Berney Arms Drainage Mill | windmill, interesting place

 windmill, interesting place

The windmill was built in 1865 for the Reedham Cement Company by the millwright firm of Stolworthy. At first, it was used to grind cement clinker, using clay dredged from Oulton Broad and brought to the mill by wherry. The wherries brought mud and lime to be fired at nearby kilns. The kilns produced a clinker which was ground to a powder in the windmill. Cement production closed down in 1880 and in 1883 the windmill was converted to work the drainage scoop to drain the surrounding marshland. The long period of restoration began in 1951.

Berney Arms Windmill is now operated as a tourist attraction and is managed by English Heritage. English Heritage removed all four sails and these were finally replaced on 25 May 2007. The cap was replaced in 2003 and the fantail on 22 April 2006. The windmill is closed for renovation work (January 2008).

www.norfolkmills.co.uk/WindmillsD/berney-arms-drainage....