Westminster Mill, Newport
Westminster Mill was a watermill at Newport, Isle of Wight on the Lukely Brook between West Mill and Home Mill.
The Westminster brick watermill originally had five bays and three storeys and dated from about 1773. The mill stands on Old Westminster Lane (originally just Westminster Lane), it was a water, and later steam, corn mill. In 1972 it was grade 2 listed with the description of the original building.
In 1839 the mill went to auction 'by order of the Mortgagee'[1]:
In 1849 the mill was again on the market when it was occupied by Henry Blake, esq., at a yearly rental of £100. The area of the mill pond was given as 1a. 2r. 9p.[2]
At a further sale in 1875, Westminster Mill and premises were purchased by Mr. F. Blake, for Mr. Scovell, of Yafford Mill, for £1810[3].
Occupants included:
- 1839 - James Paul,[1]
- 1849 - Henry Blake,[2]
- 1859 - Blake Henry, Westminster Mill - Corn miller,[4]
- 1898 & 1911 - Scovell Walter Frank, miller (water & steam), Westminster flour mill,[5]
- 1927 & 1935 - Thomas, Gater, Bradfield & Co. Ltd., millers (Westminster mills),[6]
- 1951 - Westminster Mill & Bakery Ltd., millers (Westminster mills),[7]
- 1979 - Guy Brothers, Lawn Mowers, all types overhauled and reground.[8]
The mill-pond was to the west of the mill and has now been filled in and the area developed with housing.
The mill building itself has been extended and converted into apartments, it still shows the external hoist to the second floor. Across Old Westminster Lane stands Westminster House, which the Grade 2 listing describes as a 'C18 Mill House'.
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Hampshire Advertiser - 25 May 1839
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Hampshire Advertiser - 20 January 1849
- ↑ Hampshire Advertiser - 24 July 1875
- ↑ White's 1859 Isle of Wight Directory
- ↑ Kelly's 1898 and 1911 Isle of Wight Directories
- ↑ Kelly's 1927 and 1935 Isle of Wight Directories
- ↑ Kelly's 1951 Isle of Wight Directory
- ↑ Advertisement in Isle of Wight County Press - 19 May 1979
