Living in Havering 181 March 2018

LIVING

in Havering March 2018

Issue 181 • www.havering.gov.uk

Quality, af fordable homes for Havering residents See pages

20-21

Foster your skills to go the extra mile

02 | MARCH 2018 | LIVING in Havering

Take the next step and visit a Havering fostering information event on

elp rt h r You suppo 2 ld he 25 n u o c of t dren i e on l chil re a loca ster c fo

Thursday 5 April and Thursday 3 May

6pm-7.30pm, Havering Town Hall, Romford Call today 01708 434 574 email fostering@havering.gov.uk www.havering.gov.uk/fostering

www.havering.gov.uk/living | MARCH 2018 | 03

Contents

10

issue 181

27

15 New schools for children in Romford

Volunteers are unearthing history in Harold Hill

Cover picture: The view towards St. Andrew's Church from the re-built Waterloo Estate. See more on page 20.

4 12 16 18 19

Havering celebrated the Queen's 65th year as monarch

News The latest news from across Havering

Locking out rogue landlords A new licensing scheme is now in operation

Staying healthy Taking action on air quality

All winners The Havering Sports Council Awards

Helping Havering residents Make a difference by volunteering

22 23 28 29 33 5348

The Czar visits Romford The Night Czar checks on the local economy

Keeping streets safe We look at the work of Havering Street Watch

Working for Havering residents We profile Natalie, one of our Environmental Health officers

Business focus News of law firms merging and the winners of Havering Business Awards 2017/18

Listings Your guide to what's on in Havering

04 | MARCH 2018 | LIVING in Havering

News

Bigbelly bins

Welcome to the Spring edition of Living in Havering.

Over the last few months we have secured two Joint Venture partnerships that will transform parts of Rainham and Romford and agreed a preferred development partner to regenerate 12 council housing estates across our borough. You can read about one of the most ambitious mixed tenure and social housing programmes in London on page 20.

I was invited to pay a visit recently to Dagnam Park Nature Reserve in Harold Hill to see the work being undertaken by the Friends of Dagnam Park to unearth the foundations of The Manor or Dagnam House.

This was a grand house that I remember visiting as a very young child prior to its demolition in the early 1950s. You can read about the work of the band of volunteers who are working on the site on page 27.

As the celebrations for the Queen’s 65 years as our monarch draw to a close we look back with pride on a fantastic year of events, and a lasting legacy in the form of a great new community centre in Harold Hill and an outstanding leisure facility in the heart of Romford. You can look back at the year of the Sapphire Jubilee on page 15.

Lastly, the Council has again organised a borough spring clean. I hope everyone will be able to do their bit to help spruce up the borough as we head into the lighter evenings of the summer months. In all our surveys residents tell us how much importance they place on the quality of the environment.

Councillor Roger Ramsey Leader of the Council www.havering.gov.uk/Leader

•N ext Meet the Leader session:

Friday 16 March, 1 – 2pm, in the Liberty Shopping Centre, Romford (behind Starbucks).

Havering Council has installed eight new hi-tech bins in a bid to reduce litter in Romford Town Centre.

The Bigbelly bins are solar powered and have a special compacting mechanism which crushes litter. They hold up to eight times more rubbish than a normal bin.

Recently introduced on South Street, near the station, they also send the street cleaning team alerts when the bin is full. This means better efficiency, with half the number of collections allowing the street cleaners to focus on other cleansing tasks.

Cllr Osman Dervish, Cabinet Member for Environment, (pictured above) said: “By introducing these bins we will be able to tackle litter at one of the busiest hotspots in the borough.

“The Bigbelly bins are a similar size to normal bins, but with their special technology will transform the look of South Street as they keep more waste contained, de-clutter the area, and create a cleaner and greener Romford.”

Go on a veggie run A fifth of all five year olds in Havering have dental decay, largely as a result of consuming too much sugar and one in five children start school overweight or obese. By Year 6 it’s one in three children. One reason for this was highlighted in a recent study by School Food Plan that showed only one per cent of packed lunches meet the government’s criteria on nutritional lunches.

Havering Council wants to shift these scary statistics and help your children understand the benefits and rewards of healthy eating in school via a new easy app. At the beginning of the Summer term the Council is launching Crunch Brunch, a new and improved healthy school menu along with the new VeggieRun app for smartphones or tablets.

This unique app is available for all infant and junior school children and helps children associate the benefits of healthy foods and rewards. The exclusive benefit of using VeggieRun, is that Havering school children can work towards generating prizes for themselves and their school.

www.havering.gov.uk/living | MARCH 2018 | 05

Havering Adult Co lle creative with a ni ge is celebrating all things ne day festival st arting on Saturday 17 March .

The Get Creative Festival features dozens of free to attend wo rkshops. Topics ra nge from sewing skills and flo photography. Whe ristry, to massage and ther you want to nurture a creative skill or le arn a new one, it’ s never too late to get involve d.

To book a place, call limited so book ea 01708 434955.Places are rly to avoid disapp ointment. i www.haveringadultcollege.c o.uk

06 | MARCH 2018 | LIVING in Havering

News

Remembering When you speak to many elderly residents about their recollections of air raids in London you would expect them to be talking about the Battle of Britain in 1940 or V2 rockets in 1944, but when you ask Doris Veale about one of her earliest memories and she says “air raids”, she’s talking about bombs being dropped from Zeppelins during the First World War!

Doris celebrates her 107th birthday

In January Doris celebrated her 107th birthday at her home in Gidea Park and Living in Havering believes she's the oldest resident in the borough.

She moved to her present home in 1960. Born in London in 1911 she left school at 14. Her first job was working in an office for Mullards who manufactured valves for radios. Readers of a certain age may recall the days when you had to wait for the valves to warm up before you could listen to your favourite programme “on the wireless”.

Married at 21, she was introduced to her husband-to-be by a colleague at the office. He worked for the oil company Shell in the City. “It was love at first sight”, said Doris, and they were married soon after at St Pauls’ Church in Woodford Bridge. “We didn’t have a honeymoon in those days and I was back at work straight after the wedding”, said Doris. The lack of a honeymoon didn’t damage their love affair as they remained married for 58 years.

Doris had a big party to celebrate her 100th birthday but her 107th was a more low-key affair, although Doris did confess she was a having a sherry or two to mark the amazing milestone. Asked what her secret to long life was, Doris replied; “I don’t really know but I think it’s the carers who come and look after me, my family and good food!”

27 Apr - 26 May Queens’s Theatre Hornchurch presents the regional premiere of

PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT the Musical Book by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott Based on the Latent Image/Specific Films Motion Picture Distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. Produced by NULLARBOR PRODUCTIONS In association with MGM ON STAGE Orchestrations by Stephen ‘Spud’ Murphy Musical Arrangements and Orchestr Developed for the Stage and Originally Directed by Simon Phillips Additional Orchestrations and Arrangements by Adam Gerber Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is presented through special arrangement with and all authorised performance materials are supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide (TRW), 122-124 Regent Street, 3rd floor, London W1B 5SA. www.theatricalrights.co.uk

www.havering.gov.uk/living | MARCH 2018 | 07

Balancing the budget

Protecting frontline services Where the cash comes from...

Unringfenced Grants £12.0m

Dedicated Schools Grant £124.9m

Specific Grants £78.1m

Public Health Grant £10.9m

Fees and Charges £63.7m Share of Business Rate Pool £40.6m – includes Revenue Support Grant £6.8m

Council Tax Payers and LBH Surplus £118.9m

... and where it goes

Housing £85.9m (of which £75.6m is Housing Benefit payments funded by Government Grant)

Education £177.7m

Social Services £71.1m Environmental Health and Trading Standards £3.2m

Levies £16.6m Roads, Pavement and Car parking £12.7m

Havering’s budget and Council Tax for 2018/2019 was agreed at the full Council meeting held on 21 February.

The approved budget includes a 3.5 per cent increase in the Havering element of the Council Tax – consisting of 1.5 per cent for the general increase and 2 per cent in the Adult Social Care precept. After adding the increase in the London Mayor’s precept for the GLA (the money collected by the Mayor of London) the total increase is 3.78 per cent, which for a Band D property, is equivalent to £1.16 per week.

Cllr Roger Ramsey, Leader of the Council, said: “The 2018/19 budget proposals seek to balance the Council’s budget which is required by law, but also protect frontline services for residents and keep the increase as low as we are able to in current circumstances, recognising the burden that any increase presents for residents within the borough.

