The KILN and VISITOR CENTRE

We know there has been a kiln at Heage for more than 200  years since an advertisement in The Derby Mercury (5th August 1802) offers the mill to let,  ‘with drying kiln, cowshed and gardens’. The kiln had not figured in any earlier advertisements so it  had probably been recently built when this advert was placed.  In the 2002 reconstruction programme we have rebuilt the old stone building on its original footings, using as much of the remaining stone as we were able to form the basis for our Reception Centre. (more on this later)

But what was the kiln and why was it needed in the first place?

When corn or oats were harvested, in this variable climate of ours, they were often too damp to be successfully processed into flour. Whilst small hand querns had been used this did not matter too much, since small batches of grain could be taken from storage and dried as required. The increased use of water and wind power meant that larger batches of dried cereals were need at one time and hence heated drying kilns were introduced using wood, peat or coal as fuel.  These were used to reduce the moisture content of the cereal to about 12-18%, if it was wetter it clogged up like porridge and if too dry it splintered, rather than milling into flour.

In the north of Britain, certainly above about Northamptonshire, drying kilns were a common feature at both wind and water mills. They were sometimes built integrally with water mills e.g. at nearby Stainsby Water Mill near Hardwick Hall, but often were free standing buildings. The kiln at Heage had one upper drying floor and was about 24 feet (7.9m) long, 15 feet (4.6m)  wide.  The only old photos we have show it with a corrugated iron roof.  When built, however, it would probably have had a roof of stone slabs, some of which were lifted slightly such that smoke could get out or, perhaps at a later date, with a louvered vent in the ridge.

At the centre of one end of the ground floor of the building was the hearth or fire place.  From this was built a vaulted brick structure which extended to the walls at the drying floor level, providing a ‘funnel’, the sides of which could be entered to tend the fire and where fuel could be stored. The actual drying area, across the ‘funnel’ was probably about 12 feet square, with iron ‘T’ bars running across in one direction, some 12 inches apart. Onto these bars 12” square ceramic perforated tiles (or sometimes thin cast iron perforated sheets) were placed, providing a complete flat surface upon which the grain could be placed.

The grain was brought into the building at drying floor level and was spread to form an even layer 2-3” thick.  The fire was lit and heat floated up through the holes in tiles and drying commenced. The grain was turned frequently with a wooden spade to prevent roasting.  Drying time depended on the condition of the grain but often required considerably more than 24 hours processing before the miller judged it to be  ready for milling. The customer, of course, was required to pay for drying ‘his grain’!

The cereals would then be bagged up and taken to the mill for processing.  Corn could be milled directly but oats were first ‘split’ open in stones set wider apart than for corn milling, to remove the tough husks and then the product was subsequently reground to produce oatmeal.

In the mill’s Interpretation Centre, in the undercroft below the windmill, there is a model of the kiln as it was when in use and also a display of metal and ceramic kiln tiles, some of which were found during the clearance of the site. This area is accessible for disabled visitors.

The kiln building was almost a ruin when restoration commenced and the Visitor centre for the site has been built on its footings. The shop provides simple refreshments and drinks, offers souvenirs of the mill and milling industry and acts as a focus for visitors to meet their guides who will take them round the site. The building also houses toilet facilities, including full access for the disabled.

The guides and shop workers are normally dressed in period costume to match the turn of the 19th century, a time when the mill was still in full production.  But please remember- when you stand inside - the many  hours of hard work by the miller, and probably his wife, just drying the grain before they could start to mill!

Alan Gifford

2005

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Heage by Thomas Shore

This is a painting of Heage Windmill made by Thomas Shore, the last working miller, in about 1900. It shows the windmill itself, the miller’s cottage and just in front of the mill, the kiln.

Drying Kiln

During 2001/2 the kiln building was rebuilt for use as the Visitor Centre. Alongside the masons have built scaffold round the mill tower in order to repair the stonework.

Kiln Model

This model of the kiln was made by one of the Friends of the Mill.  It shows how the grain was spread on a hearth, dried by a fire below.

Visitor Centre

The new Visitor Centre, built on the site of the old kiln, is bathed in rays of rainbow. The restored six sailed windmill stands proudly alongside.