Thenews 83

Issue 83 YOUR COMMUNITY PAPER FROM BARKING AND DAGENHAM COUNCIL 14 September 2012

EE FR

PARALYMPIC celebrations come to the borough P10

Carnival spirit rocks Barking Crowds enjoyed performances from a variety of acts as part of this year’s Molten Festival.

Molten is a week-long free arts festival in the borough.

Party

HITTING THE HEIGHTS: Scarabeus Aerial Theatre dance their way up Barking Town Hall’s clock tower as part of this year’s Molten Festival

It kicked off with an openair party at Barking Beach in the Town Square, offering something for all to enjoy.

The festivities were rounded off last weekend with a Showtime Saturday and a bandstand marathon in Barking Park on Sunday.

GETTING THE PARTY STARTED: Crowds welcome Molten to Barking Town Square

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Barking and Dagenham Council could have to build schools on open spaces and retail sites to keep pace with the rising local population.

The borough has the fastest growing population in the country and the largest growth of school age children in London.

Pupils

One in three schools in Barking and Dagenham have pupils beyond their capacity.

Since 2001, the number of people living in the borough has increased by 22,000.

More than 4,000 are aged from five to 15.

And the shortage of school places is set to continue, with the number of newborns to fouryear-olds in the borough doubling in the past 10 years.

Cllr Rocky Gill, deputy

Susan Whitear

susan.whitear@lbbd.gov.uk

leader of the council said: “The rate of growth in our school population is the largest of all London boroughs.

“So far we have built on school car parks, sports fields and converted council offices.

There are more places at the new George Carey Church of England Primary School, with four expansions on new sites and expansion of 18 existing schools.

Promise

“We have a statutory duty to provide a place for every child and will continue to think of ways to deliver on that promise.

“We have exhausted spaces within our schools and will continue to review the possibility of parks, open spaces and retail properties and even split shifts education.”

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14 September 2012

Sporting opportunities for youngsters during hols

Hundreds of Barking and Dagenham youngsters had a ball at free sports camps during the summer holidays.

Children aged five to 15 tried out football techniques and skills taught by coaches from youth organisation Air Football.

Around 200 children took part in the daily sessions on the Gascoigne Estate in Barking, at the Goals Centre in Dagenham and in Marks Gate.

In thenews:

DREAM TEAM: Some of the footballers and coaches at Air Football. Inset, local mum Alison Fisher with her son and daughter, who were among the young people taking part

A donation for borough’s Talking Newspaper P4

Medals

ACTIVE SUMMER FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

All the youngsters taking part got a free lunch and medals at the end of the summer camp.

Dagenham mum Alison Fisher said her two children enjoyed the week-long activity at Goals Soccer Centre in Ripple Road.

She added: “I was given at leaflet at the Heathway about the sports sessions and decided to take the children along.

“It’s really well organised, with great staff who have a lot of patience. I would definitely bring

Giving local school an eco garden P8

Regulars: them back if it was on again.”

The summer camps are supported by Barking and

Dagenham Council’s youth services team.

Air Football aims to support

young men and women across London, Essex and Kent to lead more positive lives.

Angling for some reel good fishing!

Susan Whitear susan.whitear@lbbd.gov.uk

GONE FISHIN’: Brothers David and Thomas Hannaway from Eastbrookend Country Park

“The course is an introduction to get children interested in fishing,” said ranger Andy Flegg.

“I first learned to fish in my early teens and it’s my favourite sport. It’s great for children to get outdoors and enjoy the countryside.”

Brother and sister Zain and Hafsah Wasim, from Barking, were among those trying to catch perch and tench at Eastbrookend.

Hafsah, 10, said: “I’m enjoying it. I’ve not done fishing before and I think it will be my new hobby, as I like the fish and it’s nice and peaceful.”

Editor Steve Ducker 020 8724 8142 stephen.ducker @lbbd.gov.uk Deputy editor Paul Gilham 020 8724 8138 paul.gilham@lbbd.gov.uk

Advertising/Public Notices

Jayne Baumback 020 8724 8184 jayne.baumback @lbbd.gov.uk

THE ONE THAT DIDN’T GET AWAY: Hafsah and brother Zain with park ranger and fishing instructor, Andy Flegg

Sub-editor/designer Ben Attenborough 020 8724 8185 ben.attenborough @lbbd.gov.uk You can also write to: thenews, Civic Centre, Dagenham RM10 7BN or email: thenews@lbbd.gov.uk – please include your full name and address, plus a daytime telephone number

SHOWING HOW IT’S DONE: John and daughter Meagan Codona practice their fishing skills

Keeping busy

SNAP! Young people’s photos from a Studio 3 workshop that was part of Summer’s Sorted

Contact us:

Reporter Susan Whitear 020 8724 8136 susan.whitear@lbbd.gov.uk

Young people enjoyed learning how to fish during the school holidays, with free lessons in the borough’s parks.

As part of a programme of events for children during the summer, the two-day course gave them the skills to begin a new hobby.

The borough’s park rangers offered angling tips at lakes in Eastbrookend Country Park and Valence Park.

Introduction

Volunteering 4 Have your say 6 Wellbeing 8 Heritage 12 Property 13 What’s On 14 Services 18 Sport 19

Summer was sorted for young people in the borough, with free activities at the borough’s libraries, leisure centres and parks.

Children and teenagers aged 11 to 19 got physical with Olympic-themed sports including boxing and football, plus sports leader training.

Community centres, children’s centres and youth clubs were a hive of activity, with games, arts and crafts and clay modelling.

It was all part of Barking

and Dagenham Council’s Summer’s Sorted programme.

Creative young people could also try dance workshops, DJing lessons and fashion workshops at The Malthouse Studios in Barking.

Rosie Ross, head of projects at Studio 3 Arts in The Malthouse, said: “We had a very successful summer programme, with around 45 young people all trying different things. They had fun while learning practical skills they can use again in the future.”

Published by the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. © 2012 London Borough of Barking and Dagenham The views expressed by contributors to this newspaper are not necessarily those of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.

Advertisements in thenews should not be taken as endorsement by the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham of any product or service.

Distributed by London Letterbox Marketing. Printed

by Trinity Mirror, Watford.

Our next issue is out from 24 September. Please call 020 8724 8142 if you do not receive your copy.

14 September 2012

Recycle your used cooking oil and help to save the planet

Susan Whitear susan.whitear@lbbd.gov.uk

Green energy company Living Fuels collects the oil. They convert it to a clean fluid that is used to provide renewable electricity.

Cllr Mick McCarthy, Barking and Dagenham Council’s cabinet member for environment, said: “A lot of people don’t realise that cooking oil can cause damage if it’s poured down the drain or put in the bin.

“By collecting your oil and taking it to Frizlands, you’re preventing this damage

WELL OILED: It’s easy to get rid of used oil into the storage tank and helping to generate clean electricity.

“I’d urge everyone who uses large amounts of cooking oil to strongly consider recycling it.”

Oil tipped down drains costs water companies an average of £15 million a year in repairs.

And if it ends up in landfill, it can leak into watercourses and harm local wildlife.

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Rented

The homes will be a mix of three and four-bedroom houses and one and two-bedroom flats. They will be rented out

by Barking and Dagenham Council.

Private firms Long Harbour and Explore Investment are funding the project and will work with the council to guarantee income from rents.

Cllr Phil Waker, cabinet

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GROUND BREAKING EVENT: Housing and regeneration cabinet members Cllr Phil Waker and Cllr Cameron Geddes member for housing, said: “The country is in an economic slump, but we need to build new

housing. We’ve built 146 council houses ourselves in the past two years, with more on the way.

“But we don’t have the resources to do all the building. That’s why we’re working with the private sector to deliver these valuable extra homes.

Allocate

ARTIST’S IMPRESSION: The development from the air

“Later this year, we will be saying exactly how we will allocate these homes.

“It will be a slightly different approach, and we hope it will help some of the people worst affected by the housing shortage.”

Autumn walks to see bats Take a stroll with park rangers this autumn for another chance to learn more about the borough’s bats.

The free walks, to get a glimpse of the sometimes elusive flying mammals, are taking place in parks across the borough.

Bat expert Roger Havard will be leading the walks with a

bat detector, to listen out for the creatures.

He said: “Barking and Dagenham is a fantastic place to spot the animals. I’m planning to bring along a rescued bat so people can get a look at these fascinating creatures up close.”

The walks will be held at four local parks: n Barking Park, Monday 24

September, starting at 6.30pm n Beam Parklands, Monday 1 October, 6.15pm n Mayesbrook Park, Wednesday 3 October, 6.15pm n Eastbrookend Country Park, Monday 8 October, 6pm.

For information on meeting points or to book a place, call 020 8227 2332 or email parks andcountryside@lbbd.gov.uk

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National Eye Health Week starts on 17 September – and the borough is set to host its own awareness event next month.

The exhibition, hosted by the local Vision Strategy Group, is at Barking Learning Centre on Friday 12 October.

Running from 10am to 3pm, its theme will be “the impact of diabetes on sight loss”.

The World Health Organisation says half of all sight loss is avoidable.

Everyone should have their eyes tested every two years, or more often in the case of older people.

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Building works are underway to create 276 new homes in Barking.

Councillors performed the ground breaking to start the works on two plots of land at Thames View.

Aware of your eyes

NEWS

People in Barking and Dagenham are helping the planet by recycling used cooking oil.

Residents can dispose of it in a tank at Frizlands Lane Reuse and Recycling Centre.

Since the tank was installed in 2008, enough waste oil from it has been turned into power to boil the water for nearly 2.5 million cups of tea.

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14 September 2012

Community art Now that’s what I’m talking about! project gets a Newspaper cheques out donation financial boost Barking and Dagenham is to get a share of £16 million funding for community art projects.

A group of local organisations is one of seven around Britain receiving the award from Arts Council England.

Barking-based Studio 3 Arts leads the group. It also includes Arc Theatre, A New Direction, Barking and Dagenham Council and Christ Church Thames View.

Working with local, national and international artists, the group will run events involving the local community.

Liza Vallance, artistic director at Studio 3 Arts, said: “We’re committed to working together creatively. We’ll take this spirit forward to plan and deliver the programme.

“This is a very exciting opportunity, at an important time in the

Susan Whitear susan.whitear@lbbd.gov.uk borough’s cultural development.”

Arc Theatre, also based in Barking, has been busy with two new projects this summer.

Müllered, a play produced in partnership with British Transport Police, shows the consequences of gangs and bullying. It will be touring local schools for two weeks later this month.

Meanwhile, 20 teenage girls in the borough created Finding the Words, a film on female exploitation.

The group worked with Arc on the film for four months. Schools will host a workshop including the film during October.

Volunteers at Barking and Dagenham’s talking newspaper are speechless after receiving a £150 cash boost.

The money came from the community grant scheme of Sainsbury’s, in Chadwell Heath.

The talking newspaper service helps visually impaired residents keep up to date with local events.

Cassettes

Volunteers record local newspaper stories onto cassettes. These go out in the post to people who ask for them.

Iris Jameson, who chairs the organisation, said: “We want to thank Sainsbury’s for the money. We rely totally on donations, as we’re a small charity.

“The grant will go towards renewing the tapes we use.”

Sainsbury’s community grants

SOMETHING TO SHOUT ABOUT: Members of the Barking and Dagenham talking newspaper accepting a cheque for £150. John Blake and Iris Jameson are pictured with the cheque come from cash raised by selling ‘bags for life’. n If you know anyone who is

visually impaired and would like to receive the talking newspaper, call 020 8591 4921.

VOLUNTEERING

TED PARKER of Barking & Dagenham CVS, which supports the voluntary and community sector, looks at Parents of Autistic Children Together, incorporating Barking & Dagenham Mencap

WIN!

Parents work together to help autistic children Have you come across a child who can’t maintain eye contact, who has limited speech, or shows behavioural problems such as biting or extreme tantrums? These can reveal real problems that can leave distressed parents and carers unable to see a way forward.

They are possible signs that a child has autism. But there is free help available locally from Parents of Autistic Children Together – known to many as Pact – which incorporates Barking & Dagenham Mencap.

The Mencap element focuses on adults with learning difficulties and provides help for families and individuals.

The two groups linked up in April last year and share offices in Dagenham. They have increasingly found areas where they share a similar approach. This can improve locally

available help for people with autism.

Pact family services manager Maggs Donovan explains: “There are many behaviours characteristic of autism. We’ve listed 35 symptoms that we use in training to help parents and carers to identify and address problems.”

Behaviour

Maggs takes us through three examples of those symptoms – speech, eye contact and upsetting behaviour.

“Speech problems can vary from total, through to babbling in a language of the child’s own to talking incessantly about a single subject,” she said.

“Lack of eye contact may be a symptom of a child finding it emotionally painful to look someone in the eye. It can appear the child isn’t paying attention. And behavioural

problems can take many forms – perhaps screaming tantrums or biting oneself or others.”

It may sound trite, but these are all desperate attempts for an autistic child – or adult – to communicate from an often lonely world of their own.

Autistic people benefit from the security of familiar surroundings and routines, and can show real distress if things change unexpectedly.

These and other aspects of the condition can make life with autism difficult both for the child or adult on the spectrum and those caring for them. Parents trying to find ways to tackle these issues founded Pact in the borough 15 years ago. They know a key aspect of coping is structure and scheduling in affected people’s lives.

Barking & Dagenham Mencap began in a similar way, more than 25 years ago. The organisation can give

individual help and advice, but also runs discussion groups and training sessions. These can make parents and carers better informed and less isolated.

Pact serves people in Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge, with funding from all three boroughs.

The group runs awareness training sessions so that all kinds of people can understand autism and respond in the most helpful way.

Relationships

Pact provides advocacy and befriending services, too, and runs sporting activities and outings. This all helps get young and old alike with the condition into productive relationships with others.

