After covering some of the disused wind drainage pumps a few years ago, I decided it was time to do some more. There was once 200 of these pumps dotted on the Norfolk broads. Many still remain, some in a derelict state, some with partial work to slow the rot, like new caps on top, and new windows, others are fully renovated into accommodation or heritage centres. One person has turned one into an art studio and gallery. The broads is an extensive network of dykes and waterways. These can be prone to flooding due to the tidal warterways and how boggy the land sits. The drainage pumps would drain the water from the dykes that had flowed off the land. This in turn would be pushed into the rivers to keep the land dry. This was important as the land is extensively used for agriculture, with a lot of livestock on the meadows. The drainage mills, even though they are an early form of pumps are still called mills pretty much use the same system. I am not totally sure of the whole set up. I am almost certain the cap could be moved to catch the wind in whatever direction it was going. The sails would turn a series of cogs up top, which in turn twisted a a vertical shaft, made of thick wood. This the turned a a cog down bellow which turned a large iron pit wheel. This wheel would turn an iron shaft which was connected to a scoop wheel with paddles on. As time went by different methods were used to power the scoop, electric, steam and diesel being the common ways. Sadly with nee more efficient ways to drain the marshes arrived, the old mills were deemed redundant due to the high costs of maintaining them.
If anyone has visited the broads you will know it’s a flat and bleak place in the winter. To get to these mills it can involve very long walk through very sodden ground with the wind blowing through. But saying that I still love getting on the broads, you are so alone in some places. It’s also a great place for wildlife if you’re a wildlife photographer. So many varieties of birds are on the marshlands. We have quite a few reserves now on the broads that strive to attract new wildlife.
Here is my report from my visit a few years ago.
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WOMACK MILL
Starting off we have this rather bleak run down shell. Sitting lonely in the middle off marshland this old mill is in a very sorry state. But inside we still have the vertical shaft, the iron pit wheel, the drive shaft. And outside the scoop wheel is still complete.
The mill was built in the 1800s and was built about twenty three feet high. The brickwork is 20 inches thick, that is quite some thickness, but I guess it’s got to support a lot off woodwork and metal work. History on this one is very scarce.
Approaching the mill it’s situated on a little island which is fed from several dykes.
The scoop and race still remain.
Going inside the vertical shaft is just hanging in there.
STUBB MILL.
Stubb mill is a very importsnnt mill on the broads and is grade two listed. It was taken on by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust. They have made some attempt to preserve it which is good. No entry into this one sadly but thought I would show it, as it still has the marshmans house intact, albeit boarded up, and outbuildings. A newer pump house sits next to it. Whilst there the pump became operational. I could see the water absolutely gushing out of the pipe from the other side. The mill was constructed in 1808 with a three storey build and wood and canvas sails. Twenty five years later it was heightened and the sails replaced with patent ones. The marsh man lived in the first two floors of the mill, that must have been horrible. A house was then constructed in 1900 for the family to live in. The mill ceased operations in 1947.
This boat ain’t going anywhere soon.
Outlet pipe for the new pump house.
Original toilet set to the side of the house.
The old marshmans house.
Continued…
If anyone has visited the broads you will know it’s a flat and bleak place in the winter. To get to these mills it can involve very long walk through very sodden ground with the wind blowing through. But saying that I still love getting on the broads, you are so alone in some places. It’s also a great place for wildlife if you’re a wildlife photographer. So many varieties of birds are on the marshlands. We have quite a few reserves now on the broads that strive to attract new wildlife.
Here is my report from my visit a few years ago.
Norfolk's wind pumps..July-December 2020 | Industrial Sites
I always try to document as much of my home county's fading history when I get spare days at the weekend. I have covered the railways and most of the military stuff here. So thought I would try and document the wind pumps. So I have selected a variety of them to look at. Some were nice and easy...
www.28dayslater.co.uk
WOMACK MILL
Starting off we have this rather bleak run down shell. Sitting lonely in the middle off marshland this old mill is in a very sorry state. But inside we still have the vertical shaft, the iron pit wheel, the drive shaft. And outside the scoop wheel is still complete.
The mill was built in the 1800s and was built about twenty three feet high. The brickwork is 20 inches thick, that is quite some thickness, but I guess it’s got to support a lot off woodwork and metal work. History on this one is very scarce.
Approaching the mill it’s situated on a little island which is fed from several dykes.
The scoop and race still remain.
Going inside the vertical shaft is just hanging in there.
STUBB MILL.
Stubb mill is a very importsnnt mill on the broads and is grade two listed. It was taken on by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust. They have made some attempt to preserve it which is good. No entry into this one sadly but thought I would show it, as it still has the marshmans house intact, albeit boarded up, and outbuildings. A newer pump house sits next to it. Whilst there the pump became operational. I could see the water absolutely gushing out of the pipe from the other side. The mill was constructed in 1808 with a three storey build and wood and canvas sails. Twenty five years later it was heightened and the sails replaced with patent ones. The marsh man lived in the first two floors of the mill, that must have been horrible. A house was then constructed in 1900 for the family to live in. The mill ceased operations in 1947.
This boat ain’t going anywhere soon.
Outlet pipe for the new pump house.
Original toilet set to the side of the house.
The old marshmans house.
Continued…
