Lack of wind stops sails turning

Mr Abel took orders of 100 tonnes a week at the Royal Norfolk Show

A miller from Norfolk has said he has been unable to fulfil his customers' orders for flour because of a lack of wind this summer.

Mark Abel took over Denver Windmill, near Downham Market, in June and said he hoped to increase the amount of flour it produced each year.

Mr Abel milled 500kg (1,100lb) for the Royal Norfolk Show where he took orders from customers of one tonne a week.

But he has since struggled to mill 25kg (55lb) some days because of low winds.

Mr Abel believes there has been a history of problems with light winds on the site.

We got 25kg in two months - it does get a little frustrating to say the least Miller Mark Abel

The present brick-built tower mill replaced a former post mill in 1835 but within 30 years an additional steam driven mill was built as an alternative means of milling.

Then, in the 1930s, the steam engine was replaced by an oil engine and the mill converted to animal feed production, from flour.

Mr Abel said: "We are not sure when the steam mill was built but it was there in the 1850s so it was added to the present mill.

"Having spent a lot money on the windmill, the owner then had to invest considerably more in building an auxiliary steam-powered mill, sometime in the 1850s."

'Blew like mad'

The mill suffers from wear to the main shaft, adding friction to the drive mechanisms, which Mr Abel said requires a higher wind speed to turn the sails and grindstones.

He said: "We started here on 1 June and we were booked into the Norfolk Show.

"The Sunday before the show it blew like mad and me and my son got half a tonne through and that was really nice.

"Unfortunately, from then until a fortnight ago (late August) we managed to produce nearly 25kg.

"I could take a tonne a week to Norwich now from people who asked if we could supply and we got 25kg in two months. It does get a little frustrating to say the least."

The brick-built tower replaced an earlier wooden post mill.