Most people who come to the group do so out of concern for those in their care, rather than being referred

from schools or GPs. Learning disability referrals for Mencap are more likely to come from public services, but either way, chief executive Chris Gillbanks welcomes direct contact by phone, email, or calling into the office.

There are currently 60 volunteers working with Pact, but more are needed.

If you would like to help, or feel that you, or someone in your care, could benefit from the group’s services, write to: Pact incorporating Barking & Dagenham Mencap, 27-29 Woodward Road, Dagenham RM9 4SJ. You can also call 020 8220 0090 or email admin@pact-uk.org.uk n Barking & Dagenham CVS works with voluntary and community groups around the borough. Visit www.bdcvs. org.uk or call 020 8532 7300 for details.

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WORKING TOGETHER: Pact advocacy worker Tracie Morris, family services manager Maggs Donovan, parenting officer Lynne Fernando, chief executive Chris Gillbanks, family support worker Eddie Swanwick and office manager Lynn Chapman

5

14 September 2012

Award for improving borough

Over-50s’ day

If you are aged 50 or above, there’s still time to sign up for Older People’s Day in the borough on 1 October.

There are events in Abbey Sports Centre, the Broadway theatre and Barking Learning Centre, and special lunch offers at several local eateries.

For more information, call 020 8227 2954 or visit www.barking dagenhampartnership.org.uk

This year’s chance for tenants and residents in Barking and Dagenham to share their plans and concerns is just two weeks away.

The annual conference, run by the Tenants’ and Residents’ Federation, takes place at the CEME centre on the A13 on Friday 28 September.

Speeches

Registration begins at 9.30am, with refreshments on offer, before opening speeches at 10.30am.

After that, there will be several

Paul Gilham

paul.gilham@lbbd.gov.uk hour-long discussions on a range of subjects. These will include residents’ influence on council house repairs, the borough’s housing strategy, recycling changes and community and fire safety.

A free lunch follows further speeches from conference chair Rita Giles and Mayor of Barking and Dagenham Cllr Tony Ramsay.

In the afternoon, conference delegates have a chance to get involved with discussions they missed earlier in the day.

Afternoon tea

Afternoon tea will follow, with Rita set to close the conference at about 3.30pm.

Places at the conference are on a first come, first served basis.

To book, contact Oye Thomas on 020 8227 5777 or oye.thomas@lbbd. gov.uk

People in Dagenham can find out more about protecting their homes and themselves from crime this Friday.

The Asda branch in Merrielands Crescent is hosting a Community Safety Roadshow from 1pm to 4pm on 14 September.

Barking and Dagenham’s Community Safety Team will be offering tips on how to avoid being affected by crime.

A bike marking service will be available on the day.

NEWS

People who help make their neighbourhood a better place could be in line for a borough award.

As part of the annual London Week of Peace, Barking and Dagenham Council is celebrating local people’s community work.

And the awards aimed at doing this now have a new category, Most Improved Neighbourhood.

The deadline for putting an individual, group or business forward for the award is Friday 21 September.

There will be two winners, an individual and a group or business.

Both will receive a £150 voucher to help them continue their work in the borough.

Peace Week, which runs from this Sunday, 16 September, until Sunday 23 September, includes several events in Barking and Dagenham.

The awards ceremony, at the Broadway theatre, follows on Tuesday 2 October.

For more information on Peace Week awards and events in the borough, visit www.lbbd.gov.uk/grants

Housing event

Better safety at roadshow

Legacy for school

n More Paralympics stories – page 10-11

PARALYMPIC GRANT: For pupils at Henry Green Primary

Children at Henry Green Primary School are getting to grips with Paralympic sports for the new term. The Dagenham school successfully applied for funding from London 2012 organisers LOCOG to give pupils a taste of Paralympic sport.

PE coordinator Donna Rose said: “The children are all really excited about trying out these new sports. We’re the only school in the borough to get the funding, so we’re thrilled to carry on the Games’ legacy.”

Pupils will be trying their hand at sports including goalball and seated volleyball.

Enter pictures in annual contest Budding photographers could win a cash prize as part of a competition run by Barking’s Salvation Army.

Now in its fourth year, the competition, followed by an exhibition, is open to all residents. There are five categories to choose from, including landscapes and sport. The winner of

each category will get a cash prize.

Richard Ambridge from the Salvation Army, said: “In the past few years, we have been able to exhibit more than 100 photos, so there is something for everyone to enjoy.”

People can submit their photos until Saturday 15 September by filling

out an entry form. It costs £1 to enter an image and the Salvation Army Hall in Ripple Road will hosts an entrant exhibition on Saturday 22 September, from 2pm until 6pm. Admission is free. Email max.weaver@btinternet. com or call 020 8594 3158 for a competition entry form.

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14 September 2012

Letters to the Editor

Write to: Letters, thenews, Civic Centre, Dagenham RM10 7BN or email thenews@lbbd.gov.uk – please include your full name and address, along with a daytime telephone number for verification purposes. We cannot guarantee publication, and if your letter does not include your contact details, we will not print it at all (although we will consider withholding names in some circumstances). Letters may be edited.

HAVE YOUR SAY

St Chad’s could do with some tidying up I read the article in thenews titled “Flying the flag for our parks”.

We take our granddaughter to St Chad’s once a week and have noticed that it has become a park where everyone throws their empty drink bottles and so on all over the grass.

Few people seem to use the litter bins.

This week, we noticed that just one new flower bed had been planted, inside the front gates on the right hand side.

Relating to the children’s playground in the park, there are quite a few things that need attention.

There are only three baby swings, two with a broken chain, which we find unacceptable and dangerous.

Obviously nobody goes and checks all these swings and fittings.

Usually, there are also bigger children on these swings, and that is probably why the chains give way.

We do not consider that St Chad’s is worthy of a Green Flag award – it really needs to be tidied up quite a lot.

Perhaps something could be printed about getting the children’s playground into some of order?

Mrs A Woods Chadwell Heath

I keep a ‘two-wheeled mindset’ on the road I read with interest the comments by Mrs Coates last issue (“Road users all need to take more care”, Have Your Say, 31 August).

I am 75 and still using a cycle for most local runs – to Ilford, Barking and so on.

I also managed the GoDutch event earlier this year, taking me from home in Dagenham up to Park Lane and back again, so I’m fairly active.

Yes, I too was a cyclist back in the 1950s and 60s – almost lived on the bike!

Weekends, holidays, and quite a few years riding back and from the City of London, where I worked in various offices.

Working to make our park a nicer place The issue of thenews dated 31 August contains a letter from Marilyn Wyatt in which she questions the award of a Green Flag for St Chad’s Park.

The Friends of St Chad’s Park group has worked hard, in co-operation

I got around to my full motoring licence the oldfashioned way, first passing my motorcycle test, and using a motorbike for a good number of years, followed by my car test – both passed first time.

I had, in a manner of speaking, ‘passed my apprenticeship’ on road use with the cycling.

I do still drive a car, although after retiring, I stopped using motorbikes – do still like them, though.

When behind the wheel, I do see things from a two-wheeled aspect. I do not approve of cyclists jumping red lights, as is often seen.

One young idiot this

with the council, to improve facilities and organise events in the park. The award has been made in recognition of the effort put in as much as the results so far achieved.

However, the group is handicapped by the apparent lack of interest of local people and their unwillingness to help.

I am currently delivering some 500

afternoon crossed the High Road, at Whalebone Lane South, against the red light with no hands on the handlebars and talking on a mobile.

I’m sure he thinks he is a ‘wonder on wheels’!

However, when passing him further on, I was well aware of his position on the road.

I also do not approve of motorists using mobiles while on the move, or overshooting the speed limit in urban areas. I am often ‘tailgated’ when I refuse to go above 30mph, usually by 4x4s and other large cars.

leaflets requesting attendance at our next meeting, to be held this Tuesday, 11 September, at 6.30pm in the cricket pavilion.

These meetings are held every other month, on the second Tuesday, and are always at 6.30pm, the next being on 13 November.

Perhaps your correspondent, and others, would care to become

There is no easy answer – the police cannot be everywhere. How individual drivers get on with their road use is up to them and their reactions behind the wheel.

On my bicycle, I am more cautious than I used to be, but do not feel intimidated by the current motoring public enough to stop the use of such an efficient means of transport – even at my age!

I will continue with it as long as I can.

Tom Pettengell Dagenham members and do something to help out? Their input and ideas would be most welcome and more productive than criticism.

At the same time, I am encouraged by the fact that Marilyn has shown enough enthusiasm and interest to write. That, in itself, is a start.

Terry Justice Chadwell Heath

Festival includes on Poetry Competiti see website for more information

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2012

Wednesday 3 to Friday 19 October

Many events are free, but tickets are still required, so book early to avoid disappointment

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14 September 2012

Historic buildings open their doors Susan Whitear susan.whitear@lbbd.gov.uk

Doors opening near you

You can visit a record number of Barking and Dagenham’s heritage sites as part of Open House London this year.

Now in its 20th year, Open House celebrates London’s unique architecture and places of interest. You can visit 18 buildings around the borough, free, over the Open House weekend on 22 and 23 September.

Here are the sites in the borough opening their doors as part of Open House London in the borough.

Some visits need booking in advance – see www.london openhouse.org for more details. n Barking Abbey and St Margaret’s Church, North Street, Barking

History

Soak up some of the borough’s history by taking a tour of the 16th century Eastbury Manor House in Barking. Or check out the newly built Technical Skills Academy, taking its first influx of students this month.

You can also take a look around Barking Town Hall, built in the 1950s.

It is named as one of the top 100 inspiring London buildings in a new

n Barking Central and Barking Learning Centre

A WARM WELCOME: Valence House will be one of the borough’s buildings throwing open their doors to the public this month book from Open House London.

There are also talks, walks, tours and events for all to enjoy throughout the weekend. You can even go

on a bus tour of the iconic Becontree Estate.

For details and times, visit www. londonopenhouse.org

n Barking Riverside and Rivergate Centre n Barking Town Hall n Becontree Heath Leisure Centre

n Bus tour of the Becontree Estate n Castle Green n Civic Centre n Closed Loop Recycling n Dagenham Library n Eastbury Manor House n Lee Tunnel and Beckton Sludge Power Generator n Northbury Junior School extension n St Patrick’s Church n Technical Skills Academy n The Broadway n The Granary n Valence House

WELLBEING / COMMUNITY NEWS

Staff and parents help to transform school garden

GROUND FORCE: Beam Primary head Leigh Culyer, standing third left, with other members of the team who helped makeover the school garden

Children, parents and staff at Beam Primary School in Dagenham are celebrating a 24-hour garden makeover.

The school, in Oval Road North, now has a pond, cycle track, fire pit, birdhouses, greenhouses and raised beds for growing flowers and vegetables.

There is also a mock Anderson shelter so that the youngsters can learn about the Second World War. About 80 staff from Ford, joined by school and council workers and parents, tackled the eco-project in just one day.

Headteacher Leigh Culyer said: “Before the work, the area was overgrown and not really being used.

“It was our vision and dream to change the plot of land into a space the children could use. It’s also an opportunity to involve parents and the community with things going on in the new garden.

“There were a lot of local firms and people who helped us with materials and labour. We want to thank everyone who helped to make this project a reality.”

HARD AT IT: Volunteers at work, which included putting up a greenhouse made of recycled plastic bottles

REFLECTION: Beam Primary School’s new pond

You and your health

Breakfast is important As children go back to school, it’s a reminder of why breakfast is the day’s most important meal for them – and all of us.

After a long period without eating, such as overnight, your blood sugar levels will be low. Skipping breakfast can mean your body will start to crave something sweet and you’ll end up snacking on unhealthy foods.

That’s why you often see hungry schoolchildren eating sweets and drinking fizzy drinks on their way to

school – really not a good idea. Eating a healthy breakfast helps children concentrate better at school, and their parents at work. You won’t be distracted by hunger that way, and can get your day off to a good start.

Cereals

It’s good to base your breakfast on starchy foods such as bread or breakfast cereals – but not sugary ones.

Try making toast with wholemeal or granary bread, and use just a small

amount of something like jam. A lowfat spread is another option, but do choose one high in polyunsaturates or monounsaturates instead of one high in saturated fat, such as butter.

For many of us, breakfast is a cup of tea or coffee on the run. But even if you’re in a hurry, you can make healthy choices and eat a breakfast that will provide you with essential nutrients and lasting energy.

Pick up a banana or apple with that slice of wholegrain toast. And do read

labels on your favourite breakfast and energy bars. Many of them are high in sugar and not as healthy as you might think.

Calories

It’s worth avoiding a breakfast of sweet pastries or doughnuts from a baker’s, too. They provide empty calories and will set you up for a massive energy slump later.

You don’t have to miss out on a traditional Sunday cooked breakfast if

Dr Waseem Mohi chairs the Barking GPs’ Clinical Commissioning Group and has his practice at Abbey Medical Centre in Harpour Road, Barking that’s your favourite. There’s nothing wrong with it as long as it’s a ‘grillup’, not a ‘fry-up’. Fried foods hold most fat! Add some toasted wholemeal bread and a glass of unsweetened fruit juice, too.

Let your breakfast go down and then enjoy a Sunday morning walk or take the kids to the local park with their bikes or with a ball. You’ll feel better for it!

9

14 September 2012

One local man is enjoying his back garden again for the first time in several years thanks to a grant from Barking and Dagenham Council. SUSAN WHITEAR reports

Direct approach to home revamp A disabled man from Chadwell Heath is enjoying his garden again, thanks to a new council grant scheme.

Wheelchair bound Peter Sheehan’s garden was out of bounds to him following a series of strokes.

Peter, 70, applied to improve his house with a direct payment adaptation grant.

Recruitment Event Friday 21 September 10am to 2pm There is a range of FREE support available to help you improve your skills and to apply for work.

