page:  = <unk> <unk> = 
   
   <unk> <unk> , also known as Button 's Mill is a Grade II * listed tower mill constructed of brick . The <unk> is located at <unk> , Suffolk , England . It was built in the early nineteenth century to grind wheat into flour . <unk> <unk> worked by wind power until 1924 , <unk> on two sails , after which it became <unk> . 
   In 1979 , a group of enthusiasts purchased <unk> <unk> for restoration . Numerous volunteers helped to restore the mill to full working order over an eight @-@ year period . The mill is open to the public , and flour ground at the mill can be bought at the site . 
   The mill is a small four storey tower mill with Patent sails and <unk> by a <unk> . It drives two pairs of <unk> , with a third pair driven by an auxiliary engine . 
   
   = = History = = 
   
   The <unk> at <unk> was built by <unk> George <unk> for William Button in 1819 . It replaced a post mill which had been moved to Sandy Lane , <unk> , Norfolk the previous year . The mill was set to work on Christmas Day 1819 . In 1832 , the mill was modernised by the fitting of a cast @-@ iron <unk> , Patent sails and a <unk> . The new <unk> was fitted on 16 July 1832 . It was made by J <unk> , the Kings Lynn <unk> , and weighs 1 <unk> tons ( 1 @,@ 780 kg ) . A new stock was fitted in September 1836 . William Button died on 11 February 1837 . The mill passed jointly to his widow Rebecca and their son Richard . Richard Button worked the mill until 1860 , at which date it was conveyed to his sons Richard and William , who sold it to Richard <unk> from <unk> , Norfolk in 1862 . 
   The mill was worked by Stephen <unk> , Richard 's son . He inherited the mill on the death of his father in 1875 and leased it to Henry Bryant in 1879 . In 1884 , the mill was sold by auction , and Henry Bryant purchased the <unk> . Bryant rebuilt the floors of the mill . From 1892 , a portable steam engine was used as auxiliary power , driving an extra pair of <unk> on the ground floor . This was replaced in 1914 by a <unk> oil engine . Bryant ran the mill until 1920 when he sold it to <unk> Vincent , a retired <unk> from <unk> , Norfolk . The <unk> engine was sold in the early 1920s . The mill was <unk> <unk> , and as a result one pair of sails was removed . Vincent carried out some repairs to the mill and ran it until he retired in 1924 . One of the remaining two sails was wrecked in 1926 when the mill was again <unk> . 
   On the death of <unk> Vincent in 1932 , his son George inherited the property . He lived at the site in an old <unk> until his death in 1973 . The mill passed to his daughter , who sold it in 1974 to Mr and Mrs <unk> , who intended to convert it into a house . They later changed their minds and offered it for sale for restoration . In 1976 , the cap of the mill was blown to pieces in a gale . <unk> <unk> was purchased by five members of the Suffolk Mills Group in November 1979 , and plans for restoration were made . The consortium consisted of Mark <unk> , Charles <unk> , Peter <unk> , David <unk> and Chris <unk> . The <unk> mill and an acre of land cost £ 6 @,@ 000 . 
   
   = = Restoration = = 
   
   The mill was restored over a period of six years . Much of the work was carried out by enthusiasts who used working holidays to repair the mill . 
   
   = = = 1979 – 1980 = = = 
   
   The consortium took possession of the mill in November 1979 . The first priority was to make the mill as <unk> as possible . <unk> sheets were spread on the dust floor of the mill to prevent further water penetration of the structure . The mill was surveyed and recorded . In spring 1980 , the dust floor partially collapsed and was removed as a safety measure . <unk> was erected to allow the <unk> to be dismantled , and the cap centering wheels were removed in preparation for the removal of the cap frame . 
   A two @-@ week work @-@ in was held at the end of July and beginning of August 1980 . Thirty @-@ three volunteers worked on the mill over the work @-@ in . Two new main floor beams for the dust floor were made from <unk> of pitch pine which had previously been in a <unk> at Bury St <unk> . On 3 August 1980 , the <unk> and remaining sail fragments were removed by a mobile crane , followed by the cap frame and the cast @-@ iron curb sections . 
   New oak <unk> were laid on the dust floor and temporary boarding laid to provide a working platform for repairs to the top of the mill tower . The bin floor was removed , apart from one oak main beam which was <unk> . A replacement main beam was made from pitch pine , and the oak beam was repaired . New oak <unk> were fitted , along with some salvaged from the original floor which were fit to be reused . One of these had previously been a whip from a Common sail . Some of the <unk> were made from pitch pine from the <unk> <unk> , which , following its collapse on 19 February 1977 , had been re @-@ erected at the Museum of East Anglian Life , <unk> . The <unk> hoist was dismantled to enable its repair , brickwork was repaired , and new <unk> were made for some of the windows . A <unk> was secured over the mill tower to keep the weather out over winter . The <unk> on the bin floor were replaced and one of the two pairs of <unk> was removed . 
   The work was financed by grants of £ 500 from the Council for the Preservation of Rural Essex , £ 250 from St <unk> Borough Council , £ 200 from the <unk> Trust , and £ 200 from the Suffolk Mills Group . Other donations and income amounted to £ 65 , with the balance of expenditure being met jointly by the five owners . 
   The " work @-@ in " was reported in both local and national media , including BBC Look East , Bury Free Press , Eastern Daily Press , East Anglian Daily Times , Daily Telegraph , and Radio Orwell . 
   
