Wray Common Mill, Reigate

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The converted mill in 2008
The converted mill in 2008

Wray Common Mill (TQ 269 511 51°14′42″N 0°10′59″W / 51.245, -0.183) is a grade II* listed[1] tower mill at Reigate, Surrey, England which has been converted to residential use.

Contents

[edit] History

Wray Common Mill was built in the 1824 and worked by wind until 1895 when an accident resulted in a broken sail. The mill had a steam engine, later replaced by an oil engine, as auxiliary power.[2] The shutters were removed from the sails c.1900. The condition of the sails rapidly deteriorated and a new set was fitted in 1928 by Thomas Hunt, the Soham millwright. At this time all machinery except the Windshaft and Brake Wheel was removed.[3]

[edit] Residential Use

Wray Common Mill was converted into residential accommodation in 1967. The mill fell into a state of disrepair in the late 1990s, and a new owner started restoration in 2004.[2] It now features four bedrooms, a utility/cloakroom, a kitchen/dining room, reception, bathroom, shower room, wine cellar and a garden with a terrace. It was listed for sale on UK property website Primelocation in 2007. [4]

[edit] Restoration

The cap was removed on 26 August 2004.[5] A new cap was constructed, the building stripped to a bare shell and defects made good, the old tar was stripped, and a new coat applied to the exterior of the tower. The new cap was craned onto the mill in 2005. An application for Listed Building permission to replace the sails was made in 2006.[6] The sails were fitted in December 2007, the restoration of the mill's external appearance to more closely match the mill in its working days was done in consulation of Bonwick Milling Heritage Consultancy.[7] In a break with tradition, a modern method of producing laminated timber beams was used in making the sails.[8] As a result of the work, Wray Common Mill was removed from the Buildings at Risk Register in 2006.[9]

[edit] Description

For an explanation of the various pieces of machinery, see Mill machinery.

Wray Common Mill is a five storey brick tower mill with an ogee cap with a gallery. It has four double Patent sails carried on a cast iron windshaft. The cap is winded by a fantail. The cast iron Brake Wheel alone remains of the machinery, although it is known that the millstones were driven overdrift. The tower is 20 feet (6.10 m) diameter at the base and 12 feet (3.66 m) diameter at the curb, and 45 feet (13.72 m) high to the curb.[3]


[edit] Millers

  • Joseph Coulstock 1824 - 1832
  • Edward LArmer c1850
  • Robert Budgen 1855 - 1857
  • Joseph Henry Cooke 1874
  • Mrs M Cooke 1895

References for above:-[3]


[edit] References

  1. ^ WRAY COMMON WINDMILL, REIGATE, REIGATE AND BANSTEAD, SURREY. English Heritage. Retrieved on 2008-05-19.
  2. ^ a b Wray Common Windmill: A History. Wray Common Windmill. Retrieved on 2008-05-19.
  3. ^ a b c Farries, Kenneth G and Mason, Martin T (1966). The Windmills of Surrey and Inner London. London: Charles Skilton, 179, 191-193. 
  4. ^ Wray Common Mill featured on Primelocation.com
  5. ^ Wray Common windmill, Surrey. Windmill World. Retrieved on 2008-05-19.
  6. ^ Wray Common Windmill: The Restoration 2004-2006. Wray Common Windmill. Retrieved on 2008-05-19.
  7. ^ REPORT ON CONDITION and RECONSTRUCTION DESIGNS for Wray Common Windmill Project, Reigate, Surrey. Bonwick Milling Heritage Consultancy. Retrieved on 2008-05-19.
  8. ^ Kerto® puts the wind in Reigate Windmill’s sails. Finnforest. Retrieved on 2008-05-19.
  9. ^ Building At Risk - Shurland Hall saved by £300,000 grant. News Distribution Service. Retrieved on 2008-05-19.
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