You can access that support online, via the telephone or face to face in a wide range of community venues across the borough.

Wellgate Children’s Centre 119 Rose Lane Chadwell Heath RM6 5NR National Careers Service

Whether you are in work or looking for a job, the National Careers Service can help you with all aspects of learning and work, including: • Planning your career • Getting a job, including building a CV and tips on interview skills • Improving your career through learning

The Jobshop Community Outreach Project currently has job vacancies for residents of Barking &Job Dagenham that are not on the Shops Work Programme Visit the website at https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk or call 0800 100 900 They will also tell you about where you can get face to face advice if you need it.

Scheme

.

If you register for support with the borough’s Job Shop service we can: • Help you to find the job you want • Assist you in creating or updating your CV • Support you in completing job applications • Develop and enhance your interview skills • Provide support on a one-to-one basis • Identify relevant skills training that will help you get work

ACCESS: Peter Sheehan can now get out into his garden thanks to a new ramp. He is with Cllr Linda Reason a grant of up to £4,000 to adapt their home.

The grant can be used for work including stair lifts, showers, enhanced lighting, loud door bells, door widening and fitting downstairs toilets. People can choose their own suppliers to carry out the work.

Cllr Linda Reason, council cabinet member for adult

• Events stewarding: £6.50 - £9 per hour • Chambermaid: national minimum wage • Customer service apprenticeships for Drop in or contact us at: 18-24 year olds only national minimum wage

Barking Job Shop Barking Job Shop Unit 41a, Unit 41a, Vicarage Field Shopping Centre Vicarage Field Shopping Centre Ripple Road Ripple Road Barking IG11 8DQ T: 020 8724 8870 Barking IG11 8DQ E: barkingjobshop@lbbd.gov.uk T: 020 8724 8870 E: barkingjobshop@lbbd.gov.uk

The scheme gives local people money to arrange changes to their own homes. Using the cash from the council, Peter arranged for patio doors and a ramp to be installed.

Peter, who lives with his wife of 49 years, Sandra, said: “I haven’t been into the garden in ages, so am very happy now I can get in and out easily.

“Applying for the grant was easy and the work was done in just four weeks.

“I have to be taken everywhere by ambulance, so it’s nice I can enjoy the garden and make the most of the time I’ve got left.”

Anyone living in the borough aged 18 or over can apply for

SUPPORTING YOU THROUGH TOUGH TIMES

services, said: “I’m so pleased we can offer a scheme like this.

It can make a huge difference to people’s everyday lives.

“If you feel adapting your home would make everyday activities easier, I would encourage you to contact us.”

For more information on the scheme email jane.hardy@lbbd. gov.uk or call 020 8227 2593.

You can also find out more about the support available to you to improve your skills and apply for work.

Barking Job Shop Dagenham Job Shop Lane Job Shop For more details and to book your Green place please call Unit 41a, Unit 5, The Mall 808 Green Lane Vicarage Field Shopping Centre Heathway Dagenham RM8 1YT ShaidaDagenham Dar RM10 on8RE020 8514T: 020 9915 Ripple Road 8599 1230 Barking IG11 8DQ T: 020 8724 8877 E: greenlanejobshop@lbbd.gov.uk or email Shaida@redbridgecvs.net T: 020 8724 8870 E: dagenhamjobshop@lbbd.gov.uk E: barkingjobshop@lbbd.gov.uk

Starting secondary school in September 2013 Starting secondary school in 2013 Starting secondary school in September 2013 Starting secondary school in September September 2013

The closing The The closing The closing Theclosing closing date for all date for all date date for all date for allisfor all applications applications is applications is applications is applications is 31 October 31 October If child born 11 September 2001 and 31 31 August 2002,they theywill will betransferring transferring to 31 OctoberIfIfIfyour your was between 2001 August 2002, be to 31 31 October October yourwas child wasbetween born between 1 September 2001 and 31 August they be transferring your child was born between 2001 and August 2002, they be transferring to yourIfchild child wasborn born between 1 September September 2001and and 31 31 August 2002,2002, theywill will bewill transferring to to 2012 2012 school September 2013.

Thismove move isnot notan automatic process and you will need to to 2012 secondary in 2013. process and you will need 20122012 aaaasecondary a secondary in September 2013.

Thisis isanautomatic not an automatic process and you willto secondary school in September 2013.

This move is not an automatic process and you will need to secondary schoolschool inSeptember September 2013.This This move ismove not an automatic process and you will need toneed make an application for the secondary schools you would like your child to attend. make for secondary schools you like attend. make an application the secondary schools you would likechild yourto child to attend. make an application for the secondary schools you would like your child to attend. makean anapplication application forthe thefor secondary schools youwould would likeyour your child to attend.

IfIfIfIfyour child is attending a Barking Dagenham Junior or Primary school you will sent a full your child is attending a Barking and Dagenham Junior or Primary school you already have your is child is attending a Barking and Dagenham or Primary yoube will be sent a full your aa Barking and Junior or school you should already have yourIfchild child is attending attending Barking and Dagenham Dagenham JuniorJunior or Primary Primary schoolschool youshould should already have information pack about the process in the week ending 20 July 2012.

If your child is attending a received a full information pack about process.

If your child is attending a school outside the information pack about the process in the week ending 20 July 2012.

If your child is attending received a full information pack about the process.

If your child is attending a school outside the received a full information pack about the process. If your child is attending a school outside the a school outside the live borough but you in live Barking and Dagenham, please pick up copy of the borough but you in and Dagenham, please pick of the information at school borough butlive you in Barking and up Dagenham, picka up apack copy ofthe the borough but you live in Barking and Dagenham, please pick up copy of the information pack at the borough butoutside you livethe inBarking Barking and Dagenham, please pick upaaacopy copy ofplease the information pack at the information pack at the One Stop Shop within the Barking Learning Centre or Dagenham Library.

One Stop Shop within the Barking Learning Centre or Dagenham Library. information pack at the One Stop Shop within the Barking Learning Centre or Dagenham Library.

One Stop Shop within the Barking Learning Centre or Dagenham Library.

One Stop Shop within the Barking Learning Centre or Dagenham Library. you like information about applying for place at secondary school, please come to our IfIfIfIfyou like about applying for at school, please comecome toone one of our Ifwould you would like information about applying for a place at secondary school, please toof one of our you would like information about applying for place at secondary school, please come to one of our youwould would likeinformation information about applying foraaaaplace place atsecondary secondary school, please come to one of our open meetings.

Speeches begin at 7pm and admission officers will be available afterwards to answer open meetings.

Speeches begin at 7pm and admission officers will be available afterwards to answer open meetings.

Speeches begin at 7pm and admission officers will be available afterwards to answer open open meetings. meetings. Speeches Speeches begin at 7pm 7pm and and admission admission officers officers will will be be available available afterwards afterwards to to answer answer any questions you may have about the process. any you the process. any questions youhave mayabout have about the admissions process. any questions you may have about the admissions process. anyquestions questions youmay may have about theadmissions admissions process.

We look forward to seeing either: We to you Weforward look forward to seeing you on either: We look forward to seeing you on either: Welook look forward toseeing seeing youon on either:

10 2012 2012 or 10 September 2012 11 September 2012 10 September 2012 or 11 September 2012 or or11 10 September September 2012 11 September September 2012

at the Civic Centre in Hall Barking atCivic the Civic Centre in Dagenham at atTown the Town Hall in Barking at Centre Dagenham atthe the Town Hallin in Barking atthe the Civic Centre ininDagenham Dagenham Town Hall in Barking Phone: 020 3004 Team, 0203004 8215 3004 Admissions Team, Phone:Phone: 020 8215 Phone: 020 8215 3004 Phone:Admissions 0208215 8215 3004 Email: 3000direct@lbbd.gov.uk 3000direct@lbbd.gov.uk Email: 3000direct@lbbd.gov.uk Email: 3000direct@lbbd.gov.uk Email:Email: 3000direct@lbbd.gov.uk

online at 1Apply September 2012 apply online Apply online at Apply onlineapply at online From 1From September 2012 at: at:

10

14 September 2012

11

14 September 2012

Paralympics inspire the borough The Paralympic torch relay bypassing the borough didn’t stop people enjoying events in Barking Park to kick off the Games.

The torch was due on Wednesday 29 August, but severe delays along the route meant its short stint through the borough was scrapped.

But in Barking Park, singers, musicians, a twilight lantern procession and big screen showing of the Opening Ceremony still took place.

CONNOR GREEN

Torch

ICONIC: The Paralympic flame within the main stadium

Tom McInulty from the Macular Disease Society was due to carry the torch with members from the local branch.

He said: “We were all really disappointed that the torch didn’t come through the park.

“Some of our members, friends and family turned up to watch us carrying the torch.

“We ended up taking it into the Olympic Park, as a group, which was magical.”

Joan Brandon, chief executive of

Susan Whitear susan.whitear@lbbd.gov.uk Barking and Dagenham Volunteer Bureau, was at the event. She said: “It’s a shame the torch didn’t turn up.

A lot of hard work went into organising the event.

“Despite the weather and the noshow, people did enjoy themselves.

There was plenty to see and do.

“The children with us thoroughly enjoyed it. Maybe they didn’t realise the significance of the torch coming to the borough.”

Disruption

Cllr Rocky Gill, deputy leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, said: “We are obviously extremely disappointed about the disruption to our event. We will be asking LOCOG some serious questions.”

The organising committee later issued hundreds of free tickets for people and community groups in the borough.

SEATS: Barking and Dagenham police cadets and staff at the Olympic Stadium

KEEPING THE FIRES BURNING: The Paralympic torch bearers including Tom McInulty with his guide dog

ADRIFT: Lanterns made by local children in workshops at Barking Park are floated on the lake nearby, to celebrate the Paralympics

Local teens meet Team GB gold medallist

A group of local teenagers came face to face with a British Paralympic gold medallist after winning tickets to the Olympic Park.

Seventeen youngsters from Dagenham youth club, The Vibe, met Aled Davies, who took first place in the discus.

They won athletics tickets as part of a competition run by the London Legacy Development Corporation.

Julie West, borough senior youth worker, put the group forward for ‘A Day in the Park’ after they helped with the Becontree community garden.

Fantastic

Julie, who was also at the event, said: “The atmosphere in the stadium was fantastic. It was great to be a part of it.

“The young people really enjoyed it.

“And of course, it was great to have their photo taken with a gold medallist.”

BIG SCREEN: Residents gathered in Barking Park to watch the Games’ Opening Ceremony

FANCY MEETING YOU HERE: The teenagers with Paralympic gold medallist Aled Davies

ON PARADE: A group of majorettes helping to celebrate the Paralympics at a special event in Barking Park

BARKING and Dagenham police cadets were among those to receive Paralympic tickets through the Key Seat Programme.

The cadets’ Daryl Bonas said: “It was an absolutely fantastic day for all of us, something we won’t forget for a long time.

After seeing the action on TV, it was amazing to actually be in the Olympic Park and the different stadiums.

“We were lucky enough to go into the wheelchair basketball and saw a very close match between the USA and Chinese ladies.

“Then it was on to the Riverbank Stadium to see a seven-a-side football match between Russia and the Netherlands.

“The highlight of the day was being able to go into the Olympic Stadium in the evening to see the athletics – beyond words!”

MORE TICKETS FOR RESIDENTS: Barking and Dagenham Council deputy leader Cllr Rocky Gill carried out a public draw for Paralympics tickets last Wednesday. He is pictured with the first two people whose names came out of the hat

A little luxury in the heart of town Massages, facials and fruit cocktails are all being enjoyed by locals in the heart of Barking.

The Barking Bathhouse is a temporary spa in Axe Street offering affordable treatments to the public.

As well as a wood sauna, ice room, and relaxation area, the spa has a bar area featuring evening entertainment.

Barking resident Graham Fox, a spa visitor, said: “I saw it being built and came in to see what it was all about.

RELAXATION: Rhea Babla, Gaynor Williams and Angela Devine enjoy the facilities

“It’s different from the usual spa and very rustic looking.

“The staff seem very knowledgeable about the treatments and I’ll look forward to coming back with my wife.”

Project

The project is part of the Mayor of London’s Outer London Fund and opened at the start of the Olympic Games in July.

The spa uses basic materials,

with simple wooden benches in the bar area. It was put up in just a few weeks.

The four therapists and two nail technicians are all locally based and in the process of starting up their own businesses.

Bob Pembroke has been a massage therapist for 20 years specialising in Indian head massage, reflexology and Swedish massage.

Unlike other therapists, Bob, 57, who lives in Dagenham, is blind.

He said: “I had support to start my own business through the Barking Enterprise Centre.

“They put me in touch with the Bathhouse.

“It’s been very busy and popular not just with borough residents, but people from all over east London.

“I’m hoping that I will keep some of the clients I’ve had when the spa closes.”

Entry to the bathhouse bar area is free. It’s £2 for borough residents to use the sauna, ice room and relaxing areas, including the pebbly beach.

Non-residents pay £8. Massage and facials start from £20 for 30 minutes.

The spa is open from Thursday to Sunday.

For further information about Barking Bathhouse, visit www. barkingbathhouse.com

PAMPERING: Barking Bathhouse offers affordable treatments

HERE TO HELP: Massage therapist Bob Pembroke, second from left, with other staff members at the Barking Bathhouse

LONDON 2012 PARALYMPIC GAMES

LONDON 2012 PARALYMPIC GAMES

Cadets’ tickets

12

14 September 2012

LINDA RHODES, Barking and Dagenham’s local studies librarian, previews this weekend’s Valence House Local and Family History Fair

PIPED MUSIC: The Dagenham Girl Pipers will be performing at the history fair

Valence House is set to bring history to life!

