As stated in the June newsletter, we have now arranged insurance cover for Friends working at the mill in any capacity, through the British Association of Friends of Museums, of which we are a member. Working sessions have been held on most Tuesday afternoons and evenings through the summer for non structural work.

Quite a lot has been achieved in terms of cleaning of the exterior and improving the lighting and the general state of the interior. All of the shutters have now been removed from the sails. The reason for their removal is that the structure of the sails is steadily deteriorating and one or two shutters have already fallen. We have also removed rotted hemlaths from two sails (the hemlaths are the long pieces of wood at the outer edge of the sails). These will be replaced so that the mill looks better for the 200^th anniversary next year.

This picture shows Paul Kemp and Alan Wallis removing the shutters. The missing section of hemlath is to the left just below Paul’s feet.

The sails were made and fitted to the mill in 1972-73 and nearly thirty years of exposure to the weather has taken its toll. The millstone, which has for many years been outside the mill door, has been moved. It was lifted (using recently purchased block and tackle) and taken inside the mill.

We plan to continue these working sessions for the time being. However, it has been rather disappointing how few people have been able to spare the time to help – probably about six people, with only two or three on some evenings. If you would like to assist, please contact Bob Sharp at the above number or Richard Saville on 01708 221903.

In line with the aims of the Friends’ Group we hope to have more open days next year. Therefore, we require as many guides as possible and would appreciate volunteers for training. For anyone interested we will arrange instruction during the winter. General help for open days would also be appreciated. Please contact Bob Sharp if you would like more information.

A concert will be given by Thurrock Male Voice Choir in Upminster Methodist Church on Saturday 23 November at 7.30pm.

More details will be published as soon as possible.

Following the very successful event earlier this year, another Barn Dance will be arranged at Hall Mead School on Saturday 30 November. Dancing will start about 7.30pm. Tickets will be £5 each and will be available from Bob Sharp 01708 226040, Brenda Coombs 01708 221298 and Richard Saville 01708 221903. Please order your tickets early to avoid disappointment.

There will be a Quiz Night on 29 March 2003 organised by Gill and Steve Roome. More details will be available nearer the time.

The Mill will be 200 years old next year. Twenty three people attended a meeting organised by Linda Hawthorn held on 10 September to discuss how to celebrate this occasion, including hopefully the raising of some funds. Andrew Curtin, Member of Havering’s Cabinet responsible for Culture, and Chris Cole, the Council’s Arts Officer were among those present.

The concensus view was to hold an event on the afternoon of Sunday 13 July 2003, which is the same day as the Upminster Fun Day, the thought being that we would attract more interest from people already attending that event than if we to go it alone. A sub-committee comprising Linda Hawthorn, Lance Jackson and Anne Simpson has been formed, but at least one more member is needed. Please let Bob know if you would like to help out. Ideas are centred around a pageant to be written and produced by Gerry Sweeney of the Oglethorpe Players. More details in the next newsletter.

As mentioned in the last newsletter, we need to know what other social events you would like to be organised. Suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Would you like to organise a future social event? Please contact Brenda Coombs (01708 221298) or Richard Saville (01708 221903) with your ideas and offers of help.

After heavy rain during the previous week the weather was fine on the day of the walk. A small but enthusiastic group of walkers took part and one little girl came along for the ride in her ‘all terrain’ buggy!

We walked along footpaths in Upminster and Cranham where some members of the group had never been before. Two of Havering’s Green Patrol Team accompanied us and their knowledge of the route was helpful and informative.

The circuit took us about two and a half hours and we returned to the mill for very welcome refreshments.

Despite the fact that only twenty one walkers took part we raised over £250 from sponsorship and donations from walkers.

Thanks to all who took part and to those who helped with the event. Hopefully we can do it again sometime.

It has long been the hope of many of us associated with Upminster Mill that one day we will see a working mill similar to ours. Most of the mills in Essex have open days that coincide with those of Upminster.

An initiative by Trevor Watts provided just this opportunity. A party of twelve people assembled on the windmill field on 31 August, a day so glorious that several had thrown caution to the wind and arrived without even a jacket! This was definitely going to be one of the better days of 2002. Our transport was Ford’s Engine Plant Community Transit (secured with the help of one of our members) which, gaily decorated in bright yellow livery, caused many stares, pointing fingers and smiles during our journey through Kent. In exactly one and a half hours we arrived at Sarre Mill where we were joined by two other Friends from Upminster.

Is this Upminster of the future? A shop, museum, tearoom, licensed dining room, craft shop and bakery stood on the mill field before us!

The only minus side was that no milling was carried out on Saturdays – the miller being fully engaged in the bakery. However, a tour of the mill (built in 1820) and engine room was sufficient in itself to improve vastly our understanding of what happens inside a working mill.

On the plus side was the strategically placed bakery. The mill yard was continually traversed by people carrying trays of freshly baked bread and cakes to the shop. The effect of this was to cause eyes to light up and nostrils to twitch – reminiscent of the original Bisto Kids advertisement. The goods sold themselves! Everyone left Sarre carrying bags of goodies. Furthermore, the proof was definitely in the eating. I didn’t hear of any complaints!

After lunch, we left for Herne Mill (built in 1789) which was opened specially for us. Herne Mill stands in an incredibly small area completely hemmed in by bungalows. It has been restored by Kent County Council but, although complete with machinery, does not actually produce any meal. Like its sister at Sarre, everything is well identified. Both Sarre and Herne Mills are different from Upminster in that the stones are over-driven. There were some magnificent views of the North Sea and Thames Estuary from the upper floors at Herne.

Taking a circuitous route home we called at Meopham Green, only to find the mill (built in 1801) undergoing complete refurbishment by Kent County Council with both the cap and the stocks lying alongside in the mill field. On our way back to the Dartford Crossing we passed West Kingsdown Mill, built about 1810.

Having seen four smock mills during the afternoon, one impression that remained with us was the size of Upminster Mill. ‘Behold a giant am I’ indeed!*

All agreed this had been a really worthwhile trip and that Trevor (who was also our driver) deserved a commendation for the faultless arrangements he made on our behalf. Should such a trip be repeated? Yes please!

*Henry Longfellow

We welcome the following new members who have joined the Friends since the last newsletter:

Mr & Mrs P Sellars Mrs Maureen Griffin Mr & Mrs T Green Josephine Bowles Corinna Baker & Martin Sinclair Jean Blow

Mr & Mrs C Holland and Miss S Holland

Individual Membership fee is £7.00 per year and Family Membership is £10.00 per year (for family members at the same address). If you know someone who would like to become a Friend of Upminster Windmill please let me know.

Brenda Coombs, Membership Secretary

1 Highview Gardens, Upminster, RM14 2YU

01708 221298

E-mail bd.coombs@virgin.net

If you have Internet access, please check our web site (address at top of newsletter) for the latest information. We welcome any suggestions for improvements to this site.

If you would like to receive our newsletters by e-mail please forward your e-mail address to richard_saville@hotmail.com. Newsletters are stored on the web site.

Please forward any items for inclusion in newsletters (such as reports on past events, visits to places of interest or suggestions for new events) to Richard Saville (e-mail address: richard_saville@hotmail.com) 01708 221903 or to Brenda Coombs (address above). We aim to publish the next newsletter in January 2003. Please send us your contributions by 4 January.