Briggate
towermill

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Drainage Mills (Windpumps)
Steam Mills
Watermills

c.1905
c.1905 postcard labelled Brygates Mill

Briggate towermill, also known as Worstead mill, stood to the northeast of Briggate_watermill. The 6 storey tarred red brick mill was built c.1850. The mill had a boat shaped cap with a petticoat, gallery, a 6 bladed fan and a chainpole. The four double shuttered sails each had 8 bays of 3 shutters and were struck by rack & pinion. The sails powered 3 pairs of stones controlled by 4 armed governors along with a flour mill. The windshaft had 4 shallow ribs at the brake wheel end.

c.1930 c.1930
c.1930

11th September 1934
11th September 1934

Situations Vacant
WANTED, a first rate STONEMAN. None need apply who does not thoroughly understand his business and can have good references.
Also a good MALTSTER.
Apply to Durrell & Greenacre, Worstead Mills.

Norfolk News - 29th August 1857


NORTH WALSHAM
the Late Gale
... Serious damage was done to a windmill at Worstead belonging to Mr. Greenacre. The amount of damage is supposed to reach nearly £100.
Norfolk News - 12th December 1863


To be Sold by Private Contract
A Brick and Tile DWELLING HOUSE with Barn, Stable and Outbuildings, three acres and a quarter of good ARABLE LAND, a Brick Tower WINDMILL with patent sails, driving three pair of stones and Flour Mill, doing a good grist trade, close to the canal. Also a very good Wherry to sell.
Apply to Robert Greenacre, Worstead, Norfolk.

Norfolk News - 19th August 1865


To be Sold by Private Contract
A BRICK & TILE DWELLING HOUSE with Barn, Stable and Outhouses, and 3¼ Acres of Good Arable LAND, a Brick Tower WINDMILL with Patent Sails, driving Three Pairs of Stones and FLOUR MILL, doing a good Grist Trade; close to the Canal. Possession at Michaelmas.
Apply to Robert Greenacre, Worstead, Norfolk.

Norfolk News - 16th & 30th September 1865


WORSTEAD, Norfolk
To be Sold by Private Contract, a Brick & Tiled DWELLING HOUSE, Barn, Stable and Outbuildings and 3¼ Acres of good ARABLE LAND. Also a Tower WINDMILL driving 3 pairs of stones, with Flour Mill and Patent Sails. The above is close to a good Corn Market and the Dilham Canal.
Apply to Geo. Greenacre, Hingham Mills, Attleborough.

Norfolk News - 28th July & 18th August 1866


WORSTEAD
To be Let with immediate possession, a HOUSE & BUILDINGS and 3¼ Acres of Land; a Brick Tower WINDMILL with Patent Sails, three pair of stones and Flour Mill.
Apply to Robert Greenacre, Brooke or at the Castle Hotel, Norwich on Saturday.

Norfolk News - 13th October 1866


WORSTEAD
On the afternoon of Saturday last, Mr. Cross of Worstead, Miller, met with a most distressing accident. The flyers of his mill not being in working order, he with his man ascended to put them right and while doing what was wanted, it being dark at the time, the clothes of Mr. Cross were caught and he was drawn into the machinery and we are sorry to report that one of his legs was so mangles that amputation was inevitable. His other leg was also broken in three places, but has since been set and although great fears have been entertained of his surviving the shock, we learn that he is better than could be expected. Fortunately there was but little wind at the time or he must have been killed on the spot.

Norfolk News - 22nd December 1866


Situations Vacant
TWO MILLERS wanted.
Apply to PRESS BROTHERS at their Stand, Norwich Corn Market this day (Saturday)

Norfolk News - 15th August 1868


TO SELL AT WORSTEAD
A BRICK & TILE DWELLING HOUSE, Barn, Stable and Outbuildings with
3¼ acres of ARABLE LAND. Also a BRICK TOWER WIND-MILL, stands well for wind, with Patent Sails, drives 3 pairs of Stones, is near a Market Town and in a good corn district.
Apply to Mr. Robert Greenacre, Worstead, Norfolk.