“Government rules allow the Council to raise the Council Tax by up to

Other Services and Contingency £49.6m

Public Health £9.3m

Planning and Economic Development £3.4m Culture and Leisure £9.5m Rubbish, Waste Collection and Street Cleaning £9.1m

Revenue Support Grant from Central Government £45.4m £38.9m

£30.4m

£20.9m

£12.3m £6.8m

-14 -16 -17 7 -18 -15 -19 13 15 16 14 1 18 20 20 20 20 20 20

2.99 per cent and the Adult Social Care precept by up to 3 per cent for 2018/19. However, we aim to keep the increase in Havering as low as we can, whilst dealing with the particular financial pressures in Adults and Children’s social care and homelessness due to growing demand for our services.

“Havering has taken a proactive approach to managing its budgetary pressures over a number of years.

We have worked hard to drive down the cost of our service provision, which remain amongst the lowest in London. Our demand management and transformation projects for adults and children’s social care are starting to bear fruit to secure improved value for money whilst ensuring that families get the support that they need. We are working actively with a range of partners seeking to tackle the substantial increase in homelessness, whilst investing in regeneration projects which will increase the supply of affordable homes across Havering in the longer term”.

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www.havering.gov.uk/counciltax

08 | MARCH 2018 | LIVING in Havering

Easter & Summer Rubbish & Recycling

5346

Collection Dates 2018 Normal Collection Date

Revised Collection Date

Collections will go ahead as normal on Good Friday 30 March Easter Friday 30 March

Friday 30 March

Monday 2 April

Tuesday 3 April

Tuesday 3 April

Wednesday 4 April

Wednesday 4 April

Thursday 5 April

Thursday 5 April

Friday 6 April

Friday 6 April

Saturday 7 April

Collections return to normal on Monday 9 April May

Monday 7 May

Tuesday 8 May

Tuesday 8 May

Wednesday 9 May

Wednesday 9 May

Thursday 10 May

Thursday 10 May

Friday 11 May

Friday 11 May

Saturday 12 May

Collections return to normal on Monday 14 May Monday 28 May

Tuesday 29 May

Tuesday 29 May

Wednesday 30 May

Wednesday 30 May

Thursday 31 May

Thursday 31 May

Friday 1 June

Friday 1 June

Saturday 2 June

Collections return to normal on Monday 4 June Aug

Monday 27 August

Tuesday 28 August

Tuesday 28 August

Wednesday 29 August

Wednesday 29 August Thursday 30 August Thursday 30 August

Friday 31 August

Friday 31 August

Saturday 1 September

Collections return to normal on Monday 3 September

Collection times are likely to change. It is important that all sacks are presented by 7am on your revised collection day.

Please note that all revised collection arrangements also apply to the garden, clinical and bulky waste services.

For further information visit

www.havering.gov.uk/recycling

Shed load of opportunities The Men’s Shed based in Upminster Baptist Church, Springfield Gardens, Upminster, is a workspace where men can work on practical projects or follow hobbies with others.

Men are welcome from anywhere in Havering.

The idea draws on the successful Men’s Shed movement first established in Australia where over 900 Sheds have formed in just over a decade. The UK Men's Shed is a registered charity combatting loneliness and mental illness in men.

The Upminster Men’s Shed is equipped with tools and materials donated by the public and local Rotary Club. It is mainly set up for woodworking, however anything is possible.

The group are currently looking for project opportunities, suggestions and would welcome donations to develop and expand the group further.

The shed is run by the members and is open every Tuesday morning 9am – 12.30pm.

For more information contact John Connor on 01708 228902 or email:ubcminister@gmail.com

Hall for hire In an effort to raise the profile of New Windmill Hall in St. Mary’s Lane, Upminster the hall’s committee are holding a wedding fair on Sunday 24 June, from 10am - 4pm.

The hall is 50 years old this year. It was originally built by Havering Council in the 1960s as part of its community culture and leisure provision. In 2012, the management of the Hall was passed to a voluntary group of local Upminster residents, called ‘The New Windmill Hall Community Association. The hall has been largely refurbished but now needs additional funds to replace the maple wood flooring.

The building is ideal to hire for: • Family celebrations, weddings and parties • Concert, dance and drama productions • Regular clubs and societies meetings • Films, lectures and educational talks • Business seminars, team-building and socials • Exhibition, medical and charity space.

i

www.nwhall.org.uk

www.havering.gov.uk/living | MARCH 2018 | 09

News

Cameras make roads safer A move by Havering Council to use cameras to deter motorists committing offences when driving around the borough has proved successful in reducing risks to pedestrians and other road users.

In November 2016, the Council began enforcement of moving traffic contraventions using video cameras mounted on lamp posts. In the first phase 11 cameras were installed with locations covered including bus lanes in Straight Road Harold Hill, North Street and London Road in Romford, and a banned right turn in Western Road Romford. Now a total of 20 cameras are in use with locations in Upminster, Harold Hill and Rainham also covered enforcing banned right turns, one way roads and no entry signs.

The need for cameras at these locations was demonstrated when the camera in Champion Road in Upminster was being tested. During the short testing period around 80 vehicles were observed ignoring the no right turn sign and a ‘No Entry’ sign and driving down the one way road the wrong way. Each such occurrence ran the risk of causing an accident.

A camera in Birkbeck Road, Rush Green, set up to monitor a banned right turn went live in March 2017 and over the following three days the camera was triggered 668 times with potential contraventions. That was a daily average of 222 contraventions. Now less than six contraventions are being recorded each day – a 97 per cent reduction. A similar substantial drop in contraventions was seen in Straight Road, Harold Hill, where a camera that monitors the bus lane saw an 87 per cent fall in the number of contraventions.

Cllr Osman Dervish, Havering Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Community Safety said: “We have a legal duty to keep the traffic moving on our streets and to keep the public safe. By using these cameras, we can free up the police to concentrate on combatting crime, help buses keep to timetable, and stop reckless, dangerous drivers ignoring no right turn and one way signs.”

Drivers making banned turns, or driving in bus lanes during restricted hours and caught on camera will receive a £130 penalty; however there is a 50 per cent discount period if the charge is paid within 14 days. The registered keepers of vehicles issued with penalty charge notices have a right of appeal. The use of video recordings rather than just still photography has helped reduce the number of spurious claims going to appeal as claims like “I was only in the bus lane because I was moving over to allow an ambulance to go past” can be quickly disproved with the use of the video footage.

Try our real nappies for free Why not try cloth nappies, a natural, environmentally friendly alternative to disposable nappies and save up to £1000 over your baby’s nappy wearing life.

Havering parents are being offered a free sample pack of Real Nappies and accessories worth £30 to see how easy and convenient these nappies really are.

Four good reasons to join the trend • Save money • Less chemicals on baby’s skin • Better for the environment • Lots of choice & easy to use To apply for a free sample pack and for more information about using real nappies visit www.havering.gov.uk/realnappies

www.havering.gov.uk/realnappies 5349

10 | MARCH 2018 | LIVING in Havering

Bigger, better classrooms

Schools fit for the 21 Century st

Primary school provision in Romford is set to be dramatically improved this year as two brand new schools open.

Until last year pupils attending Mawney Foundation School in Mawney Road were using classrooms that were built in 1896 on a site that had no dedicated areas for the children to play sport outside. Thanks to clever use of the available space and the construction of a brand new three storey school building, pupils can now enjoy 21st Century technology in large airy classrooms and all-weather outdoor sports facilities.

The rebuild by construction firm Bowmer & Kirkland has also meant that the school can cater for more children.

For the first time last September, the school increased its Reception year entry from two forms to a three form or 90 pupil entry. This means that the school has already expanded from 420 pupils in total to 480 this year. By 2024 it will cater for 630 pupils plus another 47 children in the new nursery school for three and four year old children that opened for the first time on the site last September.

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The school’s Head Teacher, Craige Brown said: "It's a much more effective learning environment for all the children across the school. The classrooms are typically up to 40 per cent larger than the old classrooms. The staff have worked incredibly hard throughout all the changes on site and the pupils and parents have been very patient during the building work. We have invested in a high level of IT equipment across the school to ensure pupils are learning skills for an ever changing world. We have also been provided with other spaces in the new building, like our food technology room to teach the children other life skills such as cooking."

Kristina of Haywood Dip.FH MSPract The investment almost £9 million in Mobile Foot the school will be Health Care Practitioner celebrated when the school is formallyRoutine Foot Care opened by Nail the Trimming & Reduction Mawney Foundation School Mayor ofHard Havering, Skin/Callus/Corn Head TeacherRemoval Craige Brown Cllr Linda Van den outside the newToenails school Management of Ingrowing Hende, on Friday 27 April.

