Brixton Windmill

[Dhimmi]

I was browsing through the "London Encyclopaedia" and stumbled across a mention of Brixton Windmill. Had a quick gander at the photo's on here, very interesting but also a little sad. There's only two surviving old style windmills around here, one is fully working and producing flour, the other doesn't work but is a museum.

I know it's still there, did wonder what condition it was in and if it was ever open to the public. U75 is the best place to ask I'm sure.

[Jonti]

Here you go ...
http://www.brixtonwindmill.org/

There's an urban75 page as well ...
http://www.urban75.org/brixton/photos/171.html

[London_Calling]

I toured around the (museum) windmill 2-3 years ago on that 'open house' weekend (I think it's called that, when otherwise places unavailable to the public are opened up). It was interesting becasuse I used to work in a water-driven stoneground flour mill in my yoof and there were many direct comparisons.

'Friends of Windmill Gardens' were in charge, the organisation was good, the queue's not too bad and ther tour itself was fun - it's not the biggest building in the world but was def worth a couple of hours on a nice aternoon.

[dogmatique]

Great timing! The Windmill festival is on on Sunday. Bring all the family! A friend of mine is part of a band playing in period costume. Should be an interesting diversion if you've got little'uns.

[Guineveretoo]

Here you go ...
http://www.brixtonwindmill.org/


I can't make that link work!

[dogmatique]

Works for me, in two locations! :confused:

[Guineveretoo]

Must be my firewall, then! How strange.

[dogmatique]

Must be all the bad language and extreme close ups. (kidding)

[whitedove]

Great timing! The Windmill festival is on on Sunday. Bring all the family! A friend of mine is part of a band playing in period costume. Should be an interesting diversion if you've got little'uns.

Do you know if its free ?

[tarannau]

Yes, if it's the same as a few years ago it'll be free. I can't see them charging.

Nice little diversion for a few hours, especially for the young uns. Face painting, a chance to plant trees, a bouncy castle and the like were there when I was last down - it felt a little like Phoenix Nights had met Brixton.

And you can always shelter in the Windmill pub for a swift half or two.

:)

[editor]

More Windmill pics:
http://www.urban75.org/brixton/history/windmill1.html

[ianw]

Great timing! The Windmill festival is on on Sunday. Bring all the family! A friend of mine is part of a band playing in period costume. Should be an interesting diversion if you've got little'uns.

We're going to this later. Anyone else fancy a look? It's a nice little free festival - and good weather for it too!

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Yes, if it's the same as a few years ago it'll be free. I can't see them charging.

Nice little diversion for a few hours, especially for the young uns. Face painting, a chance to plant trees, a bouncy castle and the like were there when I was last down - it felt a little like Phoenix Nights had met Brixton.

And you can always shelter in the Windmill pub for a swift half or two.

:)

depends on what time he opens though

[Dhimmi]

More Windmill pics:
http://www.urban75.org/brixton/history/windmill1.html

Oh yes saw these, first port of call tbh.

Of course I've come back to this thread just too late to take advantage of the open day, ho hum. What condition is it in?

[editor]

I was there today and it's looking in very good nick.

Pics coming soon!

[Dhimmi]

Good news, I'll put that down to it having a brick tower. Down here they were all wood and that's why there's only three left.

Look forward to the pics.

[dogmatique]

Saw the Ed sneaking in at 5pm... You missed the play!

Really nice community day out. A load of enthusiasm from the Friends of Brixton Windmill rubbed off on the attendees. Some great acts on the little stage ranging from a costumed folk band, through a bit of Tango, some bluegrass, a brilliant Flamenco act, finishing with a family soul vocal band.

My highlight was the humble speech from a decendent of the original windmill owner who was thrilled to see so many people celebrating and helping to preserve his family's heritage. That and the marvellously executed play about the history of the windmill in period costume.

We stayed from 2 till the end, with a brief excursion to the Windmill pub, which was quickly brought to an end by flying ant day, and hence back to the park!

Here's to a bigger and better event next year!

Got a few pics on me mobile:

The majestic windmill in forboding silhouette:

http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/3396/08072007201kq3.jpg

The Windmill Players giving us an enjoyable history lesson:

http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/7991/08072007203ic5.jpg

http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/3721/08072007205ar5.jpg

http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/9003/08072007204wi5.jpg

And everyone invited to dance at the end for the continued upkeep of our beloved Windmill!

http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/5443/08072007208mt8.jpg

Great stuff.

[editor]

Shame I missed that bit...

I got a faceful of flying ants when I cycled up. Eeeuck.

[dogmatique]

Always find flying ant day peculiar. Hadn't noticed any, then got a text from a friend in Crystal Palace bemoaning the clumsy fledglings, looked up, and there they were where they weren't a moment before. And two hours later, and they'd all largely vanished.

[editor]

http://www.urban75.org/brixton/features/images/brixton-windmill-04.jpg

http://www.urban75.org/brixton/features/images/brixton-windmill-09.jpg

Some (rather average) photos here: http://www.urban75.org/brixton/features/brixton-windmill.html

[firky]

Boohoo told me all about it in the Beehive, I really wnat to go.

[ianw]

We were there for an hour and a half in the afternoon. Very relaxed, civilized day. A postively filthy song from the Hawaiian ukelele band, a bit of Tango, then some delta blues. I bought a flower for the front garden and rattled a yellow tamborine with the little one. A good day.

But where did those flying ants come from? Only really noticed them on the way back up the hill. Euuuch.

[dogmatique]

nice.

http://www.urban75.org/brixton/features/images/brixton-windmill-14.jpg
(ed's pic btw)

[saucisson]

nice pics dogmatique.....v pleasant afternoon I thought, and I got to get back and watch the end of the tennis...winner.