28. GOGGS' MILL

Now a picnic area, Hempton Mill was often known as Goggs' Mill, after the formidable Thomas Goggs. He lived in Grove House and owned and worked the mill between 1854 and 1888, using a combination of water and steam to power the machinery. The mill was built of brick and weatherboard with a Norfolk pantile roof.

The mill was about two miles downstream from Sculthorpe Mill and about a mile upstream from Fakenham Mill. This meant that, except in times of maximum river flow, the three mills had to be worked in conjunction. When Sculthorpe opened its wheel sluice and started to use its stored head of water the outflow would head towards Hempton's dam, ready for use there before being passed downstream to Fakenham. In order to maximise the efficient use of the available water supply the millers at each of the mills used a system of smoke signals to warn their colleagues whenever the sluices were operated.

The Norfolk Chronicle of
​10th May 1823 reported:

Wednesday last an inquisition was
taken at Fakenham, by Mr Quarles, Coroner for the Liberty of the Duchy of Lancaster, on the body of
Clement Gunton, aged ten years,
only son of Mr. G Gunton, tanner and ironmonger, of Fakenham),
who the Monday before, whilst fishing
​in the river near Hempton Mill,
accidently fell into the water
​and was drowned. ​
The last part of the trail involves a walk of over 3 miles and, beyond the next plaque at Jewsons, builders merchants, is not suitable for those with limited mobility.
​At Goggs' Mill cross the road bridge and walk along the riverside path to Jewsons where the plaque can be found on the old platform in the small car park outside Jewsons.
Alternatively, you can retrace your steps to the Market Square or, having visited Fakenham West 29, you can walk back to town along the Hempton Road.
Picture
Hempton Mill was often known as Goggs' Mill. Circa 1920.
Picture
Goggs' Mill can just be seen as a white structure in the distance in this photo of the 1912 floods.
Picture
Photo of what remained of the Mill in 1954, it was finally demolished in 1958. Fakenham Rotary Club levelled the banks and sowed grass to provide a riverside walk.

AUDIO - Click to Play

VIDEO - Coming Soon!
HOME        PLAQUE LIST         HISTORY        TRAIL MAP