year of George III’s reign, 1794.
‘Farmer George’ he was nicknamed
and England was a very rural place
to live in at the time. A gentleman
by the name of Ralph Slater was
responsible for her construction.
Initially the mill was used to grind
various grades of flour under
generations of millers. But at the
turn of the century, with the
demand for finer white flour, which
new sophisticated machinery
driven by steam and later electricity
was producing, the Mill went over
to grinding meal for farm use until
1922 when the Tomlinsons were
the last millers. The Mill was used as
a cafe in the 1930’s and is now
owned by Melrose Investments Ltd.
The Mill was restored externally to
completion by ‘Hansons’ and
‘Thompsons’ and internally most of
the machinery is intact.
Mr Heapy had achieved much
progress in this direction,
almost single-handed, and with
the help of the District Council, he
organised a Preservation Committee.
1794
The Mill was built by Ralph Slater, upon low common land, which was drained Marsh Mill (hence the name Marsh Mill) The land was owned by Bold Fleetwood Hesketh.
1896
The Mill had new sails fitted, whilst being
updated by its owner Parkinson Tomlinson.
1922
The Mill was closed down after a spell of
producing animal feed.
1928
The Mill was converted into a tea shop, which as used until 1935.
1930
Two ladies were killed when the fantail staging they were on collapsed, sending them tumbling to the ground.
1957
The Mill was bought by Thornton Cleveleys
Urban District Council (later Wyre Borough
Council.
1965
The exterior of the Mill was restored to its
former glory.
1972
Walter Heapy formed the Windmill
Preservation Society.
1983
A fierce storm left the Mill with only three
sails.
1988
Plans were drawn up to fully restore the Mill
to working order.
1990
The work was completed and the sails turned for the first time in sixty years.