HERITAGE AND NOSTALGIA

Are you interested in heritage? Or just looking for a free day out with a difference? Then don’t miss Valence House’s Local and Family History Fair.

This Saturday, you can explore a wide range of stalls, chat to members of heritage groups and discover new places to visit.

There will be music on the grand piano in our Oasis Café at lunchtime, and the fabulous Dagenham Girl Pipers will perform at 2pm.

There are also tours of the museum and herb garden, in Becontree Avenue, Dagenham, that you can join.

You can hear talks on local history, too. I’m speaking at 1pm, with my colleague Mark Watson at 3pm.

Taking part

Groups taking part in the event include Friends of the Metropolitan Police Historical Collection, Marks Gate Heritage Project, Barnardo’s Family History Service, Ilfordbased Valentines Mansion, Havering Museum, Newham Bookshop, West Essex Archaeological Group and Friends of the Ilford Hospital Chapel.

You can also meet members of local historical societies such as Barking and District, Chadwell Heath, Ilford and Newham.

You can visit one of the East of London Family History Society’s popular helpdesks, and Barking and Dagenham Council’s park rangers are running bramble basketry workshops.

Costume

Many of our staff and volunteers will be in historic costume.

So if you have a straw hat or long skirt in your wardrobe, why not give them an airing at Valence House on Saturday? n The Local and Family History Fair runs from 10am to 4pm on 15 September. Free car parking is available in Valence Park and along Becontree Avenue, along with two blue badge spaces at the Margery Road entrance, off Bonham Road.

For more details about the fair, phone 020 8227 2033 or 2034, visit www.lbbd.gov.uk/valence or email localstudies@lbbd.gov.uk You can also visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/valencehouse

ALL DRESSED UP: People in historical outfits at Valence House Museum

Valence House work experience students PAIGE SMITH from Sydney Russell School and GEMMA HOWARD from Robert Clack School look at the Dagenham museum’s Rites of Passage display When it reopened in June 2010 after major redevelopment, Valence House Museum had a number of new galleries and displays.

One addition was the Rites of Passage case. It looks at the milestones in life that everyone in the borough celebrates, regardless of race or religion.

These include baby-naming ceremonies and coming-of-age celebrations.

At the side of the display is a short film showing home video clips and photos of different celebrations and milestones marked by people from the borough.

When Rites of Passage first went on show, it looked at weddings. A pair of 1920s bridal shoes and a Pakistani wedding dress worn in the 1960s were on show, alongside two traditional Indian tikkas – head ornaments

EXHIBIT: One of the displays in the Rites of Passage case – on loan from members of the public.

Local residents play an important part in Valence House projects. Museum workers would like to encourage residents to tell others about important milestones in their lives, by lending items for display in the Rites of Passage case.

Each theme for the display lasts for six months, after which

the loaned items go back to their owners. Do you have any items that relate to an important point in life that could go on display? Or perhaps you just want to tell people how a rite of passage was important for you.

If so, please contact museum curator Leeanne Westwood to discuss it, and how you can get involved. Contact her on 020 8227 5222 or leeanne. westwood@lbbd.gov.uk n The case’s contents have recently had one of their regular changes, and currently focus on traditions surrounding death.

Among other things, the display shows how one of the borough’s oldest businesses, West & Coe, address this stage in life’s journey. They have been providing funeral services to the people of Barking and Dagenham for more than 100 years.

Those were the days

Cold comfort when Jack Frost has paid a visit Now we’re on the downhill run to winter again, I found myself sitting in the car, wondering when I’d need to start using the heater again.

And that turned my mind to the pretty, swirling, leafy patterns of frost we used to see.

I don’t mean on the outside of the windscreen, but on the inside of our bedroom windows.

Today, we live in centrally heated houses with double-glazed windows, an insulated loft and with our cavity walls stuffed with foam to keep the heat in – at least, I do.

Long gone are the days when we cowered in bed beneath a pile of blankets, knowing that to emerge would be to shiver, made worse when your bare feet touched the cold lino on the floor.

Dressing gowns? Don’t be daft – they were for rich people.

Today, I can get up, even on a chilly morning, pull back the curtain and see our mini-plantation of trees and bushes, the bird boxes on the lawn and our dog sniffing around to find out who’s been visiting the garden overnight.

Growing up was very different. Mum was always first up and, as we lay there, fearful to emerge from the warmth we’d generated as we slept, we could hear the comforting sounds of her filling up the coal scuttle and getting the fire in the living room going.

That would help, but not immediately clear the frost from the windows – you could only do that with a scraper until about 10am.

Eventually the need to go to work,

whether for a paper round or, eventually, for a real job that demanded clocking in, drove us out of our warm beds and into the bathroom.

There, if we were lucky, Mum would have brought up a kettle of hot water – but if not, we had the pleasure of a cold – and I do mean cold – wash in a bowl filled from the bath tap.

After that, ablutions completed, it was a rush back to the bedroom to hurriedly strip off pyjamas and pull on a shirt clammy with cold, chilly underpants, trousers (short in the early days) and socks.

By the time we did get downstairs, the first glimpses of the back garden were emerging through the melting ice on the windows.

The warmth of the roaring fire gave us

something to huddle round before sitting down to our breakfast porridge.

Not any more. No pretty patterns by Jack Frost any longer – but I do have a dressing gown.

Yes, those were the days...

BRIAN LYNCH Brian grew up in Dagenham.

He has been a local journalist specialising in regional government and business.

Brian has written books including Naked Knees and Blakey’d Boots, an account of his childhood, murder mystery He Had It Coming and The Road from Gloster Hill, the true story of a ‘true Brit’. All are on sale at Amazon.co.uk – and new fantasy Sherlock and Holmes is now available for the Kindle e-reader.

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10/4/12

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14

14 September 2012

Events

The tours will highlight the architectural history of Valence House. No booking required. Free.

■■Community Safety Roadshow Crime prevention tips, bike security marking Friday 14 September, 1pm to 4pm Asda, Merrielands Crescent, Dagenham Call 020 8215 3009 or email communitysafety@lbbd.gov.uk

■■Barking Art Society Autumn exhibition Runs from 29 September to 17 November A display of artwork by members of the Barking Art Society. Many works are for sale.

Eastbury Manor House

Eastbury Square, Barking IG11 9SN, 020 8724 1002 First and second Saturday of each month: 10am-4pm Every Monday and Tuesday: 10am-4pm (except holidays) ■■Ghostly tours with Ian Shillito Friday 21 September, 7pm to 9pm Take this spooky tour and let the spirits of Eastbury past guide you around this ancient building. Led by psychic ghost hunter Ian Shillito from the successful TV show Most Haunted. For adults only. £15 per person.

Must be booked in advance, to book call 020 8227 2034.

■■Free tours of Eastbury Manor House Part of Open House London Saturday 22 September 2012, 10am to 3pm Sunday 23 September 2012, 10am to 4pm As part of Open House weekend Eastbury Manor House will be open to the public. There will be architectural tours with a conservation architect, property manager and National Trust guides. Booking required for tours with property manager and architect.

Tours with National Trust guides 10am to 3pm Architectural tour with Richard Griffiths Architects 2pm (Saturday only) Tour with Property Manager 11am (Sunday only) Children’s activity, I Spy

■■Family History helpdesks Saturday 15 and 29 September Run by the Barking and Dagenham branch of the East of London Family History Society.

It operates on a first-come first served basis, so at busy times there may be a delay.

Times: 10am-3.45pm (closes for lunch 12.30-1.15pm)

■■Beam Parklands Walk Monday 17 and 24 September, 9am-10am Meet at Leys Children’s Centre, Wellingon Drive.

Open to all, no booking necessary ■■Conservation Volunteers Group Wednesday 19 September, 10.30am-2pm Open to all, no booking necessary

■■Archive Film Screenings at Valence House Thursday 20 September, 2pm3pm An opportunity to see a combination of Pathe news films and local archive films, presented by the borough’s archivist, £2 with refreshments

■■Junior Rangers Saturday 22 September, 10.30am12.30pm For young people eight to 13 years, no booking necessary

■■Friends of Valence House Book Sales Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 September, 10am-3pm Bag yourself a bargain amongst the books, bric-a-brac and craft items for sale on the below dates

PARKS

Eastbrookend Country Park Dagenham Road, Dagenham. Meet at the Millennium Centre

■■Ranger Ramble Sunday 23 September, 2pm3.30pm Open to all, no booking necessary

Mayesbrook Park

Meet by the car park on Lodge Avenue opposite the Roundhouse pub ■■Healthy Walk Monday 17 and 24 September, 10.30am-11.30am For adults, no booking necessary ■■Paws in the Park Saturday 22 September, 1pm-4pm Open to all, no booking necessary ■■Coffee Afternoon with your Ranger Friday 28 September, 1pm-2pm Meet at the cricket pavilion Open to all, no booking necessary

Call 020 8227 2332 for bookings or if you have access requirements. Wear suitable clothing and footwear. For the distribution list email parksandcountryside@lbbd. gov.uk

Barking Park

Longbridge Road, Barking Meet at the Lodge ■■Active Mums Friday 14, 21 and 28 September, 11am-12 noon Meet at the Lido For new mums, £2 entry No booking necessary ■■Tai Chi Thursday 20 and 27 September, 10am-11am Meet at the Lido £2 entry, free to over 60s No booking necessary

Theatre, music, dance and drama ■■Drama, Dance and Singing Classes Saturdays 2pm-5pm at Barking Abbey Leisure Centre or 10am-1pm in Romford.

Age six to 18 Local and West End shows, no experience necessary.

Telephone Sue at Theatretrain 020 8590 4916

The Broadway theatre Broadway, Barking 020 8507 5607

www.thebroadwaybarking.com ■■Bond Week – 00 and his 7 Thursday 20 to Sunday 23 September inclusive, 8pm

■■Pirate treasure hunt Saturday 22 September, 2pm-3pm For families, booking essential

■■Bond Week – Martini Bond: The Hunt for the Spy Who Loved Her Mum Thursday 20 to Sunday 23 September inclusive, 9.15pm

■■Friends of Baking Park meeting Wednesday 26 September, 7pm9pm For adults, booking essential

■■Judith Walker – Free Exhibition Thursday 20 to Sunday 23 September inclusive, anytime theatre is open ■■Doormen

Monday 24 to Saturday 29 September inclusive, 9pm

■■The Lowlife Cabaret of the Original Army Monday 24 to Saturday 29 September inclusive, 7pm ■■Airport Monday 24 to Saturday 29 September inclusive, 7pm

Arc Theatre Groups The Malthouse Studios, Abbey Road, Barking 020 8594 1095

■■Community Players (funded by London Borough of Barking and Dagenham) Every Monday, 6.30pm (tea and biscuits), 7pm-9pm 18 years and over, free of charge ■■Barking & Dagenham Youth Theatre (Arc) Every Tuesday evening (term time), 7pm-9pm 12 years and over, £3 weekly ■■Barking & Dagenham Drama Club (directed by Arc) Every Tuesday (term time), 4.30pm-6pm Eight to 12 years, £2 weekly

Dance /drama classes ■■Styled Stepz Thursdays 6pm-8.30pm Castle Green, Gale Street Kerry Harris 07965 364798 ■■Tea Dance (ballroom, sequence) Tuesdays, 1.45pm-3.45pm Wantz Hall, Rainham Road North, Dagenham. Ken 020 8599 5449

Music groups ■■Barking MAD (Music and Drama) Tuesdays 7.30pm-9.30pm Ripple Centre, Ripple Road, Barking Tony 020 8592 1708 or info@ kingsleyhall.org.uk ■■Barking and Dagenham Adult College Choir Wednesdays (term time) 7.15pm Adult College of Barking and Dagenham, Fanshawe Crescent, Dagenham. Maria 020 8591 1662 ■■Essex Drum Corps practice sessions Every Tuesday, 8pm-10pm Carrie’s Hall, Roneo Corner (near Rush Green). 020 8599 8435 ■■Gale Singers Ladies’ Choir Tuesdays 10am-11am Hatfield Community Centre, Hatfield Road, Dagenham Janet 020 8592 2270 ■■Music for the Blind and Disabled Trust Band Tuesdays 7.30pm-10pm Galleon Community Hall, Boundary Road, Barking Penny 01708 222804 ■■Newberries Variety Group Singing group – new members wanted. Fridays 8pm-10pm Wantz Library, Rainham Road North, Dagenham Mrs Blake 020 8924 0528 ■■Pavilion Brass Band Thursdays 8pm-9.45pm. Eastbury Manor House, Eastbury Square, Barking. Barry 020 8554 2351 ■■Vintage Voices Singers would like some new members. Tuesday afternoons, 2pm-4pm. Chris 020 8591 0784

Keep fiT

Tuesdays, 6.45pm-9pm For mature athletes aged 40-plus Eastbury School, Rosslyn Road, Barking. Tony 01268 724391 ■■Faircross Community Centre Mondays and Thursdays 10am-11am Faircross Community Centre, Hulse Avenue (entrance to both sides of Hulse Avenue and Hurstbourne Gardens) Joyce 020 8594 1280

Aerobics, keep fit and gymnastics at Castle Green

Gale Street, Dagenham

■■Boxercise Bootcamp Tuesday 7pm-8pm Contact Sara 07515 673440 ■■Catleap Gymnastics Sundays 1pm-5pm Catherine Bates 07903 663944 ■■Demolition Dance Thursdays 8.30pm-10pm 07707 580713 ■■Kick Box Aerobics Mondays 7.30pm-8.30pm Pierre Stancey 07880 895482 ■■Newham Twirlers Saturdays 10am-12 noon Debbie Richardson 07881 785680 ■■Pole Fitness Contact Nicola on 07969 038863 ■■Spinning Classes Mondays 6.15pm; Tuesdays and Thursdays 7.15pm; Fridays 6pm, Saturdays 9.45am. 020 8270 6610 ■■Zumba Wednesdays 7pm-8pm Thursdays 6.30pm-7.30pm and 7.30pm-8.30pm Saturdays 11am-12 noon 020 8724 1500

