Broad Eye Windmill
Broad Eye Windmill | |
---|---|
General information | |
Architectural style | Windmill |
Town or city | Stafford, Staffordshire, West Midlands |
Country | England |
Coordinates | 52°48′26″N 2°07′22″W / 52.807094°N 2.122786°W |
Completed | 1796 |
The Broad Eye Windmill is an historic windmill in the county town of Stafford, Staffordshire, England. The windmill is currently home to Windmill Broadcasting, and is looked after by the Friends of Broad Eye Windmill.[1]
It operated as a mill for 100 years, with the sails being removed in 1897. Over the next 100 or so years, numerous businesses operated from the Broad Eye Windmill, including a butchers.
The patron of the Broad Eye Windmill is actor, TV presenter and historian Tony Robinson.[2]
History
18th century
Despite the town having three
Using stone from the early
19th century
In 1835, to keep up with demand, a
20th century
In 1919, the lower part of the windmill was converted into a shop, and, from the early 1920s until 1931, it was trading as a
Present day
In 1966, the Friends of Broad Eye Windmill[5] was created to look after the mill with the idea of returning it to its former glory, whilst establishing a heritage and education centre within. They aim to renew damaged oak support beams, Joists and floorboards so the next storey can be used as a museum and heritage centre. Inside the windmill lie artifacts and photographs relating to the Windmill and Stafford's industrial past. Currently, only the ground floor and basement are accessible.[6]
The Friends of Broad Eye Windmill frequently hold open days[7] throughout the summer, to give people an idea of what the Mill's interior is like, and to raise awareness of the renovation of the windmill. Donations towards the Windmill are always being collected, which goes towards the renovation and preservation of the Broad Eye Windmill.
Windmill Broadcasting
In 2016, Windmill Broadcasting, a local community radio station, started broadcasting from the Broad Eye Windmill. As well as being based in the Mill, the station works with the windmill members to assist with fundraising and renovation, and to help promote the windmill.[citation needed]
See also
References
- ^ Broad Eye Windmill, Stafford - Friends of Broad Eye Windmill Archived 2014-06-25 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Stafford Radio at Broadeye windmill
- ^ "Staffordshire Centre Newsletter - January 2014" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
- ^ Parts of windmill being sold to raise much needed cash « Express & Star
- ^ "Windmill opens door to aid restoration fund | Staff Newsletter". Archived from the original on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
- ^ "Back to the grind for Burh Day celebration at Stafford's Broad Eye Windmill | Staff Newsletter". Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
- ^ "Arts and crafts at the Broad Eye Windmill open day | Staff Newsletter". Archived from the original on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 16 August 2014.