1836
Norwich Road Mill built
James Hardy of Toftwood built the five-storey brick tower mill for Michael Hardy.
Site overview
East Dereham Windmill, also known as Norwich Road Mill or Fendick's Mill, is a five-storey brick tower corn mill built in 1836. It was constructed by James Hardy of Toftwood for Michael Hardy and advertised in 1837 as a newly erected brick tower windmill with two pairs of stones, patent sails, self-winding gear and an iron shaft. William Fendick bought the mill in 1844, and the Fendick family operated it through much of the nineteenth century.
Steam power was later added and eventually replaced by paraffin power. The mill worked by engine until 1937. After decline and threatened demolition, it passed into public ownership in 1978, was restored and opened in 1987, and reopened in 2013 as a Community Exhibition Centre.
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
East Dereham Windmill stands on Norwich Road and is also known as Norwich Road Mill or Fendick's Mill. It was built in 1836 by James Hardy of Toftwood for Michael Hardy. In December 1837 it was advertised as a newly erected and substantially built brick tower windmill near the turnpike road from Dereham to Norwich and within ten minutes' walk of the market place.
The five-floor mill drove two pairs of stones and had a flour mill, jumper, patent sails, self-winding gear, an iron shaft and other machinery, with stable, cart lodge and adjoining land. John Armes occupied the mill from 1837. In 1844 it was bought by William Fendick, and the Fendick family remained closely associated with the mill through the later nineteenth century.
Steam power was added as auxiliary power, and after the sails were removed around the 1920s the steam engine was replaced by a paraffin engine. The mill continued to work by engine until 1937. It was later sold to Green's Nurseries, and proposed demolition was refused because the mill was listed.
Breckland District Council bought the mill for £1 in 1978. Repairs and landmark restoration followed, and the restored mill opened to the public on 14 September 1987. Dereham Town Council took over the mill in 2002.
After further storm damage, funding attempts and renewed restoration work, the mill reopened in September 2013 as a Community Exhibition Centre.
Timeline
1837
Newly erected mill advertised
The mill was advertised as a newly erected brick tower windmill with patent sails, self-winding gear and two pairs of stones.
1844
William Fendick bought mill
William Fendick bought the mill after it was sold with other milling properties.
1937
Engine-powered milling ended
The mill continued working by engine until 1937.
1978
Public ownership secured
Breckland District Council bought the mill for £1 after demolition proposals had been refused.
1987
Restored mill opened
The restored tower mill was formally opened to the public.
2013
Community Exhibition Centre opened
The restored mill reopened as a Community Exhibition Centre.
Sources and records
Norfolk Mills: East Dereham tower windmill
Wikipedia article: East Dereham Windmill
Dereham Windmill public information
Windmill World entry: East Dereham windmill
Wikipedia article: East Dereham Windmill
Dereham Windmill public information
Windmill World entry: East Dereham windmill