CHAIRMAN’S NOTES
Welcome to
the January 2005 issue of Windmill
News.
May I wish, on behalf of all the Committee
of Friends of Upminster Windmill, a very happy and prosperous New
Year to our membership and to everyone presently committed to the
development of the mill. The immediate good news for the New Year,
is that just before Christmas the Preservation Trust received from
the Council a final draft lease for the mill premises together with
a Management Agreement, and the Trust is presently considering the
documents with a view to an early response.
For the Friends, 2005 is likely to be
another busy year. We will be responsible for the day-
There is also a need to publicise the mill
more widely and if you are involved in the organisation of a local
group or club (or know someone who is) may I remind you that we are
happy to welcome group visits to the mill outside of normal mill
opening times, or to provide illustrated talks at group venues on
the history and workings of the mill. If you are interested please
contact either me or the Secretary, John Winn.
And finally, perhaps I might repeat a plea I
made at this time last year. There will be a great deal to do in
the coming year and the more Friends who can contribute their time
to the cause the sooner we can achieve our objectives. Please
consider how you may be able to help and remember that the Committee
will always welcome any ideas you may have or any assistance you are
able to provide.
George H. Saddington, Chairman
UPMINSTER WINDMILL PRESERVATION TRUST
As our Chairman has remarked, the draft
lease has now been submitted to the Trust and is being studied by
the Trust's legal advisor.
Work continues on preparation of the bid for
project planning funding. This has recently been supported by a
grant of £4000 from the Architectural Heritage Fund to defray
administrative costs. Architects and millwrights are being consulted
and briefs are being prepared against which they will quote for the
restoration costs. Existence of the lease is, of course, vital to
the success of the bid for the restoration funds.
A visit has recently been made to Cranbrook
Mill which has been restored to working order with Heritage Lottery
Funding obtained by Kent County Council. Much was learned about
restoration projects and about the way in which they run openings.
Bob Sharp, Chairman of the Preservation
Trust
CHRISTMAS SALE SATURDAY 4th DECEMBER
Saturday 4th December saw the Mill bedecked
with Christmas decorations for probably the first time in its life.
Friends of Upminster Windmill
http://www.upminsterwindmill.co.uk Registered Charity Number 1097976 Editors – Richard Saville and John Winn newsletter@upminsterwindmill.co.uk
We would like to thank all those,
particularly Jo Collins, who made this fund raising event such a
very successful occasion. The sale of Windmill memorabilia,
Christmas Cards and Calendars raised £359.20 and we received
donations etc of £176.12. Resulting in a grand total of £535.32.
Well done everyone.
Angela Wilkinson, Member of Parliament for
Upminster, was among our many visitors, and drew the raffle.
Brian Hayden adds -
UPMINSTER WINDMILL FEATURES IN LONDON’S NEW
YEAR’S DAY PARADE
  
If you were amongst the thousands who lined
the route of the New Year’s Day Parade through Westminster and the
West End, I hope you saw the working representation of Upminster's
most famous landmark.
The Upminster Windmill Preservation Trust
was invited to build and man a display on the Havering float, the
theme of which was “540 Years of the Liberty of Havering”.
We needed to make an eye catching display
and, with limited time, decided to mount 8 feet tall cut outs of the
Mill, with turning sails, on each side of the trailer.
The Preservation Trust would especially like
to thank Michael and Paul Jarvis of Jarvo's DIY, in St Lawrence
Road, as they gave us the use of their workshop for two days and
they were brilliant in helping us with cutting the wood that we
used. Active Signs of Cranham sponsored our banners and the staff
at Plant Logistics, Dee, Ian and Kenny our drivers were superb.
There was a great atmosphere of good will
and pitching in from all involved. Well done to the four walkers
who carried the collecting buckets and encouraged the crowd to part
with their cash. There is an award of £5,000 for the best Borough
Float and we keep our fingers crossed. Bob Sharp informs us that we
collected £37.90 and 0.3 Euros. -
CASH IN THE ATTIC
In early December we were asked if the
opening sequence for the BBC's "Cash in the Attic" programme could
be shot in front of the Mill, naturally we agreed and at 8.45 am the
film crew, with the presenter, Lorne Spicer, who lives in Upminster,
duly arrived.
