Waltham is a village situated approximately 5 miles south-west of Grimsby, North_East_Lincolnshire. Waltham Windmill is renowned in the area for having 6 sails still in full working capacity, being one of the very few such windmills like this in England. ==Construction== The first mill on this site was built in 1666 (in the same year as the Great_Fire_of_London) and was a ''trestle Post_mill''. The location was well set on the Brigsley Road with good transport into Grimsby and out towards the farms of the Lincolnshire_Wolds. This mill was blown down in 1744, but soon replaced with another post-mill to continue the job of the old mill. Unfortunately for the residents of the area, this mill too was blown down, in 1873. Construction of the windmill that stands today began in 1878 and was completed by John Saunderson from Louth,_Lincolnshire in 1880. The new windmill was constructed of local brick and coated with a layer of tar as a seal against the elements. The six-storied mill had a greater capacity than the previous post-mills and consisted of 6 double-sided sails, driving a grinding stone for the production of flour. ==Later Years== In the 1920s, the sails were reconstructed to single-sided sails to increase its efficiency in light winds. It is said that during World War II whilst RAF_Grimsby was being constructed the Air_Ministry saw the Windmill as a possible waypoint for German Bombers. They went to see the Farmer who owned the mill and told him they would destroy it along with the Grimsby_Dock_Tower and Binbrook_Windmill. The farmer then went to get his shotgun and chased them off his land and they only returned to construct the W.A.A.F. canteen. Grimsby_Dock_Tower survived due to it holding a Royal_Navy wireless transmitter, however Binbrook_Windmill was demolished]]. By 1962, Waltham Windmill was one of the last windmills in England to be fully operational by wind, but from this point until 1967, it was powered by electricity. ==The Windmill Today== Within the grounds of the windmill, there are a miniature railway, a museum dedicated to Rural Life and an old sweet shop selling favourites from the 1920s to the 1970s. The windmill is still standing, and is funded by the Waltham Windmill Preservation Society and the Waltham Windmill Trust and various events are held throughout the year ranging from Car-Boot_Sales, Classic_Car_Rallys and also Airshows. ==Trivia== In 2001 the windmill cap and sails were removed so that they could be restored and repainted. The Windmill is also used as the symbol for Waltham's Infant and Junior Schools logos. ---- Source: Great Grimsby Library Records Office ==External links== *Waltham Windmill Preservation Society *The Railway Carrige at Waltham Windmill *McMillers Sweet Emporium *Brushstrokes Ceramics *RAF Grimsby Exhibition Category:Visitor_attractions_in_Lincolnshire Category:Buildings_and_structures_in_Lincolnshire Category:Windmills_in_England