Restoration works have finished on the historic Upminster Windmill, as the site re-opens to the public with a special launch event yesterday (Thursday 14 September). 

The windmill has been restored to full working order in an ambitious project by the Friends of Upminster Windmill, which also included the addition of a visitor centre and education facilities for the local community, schools and youth groups, and visitors from far and wide.

Upminster Windmill is a Grade II* listed smock mill, widely considered to be one of the best examples of its kind in the UK. Since 2015, it has undergone a full restoration to bring it back to working order. Specialist and structural work was completed by the Dutch millwright, Willem Dijkstra. 

Volunteers from the Friends of Upminster Windmill have invested thousands of hours completing the internal machinery, building a community garden, researching the history and archaeology of the site and building award-winning digital and interpretation technology.

The project was delivered in partnership between the Friends of Upminster Windmill and Havering Council, with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Veolia Environmental Trust.

Another open weekend is taking place on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 September, with further dates planned for the end of October. 

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The Council’s trading standards teams have been out across the borough checking that pumps at petrol stations are offering customers the correct measure of fuel they are paying for.

Cost of living issues have seen the price of fuel increase over the last couple of years. Working with the North East London Metrology Partnership, Havering’s trading standards team have visited and checked on all 17 petrol stations in Havering.

Out of the 488 pumps checked at the different venues, 11 were found to be incorrect. Seven of the pumps were delivering short measure and a further four were providing inconsistent measures.

At the time of the visits, the impact of this was that unleaded petrol at £1.46 per litre represented an overcharge of around £42 on customers.

Any pumps delivering incorrect measures during the inspections were taken out of use so the businesses could correct the error within an agreed timeframe.

Anyone that has a concern can report this to the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133.

Redden Court School’s Under 13s football team received a Mayor’s Merit Award this week, following the team being crowned national champions earlier this year.

The Mayor of Havering, Councillor Stephanie Nunn, invited the team to Havering Town Hall on Tuesday 12 September to honour the players and staff for their victory.

The final of the ESFA U13 PlayStation Schools' Cup took place at ‘The Hawthorns’, home of West Bromwich Albion, back in May, where Redden Court played West Derby School from Liverpool.

A dramatic 3-2 win was sealed with a last-gasp goal to ensure Redden Court lifted the cup, and provide memories to last a lifetime for the players and staff involved.

A huge congratulations to the team.

Council staff joined the Harold Hill Wombles and Metropolitan Police at Highfield Towers this week, for an extensive clean up on the wooded area on the Collier Row housing estate. 

Volunteers made the most of the great weather on Monday 11 September, and went through the public woodland area to the back of Highfield Towers, which has become an unfortunate hotspot for littering. 

The team cleared over 10 bags of litter and rubbish in total.

The local Community Safety Officer also attended and offered advice and freebies to the volunteers and members of the public that helped out. 

The Council regularly works with local groups and volunteers on community clean-ups. If you'd like more information on future clean-up events, or to organise one in your area, email the team today.

If you are travelling to an appointment at Queen’s or King George Hospital in a car that is not ULEZ compliant, you may be able to claim a reimbursement of any daily charges paid for that appointment.

Patients will be assessed by their clinician to decide if they are eligible.

Patients eligible may include those who:

• have a compromised immune system
• require regular therapy or assessments
• need regular surgical intervention.

For information on eligibility and how to claim please visit the website.

Residents are reminded that the Council is now locking park gates of an evening.

As part of a new initiative to protect public spaces, the gates to parks will be locked daily from approximately half an hour after dusk and re-open by 8am each day.

New environmental enforcement officers, provided by NES (National Enforcement Solutions), are working on behalf of the Council alongside our existing enforcement team. The officers are also able to issue FPNs to those found littering, fly-tipping or not clearing up after their dogs.

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Around 150 residents joined Havering’s Community Health Champions for a Wellbeing and Health event with My Health Matters and NHS partners at the Rainham Community Hub on Wednesday 7 September.

The event featured a range of stalls from local organisations including: Everyone Active, The Proper Blokes Club, IAPT Talking Therapies, Havering MIND, NHS Long COVID Team, Macmillan Cancer services, Age UK and the Alzheimer's Society. 

