Bidston Windmill
Created: 16 April 2007
These images were originally spread across all these pages on Bidston. I think its about time that the Windmill on Bidston was entitled to its own page.
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
This is an image of Bidston Mill painted around 1913 by a Sam Pean of 124 Oxton Road, Birkenhead. It was bought recently, in auction, by a gent in Indiana, USA and was photographed and sent to me for my info. I checked out Oxton Road, Birkenhead, off Charing Cross, on December 19th 2004, but its bearing no resemblance to anything remotely resembling a Victorian Residence, being a low, one level shop. The building behind it is Victorian. If anyone knows anything about the artist, I would appreciate it and so would the paintings new owner. Below, the same angle, taken by me in 2003.
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
And then in February 2007 -The windmill roof is done, dusted and was damp!
http://www.friendsofbidstonhill.com/
http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/index.php