HIAS Projects

HIAS Rescue & Restoration Section Update (February 2007)

Mick Edgeworth

Timsbury             - Water wheel driven water pump

Wheel            - Complete except for touching up paintwork

Weir              - Complete except for capping

Bypass sluice - Made but not installed yet due to high water levels

Wheel sluice  - Complete

Pump            - Reconditioning complete

Pipework      - Some still to be installed

Wherwell Mill      -Turbine installation jammed and partially dismantled

 - Awaiting finish of building work on mill before recommencing

Weed Rack - Installed

Turbine drive to generators - still to be overhauled

                                             (will need to be dismantled to work on turbine)

Turbine       - requires dismantling and rotor made to rotate

                   - missing parts to be sourced

Chilland Mill       -Turbine (electricity generation)

- needs inspecting when water flows permit

- Consultancy work ongoing

Durley Mill        - Water wheel requires reconditioning

Water wheel - Sole plates require replacement

Bishopstoke Mill    -Turbines - Display or Electricity Generation

- Ongoing consultancy work proceeding

Hockley Mill       -Cracked pit wheel

Pit wheel     - Estimate obtained for stitching

- arrangements to fund repairs under consultation.

Beaulieu Mill      - Repair work after fire

- move mill stones to enable work on hurst frame to proceed

The Alresford Eel House

The Alresford Eel House, the last remaining one in Hampshire, has fallen into a poor state of repair.    HIAS was asked informally to assess whether they could could contribute to its repair.  In the end it was decided that the work required specialised expertise.  See here for pictures and news on its planned restoration.

The Crux Easton Wind Engine Project

The opening ceremony of the restored Crux Easton Wind Engine was done by Sir George Young

on September 25, 2002.

Restoring the Crux Easton Wind Engine

The joint HIAS / Hampshire Mills Group "Heavy Gang" worked in conjunction with the British Engineerium to dismantle an 1892 example of a John Wallis Titt built Wind Engine of the geared type at Crux Easton. This was erected on what was then Lord Caernavron's land to pump water from a 400 ft well. It could also be clutched in to grind grain or drive a circular saw.

Unused since the 1920's it survived the metal collections of the second world war and the great gales in the late 1980's, but was showing its age before the CRUX Easton Wind Engine Conservation Trust obtained grants from the National Lottery, Hampshire County Council and Basingstoke & Deane District Council for its restoration.

  Click on the images to see the full size pictures

Over a week in September, the structure was carefully stripped into its component parts by professionals and amateurs working close together. The Wind Engine was then taken to Hove for restoration.

When this had taken place it was returned to its home at Crux Easton and carefully reassembled by the same team of enthusiasts in full working order for the first time for over 70 years.

There have been a number of interesting "Finds" at the site. In particular, wine bottles bearing the seal of "E.J.Lisle Esq  1723" (He died in 1722). [Or is it because of the calendar change in 1752  the months of January, February & March (up to 25th) in the years 1582-1752 have a double year ? So is the date Julian or Gregorian?]

Grants for Restoration of the Wind Engine

(The following excerpts are taken from the documentation put together to support the application for grants)

The Wind Engine and Mill House are Grade II listed buildings.  They  are the subject  of a  Heritage Lottery application  to repair  the wind engine so that it can pump water from the well in the adjacent Mill House and be maintained as a permanent exhibition.   The total project cost is estimated to be £226,180 (including VAT), £149,750 has been applied for from the Heritage Lottery Fund grant.

Mill House

This late C18/early C19 red brick building with half-hipped plain clay tile roof is believed to have been constructed as a structure  housing a wheel for the use of manpower to bring water up from the  well.  The building has been adapted for the purposes of milling grain utilising power from the wind engine.  The proposed grant will contribute to the cost of repairs to the roof, timber repairs, replacement of rotted timbers, stitching of cracks  and  repointing  of  brickwork  and  the  installation   of cast-iron rainwater goods. The total cost of eligible works is £54,490.  It is proposed that a  grant of  up to  £5,449  (10% of  the  eligible works)  is  offered towards  the costs of repair to this building.

