Mills across Fylde coast open doors for National Windmill Weekend

The doors were opened at Little Marton Windmill as the 179-year-old building celebrated National Mills Weekend.
Marton Windmill open day.Marton Windmill open day.
Marton Windmill open day.

The Grade II listed building was built in 1838 by millwright John Hays and is the last of four mills that once stood in the Blackpool area.

Volunteers gave tours of the interior of the mill, which stopped working in 1928.

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In 1937 the mill was handed over to the Allen Clarke Memorial Fund.

Marton Windmill open day. Margaret Swan and  Shirley Matthews.Marton Windmill open day. Margaret Swan and  Shirley Matthews.
Marton Windmill open day. Margaret Swan and Shirley Matthews.

In 1987 it underwent a £88,000 renovation project, and in 1983 was named a Grade II-listed building by English Heritage.

In 2015, the mill was recognised for its historical value when councillors and residents unveiled a blue plaque at the site.

Little Marton Mill was one of three local windmills open to the public last week as part of National Mills Weekend, which celebrates Britain’s milling heritage and gives people the chance to explore mills that are normally not open to the public.

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Lytham Windmill and Marsh Mill in Thornton also opened their doors to the public on Saturday and Sunday.

Shirley Matthews, of the North West Mills Group, said: “We are lucky to retain our three mills, as at one time there were many others busily grinding corn for our daily bread.”