John Webb's Windmill

The windmill was built in 1804 for John Webb, a local farmer and landowner, to satisfy the increasing demand for flour both locally and in London. It was constructed using local materials, with timber from two local farms and bricks made at a nearby location in the Chelmer Valley also owned by John Webb. In 2004, the cap and sails were removed to enable repairs to the brickwork at the top of the tower. The repairs were completed by the end of the year. The mill was officially reopened on 8 April 2005 by Lord Petre. On 5 April 2010, the stock of one pair of sails broke, and the sail crashed to the ground, damaging the stage as it fell. There were no injuries among the six or seven visitors…

John Webb’s Mill is a five-storey tower mill with a domed cap with a gallery. The cap is winded by an eight blade fantail. There is a stage at first floor level. The tower is 24 ft diameter at base level and 15 ft diameter at curb level. The tower is 48 ft high, having been raised by some 4 ft at some time. The mill is 54 ft high to the top of the cap. The brickwork is 4 ft thick at ground level and 18 in thick at curb level. The cast-iron windshaft carries a clasp arm brake wheel with 88 cogs. It drives a wooden wallower with 50 cogs carried on a cast iron upright shaft. The 8 ft clasp arm great spur wheel has 122 cogs and drives three stone nuts – two with 19 cogs and the third with 20…