Ellis Mill - 25 April 1999 |
Mill Road, Lincoln
Grid Reference SK971722
This very small tower mill was built in 1798. It was eventually equipped with patent sails and worked until 1941 when one of the remaining pair of sails was blown off. The cap was taken off in the 1940's, followed by the machinery. The tower then stood disused until 1975, when it was set on fire and completely gutted. This would have been the end of it but for the timely intervention of Lincoln Civic Trust, who set about the rebuilding of the mill as a 'Silver Jubilee' project in 1977 using some professional labour and some unemployed young people on a 'Job Creation' scheme. Chris Salisbury was in charge of the main project with Thompson's employed to sort out the machinery and build the sails and fantail. The cap was built during 1978 and the mill was completed during 1980. It ground for the first time on 26 April 1981 and since then has been regularly run for visitors by volunteer millers, led by Barry Brooke.
The restoration was made possible because second- hand machinery was available from other mills; a latter- day Heckington in effect. The upright shaft, stones (one pair French and one pair grey), spur gearing and tentering gear came from Toynton All Saints mill which was due to be gutted and house converted, thus putting this machinery to good use. The windshaft and brake wheel, a very fine iron example, came from Sturton by Stow mill, where all the other gear was missing so what remained was again being put to good use. In return, a replica cap in glassfibre was made for Sturton mill which thereby benefitted from the deal.
The new cap is very much more bulbous than the original which did not have the reverse curve now on the petticoat. The fantail was originally mounted further out and the sails were originally much bigger, being real 'daisy cutters'. To protect visitors it was decided to make the sails shorter and to preserve the correct proportions the width was cut down to match. The resulting sails are not as powerful as they once were but as the mill does not have to rely on them for a living to any great extent the sacrifice is worthwhile.
The mill is a credit to the people of Lincoln, and makes a lovely sight when approaching the city from the West. It also presents a tantalising glimpse of patent sails and cap to travellers on the city ring road, which it towers above. Finding it by road can be more difficult, the best course of action being to follow signs to the Museum of Lincolnshire Life in Burton Road (itself worth a visit, and home of the Lincolnshire Mill Archive). Mill Road is parallel to Burton Road and the mill stands behind the museum somewhat incongruously amongst the rows of terraced houses.
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