Upminster Windmill in St Mary's lane

Restoration of historic Upminster Windmill site moves a step closer

Safira Ali, Senior reporter Tuesday, January 15, 2013
5:05 PM

The restoration of the Upminster Windmill Heritage Site has moved a step closer after receiving initial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Havering Council, along with the Upminster Windmill Preservation Trust are aiming to restore the windmill, including the internal milling machinery, and build an education and training centre with a workshop and education space.

The council has already been awarded £128,900 funding by the Heritage Lottery Fund to progress its plans for a full grant of just under £1.4million.

The structure is the only smock windmill, with a sloping, horizontal weather boarded tower, in outer London to retain most of its original machinery.

The restoration of the windmill, which was built in 1803, will include investigating the archaeological remains of former buildings and interpretation boards would be put up to tell the story of the mill.

And for the first time historic material about the mill, the owners, photographs, tools and personal artefacts will be made available to the public.

Cllr Andrew Curtin, cabinet member for culture, towns and communities, said: “Upminster Windmill is a very attractive building and adds much to the character and environment of Upminster.

“It is also an excellent way of learning about the social and economic history of Upminster and the whole of Havering, where windmills played an important part in life in the past. I am looking forward to seeing the results of this first round of funding from Heritage Lottery Fund.”

Dennis Coombs, chair of the Windmill Preservation Trust, said: “This is a fantastic reward for the many years of hard work by our team of volunteers who have kept the mill open to the public and we look forward to working with the council to develop the full plans.”

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