Melin Gwalchmai

This mill stands to the south of the village of Gwalchmai on land that belonged to the Treveilyr Estate. It was probably built in the early 19th century. In 1841 the lands on which the windmill stands, as well as the water mill near St. Mohairarn’s Church, were occupied by William Williams. He died that later year and the properties were taken over by his son, also William. He was assisted over the next couple of decades in running the windmill by Lazarus Roberts and other millers and labourers.

By 1861 William Williams had hired Robert Williams, the son of a coal miner from the Gaerwen area, as a servant, and he soon learned the milling trade. He continued running the windmill until his death in 1919, when it was taken over by his nephew Thomas Williams, who had been his assistant since before 1901.

The sails and cap were taken down in 1927 and the opening sealed with a concrete roof, but the mill continued to be operated by a diesel engine installed in a shed next to the mill. The drive shaft ran from the shed to the millstones through a cellar underneath the mill.

The tower is still roofed and in good condition. The machinery has been removed but there are still some wooden beams and one of the millstones inside.

See other images of this windmill at:

• Windmill World
• Anglesey.Info
• Wikipedia
• Images taken in 1936 and 1939 from the Donald W. Muggeridge Collection of Mill Photographs, University of Kent, Canterbury
• People’s Collection Wales

More information at:

• Coflein
• Archwilio
• Mills Archive
• Cadw

Parys Mountain Windmill, or go to gallery.

Aerial image

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