Martial arts ■■Aikido Traditional Martial Art Mondays 7pm to 9pm Thursdays 7.30pm to 9.30pm Abbey Sports Centre, Barking For men and women David 07728 918441 ■■East London Black Belt Tuesdays 6pm-7pm Castle Green, Gale Street, Dagenham Master Mackey 07899 711477 ■■Roding Karate Club Mondays 6pm-8pm, Tuesdays 7pm-8pm and Fridays 7.30pm8.30pm. Castle Green, Gale Street, Dagenham Ray Barrow 07836 288287 or Info@rodingkarate.co.uk ■■Shotokan Karate Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6pm-7pm Castle Green, Gale Street, Dagenham. 07724 479798 ■■World Tang Soo Do Becontree Heath Leisure Centre Monday 8pm-9pm Thursday 7pm-9pm Mr Hartt 07944 011934

Yoga

■■Hatha Yoga Tuesdays, 7pm-8pm Castle Green, Gale Street, Dagenham. Gaisva 07881 840618 ■■ Yoga – Weekly Classes All levels, Monday 7pm-8.30pm Eastbury Manor House, Barking Jan 020 8595 6915

Sport

General ■■Elderberries Activity sessions for people aged 50-plus, including exercise classes, badminton and swimming Mondays and Thursdays, 10am12 noon. Becontree Heath Leisure Centre, Althorne Way, Dagenham 020 8227 3338 Tuesdays, 10am-12 noon, Abbey Sports Centre, Axe Street, Barking 020 8270 6800 ■■Loxford Sports Club

a voluntary or not-for-profit basis and would like to see it featured in thenews, please get in touch – our contact details are on page 2

Athletics

■■Barking Road Runners Running club for all levels Tuesdays and Thursdays www.barkingroadrunners.org.uk ■■Dagenham 88 Runners Every Tuesday, Thursday, 7.15pm May & Baker Sports and Social Club, Rainham Road South, Dagenham. Michael 01708 375773

Canoeing

■■Barking & Dagenham Canoe Club Mayesbrook Park Canoe Lake Lodge Avenue Dagenham Meets Saturdays 11am-1pm and Wednesdays 5.30pm-7.30pm.

Open to anyone over eight years of age. Costs are £3 per session. www.barkingcanoeclub.co.uk

Bowls

■■Barking Borough Bowling Club New and experienced players welcome. Barking Park, Longbridge Road. 020 8594 1280 ■■Dagenham Central Bowls Club Monday to Friday, 2pm-6pm Central Park, Dagenham Sandra Medcalf 020 8593 6861 sandramedcalf888@btinternet.com ■■Eastbrook Community Centre Bowls Club Woods supplied. Monday and Wednesday evenings, 7.15pm Doreen Newley 020 8592 0377 ■■Old Dagenham Park Bowls Club Monday to Friday, 2pm to dusk, friendly games with other clubs at weekends Old Dagenham Park, Siviter Way, Dagenham. Carole 01708 558948 ■■St Chad’s Bowling Club Club is looking for new and experienced bowlers St Chads Park Mrs Morton 01708 474839 or Mr Jarrold 020 8252 1326 ■■Short Mat Bowls Very friendly club Monday and Friday evenings, 7pm for 7.30pm. Chadwell Heath Heather 01708 340874

Boxing ■■Non-contact Boxing Classes Men Tuesdays and Thursdays 7pm Women Wednesdays 6pm First session free Casa Centre, Oxlow lane, Dagenham 07779 033427 www.freakfitnessuk.com ■■Barking Boxing Club Monday-Friday, 7pm-9pm Community Hall, Oval Road South, Dagenham Ron 07870 278379 ■■Dagenham (Police & Community) Boxing Club Monday to Thursday, 6.30pm8.30pm. 222 Heathway, Dagenham (above Lloyds TSB) Dan O’Sullivan 07973 656238 or gym 020 8592 0458, or email DaggerDan.Osullivan@gmail.com Website: Dagenhamboxing.co.uk

Cricket

■■Barking Cricket Club Mayesbrook Park, Lodge Avenue, Barking Marlon King 07866 486184, email marlon.king@ntlworld.com or visit www.barkingcricketclub.com ■■Chadwell Heath Cricket Club St Chads Park, Alexandra Road, Chadwell Heath Steve 07973 189228

If you run a local sports club for young people on

Football

■■Barking FC

Including women’s, under-16, under-14 and under-12 teams www.barking-fc.co.uk/clubinfo.html ■■Dagenham United Football Club Under-sixes to under-16s, boys and girls welcome Paul Belcher 01708 724936

bingo, bowls, flower arranging, line and sequence dancing, snooker, whist, Zumba Gold Victoria Ekubia 020 8724 8165

Rugby

Open Mondays to Thursdays.

Activities include: arts and crafts, bingo, bowls, darts, Zumba Laura Jack 07875 993799

■■Barking Rugby Club Six to 11 years old, Saturdays 10am-12 noon 12 to 16 years old, Mondays and Wednesdays, 7pm-9pm 17 years and older, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7pm-9pm Mark 07915 616980 or mark.myers2@ntlworld.com ■■Dagenham Rugby Union Boys and girls, under-sixes to under12s train Saturdays from 10am Under-13s to under-16s train Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7pm The Pavillion, Central Park, Rainham Road North, Dagenham Brian 07772 272950 or brianwren1974@hotmail.co.uk

StreetBase Youth Bus If you are aged 11-19 (11-25 if you are disabled), you can visit the Youth Bus around the borough and meet people, play Xbox, use free wi-fi or chill out.

Information and guidance on careers and training, sexual health and more also available.

If you bring your StreetBase Cards, you’ll earn 10 points.

Below is the new timetable for the StreetBase Youth Bus. The dates run until 28 December.

■■Mondays n Barking Abbey (Upper) School, IG11 9AG from 4pm to 6pm ■■Tuesdays n Heath Community Centre, RM10 7PR from 3.30pm to 5.30pm n Rose Lane, Marks Gate, RM6 5NJ from 6.30pm to 8.30pm ■■Wednesdays St Chads Park, Romford, RM6 5NJ from 3pm to 5pm ■■Thursdays n Barking and Dagenham College, RM7 0XU from 12 noon to 1.30pm n The Academy Housing Estate, Dagenham, RM8 2FN from 3.30pm to 5.30pm n Scrattons Farm Estate, Barking, IG11 0UG from 7pm to 9pm ■■Fridays n Erkenwald Centre, RM8 2HU from 12.30pm to 2.30pm n Friday, Barking Park, IG11 8UD from 3pm to 5pm

For more details contact Nurul Kabir on 020 8270 6270 or email nurul.kabir@ lbbd.gov.uk

CLUBS, SOCIETIES and support groups Active Age Centres

Come and make new friends!

Everyone aged 50 years and over is welcome.

Chadwell Heath

72 High Road, Chadwell Heath RM6 6PP

Open Mondays to Fridays.

Activities include: arts and crafts,

Galleon

Galleon Hall, Boundary Road, Barking IG11 7JR

Park

Park Centre, Rectory Road, Dagenham RM10 9SA Open Mondays to Thursdays.

Activities include: bingo, coffee mornings, darts and card games, practice waltz, quick step and line dancing. Valerie Miles 07875 993797

Rush Green

Avenues Social Club, 231 Dagenham Road, Rush Green RM7 0TP

Open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Activities include: art classes, bingo, coffee mornings, dominoes, line dancing, meals, Zumba. Victoria Ekubia 020 8724 8165

Thames View

Thames View Community Centre, Bastable Avenue, Barking IG11 0LG

Open Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Activities include: art classes, bingo, keep fit, Zumba Victoria Ekubia 020 8724 8165

■■B&D Access Group Monday to Thursday 10am-4pm Unit 40, Vicarage Field Shopping Centre, Ripple Road, Barking 020 8594 0409 ■■Barking and Dagenham Asbestos Support Group Coffee mornings run every quarter For details, call Ed 07897 668142 ■■Barking and Dagenham Asbestos Victim Support Drop-in session on the last Wednesday of month, 2pm to 3.30pm. Town Hall, Barking Helpline 0800 587 1272 ■■Barking and Dagenham Breathe Easy Support for people living with lung disease. Last Thursday each month, 1.30pm-3.30pm Small hall of St Elisabeth’s Church, Martins Corner Jayne 020 8593 6439 ■■Barking and Dagenham Council for Voluntary Service Advice for your community organisation at Ripple Centre, 121-125 Ripple Road, Barking 020 8532 7300 or info@bdcvs.org.uk ■■Barking and Dagenham Diabetes Support Group Second Monday of the month, 8pm-9.45pm Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club, Victoria Road, Dagenham Elaine 020 8984 8611

Eastbrook Community Hall, Rainham Road North, Dagenham RM10 7DX

■■Barking & Dagenham Friendship Group Every Thursday, 2pm-4pm £1.50 per week, all welcome London Road Methodist Church Hall, Barking. 020 8594 6409

Zumba classes

■■Barking & Dagenham Punjabi Welfare Association Every Thursday from 1pm to 3pm Gurdwara Barking (Sikh Temple), 100 North Street, Barking Hardial Singh Rai 07946 343929

Wantz

Open Mondays to Thursdays.

Activities include: bingo, bowls, line dancing, meals, snooker, tai chi, tea dances, Zumba Jean Dale 07875 993798

First two sessions free, members £2 / £3.50, visitors £4

Chadwell Heath

Mondays, 10.45am-11.30am

Galleon

Tuesdays, 5.15pm-6.15pm

■■Barking & Dagenham Witten Club Town twinning club with Witten 020 8597 3598

Tuesdays 12 noon-12.45pm

■■Barking and District Historical Society Free to members, £1.50 for non-members 1st Monday of the month, 7.45pm Harp House, Helmore Road, Barking. 020 8597 7210

For more information about activities at Active Age Centres, contact Victoria Ekubia on 020 8724 8165

■■Barking Photographic Society Every Thursday, 7.45pm Eastbury Manor House, Eastbury Square, Barking. 020 8517 5414

■■Alzheimer’s Helpline For carers and people with Alzheimer’s. 0844 600 1197

■■Barking Citizens Advice Bureau Range of assistance offered 55 Ripple Road, Barking 020 8594 6715

Rush Green

Wednesdays, 11am-11.45am

Thames View

Wednesdays 1.30pm-2.15pm

Wantz

■■Arts and Crafts Workshop Every Thursday, 10am-12.30pm Becontree Avenue Baptist Church Hall, Becontree Avenue, Dagenham. Anne 020 8491 9203 ■■Art classes Every Monday at 7pm, Fridays at 12.30pm and Wednesday at 10am Faircross Community Centre, Hurstbourne Gardens, Barking Ron 020 8591 5830 ■■Audio book club Literary discussion group First Wednesday every month, 10.30am-11.30am. Barking Learning Centre, Town Square, Barking 020 8227 5284 ■■Barking Art Society Wednesdays, 7.30pm-9.30pm Barking United Reformed Church, Upney Lane, Barking 020 8594 1840

■■Barking House Trust Volunteers urgently needed, duties consist of cleaning and supervision of holidaymakers, May to October. Clacton, Essex Alan 01268 450533 ■■Becontree Royal British Legion New members welcome Wednesdays, 7.15pm 541 Becontree Avenue, Dagenham. 020 8592 1476 ■■Card-making and craft Mondays, 7pm-9pm, Rose Lane, Marks Gate; Tuesdays, 10am12 noon, Faircross Community Centre, Hulse Avenue, Barking (entrance to both sides of Hulse Avenue and Hurstbourne Gardens). Jan 020 8262 3482

Castle Green

■■Castle Green Choir

Every Thursday from 7pm-9pm, Castle Green Centre, Gale Street, Dagenham. No experience is necessary, just enthusiasm.

Contact Dennis on 07989 904003 ■■Adults reading book club Saturdays 10.30am-11.30am ■■Children’s Saturday Club Saturdays 1.30pm-2.30pm

■■Chadwell Heath Canasta Club Tuesdays, 7pm Wangey Chapel, Wangey Road, Chadwell Heath. 020 8599 6638 ■■Chadwell Heath Historical Society Third Wednesday each month, 7.30pm. Wangey Chapel, Wangey Road, Chadwell Heath 020 8590 4659 or 020 8597 1225 ■■Chadwell Heath Townswomen’s Guild First Monday and second Friday of the month, 2pm Wangey Chapel, Wangey Road, Chadwell Heath ■■Chequers Women’s Club Tuesdays, 7.30pm-10pm Goresbrook Road, Dagenham. Barbara 020 8517 2877 ■■Coffee morning Every Tuesday, 9am-11am Wood Lane Baptist Church, Wood Lane, Dagenham David 020 8592 4908 or www.woodlane.co.uk ■■ Coffee stop Tuesdays, 10am-12 noon Eastern Avenue Baptist Church, East Road, Chadwell Heath 020 8590 6510 ■■Community Legal Advice Welfare and benefits issues – please call for an appointment Every other Thursday, 2pm-5pm Sue Bramley Children’s Centre, Bastable Avenue, Barking Annette Whiffin 020 8270 6619 ■■Craft classes Every Tuesday at 10am Faircross Community Centre, Hulse Avenue, Barking Jan 020 8262 3482 ■■DABD (UK) Help with welfare benefits advice, training courses, accessible transport, Dial-a-Wheelchair, personal care, independent living equipment, preparation for work, volunteering and young people’s activities 020 8215 9630, www.dabd.org.uk ■■Dagenham & District Cage Bird Society Third Friday of the month, 8pm Heath Park Hall, Rusholme Avenue, Dagenham ■■Dagenham Townswomen’s Guild Tuesdays, 10am, Small hall of St Elisabeth’s Church, Wood Lane, Dagenham Angela 020 8595 4917 ■■Deaf and Hard of Hearing Drop-in Service For practical support, advice and information. First Monday of the month (second Monday in June), 10am-4pm. Civic Centre, Dagenham 020 8227 5283, minicom 020 8227 5422, mobile 07812 999358 ■■Disabled Information Advice Line Free, confidential advice on all aspects of disability 020 8594 4119 ■■East of London Family History Society Barking and Dagenham branch Second Saturday of each month, 1pm. St Elisabeth Church Hall, Wood Lane (near Martins Corner), Dagenham

WHAT’S ON

WHAT’S ON

■■Bird box making Saturday 15 September, 1.30pm2.30pm Open to all, no booking necessary

■■Jogging Club Wednesday 19 and 26 September, 6pm-7pm Open to all, no booking necessary

Becontree Avenue Dagenham RM8 3HT 020 8227 2034 Monday to Saturday, 10am-4pm

■■Free tours of Valence House Part of Open House London Saturday and Sunday 22 and 23 September, 10am to 4pm A special weekend of tours with the property manager, museum curator and guides.

