East Bridge Wind Pump
from the Minsmere Levels
Built: mid 19th century
Originally Eastbridge Windpump was one of four pumps that drained the Minsmere Levels near Leiston in East Suffolk. Water was pumped up two metres from the marsh meadows into a new cut (drainage ditch).
Norfolk and Suffolk marshland has been used for grazing since the 13th century when the sea level was one metre lower than it is now. As the water level rose the land became too wet to use, leading to a need for improved flood banks. In the 18th century windpumps were introduced, lifting the excess water up into the river. However, these were not effective enough and the land still flooded. It was not until the 19th century that windpumps became more efficient. This coincided with land enclosure, when common land became privately owned. Although this was bad news for villagers and small local farmers, the positive result was more money being put towards land drainage. Flooding became much less frequent creating more land for grazing.
This pump was built during the mid 19th century, probably by Robert Martin, a millwright from Beccles. The 'smock' design of the windpump takes its name from its resemblance to a miller's smock. It was in working order until the Second World War when weather damage took its toll. The pump fell into a state of disrepair, with a severe storm finally knocking it down in the winter of 1977/78. In the early 80s, the ironwork was salvaged and the pump was re-erected on this site, where now, on a windy day, the sails turn once again.