   = = = 1981 = = = 
   
   In the 1981 season two separate work @-@ ins were held , the first from 25 July to 2 August and the second from 22 August to 30 August . A total of 37 volunteers participated over the two weeks . 
   The <unk> were removed from the stone floor , which was then repaired . One of the main beams was found to have been attacked by Death Watch beetles , and over a third of the <unk> beam was replaced with oak . The six supports for the <unk> frame were repaired one at a time , as they bore the whole of the weight of the machinery above . One post required replacement . It had <unk> and the floor had sunk by 4 inches ( 100 mm ) causing the second main floor beam to fracture . When this work had been completed , the stone floor was removed , including the second main floor beam , which was removed in one piece so that the most suitable route to install its replacement could be assessed . 
   The new main beam for the stone floor was installed and the ground floor was <unk> . The stone floor was reconstructed , reusing the old stone bearers and those <unk> that were fit for reuse . Other <unk> were made new from oak or pitch pine . New <unk> were laid in the dust floor , the 1 1 ⁄ 4 inches ( 32 mm ) thick <unk> boards being double @-@ grooved with a metal tongue between them . Those on the bin floor are of a similar configuration . The top four courses of brickwork of the mill tower were removed and work began on rebuilding them , aided by a <unk> attached to the upright shaft . 
   During the second work @-@ in , the remainder of the stone floor was boarded , again using double @-@ grooved boards with a metal tongue between them . The window on the dust floor was rebuilt and the reconstruction of the top four courses of brickwork continued . The top two courses were rebuilt with red engineering bricks . The dust floor window had a reinforced concrete <unk> cast as the tower was weak at this point and had distorted . The <unk> , the curb segments and <unk> <unk> were given two coats of red lead paint . A new <unk> for the cap was made from a piece of oak 3 feet ( 910 mm ) long by 16 inches ( 410 mm ) diameter . A start was made on removing the old pointing on the brickwork and <unk> with <unk> mortar . 
   After the work @-@ in had finished , the boarding of the stone floor was completed and the mill thoroughly cleaned in preparation for an open day which was held in late autumn . The work done in 1981 cost £ 3 @,@ 250 . <unk> received were £ 2 @,@ 000 from <unk> <unk> , £ 1 @,@ <unk> from the Historic Buildings Council and £ 130 from St <unk> Borough Council . Other donations and income received amounted to £ 70 . The project received further coverage in local media , the Eastern Daily Press , and South Norfolk News . 
   
   = = = 1982 = = = 
   
   The 1982 work @-@ ins took place from 24 July to 1 August and 21 August to 29 August . The work planned included the completion of the brickwork at the top of the tower , installation of the <unk> curb , a start on the construction of the new cap , installing machinery and making and fitting various doors and windows . The cap frame was constructed , incorporating two beams from the original cap frame that were fit to be reused . The cap frame was completed in autumn 1982 . It had been constructed upside down and a mobile crane was used to turn it over and place the <unk> into position . 
   
