Cat And Fiddle Mill

Cat and Fiddle Mill is a Grade I listed windmill located on Ladywood Road in the parish of Dale Abbey. It is of the Midlands post type, meaning the body rotates around the head of the post, with additional support from rollers in the roundhouse below. The mill is dated 1788 on the upper cross tree and is constructed from coursed squared gritstone, brick, and timber. It features a circular gritstone base that tapers upwards, reinforced by four later brick buttresses. There are two doorways with plank doors.

The superstructure is weather-boarded and has a gabled top that projects on one side, while the opposite side has a lean-to projection with plank double doors. From these doors, a hinged broad step ladder descends, allowing access to the turning post. On the opposite side, the mill is equipped with four wooden sails of the spring type. Inside, a massive crown tree in the base supports the superstructure, and the upper part contains the wire machine, mill stones, wind shaft, brake, and drive wheels. The machinery is almost in working condition. This mill is one of only three preserved examples of its type in the Midlands, with the other two being substantially rebuilt.