October 2004

CHAIRMAN’S NOTES

Welcome to the October issue of Windmill News.

It is encouraging to report that we are making very real progress towards our aim of restoring the Upminster Windmill to a fully working condition. Our last Newsletter carried a late announcement that the Council had agreed in principle to grant a 35 year lease on the Mill to the Upminster Windmill Preservation Trust and Bob Sharp’s report, in this issue, of the Preservation Trust’s very positive meeting with Heritage Lottery Fund officers makes more welcome reading. We now know that major funding will be dependent upon a number of key factors; increasing access to the mill by opening more frequently; attracting more visitors to the mill; ensuring that the mill is fully developed as an educational facility; and that the project is seen to have the full support of the wider community. The Friends has a vital role to play in achieving all of these objectives and this season the Open Day Working Group has already increased the number of mill open days in each month as well as extending the season into October. Further increases in mill openings are planned for 2005. Participation in the London Open House Weekend and the recent visit of London Mayors to the mill (both reported in this issue) not only increase visitor figures but provide us with welcome additional publicity, as did the Friends display stand at the Havering Bank Holiday Show in August.

Visitor figures are also enhanced by regular visits to the mill of school classes, youth groups, and local organisations. Many Friends will be members of other organisations and if you are one of these you might consider facilitating a guided tour of the mill as part of your programme of activities, or inviting a speaker from the mill to present an illustrated talk at your club. Give me a call (020 8501 3361) if you are interested. Teachers arranging class visits to the mill can now take advantage of our recently published Teachers’ Support Pack that will be of invaluable assistance before, during and after a visit to the mill, while John Winn's recently released DVD/video of the history and workings of the Upminster Windmill is already proving an important educational resource.

On the mill improvements front, Paul Kemp tells us that work on the stock clamps is almost complete, Trevor Watts has produced a comprehensive set of health & safety checklists to be followed before and during open days, while Richard Moorey reports later in this issue how Essex and Suffolk Water Company have laid on water, free of charge, to a stand pipe outside the mill.

It has been a very successful year to date and I hope that when you have digested the following pages of this issue you will agree with me that all concerned with the development of the Upminster Windmill deserve our congratulations and thanks.

George H. Saddington,

Chairman, Friends of Upminster Windmill

SUCCESS OF OPEN HOUSE WEEKEND

The annual London Open House weekend (18th and 19th September) is now established as one of the most popular activities in the capital’s calendar offering Londoners a rare opportunity to enter and enjoy heritage buildings where access is usually denied to the general public. This year’s event was more popular than ever with long queues and waiting times of up to 4 or 5 hours at venues such as the Lloyds Building, City Hall, and the ‘Gherkin’. In spite of all of this additional competition across London, as well as within the Borough, the Upminster Windmill attracted large numbers of visitors with over 400 persons taking advantage of the non-stop guided tours organised between 2-5 p.m. on both days. At times the mill was so crowded that improvised introductory talks were arranged outside of the mill (thankfully it didn’t rain too much) while inside continuous showings of John Winn’s new DVD of the history of the Mill kept people interested and entertained while they waited for their tours to begin. The organisers were pleased that the Mayor of Havering, Councillor Louise Sinclair who is also our President, was able to visit the Mill on the Saturday afternoon and witness the success of the event. Thanks as always must go to our guides, stewards, and helpers, for ensuring the weekend was so successful.

DISTINGUISHED VISITORS TO THE MILL

The mill probably witnessed its most concentrated gathering of VIPs ever on the morning of Saturday 16th October when our President the Mayor brought no less than 10 London and Essex mayors to see us. The London Boroughs and Essex towns represented included Morden, Epping Forest, Newham, Islington, Bromley, Hillingdon, Barking & Dagenham, Brentwood, Barnet and Bexley. Other distinguished guests included local MP Angela Watkinson, the Deputy Lieutenant for Havering Air Commodore Brian Batt, and a dozen or so Havering councillors and their guests. The visit, organised by the Mayor of Havering Councillor Louise Sinclair, was part of a tour of Upminster heritage sites that also included visits to the Old Chapel and Upminster Tithe Barn as well as a civic lunch at the Upminster Golf Club at which Bob Sharp and Trevor Watts represented the Friends. The civic party arrived at 11.00 a.m. and after a welcoming glass of wine took the opportunity to inspect the collection of memorabilia on the ground floor and ask questions of those on duty. Many took advantage of the guided tours of the mill given by Trevor Watts, Richard Moorey and Bob Sharp. Our visitors stayed for over an hour and the general impression was that they found the mill a fascinating building and were impressed by all that was being achieved by the Friends.

