Surrey Vintage Vehicle Society caters for veteran cars, vintage cars & classic cars, as well as commercials and motorcycles.

London-Brighton Veteran Run: 
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2021  Brighton Veteran Run

Great success! That about sums up our picnic at Lowfield Heath Windmill. Thanks to Tony Russell for recommending the venue, and thanks for leaving me in charge! It was very fortunate that our 'SVVS weather good luck' followed us, had it rained all day the scenario would have been quite different. Apart from a small area inside the mill and a single unisex toilet shed, there was no shelter. On Sunday, the only shelter needed was from the heat of the sun! Fortunately, the mill cast a good-sized shadow where many tables and chairs were quickly erected.

By midday it became apparent that the short grass parking area prepared for us was far too small. Some cars found space around the mill, but others had no alternative but to double park or venture into the very long grass. I noticed a couple of members rolling in the hay, having caught their foot in a tangle of grass …it was the roars of laughter that attracted my attention!

As well as the tea and cake stall, entertainment was all around, video films in the base of the mill, photos and info displays, plus various artefacts. Then of course, there was the mill itself. The long steep ladder proved too daunting for some, but for those who dared, a rich reward of mill machinery and fine views through the open windows awaited …but then we had to climb down! Children demonstrated how easy it was, but we senior members demonstrated how cautious we should be!

As usual with SVVS events, the variety of vehicles was astonishing, from a 1904 6hp single cylinder Wolseley, to modern classics. I'll leave the pictures shown in the Mag and here as validation. I did count 40 registered cars at one point, but later more arrived and some had left!

Towards the end of the afternoon, an impromptu presentation by Chas went to our founding member Clive and his wife Myetta, for having driven the furthest (from Fareham, Hants). Those who attended The Dog & Duck in July (see page 9), will remember Clive's little red and yellow Morris tourer, so an appropriate Noddy Hat accompanied the wine.

Committee member Roger collected the Mill Trust donations. He handed them £220, but late arrivals added more, so £240 is estimated.

What a fun and entertaining day had by all, thanks for coming everyone!

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The Lowfield Heath Windmill is a Grade II listed post mill at Charlwood, Surrey. The actual origins of the mill are uncertain. Some local lore has it moving to Lowfield Heath from Hookwood, and other that it moved there from Horsham. It is shown on local maps dated from 1762, In 1827 the miller failed to obtain an injunction preventing the enclosure of the common that the mill stood on. The mill was subsequently damaged in a storm in 1835. It had last worked by wind in 1880, and thereafter it was worked by a portable steam engine until 1895, having dummy sails. It was subsequently threatened with demolition due to the expansion of Gatwick Airport and a Trust was formed with the intention moving the mill to a new site on land adjoining Gatwick Zoo and restoring it. The dismantling of the mill was started in June 1987 and it was gone from Lowfield Heath by September.

The rebuilding of the new trestle and roundhouse at the new site in Charlwood started in 1988 and the mill was generally rebuilt during the summer of 1989. It was officially opened on 10 April 1990 by Princess Alexandra. The roundhouse was completed in 1991. In 1997, work was started to put the mill back into full working order. New sails were fitted, and the mill turned by wind for the first time in June 1998. The Zoo closed in 2001 and houses were built on the site. A plot of land that the mill stands on was left undeveloped. In 2003, the sails were again damaged in a storm, and a new pair of Common sails were fitted. The mill constantly continues to be renovated and updated with parts and designs from mills all over the UK. Full technical details on this can be found here on Wikipedia.