Stone Cross Windmill www.sussexmillsgroup.org.uk

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Stone Cross Windmill

Saving Your Heritage

Stone Cross Windmill is located on high ground in the village of Stone Cross, just north of Eastbourne in East Sussex. The Tower Mill was built for Mr Samuel Dallaway and work commenced on site in 1875 with the construction of the brick tower by Mr Thomas Hunnisett, a builder of Gardner Street, Herstmonceux. The tower was then equipped with machinery by the well-known millwright, Mr Stephen Neve & Sons of Warbleton, and the work was completed in 1876 ready for operation. This windmill was the last of her type to be built in Sussex and includes many of the design features that had evolved over the years.

She ceased working commercially in 1937, and in 1952 was officially designated as a Grade II* Listed Building. In the following years some work was carried out by the owner(s) but by the 1990s she was in a very poor state of repair and so in 1995 the direct intervention of Wealden District Council and Sussex Mills Group, Stone Cross Mill Trust was specially set up to legally acquire the ownership of the mill with the specific aim of restoration and preservation. In 1996 the Trust became a registered charity. A plan to restore the mill to working condition was produced and costed with generous grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the South East England Development Agency, East Sussex County Council, Wealden District Council and many other funding charities, work commenced in September 1998. The project was divided into three phases, (a) the mill tower and all machinery, (b) the roundel at the base of the tower, and (c) the oak-framed Mill Store, and contracts were duly placed. By 2000 most of the tower restoration had been completed and stoneground flour was produced for sale for the first time in over 60 years. With much hard work by the Trustees and the volunteers the outstanding restoration was completed by 2002; a very creditable operation in the timescale and the budget. Volunteers have now to continue with the preservation and maintenance for the interest of future generations of such a fine example of our Industrial Heritage. The mill is open to the public on Sunday afternoons between 2pm and 5pm from April to September and admission is free. Whilst there is no car parking at the mill, there are spaces in the adjoining roads. Arrangements can be made for organised groups to visit privately. Donations are invited to enable us to continue the work and souvenirs and our own stoneground flour are on sale in the Mill Store. New members are always welcome and may help with maintenance, fundraising, and guiding our visitors on open days.       Open Days in 2007 Stone Cross Windmill is open to visitors    on Sundays from 8th April to 30th September inclusive 2 pm to 5 pm       Also open on :   The Saturday and Sunday of National Mills Weekend 10 am to 4 pm               Volunteers are needed to look after visitors each Sunday afternoon in our Open Season, so please volunteer if you can spare an afternoon or two. You are not expected to make a commitment for the whole season, so why not give one Sunday a try. You don't have to know all there is to know about the windmill and milling, as there are folders available giving details and none of us has all the information on the top of our head ! The important thing is to be willing to meet with and talk to people when they visit.       Local No. 5 bus - If you live in the Pevensey Bay, Pevensey, Westham and Stone Cross area, no doubt you have seen these buses about. They pass the mill every hour, either from the Langley area, having come from the town centre via the hospital, or from the town centre via Pevensey Bay. It doesn't matter if you have no car or it's too far to walk, you can still visit the mill.       Flour - Stocks are normally available from the mill, Stone Cross Garden Centre, Sharnfold PYO, Fairfields Farm Shop and on the second Saturday of every month at the Village Market in St. Wilfrid's Hall at Pevensey Bay. The flour is milled to a high standard from organic grain grown locally.       Private group visits - In addition to the mill's usual opening hours, we are able to book weekday visits between 10 am and 5 pm, so do get in touch if you are interested.       Slide Talks - During the year, talks about the restoration of the windmill contribute to mill funds. Speakers fees are donated to Stone Cross Windmill. If you belong to a group that has to find speakers for meeting please contact us. The Trust has its own equipment and talks have been give in homes, clubs, church halls and hotels etc. morning, afternoon and evening. We would be pleased to discuss your requirements.       Click here for details of events at Stone Cross Windmill and other Sussex Mills         Mill Trust receives prestigious award On 19 November 2004 Stone Cross Mill Trust were extremely pleased to receive a letter from the Chairman of the Mills Section of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, Mrs. Mildred Cookson, informing them that they had secured a high profile award 'in recognition of the high quality of the restoration of the mill back to working order'. Historically only twelve such awards have been presented to mills in the whole of the UK since the inception of the award scheme in 1991 and so far this is the only mill in East Sussex to be recognised in this way. The recommendation for the award was submitted by the Chairman of the Sussex Mills Group, Mr. Peter J. Hill, and was approved by SPAB on what is the tenth anniversary of Stone Cross Mill Trust. The Trust was formed to legally acquire the ownership of the windmill and attract funding to enable the Grade II* building to be restored to working order. The major funding was thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund with an input of £173,000 and this was increased by key partners such as the South East England Development Agency, East Sussex County Council, Wealden District Council and others to a total of some £230,000. Monday, 10th January 2005 dawned wet and slightly windy but this did not deter some 35 invited guests from attending the presentation at Stone Cross Windmill. The guests represented all aspects of the project including financing, planning, design, and construction as well as some Friends of the Trust. This presentation was to be the last public engagement of our principal guest Mrs. Mildred Cookson, before retiring from office and she was met at the mill by Mr. W. John Hone, Chairman of Stone Cross Mill Trust and Mr. Peter Hill. Mr. Hone welcomed Mrs. Cookson who spoke of the importance of quality restoration and preservation of mills, which are a part of our industrial heritage. After the presentation of the plaque to Mr. Hone by Mrs. Cookson, Mr. Peter Hill concluded the formal part of the ceremony by commenting on the enthusiasm and dedication of all at Stone Cross and the need for all guardians of mills in Sussex to retain that commitment to ensure the preservation of all these fine examples of our Industrial Heritage. The award, represented by a bronze plaque, was made with the agreement of the committee of the Mills Section SPAB '...in recognition of the high quality of the restoration of the mill back to working order.' Following the ceremony, during which many photographs were taken, guests were invited into the Mill Store where some of the Friends had arranged wine and canapes. To complete the day some 20 guests later enjoyed lunch with Mrs. Cookson at the local Red Lion Public House restaurant. In 2006, Dave Picton took over the role of Chairman from John Hone, who retired for health reasons. The Trust would like to publicly thank John Hone for all the hard work and dedication he put into the running of the Trust and the Mill. It is hoped that in time we will set up a museum in which we will include John's stories of the mill in his youth as well at those of other long standing residents. Click Here for a Virtual Tour of Stone Cross windmill   Click Here for the history of Stone Cross windmill   Click Here to return to the Sussex Mills Group web site Stone Cross Windmill Contact : Mrs Hazel Picton "Haysend" 52 Tillingham Way Stone Cross Pevensey East Sussex   BN24 5PS e-mail : hpicton398@btinternet.com