c.1904
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Little Melton
towermill |
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c.1904
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Little Melton tower windmill was built in the centre of the village in Mill Road and stood in the garden of the Mill House by the road. The 5 storey tarred red brick tower had offset windows; the Norfolk boat shaped cap had a petticoat, gallery and a 6 bladed fan. The four double shuttered patent sails, each had 8 bays of 3 shutters. By 1904 the mill was using auxiliary steam power. |
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c.1935 |
There was a storm in November 1861. One of the casualties was Little Melton towermill. Smithdale's were asked to repair the mill. The evidence that this estimate is for Little Melton was that the miller in 1862 was Samuel Burrell and in its latter days the mill carried odd sails. One pair had four shutters per bay and the other had three shutters per bay. It is probable that the latter sails were the ones that Smithdale's supplied, as they would have had a smaller number of castings per sail and consequently would have been cheaper. The original estimate mentions repairing three sails whereas a subsequent estimate only mentions repairing two sails for the reduced sum of £135. 8s. 1d. Michael Roots |
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16th July 1939 |
St. Ann's Iron Works,
King Street, Norwich, Decr. 3/61. Mr. Burrell, Dear Sir, Agreeable to your request I beg to hand you my price for the work necessary at Melton. viz. One New Cap complete, New Cast Iron Curble & Winding Tackle complete. 3 New Sails and one Sail repaired. One New Stock and one stock to be spliced. One Set of Striking Tackle at head and as many New Cast segments for Breake Wheel as required. One new Tail Gudgeon, all the above to be completed and fixed in your Mill in a Workman-like Manner for the sum of one hundred and fifty one pounds. £151. -. -. Waiting your reply, I am, Dear Sir, Your Obt. Servt, Thos. Smithdale. |
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23rd October 1970 |
Situations Vacant WANTED, a steady Youth as APPRENTICE to the Milling and Baking Business. Apply to Samuel Barrell, Little Melton, Wymondham. Norfolk News - 31st May 1862 |
Situations Vacant WANTED, a steady active Young Man as MILLER & BAKER. Good reference required. Apply to Mr. Samuel Barrell, Little Melton. Norfolk News - 12th September 1863 |
Situations Vacant WANTED, a steady active Youth as an Apprentice to the MILLING & BAKING Business. Apply to Mr. Samuel J. Barrell, Little Melton. Norfolk News - 16th & 23rd April 1864 |
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1990 |
Situations Vacant WANTED, a steady active Young Man as MILLER & BAKER. A good character required. Apply to Samuel Barrell, Little Melton. Norfolk News - 23rd & 30th July 1864 |
Situations Vacant WANTED, a steady active Single Man as MILLER & BAKER. None need apply who cannot come well recommended. Apply to Mr. Samuel Barrell, Little Melton, Wymondham. Norfolk News - 23rd & 30th May & 13th June 1868 |
Auction Sale by SEWELL & BRERETON 19 December 1904. Auctioneers' Sale Particulars discloses that sale is under '... instructions from the Trustee under Mr. Samuel Barrell's Deed of Assignment.' Harry Apling - c. 1983 |
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2nd February 2004 |
SEWELL & BRERETON To Corn Merchants, Millers and Bakers LITTLE MELTON, Norfolk 2 Miles from Hethersett Station and 4½ from Norwich SEWELL & BRERETON have received instructions to Sell by Auction at the Royal Hotel, Norwich on Saturday December 3, 1904 at 3.30 o'c in the afternoon precisely ... a well built Brick Tower WIND MILL fitted with steam gear and a Brick and Stone Cart shed and Gig house, with a large granary over. Particulars of the Auctioneers, 17 Prince of Wales Road, Norwich and of Herbert Goodchild, Esq. Castle Meadow, Norwich, Solicitor to the Vendor. Norfolk Chronicle - 26th November 1904 |
The Mill, LITTLE MELTON, Norfolk SEWELL & BRERETON have received instructions to Sell by Auction on Monday 19 December 1904 HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE ... Milling Effects, including 500 Excellent Sacks and Bags, Scale and Weights, Bentalls Malt Mill, 13 Coombs White Oats, Deal Posts and Plank, Sack Barrows, Sheets of Galvanised Iron Roofing ... covered Miller's cart and other Effects. Catalogues of the Auctioneers, 17 Prince of Wales Road Norwich Norfolk Chronicle - 3rd & 17th December 1904 |
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Rear of mill 4th May 2007 |
Front of mill 4th May 2007 |
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Mill interior 4th May 2007 |
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31st March 2008 |
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Peter Palmer's Lt Melton Social Club card |
My father the late Peter Palmer told me stories of him and his family living there when the top of the mill blew off in a storm. He was born in Norwich in 1924. He also told a tale of leaving to join the RAF in the war and remembered his mother waving him off as he walked in to Norwich. He was demobbed and returned home as we have his social club card We took him back in 2006 before his passing in 2010. Jan Brown - 29th January 2022 |
In 2012, the mill was given a shallow pitched octagonal roof which is set on uprights about a foot up from the curb, presumably to create an observation deck. It was also given a new coat of tar. Sue Burden - 7th March 2022 |
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O. S. Map 1881 Courtesy of NLS map images |
White's 1836: Thomas Burrows, miller 1862: Samuel Barrell, miller, baker & farmer |
If you have any memories, anecdotes or photos please let us know and we may be able to use them to update the site. By all means telephone 07836 675369 or
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| Nat Grid Ref TG15800685 |
Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2004 |