The Stone Towers
The South Tower :
The south tower has survived in better condition than the north one. It has had the benefit of repairs carried out by stone quarrying companies especially when a huge quarry was dug quite close to it. The two towers look to be very similar but as can be seen in the "Notes" above the south tower is significantly larger. We only have a windshaft and sailstock and old related photographs relating to the North mill. We can only assume that the south mill had similar components.
November 1991 - The south mill tower under renovations in conjunction with the new quarry which was excavated alarmingly close to the tower itself. Works were financed by the quarry company (ARC Ltd) and consisted of repointing of stonework, some stonework repairs, bracing the loop openings and fitting a secure door. The latter has been broken down many times since. Sadly, there is a lot of mindless vandalism in the area. (photo RC)
Left : South tower after 1991 repair works Right : South tower prior to work.
The North Tower
Above : North stone tower c2002 (photograph by and sent to me by Robin Mills)
Above : North tower internally showing loop light and floor joist pockets
Above : Enlarged opening with loose stonework c 1995
Above : Earliest photograph c1890 / 1900 (mill just ceased to work - note broken sailbars etc.
Above : Photograph c1908 - roof and tailpole missing but windshaft, main wheel etc still visible
R W Wollage PFRG Newsletter 4 - Feb 1970 - p3
1) Water from the Rock - Walking across the fields to Weston, we pass the old windmills out on Haylands and by the side of the northern mill, the water bubbles continuously summer and winter and runs down through Watery Lane and looses itself in the quarries of Coombefield. I have no doubt that in the long, dim past, that was one of the reasons why the mills were built there.
Bob Wollage
On the following page (4) : Jaffa's Pond received all the water from Watery Lane.
RC Comment : This is a useful observation by a very well respected Portlander. The water source and mills would have been focal points in the field systems. The Coombefield Quarries were dug in early 1900's - these probably drained the water / destroyed the pond ?