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www.havering.gov.uk/living | MARCH 2018 | 11

Less than a mile away another new primary school is rapidly taking shape. Thanks to an £8.2 million investment, the Concordia Academy is being built in Union Road, Romford, on the site of the former Oldchurch hospital. The school will eventually accommodate 630 children with a three form entry and headteacher Raheel Akhtar is confident that the school will be ready for the start of the new academic year in September 2018. The Academy is part of the REAch2 Academy Trust, the largest primary only academy trust in the UK. The school currently uses temporary premises in Hornchurch on the site of Langtons Junior Academy that is also part of the same trust.

The new school is being built by the McAvoy Group, a company that specialises in offsite construction technology that helps minimise disruption during the build phase and also cuts the time to complete the structure to just 12 months. The building comprises 67 steel-framed modules that were lifted into place by a huge 300-tonne crane. Facilities at the new school will include 14 classrooms, a music and drama studio, a main hall with adjacent smaller hall, full catering kitchen, activity room, small group learning rooms, plus staff offices.

Headteacher Raheel lives in Gidea Park and has previously worked in Newham. Raheel said:“Staff,students and parents are all looking forward to moving into our superb new state of the art building in September.”

i

Raheel Akhtar outside the new school in Union Road, Romford

www.concordiaacademy.org.uk

Modules, some weighing up to 17 tonnes each, are lifted into place as the new Concordia Academy building takes shape

12 | MARCH 2018 | LIVING in Havering

New licensing scheme is now in operation

Locking out rogue landlords

The arrival of Landlord Licensing for homes in multiple occupancy (HMOs) means private landlords in 12 wards across the borough now need to apply for a licence to continue operating.

Living in Havering joined Cllr Damian White, Cabinet Member for Housing and Deputy Leader of the Council, on a recent pre-licensing HMO inspection. This was one of the first applications received under the new additional licensing scheme.

cks the landlord's Cllr White looks on as a Council officer che standards. paperwork is up-to-date and meets all safety

This property in Romford, which is home to six tenants, has been an HMO for years. But like many other HMOs in the borough, up until now, the landlord didn't require a licence.

The new licensing scheme is designed tackle poor management of private rented homes and curb anti-social behaviour both in the properties and within the surrounding community.

For landlords to pass the pre-licence inspection they need to show the accommodation being let meets minimum fire safety requirements, has adequate facilities, is free from significant disrepair and isn’t overcrowded. Landlord checks are also done before issuing a licence.

i

Cllr White, said: “Everyone has the right to live in a safe, clean and comfortable home. This new licensing scheme will lead to an improvement in the quality and management of HMOs, with potential heavy penalties for those landlords who do not comply or who fail to obtain a licence.

“This initiative has received strong backing from residents and will ensure HMOs in Havering are a safe place for private tenants and the community.”

For more information and to apply for an HMO Licence visit: www.havering.gov.uk/landlordlicence

www.havering.gov.uk/living | MARCH 2018 | 13

Healthy minds and bodies

Take steps to stay

well

Taking care of your mental health is just as important as looking after your physical health, and that means taking steps to keep well but also knowing when and how to seek help.

Keeping well

Where to get help

Mental wellbeing means feeling good about yourself and the world around you. The NHS recommends that taking the following five steps can help you stay well: • Connect and develop relationships with people around you, as building strong social connections can help us feel happier and more secure and give us a sense of purpose • Be active – find an activity that you enjoy and make it part of your life • Keep learning and gain new skills • Give to others – whether with a small gesture such as a smile or kind word or by volunteering • Be mindful – be more aware of the present moment, and thoughts and feelings.

If you are having problems with mental health, then you are not alone. One in four of us will have problems with our mental health at some time in our lives.

Talking Therapies is a free, confidential professional NHS service for people aged 18 years or over. The service provides access to expert advice and techniques to help address problems such as depression, anxiety, stress, bereavement and relationship problems, and help for people experiencing panic attacks, work and money worries, sleeping problems, phobias, and much more.

You can easily self-refer by calling 0300 300 1554 (Option 2) or www.mytalkingtherapies.org.uk to book an appointment for an initial assessment. Or speak to your GP.

Young people It’s never too early to start talking to children and young people about mental health. You could find opportunities to talk while on a journey, walking the dog or cooking.

Havering Mind runs training for parents who want to learn more about the common issues that young people face and how to support them. Find out more by emailing training@haveringmind.org.uk.

If you are worried about a young person, speak to their GP or school nurse. You can also get advice and support from MindEd for Families at www.minded.org.uk/families or from the Young Minds Parents Helpline on 0808 802 5544.

Need immediate help?

Phone Mental Health Direct on 0300 555 1000 (24/7, 365 days a year) Help is also available from NHS 111 and the Samaritans on 116 123

14 | MARCH 2018 | LIVING in Havering

Supporting teenagers in care Leaving the Cocoon for the world of work Last month Havering Council hosted the first recruitment event specifically aimed towards teenagers in the care of the Council. It took place at The Cocoon – a dedicated support hub for young people in Romford.

providers including Adecco, SEETEC, The STC Group, The Breyer Group and many others, but the Council is always eager to speak to new businesses willing to offer training opportunities, work experience or mentoring to local young people with care experiences. The Council has By bringing young people and local employers together in a also launched a regular Job relaxed environment they were able to access career advice, Club for care leavers and young and learn about opportunities to gain work experience. people living in care, where There was strong support from local employers and training they can develop their CV, learn interview techniques, or receive help with finding “I went into foster care towards the end of an apprenticeship my GCSE’s and achieved good grades, but “I recently visited a A Levels were a struggle and I couldn’t or a job.

Council recruitment adapt to all the self-study. I worked with event for care leavers Havering Council and they were able to at the Cocoon, help me apply for roles. Helping me with where I met local my CV writing skills, interview techniques businesses and training and equipping me with the best tools to providers and am land a new role.” now interviewing for apprenticeships.”

Angelina, a Havering Care Leaver Abby, a Havering Care leaver i www.havering.gov.uk/fostering

www.havering.gov.uk/living | MARCH 2018 | 15

Royal Jubilee celebrations Havering celebrated the Queen’s 65th year on the throne with a series of events and tributes across the borough. As the Sapphire Jubilee year draws to a close Living looks back at the key moments.

The year of celebrations kicked off with a special service held in May at Helen and St Giles Church in Rainham. Residents and local dignitaries attended to honour Queen Elizabeth's long reign. Local resident Marion Jacobs made a replica of the Queen's coronation crown to mark the event.

Celebrations continued with the Langtons Summer Concert in Hornchurch on Sunday 11 June. Around 1,500 people flocked to see the Westminster Philharmonic Orchestra perform in the glorious sunshine.

Thanks to generous contributions from private businesses, three large floral crowns were displayed throughout the summer and early autumn in Collier Row, Hornchurch and outside the Town Hall in Romford.

One of the Council’s most ambitious developments to date, the multimillion pound Sapphire Ice and Leisure facility in Western Road, Romford, opened on 3 February.

It features a 25 metre swimming pool and ice rink. The opening ceremony was attended by former Olympic athlete Colin Jackson CBE and Dancing on Ice star, Ray Quinn.

Work began in May 2017 on the new Sapphire Jubilee Community Centre in Bolberry Road, Collier Row and the eco-friendly building was officially opened last month.

The centre features a large hall that can accommodate 80 people seated or 120 standing as well as a kitchen and toilets. It also features a handmade plaque in the form of a giant Sapphire ring.

16 | MARCH 2018 | LIVING in Havering

Reducing pollution in Havering

n o n o i t Ac y t i l a u q air

Do you care about the air you breathe? If so, we’d love to hear your views on our new draft Air Quality Action Plan. Air pollution in Havering is very low compared to other London boroughs. But we can still do better in some places.

The new plan sets out the steps the Council will take over the next five years to reduce air pollution in Havering. Have your say on the plan by Thursday 15 March by visiting our website.

Target key pollution sources road transport, new development and gas boilers, to make the borough a cleaner, greener place

Increase awareness of air quality issues and health effects through campaigns and education

i

www.havering.gov.uk/consultations

Make it easier for you to walk and cycle instead of driving

www.havering.gov.uk/living | MARCH 2018 | 17

Having your say Choosing who represents The year 2018 is significant in the history of democracy in the UK. It marks the 100th anniversary of the Representation of the People Act 1918 that allowed some women over 30 and all men over 21 to vote, and paved the way for universal suffrage 10 years later.

It’s also the 60th anniversary of the Life Peerages Act 1958, which allowed women to sit in the House of Lords for the first time.

