An Introduction to West Blatchington Mill
The exact date when the mill was erected is unknown. However, despite its absence
from earlier maps it is marked on Greenwood's map surveyed in 1823-24. The earliest
pictorial record is a delightful pen and ink sketch drawn by John Constable on
5 November 1825.
In milling terms West Blatchington is a 'Smock'
mill - the name given to the design of those wooden tower mills resembling
the smock frocks worn by millers and agricultural workers of the period.
The tapering tower has six (instead of the conventional eight) sides and
is clad in cedar boarding. The mill is built upon a tall flint and brick
tower which was erected through the centre of a series of barns extending
north, south and west; only the latter now remains. On top of this flint
tower is the wooden staging from which the miller adjusted the shutters in
the sails (known locally as 'sweeps') and operated the brake.
The Mill's Recent History
The mill was purchased
by Hove Borough Council in 1937 having ceased work around 1900. Now a Grade
II listed building it is all that remains of a small community which included
a manor house, part of which dated from the 14th century but was demolished
in 1955.
Restoration of both the exterior and interior, which was carried out by Hove
Borough Council in conjunction with the Friends of the Mill, resulted in
the mill being awarded a Civic Trust Commendation in 1988. In 1997 a new
north barn was built to provide education and meeting facilities, plus refreshments
for visitors.
