Crux Easton Wind Engine

Out for a walk with the Ramblers in the north-west of Hampshire from Ashmansworth. This contraption is in Crux Easton. It's a  "Simplex" self-regulating geared wind engine, erected on this site circa 1891/92.

Historically this engine type is an important and rare example of a transitional design in wind engine technology between the earlier annular sailed windmills, of which no example survives and the 20th Century fixed blade galvanised wind engines (the "prairie type" wind pumps).

The circular rings should have 48 canvas sails - presumably they've been removed for the winter.