Notice on the bankruptcy of George

Richmond

1837

"TO MILLERS, BAKERS, SHOPKEEPERS, BROKERS, AND OTHERS Extensive sale of Household furniture, Stock of Wheat, Flour, Beans, Peas, Spring Carts, capital Black Gelding, &c., at Ruiton Mills, in the parish of Sedgley, by the order of assignees of Mr. George Richmond, bankrupt. By R. Adams - To be SOLD by AUCTION, this present Monday, November 27, and following days, until the whole is disposed of-all the valuable large stock of Wheat, Flour, Sharps, Brans, Beans, Peas, part of a Rick of Oats, Potatoes, Scales and Weights, large quantity of bags, Capital Black Gelding, rising five, steady to ride or drive, two light Spring Carts, Gig Harness, two sets of Cart Gearing, Baking Peals, Tins, tubs, scales and weights &c., also the gentile and useful Household Furniture, including oak four post, tent, and other bedsteads, capital feather beds, eight-day clock in mahogany case, mahogany dining and other tables, chest of drawers, chairs, pier and swing glasses, prints, pictures, glassware, linen, china, brass mounted wire and other fenders, garden chair, together with well seasoned brewing vessels kitchen and culinary utensils, and other effects. "

Aris's Birmingham Gazette

13th October 1860

UPPER GORNAL, STAFFORDSHIRE RUITON NEW MILL, HOUSE AND PREMISES TO MILLERS, CAPITALISTS, AND OTHERS TO be SOLD or LET, all that very desirable FREEHOLD WINDMILL, HOUSE, and PREMISES, situate as above. The Mill is well and substantially built of Stone, and the Fittings and Grinding Apparatus are all complete, and it is in every way suitable for carrying on a good Business. There is a large Water Cistern underneath, by which, at a very small cost, the Mill might be made to work with Steam Power. The House contains four Bed Rooms, Parlour, Sitting Room, Shop, Kitchen, and large Garden, with a sufficient supply of Hard and Soft Water, and lately in the occupation of Mr. Paul Thompson, the Proprietor. Also two FREEHOLD HOUSES situated near the above, producing the low annual rent of £13., and is in the occupation of Joseph Hickman and another. Also all that eligible Piece of PASTURE LAND, adjoining the above; and containing, including the site of the Buildings, 1A. 0R. 12P., or thereabouts, and in all probability there is a good Mine of Stone underneath. The above Property is delightfully situated on an eminence, and commands very extensive views, including the Wrekin, Clee, and Malvern Hills, Enville, Himley, and surrounding country. For further particulars and to treat apply to Mr. Charles Round, Surveyor and Auctioneer, Owen Street, Tipton.

Newspaper Sale Notice

1861

"All that FLOUR MILL, situate at Ruiton, in the parish of Sedgley, with Wind-mills, Machinery, and two pairs of French Stones, two Store Rooms, Stable, and Piggery; also a MESSUAGE or Dwelling House adjoining, consisting of Shop, Parlour, Kitchen, and three Chambers, Washhouse and Cistern. The whole contains an area of 580 square yards or thereabouts, and is Leasehold for the term of 999 years, of which 841 years are unexpired."

THE BIRMINGHAM DAILY GAZETTE

22nd April 1864

RUITON WINDMILL, UPPER GORNAL - To be LET, the above mill, having Three Pairs of Stones, Flour Machine, Smutter, Duster, &c., in good repair, with trade attached. - For particulars apply on the premises

Express & Star

5th March 1951

Ruiton Windmill It was stated in the Express and Star on Friday that no one can remember Ruiton windmill actually working. I have been in the mill when it was grinding meal for pigs and cattle. The miller was a Mr Parker. On a clear day, with binoculars, ships can be seen in the Bristol channel and on the Mersey. The older mill mentioned in the article was at the top of Mill Street, Ruiton now occupied by a bakery - RESIDENT

Express & Star

29th March 1951

RUITON WINDMILL To assist in preserving the Ruiton windmill as "an interesting feature of the local landscape" it was agreed to follow a suggestion by the clerk that the mill and adjacent lands be earmarked in the county development plan for future extension of Vale Street recreation ground until acquisition might be contemplated. Immediate purchase of this property was out of the question it was reported. A sub committee found the mill "in a sound condition"

Birmingham Post

25th September 1957

Offer Refused Despite some powerful pleading by two councillors at Sedgley last night, the ftae of the old windmill at Ruiton remains undecided. The windmill, a relic of the days of the salt industry in Gornal has much in common now with the old grey mare. Its owners have offered it as a gift to Sedgley Council but its condition is described as "dangerous" and the council has decided that even to make it safe - let alone to restore it - would cost too much money. Accordingly, the offer has been refused. Treasured as a landmark - it stands high on the hill and can be seen from as far away as Clent, the Malverns and the Clee Hills - the windmill is scheduled as an historic feature and can be demolished only after permission has been obtained.

