The Loss of Hoads Mill

The Destruction of Hoad's Mill in a storm in 1965 is a loss still regretted by Bexhillians.
Ian Cheese, of Buxton Drive, who submitted this picture, has good reason to remember the occasion.
"I worked for Clifford Hoad for many years as a driver.
"I was in the mill only the day before it collapsed. I went up inside it with Roland Hoad. It was a windy day and the whole thing was shaking ..."
Clifford Hoad is seen looking at the fallen ruins of his mill in Ian's Observer picture.
Ian recalls: "Some of the machinery was salvaged for use in the Polegate mill."
The Down windmill was erected in 1735. It was acquired by the Hoad family in 1857 and continued working until 1928. In 1956 one of the 30ft sweeps was broken in a gale.
The picture of the late Clifford Hoad surveying the ruins of Hoad's Mill certainly brought memories for some.
A.E. Burton, of Sidley Green, writes: "The picture is the old windmill in Gunters Lane which was blown down in a gale-force wind. I can't remember the year.
"The man standing was Mr Clifford Hoad. He owned it and the bake-houses. Also, he was my brother-in-law. He married my elder sister. His father had the mill before his son. I can remember going into the mill when I was a boy. It was all in working order. The sails used to go round."
L.R. Webster, of Highwoods Avenue, writes: "I think I am right in saying the photograph is of the beautiful Hoad's windmill in Gunters Lane which was damaged in a storm in the late Sixties.
"The tragic scenario to this is that the year before the damage the Hoad family asked the local council for a grant of £1,600 for restoration which, needless to say, this wonderful council turned down. It does make you wonder how their brains work."
Linda Bingham, of Bank Road, Sidley, writes:"My husband, Clive, tells an interesting story of the Down Mill after it had fallen down in 1965/66. As a child of eight, my husband was sent to buy a loaf of fresh bread from the bakery next to the Down Mill in Gunters Lane. He remembers the wind being very strong that day and as he walked up the road opposite the mill he heard what he thought was a clap of thunder. As he turned and looked at the mill, he saw the sweeps come crashing to the ground taking half of the mill with it. He crossed the road and was amused to see the customers and staff from the bakery standing at the foot of the fallen mill. He then went into the bakery, bought his bread and went home to tell his mum about the mill."