Wray Common Mill, Reigate

Wray Common Mill
The converted mill in 2008
Origin
Mill name	Wray Common Mill
Grid reference	TQ 2689 5109
Coordinates	51°14′42″N0°10′59″W / 51.245°N 0.183°W / 51.245; -0.183 Coordinates: 51°14′42″N0°10′59″W / 51.245°N 0.183°W / 51.245; -0.183
Operator(s)	Private
Year built	1824
Information
Purpose	Corn mill
Type	Tower mill
Storeys	Five storeys
No. of sails	Four sails
Type of sails	Double Patent sails
Windshaft	Cast iron
Winding	Fantail
Fantail blades	Six blades
Auxiliary power	Steam engine, later replaced by an oil engine

Wray Common Mill is a grade II* listed ^[1] tower mill at Reigate, Surrey, England which has been converted to residential use.

History

Wray Common Mill was built in 1824. The mill was worked by wind until 1895 when an accident resulted in a broken sail. The mill had a steam engine, later replaced by an oil engine, as auxiliary power. ^[2] The shutters were removed from the sails c.1900. The condition of the sails rapidly deteriorated and a new set was fitted in 1928 by Thomas Hunt, the Soham millwright. At this time all machinery except the Windshaft and Brake Wheel was removed. ^[3]

Residential Use

Wray Common Mill was converted into residential accommodation in 1967. The mill fell into a state of disrepair in the late 1990s, and a new owner started restoration in 2004. ^[2] It now features four bedrooms, a large kitchen, reception and a wine cellar. It was listed for sale in November 2008 for £995,000. ^[4]

Restoration

The cap was removed on 26 August 2004. ^[5] A new cap was constructed, the building stripped to a bare shell and defects made good, the old tar was stripped, and a new coat applied to the exterior of the tower. The new cap was craned onto the mill in 2005. An application for Listed Building permission to replace the sails was made in 2006. ^[6] The sails were fitted in December 2007, the restoration of the mill's external appearance to more closely match the mill in its working days was done in consultation of Bonwick Milling Heritage Consultancy. ^[7] In a break with tradition, a modern method of producing laminated timber beams was used in making the sails. ^[8] As a result of the work, the mill was removed from the Buildings at Risk Register in 2006. ^[9]

Description

For an explanation of the various pieces of machinery, see Mill machinery.

Wray Common Mill is a five-storey brick tower mill with an ogee cap with a gallery. It has four double Patent sails carried on a cast iron windshaft. The cap is winded by a fantail. The cast iron Brake Wheel alone remains of the machinery, although it is known that the millstones were driven overdrift. The tower is 20 feet (6.10 m) diameter at the base and 12 feet (3.66 m) diameter at the curb, and 45 feet (13.72 m) high to the curb. ^[3]

Millers

• Joseph Coulstock 1824–1832 ^[3]
• Edward LArmer c1850 ^[3]
• Robert Budgen 1855–1857 ^[3]
• Joseph Henry Cooke 1874 ^[3]
• Mrs M Cooke 1895 ^[3]

References

1. Historic England. "WRAY COMMON WINDMILL, REIGATE, REIGATE AND BANSTEAD, SURREY (1029127)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 19 May 2008.
2. "Wray Common Windmill: A History". Wray Common Windmill. Retrieved 19 May 2008.
3. Farries, Kenneth G & Mason, Martin T (1966). The Windmills of Surrey and Inner London. London: Charles Skilton. pp. 179, 191–193.
4. Steele, Francesca (7 November 2008). "The windmill in your mind?". The Times. No. 69475. London. p. 4[S1].
5. "Wray Common windmill, Surrey". Windmill World. Retrieved 19 May 2008.
6. "Wray Common Windmill: The Restoration 2004–2006". Wray Common Windmill. Retrieved 19 May 2008.
7. "REPORT ON CONDITION and RECONSTRUCTION DESIGNS for Wray Common Windmill Project, Reigate, Surrey". Bonwick Milling Heritage Consultancy. Retrieved 19 May 2008.
8. "Kerto puts the wind in Reigate Windmill's sails". Finnforest. Retrieved 19 May 2008.
9. "Building At Risk - Shurland Hall saved by £300,000 grant". News Distribution Service. Archived from the original on 7 August 2011. Retrieved 19 May 2008.