The shell of a forgotten 200-year-old windmill hidden in the countryside is to be restored to its former working glory – thanks to the vision of an enthusiast.
The remains of the mill, which sit in a five acre plot of land close to The Windmill Pub, Rowton, is believed to date back to the late 1700s and was bought by its present owner one year ago.
Andrew Norman, 52, and his partner Angie Bidwell, 44, first stumbled across the mill, its derelict cottage and outbuildings in 2002, at a time when it had received planning permission to be turned in to an office.
Their vision now is to transform the mill back to its prime, with working sails and full interior functions compatible with the mid-1800s, including an eight foot diameter wheel, and they hope to produce stone-ground flour.
Mr Norman said: “Windmills are something of an obsession for me. What we want is a working mill with sails, so that people can see them turning from a distance and for children to say, ‘Look, it’s a windmill’.”
Mr Norman will undertake most of the labour himself, with help from his millwright Adam Marriott, along with the renovation of the derelict cottage.
Mystery surrounds the early days of the mill, but it is known that a lease for the land was registered with miller John Dovey in 1774. The couple are appealing to the public to help them locate pictures or drawings of the mill or others like it, and for details of miller John Dovey.
No date has yet been set for the completion of the project. Mr Norman said: “All my life I have performed restorations on a shoe string budget and I really would encourage people to follow their dreams.”
•If you have any information about the mill email jbutterworth@shrewsburychronicle.co.uk or call 01743 283322.