John Burke's Windmills Post Mill Remains at Warton, Lancashire There are three main types of windmill. The post mill, the wooden smock mill, and the tower mill. The post mill is the earliest example and the post shown left is all that remains of one such. This mill was first erected at Tarleton between Preston and Liverpool, but was then moved painstakingly to Warton where it eventually rotted away. All that is left is the central post on which the mill rested and pivotted to face the wind, and some mill stones, which lean against the post supports. They are the only clue to what the post is for. The mill is shown right circa 1900. Marsh Mill, Thornton, Lancashire Marsh Mill near Cleveleys is one of the tallest mills in the Fylde. Built in 1794, by the 1920s the first two floors had been converted into Tea Rooms, run by the Misses Barter and Baldwin who advertised: The ideal place for motorists. Dainty teas, Light luncheons. Rooms let for picnic, wedding and other parties. Parking ground. The site is now a leisure and craft complex. Lytham St Annes Mill The mechanism was destroyed by fire in 1919 after the wind set the sails turning the wrong way. There have been numerous attempts to restore it to working order including one trial with bright red canvas covering for the sails. Lytham's is one of the better known Fylde Windmills, being on the scenic route into Blackpool, which was most favoured before the motorways were built. Marton Mill, Blackpool Marton Little Mill (Marton Great Mill stood further towards Blackpool and has vanished) stands on the green at Blackpool near to the junction of the M55 motorway. It is in quite an open and exposed position and regularly suffers wind damage to the sails and cap in winter. Wrea Green Mill, Lancashire The mill's original neighbours had been less than pleased at having a windmill next door and planted a series of trees that blocked the wind and rendered the windmill useless. The miller then installed an early steam engine to drive the stones - undoubtedly causing much more disturbance than the mill sails. However the boiler exploded, burning out the mill. Rye Smock Mill, Kent In 1999 we took a holiday in Hastings and spotted this smock mill in Rye as we returned from a day out at Dover Castle. It was actually the first smock mill I had encountered - being a bit of a sheltered lad as I am... Well... where smock mills are concerned anyway! This is in a fine spot next to the river and even without its sails makes a pleasing sight. The Norfolk Broads There are many mills in various stages of repair or neglect in Norfolk and what better place to view them than from a boat on the Norfolk Broads? We risked drowning and mutiny on a day in 1995 whilst on holiday in Great Yarmouth and passed many mills without knowing their names.