Coincidentally, but appropriately, 2018 is also the first time that all the candidates for election to the Havering Youth Parliament election were female. This year a record number of more than 10,000 votes were received during this year’s Youth Parliament elections to elect two new members to serve for next two years.

Six students aged between 11 and

YOU

16 years from across the borough, campaigned for election between 29 January and 9 February. All candidates campaigned in several Daisie Stuart-Evans school assemblies, facing their fears to speak in front of audiences between 200 and 450 of their peers.

This was also the first year where pupils could vote online, as all candidates produced a promotional video to support their manifesto.

The two candidates with the most Katherine votes will be announced on 22 Wilson-Smith March at a special ceremony led by The Mayor Of Havering, Cllr Linda Van den Hende.

The Mayor said: “I am very inspired by all of the six female candidates, especially at such a significant time for women in history. They have all shown dedication, outstanding leadership skills and are great role models for their peers.”

Emily Elkin

The May election timetable In May all registered electors over the age of 18 living in Havering will have the chance to vote for their ward councillors to represent them for the next four years and to determine who runs Havering Council. All seats on Havering Council are up for election on Thursday 3 May 2018. These are the key dates: Tuesday 27 March – Publication of the Notice of Election and Delivery of Nomination Papers opens until Friday 6 April.

(Please note that Friday 30 March and Monday 2 April are Bank Holidays) Monday 9 April – Publication of Statement of Persons nominated Tuesday 17 April – Last date for Registration Wednesday 18 April – Deadline for new applications to vote by post or proxy, and for changes to existing postal or proxy votes.

Postal votes are also mailed out on this day Thursday 3 May – Polling Day

Emily Thompson

Sila Ugurlu

Victoria Porter

Havering’s Council election by numbers: • 134 Polling Stations in 90 venues • 404 Polling station staff • 216 Staff working on counting the votes at the Hornchurch Leisure Centre • Over 28,000 Postal Voters • Over 192,000 electors requiring poll cards.

18 | MARCH 2018 | LIVING in Havering

Healthy Havering Successful sportsmen and women from across Havering were honoured last month at Havering Sports Council’s Sports Awards evening, sponsored by McDonalds Restaurants of Romford.

Held at Upminster Golf Club the night saw eight awards presented in the presence of the Mayor, Cllr Linda Van den Hende.

Sporting s

uccess celebrated

These were the winners:

Junior Sports Competitor of the Year (sponsored by West & Coe Funeral Directors) Max Law, an international javelin thrower who attends Hall Mead School and lives in Upminster. In 2017 he was a champion at Essex County and English Schools' levels.

Sports Competitor of the Year (sponsored by MDS Printers of Upminster) Geoff Webb, a prone rifle shooter for the Romford Rifle and Pistol Club. In 2017 he was part of his club's National Championship team which successfully defended their title for a third consecutive year, with Geoff their leading scorer. He’s represented England and Great Britain on five occasions.

Jeremy West (left) presents the Junior Sports Competitor of the Year award to Max Law (on the right) and runner-up award to Liam Purton

Disability Sports Competitor of the Year (sponsored by the Beadle family) Bradley Donovan, a wheelchair user, plays for Harold Wood Cricket Club.

The club won the Essex Disabilty League, with Bradley as a player, captain, and coach.

Sports Volunteer of the Year (sponsored by Cllr John Mylod) Sam Harrison, an athletics throwing events coach. He qualified as a coach 15 years ago and is a member of Havering Athletic Club.

Senior School Team of the Year (sponsored by Brentwood M & E Services) Coopers Coburn Gymnastics team. "Doing the Double" in any sport is always a difficult task, but that's what this team did at national level in 2017. A trio of girls took the national title in March with their individual floor routines, vaulting, and a group routine. In May the team won the National Floor and Vault title with the highest ever score in this competition.

Primary School Team of the Year (sponsored by Cllr Melvin Wallace) St.Edward's Athletics Team was both successful and consistent throughout the year. In a prestigious autumn cross-country event against 28 schools the year 5/6 girls team were first with Stephanie Okoro breaking the tape, and second in the year 3/4 boys category. In December the year 3/4 and year 5/6 sports hall teams were placed second out of over 30 primary schools.

Cllr Melvin Wallace with girls from St Edward’s School, Romford’s athletics team

Sports Club of the Year (sponsored by DMS Fencing) Havering Athletic Club is a British League Club and has enjoyed a great 2017 winning three of their four fixtures, and gaining promotion to National Division 2. At the English Schools Championships Havering members won four individual medals and another five were won at the England Athletics Age Group Championships.

The Doug Riden Lifetime Achievement Award (sponsored by McDonalds Restaurants of Romford) Hornchurch resident Warren Roe retired from athletics involvement shortly before reaching his 80th birthday. He entered his first race at the age of nine.

The 1990s saw Warren established as Havering's main distance running coach and a number of the athletes he trained achieved national medals and international selections.

Cllr John Mylod (left) with Sam Harrison (right) the winner of the Sports Volunteer of the Year award and runner-up Elise Donn

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www.haveringsportscouncil.org.uk

www.havering.gov.uk/living | MARCH 2018 | 19

Helping Havering residents

Make a

difference

by volunteering

The Council is supported by teams of volunteers who support local children, young people, and families across the borough. Without these amazing volunteers and the valuable work they do, the Council would not be able to provide support to so many people in Havering.

By getting involved you will have a chance to meet new people, share your skills, support families to overcome hurdles, mentor young people, assist families to become independent, or volunteer in your local children’s centre.

If you can say YES to the questions below, apply to volunteer today: • • • •

Want to meet new people?

Able to dedicate your time?

Happy to start new training?

Eager to make a difference in your community?

Before

After

Before

After

You could become:

A family coach:

You would support families with daily life challenges, such as morning routine, parenting, job hunting, budgeting and school attendance.

A mentor:

You would support a child or young person aged 10-18 in the borough and help champion their needs. Participate in activities with them such as sport or local outings, while providing advice and guidance.

A volunteer in a local children’s centre:

Work and support parents and children aged 0-5 across a range of children’s groups. You would gain experience in session planning, working in a team, dealing with members of the public, and engaging with young children.

By giving just a couple of hours of your time each week you could make a real difference to a local child or family while gaining new skills for yourself.

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www.havering.gov.uk/earlyhelpvolunteer or email Rachel.tapp@havering.gov.uk

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20 | MARCH 2018 | LIVING in Havering

Helping Havering people live

Building a better borough This month Havering launches a £1billion contract to build 3,500 homes across 12 of its current housing estates in the borough. The Council has formed a Joint Venture partnership with a housing developer to deliver these homes over the next 15 years.

This is one of the most ambitious local authority home building programmes in the country. The land being used will remain in Council ownership.

Cllr Roger Ramsey, Leader of Havering Council, said: “Forming this Joint Venture will allow us to deliver more high-quality affordable homes for our residents than ever before. But the benefits of this project will be felt across the borough, bringing with it new and improved transport links, better local amenities and new schools and GP surgeries.”

Since the Right to Buy scheme for Council housing tenants began, around 4,000 Council homes in the borough have been sold and these need to be replaced. The scheme is therefore focused on providing affordable council housing for local people and is expected to see a doubling of the affordable housing the sites currently provide. In addition, the levels of rent and cost of purchase of the low cost housing will be at levels local people can afford on their income levels.Many of the 3,500 new homes will be for rent but some will be available for Low Cost Home Ownership, where the Council retain a share in the property and it must be sold back to the Council when the owner moves. There will also be some properties for sale.

Family homes, with two or three bedrooms, are in particular demand. All the new properties will be built to high standards and be energy efficient, with many having solar panels installed to help keep fuel costs down for tenants.

An artist's impression of how the Waterloo Estate in Romford Town ward will look after the old tower blocks are demolished.

The timetable June 2016: Havering Council’s Cabinet agrees to develop new council housing across 12 housing sites and begins the search for a development partner. A requirement is for the Council to retain the long-term freehold of the land, management of the affordable housing, and increase the amount of affordable housing on the sites.

October 2016: Following a Cabinet decision demolition notices were delivered to around 900 properties.

March 2018: The Joint Venture company partner is announced. See www.havering.gov.uk for the details.

Starting with Waterloo Road Estate in Romford, Napier and New Plymouth Houses in Rainham, and Solar, Serena and Sunrise Sheltered schemes in South Hornchurch, where existing blocks will be replaced with modern, quality housing, the ambitious project will go on to see the regeneration of 8 other sites in Hornchurch, Gidea Park, Harold Hill, Rainham and Cranham.

Summer 2018: The first planning applications are made. Residents will be able to comment during the planning process.

