Tilty Mill (EHER 37114)

Late 18th century watermill built of red brick.

An early 18th century red brick water mill, formerly painted, and two-storied. <1> <2> 2008. Survey. No mention is made of a mill in Domesday at Tilty (Tileteia) although a mill was probably built as part of the foundation of Tilty Abbey by the Cistercian Monks in 1153. The present Tilty mill does not share the same site as its medieval predecessor which is thought to be sited further to the south. Suggestions have been made that the internal timber frame predates the brick outer shell. The mill stream to the east was widened to a 15ft breadth, and deepened and banked for several hundred yards with a primitive flood gate installed at the far end. The waterwheel continued in use up to 1957 and drove a small hammer mill used for animal food. A sale catalogue of 1919 describes ‘a powerful undershot wheel’ and its lease to H.P. Blyth for £80 pa. The 1845-1933 trade directories catalogue a number of millers including J. Webb, Hoffgaard Smith, George Smith, Henry Blyth and Robert Chanin. The present structure is thought to date from the third quarter of the 18th century. At present it remains structurally and mechanically complete and survives with an original range of timber and masonry outbuildings (including a pair of cottages). The mill contains a large cast-iron waterwheel and a complete set of gearing to three pairs of stones. Additional equipment includes a sack hoist, a small modern hammer mill and a fourth pair of stones mounted on an elegant cast iron frame. Finely worked timbers of oak and pine are striking features of the mill. Although presently the mill is generally in good repair, but suffering from lack of maintenance over a long period, it requires repair works to be carried out as soon as possible to prevent further deterioration and risk of internal collapse. To establish a weatherproof shell the roof requires careful inspection and repair as do windows, most of which are broken and no longer prevent weather or foliage entering the building. Internally many of the working parts remain in a sound enough condition to allow them to be returned to operation in the future, providing structural repairs to areas of the floors and walls are affected in the short term. The brickwork has suffered from neglect and deliberate damage although the latter is confined to the north-west angle. The entire west wall is suffering from water absorption caused by a build up of earth and undergrowth and as a consequence decay is visible at the ends of the first floor beams and ground floor joists. The condition of the floors improves with height, the third and second floors remain in sound condition. Damage to the first floor in the south-west corner can be associated with the installation of the fourth set of stones and hursting, which proved too heavy for the floor joists and have caused them to partially collapse. The ground floor has been affected by dampness and lack of ventilation and as such the floor boards and joists have deteriorated to a dangerous degree. The water driven gear has not turned for nearly 50 years and as a result of decay in the supporting timbers is now completely jammed, although restoration and realignment will be able to rectify this situation. The waterwheel requires lime scale removal, replacement/repair of a number of buckets and realignment of its shaft. The wooden cogs on the wheel pit, great spur wheel and crown wheel have suffered from damp but aside from this the main working parts are in good order and require only cleaning and greasing to bring them back to working order. The mill pond has been backfilled with rubble and organic matter. Present Use: Redundant. Condition: Fair but deteriorating (2007). <3> See: <4> - <6>