c.1900
|
Walsoken
smockmill |
|
c.1900 |
Walsoken smockmill was built in Norfolk on the outskirts of Wisbech. On 1st April 1990 the county border was realigned and the site became part of Cambridgeshire. The mill originally stood on Horseshoe Corner and was moved to a new location on the south side of the Old Lynn Road in Lerowe Field, opposite the Black Bear pub. It would appear that a steam mill was also working on the same site. |
The mill used two pairs of single shuttered patent sails, although these had been reduced to one pair by c.1910. The Norfolk boat shaped cap held an 8 bladed fan. |
. . . Another was taken bodily from opposite to the Horseshoe Corner, and removed to a spot facing the Black Bear at Walsoken, where it is now occupied by Mr. Leach. Mr. Robert Dawbarn, senr., remembered its transport - in a sort of triumphal march - on two waggons abreast, - for the passage of which it was necessary to take down the Lynn Road toll-bar - to its present site, where it was deposited on a brick base duly provided for it. |
 |
Cambridge Independent Press - 11th October 1879 |
 |
Stamford Mercury - 1st August 1890 |
 |
c.1910 Left to right: Francis Leach (b. 1833); Susan Leach (b.1836); Francis Leach (b.1867) Kate Leach (b. 1870); Francis Leach (b.1904) |
The mill came into my family's ownership sometime between 1861 and 1871 and remained with them into the very early years of the 20th century. They also purchased Leach's Mill just over the Norfolk border in Wisbech. My father was the last flour miller there and it was owned by him along with his father, brother and sister until the mid to late 1960's. |
 |
 |
Remains of sails beside mill c.1910
|
Francis Leach (b.1904); Kate Leach (b.1900) |
 |
 |
Remains of sails beside mill c.1910
|
Left to right: Francis Leach (b. 1833); Susan Leach (b.1836) Francis Leach (b.1867); Francis Leach (b.1904) |
 |
Francis Leach and family outside the Mill House, 22 Old Lynn Road, Wisbech |
A mature tree stands on the site, which is in the back garden of a large modern house (the power mill buildings have been demolished). When looking on Georeferenced Maps at Walsoken, at TF481104, a house called Burntmill House, with a circular feature in the back garden. No windmill here on the Ordnance Survey first edition. The whole site was obliterated by bungalows in the 60s or 70s, judging from the architecture. |
 |
Google Streetview |
I think the smock mill foundations will be under 67 Kirkgate Street and the steam mill site is a car parking area and new build houses. The steam mill and smock mill are long gone but I visited there a few years back and I can see from the current Google Street View, the house is a survivor and it yet remains! |
 |
Utting's Marshland map 1826 as redrawn by Harry Apling |
 |
|
O. S. Map 1901 Courtesy of NLS map images |
Kelly's 1879: Robert Leach, cattle dealer |
Utting's map, Marshland 1826: Windmill White's 1864: Francis Leach, corn miller & flour dealer
Kelly's 1879: Francis Leach, miller October 1879: Small fire broke out at the steam mill with very little damage
White's 1883: Francis Leach, corn miller, corn dealer, and farmer O.S. map 1886: Walsoken Mills (Corn) White's 1890: Francis Leach, corn miller, corn dealer, and farmer
Kelly's 1892: Francis Leach & Sons, millers (wind & steam) Sunday 24th March 1895: "Windy Sunday" Mill fantail blown off Kelly's 1896: Francis Leach & Sons, millers (wind & steam) Kelly's 1900: Francis Leach & Sons, millers (wind & steam)
O.S. map 1901: Walsoken Mills (Corn) Kelly's 1904: Francis Leach & Sons, millers (wind & steam)
Kelly's 1912: Francis Leach & Sons, millers (wind & steam) |
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
|
| Nat Grid Ref TF 4735310749 |
Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2009 |