1859
Smock mill moved to Punnett's Town
Blackdown Mill was moved from Three Chimneys, Cranbrook, to Punnett's Town in 1859.
Site overview
Blackdown Mill, also known as Punnett's Town Mill and Cherry Clack Mill, is a smock mill at Punnett's Town. It was built at Three Chimneys, Cranbrook, and moved to Punnett's Town in 1859 to replace a burnt post mill. It worked by wind until the 1920s and was partly dismantled in the 1930s.
Later restoration fitted a new cap, fantail, windshaft, and sails.
Map
Map markers and directions links are provided for location reference only and do not indicate public access or permission to enter a site.
No site photograph is currently available. Images will be added as field visits are carried out.
History
Blackdown Mill stands at Punnett's Town and is also known as Punnett's Town Mill or Cherry Clack Mill. It was originally built at Three Chimneys, Cranbrook, Kent, and was moved to Punnett's Town in 1859 to replace a post mill that had burnt down. The move was carried out by Neve's of Heathfield.
The mill was a three-storey smock mill on a single-storey brick base and worked as a corn mill. It worked by wind until the 1920s, when a broken curb prevented the cap from turning to wind. In 1933 Neve's removed the cap and sails and stripped the mill of machinery.
Archie Dallaway began restoration in 1946. A new cap and fantail were fitted, and a windshaft from Staplecross Mill was installed after that mill was demolished in 1951. Four new sails were fitted in 1972.
Timeline
1920–1929
Wind working ended
The mill stopped working by wind in the 1920s after a broken curb prevented the cap from turning to wind.
1933
Cap and sails removed
The cap and sails were removed and the mill was stripped of machinery in 1933.
1946
Restoration begun
Archie Dallaway began restoration of Blackdown Mill in 1946.
1951
Staplecross windshaft installed
A windshaft from Staplecross Mill was installed after Staplecross Mill was demolished in 1951.
1972
New sails fitted
Four new sails were fitted to Blackdown Mill in 1972.
Sources and records
Wikipedia article: Blackdown Mill, Punnetts Town
Mills Archive mill record: Saw mill, Punnett's Town
Windmill World: Punnett's Town windmill
Wikishire article: Blackdown Mill, Punnett's Town
Sussex Industrial History No. 39
Mills Archive mill record: Saw mill, Punnett's Town
Windmill World: Punnett's Town windmill
Wikishire article: Blackdown Mill, Punnett's Town
Sussex Industrial History No. 39