Lytham windmill, Lancashire

Lytham Windmill & Lifeboathouse
Lytham Windmill, overlooking the River Ribble, has been the town's most famous landmark for almost two centuries.
The present "Windy Milne" was built by the Squire of Lytham in 1805 on an area known as Lytham Marsh and was leased to Mr Richard Cookson for a rent of seven shillings (35 pence) per year.
In the early days the corn mill was in constant use and served a wide area with a gas engine installed for use in calm weather.
As Lytham's popularity as a holiday resort increased with the arrival of the railway, curious holidaymakers were drawn to look closer at the working mill as they strolled along the now leveled and extended Lytham Green.
This proved disasterous in 1909 when a small boy on an outing from Manchester clung to one of the sails as it swept past. He was carried aloft, lost his grip and fell to his death.
The darkest day in the mill's history was January 1, 1919 when a severe gale caused the sails to run out of control, despite the powerful brake. Sparks started a blaze that virtually gutted the building.
The mill then remained derelict until 1921 when it was handed over to the people of Lytham by the Squire of Lytham, John T Clifton. The next 50 years saw the building used as an electricity substation, meeting rooms for various maritime societies and even a tea room.
In 1987 Fylde Borough Council began two years extensive work on protecting the landmark and restoring the mill. It officially reopened as a tourist attraction on Monday March 20, 1989.
Fylde Borough Council in co-operation with the Gazette features editor, the Civic Society, and the RNLI.