   = = = 1983 = = = 
   
   Work in the early part of 1983 was mainly confined to smaller jobs such as casting various <unk> and overhaul of the various parts of the <unk> <unk> and mechanism for controlling the Patent sails . The mill was generally made as safe as possible inside in preparation for scheduled visits , including one from the Wind and <unk> Section of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings . Other work included the overhaul of the final drive to the 4 feet 7 inches ( 1 @.@ 40 m ) stones , including <unk> the stone nut and replacement of three <unk> in beech . 
   When the weather improved , work commenced outside . The cap circle was mostly constructed before the first work @-@ in commenced . The work @-@ ins took place over two separate weeks in July and August , with 35 people participating . During the first work @-@ in , the <unk> posts and <unk> were fitted . The oak cap ribs , which had been prefabricated <unk> were fitted and the <unk> was supported by scaffolding ready for final fitting . <unk> <unk> of oak were fitted and the <unk> was pulled into position using a <unk> . The cap frame was competed with the fitting of intermediate ribs and <unk> . The rear of the cap circle was also completed during this time . 
   Between the two work @-@ ins , the rear <unk> was completed and the fitting of <unk> to the cap frame completed . This enabled a start to be made on boarding the cap on the Monday of the second work @-@ in . The boards for the cap are ½ inch ( 13 mm ) thick and 9 inches ( 230 mm ) wide at the <unk> , <unk> towards the top . A new neck bearing was installed under the <unk> , not without difficulty and much <unk> before it would fit . When the boarding of the cap was completed , the cover strips were fitted over the joints . The <unk> was drawn into position using a rope and <unk> , and the <unk> steel reinforcing band <unk> into position , producing a <unk> structure . The striking rod was fitted through the <unk> and the axle for the <unk> fitted in position on top of the <unk> posts . At the top of the mill tower , the curb was prepared to accept the cap , and the cast iron curb track plates <unk> into position . <unk> of the brickwork of the tower continued , with nearly half of it completed at the end of the second work @-@ in . 
   After the work @-@ ins had ended , work continued on finishing the cap which was scheduled for lift @-@ on in October . The weather hampered the work initially , but the application of a modern <unk> paint , designed to withstand normal movement of the timber and yet remain <unk> , was completed in time for the lift @-@ on . A mini work @-@ in was held the weekend before the cap was lifted , with 17 people participating over the weekend . Final work was done to the cap and a new window was fitted to the stone floor of the mill . The <unk> was removed and the <unk> dismantled . The 5 @-@ ton cap was lifted into place by a mobile crane on 24 October 1983 , watched by a crowd of some 70 people . The fitting of the cap was <unk> with beer from <unk> <unk> , <unk> . 
   Restoration work in 1983 cost £ 1 @,@ <unk> . Grants were received from the Association of Independent Museums , <unk> ' Norton Women 's Institute , Ipswich Historical Transport Society , the National Association for <unk> Children , Mr D. Porter and the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings . Further income came from the sale of guide books and a drawing of the mill by <unk> <unk> . 
   
