Windmills

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Windmills

Windmills were very popular and did an important job in the old days. They are particularly popular in Holland where they are known for their windmills. They appear in Dutch works of art as well as paintings by artists such as John Constable. Different kinds of windmills served various purposes. Some were drainage mills, others were corn mills and industrial mills.
The windmill on Wimbledon Common was used for making flour that came from wheat. Although there were other windmills nearby the locals didn't like the flour made by the factory. As they didn't trust them to do it correctly. They preferred to grind their own wheat. The windmill was built in 1817 by a carpenter from the neighbouring town of Roehampton. It was specifically created in order to serve the community. When the 5th Earl Spencer who was Lord of the Manor at the time wanted to build a Manor house where the windmill was and to close in the common. The locals rose up against it and a 6 year legal battle occurred. From this came the Wimbledon and Putney commons Act of 1871. This meant the common belonged to the local community.
The windmill ceased working however in 1864 it does remain a fine example and is now a museum.
The earliest windmills were around 1185. They were invented as a substitute for animal power. When it came to grinding wheat or corn. What eventually made them become redundant was the invention of electricity, steam power as well as combustion engine. By the end of World War I there were just 350 windmills still working. After World War II it was a mere 50 that were left. Windmills could come back into fashion they have a natural beauty and are a better, greener way of supplying power.

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