Meet by the entrance off Oval Road North

■■Family History Helpdesks Tuesday 18 September, 10am3.45pm, closes for lunch 12.30pm1.15pm Run by the Barking and Dagenham branch of the East of London Family History Society.

It operates on a first-come first served basis, so at busy times there may be a delay.

Valence House

■■Local and Family History Fair Saturday 15 September 2012, 10am to 4pm A chance to browse stalls, listen to talks, and discover new places to visit in your area.

Events schedule includes: Piano recital, 12 noon Scandals at Sea talk, 1pm Dagenham Girl Pipers, 2pm A humorous talk about Dagenham, 3pm The family history helpdesk will be open all day

Beam Parklands

15

14 September 2012

16

14 September 2012 Eastbrook Community Centre

■■Bingo Every Sunday night.

Cash prizes, refreshments available. Doors open 6.30pm, games start at 7.30pm Rainham Road North, Dagenham ■■Eastbrook Women’s Club New members welcome Tuesdays, 8pm Wantz Hall, Rainham Road North Gene 020 8252 0487 ■■Parent/Carer Toddler Group Fridays 9.45am-11.45am £3 per adult and one child Free refreshments, snacks available to purchase.

Contact Julie on 07940 167564 ■■Empowering Projects Emotional awareness, assertiveness, self-esteem etc.

020 8262 0471 ■■Epilepsy Action Branch First Wednesday of the month, 7.30pm. Kingsley Hall, Parsloes Avenue, Dagenham Lorraine 020 8593 2407 ■■Four Seasons Knitting & Crafts Club Monday 7pm-10pm Rush Green Community Association Call Rose on 01708 768045 ■■Hate Crime Support Service Advice and support for people who are victims of hate crime. Race, disability, homophobia etc.

Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Harmony House, Baden Powell Close (off Goresbrook Road), Dagenham RM9 6XN 020 8526 8200, email rep@ harmonyhousedagenham.org.uk or visit www.harmonyhouse dagenham.org.uk ■■Headway Informal gathering for family members/carers and individuals with an acquired brain injury Third Thursday each month, 7.30pm. Rush Green Community Association, Rush Green Road Amy Neeb 020 7749 7790 or amy. neeb@headwayeastlondon.org ■■Heath Park Over-60s Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm (bingo Monday and Thursday 7pm-10pm). Rusholme Avenue/ Uvedale Road, Dagenham Mr Green 020 8592 8039

■■King of Hearts Cardiac Support Group Ford Sports and Social Club, Attleborough Road South 020 8252 0877

WHAT’S ON

■■Kingsley Hall Lunch Club Weekdays, Parsloes Avenue, Dagenham. 020 8593 3663 ■■Lester Group For the elderly and people with mobility problems.

Friday evenings, 7pm-9.30pm Kingsley Hall, Parsloes Avenue, Dagenham. 020 8592 1708 ■■Life After Debt Struggling with debt? Life After Debt is a branch of an award-winning charity CAP who offer free debt counselling for all Call free on 0800 328 0006 ■■Macular Degeneration Group First Tuesday of every month Kingsley Hall, 2pm to 4pm Beryl 020 8526 6184

■■MS Society Brian Devlin 07902 926039 ■■North East London Polio Group Link Place, Bramston Close, Hainault. Alison 020 8491 8734 or alison.farrugia73@ntlworld.com ■■Open access drug service for adults Helping people affected by drugs tackle the problem. Gateway Service, 39-43 Axe Street, Barking 020 8507 8668 or 07930 168274 ■■Over-50s Club Bowls, darts, bingo, dancing and more. All welcome.

Weekdays, 10.30am-3.30pm Manor Club (Active Leisure), Ted Ball Hall, Neasham Road, Dagenham. 020 8526 6194 ■■Painting Group Mondays, 7pm-9pm Faircross Community Centre, Hurstbourne Gardens, Barking Jean 020 8591 5830 ■■Parents of Autistic Children Together (PACT) Supporting families affected by autistic spectrum disorders.

Youth clubs, befriending, transition support and advice 020 8220 0090 ■■Parkside Stroke Club Tuesdays, 1.30pm-3.30pm Parkside Community Centre, 176 Goodmayes Lane 020 8595 3973 ■■Parkside Townswomen’s Guild Fourth Tuesday of month, 10am12.30pm. Parkside Community Centre, Goodmayes Lane ■■Pensioners’ Bingo Club Tuesdays and Fridays, 1pm3.30pm. Hatfield Community Hall, Hatfield Road, Dagenham Brenda 020 8597 9352 ■■Pensioners’ Club Bingo, Mondays, 7pm-9.30pm Transport provided Val 020 8593 8010 or Lin 020 8517 3298 Bingo and outings, Fridays, 12.30pm-3pm Barking United Services Club, Blake Avenue, Barking Jean 020 8924 3603 ■■Royal Naval Association Dagenham All welcome, including serving or former UK armed forces members Every Sunday, 10.45am, free admission. The London Borough of Barking & Dagenham Stadium, Victoria Road, Dagenham David Billett 020 8220 9391 ■■Senior Daggers For people aged 50 and above.

Keep fit, chair aerobics, bingo, cards, darts, pool, Wii Fit, new age curling and more. £2 Tuesdays, 1pm-3.30pm The London Borough of Barking & Dagenham Stadium, Victoria Road, Dagenham Teresa 020 8592 1549 ext. 30 or fitc@daggers.co.uk ■■St Elisabeth’s Church community coffee morning Every Tuesday, 9.30am-11.30pm St Elisabeths Church, Martins Corner, Dagenham All ages welcome, for more details contact Stephen 07810 194953 ■■St John Ambulance Tuesday, 7pm-9pm (cadets) Thursday 7.30pm-9.30pm (adults) Faircross Community Centre,

Hulse Avenue, Barking (entrance to both sides of Hulse Avenue and Hurstbourne Gardens) Joseph 07946 805220

Salvation Army

■■Ladies’ meeting Tuesdays, 2pm-3pm, Morley Road ■■Salvation Army Bubbles Parent/carer and toddlers Fridays, 9.30am-1pm (term time) Morley Road. www.myspace.com/ barkingsalvationarmy ■■Salvation Army Over-55s Friendship Club Wednesdays, 2pm-3.15pm Ripple Road, Barking ■■Samaritans Confidential emotional support 24/7 for anyone going through a crisis. 020 8553 9900 or email jo@samaritans.org ■■Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Support Works with those affected to establish links with service providers. 020 8532 7330 / 7351

Scouts, Guides and other uniformed groups

■■1st Dagenham Girls’ Brigade Company Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6pm, Dagenham Baptist Church, Chaplin Road, Dagenham Linda 020 8594 6018 ■■1st Marks Gate Scouts Mondays, 8pm-9.30pm St Marks Church Hall, Arneways Avenue RM6 5NR, on the corner of Rose Lane William Hughes 07956 344483 ■■3rd Barking Rainbows For girls aged five to seven Every Thursday in term time, 5pm6pm. United Reformed Church, Upney Lane, Barking Janet 020 8594 3716 ■■3rd Chadwell Heath Rainbows For girls aged five to seven Every Wednesday in term time, 5.15pm-6.15pm. Catterall Hall, Cecil Road, Chadwell Heath Norma 020 8597 0606 ■■3rd Chadwell Heath Brownies For girls aged seven to 10 Every Wednesday in term time, 6.30pm-8pm. Catterall Hall, Cecil Road, Chadwell Heath Norma 020 8597 0606 ■■4th Barking & Dagenham Scout Group Girls and boys welcome Every Friday, Beavers (ages six to eight) 6pm-7.15pm, Cubs (ages eight to 10) 7.15pm-8.45pm, Scouts (ages 10 to 14) 8pm9.30pm. St Peter’s Church Hall, Goresbrook Road, Dagenham Lance 07751 716754 or email ann.horsey@hotmail.co.uk ■■6th Barking Rainbows Girls aged five to seven years Every Thursday 5pm-6pm Christchurch, Thames View Estate, Barking Christine Pawsey 020 8220 8579 ■■9th Chadwell Heath Guides Girls aged 10 to 14 years Every Tuesday in term time, 7pm to 8.30pm Somerville Hall, Somerville Road, Chadwell Heath Susan Douglas, 07807 624577, email 9chguides@gmail.com ■■11th Barking & Dagenham Scout Group Mondays, Cubs 6.30pm-8pm, Scouts 7.30pm-9pm Wednesdays, Beavers 6.30pm-8pm St Patrick’s Church, Blake Avenue, Barking. Mark 020 8591 0637 ■■19th Barking and Dagenham Scouts Fridays, 6pm and 10pm Hatfield Community Hall, Hatfield Road, Dagenham Graham 020 8592 0122 ■■Becontree Scout Group Mondays, Cubs 6.30pm-8pm Wednesdays, Beavers 5.15pm-

6.30pm Fridays, Scouts 7pm-9pm St Thomas Church, Haydon Road Clive 020 8503 8757 or clivevandome@btinternet.com

■■Subwize Drug and alcohol support service, for young people who want to be free of addiction. Free, confidential counselling/advice. 07765 402133 ■■Victim Support Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm Barking & Dagenham Division, Unit 10, Bourne Court, Southend Road, Woodford Green IG8 8HD 020 8550 2410 or vs.barking anddagenham@vslondon.org ■■Village Community Association Meets every day. Lilliput Play School (term time only), short mat bowls, majorettes, adult tap, karate, card-making, egg decorating, ballet and more Vicarage Road, Dagenham Karen Perry 020 8227 0883 ■■Voluntary Bureau of B&D Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm Ripple Centre, Ripple Road, Barking. 020 8532 7345 or bardagvb@hotmail.co.uk ■■Welcome Gateway Club Club for adults with learning disabilities.

Every Wednesday, 7pm-9.30pm Ripple Centre, Ripple Road, Barking. Joyce 07979 311387 ■■Woodward Senior Citizens Group New members always welcome.

Chat, bingo and raffle Fridays, 1pm-4pm Castle Green, Gale Street, Dagenham. 020 8724 1500 ■■Young at Heart Over-50s group Mondays, 1pm-3.30pm Becontree Avenue Baptist Church Hall, Becontree Avenue, Dagenham. 020 8262 5972

LIBRARIES

■■Barking Learning Centre 2 Town Square, Barking Monday-Thursday, 9am-9.30pm, Friday, 9am-7pm, Saturday, 9am5pm, Sunday, 10am-4pm ■■Castle Green Library Phone 020 8270 4166 Gale Street, Dagenham Monday 10am-5pm, Tuesday 10am-7pm, Wednesday-Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday, 10am-4pm, Sunday closed n Children’s games club Mondays 3.30pm-4.30pm Board games, lots of fun, make new friends. Five to 10 years.

No charge. Drop in. Undereights must be accompanied by guardian/parent n Homework Club Tuesdays 3.30pm-4.40pm Ages five to eight years Lots of fun, English and maths, prizes and colouring sheets Accompanied by guardian/parent.

No charge. Drop in n Knit ’n’ Stitch Wednesdays 3.30pm-4.30pm Coffee and a gossip No need to book just bring along your latest portable craft project and join in. Free tea and coffee

n Adult reading book club A free reading group for all adults.

Free refreshments will also be available including tea and coffee.

Saturday 7 April, 10.30am-11.30am. n Children’s Saturday Club.

Free games and activities will be available for children aged five and over. Free session for children.

Saturday 7 April, 1.30pm-2.30pm

■■Dagenham Library 1 Church Elm Lane, Dagenham (entrance on Heathway) Library open Monday-Thursday 9am-7pm, Friday-Saturday 9am5pm, Sunday closed One Stop Shop open Monday to Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday 9am1pm (later opening of 10.30am on the last Thursday of every month) ■■Marks Gate Library Marks Gate Community Complex, Rose Lane Monday 10am-5pm, Tuesday 10am-7pm, Wednesday-Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday, 10am-4pm, Sunday closed ■■Markyate Library Markyate Road, Dagenham Monday 10am-5pm, Tuesday 10am-7pm, Wednesday-Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday, 10am-4pm, Sunday closed ■■Robert Jeyes Library Monday 10am-5pm, Tuesday 10am-7pm, Wednesday 10am5pm, Thursday 10am-7pm, Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday, 10am-4pm, Sunday closed ■■Rush Green Library Dagenham Road, Rush Green Monday closed, Tuesday 10am-7pm, Wednesday closed, Thursday, 10am-5pm, Friday closed, Saturday, 10am-4pm, Sunday closed ■■Thames View Library Sue Bramley Centre, Bastable Avenue, Thames View Monday 10am-5pm, Tuesday 10am-7pm, Wednesday-Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday, 10am-4pm, Sunday closed ■■Valence Library Becontree Avenue, Dagenham Monday 10am-5pm, Tuesday 10am-7pm, Wednesday-Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday, 10am-4pm, Sunday closed

CHEMISTS ■■David Lewis Chemist Monday to Friday 9am-7.30pm, Saturday 9am-5.30pm, Sunday 11am-1pm. 16 Porters Avenue, Dagenham. 020 8592 1557 ■■Lords Pharmacy Monday to Friday 8.30am-7.30pm, Saturday 9am-6pm. 35 Station Parade, Barking. 020 8594 2332 ■■Asda Monday to Friday 8am-10pm Merrielands Crescent, Dagenham 020 8596 5270 ■■Daynight Pharmacy 17 Station Parade, Barking, Essex, IG11 8ED Monday to Friday 8am-midnight Saturday 10am-midnight Sunday 11am-5pm 020 8591 0889

Tenants’ And Residents’ Meetings ■■Leys Tenants’ and Residents’ Association

Wednesday 19 September, 7pm9pm. Leys Children’s Centre

■■Harts Lane Quarterly Action Group Thursday 20 September, 6pm8pm. Abbey Children’s Centre ■■Chequers Tenants’ and Residents’ Association Tuesday 25 September, 7pm-9pm.

