OLD ENGLISH WINDMILL IS TURNED INTO CHURCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18959, 4 January 1930, Page 15

OLD ENGLISH WINDMILL IS TURNED INTO CHURCH.

For years the old windmill on windswept Reigate Heath in England was a landmark which lent the proper picturesque touch to its surroundings. Not long ago it became apparent that time and the elements had reduced the ancient Surrey' landmark to a point where dissolution was imminent. A local innkeeper offered to take the old mill over, rebuild it and make it into a cafe. But a counter-movement started by the iocal rector resulted in the transformation of the mill into a church, and Canon F. Davies subsequently celebrated the restoration of the miil with a special service. In the rebuilding process every effort was made to preserve the original appearance of the old mill. The sails and sweeps are intact, and except for a small cross over the entrance there is no clue to the churchly identity oi the structure. The windmills of Europe are rapidly disappearing. The competition of more powerful and tractable motors has made them obsolete for industrial purposes. The principal defect of the windmill for power purposes lies in the fact that its work is variable and intermittent. In favourable positions itj will run on an average of eight hours! out of the twenty-four. For pumping! on a small scale, the intermittent action! is no objection, because there is generally a tank or storage reservoir regulating the delivery of the -water. In Holland, however, windmills are still a very common sight, being used for draining the polders. In America modern variations of the old style windmill are used for agricultural purposes.