1903
Windpump ceased working
The windpump had ceased working at Ranworth Marshes by 1903.
Site overview
Clayrack Drainage Mill is a hollow-post drainage windpump now standing at How Hill on the east bank of the River Ant. It originally stood on Ranworth Marshes, where it had ceased working by 1903 and later became derelict. The structure is one of the few surviving Norfolk hollow-post windpumps and is fitted with a scoop wheel.
Because its original marshland site was vulnerable and supported nesting birds, the pump was moved in 1981 from Ranworth to How Hill, about 200 yards north of Boardman's Mill. It was restored around 1983 by the millwright Richard Seago and is cared for by the Norfolk Windmills Trust. By 2018 the stocks were in position, but the sails were missing and under restoration.
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
Clayrack Drainage Mill is a small hollow-post windpump preserved at How Hill, on the east bank of the River Ant west of Ludham. The structure did not originally stand at its present site. It was formerly located on Ranworth Marshes, where it had ceased working by 1903.
After the windpump became derelict and was considered in danger of being lost, the decision was taken to move it rather than restore it in place. Ranworth Marshes were also sensitive because of nesting birds, which would have been vulnerable to disturbance during restoration works. In 1981 Clayrack was moved to How Hill and set up about 200 yards north of Boardman's Mill.
The relocated pump was restored around 1983 by the millwright Richard Seago. Clayrack is one of the remaining Norfolk hollow-post windpumps and is notable for retaining the drainage-pump form rather than being a converted corn mill. It has a miniature cap, sails and fantail arrangement based on larger tower drainage mills, and unlike Palmer's Mill it is associated with a scoop wheel.
In 2018 the stocks were in situ, but the sails were missing and were being restored. The surviving structure is therefore both a rare drainage-mill type and a conservation relocation from its original working marshland site.
Timeline
1981
Moved to How Hill
The derelict hollow-post windpump was moved from Ranworth Marshes to How Hill.
1983
Windpump restored
The relocated windpump was restored by millwright Richard Seago around 1983.
2018
Sails under restoration
The stocks were in place, but the sails were missing and under restoration.
Sources and records
Norfolk Mills: Ludham Clayrack drainage windmill
Wikipedia article: Clayrack Drainage Mill
Norfolk Windmills Trust visitor guide reference
Wikipedia article: Clayrack Drainage Mill
Norfolk Windmills Trust visitor guide reference