From the terrifying roar of a lightning strike in 1813 to the gentle scavenging of schoolboys for glass marbles a century later, the area around Portslade’s windmills has always been a hive of activity. This is the story of the Huggett family’s resilience, the rise of the Britannia Flour Mills, and the memories of a town caught between the era of wind and the power of steam.
1. The Huggett Family and the "Lightning Strike"
The Copperas Gap Windmill was not just a landmark; it was the site of a dramatic survival story in 1813.
The Incident: During a violent thunderstorm, the mill was struck by lightning.
The Miller: William Huggett, the miller at the time, was severely burnt by the strike. Despite the lack of modern medicine, he remarkably survived.
The Location: This mill stood at the corner of North Street and West Street and remained a part of the landscape until the 1870s.
2. The 200-Year Legacy of the Britannia Site
The Britannia Flour Mills represent the evolution of Portslade from wind to steam power.
The Discovery: When the Britannia Mills were demolished in 1936, a stone was found in the foundations dated 1725.
Centuries of Labour: This proves that your "neighbours" had been milling on that exact site for over two centuries before the steam wagons arrived.
The Owners: The modern Britannia Mills were built in 1853 for John Borrer, a prominent local figure whose family had deep roots in the area.
3. Mill Lane and the "Portslade-Mill"
The mill at the top of the hill (near what is now Mill Lane) was a key staging point for both work and play.
A Staging Point: As you noted earlier, it was the official meeting point for the Prince of Wales and his harriers every Monday during the hunting season.
Social Hub: The presence of the mill made this area a focal point for the community, where agricultural "labour" met the high society of the Regency era.
4. Life Around the Mills: Alf Langrish’s Memories
In his memoirs, Alf Langrish provides a vivid picture of the area near the Britannia Flour Mills in the early 20th century.
Steam and Dust: He recalls the steam wagons and the garage built for them near the mills.
The Canal Dump: A fascinating detail is the "rubbish dump" on the canal shore near the Britannia Flour Mills Jetty.
A Boy’s Treasure: Alf and his friends would scavenge for "cod bottles" (glass bottles with a marble stopper, common for carbonated drinks in the Victorian era).
and glass marbles dumped there, using them to supplement their collections.
Summary
1. The Miller: William Huggett
The Record of Resilience: In 1813, William Huggett was the miller at the Copperas Gap Windmill. During a severe storm that year, the mill was struck by lightning, and William was badly burned.
Family Roots: Despite his injuries, he continued to be a central part of the community. Parish records at St Nicolas Church show several of his children were baptised there:
Sarah Huggett (baptised 1813)
William Huggett (baptised 1818)
John Huggett (baptised 1820)
Partnership: William eventually entered into a partnership with William Pennington Gorringe, which was dissolved in 1837 when the mill was sold to John Borrer of Portslade Manor.
2. The Site: Copperas Gap Windmill
Location: The mill stood at the corner of North Street and West Street.
Early Origins: While the mill was put up for sale as early as 1793 (sold at the White Horse in Brighton), some evidence suggests the site could have been used for milling as far back as 1725, given the date stone found later during the demolition of the Britannia Mills nearby.
Production Capacity: By 1801, records state that Portslade had two windmills (this one and the one at East Hill) capable of grinding ten quarters of corn in 24 hours.
Demise: The mill was eventually demolished around 1872 as steam power took over the industry.
3. A Neighbourly Tradition
The Portslade millers, including those who came after the Huggetts, such as Thomas Peters, maintained a generous village tradition:
The Gleaner's Gift: Any corn gleaned by poor families after the harvest could be brought to the mill and ground free of charge. This often resulted in two full sacks of flour for a struggling household—a vital act of support for their "neighbours."
- The Evolution of the Britannia Site
- A Tradition of Support for Neighbours
- Memories of the Canal Shore
While the modern Britannia Mills were built in 1853 for John Borrer, the site’s history goes much deeper. When the mills were demolished in 1936, a stone was found in the foundations dated 1725, proving that milling had been a constant presence on this spot for over two centuries.
As the industry moved from wind to steam, the site transitioned from the traditional sails of the Copperas Gap Mill to the heavy steam wagons recalled by Alf Langrish. These wagons even had their own dedicated garage nearby, marking the final shift into the industrial age.
Despite the industrialisation of the trade, a generous village tradition remained. Any corn gleaned by poor families after the harvest could be brought to the mill and ground free of charge. This "Gleaner’s Gift" often resulted in two full sacks of flour for a struggling household—a vital act of support in an era before the welfare state.
For the children of Portslade, the mills and the nearby canal were a playground of discovery. Alf Langrish fondly remembered scavenging the rubbish dump on the canal shore near the Britannia Flour Mills Jetty. There, amongst the discarded waste of the town, he and his friends would hunt for treasures:
"Cod Bottles": Glass mineral water bottles with marble stoppers.
Glass Marbles: Scavenged to supplement their childhood collections.
Wheat Barges: The sight of the large vessels unloading their cargo, destined for the great steam rollers of the mill.
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