David Goldsmith’s impressive model is a 1:24 scale tower mill, similar to, but not a replica of, Ullesthorpe windmill. Information on the mill is scarce, but there are remains of machinery and grind stones with sufficient markings on ceilings, walls and so on to make an informed guess about what it was like in its heyday. Sufficient for David to add to his knowledge of windmill construction to make the model, shown at the Sandown Park exhibition in 2012.

Ullesthorpe lies 3 miles west of Lutterworth in South Leicestershire. Its tower mill was built by subscription in 1800. Like many other village mills it ceased to operate as a windmill before 1900. Some time before that an additional pair of stones had been installed on the first floor, driven by a steam engine in the yard below. The wooden windmill mechanism was not modernised in the mid nineteenth century by replacing it with iron and much of it survives unmodified since it was built.

Although the owners took steps to preserve the mill, which is in a small compound containing the miller’s house, a granary, bake-house and pigsty, the tower has only recently been opened-up for access by the public, who can now climb to the cap.

Open Days are held at intervals during the summer.

http://www.ullesthorpewindmill.org.uk

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