   = = = 1984 = = = 
   
   Four work @-@ ins were held during 1984 . The first two were by <unk> from Eastern Electricity Board . <unk> <unk> was chosen at the project to benefit from the Young Person 's Development Project for that year . <unk> <unk> had previously benefited from the project , and its owners , the Suffolk Preservation Trust , had suggested that <unk> <unk> would be a good candidate for the scheme . Two separate parties spent a week each at the mill . A <unk> electricity supply was provided . An underground cable was laid with assistance from British Telecom who were <unk> a thrust <unk> which had been developed at their research facility at <unk> Heath . The thrust <unk> laid 25 yards ( 23 m ) of <unk> through which the <unk> cable was pulled into position . The mill was then supplied with lights and <unk> on each floor . 
   Other work undertaken by the <unk> involved repairing some <unk> damage to the foundation brickwork , digging a drainage trench around the mill and moving the auxiliary engine into position . A concrete path around the tower was trapping moisture , leading to rising <unk> . A French drain was constructed around the mill to remedy these problem . A 21 horsepower ( 16 kW ) <unk> & <unk> <unk> diesel engine had been purchased in 1981 and was fitted onto a permanent concrete base with the aid of a mobile crane . After fitting it was then painted . Some missing or broken parts were made or repaired as necessary . 
   Off @-@ site , the new brake wheel and <unk> were made . The original brake wheel was too rotten to repair , and showed evidence that it had been altered from the original one installed in 1819 . The original brake wheel was 6 feet ( 1 @.@ 83 m ) diameter to allow the Common sails to run at their <unk> speed . When the mill was modernised in 1832 it was necessary to alter the gear ratios within the mill , as Patent sails run at a slower speed than Common sails . The great spur wheel was increased in diameter and the stone nuts reduced in diameter . The brake wheel was also rebuilt , with a cast iron segment ring fitted in place of the original <unk> , resulting in a wheel 7 feet 2 inches ( 2 @.@ 18 m ) in diameter . The opinion of professional <unk> was sought , and it was decided that a scaled @-@ up version of the original brake wheel would be made , but retaining the cast iron teeth segments . The remains of the original brake wheel were retained as an exhibit in the mill . The original iron segments were all broken , so a pattern was made and new segments were cast in heat @-@ treated malleable cast iron . When the brake wheel was completed it was dismantled and transported to the mill ready for <unk> . 
   The <unk> was made . Some of the small <unk> were replaced . The stocks were made from pitch pine and the <unk> from Douglas fir . Work at the mill over the winter included repairs to the brickwork and windows , with only one window still needing attention when the first work @-@ in began . New beech <unk> were fitted to the crown wheel , which was restored to its correct position on the upright shaft . 
   The stocks and sails were made during the two work @-@ ins held in July and August , a total of 41 people attending over the two weeks . A second @-@ hand stock had been bought in the 1920s and preserved at the mill , but upon examination it was found to be unfit for use . Thus two new stocks were required instead of one . Modern steel stocks had already been discounted on cost and <unk> grounds , leaving two options . Traditional stocks made from a single piece of timber , or <unk> stocks . Good quality pitch pine was not <unk> in the lengths required . Douglas fir was <unk> in such lengths but was discounted on strength and <unk> grounds . A Douglas fir stock on a nearby mill had <unk> after only seven years . Thus it was decided that <unk> stocks would be made . 
   The 52 feet ( 15 @.@ 85 m ) long stocks were made from Douglas fir . All timber had been pressure treated with <unk> and well <unk> . It was estimated that a <unk> stock would be up to 20 % stronger than a similar stock of solid timber . The timber used was 1 1 ⁄ 2 inches ( 38 mm ) thick and nine <unk> were required at the centre , where the stock passes through the poll end of the <unk> . <unk> attention was paid to where individual joints occurred between different pieces of timber . Both stocks were made during the work @-@ in , with one of them being trimmed and finished ready for use . The stocks were the first <unk> stocks made by amateurs . 
   The four sails were made . The originals being slightly different pairs . Those on the inner stock having bays of 3 feet ( 910 mm ) pitch and those on the outer stock having bays of 3 feet 2 inches ( 970 mm ) pitch . It was decided that the new sails would be identical , at the larger pitch . Four 27 feet ( 8 @.@ 23 m ) long <unk> were cut from a <unk> of pitch pine obtained from a demolished <unk> at Bury St <unk> . The <unk> are 6 inches ( 150 mm ) square at their inner end . <unk> bars and <unk> were made from modern pitch pine , selected for quality . The <unk> for the sail bars were cut . That at the heel of the sail being at 27 ° and that at the tip being 15 ° , decreasing by 1 ½ ° at each sail bar . Three of the four sails had been completed at the end of the work in . 
   The <unk> and associated <unk> was fitted to the mill . At the end of the second work @-@ in , the cap could be turned by means of the hand <unk> . The <unk> itself , with the <unk> painted red , white and blue was installed shortly afterwards . The <unk> arm brake wheel was assembled around the <unk> . It was found that the <unk> was eccentric on the upright shaft by ½ inch ( 13 mm ) . When this was corrected the brake wheel was within 1 / 16 <unk> of an inch ( less than 1 mm ) of true . The <unk> for the stocks were <unk> from a <unk> of pitch pine ready for completion later in the year . Other work included a new frame for one of the ground floor doors , cleaning and painting <unk> and further <unk> on the brickwork . The four sails were fitted to the mill with the aid of a mobile crane at the end of the second work @-@ in . The stock , with one sail attached was carefully inserted through the poll end of the <unk> and when <unk> in position and the <unk> had been attached the second sail was fitted to the stock . The process was repeated for the second pair of sails . The mill turned by wind again on the last day of the second work @-@ in . 
   Work later in the year included the finishing of the fourth sail , balancing the <unk> and sorting out <unk> troubles with the <unk> <unk> . The brake and brake lever were made and installed and <unk> <unk> for the sails were cast . 
   Restoration work in 1984 cost £ 2 @,@ 918 . Grants received were £ 1 @,@ <unk> from English Heritage , £ 500 from St <unk> Borough Council , Other donations amounted to £ 52 . <unk> from open days at the mill came to £ 151 . A boost to the funds was £ 2 @,@ 000 from <unk> <unk> . This money had been allocated to allow the moving of a <unk> post mill buck to <unk> . In the end , the removal was not proceeded with , and Mr <unk> allowed the donation to remain with the <unk> Mill Preservation Trust . The project received further support in local media , including the East Anglian Daily Times , one of the work @-@ ins being featured on <unk> Television 's About <unk> programme . 
   
