Windmill Inn
Modney Bridge Road (formerly Budds Drove)
The Windmill Inn stood on the east bank of the Ouse at the point where the road bridge crossed the Ouse. Its history seems to date back to the mid 1800s, but this was probably an earlier building at the same location.
Early maps apparently show a windmill at this location in 1826 & 1830.
| Dates | Licensee(s) |
|---|---|
| 1851 - 1858 | Porter Barrow |
| 1861 | John Butcher |
| 1875 - 1883 | Elijah Sharman |
| 1883 - 1888 | John Foreman Howlett |
| 1896 - 1904 | William Howlett |
| 1908 - 1910 | John Brundle |
| 17/01/1910 | William Howlett |
| 05/03/1928 | Alice Howlett |
| 28/09/1931 - 1936 | Horace Haynes |
| Charlie? | |
| Stan and Mo Wright | |
| - 1989 | Alex and Barbara Flemming |
| 1989 - 1992 | Lee and Jan Newland |
| 1992 | Bill |
| Sean | |
| until 1998 | David Macro |
Elijah Sharman
According to the 1881 census, Elijah's residence is River Bank (Windmill) where he is a beer retailer. He is living with his wife Amelia.
John Foreman Howlett
John appears to have married Sarah Pigeon in 15th October 1940. The 1881 census show John is living on Ten Mile Bank, his occupation is a Bridge Toll Collector. So he must have been working for the Hilgay Bridge Company. His marital status is a widower, so presumably Sarah must died sometime before. He appears to have a son named William, aged 9 years.
By 1891 he is now aged 73, still a Toll Collector, but his address has changed from Ten Mile Bank, to River Bank. For some reason the West bank is referred to as 'Ten Mile Bank', whereas the East is referred to as simply 'River Bank'. William now aged 19, is listed as Assistant Toll Collector.
William & Alice Howlett
Alice Beaton, Mary Ann Leflays younger sister married William Howlett from Hilgay in 1905, presumably they met when Alice visited Mary Ann. William and Alice lived at the Windmill Public House, Ten Mile Bank, William was a toll collector for the Hilgay Bridge Company. Alice and William had 3 children, Eleanor Isabella 1907, Sylvia 1908 and John Forman 1910.
Horace Haynes
As well as running the Windmill public house, Horace was a haulage contractor. His telephone number was southery 31. The London Gazette provides evidence that Horace was still here in January 1936.
1977
Image courtesy of Stephen J Purkiss
This photograph shows the 309 bus service passing the windmill public house in 1977. You can see the old concrete bus shelter on the far side of the river, and an older version of the pub sign.
For most of the 1970s the pub was run by Stan and Mo Wright. They had a son called Tobby.
1980s
Alex and Barbara Flemming were the licensees during the 1980s. At this time the public house was decorated with coloured lights, which could be seen as far away as the A10 at Southery. A Norfolk Line lorry would often be seen parked in the gravel car park.
There were a few caravans at the rear of the site, some outbuildings and an old air raid shelter used as storage. For a brief time this house served as a shop during the day.
1990s
Licensees during the 90s were 'Bill' and later 'Sean'. There was a caravan in the gravel car park on the opposite side of the road, were Billy 'Jock' resided. Its use was in a steady decline and by August 1998 it had finally closed it doors to the public. David Macro was one of the last joint licensees in 1998.
Courtesy of www.normanboats.co.uk
2000s
It was put up for sale by auction in 2001, but stood disused for several years. This image shows the pub with its windows boarded up.
It was finally demolished in 2008 for road improvements. See the history of the bridge.
During construction of a new bridge to replace Ten Mile Bridge several wooden posts were discovered under outbuildings of the former Windmill Inn. These may have been part of a wooden structure built to support a steam engine driven drainage pump. Norfolk Heritage Explorer
