Memories of the old windmill which once stood off the road

between Northam and Appledore have been revived in the minds of older residents in the Northam district by the recent demolition of Chanter’s Folly.

The mill stood in a field known as ‘Windmills’ which lies on the Appledore side of the lane leading to Bidna off the main Northam to Appledore road just past Knapp House. Like Chanter’s Folly, the tower fell into disrepair and became a danger to cattle wandering around its base and even inside.

In 1922, the late Mr G H Cork of Watertown Farm, Appeldore, on whose land the mill stood, contracted with Mr Jim Beer of Appledore, for the tower to be taken down. Powder was not to be used, stipulated Mr Cork, as back in 1908 when Mr George Cawsey had owned the field an attempt had been made to blow up the tower and a portion had landed on the roof of Knapp House!

As can be seen, the windmill tower was of brick on a stone base. A good deal of the base remains, but the brick walling, which was some three feet thick, was later used to build a sea-wall under Watertown farm which can be seen today.

Asked if he thought Windmill Lane, Northam, had taken its name from this old windmill, Mr Cork said he thought it was unlikely, although, of course, the mill had been visible from that road.

21 November 1952