Melin Llynon, Llanddeusant facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Melin Llynon, Llanddeusant |
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Melin Llynon, September 2014
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| Origin | |
| Mill name | Llynon Mill (Welsh: Melin Llynon) |
| Mill location | Llanddeusant |
| Grid reference | SH 3405 8523 |
| Coordinates | 53°20′16″N 4°29′38″W / 53.3379°N 4.4939°W |
| Operator(s) | Richard Holt |
| Year built | 1775 |
| Information | |
| Purpose | Corn mill |
| Type | Tower |
| Storeys | Three |
| No. of sails | Four |
| Type of sails | Common |
| Winding | Wheel and chain |
| Other information | Only working windmill in Wales |
Melin Llynon, or Llynon Mill, is a gristmill located on the outskirts of the village of Llanddeusant on the island of Anglesey. It is the only surviving working windmill in Wales.
Founding
The mill was built for £529, 11s in 1775–1776, on land owned by the surgeon Herbert Jones. It is classified as a tower mill. The machinery is within a stone tower and the moving top, or cap cwch, turns so that the sails hwyliau catch the wind from any direction. The tower was 9.3 metres tall and with four floors. It was used to drive machines for grinding corn, oats and barley. The first miller, Thomas Jones (1756–1846), worked it until his death. The position of miller was passed down through the generations, eventually going to a cousin William Pritchard. By 1929 the mill was registered as disused and in use again. By 1954 structural damage meant the mill was permanently out of order.
It is now the only working windmill in Anglesey and Wales. Also within the site is a reconstruction of an Iron Age roundhouse hut building.
Damage
A storm in 1918 damaged the cap stopping it from turning to face the wind. It still operated intermittently for the next six years when the wind was from the southwest. Eventually the mill closed and became increasingly dilapidated.
Reconstruction and ownership
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The windmill was previously reconstructed by the Isle of Anglesey County Council after they purchased the mill in 1978. It was restored and reopened on 11 May 1984, and since 1986 the windmill produces stoneground flour.
Llynnon Mill is currently owned by Richard Holt and his family who purchased the mill in 2019, prior to the business venture Richard, a native of Angelsey was a pastry chef in London, England. His partner, sister, and father all work at the mill as part of the family business. Also at the site is a chocolate factory and donut (Mônuts) shop. Llynon Mill also teamed with the Llanfairpwll distillery to create a gin alcoholic beverage. And there is a model saffari on site. And also a reconstruction of an Iron Age roundhouse.
