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Aylmers (Elmers) Mill

This Smock Mill, known collectively as Aylmers, Elmers and Ockley Mill, was built upon the land tenured by Mr. Aylmer by Thomas Coldman in 1803 for Robert harrison of Harley Street, London, at a grand cost of 5s 9¼d ( £735).

Edward Coldman is thought to have stopped grinding around 1905 and the mill was left to stand. Being of wooden construction upon an octagonal brick base, the mill soon began to deteriorate and fell into disrepair. Ernest Christie, a local artist attempted to save the structure in 1924, but by 1930 the first floor had fallen and later two of the sails.

It finally collapsed on the 23rd November 1944.

Luckily, this is a story with a happy ending as Peter James has taken on the restoration and rebuilding of the Mill, and work has already started on clearing the base and creating an access road. For up to date news and pictures of Peter's progress, please visit his site at www.ockleywindmill.co.uk

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