The National Trust
A windmill razed to the ground: Here lies the White Mill's burnt remains
All that remains of the White Mill is this iron windshaft. The shaft passed the power from the windmill's sails to the millstones. If you have a keen eye, you may also find the flat circle of ground the mill was built on.
The mill was built on this open and windy heath around 1800. It was once a prominent landmark, but was totally destroyed in a fire that swept across the heath in 1911. A similar mill survives at Nutley in Ashdown Forest.
The windshaft: The cast iron shaft weighs nearly two tons. The shaft was turned by four canvas covered sweeps. The shaft also held a great cogwheel, which transferred power to two pairs of millstonmes and other machinery.
Milling: Grain was stored on the top floor, milled on the second floor. Bags of flour were collected on the first floor.
The Mill: The White Mill is of an Open Trestle Post Mill design. The whole mill sits on a large wooden post, with a visible (open) trestle structure for additional support. A tail pole was used to turn the mill around to face the wind.
The support for this shaft and plaque were set up by the Sandgate Conservation Society in May 1978. Sullington Parish Council placed this plaque in 2001.