On Friday 07 February 2025, Councillors John Tyler and Gillian Ford formed part of a group on a visit to see how work is progressing to renovate the historic Tithe Barn in Hall Lane, Upminster. Chief amongst the other visitors was Lord Mendoza, Chair of Historic England.

Work on the new thatched roof is almost finished, having taken only five weeks to complete. Two reed thatched boxing hares (facing each other) will be added by the company undertaking the thatching, as a visible signature of their work. Further renovations will continue over the next few months, before the project to restore the 15th century barn is complete.

National Highways’ Lower Thames Crossing project has provided £650,000 of funding through their community funding, in a partnership between themselves, the London Borough of Havering, Historic England and others, which has enabled the work to take place on a building that was added to Historic England’s at risk register in 2023. Historic England has indicated that they expect the Tithe Barn to be removed from the register following completion of the work.

For further information, visit National Highways Tithe Barn in Upminster webpage.

It is interesting to note that the building was nearly 100 years old by the time Henry VIII became King of England.

(Cllrs Gillian Ford and John Tyler pictured with the boxing hares being added to the crown of the roof)

(Above image, taken from before work started, is copyright of the Historic England Archive)

(Inside of the roof showing the new thatching – the temporary flooring visible will be removed when work is complete)

By Editor on 9th February 2025   /   News   /   Leave a comment