2011

TL9369 : Pakenham Windmill - Governors

taken 13 years ago, near to Ixworth, Suffolk, England

Pakenham Windmill - Governors
Pakenham Windmill - Governors
The windmill has two governors, one for each pair of stones. The chain (rare, usually belt) is rotated at the speed of the stones upstairs. The centrifugal force of the ball weights moves the 'steel yard' (the metal rod). This adjusts the tentering beam and thus the distance between the stones. Maintaining the correct coarseness if wind speed changes slightly. The miller also feels the flour as it comes out and can manually adjust the coarseness. He feels the flour with his/hers thumb, hence the term 'rule of thumb'.

Nearby at Pakenham watermill this can be witnessed at regular milling days.
TL9369 : Pakenham Watermill TL9369 : The Miller - Pakenham
Pakenham Windmill

Pakenham Mill was probably built in the 1820s although dates suggest 1831-35. The mill came into the ownership of the Bryant family in 1885 (and is still in their ownership). In 1947 the mill was nearly tail-winded. The mill was restored in 1950, with a new weatherbeam.

Further restoration took place in 1961, aided by grants from West Suffolk County Council and the Ministry of Works. The work was conditional on the Bryant family's continuing to work the mill. The copper-covered cap was rebuilt and clad in aluminium for maintenance reasons. The mill was struck by lightning in June 1971, a stock being split and a sail damaged. The sack chain saved the mill from being burnt down by giving a route for the lightning to earth. When the mill was repaired a lightning conductor was added.

The most recent restoration of Pakenham windmill was completed in May 2000. The £60,000 cost of the work was 80% funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Pakenham is unusual in having both a working water mill and a windmill, although the windmill (unlike the water mill) is no longer actively producing flour. Inside the windmill is a delight; the governors are of a rare chain type and there are two pairs of stones.

The windmill still does produce animal feed and visits can be arranged.


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TL9369, 261 images   (more nearby 🔍)
Photographer
Ashley Dace   (more nearby)
Date Taken
Wednesday, 5 January, 2011   (more nearby)
Submitted
Wednesday, 5 January, 2011
Subject Location
OSGB36: geotagged! TL 931 694 [100m precision]
WGS84: 52:17.3385N 0:49.7908E
Camera Location
OSGB36: geotagged! TL 931 694
View Direction
West-northwest (about 292 degrees)
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Image classification(about): Supplemental image
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