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Friends
of Upminster Windmill http://www.upminsterwindmill.co.uk Registered Charity Number 1097976 Chairman: R W D Sharp, 4 Plough Rise, Cranham, RM14 1XS Tel/Fax: 01708 226040 Email: bobsharp@ukonline.co.uk Secretary: F A J Morley, 42 Gaynes Park Road, Upminster, RM14 2HP Tel: 01708 703740 Windmill News – August 2003 Editors – Bob Sharp and Brenda Coombs
The sun shone. The sails turned. The thirteenth of July was a glorious day and a resounding success for the Friends of Upminster Windmill. It was the day that we celebrated the Mill’s Bicentenary.
Upminster Windmill – 200 Years
BICENTENARY CELEBRATIONS After more than a year’s preparation the day of our Bicentenary celebrations finally arrived. We had experienced weeks of unceasing sunshine and sometimes feared that the good weather would not last, but our fears were cast away as day dawned on that Sunday – another day of clear blue sky! We were up bright and early (for a Sunday) to set up the field. Tents and gazebos were erected, tables and chairs (kindly loaned to us by Trinity Church) were set out and we were soon ready for the exhibitors. Country crafts were well represented. Corn dolly making, lace-making, bee-keeping, willow and basket making, wood lathe turning, and a mobile forge were among the exhibits. No-one let us down! The visitors were ready too! Queues to get into the Mill stretched half way down the field. Our MP, Angela Watkinson, kindly opened the event. The Deputy Mayor and her husband attended and Andrew Curtin, Lead Member for Culture, (despite having been at the Heathrow Games all morning) came along to support us. The pageant was very well received by all and music in the field by ‘Highly Strung’ was greatly appreciated. Music was also provided inside the mill by a harp and violin duo. As so many people were involved it is difficult to thank everyone individually – so thanks to one and all for exhibiting, helping or just for attending. I would, however, like to single out one participant for recognition. He normally works with his partner, but, as his partner was unwell, he came alone. He spent all afternoon pulling a heavy wagon loaded with people, not putting a hoof wrong. I mean, of course, William the shire horse, very splendidly turned out – a credit to his owner Mr Bonnett and his assistants! Cllr Linda Hawthorn
Thanks to the small Bicentenary Sub-Committee for arranging such a spectacular event and to those who walked around Upminster in costume the day before the event to publicise our anniversary. Our ‘special day’ increased public awareness of the Mill as can be seen by the many reports in local papers. Bob Sharp
FRIENDS NOW REGISTERED AS A CHARITY Following a somewhat lengthy process that included a revision of our original constition, Friends of Upminster Windmill was officially registered as an unincorporated charitable association on 12th June 2003. The Friends now appear in the Central Register of Charities (Registered number 1097976) which confirms that our legal objects are ‘the advancement of education and the preservation, protection and maintenance of Upminster Windmill for the public benefit and in this regard by supporting the owners of the Mill’. There are many benefits available from registration not the least being that our Treasurer will now be able to claim tax exemption for donations and gifts to the Association. Chief Charity Commissioner John Stoker has written to all our committee members congratulating them on becoming ‘trustees’, thanking them for their hard work, and wishing them every success in the future. George Saddington (Vice Chairman, Friends of Upminster Windmill)
UPMINSTER WINDMILL PRESERVATION TRUST LTD The company is now registered and application for charitable status is in hand. Negotiations for a lease on the Mill are in hand with Havering Council.
WORK AT THE MILL Work planned for the immediate future is the clearing of brushwood between the footpath and the road to give better visibility of the mill from the road. Some weather-boarding has been replaced and we shall be sealing more cracks in preparation for winter. A temporary porch will be fitted over the door leading onto the reefing stage. Improvement of the display/sales area is also planned.
SOCIAL EVENTS Our next social and fund raising event is a Barn Dance which is being arranged for Saturday 18 October at Hall Mead School, Upminster. Our first Barn Dance was very well attended and very successful but, unfortunately, the one which we held last November only produced a profit as a result of the raffle. Perhaps the last one was too close to Christmas! But, whatever the reason, we need better support for the next one. Please contact Tony Latham (01708 454463) or Brenda Coombs (01708 221298) if you would like tickets. Bring friends and family and enjoy the evening!
OTHER FUTURE EVENTS We shall have a stand at the Havering Show on Sunday 24th and Monday 25th August. This will be shared with the Tithe Barn display and we share the cost with the Hornchurch and District Historical Society as Windmill Sub-Committee members also attend. Help would be appreciated at this event and passes will be available. Bob Sharp
Visit to Pakenham and Thelnetham Mills On Saturday 30 August some of our members will be visiting Pakenham and Thelnetham Mills in Suffolk. This visit has been organised primarily for those who work in Upminster Mill so that they can have some ‘hands on’ experience in other mills. The seats in the minibus have already been booked for 30 August but if you wish to travel independently you are very welcome to join the group. Trevor Watts will give you more details of arrangements for the day. Trevor hopes to arrange more visits to mills in the future so if you are interested please contact him, telephone number 07932 950148.
The September Open Weekend at the Mill coincides with London Open House Weekend. The corresponding period last year saw a record number of visitors to Upminster Mill so we shall need to be well staffed with guides and stewards on Saturday and Sunday 20/21 September. Please help that weekend if you can or take the opportunity to visit the Mill. It will be the last open weekend of 2003, our Bicentenary year. BICENTENARY SOUVENIRS The souvenir mugs which were specially made to commemorate the Mill’s Bicentenary were very popular with our visitors and our stock sold very quickly. An additional order was placed with the supplier and more mugs (£6.00 each) are now available. They will be on sale at the Mill on our Open Days and on our stand at the Havering Show.
INFORMATION ON OTHER MILLS Brixton Windmill In a small park, just off of Brixton Hill, not far from the prison stands Brixton Windmill. It was built in 1816 and used to make flour for the people of Lambeth until the mid 19th century. As housing development increased in the area the wind-flow was compromised and in 1862 the business was moved from the windmill to water mills at Mitcham. Subsequently the sails were removed from the windmill and a public viewing gallery was built around the top. The windmill was used again for some time in the early 20th century, powered firstly by steam and then by gas turbine, but production of flour ceased in the early 1930’s. The Mill was ‘listed’ in 1951 and a few years later London County Council became responsible for it. After being restored, with sails, it was open by application for several years but fell into disrepair as a result of Local Authority spending cuts. The plight of Brixton Windmill has caused concern and local residents have formed ‘The Friends of Windmill Gardens’. Their eventual aim is sympathetic landscaping of the gardens, restoration of the mill and the construction of a community centre and educational resource. Benefit concerts were arranged for early August and a festival in the gardens is scheduled for 7 September. From one of our members
MEMBERSHIP We have had more new members during the past few weeks and our total membership is now over 200. The fee is £7.00 per year for Individual Membership and £10.00 per year for Family Membership (for family members at the same address). Please contact the Membership Secretary if you know someone who would like to become a Friend of Upminster Windmill: e-mail: bd.coombs@virgin.net
CONTACTS If you would like to contribute an item to a future newsletter or if you would like to help in any way please contact Bob Sharp on 01708 226040 (e-mail address in our letter heading) or Brenda Coombs (address above). Comments and ideas for fund-raising events are always welcome.
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