Late 2019: Work begins on the first four sites Spring 2021: The first of the new homes are ready for occupation January 2027: The 12 estates regeneration scheme is completed.

www.havering.gov.uk/living | MARCH 2018 | 21

locally

The Napier House and New Plymouth House tower blocks in the South Hornchurch ward in Rainham are to be demolished and replaced with mixed-tenure homes

Consultation Extensive consultations have taken place with residents in the areas where development is proposed, and, in many cases, residents’ groups have been formed so they can comment on design ideas and make suggestions for improvements.

One-to-one meetings with most tenants on each regeneration site have been held to identify their individual needs so, as far as possible, these can be met.

For each of the regeneration schemes, and for some of the smaller infill schemes, newsletters are regularly produced to keep residents informed of what is happening and information pages have been developed on the Council’s website.

Local Lettings Plans are being developed and will be available via the Council’s website in due course, giving details of how residents can bid for alternative accommodation and the priority they will receive.

Each tenant on each estate will also receive a personal Decant Assessment Form giving details of what they need to do.

A computer generated image showing how part of the new Solar, Serena and Sunrise estate in St Andrews ward in Hornchurch will look.

And that’s not all…

The 12 estates regeneration programme is just one of three major housing improvement schemes in the borough. The Council has already entered into joint venture agreements with developers to regenerate the Bridge Close area of Romford and a large area along the A1306 in Rainham. Each development will include a new primary school. The Romford development will be coordinated with the Waterloo Estate redevelopment to improve access to Romford station for residents living on the eastern side of the Romford ring road. The Beam Park development will also see the building of a brand new station on the c2c rail line.

22 | MARCH 2018 | LIVING in Havering

Working to keep residents safe

The Czar’s out at night The Night Czar Amy Lamé, appointed by the London Mayor Sadiq Khan, visited Romford on Friday 23 February to see the town’s night-time economy projects Amy Lamé jokes with police officers designed to keep the borough safe. On the night Amy visited projects such as the and members of Havering Street Deeper Lounge Safe Zone located in South Street, and met with members of the watch during her visit to Romford Street Watch team (see page opposite), Street Pastors, and visitors to local bars town centre last month and clubs.

Amy Lamé said: “The community spirit in Romford has struck me the most, the way they all work together to ensure everyone in Romford has a good and safe night out is amazing.”

Amy Lamé’s visit was a result of Romford Town Centre Partnership’s work to keep the town safe, which has been recognised by national awards, such as the prestigious Diageo National Pubwatch Awards that the partnership won in 2017.

Have your say: How safe do you Operation Mexico turns up the heat on burglars feel in the borough?

Jason Gwillim, Commander of the Met Police’s East Area Basic Command Unit , tells us about the tri-borough and Operation Mexico.

“You will no doubt have now seen on the news the announcement by the Commissioner that the policing model we have been testing in your area will now be rolled out across all London boroughs.

“As a Basic Command Unit we have now stabilised.

Our commitment to bringing offenders to justice and safeguarding the community has never been stronger; providing the best victim care and the prevention of crime remains at the heart of what we do. Our strong partnership with local authorities, continues to support and assist our response to all forms of crime.

Last month the Havering Community Safety Partnership - a group made up of Havering Council staff, the Metropolitan Police, London Fire Brigade, and other organisations, launched a survey to find out how residents feel about different types of crime across the borough. The partnership needs your help to shape the work they do to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in Havering. The consultation ends on Friday 16 March.

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www.havering.gov.uk/consultations

“In the first few months of this year we launched Operation Mexico - a newly formed specialist team focussing on burglary and robbery offences which so far has had great results. Within one seven day period, the team apprehended 18 people which resulted in 13 charges for burglary and robbery offences.

“Thank you for your continued support and I would like to reassure you all that we are dedicated to keeping Havering safe.”

www.havering.gov.uk/living | MARCH 2018 | 23

Sally Miller

Havering Street Watch out on a patrol in Emerson Park.

From L to R: Richard Sunnucks, Jeff Long, PC Ed Zoltan, Sally Miller and Mayuri Raja (Havering Council).

Watching your streets Sally Miller is the Coordinator for Havering Street Watch. It’s an organisation that currently has 28 volunteers covering eight wards in the borough.

“Havering Street Watch is run for the community in partnership with the Metropolitan Police. We are all local volunteers who have come together to help reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in our local community where we live and work. As part of our patrols we also report incidences of fly tipping or street lights not working to the Council. We are a good set of eyes and ears!” says Sally.

Sally took over from a police officer. “We have a constitution and management committee so that we can raise funds that we use to provide our street patrols with high visibility vests, pocket books, torches and panic attack alarms and also to provide training.

We have recently been fortunate enough to also be given MOPAC (the London Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime) funding to cover some of the equipment we use.

“We meet regularly with police officers, who advise us about crime trends and the work being done within the borough to help reduce crime. As a group we also receive training on various subjects such as drug awareness, first aid training and counter terrorism

training. When we are on patrol our role is to observe and not to be “have a go” heroes. If we see something suspicious or dangerous we contact the police or Havering Council."

In recent months Street Watch patrols discovered a stolen moped in Hornchurch Country Park and were able to re-unite it with its owner.

Sally previously worked for Veolia North Thames Trust and first got involved with Street Watch when she was a neighbourhood watch coordinator. When the Met Police decided to roll out Street Watch she volunteered her time to be the borough’s coordinator, as it gave her the chance for more face-to-face time with fellow volunteers.

Last year she spent over 200 hours volunteering focussing on recruiting volunteers, scheduling and arranging routes for patrols, or making presentations about Street Watch’s work and running street stalls.

Sally is always looking for new volunteers for Street Watch to help with their patrols and fundraising.

If you would like to volunteer or donate, please contact Sally Miller on 07934 372674 or email swhavering@btinternet.com for further information.

Havering Street Watch currently covers these wards: • Elm Park • Emerson Park • Squirrels heath • Hylands • Upminster • Cranham • Hacton • Gooshays

24 | MARCH 2018 | LIVING in Havering

Helping Havering youngsters feel safe

Who is your

child talking to

online?

Children from a very young age use mobiles, tablets and games consoles day-to-day and the internet has become an essential part of their lives. However life online can be a risky place for children and teenagers, as there are many potential dangers. Parents need to be openly talking to their children about viewing inappropriate content, online grooming, bullying, dangers of sharing personal information, and sharing photos. As the majority of this will happen whilst your child is at home or even in the same room as you.

Not everyone they meet online will be who they say they are, and there is a growing trend across London that online grooming impacts children as young as eight years old. Havering primary and secondary schools are actively supporting children and young people with developing online resilience and an increased understanding of online risk. But by working with parents and carers we can further equip young people

to understand the dangers, spot the signs, and report something when they feel something isn’t right.

Parents, carers and young people don’t need to be an expert on the internet or social media apps to help keep a child stay safe online. By managing privacy settings and having open and frank conversations with your child could reduce the potential risk of child sexual exploitation or your child oversharing online.

There are many useful websites and resources available to help parents and young people: www.parentzone.org.uk www.havering.gov.uk/cse www.breckfoundation.org www.vodafonedigitalparenting.co.uk

If you are concerned, don’t hesitate, report it and phone 101

www.havering.gov.uk/living | MARCH 2018 | 25

Historical Havering

Treasure Trove

Inside the Upminster Tithe Barn “The black weatherboard exterior of the barn gives no inkling to the treasures we have inside,” says Ian Whaley.

He’s referring to the Upminster Tithe Barn situated next to the Hall Lane Playing Fields in Upminster. At 45 metres long, 18 metres wide and 12 metres tall, the barn is one of the biggest thatched, oak-framed barns in the country and one of Havering’s historic gems.

The barn was built in 1450 with an oak frame and a thatched roof of Norfolk reed. The building next door was built at the same time as a hunting lodge for the Bishop of Waltham and is now home to Upminster Golf Club. The church owned lots of land in and around Upminster and Ian believes the barn was used to store corn, hay and straw, and possibly livestock. It was used agriculturally up until the 1970s when English Heritage, in conjunction with Havering Council, set about repairing it.

From agriculture to nostalgia

In 1976 it opened as an agricultural museum but over the years visitors have become more interested in the domestic items on display and it now operates as the Upminster Tithe Barn Museum of Nostalgia with displays that highlight the borough’s history.

The barn will be open again for visitors from 10.30am to 4pm on alternate weekends between April and October and on various open days. Entry is free.

Ian is chairman of the volunteer group who look after the barn and he’s also the curator of the collection of historical items displayed inside.

