| Synopsis: |
Four hundred years ago windmills could be seen almost anywhere in England, but with the invention of the steam engine the windmill became obsolete. One by one they were abandoned. Many fell into ruin and were demolished, and soon a surviving windmill became something unusual in the landscape.Pitstone Windmill is one of a minority that did survive, thanks to swift remedial action by the National Trust, the vigilance of one man, and the hard work of a group of volunteers. It is now acclaimed as the oldest dated windmill in England. However, although it has been written about and referred to countless times in many publications, this is the first book exclusively about this mill to be published since the original 1972 booklet Pitstone Windmill.Pitstone Windmill - The Rescue of an Ancient Landmark brings together new text, drawings and photography to describe the history and restoration of the mill, and introduces the reader to some of the people who saved it from oblivion. In addition, the structure and workings of the mill are described more clearly than ever before, thanks to John Brandrick's stunning three-dimensional drawings. |