Dobson'S Windmill

Dobson's Windmill is an 1813 windmill built by Oxleys of Alford and restored in 1947. It is made of tarred brick and features a wooden ogee-shaped cap with moulded brick eaves, ball finials, a fantail, and five 'left handed' patent sails. The windmill stands five storeys tall, with steps leading up to the northeast doorway, which has a segmental head and double panelled doors. The building has four two-light sliding sash windows, arranged one above the other, on the northeast side. The southeast and northwest sides each have three two-light sliding sashes, also arranged one above the other. The southwest side features four two-light sliding sashes, one above the other, along with a blocked opening at ground floor level where a steam traction engine was previously located to power a fourth set of stones. The stage has been removed from the second storey, and windows have been inserted into the original door openings. Inside, the machinery is in full working order and includes a composite brake wheel with an iron hub, spokes, and teeth, as well as a wooden rim. There is an iron brake band and an iron wallower with morticed wooden cogs. A sack hoist with an endless chain is driven from the underside of the wallower. The windmill also contains an iron great spur wheel with mortice stone nuts, tentering, a governor, and spouts. It has three pairs of stones, including two pairs of greys and one pair of French, along with two partitioned bin floors. Additional machinery includes an Improved Corncrushing mill and an animal food mixing machine.