Express & Star

6th February 1958

Ruiton Windmill As no one has written in favour of demolishing Ruiton windmill, this in itself should be a guide to the council that the public prefer to preserve this local historical monument. I was pleased to read the letter from S. J. Humphries. Now how about some support from the residents of Sedgley ? The Mill is by no means an eyesore and surely at a relatively small cost it could nnot only be made completely safe, but also a most picturesque asset to the district. R. LLOYD 15 Heydon Road Bromley Brierley Hill * * * I, TOO, feel that it would be shameful not to restore the windmill. What would happen if all the places of historical interest were pulled down ? The windmill is of great interest to local people and who knows, it may be of interest in years to come. How many of these so called contemporary buildings of this age will last as long as our windmill ? It is British workmanship at its best and was built without present day mechanical aids. To Sedgley Council I say: Please reconsider your decision. SCHOOLGIRL

Dudley Herald

30th September 1977

Old mill - new museum? Old mill to be restored as museum The old windmill at Upper Gornal is lined up to become a museum. The Black Country Society hopes to restore the Ruiton Windmill - believed to date back to the early 19th century - and use it as a headquarters and showcase for old Black Country life. But although there are plans to put the sails back on the Gornal landmark the mill will not be grinding down corn for flour. "The windmill has been out of action too long for it to be used for its original purpose" says Black Country Society secretary, Mr John Brimble. "But we hope to make the inside of the windmill as authentic as possible." "Not much is known about its history, but we do know there were originally two mills close to each other. The other was knocked down long ago." The society hopes to launch the project to celebrate its 10th anniversary this year and is hoping the public will help with donations when plans are completed. Dudley Planning Committee gave approval in principle to the scheme at its meeting last week. But a local resident has objected to the plan on the grounds of loss of privacy. The windmill was used as a scouts' headquarters until recently, but is now empty. A caretaker will live in while restoration work is carried out.

Evening Mail

27th October 1987

Windmill is sailing back after re-fit By HELEN MACKLIN The Winds of change are blowing through an old Black Country landmark. Ruiton windmill once used for cutting blocks of famous Gornal stone, lost its sails more than 50 years ago and became derelict. Vandals daubed and damaged it and thieves hacked off chunks to build walls and rockeries. But a group of enthusiasts decided the windmill was too important to slip into history and set about restoring it to its former Victorian glory. By the end of next year, the work should be completed and the windmill will open to the public as an educational and community centre. Years of planning have gone into the project, which is being undertaken by a trust made up of councillors, voluntary organisations, members of a youth club and British Legion, historians, and even the local brass band. For one man at least it's a dream come true, Gornal Labour councillor Ken Finch is chairman of the Ruiton Windmill Trust. "If the Trust hadn't got moving there would be no windmill today, which would have been a tragedy because it's part of Gornal's history and it would have been lost forever," he said. The windmill and its outbuildings in Vale Street was in poor shape - mostly through vandalism. but also through age and weather - when the trust was formed six years ago. Ken, aged 52, said: "The windmill is well over 100 years old and was derelict. "Vandalism was the main cause, the children were using it as a play area. "Also the roof leaked and people were taking the stone for their own use." The trust approached voluntary organisations to help get the scheme under way. West Midlands County Council donated a small sum which was used for essential repairs and to erect a fortress of barbed wire steel fencing to deter vandals. But most of the money had come from Dudley Council which owned the windmill, said Ken. There was a lull of a couple of years when little restoration work was done, but in recent times the project has regained impetus and interested parties have been putting their efforts into it. Since May, the work has been carried out by a 19 strong team on an MSC community programme run by the Kingswinford based managing agency, Concord Venturex, which is sponsored by Dudley Council for Voluntary Service. SKILLED About £5,000 has been spent on materials so far and a similar amount has been earmarked for further work on the interior and outbuildings and for replacing the sails. For practical reasons, the sails will be fixed, not mobile. Since taking on the year long job, the MSC team has already restored most of the inside of the windmill. Skilled carpenters replaced the old timbered beams, windows, circular staircase and three floors, as well as re-pointing the entire exterior. Ken, of Brookvale, Lower Gornal, said: "They have done a first-class job, a lot of skilled craftsmanship has gone into it." Dudley Council has taken a keen interest in the restoration. "It will be a tourist attraction for Dudley as a whole," said Ken. "We want it to be used by groups throughout the area as an educational and community centre. We'll have local children coming to see it and the adults can use it for get-togethers and meetings." He said the inside of the windmill was deceptively large and the ground floor could easily seat 30 people at a function. I couldn't believe the size, it's fantastic," he added. Ken would like to see part of the building turned into a local museum. His interest goes back seven years when fellow councillor and Gornal man, the late Albert Oakley, told him the history of the windmill. Ken said: "He was a councillor in the area fok 30 years and was interested in everything about Gornal. He would have been very pleased about the windmill." Since the work began, vandalism has ceased. "I think people realise it's an historic monument and something to be proud of," said Ken. "The major job will be fixing up the new sails, hopefully by the end of 1988." Mr Frank Littiewood, 62 year old project manager with Concord Venture, said the historical interest had brought out the best in his workers. "There has been good workmanship involved," he said. "It's a different kind of job because it's restoring rather than building from new, and you have to have men with imagination who have studied old buildings. The windmill certainly takes you back to the old days." Frank can remember as a boy seeing the main cross timbers that carried the sails. He said: "The windmill was used in conjunction with the quarry adjacent and the Gornal stone was used for building houses." The millers' relatives are still thought to be living in the area, said Frank. The team has built a stairway up to the viewing platform on top of the windmill, with breathtaking results. Frank said: "On a clear day you can see the Malvern Hills, The Clees and The Wrekin and on an exceptionally good day, mountains in Wales as far as 70 miles away." Ken thinks the people of Gornal are in for a surprise when they visit the windmill. He said: "There won't be another one like it In the Dudley area. I'm proud to have been part of this project. I just couldn't have stood by and let the windmill fall down"