St Peter’s Church ■■Scrattons Tenants’ and Residents’ Association Tuesday 25 September, 7pm-9pm.

Julia Gardens ■■Reede Road Tenants’ and Residents’ Association Wednesday 26 September, 7pm9pm. St George’s Church ■■Becontree Ward Central Tenants’ and Residents’ Association Wednesday 26 September, 6.30pm-8.30pm. The Vibe ■■Becontree Tenants’ and Residents’ Association Thursday 27 September, 7.30pm9.30pm. Hatfield Hall

Contacts ■■Anne Mews Tenants’ & Residents’ Association Zahra Ibrahim 07949 224492 zahra_bdswa@yahoo.co.uk ■■Axe Street Residents’ Association Ryan Edwards 07740 949305 ryanedwards1@hotmail.com ■■Barking and Dagenham

Leaseholders Association Dave Cross 020 8592 9462 or 07919 582010. d.l.cross@sky.com ■■Becontree Ward Central Tenants’ and Residents’ Association Claire Maskell 07582 261107 Becontree.ward.central.tra@live. co.uk ■■Becontree Residents’ Association Brenda Letchford 020 8597 9352 brendakatz@hotmail.co.uk ■■Chequers Tenants’ and Residents’ Association Sue Evans 0208 984 0626 ChequersTRA@live.co.uk ■■Dagenham Village Partnership Lee Waker 07896 790610 or 020 8593 4299 lee.waker@lbbd.gov.uk ■■Goresbrook Village Communal Activities Group ■■Harts Lane Quarterly Action Group ■■Heenan & Bateman Close Quarterly Action Group ■■Parkside House Quarterly Action Group ■■Whiting Avenue Quarterly Action Group c/o Liam Baxter 020 8227 5589 liam.baxter@lbbd.gov.uk ■■Heath Quarterly Action Group ■■Leys and Rookery Farm Tenants’ and Residents’ Association c/o Christine Phillips 020 8227 5930

christine.phillips@lbbd.gov.uk

mickeybroom@hotmail.com

■■Howard Court Quarterly Action Group Brian Hughes c/o Jim Dunn 020 8227 2581 jim.dunn@lbbd.gov.uk

■■Sutton Community and Neighbourhood Watch Association Manik Rahman 020 8507 7794 suttonstra@hotmail.co.uk

■■Ibscott and Wyhill Tenants’ and Leaseholders’ Association Rita Giles 020 8592 7492 ritagiles@sky.com

■■Tanner Street Gateway Quarterly Action Group Kemal Korkurt 07545 313229 Neighbourhoodwatch123@ hotmail.co.uk

■■Inskip and Claridge Road Quarterly Action Group Adetayo Ajilogba 020 8983 8090 aaajilogba@btinternet.com

■■Tenants’ & Residents’ Federation Michael Lincoln Website: www.ttrfbd.webs.com

■■Leftley Estate Community Association leftleyestatecommunityassoc@ hotmail.co.uk or call Jim Dunn on 020 8227 2581

■■Thames Tenants’ and Residents’ Association Mrs Joyce Cracknell c/o Liam Baxter 020 8227 5589 liam.baxter@lbbd.gov.uk

■■Marks Gate Residents’ Association c/o Jim Dunn 020 8227 2581 jim.dunn@lbbd.gov.uk

Local Police Meetings

■■Thames Phone 020 8649 3529 Public meeting: Monday 24 September, 6.30pm, Thames View Infant School, Bastable Avenue, Barking

Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) public meetings normally last between one and two hours. To contact your SNT, visit http://tinyurl.com/67zr2vk

BLOOD donor sessions

■■Millard Terrace Caring Association Dave Torr 020 3244 0173 dave.torr@talktalk.net ■■Reede Road Tenants’ and Residents’ Association Pam Barratt 07961 800368 ■■Rush Green Residents’ Association Harry Gosling 01708 702074 liam.baxter@lbbd.gov.uk ■■Scrattons Estate Tenants’ and Residents’ Association Mickey Lincoln 020 8262 1429

■■Abbey Phone 020 8721 2786 Public meeting: Tuesday 25 September, 7pm, St Margaret’s Centre, North Street, Barking ■■Becontree Phone 020 8721 2536

Public meeting: Wednesday 26 September, 7pm, St Thomas Church, Burnside Road, Dagenham

■■Gascoigne Phone 020 8721 2787 Public meeting: Thursday 20 September, 7.15pm, Gascoigne Community Centre, St Anns, Barking ■■Goresbrook Phone 020 8649 3528 Public meeting: Thursday 20 September, 7pm, Hatfield Hall Hatfield Community Hall, Hatfield Road, Dagenham ■■Mayesbrook Phone 020 8721 2788 Public meeting: Tuesday 25 September, 4pm, Kilsby Walk, Rugby Road, Dagenham

Call 0300 123 2323 for info or to book an appointment ■■West Ham United Hotel Wednesday 26 September, 2pm3.45pm and 5pm-7.30pm Boleyn Ground, Green Street, Upton Park

Law in the Community Ola McGhee is head of the employment team at Edwards Duthie.

For more details, visit the firm’s website at www.edwardsduthie.com/ola-mcghee.html My contract is not what I expected it to be Three months ago, I started work as a sales assistant for a shop. I signed a contract that said I’d be working at least 40 hours a week and that I was employed on a full-time basis.

I’ve recently got a letter from my manager saying that I’ve passed my probation, but that my terms of employment are changing and I’ll now be working 20 hours a week. My hourly rate is also lower.

I’m not happy and wondered whether there was anything I could do.

Without seeing your contract, it’s hard to say if this change is lawful.

Generally, though, contract terms can’t be changed unless the employee consents.

Such consent can be “expressed” ­ given in writing or implied. For — example, if the employee works in accordance with the change and makes no objection to it.

If the change is very important to the employer, and the employee doesn’t agree to it, the employer may end the original contract and offer new terms. But if this isn’t done fairly, the employee could successfully claim unfair dismissal.

And if a breach of contract is serious enough, workers could treat themselves as dismissed, leave and then take legal action.

This is known as a constructive dismissal claim.

However, you need to have been in the job for at least two years, and I’m aware that doesn’t apply to you.

You may, though, bring breach of contract proceedings in the county court, regardless of how long you’ve been employed. You can even do so

while you’re still in the job. Or you could go to an Employment Tribunal once the job has ended.

If an employer changes terms unilaterally, as appears to be the case with you, this will be a breach of contract. You can respond in one of the following ways: n Agreeing to the breach by continuing to work under the revised terms n Refuse to work under the new terms n ‘Stand and sue’’ ­— in other words, stay and work to the new terms

‘under protest’, and bring an action for breach of contract against the employer in the High Court or county court, or, where appropriate, bring a deduction from wages claim.

At this stage, I’d suggest that you raise a formal grievance about a breach of contract and set out why you’re unhappy. Your employer will then be under an obligation to hear your grievance.

When you hear the outcome, take further legal advice.

About Edwards Duthie About Edwards Duthie Local law firm Edwards Duthie operates the Barking & Dagenham Community Legal Advice Centre, which is the first of its kind in London.

The Centre, at 55 Ripple Road,

Barking, is a partnership between Edwards Duthie and Barking & Dagenham Citizens Advice Bureau.

It provides general advice in all areas of law and specialist advice in debt, community care, employment, family, housing and welfare benefits.

WHAT’S ON / ADVICE

■■HOPE – Helping Overcome People’s Emotions in Grief Free aftercare bereavement support programme West & Coe Funeral Directors 020 8592 0164

■■Mark McCarthy’s Magic Moments Support for cancer patients and their families, including days out and donations at Christmas 07821 840063 or markmccarthys magicmoments@live.co.uk

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18

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CONTACT THE COUNCIL Borough emergencies and out of hours 020 8594 8356 Barking and Dagenham Direct (for most enquiries from residents) 020 8215 3000 Refuse, drains and pest control plus general enquiries 020 8215 3000 Recruitment 020 8215 3001 Housing 020 8215 3002 Education 020 8215 3004 Highways 020 8215 3005 Leisure 020 8215 3006 Business and licensing 020 8215 3007 Antisocial behaviour 020 8215 3010 Complaints 020 8215 3011 Nationality Checking Service 020 8215 3028 Council tax 020 8227 2926 Housing and council tax benefits 020 8227 2970 Business rates 020 8227 2934 Social care – adults and elderly 020 8227 2915 Social care – children 020 8227 3852 Stop hate crime hotline 0800 138 1625

SERVICES

Job Shop 020 8724 8870 Corporate Complaints Procedure 020 8215 3011 or complaints@lbbd.gov.uk Information is correct at time of going to press.

Please check www.lbbd. gov.uk or www.tfl.gov.uk for the latest updates.

MEET YOUR COUNCILLORS Information correct at time of going to press. Residents are asked to attend surgeries only for their own wards.

■■Abbey ward Laila Butt (Labour) 020 8227 2116 (during work hours) or 07949 354441 laila.butt@lbbd.gov.uk Manzoor Hussain (Labour) 07961 574772 manzoor.hussain@lbbd.gov.uk Tariq Saeed (Labour) 07572 102330 tariq.saeed@lbbd.gov.uk Next surgery: All councillors, Friday 28 September, 11am-1pm, Barking Learning Centre

■■Alibon ward Sanchia Alasia (Labour) 07534 028047 sanchia.alasia@lbbd.gov.uk John Davis (Labour) 020 8595 4352 Darren Rodwell (Labour) 020 8593 1947 darren.rodwell@lbbd.gov.uk Next surgery: All councillors, Thursday 20 September, 6pm7pm, Dagenham Congregational Church, Osborne Square

■■Becontree ward Evelyn Carpenter (Labour) 020 8591 7604 Rob Douglas (Labour) 020 3417 4906 James Ogungbose (Labour) 020 8227 2116 Next surgery: Cllr Carpenter, Tuesday 18 September, 4pm-5pm, Erkenwald Centre, Marlborough Road Cllr Ogungbose, Wednesday 26 September, 2pm-3pm, The Vibe Youth Centre, Becontree Avenue Cllr Douglas, Saturday 13 October, 10am-11am, St Thomas Church, Burnside Road (entrance in Haydon Road)

■■Chadwell Heath ward Milton McKenzie MBE (Labour) 020 8597 9805 Sam Tarry (Labour) 07971 819830 Jeff Wade (Labour) 020 8227 2116 Next surgery: Cllr Wade, Thursday 20 September, 12 noon-1pm, Marks Gate Community Hall, Rose Lane Cllr McKenzie, Tuesday 2 October, 7pm-8pm, Robert Jeyes Library, Chadwell Heath High Road Cllr Tarry, Wednesday 10 October, 7pm-8.30pm, Marks Gate Community Hall, Rose Lane

■■Eastbrook ward Pam Burgon (Labour) 020 8227 2116 Mick McCarthy (Labour) 01708 734507 mick.mccarthy@lbbd.gov.uk Tony Ramsay (Labour) 020 8227 2116 Next surgery: Cllrs McCarthy and Ramsay, Every Thursday, 5pm-5.30pm, Rush Green Library and 5.456.15pm, Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club, Victoria Road (term time only) Cllr Burgon, Thursday 4 October, 11.30am-12.30pm, Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club, Victoria Road

■■Eastbury ward Jeanne Alexander (Labour) 020 8924 8239 Jim McDermott (Labour)

020 8596 9460 Hardial Singh Rai (Labour) 07946 343929 Next surgery: Cllrs Alexander and Rai Thursday 20 September, 5pm6pm, John Smith House, Bevan Avenue Cllr McDermott, Phone for advice

■■Gascoigne ward Saima Ashraf (Labour) 07507 745031 Abdul Gafoor Aziz (Labour) 020 8594 3796 or 07915 392101 Dominic Twomey (Labour) 07846 928109 Next surgery: All councilors, Thursday 20 September, 5.30pm7pm, Salvation Army, Morley Road Wednesday 26 September, 9.30am-11am, Catch 22 office, 124 St Mary’s Parade

■■Goresbrook ward Simon Bremner (Labour) 07765 061993 Jim Clee (Labour) 020 8591 3705 or 07563 502380 Graham Letchford (Labour) 020 8597 9352 Next surgery: All councilors, Saturday 13 October, 10.30am11.30am, Foyer, Castle Green, Gale Street

■■Heath ward Dave Miles (Labour) 020 8592 1677 Linda Reason (Labour) 020 8593 3422 Gerry Vincent (Labour) 020 8724 2892 or 07739 915535 Next surgery: All councillors, Thursday 4 October, 10.30am11.30am, Heath Park Community Centre, Rusholme Road and 11.45am-12.45pm, Civic Centre, Dagenham

