Thurne image by Chris Herring Photography

THE MILL IS CLOSED FOR THE WINTER MONTHS

DO YOU FANCY BEING A VOLUNTEER AT THE MILL ON OPEN DAYS?

PLEASE CONTACT US IF YOU ARE INTERESTED OR WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION

 
Bob Morse

who saved thurne mill

Ronald Dorian Morse and his family relocated to Norfolk in 1947, moving from their hometown of Henfield in West Sussex. The decision was made following a family holiday to Norfolk a year earlier, as Ronald’s mother, Mrs Morse, felt that the fresh air, water and vast rural expanses would be great for her three boys (well, young men by then).

 Ronald, known as Bob, was the youngest of the three and had a tremendous passion for windmills and, indeed, anything mechanic. But, most of all, he wanted to own and look after a windmill.

 Thankfully, Thurne Mill Windpump came onto the market and his dream soon become reality when he purchased it from the Internal Drainage Board in 1949. This was the beginning of what is now known as The Morse Collection.

 When Bob initially bought the mill it was in extremely poor condition and had, in fact, ceased working in 1936. The internal floors, doors and windows had gone. The sails and fantail needed replacement and the brickwork required immediate attention. Bob wasted no time and began work straight away. He hired Albert England, a direct descendant of the millwright Dan England of Ludham, who had built the mill in 1820. Between them they repaired and re-painted the tower for a grand total of £7.0s.0d - approximately £10,000 in todays economy.

Image of Bob Morse in the early 1950’s

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