OUR NEW APPRENTICE MILLER CERTIFICATE

As of next season all children who complete the guided tour of the Mill will be awarded an APPRENTICE MILLER CERTIFICATE to mark the occasion. The certificate which prominently features a line drawing of the mill and is signed on behalf of the Trustees also contains a brief history of the Upminster Windmill on the reverse. It is hoped that the certificate will be a memento to youngsters of their visit to the mill and might even tempt some of their friends to visit the mill as well...

VISIT TO MILLS IN THE CAMBRIDGE AREA

Following the success of last September’s mini-bus visit to Suffolk windmills, on Saturday 4th September this year a similar visit took place – this time to several windmills in the Cambridge area. These ranged from the sad sight of a mill at Burwell that had alas two of its four sails, to one which is in production every time the owner can spare the time to operate it at Swaffham Prior. We did not discover any discarded railway carriages this year, but the mill at Burwell shares its site with a wonderful thriving museum of exhibits related (mainly) to Suffolk living down the years. One of the prize items was a cream coloured Eastern National omnibus – but only the front 2 yards or so. The first mill we visited was at Fulbourne, in which we were greeted so enthusiastically by its members, even laying on tea and biscuits.

Then on to Swaffham Prior. Then after lunch on to Burwell. The museum needs further exploring as time was against us. Finally a visit to Wickham. This mill has been extensively restored over the last few years to full working order. Bob is well known to have been part of this restoration. Then a surprise look at the pumping mill on Wickham Fen, one of the last to survive and in working order. Kind thanks to Dave Pearce of Wickham mill for that!

Thanks to Trevor Watts for organising the trip and driving so ….. enthusiastically. Thanks also to Ford motor Company for loan of the mini-bus.

We now have a water supply to the mill ……...

We often complain when the water companies dig up the roads or when the mains burst, but in the case of Essex and Suffolk Water, they have a benevolent side, of which many of us know nothing.

As I am sure you all know, The Upminster Windmill Preservation Trust is in the process of applying for a Heritage Lottery Grant to fund the restoration of the mill and we are required to raise a percentage of the grant ourselves. The amount we must raise will be in the region of £35,000.

A mains water supply is a requirement of contractors tendering for the work and will enable toilets for disabled persons and visiting schools to be included in the restoration. It will also make life a lot easier for us on open days and when we are working on the mill.

An initial survey had shown that the cost would be over £10,000 but I am delighted to say that after discussion, Essex and Suffolk Water agreed to lay on a supply free of charge to the Trust through their "Just an Hour" scheme. Under this scheme employees give an hour of their time free to worthwhile causes. They agreed to help us because the mill is recognised as such an important heritage site.

On the 9th September, a work party made up from the management of Essex and Suffolk Water arrived at 7am and spent the day giving their time free of charge and getting their hands dirty, laying the pipe up to the mill.

Members of The Trust and The Friends Group set up a marquee to provide refreshments and pitched in to help with the work and Upminster South Guides kindly lent us the cooking equipment. The smell of gently sizzling bacon, sausages and tomatoes was glorious and was washed down with many cups of tea and coffee. The weather was perfect although very warm for such heavy work. Even after a full days hard digging the team still had a great sense of humour.

Angela Watkinson our MP made a special journey back from The Houses of Parliament to be with us in the afternoon and performed to official "pouring of the first glass of water". She made a special point of meeting and talking to everyone and thanked the Essex and Suffolk team individually, stressing how important the mill is as a heritage site.

We all owe a great debt of gratitude to Essex and Suffolk Water for their generosity and contribution to the community and to all those who helped on the day.

I would like to add that we had nothing at all to do with St Mary's Lane being shut over the weekend of 21st and 22nd August, this was due to a main being cracked by the volume of heavy traffic moving over it.

Richard F Moorey

REPORT ON THE PRESERVATION TRUST

Progress towards our aim of restoring the Upminster Windmill to a fully working condition continues. We await sight of the terms of the lease and the management agreement between the Council and Trust which will then be examined by the Trust's legal consultant. A similar management agreement will then be implemented between the Preservation Trust and the Friends of Upminster Windmill Trust who will continue to administer the mill on a day-to-day basis.

