Gt Walsingham
towermill |
c.1893 |
Gt Walsingham towermill was built by John Wright in 1852 although he had been a baker and flour dealer since 1845. During construction he inserted a tablet containing his initials and the date 1852 over the door on the ground floor: |
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18 |
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J |
W | |
52 |
A steam mill was built on the north side of the mill c.1873 and by 1895 a roller mill was also working on the south side of the mill. |
The tarred brick 6 storey mill was quite tall and had a stage set around the 3rd floor. |
c.1936 |
29th August 1936 |
Unusually for a large mill, the milling business remained in the one family for the entire working life of the mill. John Wright carried on the business he started until about 1872 when he was joined by his son George as a partner in the business of milling, baking and farming. George took over the business when his father died. |
c.1950 |
A MAN IN HIS TIME - Mr. F. Beck, who is in his 90th year, still gets about his village of Great Walsingham. He is seen at the Old Mill at Great Walsingham pointing with stick to the old granary. Mr. Beck worked on the land from the age of seven until he was 70. Then he took another job in the wood trade. |
To BAKERS |
Wanted, a man in the above line. Character required. J & G Wright, Walsingham Mills. Norfolk News - 20th September 1873 |
O.S. map redrawn by Harry Apling |
... mill sails carried away ... |
On 24th March 1895 the mill's sails were torn off by a gale that severely damaged many windmills around the county. The sails were probably replaced but the roller mill certainly remained in full production. |
19th May 1981 |
Some time between 1900 and 1904 George was joined in the business by his two sons, Walter and Herbert and the three then worked in partnership until production ceased. |
1990 |
In January 1981, Harry Apling reported that Mrs. Olive Garner aged approx. 85, the widow of William Robert Garner, had a photo of the mill in full sail - see top of page. The roller mill was to the left and the steam mill and granaries to the right. The Miller's cart bore the name GEO ... The photo was probably taken between c.1892 and 1895 before the mill lost its sails in the March gale. |
2004 |
O. S. Map 1885 Courtesy of NLS map images |
Kelly's 1922: Herbert Wright, merchant & baker |
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
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Nat Grid Ref TF 94453752 |
Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2004 |