Wind Engine

The wind engine was constructed c1891 to John Wallis Titt's 'simplex' engine design. The structure is a tapering, hexagonal cross braced cast-iron tower, approximately 6 metres (20 feet) tall.  A sail frame and fan tail remain along with some machinery. The engine was used to pump water from the 410 feet well and to grind corn.  The proposed grant will contribute towards a full and comprehensive programme of repair and refurbishment of the tower, shaft and wheel.  This will include reinstatement of sails made traditionally  and recasting of missing or broken elements of the engine.  The proposal is to bring the structure back into working order.  The total cost of eligible works to the wind engine is £96,880.  It is proposed that a grant of up to £9,688 (10% of the eligible  works) is offered towards the cost of repairs and refurbishment of  this structure.  Both buildings are very much related to, and integral to the  understanding of, each other, and form an attractive and rare group  of rural industrial buildings. Their special interest lies not only in the rarity of these structures but in the way the buildings have been adapted and eventually abandoned as developments in power generation, flour production and the supply of water have changed. The total amount of grant proposed £15,137 (£5,449 and £9,688) has been matched by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council's historic buildings grant programme.

Recommendation

That a grant of £5,449 (10%) be offered towards the eligible costs of repair to the Mill House, Crux Easton on condition that

       (i)      all works  to  be  carried out to a specification agreed with the Conservation Officer prior to  works commencing;
       (ii)     the  sign  acknowledging  grant-aid  by  the  County Council is displayed in a prominent position  whilst works of  repair are  being undertaken  (sign  being sent under separate cover);
       (iii)    any spalled,  eroded  or  cracked  bricks  shall  be carefully  cut  out  taking   care  not  to   damage  surrounding work, and replacement bricks shall match the existing in size, colour and texture as  closely as possible; second-hand bricks may be used if sound and clean.  The size or joints and bond of brickwork must be carefully repeated, as should any patterning;
       (iv)     the  mortar  mix  to  be  used  and  the  extent  of repointing should  be agreed  with the  Conservation Officer prior to works commencing;
       (v)      a sample of the tiles to be used and the mortar  mix for re bedding the ridge tiles, etc should be  agreed with  the  Conservation   Officer  prior  to   works commencing;
       (vi)     tiles  at  the  undercloak  should  be  of   natural materials;
       (vii)    where joinery components  are to  be replaced,  they should be exact replicas, using the same  scantlings and mouldings  (taken  from templates  of  the  best surviving cleaned examples) as in the existing work;
       (viii)   where roof timbers are to be replaced the extent  of replacement should be  agreed with the  Conservation Officer;
       (ix)     replacement rainwater goods should in cast-iron -the  internal  (only)  surfaces  of  the  shutters  to  be painted with bitumen paint after fitting; and
      (x)      all downpipes should be so  adapted as to be  fitted with shoes  at their  bases, discharging  into  open trapped gullies connected to the drainage system.
 2.    That a grant of £9,688 (10%) be offered towards the  eligible costs of repair to the Wind Engine on condition that:
       (i)      all works  to  be  carried out  to  a  specification agreed with the Conservation Officer prior to  works commencing; and
       (ii)     the  sign  acknowledging  grant-aid  by  the  County Council is displayed in a prominent position  whilst works of  repair are  being undertaken  (sign  being sent under separate cover).

Community Action Fund

CAPITAL

Repairs to the timber  frame, replacement of weather  boarding, new timber  doors.    Estimated  cost  of  eligible   works  £24,087.50 including VAT  and  fees.   I  recommend  that  a grant  of  up  to £4,818.00 (20%) be offered on condition that: (i)        all works to be  carried out to  a specification  agreed with  the Conservation  Officer prior  to works commencing.

(10)    THREE LEGGED CROSS,  CRUX EASTON :  Grade II.  Mainly  C18. With earlier elements at  the rear.   Two storey house  with slated roof and stucco walls.  (Mrs C Berry).  3257/01.

Repairs to window  joinery and  some remedial  works relating to  a damp  problem.    Estimated  cost  of  eligible   works  £12,278.75 including VAT  and  fees.   I  recommend  that  a grant  of  up  to £1,228.00 (10%) be offered on condition that:  (i)        all  works  be   carried  out   to  the   agreed specification.

(22)    WIND PUMP AND  WELL HOUSE,  CRUX EASTON :  Grade II.   C19. The wind pump was  constructed by John Wallis  Titt and is  of cast iron on a steel tower.  The British Museum considers the pump to be of  great   importance. (Southampton   University   Industrial Archaeology Group c/o J Christmas).  12592/02. The  Southampton   University  Industrial   Archaeology  Group   is coordinating the  emergency repairs  to the  wind  pump which  will prevent its collapse.  It is recommended that a grant of 50 percent be offered  to match  the grant  offered by  Basingstoke and  Deane Borough Council.    Estimated  cost  of  eligible  works  £1,175.00 including VAT and fees.  I recommend that a grant  of up to £588.00 (50%) be offered on condition that:    (i)        all  works  be   carried  out   to  the   agreed  specification.

