On Saturday 1st July 14 members joined Mark Ratcliff for a look at mill sites in Hatfield Heath and a talk on other local sites. We started at The Mill on the Stortford road. Initially built in c1830’s or 1840’s as a Malt House and brewery by the Sullins family. Peter Sullins also built Little Brewers opposite the mill in 1863 as a family home, now Hatfield Haven residential home. The family sold the business in 1893. It continued as a brewery until 1902 when it was closed and the building converted to a steam mill for flour production. This lasted until the 1960’s when it was closed and converted to light engineering activities until 1990. It then stood vacant but in 2012 SKK Design submitted proposals to convert to studio/design office which was eventually accepted and following a sympathetic conversion/refurbishment, reopened in 2017.
We then moved across the Heath to Mill House and the garden of Millers Bach, which was the site of Merchaws windmill from c1836 to 1906, when it was closed and demolished in 1909. The windmill was a brick tower with domed cap, four double shuttered sails and an 8 bladed fantail. Serving the local bakers in Sawbridgeworth, Sheering, Hatfield Broad Oak as well as Hatfield Heath. Its demise was mainly due to the opening of the new steam mill in the village. The visit to Steve Foster’s garden allowed us the opportunity to view the excavated WW2 Spigot Mortar pit. One of three in the village to defend the road to Harlow and London from any invading force, it is the only one left still with its ready use ammunition lockers extant. We then adjourned to the URC Church Hall for refreshments and a talk by Mark on the other local mills – Down Hall, Hatfield Broad Oak, Aythorpe Roding, and Stansted all had windmills whilst Little Hallingbury is the only water mill. An enjoyable and informative outing. Congratulations Mark. We were also able to celebrate the 90th birthday of Ivan Cooper on 10 July at Hatfield Heath Institute. It was a surprise for Ivan, our former Secretary and author of several local history books, organised by his family. The Institute was packed with his contacts in village life and we were especially pleased that William Gosling, The Lord of the Manor and our Patron, managed to drop in on the event.
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