Description and History of Site:-

Heckington mill was originally built as a five-sailed mill in 1830.

In 1890 the mill was substantially damaged in a thunderstorm which destroyed the original sails and cap. These were replaced with the cap and set of eight sails taken from a redundant mill in Skirbeck of 1813, near Boston, together with the associated machinery including five pairs of stones and by 1892 the mill was back in operation.

John Pocklington the miller died in 1941 and by 1945/46 milling ended and the mill was purchased by Kesteven County Council in 1953. After restoration works in 1986 and further repairs in 2004, the mill is now in full working order. It is now in the ownership of Lincolnshire County Council, and is maintained and operated by volunteers from the Heckington Windmill Trust.

Only some 7 or 8, eight sailed mills were built in Britain and Heckington is the last surviving example. Other surviving mills nearby are: Maud Foster Mill in Boston, Dobson's Mill in Burgh-le-Marsh, Alford Mill and Sibsey Trader Mill.

Midland Wind & Water Mills Group (2024): 'Heckington's unique eight-sailed mill stands in an historic complex newly restored as a contemporary visitor attraction to engage the whole family. The 8 Sail Brewery champions award winning beer using malt ground in the mill. The Miller's House Tearoom offers home baked breads and cakes you can enjoy whilst viewing the windmill which supplies the flour. Follow the food-chain up to the windmill itself and explore the ingenuity and engineering behind the milling process. Enthusiasts run the venue, helping you understand the fascinating story of the mill and the milling families that worked there.'

Further Reading and References:-

Wheeler W H. 'History of the fens of South Lincolnshire'. 2nd ed, Boston and London, 1896
Cossons, Neil. 'The BP Book of Industrial Archaeology'. David & Charles, 1975
Dolman P, Lincolnshire Windmills - A Contemporary Survey, Lincolnshire County Council, 1985
Labrum E A, Civil Engineering Heritage - Eastern and Central England, Thomas Telford, 1994
Wright N R. 'Lincolnshire's Industrial Heritage - A Guide'. Society for Lincolnshire History and Archaeology, 2004

http://www.heckingtonwindmill.org.uk/explore-history.html

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Key Words :- windmill, towermill, cornmill

Viewing the Site :- Open to the public see web site for details

Address :- Hale Road, Heckington, Sleaford, Lincolnshire, NG34 9JW
Grid Ref :- TF14574354
Co-ordinates :- Lat 52.976974 , Long -0.295150
Local Authority :- North Kesteven District Council
Pre 1974 County :- Lincolnshire - Kesteven
Site Status :- Listed - Grade I
Historic England List No - 1168815,
Site Condition :- Operational site, in use for original purpose
Site Dates :- 1830 -
Contributor :- Nick Nelson - 22 October 2019

Copyright :- cc-by-nc-sa 4.0 © Nick Nelson