Upminster Windmill: A History

The windmill was built in 1803 by local farmer James Noakes, Upminster Windmill continued to grind wheat and produce flour until 1934.

The windmill, which is now a proud and defining landmark in the London Borough of Havering, has had a long yet not always illustrious history.

When ambitious improvements, including the introduction of a steam mill in 1811, led to an equally expansive mortgage, the mill was auctioned by James Noakes's son Thomas in 1849. Snapped up by bidder Ambrose Coleson for £2,000, he sold it on shortly afterwards to James Wadeson. The windmill exchanged hands again in 1857 when Thomas Abraham, who had worked as a foreman for Thomas Noakes, bought the mill and its immediate surrounding land for £1100, being unable to raise the £1900 for the entire estate.

The mill remained in the Abraham family until 1934. John Arkell Abraham replaced his father upon his death in 1882 at the helm of the windmill. He ran the business until his death in 1912 when the mill passed to his nephews Alfred and Clement. They continued the family enterprise as the miller and business mind respectively, until it became uneconomic to run. The mill went under the hammer for a second time in December 1934. It was bought by a Mr Simmons, who intended to develop the mill field and leave the mill intact.

Upminster Windmill in public ownership

In 1937 the Windmill was purchased by Essex County Council with the intention of demolishing it. Fortunately, local interest in the mill grew and Hornchurch Urban District Council saved the day, starting a fund for the preservation of the mill.

The outbreak of World War II diverted attention from the mill's future. Unfortunately, with thoughts elsewhere, it was not made watertight during this period and slowly began to deteriorate. Despite the best efforts of millwright Hector Stone to get the mill operational again, the efforts of a restoration committee, established in 1948, did little to halt the decline.

Upminster Windmill in the 60s and 70s 

It was not until 1960, when Essex County Council adopted a more enlightened policy than in 1937, that the windmill was back on the agenda. The local authority purchased additional land and demolished the mill house, the steam plant and all other out-buildings. Major repairs to the mill followed in 1962, including the rebuilding of the 'reefing' gallery at first floor level.

With the creation of Greater London in 1965, the London Borough of Havering acquired the windmill and continued restoration work, carrying out further repairs to make it safe for visitors.

In 1967 the Hornchurch & District Historical Society opened this living piece of history to the public as part of the Havering Arts Festival and the society has continued to do this on a regular basis ever since.

Since 1970 several major repairs have been carried out, including new stocks, which support the sails, as well as new sails and a fan stage which supports the fan-tail at the rear of the cap.

Upminster Windmill in the 90s 

In 1995, the sub-committee of the historical society carried out a survey of the building. The resulting report was submitted to the London Borough of Havering and English Heritage in 1996.

As a result of their recommendations, areas of rotten weather-boarding were replaced, polycarbonate sheeting was fitted over the windows to prevent rain penetration through rotted window frames, and the mill was re-painted. These temporary repairs have considerably reduced further deterioration.

Upminster Windmill in the 21st Century

In 2000 a grant was made by English Heritage towards the upgrade of the reefing stage. Additional funding was granted by Havering Cleanaway Riverside Trust and, in addition to the gallery repairs, a cost and feasibility study with regard to the future of the mill was carried out by a specialist consultant, who submitted his report to the London Borough of Havering in August 2000.

The report recommends that the Mill should be restored to working condition within five to six years and should be open to the public more frequently.

In 2001 the Friends of Upminster Windmill was inaugurated. The Friends are working in conjunction with the London Borough of Havering to fulfil their dream of restoring the windmill to full working order. The group has submitted a bid to the Charity Commission for Building Preservation Trust to status, which will make the mill eligible for grants and funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and other bodies.

Once trust status is granted, the Friends aim to lease the windmill from the Council and oversee the comprehensive restoration programme, which could cost up to £500,000.

In addition to training as guides and raising funds, the Friends, who now have 120 members, have also carried out initial repairs.