Norfolk News - 31st July & 21st August 1869


1969 23rd October 1970
1969
23rd October 1970

1989
1989

6th April 2003
6th April 2003

WORSTEAD
To be Sold pursuant to an Order of the High Court of Justice made in an action "Re William Greenacre's Estate re Robert Greenacre's Estate - Greenacre & Greenacre". with the approbation of the Master of the Rolls, by
GEO. STOCKINGS (of the Firm of STOCKINGS & MILLS) the person appointed by the said Judge, at the New Inn Worstead, on Tuesday 26 July, 1881 at 4 for 5 o'c in three Lots.
Lot 1.
DWELLING HOUSE, Premises and 2a. 0r. 5p. LAND in Worstead Briggate in the occupation of Mrs. Greenacre.
Lot 2.
A Pightle of Arable LAND situate near Lot 1, containing 0a. 2r. 26p. in the occupation of Mrs. Greenacre.
Lot 3.
The Brick TOWER WINDMILL in the occupation of Messrs. Cubitt &Walker
Particulars of, Solicitors in Norwich, Messrs. Blake, Keith & Blake, and Mr. Robert Thomas Culley, ...
Dated this 4th day of July 1881,

John W. Hawkins,
Chief Clerk.
Norfolk Chronicle - 9th, 16th & 23rd July 1881

1st January 2007 1st January 2007
1st January 2007

1st January 2007 1st January 2007
Remains of the fanstage 1st January 2007
Cap and petticoat 1st January 2007

For much of its working life, Briggate windmill was worked in conjunction with Briggate watermill and much of the joint history is on that page.

26th April 2009
26th April 2009

O. S. Map 1885

O. S. Map 1885
Briggate towermill to the northwest and Briggate watermill to the southeast
Courtesy of NLS map images


O.S. Map 2005
O.S. Map 2005
Image reproduced under licence from Ordnance Survey

1871: Charles Greenacre, North Walsham Lingate towermill

c.1850: Mill built

White's 1854: George Greenacre, corn miller, Bengate

Craven's 1856: Robert Greenacre, miller

1857: Durrell & Greenacre, millers

1858: Durrell & Greenacre, millers

1863: Robert Greenacre, miller

December 1863: Mill badly damaged by a gale

White's 1864: Robert Greenacre, miller

August 1865: Mill advertised for sale by private contract along with a wherry

July 1866: Mill advertised for sale by private contract

October 1866: Mill advertised to be let

Saturday 15th December 1866: ? Cross, miller, severely injured in accident, losing one leg

1869: Press Bros., millers

1869: Robert Greenacre, miller

August 1869: Mill advertised for sale Harrod's

1872: Charles Greenacre, miller

1875: Robert Greenacre, miller

1878: Charles Greenacre, miller

Census 1881: Alfred B. Smith (36) b. Fordham, Cambs, stone dresser miller
Susan Smith (33) b.Wilby
Julia M. Smith (10) b.Old Buckenham, scholar
Benjamin S. Smith (5) b.Worstead
Alfred E. Smith (2) b.Worstead
Elisha Smith (32) b.Old Buckenham, journeyman miller artisan
Address: Bridge Gate

July 1881: Mill advertised for sale re. the estate of Robert Greenacre

1881: Cubitt & Walker, millers

O.S. map 1885: Windmill

White's 1883: Cubitt & Walker, millers & c., and at North Walsham

White's 1890: Cubbit & Walker, millers & merchants; and at North Walsham

Kelly's 1892: Cubbit & Walker, millers (steam & water) &c. & at Cromer ; Swafield & North Walsham

Kelly's 1896: Cubbit & Walker, millers (steam & water) &c. & at Cromer ; Swafield & North Walsham

Kelly's 1900:
Cubbit & Walker, coal & corn, cake, seed & manure merchants & millers (steam & water); at Briggate mills, Worstead, Swafield & M.&G.N. station; & at Cromer

Kelly's 1904: Cubbit & Walker, millers (steam, wind & water) & c

Kelly's 1908: Cubbit & Walker, millers (steam, wind & water) & c

Kelly's 1912: Cubbit & Walker, millers (steam, wind & water) & c

Kelly's 1916: Cubbit & Walker, millers (steam, wind & water) & c

Kelly's 1922: Cubbit & Walker, millers (steam, wind & water) & c

Kelly's 1925: Cubbit & Walker, millers (steam & water) &c. Briggate mills

1926: Cubbit & Walker, millers

1949: Mill derelict

1970: Windshaft, brakewheel & wallower still in situ

1972: Windshaft, brakewheel & wallower still in situ but grinding machinery removed before conversion

1989: Mrs. Harvey

1989: Mill tower with cap, windshaft and gallery supports

2019: Cap removed by crane and on ground beside the mill

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

Nat Grid Ref TG 31032770
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Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2004