Harpley towermill was built in 1832 to replace the earlier postmill on the same site. The 6 storey tarred red brick tower stood adjacent to the mill house and a selection of outbuildings. As late as 1889 the mill was still using common sails to power 3 pairs of stones. The mill had an Ogee cap with a gallery, stage and fan. The sails revolved in a clockwise direction with the stones thus being driven anticlockwise.

By 1858 wind power was being supplemented by steam power.

Red brick tower
No sails, cap, fantail, windshaft or wallower
6 floors
Doors face south-east

GROUND FLOOR
2 leaf door, window opposite
9 tread ladder left of door
Back trap above foot of ladder at doorway

MEAL FLOOR (1st)
Loading door. 2 windows. Door north-east bricked up
16 tread ladder, ‘twisted’
Wooden bridge trees for two pairs of stones
Iron bridge tree for missing third pair of stones
2 meal spouts
No governors, but bracket and its support
Forked end of steelyard

STONE FLOOR (2nd)
Door to stage. 3 windows
14 tread ‘twisted’ ladder
2 pairs of French burr stones, left-handed, in circular galvanised iron vats with no covers, horses or hoppers
Right-hand pair – 4 ft. 6 ins. diameter 11 ins. deep
Left-hand pair – 4 ft. diam 15 ins. deep. Around eye a cast iron ring:- W.J. & T. Child Makers, Hull & Leeds. (c.1862)
8 arm iron mortice great spur wheel about 7 ft. 6 ins. diameter on iron upright shaft. All cogs, 170+, worn on left side indicating driving stones anticlockwise. (Clockwise sails)
2 7 ft. quants in stones, have nuts on flange jointed extensions.
Stone nuts 18 ins. diameter, all iron, 32 cogs.
3rd quant up against wall, stone spindle on floor. No base for stones.
Another shaft similar to quant but without damsel, behind right-hand stones. Pinion same as stone nuts, but just below it an iron mortice spur wheel, 3 ft. diameter, 6 arms, 71 cogs. Shaft appears to have driven to governors on meal floor, but there is no indication as to what this spur wheel drove.
4 glut boxes.
Bell alarm.
An all iron dog ring (crown wheel) attached to underneath of great spur wheel, about 6 ft. diameter drove two iron mortice pinions on two lay shafts at right angles. Each shaft has wooden belt pulley; larger one, 2 ft. 4 ins. diam. Appears to have driven upwards to sack hoist, other one 1 ft. 6 ins. diameter probably drove downwards.
A wooden roller (as at Wicklewood High St towermill) used when stones lifted, by ladder.

CORN FLOOR (3rd)
2 windows
10 tread ladder
Iron section of upright shaft
Sections of wooden cladding to wall
Top wooden pulley for sack hoist, 2 ft. 4 ins. diam. on floor.

INTERMEDIATE FLOOR (4th)
2 windows
10 tread ladder
Iron section of upright shaft
Ceiling reinforced with concrete etc.

DUST FLOOR (5th)
Only 3 ft. of original wall plus 2 ft. modern brickwork set in from outer edge. Window blocked up. No roof.
Full of brambles. No upright shaft though a piece of an iron shaft is visible through brambles.
Used by Home Guard during 1939/45 War. Access by outside iron ladder. (M.B.)
Later grist grinding done on 4 ft. right-handed Peak stones in outbuildings, by engine power, steam later oil.
4 ft. Peak runner stone in garden by gate, another outside fence.
Some stones given away and others in kennel floor (M.B.)
Survey undertaken with the assistance of Mary Birkbeck, Mill House, Harpley - August 1979

William Norman snr inherited the mill at the age of 26, from his father Thomas Norman of Little Cressingham in 1816 and William's brother Robert inherited the Cressingham mills at the same time. As Harpley towermill was built c.1832, it seems likely that William inherited an earlier postmill on the same site.

At Massingham, Mr. Norman, miller of Harpley.
Mr. Norman had just delivered some flour, and was standing in his cart apparently in a perfect state of health, when suddenly he fell down and expired.
Norwich Mercury - 11th November 1843

Notice to Debtors & Creditors
All Persons indebted to the Estate & Effects of William Norman, late of Harpley in the county of Norfolk, Miller & Baker, deceased, are requested forthwith to pay the amount of their respective debts to Mr. William Norman of Harpley or Mr. Robert Ashley of East Walton.
And all Persons having any claim or demand upon the Estate of the said deceased are requested to deliver the same to the said William Norman or Robert Ashley an account thereof that the same may be forthwith examined & discharged.