The programme which will feature a local
resident, hopeful of finding an undiscovered fortune in their house,
will probably be shown in March, so keep an eye out. -
BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF FRIENDS OF MUSEUMS
If any (or a group) of you would like to
consider taking on the important and challenging role of Regional
Coordinator for the South East, Bob Sharp, George Saddington,
Richard Saville or any committee member would be able to supply a
full job description (and no doubt a glowing reference as well
!!!).
In summary, a Regional Co-
An RC has both a liaison role and an
initiating role.
The liaison role involves such things as
maintaining effective links between member Friends’ groups and the
BAFM nationally, by offering support and encouragement to member
groups, encouraging member groups to keep the RC and BAFM's
Secretary and BAFM's Newsletter’s Regional News Sub-
The initiating role involves
recruiting some help, and then
organising a regional meeting each year and recruiting new members,
especially groups, to BAFM.
If you are interested, you need to respond
by around 27th January.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS:
QUIZ NIGHT
Last year's was a great success and we all
had a lot of fun and raised a lot of money. Gill and Steve Roome
have again kindly agreed to organise another quiz for us so please
come along for a light hearted evening.
It will be held on Saturday 26th February in
St Laurence Church Main Hall, first question at 7.30pm. Tables of
eight. Please bring your own food and drink. Tickets are available
from Jane or Richard Moorey on 01708 225845. (Book soon the tables
are going fast)
THURROCK MALE VOICE CHOIR
Following the very enjoyable concert last
year, there will be a repeat visit by the Thurrock Male Voice Choir,
on Saturday 12th March 2005, in Trinity Church. Tickets are
available from Richard Saville Tel: 01708 221903. E-
OPEN DAYS
The Open Days for 2005 will soon be upon us
and the dates are as follows: 2nd & 3rd, 23rd & 24th April, 7th &
8th, 14th & 15th May; 5th, 18th & 19th June; 2nd, 16th & 17th July;
6th & 7th, 20th & 21st August; 3rd & 4th, 17th & 18th September, 1st
& 2nd October
National Mills’ Weekend
has been changed to 7th & 8th May so there will therefore be an
additional opening to those on the handbills. There are additional
openings starting this year as we have to demonstrate to the
Heritage Lottery Fund that we are increasing the availability of the
Mill. This is vital to the success of
funding applications.
It is now the time to start preparing for
the 2005 season. Our aim is to have enough helpers to create a rota
so that the normal regulars do not need to be on hand at every
opening. With the increased number of openings this becomes
increasingly difficult as helpers do have other commitments. If we
have enough 'reserve' then we can spread the load. With enough
helpers it should be possible to operate a 'shift' system.
Ideally we would like to publish a rota for
the entire season, with no helper being called on more than eight
separate days (or four weekends) over the season and then leave it
to individuals to arrange a swap if necessary. You will, of course,
be given a list of addresses and telephone numbers of all the
helpers.
It should mean that all the do not always
have to be on hand as some openings they which on busy days can be a
problem.
If there is any member willing to help,
either as a guide or a steward, please don't hesitate to come
forward. Stewarding is fairly straightforward, helping visitors,
manning the upper floors at busy times such as National Mills’
Weekend and Open House London weekend or assisting with sales. Tea
and cakes for helpers are thrown in! On less busy occasions guides
give their groups a complete tour of the mill from top to bottom.
Full training will be given to anybody who
would like to become a steward or guide and it is intended that we
have at least one training session before the season starts.
You do not have to be mills experts or
technically minded to be a steward or guide. It is great fun and can
be very rewarding.
Please contact Trevor Watts (07932950148 any
time) or Bob Sharp (01708 226040 any time up to 10.00 p.m.) if you
are interested.
MEMBERSHIP
Welcome to Friends who have joined our Group
in recent weeks. Your support is greatly appreciated.
For any membership enquiries please contact:
Brenda Coombs, Membership Secretary, 1
Highview Gardens, Upminster RM14 2YU 01708 221298
Email: bd.coombs@virgin.net.
Family Membership is £10.00 per year, while
Individual Membership is £7.00 per year. Our financial year begins
on 1st April and subscription renewals will be due then.
OFFICERS
Chairman -
Vice- Secretary - secretary@upminsterwindmill.co.uk
STOP PRESS
Vacancies
The Membership Secretary and the Treasurer
have expressed their desire to relinquish their posts at the Annual
General Meeting in May, and volunteers from the Friends are needed
to replace them.
The Membership Secretary needs to be
reasonably computer literate, though help can be given.
If you can help us please contact the
Secretary, John Winn, 01708 509973
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