On the day, Mark Borrell, Community Chef provided cookery workshops, while nutritionist Sharon Adkins shared recipe guides and Body & Soul Yoga demonstrated some low impact exercises.

The next Health and Wellbeing event will be on Wednesday 20 September (12pm – 3.30pm) at the Harold Hill Community Hub.

The NHS winter flu and COVID-19 vaccination programme will be providing vital protection to those eligible over winter, preventing serious illnesses, and helping to minimise hospitalisations during busy winter months.

Vaccinations started on Monday 11 September, with adult care home residents and those most at risk to receive vaccines first.

Other eligible adults will be able to book their COVID-19 vaccination online or by phone from next Monday (18 September), and flu vaccinations can now be booked through their GP practice or local pharmacy.

Some may be offered one or both vaccinations sooner by GP practices or other local NHS services.

For eligibility and how to book, please visit the website.

Frys Gallery is holding its Art Works Summer Exhibition between now and Thursday 5 October at Fairkytes Arts Centre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch. 

The exhibition features a range of oil, watercolour and pastel artworks by the local group based at Fairkytes. Entry is free, with varied opening times throughout the week. Check the website for more details. 

St Laurence Church Hall in Upminster is hosting a weekly Keep Fit 50+ club for mature movers. A qualified tutor will help older residents to keep fit through exercise and dance, improving their flexibility, balance, posture and strength. 

It's a friendly group for members of all abilities, and the first session is free. Sessions begin on Wednesday 20 September, 2pm to 3:30pm. 

Hornchurch Library is hosting its next Meet the Author event on Thursday 21 September. 

British Science Fiction, British Fantasy, and World Fantasy Award–winning author Lavie Tidhar talks about his latest book - the story of a mathematician, a book dealer, and a mobster caught between realities and desperately seeking a notorious book that disappears upon being read.

A story that travels from the emergence of life to the ends of the universe, it is cosmic, inventive, and sly.

The event starts at 6:30pm at Hornchurch Library. Entry is free, but you must book in advance at any Havering library.

The Big Charity Quiz is back and more exciting than ever.

Hosted by King George & Queen's Hospitals Charity, the annual quiz night returns for another year with a unique spin on things. Entry costs £12 and places are limited, so round up your teammates and book your tickets now before they sell out. Call 01708 774866 or email to book a place.

The quiz takes place on Friday 29 September, 6:45pm to 10:30pm at Boothroyd Hall, Jo Richardson School, Castle Green, Gale Street, Dagenham, RM9 4UN. Please bring your own food and drinks.

Elm Park Baptist Church is taking part in the World's Biggest Coffee Morning in aid of MacMillan Cancer Support. Head along for a cuppa and some home made cakes, and raise some money for charity. 

The event takes place on Friday 29 September, 10am to 1pm at Elm Park Baptist Church, Rosewood Avenue, Elm Park, Hornchurch.

Dragon Theatre Company is putting on a new production at Havering Road Methodist Church, called Quiztastic! 

The show is described as 'A little bit of comedy, a little bit of music, and loads of questions'. It takes place on Saturday 16 September from 7:30pm. Tickets cost £7 and must be booked online or by calling 07960 676180.

Clarence Avenue, Upminster will be closed for resurfacing works between its junctions with Aldborough Road and Granton Avenue, 8am to 5pm daily on Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 September.  

Norfolk Road will be closed for gas mains works at its junction with London Road, 8am on Monday 18 September to 6pm on Friday 6 October. 

Highview Gardens, Upminster will be closed for gas mains works at its junction with St May's Lane, 7am on Monday 18 September to 6pm on Sunday 15 October.

Kingsbridge Close will be closed for carriageway construction works at its junction with Kingsbridge Close, Monday 18 September to Friday 20 October.

Cherry Tree Lane, Rainham will be closed for gas main works at its junction with New Road, 8am to 6pm on Wednesday 20 September.

Parking restrictions will be in place on St Mary's Lane, Argyle Gardens, and Howard Road in Upminster for the Coopers Company and Coborn School open evening, 12noon to 9pm on Wednesday 20 September.

Cromer Road remains closed for gas mains repairs at its junction with London Road until 6pm on Friday 29 September.

National Highways are carrying out works to upgrade the M25, Junction 28. Works will be taking place throughout September, between 10pm & 5am. You can find more details on the website.

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