, it was repurposed as a scout and youth center in the 1930s. By the late 1950s, the mill had fallen into dereliction and required significant repairs. In 1970, a Trust was established to restore the building and open it to the public as a rural museum. Restoration efforts have been carried out in stages, with the sails re-erected in 1991 and the millstones restored in 1996, allowing it to function as a working mill capable of grinding grain into flour. (thaxted-pc.gov.uk)

In 2019, the mill was added to Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register due to extensive internal damp caused by eroded brickwork and open joints, leading to widespread mold on internal walls. The Trust has installed temporary propping and is fundraising for an urgent first phase of work to restore structural integrity and address moisture leakage through the walls. (historicengland.org.uk)

The mill is situated southwest of the Church and remains a prominent feature of Thaxted. It stands 48 feet high, with a base diameter of 24 feet and a curb diameter of 15 feet. The brickwork is 4 feet thick at ground level and 18 inches thick at curb level. The cast-iron windshaft carries a clasp arm brake wheel with 88 cogs, driving a wooden wallower with 50 cogs on a cast iron upright shaft. The 8-foot clasp arm great spur wheel has 122 cogs and drives three stone nuts, two with 19 cogs and the third with 20 cogs. The millstones are 5 feet, 4 feet, and 4 feet in diameter. (en.wikipedia.org)

The mill has been featured in various media, including Pier Paolo Pasolini's 1972 adaptation of "The Canterbury Tales," where it served as a backdrop in a scene from "The Friar's Tale." (en.wikipedia.org)

As of now, the mill is not open to the public due to ongoing restoration work. For the most current information on its status and any potential reopening, it is advisable to consult the Thaxted Parish Council's website or contact the Thaxted Society directly. (thaxted-pc.gov.uk)