Ashton Windmill

Ashton windmill is a tower mill in Chapel Allerton, Somerset, England. Its tower is over 7.5 metres (25 ft) high with stone walls that are 60 cm (2.0 ft) thick. The sails are 13 m (43 ft) across and used to be covered with canvas. The last millstones were 1.2 m (3.9 ft) across and the millstones used to grind wheat for flour and beans for cattle food.[1]

Ashton windmill
Location within Somerset
General information
Architectural styleTower mill
Town or cityChapel Allerton, Somerset
CountryEngland
Coordinates51.248828°N 2.840119°W / 51.248828; -2.840119

The first mill on the site was medieval, but the present structure probably dates from the 18th century.[2] It was modernised in 1900 with machinery brought from the demolished Moorlinch mill, and iron hoops around the building being added.[3] It was restored in 1967. The mill has been designated by English Heritage as a grade II* listed building.[4][5]

It is now preserved, having been given to Bristol City Museum in 1966 and is owned by Sedgemoor District Council, and maintained by volunteers.

In 2008 the council applied for listed building planning consent to undertake major restoration work on the windmill, including replacement of the stone steps, installation of hand rails, guard rails and safety bars, alterations to the window shutters and replacement of the sail frames with wood laminate.[6]

In 2010 Sedgemoor Council decided it could no longer afford to maintain the windmill and has appealed for an independent group of trustees to take on the responsibility for the building.[7]

References
  1. "Sedgemoor in Somerset - Ashton Windmill". PDF file. Archived from the original on 22 June 2011. Retrieved 16 June 2011.
  2. "Ashton windmill – Sedgemoor Council" (PDF). Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  3. Coulthard, Alfred J.; Watts, Martin (1978). Windmills of Somerset and the men who worked them. London: Research Publishing Co. pp. 42–44. ISBN 0-7050-0060-5.
  4. Historic England. "Ashton windmill (1173522)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 3 March 2008.
  5. Historic England. "Ashton Windmill  (Grade II*) (1173522)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  6. "Can windmill weather financial storm?". South West Business. 31 January 2008. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  7. "Windmill appeal". Mendip Times. April 2010. p. 8.
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