Wind Engine in Southampton

"A windmill to supply fresh water at the Marchwood Base in Southampton was constructed at the depot. The machine, 16 feet in diameter and supported on a 70 foot high square steel trellis, was purchased from John Wallis Titt's Iron Works in  Warminster in 1873 for the sum of £155. It was in operation by the following year. For the next four years the windmill was in use continuously but it appears to have been the cause of grievance on more than one occasion.

    In a letter dated 9th November 1898, Captain Cox complained to the Naval Officer at Portsmouth that for some considerable time the water has not accumulated in the tank to the slightest degree. Only three months later Captain Cox reported, It has been  found almost impossible and extremely dangerous to attempt to stop the windmill from working during a storm or in a gale of wind." (From: Marchwood Yacht Club--History)

Hinton Charterhouse Wind Engine

"By the end of the 19th century there was a need for a better  water supply in the village and Mr. E. T.D.Foxcroft had a ram installed  near Norton Barn to pump up water from a very good spring, The ram had  been built by John Wallis Titt of Warminster and exhibited at the Bath and  West show at Taunton in 1895. It was fetched from Taunton by two men  who charged 52/- to fetch it with a wagon and horses. The journey took two  days each way. "

MOW COP Wind Engine

Mow Cop could once boast it’s own wind operated water-pumping system, the idea being to pump water up to supply the local area and parts of Staffordshire.   The windmill with the waterworks were owned by Kidsgrove Urban District Council who appointed an attendant to live by the pump, to ensure it ran and to do the basic maintenance. On windy days however he would have to climb up the windmill and wedge the wheel, as it would have been damaged, or dislocated.

I was led to believe that the mechanics of the windmill were built in Germany, and a local man, a carpenter and undertaker Mr C.H Hancock, made the fins. However since a Mr Gareth Hughes has pointed out that an identical windmill was built at Bury St Edmunds in 1900 and was copyrighted by a John Willis Titt, of Warminster.  (Mow Cop--Interactive History)

Wind And Water

"Another British manufacturer  was John Wallis Titt of Warminster, who is known to have supplied windpumps to the Midland, Great Western and London & South Western Railways. L&SWR locations included Amesbury Junction, and a couple of stations on the Basingstoke and Alton Light Railway, including Cliddesden (the windpump can be seen briefly in the Will Hay film, 'O, Mr Porter'). The Basingstoke & Alton examples seem to have been used to supply water to the stations and railway cottages, rather than for locomotive purposes." (From Tom Burnham: Summer 2001 edition of The Tenterden Terrier)

The Éolienne Bollée in Britain

The introduction of a French wind-engine to rural Sussex was due to the foundation of a monastery. Based in Chartres, on the northern  edge of the Beauce, the Carthusian Order customarily employed French architects to build even its overseas Charterhouses. Consequently, French-made wind engines were installed not only in Britain but also in Spain. Auguste Bollée's 1888 catalogue confirms that a large No. 3 Éolienne had been sent to Britain in 1879, presumably when construction work began on the new Charterhouse, and that a small No. 1 had followed in 1881. The former was felled by a gale in the 1960s, the remnants being broken up c. 1984; the latter, however, still stands in its enclosure. Bounded by a wrought-iron fence, the comparatively low ‘3½ unit’ column still has its spiral stairs, balusters and hand rail.  The stairs give  access to the platform that, though its floor plates are now badly wasted, retains the original hand rail and serpentine wrought-iron balusters complete with finials. The turbine and associated control gear are now in relic condition, but sufficient remains to guide restoration.

Power was once transmitted by shafts and bevel gears from the turbine head down through the supporting column, then out horizontally to an intermediate bearing and thence through the wall of the tiny circular pump house. Made Normandy-style of bricks laid radially, lined with limed mortar and roofed conically with graduated slates laid on wooden joists, the pump house is now in poor condition — owing partly to the ravages of time and partly to the malign influence of a large ash tree. However, the pump house has protected the three-throw         pump and its brick-lined sump well enough for the machinery to survive in surprisingly good condition.

TRAM 57 PROJECT

In 1975 the body of Southampton tram No. 57 was discovered near Romsey. The City Museums decided to acquire it and supported an amateur group, and the TRAM 57 Project was born.  Tram No. 57 was displayed in 1977. Two other trams, Nos 11 built in Portswood in 1923 and No. 38 built in 1903 were located and brought to Southampton for restoration in the Group's workshop in Millbrook, now closed. Since 2003 we have been searching for new premises to complete the restoration process, but so far without success.  For up to date information please phone 023 8089 4729 or write to Nigel Smith, Project Co-ordinator, 3 Stag Gates, Blackfield, Southampton SO45 1SR.

Tram 11

Tram 38