To Journeymen Millers
WANTED, a good WORKING MILLER, a Single Man, who is equal to the duty of occasionally Driving a Steam Engine.
Apply to W. Norman, Harpley.
Norfolk News - 7th August 1858

To Journeymen Millers
WANTED, a good WORKING MILLER, a Single Man, who is equal to the duty of occasionally Driving a Steam Engine. Also a Man to Dress Stones.
Application must be made personally to W. Norman, Harpley, Norfolk.
Norfolk News - 21st August 1858

To Millers
WANTED, a Man who thoroughly understands his Business & who is a good Stoneman.
Apply personally to W. Norman, Harpley Mills.
Norfolk News - 11th & 18th December 1858

To Millers
WANTED, a Married Man to take charge of an off mill. Cottage & Garden near the mill.
First rate references as to character required.
Apply personally to W. Norman, Harpley Mill.
Norfolk News - 15th October 1859

THE HURRICANE OF TUESDAY
... at HARPLEY a mill was much damaged.
Norfolk News - 3rd March 1860

To Journeymen Millers
WANTED immediately, two Single Men; they must be good STONEMEN, to work Wind or Steam. Testimonials of good character will be required.
Apply personally to William Norman, Harpley Mills, Norfolk.
Norfolk News - 2nd November 1861

Situations Vacant
To Journeymen Millers
WANTED, a steady active Single Man; must be competent at the Stone Dressing.
Apply personally to W. Norman, Corn Exchange, Lynn on the Tuesday or at Harpley Mills, Norfolk.
Norfolk News - 26th November 1864

Situations Vacant
To Journeymen Millers
WANTED, a Single Man who thoroughly understands his business & to drive a Steam Engine.
Apply personally to W. Norman, Harpley Mills, Rougham, Norfolk.
Norfolk News - 28th October 1865

Situations Vacant
To Journeymen Millers
WANTED, Two Men who thoroughly understand their Business & to drive a Steam Engine.
Apply personally to W. Norman, Harpley Mills, Rougham, Norfolk.
Norfolk News - 11th & 18th November 1865

Situations Vacant
TO MILLERS
Wanted, a single Young Man as IMPROVER.
Apply personally. Mr. W. Norman, Harpley Mills, N orfolk.
Norfolk News - 16th March 1872

FOR SALE
Twenty acres of White Turnips to be fed off the land.
Apply to Mr. Wm. Norman, Harpley Mills.
Lynn Advertiser - 7th December 1872

Wanted, a Young Man as IMPROVER; one of temperate habits preferred.
Apply to Wm. Norman, Harpley Mill, Rougham.
Lynn Advertiser - 23rd August 1873

To Millers
WANTED, a steady industrious young man as Miller. None need apply without first class references.
William Norman, Harpley Mills, Rougham.
Norfolk News - 29th July & 5th August 1876

WANTED, by a Young Man, a situation as Miller. Can be highly recommended by his last employer.
Apply to William Norman, Harpley Mills, Rougham.
Lynn Advertiser - 29th July & 5th August 1876

£2 REWARD
Anyone giving information which shall lead to the conviction of peresons cutting, destroying or illegally using Sacks belonging to & marked "WILLIAM NORMAN. HARPLEY MILLS" shall receive the above reward.
Lynn Advertiser - 23rd March 1878

Wheat Straw
From 16 to 20 Loads of Wheat Straw to be sold.
Apply to W. Norman, Harpley Mills.
Lynn Advertiser - 12th April 1879

DOG CART for Sale.
Apply to J. Norman, Harpley Mills, Swaffham.
Lynn Advertiser - 6th December 1884

TERRIFIC THUNDER & HAIL STORM
Much damage was done here to the residence of ...
At Mr. Norman's Mill the canvas of one of the sails was cut to pieces by the hail stones ...
On Monday morning about 3 or 4 o'c Mr. Norman found large quantities of hail stones some three inches deep in the ground - one measures 4 inches in circumference ... at 8.30 there were scores of hail stones still lying around the mill yard ...
Lynn Advertiser - 6th June 1889

The mill was becoming derelict by 1979 by which time the tar had mostly worn off and the stage that was half way up the tower had long gone. However, at that time some of the machinery was intact and the stones remained.

The metal ladder that used to be up the side of Harpley mill was almost certainly added in the War. A few other tower mills used as observation posts, such as Ingham, and Newton Aycliffe, Durham have these.
Sue Burden - 4th March 2016

I gather that this mill is being turned into a holiday home. A picture "pinned" on Pinterest shows a 2 storey building being built against the tower; this is presently bright blue, but should look quite traditional when it gets its cladding.
The tower was reduced by 3 feet 2 years ago; the curb anchoring bolts which were sticking up in the air have been removed, and I assume that the tower won't be returned to its original height.
Sue Burden - 23rd February 2016

Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2005