Windmill Hill, Pudsey

[chameleon]

jim wrote: Thanks Chameleon, very helpful! Any monitors on site please wipe relevant messages. Done

[jim]

Ta

[Glenny3363]

Circular shape on google earth solved!!!Went for a nosey today with my brother SiThe trampoline joke was strangely accurate!!!Behind the garage that backs onto the lawn where the 'depression' is where sections from the frame of a large trampoline!!See attached photo of Si pointing at the offending article!!!

[Si]

Whilst looking for air shafts, trampolines, etc, we also had a look up Windmill Hill for the windmill. If there's anything to see of it, it's on private land behind an old house, unfortunately.I must apologise to Tilly if he's been to have a look on my behalf.PS Tilly - also had a pint in the White Cross. It's different, but hasn't changed hugely. The three doors opposite the bar are still there (where we stood drinking Tetley's Mild back in the 70s.)

[tilly]

Si wrote: Whilst looking for air shafts, trampolines, etc, we also had a look up Windmill Hill for the windmill. If there's anything to see of it, it's on private land behind an old house, unfortunately.I must apologise to Tilly if he's been to have a look on my behalf.PS Tilly - also had a pint in the White Cross. It's different, but hasn't changed hugely. The three doors opposite the bar are still there (where we stood drinking Tetley's Mild back in the 70s.) Hi Si did you find the tiles?No problem with your visit i have not had a chance to look been busy with my grandaughter back to normal on monday.

[Si]

tilly wrote: Si wrote: Whilst looking for air shafts, trampolines, etc, we also had a look up Windmill Hill for the windmill. If there's anything to see of it, it's on private land behind an old house, unfortunately.I must apologise to Tilly if he's been to have a look on my behalf.PS Tilly - also had a pint in the White Cross. It's different, but hasn't changed hugely. The three doors opposite the bar are still there (where we stood drinking Tetley's Mild back in the 70s.) Hi Si did you find the tiles?No problem with your visit i have not had a chance to look been busy with my grandaughter back to normal on monday. No, Tilly. Didn't have much time, and took your word for it that they weren't in that location!

[tilly]

Si wrote: tilly wrote: Si wrote: Whilst looking for air shafts, trampolines, etc, we also had a look up Windmill Hill for the windmill. If there's anything to see of it, it's on private land behind an old house, unfortunately.I must apologise to Tilly if he's been to have a look on my behalf.PS Tilly - also had a pint in the White Cross. It's different, but hasn't changed hugely. The three doors opposite the bar are still there (where we stood drinking Tetley's Mild back in the 70s.) Hi Si did you find the tiles?No problem with your visit i have not had a chance to look been busy with my grandaughter back to normal on monday. No, Tilly. Didn't have much time, and took your word for it that they weren't in that location! Hi Si i will have a look around for the tiles im not beat yet i will ask the locals if they know of them.

[Si]

Found this reference to the windmill (and Jumbles Well - may be of interest to Steve Jones?) in Simeon Rayner's "History and Antiquities of Pudsey" published c.1887."...west of this line of Chapeltown,and still on the eminence was Windmill Hill, where the wrecked windmill now stands, and where Robert Milner " le molendinarius de Pudsey " was raising a family of children in the days of good Queen Bess— they were afterwards to become somewhat celebrated. That Windmill Road, winding round to Jumbles and thence to WestRoyd almost marks the very commencement of the steep abyss of Smalewell, and the southwood which grew there, as I conceive, for the north wood just across Tyersal beck was only royded [cleared] a few years ago. This flat was the playground of Pudsey ; it was once pierced by a footpath which came straight in from Chapeltown to Jumbles Well ; that footpath exists to-day as far as Windmill Lane, but a span away from the well. The well was an object of special adoration to our ancestors, both Norse and Angle."

[Si]

More from Mr Rayner. He doesn't half waffle on!"In contra-distinction to Jumbles Well is Smale-Well, hard by. The word Smale of the compound seems like a relic of the Icelandic-word Smali, meaning properly small cattle, especially sheep, but also goats, and, in a later sense, cattle generally. The distinction in the nomenclature of these wells is most interesting. At the Smale-well, where the cattle, or, perchance, the herdsman drank, there was no idol ; the pure pellucid water was alone of worth ; no pilgrimages of love or devotion were performed to that well ; it was on no flat, grassy green, where the loiterer could carelessly while away time, and expiate his sins by an Ave Maria ; it was no path where the fervid maiden could easily stroll, awaiting the coming of the loving swain. It was in a stark precipice, toilsome of ascent, and more fitting for the nimble foot, than for the expectant lover. Of Smalewell it was only to be noted that cattle drank there ; it was too difficult of approach to need an idol, for pilgrimages thereto could not be made to pay."So, according to Simeon Rayner, Smalewell doesn't mean small well, but a well used by cattle?    

[Si]

Jumbles Well can be seen on the left of the map, below Windmill Hill, and I'm guessing that "Smale-Well" was (is?) somewhere near Smalewell Hall, as the lane running past it, down to the ford, is fairly steep. I don't think the tunnel and embankment were in existence when Rayner was writing (the line terminating at Greenside station) and New Occupation Lane now leads up to join Occupation Lane.