“We have built two room displays that reflect everyday life around 100 years ago. There’s the kitchen with all its gadgets and a front room setting with a pianola, writing bureau, chiming clock and china cabinet – all designed to display exhibits to their best,” said Ian. Displayed items include Hoover vacuum cleaners dating back to Victorian times, washing machines, mangles and wringers, valve radios, early television sites, typewriters, medical instruments, toys, agricultural equipment and World War memorabilia.

Helping hands

Help is always needed. “There’s a small band of volunteers responsible for opening the barn and looking after the exhibits – and new members are always welcome. You don’t need any detailed skills as training will be given,” said Ian.

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www.upminstertithebarn.co.uk

26 | MARCH 2018 | LIVING in Havering

www.havering.gov.uk/living | MARCH 2018 | 27

Historical Havering House visualisation by Peter Riley

Digging out memories

The Friends of Dagnam Park have been busy unearthing the foundations of an historic building in Harold Hill.

The Manor or Dagnam House was a grand house that stood in what is now Dagnam Park Nature Reserve until its demolition in the early 1950s. Following discussions with Havering Council’s parks team the Friends group now organise twice weekly digs on Monday and Friday mornings between 9.30am and 12.30pm.

They have already revealed the area around the former stable block and courtyard and are now exposing the foundations of the main house and discovering various artefacts as they do so including a tractor seat, horse shoes, hinges and window fittings and a small shield displaying a thistle that once was on a Shanks garden mower.

New volunteers are always welcome. Just turn up on dig mornings wearing sensible clothing boots and gloves but there’s no need to bring tools as they are provided.

More details on the Friends’ website.

Some of the regular volunteers standing on the newly exposed foundations of Dagnam House with the Leader of the Council.

From L to R: Cllr Roger Ramsey, Don Tait, Alan York, Peter Riley, Ken Lynn, Belinda Bearman and John Pugh

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www.friendsofdagnampark.org.uk

LIVING in Havering 28 | MARCH 2018 | LIVING in Havering

Working for Havering residents In the third of a series of articles looking at the people who work for you in Havering Council’s enforcement teams, we go on a visit with an Environmental Health Officer.

Staff profile: Natalie Malupa – Environmental Health Officer “As a teenager I loved programmes like Life of Grime and The Food Inspectors. I always wanted to do this sort of work” says Natalie. She’s worked for Havering since May 2017 after a previous three year stint as an Environmental Health Officer for Lewisham Council. Natalie knows Havering well as she was born in Hornchurch and her parents live in Upminster but today her home is in Kent. Living in Havering caught up with Natalie on an inspection visit to a restaurant in Upminster.

At Osteria due Amici in Corbets Tey Road Natalie meets Chartered Institute of Environmental Health training their Head Chef Mark Wright and, co-owner Edward shows as she takes swabs of chopping boards, tests Xhetani and Manager Colin Toci. Her inspection visit will the temperature settings of fridges and dishwashers. see the restaurant given a food hygiene rating of 0 to 5.

She also questions Mark on how raw food is prepared Currently the restaurant has the top rating of 5. Natalie and the way they store and use chemicals required for and her colleagues visit all food establishments across the sanitising work surfaces. borough on a regular basis with higher risk establishments “Good days for me are when I see that restaurants are prioritised for more frequent visits. Many restaurants and taking food safety concerns seriously and are wellfood take-away shops choose to display their green food managed. It’s a really satisfying part of my work to hygiene rating on a green sticker that Natalie and her know that I’m helping save a lot of people from getting colleagues provide at the end of their inspection visits. food poisoning,” says Natalie. During her visit Natalie has identified a slightly loose tap and makes Complex matrix recommendations for small improvements that Mark and The rating is calculated using a complex matrix of scores Edward are happy to take on board as she presents that cover three main areas: hygiene (how is food stored, them with another grade 5 rating sticker. are there any cross-contamination risks and are the correct food handling practices being followed), structure (a check “I enjoy meeting different people all the time” says Natalie who gets away from the world of food hygiene by of the physical state of the building, can the floors and training up to five times a week in order to play squash walls be effectively cleaned, how good are the washing competitively. facilities) and confidence in the management (is staff training carried out in an effective and timely way and the You can view the food hygiene ratings for all restaurants correct paperwork in place). A typical visit takes around an and food take-way outlets: hour and on the day of our visit Natalie dons her white lab coat to accompany Head Chef Mark to tour the kitchen, i www.food.gov.uk/ratings food preparation and storage facilities and even the staff toilets and outdoor bin and waste removal area. Her

www.havering.gov.uk/living | MARCH 2018 | 29

Business Focus Two local law firms merge Romford law firm Mullis & Peake, with offices in Eastern Road, have acquired McCorry Connolly Solicitors based just a stone’s throw away in Western Road, Romford.

As a consequence of the merger the Family team at Mullis & Peake will double in size and will be headed by Roisin McCorry who was one of the Directors of McCorry Connolly. She has over 30 years’ experience and will be joined by Angela Sharma who has recently arrived from Sackvilles Solicitors. She has over 20 years of experience in all areas of family law.

Peter Connell, Chairman at Mullis & Peake LLP, said: “This is a very exciting development which will significantly increase the size of the firm generally but our Family Department in particular. We believe this will enable us to Kevin Connolly, a Director of McCorry Connolly, will join provide our clients with a more wide-ranging area of the Residential Conveyancing Team at Mullis & Peake. All expertise within a larger practice. We look forward to the support staff at McCorry Connolly will also be joining welcoming the new staff to our firm when they join us.” the team at Mullis & Peake.

Established in 1902 as a family business, Mullis & Peake opened a second office in Shenfield in December 2015.

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www.mplaw.co.uk

FREE COMPOST BIN OFFER

Havering Council has a limited number of compost bins and 5 litre kitchen caddies available exclusively to their residents free of charge, pay £5.99 delivery charge only. This very special offer is available on a first come, first served basis and is limited to one compost bin with a caddy per household.

ORDER NOW

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• • • •

FREE Composting Workshops:

To book a place, request advice or to order a guide to home composting visit www.havering.gov.uk/compostdoctor

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Offer available to residents of the London Borough of Havering. Please allow 28 days for delivery.

Terms and conditions apply, see website for details. Offer ends 31st March 2019.

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30 | MARCH 2018 | LIVING in Havering

Business Focus

WE CELEBRATED There was glitter and glamour as Havering celebrated the achievements of local businesses at the borough’s biggest business event held last month at CEME, Rainham.

Havering Business Awards 2017/18 saw over 60 business entries and 21 finalists competing for eight awards. The Mayor of Havering, politicians and media representatives attended to celebrate Havering’s thriving business community, and inspire new businesses to set up in the borough.

The Business of the Year Award, which was selected from the winners of each category, was presented to The STC Group - a specialist training and employment company.

Jean Thomson from The STC Group, (second from right in the picture) said they were completely shocked to win. “We dedicate this award to the team and all their hard work. This award is for all the students and young people who have struggled to get a job in this borough. For Havering to recognise our work is also such a great feeling,” she said.

Apprentice of the Year Award – Sponsored by Ardleigh Green Ryan Barlow, Respondit Web Design Growing Business of the Year Award – Sponsored by Haines Watts The STC Group New Business of the Year Award – Sponsored by SEGRO Radfield Home Care Ltd Havering & Brentwood Small to Medium Business of the Year Award – Sponsored by Romford Recorder Security Projects UK Ltd

Thank you to all our sponsors

www.havering.gov.uk/living | MARCH 2018 | 31

AND WERE INSPIRED Cllr Roger Ramsey, Leader of the Council, (pictured right) with the winners of the new Business of the Year Award said: “Havering Business Awards is a great opportunity for all businesses.I felt extremely proud to see many successful and innovative businesses at CEME and how honoured and grateful the winners were.

“As a Council we will do our very best to continue to support all local businesses and hope the awards inspire all entrepreneurs and business people of Havering.”

Best Customer Service of the Year Award Pandora Images Ltd Large Business of the Year Award Tesco PLC Business Person of the Year Award David Hodder, Respondit Web Design Business of the Year Award The STC Group

32 | MARCH 2018 | LIVING in Havering

Business Focus

Changes coming If you employ people you should be aware of the impending changes to Payments In Lieu Of Notice (PILON), the National Minimum Wage and Statutory Maternity Pay. Local law firm Pinney Talfourd provide the details on what is changing.

From April 2018, taxation of redundancy payments in relation to PILON will be changing. All notice pay will be subject to both tax and national insurance contributions, regardless of the contractual provision. Employers should note that this will also include bonuses, commission, or any other monies that would have arisen during the notice period as set out in the contract of employment or service agreement. As such, employees and employers will not be able to utilise the tax-free threshold of £30,000 for such payments.