   = = = 1985 - 87 = = = 
   
   Work planned for 1985 included the replacement of the dust floor window and completion of the stocks and sails . The external walls of the mill were <unk> and internal walls plastered . Two work @-@ ins were held , from 20 July to 28 July and 17 August to 26 August . Further work over the next two years saw the restoration completed in 1987 . 
   
   = = Restoration team = = 
   
   The restoration of <unk> <unk> was made possible by the efforts of 135 individuals and 61 organisations . This was achieved by the donation of labour , plant , materials or grants of money , or by giving <unk> for materials purchased or providing publicity for the project . 
   
   = = Description = = 
   
   Terms explained in the Mill machinery article are in italics 
   As built in 1819 
   A four @-@ storey tower mill with Common sails carried on a wooden <unk> , driving two pairs of <unk> <unk> . <unk> wheel 6 feet ( 1 @.@ 83 m ) diameter . <unk> was by hand . 
   As restored 
   The four @-@ storey tower is built of brick , and stands 31 feet 5 inches ( 9 @.@ 58 m ) from ground level to the curb . The walls are 2 feet ( 610 mm ) thick at ground level . The mill is described from the top down . 
   The <unk> cap sits on top of the tower , giving the mill an overall height of 45 feet ( 13 @.@ 72 m ) to the <unk> . It houses the cast @-@ iron <unk> and 7 feet 2 inches ( 2 @.@ 18 m ) diameter wooden brake wheel internally . <unk> the four double Patent sails span 64 feet ( 19 @.@ 51 m ) . They are 9 feet ( 2 @.@ 74 m ) wide and can develop 30 horsepower ( 22 kW ) . The eight <unk> <unk> keeps the mill turned into wind . 
   The top floor of the mill is the dust floor . It could be used for storage of grain and gives internal access to the cap . The cast @-@ iron <unk> , which is driven by the brake wheel is carried at the top of the upright shaft , in the centre of the mill . 
   The bin floor is where the grain is stored before being ground into flour . The <unk> hoist mechanism is housed on this floor , driven from the wooden crown wheel on the floor below by belt . 
   The stone floor is where the two pairs of <unk> French Burr <unk> are located . The stones are 4 feet 4 inches ( 1 @.@ 32 m ) and 4 feet 7 inches ( 1 @.@ 40 m ) diameter . The wooden crown wheel is located towards the ceiling . This drives the <unk> hoist on the bin floor . Other machinery on this floor are an <unk> <unk> and a flour <unk> . 
   The ground floor of the mill is the meal floor . It is where the <unk> ground flour is delivered for <unk> up . The wooden great spur wheel , located at the bottom of the extended upright shaft and stone nuts are located on this floor . The great spur wheel has been converted from <unk> arm construction to <unk> arm construction . A third pair of 4 feet 6 inches ( 1 @.@ 37 m ) diameter French Burr <unk> is located on a <unk> frame , driven by the auxiliary engine via a fast and loose <unk> . 
   
   = = <unk> = = 
   
   William Button 1819 @-@ 37 
   Rebecca Button <unk> ? ? 
   Richard Button 18 ? ? <unk> 
   William Button 1860 @-@ 62 
   Richard Button ( Jr ) 1860 @-@ 62 
   Stephen <unk> 1862 @-@ 79 
   Henry Bryant 1879 @-@ 1920 
   <unk> Vincent 1920 @-@ 24 
   George Vincent 1920 @-@ 24 
   Reference for above : - 
   
   = = Culture and media = = 
   
   A video of the restoration of the mill was produced by <unk> <unk> . 
   
   = = Public access = = 
   
   <unk> Mill is open to the public on Easter Monday , the Sunday of the late May and August bank holidays and the first Sunday in July , August and September . It is also open at other times by prior arrangement . 
   
   