The Council continues to give maximum support to the project and Councillor Keith Darvill has been nominated as the Council’s representative on the Trust. Keith has been of great assistance to us and is talking to the Education Department regarding our Teachers Information Pack and raising the profile of the Mill with schools. Senior council officers such as Nigel Oxley (Heritage Officer) and Jalal Rajonuddin (External Funding Officer) are active on our behalf and are an invaluable source of helpful advice in helping the Trust to raise external funding. Jalal arranged a Grant Surgery meeting with the Heritage Lottery Fund which was attended by Richard Moorey, Frank Morley, Keith Darvill and I, supported by Jalal and Nigel. The meeting was very encouraging and we were greatly encouraged, particularly by the closing remark of the HLF lead representative who commented – ‘you have the seeds of a wonderful project’.

Initially the Trust will seek a Project Planning Grant (upper limit of £50,000). This will fund the preparation of Briefs for architects and other professionals in order to obtain accurate estimates for the restoration work and the access and audience evaluation reports needed to substantiate the Project Planning application.

Funding will be largely dependent upon ensuring that the mill is further developed as an educational facility, more visitors to the mill by opening more frequently, a matter the Friends have already addressed by opening more frequently in 2005.

As reported by Richard, Essex & Suffolk Water have provided a water supply - a fact which also impressed the HLF representative. This will enable the new visitor centre, proposed to be on the site of the old meal room on the north side of the mill and demolished by Essex County Council in 1960, to have a small kitchen and a toilet usable by persons with disabilities. Provision of the toilet is an essential to achieving the restoration grant. The toilet will, of course, only be available when the mill is open.

We are also awaiting the outcome of an application to the Architectural Heritage Fund for a "Pump Priming" grant. This will fund expenses incurred in progressing other funding sources.

We have been awarded £455 from the Havering Lottery for which we are very grateful.

Looking for that last minute Christmas Present?

Are you looking for something different and unusual to give at Christmas, or have you friends or relatives that have moved away? Then what better than to give them a Video or DVD of Upminster Windmill.

John Winn, our Secretary who was by profession a TV Cameraman and a producer of videos, has made for us a superb film of Upminster Mill.

Lasting about 10 minutes the film takes you on a guided tour showing how the machinery works and explaining in a very interesting way the history of the mill.

This would make a truly memorable and lasting gift. Available in either VHS or DVD format the cost is £8 and they are available from the Mill on Tuesday afternoons, at the Sale on 4th December, or from John Winn by the enclosed order form.

Richard Moorey

FORTHCOMING EVENTS:

CHARITIES CHRISTMAS CARD SALE

Cards of the Windmill will be available at this event on 6th November in the Main Hall of St Laurence Church, Upminster from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm. Admission is free. Also Windmill memorabilia and the new DVD/Video will be available. The event is being organised by the RNLI. At least a dozen other charities will be represented, with calendars and gifts, coffee and cakes all available.

In case you miss the above event, the windmill will be open on Saturday 4th December from 10:00 to 1:00 pm with a Christmas Theme to sell Christmas cards, calendars etc. Tea or coffee and mince pies will also be available in exchange for a small donation. A tot of rum may also be available !!! There will also be a raffle – if you have any suitable prizes to donate, please contact Bob Sharp on 01708 226040.

Quiz Night – but with a difference (????) – Advance notice .

To be held on 26 Feb 2005 in St Laurence Church main hall. Tickets price £5.00 will be available from Jane or Richard Moorey on 01708 225845.

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 12 March 2005 .

MEMBERSHIP

Welcome to all new Friends of Upminster Windmill. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Thanks to all Friends who have completed and returned Gift Aid Declarations and to those who have kindly made donations during the year.

If you have would like to introduce a Friend please contact:

Brenda Coombs, Membership Secretary

1 Highview Gardens, Upminster RM14 2YU

Tel: 01708 221298 Email: bd.coombs@virgin.net

Family Membership is £10.00 per year, while Individual Membership is £7.00 per year.

OPEN DAYS

Please put the planned open days for 2005. in your diaries.

2nd & 3rd, 23rd & 24th April, 14th & 15th May, 5th, 18th & 19th June, 2nd, 16th & 17th July, 6th & 7th, 20th & 21st August, 3rd & 4th, 17th & 18th September, 1st & 2nd October

To John Winn, 58 St Mary’s Lane, Upminster RM14 2QP

Please supply me with the following copies of “Upminster Mill”

...... in DVD format at £8.00 each

...... in VHS format at £8.00 each

Please add £1.00 to cover postage and packing, I enclose a cheque payable to “Friends of Upminster Windmill” for £..............

Name ......................................................................

Address .......................................................................

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