Prior to this, the general rule was that only if the

employment contract contained a PILON clause, would the notice sum be viewed as earnings and subject to the normal deductions for tax and national insurance contributions.

HMRC are likely to seek to recover the income tax and national insurance contributions together with penalties and interest owed, should employers seek to classify a PILON as non-taxable.

Wedding National Minimum Wage rates have also increased. The national living for a10am Sunday 22 wage Aprilrate 2018, 25+ year old will be £7.83 from April.

– Langtons House, Billet Lane, Hornchurc

Statutory Maternity, Paternity, Adoption and Shared Parental Pay rates will also be changing from April 2018.

Wedding Wedding Fair Fair

Be recycle Be positive positive ––recycle Be positive – recycle your householdbatteries batteries your household your household batteries

Wedding Fair Sunday 22 22 April 2018, Sunday April 2018,10am 10am––3pm 3pm Langtons House, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, 1XJ Langtons House, Billet Lane, Hornchurch,RM11 RM11 1XJ Sunday 22 April 2018, 10am – 3pm Langtons House, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1XJ

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You can now recycle the following household batteries 6V, AA, 9V 6V, D, D, C, C,your AA,AAA, AAA, 9V recycling service: through kerbside

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Simply place your used or unwanted batteries in a small carrier 6V, D, C, AA,bag AAA, or sandwich and9V leave them next to your recycling sack or sandwich bag and leave them next to your recycling sack

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on collection Simply placeday. your registration@havering.gov.uk on collection day. used or unwanted batteries in a small carrier registration@havering.gov.uk or sandwich bag and leave them next to your recycling sack For further information visit on collection day.

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For further information visit www.havering.gov.uk/recycling

:

www.havering.gov.uk/living | MARCH 2018 | 33

Arts & Culture Art

Music

ELM WOOD ART SOCIETY

FAIRKYTES LIVE

Mondays, 7.30 – 9.45pm Hall behind Baptist church in Rosewood Gardens, Elm Park t 458772 e irene.blanchard@hotmail.co.uk

HAVERING ARTS COUNCIL

Havering Arts Council represents arts groups in Havering and has a full programme of events www.haveringartscouncil.org.uk

HORNCHURCH PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY Mondays, 7.15 – 10pm www.hornchurchphoto.com

PHOENIX ART GROUP

Tuesdays, 2 – 4pm e beenaphoenix@gmail.com

UPMINSTER CAMERA CLUB

Tuesdays, 7.45 –10pm www.upminstercameraclub.org.uk

CRANHAM ART SOCIETY

Wednesdays, 10am –12pm t 229715 e maureen.hunter44@yahoo.com

Summer Concert

Fairkytes Arts Centre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1AX fairkytes@havering.gov.uk for tickets to any event go to www.seetickets.com Glamour Girls Friday 16 March – Saturday 17 March, 8pm The north of England’s favourite drag show make their only London appearances. Join Miss Bee-Have and friends for an evening of music and comic mayhem.

Georgie Fame Friday 13 April, 8pm A rare chance to see one of the icons of British jazz and blues in an intimate setting.

Dean Friedman Friday 20 April, 8pm American singer-songwriter best known for the ultimate ‘guilty pleasure’ hit Lucky Stars.

Museums & Exhibitions

Sunday 10 June, 3pm.

Featuring the Westminster Concert Orchestra led by its popular conductor Jonathan Butcher, the event will be sponsored for the first time by West and Coe Funeral Directors.

Last year was the 25th anniversary of the concert, which is free to all residents and visitors. Around 1,500 people took their deck chairs and picnics and settled down in warm sunshine to enjoy a selection of classics ranging from Handel’s Water Music to Orpheus in the Underworld and Pomp and Circumstance. The orchestra’s repertoire always includes popular film and television themes.

Theatre BROOKSIDE THEATRE

www.brooksidetheatre.com

HAVERING MUSEUM

19 High Street, Romford, RM1 1JU t 766 571 e info@haveringmuseum.org.uk www.haveringmuseum.org.uk

LANGTONS

Ronnie Scott’s All Stars Friday 4 May, 8pm An evening of cool music with the house band from the legendary Ronnie Scott’s Club in London.

Hancock's Half Hour: One Man, Many Voices Friday 13 April, 8pm To celebrate over 60 years of Hancock’s Half Hour, actor and impressionist James Hurn will be performing three episodes, voicing the entire cast.

Through The Decades With Elvis Saturday 14 April, 8pm Enjoy this hip-swinging tribute to the King of Rock 'n' Roll with one of the UK's No.1 tributes, Steve Halliday.

TITANIC: HONOUR & GLORY EXHIBITION 7 April – 1 September.

Book early for group talks, events and school visits.

Jordan Gray Friday 11 May, 8pm Music and comedy with the semifinalist from BBC One’s The Voice and star of ITV’s Transformation Street.

Hazel O'Connor – See You Again Tour 2018 Thursday 19 April, 8pm By popular demand following last year’s sell-out concert, a very special evening with awardwinning singer-songwriter Hazel O’Connor, performing here in a captivating acoustic line-up with Cormac de Barra on Irish Harp, her musical partner for some 15 years.

The Public Interest Friday 25 May – Saturday 26 May, 8pm An exciting world premiere of a dramatic new play by Kenton Hall.

It is 1965 and Winston Churchill is dead. Not that something as minor as the grave is going to stop the former Prime Minister from asking a few pointed questions of his friend and long-time physician, Lord Moran, who is preparing to publish a potentially damaging memoir of their time together.

An Audience with Jeffrey Holland Saturday 30 June, 8pm Jeffrey is probably best known for his portrayals of Spike in BBC TV’s Hi-De-Hi! and stuffy footman, James Twelvetrees in the hugely successful, You Rang M’Lord.

Agatha Christie's Murder On The Nile Wednesday 6 – Saturday 9 June, 8pm Following last year’s hugely successful production of 'The Ghost Train', the Brookside Theatre is presenting a stylish and exciting new production of the queen of crime’s classic thriller.

The Blues Brothers Experience Saturday 23 June, 8pm A tribute to the legendary Jake & Elwood Blues, in a high-energy spectacular.

QUEEN'S THEATRE HORNCHURCH

www.queens-theatre.co.uk

Kindertransport Until 24 Mar

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Arts & Culture What's on Five Star Swing Sunday 18 Mar, 4pm

Mr Popcorn and Suzy Sparkle Until Saturday 24 Mar

COMMUNITY

Helen Keating Friday 23 Mar, 4pm

One Voice Sunday 29 Apr, 7.30pm

Sleeping Beauty – Ballet Tuesday 27 Mar, 2.30pm and 7.30pm

The Dawn Chorus Friday 4 May, 2.30pm

BRITISH CACTUS & SUCCULENT SOCIETY, HAVERING BRANCH Third Saturday of the month, 7-10pm t 447778

Tenors Unlimited Wednesday 28 Mar, 7.30pm Janis Joplin & Friends in the Woodstock Experience Thursday 29 Mar, 7.30pm Forever in Blue Jeans Friday 30 Mar, 7.30pm Milkshake! Live Saturday 31 Mar, 12 noon and 3.30pm The Story of the Beach Boys Sunday 8 Apr, 7.30pm Treasure Trails – Create and Play Mornings Thursday 12 Apr, 10am

Pop Divas Live Sunday 6 May, 4pm Woman in Love – A celebration of Barbra Streisand Sunday 13 May, 7.30pm The ELO Encounter Monday 14 May, 7.30pm

Buildings & Gardens VOLUNTEERING AT BEDFORDS PARK WALLED GARDEN Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10am – 3pm www.bedfordswalledgarden.org

BRITISH SUGARCRAFT GUILD Hornchurch & Upminster Branch Meetings at Fairkytes Arts Centre, Hornchurch £7 including tea and cake “Bas relief for children” by Ann Broker Saturday 7 April, 1.30 – 3.30pm COLLIER ROW BRIDGE CLUB Thursdays, 7-10.30pm www.bridgewebs.com/collierrow COLLIER ROW TOWNSWOMEN’S GUILD First and third Tuesday of the month, 1.30 -4pm e mclary2012@btinternet.com CRAFTY ARTS KNIT AND NATTER GROUP Tuesdays, 10am -12noon e sales@craftyarts.co.uk

COLLIER ROW HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY AND CRANHAM ENGAYNE ALLOTMENTS ASSOCIATION WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

The Game of Love & Chai Thursday 19 – Saturday 21 Apr New Orleans with Liam Grundy and His Band Monday 23 Apr, 8pm Comedy Club Wed 18 Apr, 8.30pm

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert Friday 27 Apr – Saturday 26 May The Little Mermaid – Story Play Sat 28 Apr, 11.30am

Saturdays and Sundays 10am – 12.30pm t 756005 Tree Nursery Sunday Group First Sunday of each month from 10am. Join volunteers helping to manage the newly renovated community tree nursery and the Forest Centre grounds. Free.

