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Drainage-mill function recorded
Windmill World records the site as a tower drainage mill.
Site overview
Ugg Mere Mill is a former fenland drainage windpump near Ramsey St Mary's. Ramsey and District Community Archive records it as Ugg Mere Mill and steam engine building, St Mary's, Ramsey, used in draining the fens, with a coverage date of 1910-1930. Windmill World identifies the same site as Ramsey St Mary's windmill and records the Mills Archive name St Mary's Mill, Ramsey.
It describes the site as a tower drainage mill, derelict. Great Fen heritage material shows a brick-built windmill and engine shed at Ugg Mere in the early twentieth century and explains its drainage role in lifting water from field ditches into higher drains. Later photographic-register evidence records a capless tower in September 1972.
The consulted sources do not give a construction date, machinery specification or final working date.
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
Ugg Mere Mill stands in the fenland around Ramsey St Mary's and is documented as a drainage windpump rather than a corn mill. The strongest local name is Ugg Mere Mill, used by Ramsey and District Community Archive in a record describing “Ugg Mere Mill and Steam engine building, St Mary's, Ramsey Cambridgeshire”, used in the draining of the fens. Windmill World identifies the site as Ramsey St Mary's windmill and gives the Mills Archive name as St Mary's Mill, Ramsey.
The function is recorded as a drainage mill, and the present condition as derelict. Great Fen heritage material places a brick-built windmill and engine shed at Ugg Mere, Ramsey St Mary, in the early twentieth century, and sets it within the fenland drainage system in which windmills powered pumps to lift water from field ditches into higher drains. The Community Archive image has a coverage date of 1910-1930.
The Windmill Photographic Register records the later survival of a capless tower, including an A. C. Smith photograph from September 1972. No construction date, builder, drainage authority, scoop-wheel or pump details, steam-engine specification or date of disuse has been identified in the consulted sources. The surviving record supports a former brick tower windpump and associated engine-building site, now represented by derelict remains.
Timeline
1910–1930
Ugg Mere Mill recorded in drainage use
Ramsey and District Community Archive records Ugg Mere Mill and its steam engine building as used in draining the fens, with image coverage dated 1910-1930.
1972
Capless tower photographed
The Windmill Photographic Register records an A. C. Smith photograph of the capless tower in September 1972.
Sources and records
Ramsey and District Community Archive record for Ugg Mere Mill
Windmill World entry for Ramsey St Mary's windmill
Mills Archive record for St Mary's Mill, Ramsey
Windmill Photographic Register entry for Ramsey St Mary's tower windpump
Great Fen heritage article on fenland drainage
Windmill World entry for Ramsey St Mary's windmill
Mills Archive record for St Mary's Mill, Ramsey
Windmill Photographic Register entry for Ramsey St Mary's tower windpump
Great Fen heritage article on fenland drainage