Broad Eye WindMill

The Windmill was built in 1796 with stone from the early Shire Hall by John Wright, a banker. The Mill had 2 pairs of Common sails and 3 sets of millstones (or grinding stones) on the 5th floor. The lease was acquired by The Wrights in 1818, It is unknown who the Millers were until Martin John Wright took on the lease. It is unknown at present if John and Martin Wright were related. By 1824 it was owned by John Twigg of Weeping Cross.

At some time between 1835 and 1847, steam power was introduced to supplement the sails. By 1847 a second more powerful steam engine had been installed to drive two (2) additional pairs of millstones on the second floor. This engine was on the first floor, not in the engine house built for the first one that was of the nodding donkey type. By 1925 the mill was converted into a butcher's shop for Brandons Brothers.

In 1919 the lower part of the windmill was converted into a shop. The first occupiers were the Brandon Brothers. From the early 1920's until 1931 it was a butcher's shop trading under then name of Geaorge Foster. In 1931 the business was sold to Percy Palmer who kept a general stores. In 1932 the tenancy was taken over by John Burrows, shoe repairer, there he remained until after the outbreak of the World War Two during which time the building fell into a ruinous state. In January 1951 the windmill became a listed building.

In 1966 the Friends of Broad Eye Windmill was formed to care for the mill with the intension of returning it to its former glory. Now known as Broad Eye Windmill, the group continue the work of restoring the mill and have just opened the renovated ground floor to visitors on special Open Days.

* * * AGM - change of location * * * -

Annual General Meeting - Wednesday 16th July 08 at 7.30pm

Accountants - G R Cashmore, Chartered Accountant now retired
-Cheadle Chartered Accountants, current
H Barnes - Professional advice
Culturegen and Staff - Advice and assistance
Dulux of Greyfriars - Donation of paint and equipment
Electri Call - Supply of Electrical fittings
Joinery Stafford - Manufacture and fitting of new shop window
Mr A Morgan and associate - Restoration and decoration of shop interior
Nowell Mellor Solicitors - legal work and advice
Art Workshop - 1996 designer of logo and business stationary
Grays Electrics - 1996
Peter Rogers (Stafford) - 1997 film and processing
Midland Co-op - 2000 Donation
Herbert Rd. Nursery, John Wood Florist, Peter Bowen,
Johnson Hall Nursery - 1997 - donation of plants
for the original garden at the rear of the mill.