Publications
Reconstruction of Ifield Mill. Part I - Historical Background, by J. Gibson-Hill and E. W. Henbery, published 1978 in Sussex Industrial History (No. 8, article, pp.12-16) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16389/8] & The Keep [LIB/506525] Download PDF
Reconstruction of Ifield Mill. Part II - Restoration, by J. Gibson-Hill and E. W. Henbery, published 1979 in Sussex Industrial History (No. 9, article, pp.2-7) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506525] Download PDF
Abstract:Part 1, being the historical account of Ifield Mill and its environment, was detailed in Sussex Industrial History Vol. 8 (1978) and covered the period from the earliest known references to the site until the demise of Ifield as a working mill about 1927. The building stood virtually unused during the succeeding years, but retained much of its machinery until the early 1950's.
In 1973, Crawley Borough Council started to acquire land in the Broadfield vale for housing development and Ifield Mill with the related house and cottage were purchased as part of a large scheme. It was at this time that the Crawley and Mid-Sussex Archaeological Group, as part of their campaign to preserve historic buildings and archaeological sites, made a formal approach to the Council for permission to restore the building. A feasibility study carried out during 1974, estimated the cost of repairing the roof, exterior walls, and rebuilding the wheel at approximately £6000.
In June 1974, permission was given by the Council for the group to undertake the restoration, using volunteer labour and raising its own finances. No public funds were to be available and the Ifield Mill Project, as it was to be known, was to be self-financed. The previous owner, Mr. G. Wood, had wanted to restore the mill but commercial costs were prohibitive. However, now it was apparent that a determined group of volunteers were both willing and capable of undertaking this work, he was able to realise his ambitions for the site by providing the necessary financial backing.
A fund to be administered by Crawley Borough Council was established in 1974 with an initial donation of £10,000; subsequently Mr. Wood contributed a further £;4000. This generous gift now permitted a more comprehensive plan than originally envisaged and involved renewing all floors, providing suitable stairways, reboarding the internal walls and refitting machinery. Consideration had been given from the outset to the future use of the building when restored; eventually it was decided that the mill should become the focal point of a linear recreational space encompassing the pond area. Initially it would serve as a temporary home for the town's first Museum, and illustrate a partially working mill.
In 1973, Crawley Borough Council started to acquire land in the Broadfield vale for housing development and Ifield Mill with the related house and cottage were purchased as part of a large scheme. It was at this time that the Crawley and Mid-Sussex Archaeological Group, as part of their campaign to preserve historic buildings and archaeological sites, made a formal approach to the Council for permission to restore the building. A feasibility study carried out during 1974, estimated the cost of repairing the roof, exterior walls, and rebuilding the wheel at approximately £6000.
In June 1974, permission was given by the Council for the group to undertake the restoration, using volunteer labour and raising its own finances. No public funds were to be available and the Ifield Mill Project, as it was to be known, was to be self-financed. The previous owner, Mr. G. Wood, had wanted to restore the mill but commercial costs were prohibitive. However, now it was apparent that a determined group of volunteers were both willing and capable of undertaking this work, he was able to realise his ambitions for the site by providing the necessary financial backing.
A fund to be administered by Crawley Borough Council was established in 1974 with an initial donation of £10,000; subsequently Mr. Wood contributed a further £;4000. This generous gift now permitted a more comprehensive plan than originally envisaged and involved renewing all floors, providing suitable stairways, reboarding the internal walls and refitting machinery. Consideration had been given from the outset to the future use of the building when restored; eventually it was decided that the mill should become the focal point of a linear recreational space encompassing the pond area. Initially it would serve as a temporary home for the town's first Museum, and illustrate a partially working mill.