2004: Prior to the roof renovation which can be seen in images further down.         The Mill in 1950 &. Jenny Minshull at the mill door

The Mill 1904. Thanks to Bill Hislop for letting me photograph this and the image below of an 18 year old young lady taken in 1918.
The Mill is roofless due to a recent severe gale

 

	And the Windmill comes into view as I continue southwards along the spine of Bidston Hill.
	Bidston Mill
	A plaque on the side of the mill. 1971 restored, but date vandalised also! See below for description of what is written upon this plaque. After reading this plaque I can only surmise that Birkenhead Council are sadly lacking in their duties and responsibilities which, by law and decree, are bound to provide repair and maintenance of the Hill which, on my visit, appears to be lacking. Edit: Feb 06: this is now in hand and thanks to the Friends of Bidston Hill, things are finally moving towards repair and conservation.
	On past the mill towards the bridge over the road, far below. The opposite side of the road is another tract of the hill, but not visited on this occasion.

The present mill, a tower mill, was built after the previous wooden mill had been destroyed by fire in 1791, caused by friction from the sails revolving at high speeds during a gale. This mill too has suffered damage from fire several times, as well as damage from the frequent gales which blow across this ridge. Milling ceased about 1875. The Mill has been restored and reconditioned several times, and is in a fairly good state of repair.

Bidston Mill, diagram

Inscription of plaque on side of Bidston Windmill

This land, including the woods surrounding this windmill, containing with the adjacent piece of land known as Thermopylae about 90 acres was purchased from RG de Grey Vyner during the years 1894 to 1908 at a cost of £30,310. Of this sum the Corporation of Birkenhead contributed £14,625 and £15,685  was raised by public subscription. A portion of this land, viz the eastern wood containing 22 acres, was purchased as a memorial of the late Edmund Taylor, of Oxton, in recognition of his great services in connection with the acquisition of Bidston Hill  for the benefit of the public. The land belongs to and is maintained at the expense of the Corporation of Birkenhead. But according to the deeds of conveyance it must always be used as an open space and place of public recreation and must be preserved and maintained, so far as possible, in its present wild and natural condition. Special care being given to preservation of the trees, gorse, heath and also of this windmill. Bye laws have been made and a keeper and assistant appointed so that they are observed. The public, for whose enjoyment alone the land was secured,  are invited to aid in preserving it from fire and damage. AD MCMIX. This tablet restored 1971. 

Painting of Bidston Mill 1913

The following images are of the massive restoration programme going on at present on the Mill. It was scheduled to be finished in April 2006 but
has overrun, but then again, better to get it right first time eh? These were taken June 14th 2006

http://www.friendsofbidstonhill.com/

http://www.flaybrick.com

 Click to email me

http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/index.php

Heath land regeneration continues on the Hill. The following three images were sent to me by Genevieve during April 06.
Click on the image to enlarge to full size.

The next 2 show how Mother Nature reclaims her own - June 14th 2006 taken by me

1. remains of stone wall in woods 2,3,4,5 & 11: From Oxton direction 6 & 7, from bridge, 8,9 on hill: 10 vane mooring ring.