Thelnetham Windmill
Thelnetham Windmill, also known as Button's Mill is a Grade II* listed tower mill constructed of brick. The windmill is located at Thelnetham, Suffolk, England. It was built in the early nineteenth century to grind wheat into flour. Thelnetham windmill worked by wind power until 1924, latterly on two sails, after which it became derelict.
| Thelnetham Windmill | |
|---|---|
The restored mill, photographed in 2006 | |
| Origin | |
| Mill name | Button's Mill |
| Mill location | TM 011 790 |
| Coordinates | 52°22′19″N 0°57′18″E |
| Operator(s) | Thelnetham Mill Preservation Trust |
| Year built | 1819 |
| Information | |
| Purpose | Corn mill |
| Type | Tower mill |
| Storeys | Four storeys |
| No. of sails | Four sails |
| Type of sails | Double Patent sails |
| Windshaft | Cast iron |
| Winding | Fantail |
| Fantail blades | Eight blades |
| Auxiliary power | Originally a Portable steam engine, then an oil engine, now a Ruston & Hornsby diesel engine |
| No. of pairs of millstones | Two pairs driven by wind, plus one pair driven by engine |
| Size of millstones | 4 feet 4 inches (1.32 m) and 4 feet 7 inches (1.40 m) diameter. Engine driven stones 4 feet 6 inches (1.37 m) diameter. |
| Other information | Oldest surviving tower mill in Suffolk. |
In 1979, a group of enthusiasts purchased Thelnetham windmill for restoration. Numerous volunteers helped to restore the mill to full working order over an eight-year period. The mill is open to the public, and flour ground at the mill can be bought at the site.
The mill is a small four storey tower mill with Patent sails and winded by a fantail. It drives two pairs of millstones, with a third pair driven by an auxiliary engine.