Lower Mill, Dalham
{{Short description|Windmill in Dalham, Suffolk, England}}
{{Infobox Windmill
|name = Dalham Mill
|image = Dalham smock mill.jpg
|image_size = 250px
|caption = Lower Mill, August 2005
|name_of_mill = Lower Mill,
Opposition Mill
|location_of_mill = {{oscoor|TL719617|TL 719 617}}
|coordinates = {{coord|52|13|36|N|0|31|04|E|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}}
|operator = Private
|built =
|purpose = Corn mill
|type = Smock mill
|storeys = Three-storey smock
|base_storeys = One storey
|roundhouse_storeys =
|smock_sides = Eight sides
|sail_number = Four Sails
|sail_type = Patent sails
|windshaft = Cast iron
|winding = Fantail
|fantail_blades =
|auxpower =
|pairs_of_millstones= Three pairs
|stone_size =
|saw_type =
|pump_type =
|scoop_dia =
|lost =
|other =
}}
Lower Mill or Opposition Mill is a Grade II* listed{{NHLE| num= 1037666| desc =LOWER WINDMILL, STORES HILL, DALHAM, FOREST HEATH, SUFFOLK | access-date= 15 May 2009}} smock mill at Dalham, Suffolk, England which has been preserved.
History
Lower Mill or Opposition Mill was built in the 1790s by a Mr Ruffle. The sails were blown off in 1802.{{cite web|url=http://www.dalham.com/|title=Dalham Village - Windmill |publisher=dalham.com |access-date=15 May 2009}} (Scroll down left-hand menu and select "The Windmill") She was working until 1926 and by 1935 was in need of repairs. These were completed in 1938 but the mill again deteriorated until it was purchased in 1972 by Frank Farrow and restoration began with the intention of returning the mill to working order, assisted by grants from Suffolk County Council and the Historic Buildings Council for England.{{cite book | first =Dean| last = Regan| year = 1997| title = Windmills of Suffolk| pages= 26–28| publisher = Dean Regan| location = Ipswich| isbn = 0-9506447-0-6}} The windmill's restoration work was carried out by Gormley and Goodman Engineers of Warwickshire between 1979 and 1980. (see also Bromham Watermill and Stevington Windmill, Bedfordshire.{{Citation needed|date=January 2011}}
Description
{{for|an explanation of the various pieces of machinery|Mill machinery}}
Lower Mill is a three-storey smock mill on a single-storey brick base. It has a beehive cap with a gallery which was winded by a fantail. The four Patent sails were {{convert|27|ft|m|2}} long and {{convert|7|ft|m|2}} wide carried on a cast-iron windshaft. They drove three pairs of French Burr millstones which are mounted on a hurst frame on the first floor.
Millers
- William Ruffle 1804-55
- George Moore 1855-75
- Abraham Simpson 1875-85
- Joseph Tabraham 1875-
- John Tabraham 1875-
- Josiah Tabraham
- John Tabraham
- Lewis Tabraham
- Elijah Rutterford 1904
- Charles Kerridge 1908
- Turner -1926
Reference for above:-{{cite book | first =R J| last = Brown| year = 1976| title = Windmills of England| pages= 166| publisher = Robert Hale| location = London| isbn = 0-7091-5641-3}}
External links
- [http://www.windmillworld.com/millid/2439.htm Windmill World] webpage on Dalham Mill.