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Nestling in against the banks of the lake on Gunton
Park Estate can be found a water- powered saw mill
that has been used by the estate for many years. It
is believ.ed to be the only working one in England.
The lake provides the water to turn two waterwheels
that produce enough power to drive the saw bench
which in its heyday was able to cut a tree using
four saw blades at once but now uses only one
reciprocating blade. |
The Mill before rethatching Ruth Andrews (2007)
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The band of volunteers open the mill several times a
year on open days and private parties can be catered
for also. Thanks to a lottery grant the mill was
able to be rethatched by two local brothers using
local grown reeds from a Norfolk estate. What an
excellent job they did and when you look on the
inside the craftsmanship can truly be admired. |
The saw bench
The head race from the lake
and the two waterwheels
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Editor:
With some other HMG members I visited the sawmill in
2007, where I photographed the crane (right)
used to move logs.
Below is more
information about the sawmill from their website
www.guntonparksawmill.co.uk
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The third Lord Suffield who took over the estate in
1821 decided to build the watermill. With a
considerable head of water behind the dam it made
sense to use this as the power for the sawmill. The
mill became a reality in 1824, a timber and thatch
structure that housed a frame saw and an early
circular saw. These were driven by separate
waterwheels. The original circular saw was replaced
by one from Holmes of Norwich.
Norfolk Industrial Archaeology Society
were alerted to the parlous state of this unique
mill and arranged a survey in 1976 and alerted the
relevant bodies that action was needed if this
historic artefact was to be preserved for the
future. Soon Norfolk County Council,
Norfolk Windmills Trust,
and Norfolk Industrial Archaeology Society had drawn
up a plan to preserve both the saw and building for
future generations
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The belt drive
A small corn mill which enabled the estate to
produce its own flour.
The card reads:
CORN or GRIST Mill
1868 Bought from Ransome & Sims,
Ipswich, price £60
1952 Last used. |
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