■■Longbridge ward Nirmal Singh Gill (Labour) 020 8591 2448 nirmal.gill@lbbd.gov.uk Rocky Gill (Labour) 07971 988651 rocky.gill@lbbd.gov.uk www.rockygill.com Lynda Rice (Labour) 020 8593 8251 lynda.rice@lbbd.gov.uk Next surgery: Cllrs N and R Gill (alternate) Every Saturday, 10am-11am, Barking Abbey School, Humanities Building, Woodbridge Road Cllr Rice Thursday 27 September, 7pm8pm, Faircross Community Centre, Hurstbourne Gardens

■■Mayesbrook ward Ralph Baldwin (Conservative) 07506 686490 George Barratt (Independent Socialist) 020 8252 6896 Dee Hunt (Labour) 020 8595 4864 Next surgery: Cllr Baldwin Phone for appointment Cllr Barratt and Hunt Thursday 27 September, 12 noon-1.30pm, Big Breakfast Café, Martin’s Corner

■■Parsloes ward Bert Collins (Labour) 020 8724 2892 Elizabeth Kangethe (Labour) 020 3342 5861 elizabeth.kangethe@lbbd.gov.uk Chris Rice (Labour) 020 8227 2116 All councillors, Thursday 20 September, 7pm9pm, Kingsley Hall, Parsloes Avenue

■■River ward Inder Singh Jamu (Labour) 020 8593 8720 indersingh.jamu@lbbd.gov.uk Eileen Keller (Labour) 020 8252 2921 Liam Smith (Labour) 020 8227 2101 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm) leader@lbbd.gov.uk Next surgery: Cllrs Jamu and Smith, Thursday 27 September, 5pm-6pm, Beam County Primary School, Oval Road North (for River ward residents only) Cllr Keller, Saturday 6 October, 10am-11am, Dagenham Library, Heathway

■■Thames ward Josephine Channer (Labour) Cameron Geddes (Labour) 020 8924 3590 Barry Poulton (Labour) 020 8591 0650 Next surgery: Cllrs Channer and Geddes, Thursday 27 September, 5pm5.45pm, VPA, 19-21 Thames Road and 6pm-6.45pm, Rivergate Centre Friday 28 September, 4pm4.45pm, Scratton’s Farm Tenants’ and Residents’ Association Shop, Julia Gardens, 5pm-5.45pm, Thames View Aid and Advice Centre, Christ Church, Bastable Avenue, and 6pm-6.45pm, Living Faith (RCCG), 23 Thames Road Cllr Poulton, please phone 020 8591 0650 or email barry. poulton@lbbd.gov.uk for an appointment (usually within 48 hours of an enquiry)

■■Valence ward Emmanuel Obasohan (Labour) 020 8984 1548 emmanuel.obasohan@lbbd.gov.uk Abdus Salam (Labour) 07909 502294 Maureen Worby (Labour) 020 8724 2892 or 07939 011004 Next surgery: Cllrs Salam and Worby, every Saturday, 9.30am-10.30am, Baptist Church Hall, Becontree Avenue Cllr Obasohan, Saturday 29 September, 10am, Harmony Christian Centre, Concord House, 23-27 Kemp Road, Dagenham

■■Village ward Margaret Mullane (Labour) 07947 476598 margaret.mullane@lbbd.gov.uk Lee Waker (Labour) 020 8593 4299 or 07896 790610 Phil Waker (Labour) 07976 905474 Next surgery: Cllrs L and P Waker, Thursday 20 September, 3.30pm-4.30pm, Leys Children’s Centre, 215 Wellington Drive, and 6pm-7pm, Dagenham Library Thursday 4 October, 6pm-7pm, Village Community Centre, Vicarage Road Cllr Mullane, Thursday 20 September, 5pm-7pm, John Perry Children’s Centre, Auriel Avenue Saturday 6 October, 11am-1pm, Tenants Resource Centre, 598 Rainham Road South

■■Whalebone ward Amardeep Singh Jamu (Labour) 020 8595 5691 Tony Perry (Labour) 020 8227 0883 John White (Labour) 020 8252 3676 john.white@lbbd.gov.uk Next surgery: Cllr Perry, Tuesday 2 October, 12 noon-1pm, Forsters Community Hall, Forsters Close, Chadwell Heath Cllr Jamu, Thursday 4 October, 6pm-7pm, Robert Jeyes Library, High Road, Chadwell Heath

Cllr White, Thursday 11 October, 7pm-8pm, Robert Jeyes Library, High Road, Chadwell Heath

Code of conduct

Barking and Dagenham Council has brought in clearer rules on the way councillors should work.

The 2011 Localism Act told individual local authorities to come up with their own version of the previous national Code of Conduct for councillors.

Now, there are new guidelines for members of Barking and Dagenham Council on behaving honestly and being open about their interests. Graham Farrant, chief executive at the council, said the old code could leave residents feeling unable to hold councillors to account. Some members also found it confusing.

He added that the new version should mean people have more chance of seeing an investigation into wrongful behaviour.

MEET YOUR MP ■■Jon Cruddas (Dagenham & Rainham) Please call 020 8984 7854 for surgery details ■■Margaret Hodge (Barking) Margaret Hodge MP holds regular advice surgeries. For further details, please call 020 8594 1333.

COUNCIL MEETINGS ■■East London Waste Authority Monday 17 September, 9.30am Civic Centre, Dagenham ■■Development Control Board Monday 17 September, 6pm Town Hall, Barking ■■Cabinet Tuesday 18 September, 5pm Civic Centre, Dagenham ■■Children’s Services Select Committee Tuesday 18 September, 6pm Town Hall, Barking ■■Licensing and Regulatory Board Tuesday 25 September, 5pm Civic Centre, Dagenham ■■Public Accounts and Audit Select Committee Thursday 27 September, 6pm Civic Centre, Dagenham

Out and about OVERGROUND

■■Barking to Gospel Oak No planned changes

UNDERGROUND

■■District Line ■■Sunday 16 September, some planned closures, but stations in Barking and Dagenham scheduled to open as normal ■■Saturday 22 September, no service between Dagenham East and Upminster.

■■Sunday 23 September, no service between Earls Court and West Ham and between Dagenham East and Upminster.

■■Hammersmith and City Line ■■Saturday 22 September, no service between Plaistow and Barking before 7am

C2C

n Monday 24 to Thursday 27 September, Planned route maintenance work between Upminster and Grays

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Barking FC advance towards three cups Barking FC have progressed to the next round of three cup competitions in a just over a week.

Despite defeat in their second game against Sporting Bengal United in the Essex Senior League Cup, the Blues won 5-2 on aggregate.

And in their Essex Senior Cup game against Brightlingsea Regent, they won on penalties after a 3-3 draw.

In the FA Vase, they beat Barkingside 3-1, with two goals from Ben Jones after the teams finished level in normal time.

Tough

Competition was tough for Blues in these cup ties, as both matches went to extra time.

Manager Alan Dickens said: “It’s difficult when it goes into extra time, as the lads have full-time jobs and families. You stand on the side waiting for it to end.

READY TO RUN: Dagenham 88 members preparing for the local 5k Parkrun recently

PB falls as 88s go on the run Susan Whitear

susan.whitear@lbbd.gov.uk

All the latest news from Old Dagenham Park Bowls Club Four months into the bowling season, we are still in negotiations with Barking and Dagenham Council. The process started in October of last year, and we are no closer to a solution.

The five clubs involved formed an Action Group and, after much deliberation, came up with their own option for our greens.

The council had offered a choice of two. The first was us taking on our green and premises at a peppercorn rent, making all the clubs totally responsible for their green and premises upkeep. This includes the £720,000 of repairs needed for all five premises.

The other proposed option was doubling our rent to £9,458 plus premises rent, a sum impossible for our club members to afford, remembering that this is a charge for only five months of the year.

Members

IN PINK: Caroline Cummins, Jacqueline Frewin and Timi Veersamy at the Kirste 5 Memorial Race, raising money for breast cancer charities

NOTICE OF INTENT LONDON BOROUGH OF BARKING AND DAGENHAM (MONTEAGLE AVENUE, BARKING) (NO RIGHT TURN) ORDER 2012 Notice is hereby given that Council of the The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, in exercise of its powers under Sections 6 and Parts I to IV of Schedule 9 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 as amended, and all other enabling legislation and powers, and after consultation with the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis in

Two thirds of our club’s members live in the borough. Why should they be penalised when others over 60 can use local sports facilities free of charge?

Where is the boroughs Olympic legacy? Bowls is not an Olympic sport at the moment, but hopefully Bowls England will do something about this.

The council still has to address the long-term decline in the number of people playing sport. Treating the bowls clubs like this won’t help. It appears that the Olympic Legacy only applies to the young.

It is still a strong possibility that some of the clubs, if not all,

accordance with Parts III and IV of Schedule 9 of the Act, intend to make the above Order.

The effect of this Order will be to prohibit any vehicle from making a right turn from Monteagle Avenue into Fanshawe Avenue, Barking.

Copies of the draft Order, together with a plan and statement of the Council’s reasons for proposing this Order, are available for inspection at the Planning Application desk, Town Hall, Barking, and at the offices of the Chief Executive, Civic Centre, Dagenham, between the hours of 9.00am and 4.00pm Monday to Friday for a period of 21 days beginning with the date of publication of this Notice.

Carole Hager column will have to close at the end of next season, or even this season.

We must look on the bright side, though, and hope we can come to an amicable solution.

On the green, we held our Club Finals Weekend on 25 and 26 August. Unfortunately, due to torrential rain and thunderstorms, we had to abandon Saturday games, but Sunday was a completely different story. The sun shone and everyone had a good time.

It is a great disappointment in 2012, for the first time in more then 15 years, we didn’t reach any of the Group 5 Cup Finals that were held on 2 September. With the outdoor bowls season over in a couple of week, we once again look forward to the next.

Good bowling to those who bowl indoors during the winter months, keeping themselves fit and healthy! n Anyone in the borough who wishes to join Old Dagenham Park Bowls Club can contact Carole Hager on 01708 558948.

Any objections and other representations to the proposed Order must be made in writing, stating the grounds on which they are made, and sent for the attention of Mr Saba Nathan to the address below.

Dated this 15th day of September 2012 Darren Henaghan Corporate Director of Customer Services Room 109 Town Hall Barking Essex IG11 7LU

SPORT / PUBLIC NOTICES

It’s been a busy few weeks for the Dagenham 88 Runners, with members taking part in a range of events all over the borough and in Essex.

The 5k Parkrun series had a split attendance across Barking Park and Valentine’s Park in Ilford.

Amanda Heslegrave ran solo in Barking, proving she could hold her own by beating her personal best with a time of 22min 1sec.

She said: “I’m very happy to have beaten my personal best, but I’m going to have to work a lot harder, now, to get under 22 minutes.”

Elsewhere, Jennifer Akroyd triumphed as the second woman home at an ‘aquathon’ in Upminster. She finished a 400m swim and a 5km run in 36min 8sec.

Four other members of the 88s also took part in the event, at Coopers Company and Coborn School.

As well as competition events, 88 runners have been doing their bit for charity. Caroline Cummins, Jacqueline Frewin and Timi Veersamy completed a five-mile course at Rayleigh woods in support of breast cancer charities. n The Dagenham 88 Runners meet twice a week at the May & Baker club in Dagenham Road. Visit www. dagenham88runners.com for details.

“It can be tough fitting it all in.

As we faced Sporting Bengal for the second game, I had 10 players missing as it was a Tuesday night. Some were working and some off injured – but overall, the fitness of the team is very good, so we did well.”

In the second round of the FA Vase, Blues face London Tigers, who had a bye for the first. Has Alan been studying their form?

“Working and fitting in the time to study other teams is difficult – it’s not something that I get to do,” said Alan.

“But as long as the players enjoy it and hopefully we get a few more wins in, that will boost the morale of the club.” n Barking’s youth squad were beaten in another tight match, in the FA Youth Cup preliminary round. After a 0-0 result, their opponents Cheshunt edged to victory after winning the penalty shoot-out 6-5.

20

Cup victory is Daggers tonic Susan Whitear susan.whitear@lbbd.gov.uk

Dagenham & Redbridge clinched their first win of the season, against Stevenage in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

The win against the League One side is a boost for the Victoria Road club, after a slow start to the season.

Striker Brian Woodall scored the opening goal in the 3-2 win.

Brian said: “People were saying before the start of the game that if I was picked to start, I would score. So there was a bit of pressure on me going into the match. It was a relief for me to score first.”

14 September 2012

Just champion!

Congratulations to Barking Cricket Club, who are Essex County Premier League champions for the first time.

The Mayesbrook Park club drew their final game against Newham at the Bobby Moore Pavilion in East Ham. There were only 32 overs possible on the day due to heavy rain, so Barking held on to the top spot after the no-result.

They followed their title win by beating Newham in the T20 Cup to crown a great season for the club, after a shaky start.

Back in June, they had only one win from four matches with two abandonments. They clawed their way up the table, winning 10 games to finish on 256 points.

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Brian’s goal was followed by another from Josh Scott and a Michael Spillane penalty.

The win put the Daggers through to the second round of the knock-out competition.

“Stevenage are a big team, with big players, so it was difficult, but we proved we can get it together to win,” said Brian.

“We didn’t do too badly against top-of-the-table Gillingham either. Although we didn’t win, I think we deserved better.”

The Daggers are at home to Accrington Stanley this Saturday (3pm) and Northampton Town next Tuesday, 18 September (7.45pm).

“If we go into the games with confidence, then we can give any team in the league a run for their money,” said Brian.

All staff have a basic food hygiene certificate DAVE SIMPSON / TGS PHOTO

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SCORER: Brian Woodall was relieved to find the net against Stevenage

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