The windmill's sweeps have been 'simplified' by the time this photograph was taken!
Dating from 1799, the mill is an early example of a smock mill, and was noteworthy for its cast iron wind shaft with sockets to take the arm of a compass arm brakewheel. The windmill was vandalised by having the sweeps, cap and a large part of the tower removed. To quote the Sussex Industrial Archaeology Society survey in 1969 :
"Clymping Windmill, TQ 016013. The story of this mill is a tragedy, and illustrates the ease by which a historic building, listed by M.H.L.G. as Grade II (`of special architectural or historic interest') can be damaged by incorrect action. Despite its special status, and the obligations thereby placed on the proprietor to inform the planning authority before alteration, both sweeps and cap were removed without reference to West Sussex County Council. This July an application for its demolition was made so that the occupied land might revert to agricultural use. The Group lodged a formal objection against this proposal. Permission to demolish was refused."
Scanned antique postcard
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