SQUIRRELS HEATH GARDENING CLUB

Last Monday of each month 8 – 10pm e essexgardens@hotmail.com

If you would like your event featured for free in future Listings or on Havering’s website, please complete the online form at www.havering.gov.uk/ eventsform All numbers are 01708 unless stated.

Second Monday of each month t 228119 DIABETES UK – HAVERING GROUP Third Monday of each month (except August and January) Monday 19 March, 8pm – A talk on Diabetes and Eyes, by Dr Bobby Paul.

North Street Halls, Hornchurch t 935779 www.havering.diabetesukgroup.org DOGS TRUST Thursday 12 April, 11am – 3pm Free microchipping and nail clipping for dogs at Kingsbridge Circus, Harold Hill, RM3 8PB t 433090 www.dogstrust.org.uk DOG WALK Woof & Walkies Charity Dog Walk In Aid Of Essex Wildlife Trust, Sunday 18 March, 10am – 4pm Ingrebourne Valley Visitor Centre, Hornchurch Country Park £50 per dog includes goody bag. t 228119 e ingrebourne@essexwt.org.uk

EAST OF LONDON FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY First Saturday of the month, 11am-4pm e neal25@hotmail.com

FOUR SEASONS KNITTING & CRAFT CLUB Mondays, 7-10pm www.rgcasc.org FAIRKYTES ACCORDION CLUB First Wednesday of month, 7.30pm e fac.enquiries@outlook.com FUNKY VOICES Every Monday 8-10pm www.funkyvoices.co.uk GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG CLUB OF ESSEX Wednesdays, 7.30-9.30pm e shiela_ranking@btinternet.com HAROLD WOOD EVENING WI First Wednesday of each month except August, 7.30-9.50pm Harold Wood Memorial Hall e dianetyrrell@haroldwoodwi.co.uk www.haroldwoodwi.co.uk

HAVEN LADIES CLUB Alternate Tuesdays, 8-10pm www.rgcasc.org HAVERING ACTIVE TEA DANCE Thursdays, 1.30-3.30pm e dancingrita@hotmail.co.uk HAVERING ANTIQUE COLLECTORS CLUB Third Friday of the month from 7.30-9.30pm t 07947 367258 HAVERING BOARD GAMERS First, third and fifth Thursday of the month 7.30-10pm e fransnook@yahoo.co.uk HAVERING CONCERT ORCHESTRA (HCO) Wednesdays, during term-time 7.30-9.30pm www.hcoweb.co.uk HAVERING EAST ROTARY CLUB Tuesdays, 7.30-10pm www.haveringeastrotary.org

www.havering.gov.uk/living | MARCH 2018 | 35

HAVERING MUSIC MAKERS Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7-10pm e join@haveringmusicmakers.co.uk

t 345424 e Brenda.crissell@gmail.com www.parkinsons.org.uk/havering

HAVERING WRITERS CIRCLE First Monday of month, 7.30-10pm t 375549 HORNCHURCH AND DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY Last Friday of the month except July, August and December, 7.15pm e hdhs.barn@btinternet.com

PASSIONE ITALIANA Interactive talks on Italy.

Every Monday of the month, 6.30-8.30pm t 07867 726634 e info@passione-italiana.co.uk www.passione-italiana.co.uk PURRS CAT RESCUE QUIZ NIGHT Monday 4 June, 7pm Crumpled Horn pub, 33-37 Corbets Tey Road, RM14 2AJ Upminster. £3 t 07867 726634

HORNCHURCH HARMONIES WOMEN’S INSTITUTE Third Wednesday of each month (except August) from 7.30-9.45pm at Havering Indoor Bowls Club, in Harrow Lodge Park, Hornchurch t 111111 e h ornchurchharmonies@ outlook.com HORNCHURCH WARGAMES CLUB Mondays, 7-11pm e collin.fairman@ntlworld.com HUMANISTS OF HAVERING Second Saturday of the month 2-4pm Meet in the Community Room, Tesco, Roneo Corner t 442161 www.meetup.com/Essex-Humanists LONDON AND ESSEX HERITAGE CLUB Tuesday 20 March, 7.30pm A talk on the Postal Museum and the Mail Rail by Matt Tantony.

Langtons Register Office t 07443 594240 e btaylorville@gmail.com MAKE AND TAKE CARD-MAKING CLUB Wednesdays, 12.30-3.30pm e maureen.hunter44@yahoo.com NELMES (HORNCHURCH) WOMEN'S INSTITUTE Second Wednesday of the month 1.45-4pm e ruth.wellwisher@gmail.com NORTH OCKENDON HANDBELL RINGERS Tuesdays, 7.30-9.30pm t 459339 PARKINSON’S UK HAVERING & DISTRICT BRANCH SUPPORT MEETINGS First and third Tuesday of each month, 2-4pm Langtons Registry Office

e purrsrescue@gmail.com

RAINHAM HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Tuesdays, 10am-12noon Saturdays, 9am-12noon Sundays, 10am-12.30pm www.rainhamhorticulturalsociety.org REIKI SHARE Second Wednesday of the month 7-10pm e info@hands-4-healing.co.uk ROMFORD AND BRENTWOOD FOLK DANCE GROUP Wednesdays, 8-10pm www.randb-folkdancing.btck. co.uk ROMFORD DRUM AND TRUMPET CORPS Thursdays, 7.30-9.30pm www.rdtc.org ROMFORD EMBROIDERERS GUILD Second Saturday of the month, 2- 4pm www.romfordembroiderers.org.uk

THAMES CHASE EVENTS Thames Chase Forest Centre Pike Lane, Upminster t 642970 e enquiries@thameschase.org.uk www.thameschase.org.uk Sunday Markets in the barn.

Third Sunday of each month, 10am-3pm. Free entry Guided Walk around Parklands via Cranham Marshes Friday 30 March, 10am-12.30pm TRAIN AID – LEVEL 2 EMERGENCY FIRST AID AT WORK COURSE First Saturday of the month, 9am-3.30pm www.train-aid.co.uk/courses/ emergency-first-aid-at-work UPMINSTER AND DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY New Windmill Hall Upminster www.upminsterhorticulturalsociety.co.uk UPMINSTER U3A University of the Third Age. Meets monthly on the third Tuesday of each month, 1pm New Windmill Hall, Upminster www.u3asites.org.uk/upminster UPMINSTER WINE AND SOCIAL CLUB Third Thursday of the month, 8pm t 223956 WHIST CLUB Wednesdays and Fridays, 7.30-9.30pm e lindaevans147@yahoo.co.uk

ROMFORD SCRABBLE CLUB Wednesdays, 7.15-10.30pm e sandrad.richards@gmail.com RUSH GREEN FLORAL ART CLUB Third Monday of the month, 8-10pm www.rgcasc.org SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING Mondays, 1.30-3.30pm Fridays, 10-11.45am t 07976 438950 SILVER LYNX CRAFT AND SOCIAL CLUB Mondays, 10am-2pm e martie0707@sky.com ST JOHN AMBULANCE HAROLD HILL AND HAROLD WOOD UNIT Wednesdays, 7-9pm e doug.croxall@sja.org

WILDLIFE WALK A walk around the marshes.

RSPB Rainham Marshes New Tank Hill Road, Purfleet, RM19 1SZ First Wednesday of the month at 9.30am, Second Friday of every month at 10am Third Sunday of the month at 1pm e Rainham.Marshes@rspb.org.uk

LIBRARIES ADULT CRAFT WORKSHOP Upminster Library – Craft workshop on the third Tuesday of the month 1.30-3pm. Booking required.

AFTERNOON TEA GROUP Harold Hill Library – Wednesday 2-3pm FAMILY HISTORY Help with researching your family history.

Hornchurch Library – Tuesday 3 – 5pm Upminster Library – Thursday 2 – 4pm JEWELLERY MAKING Wednesday mornings, 9.30 – 11.30am at Harold Hill Library Booking essential. £12 t 434973 Friday mornings, 9.30 to 11.30am at Upminster Library Booking essential. £12 t 434933 HAVERING BRANCH ESSEX WILDLIFE TRUST 1st floor meeting room, Hornchurch Library Second Monday of each month, except June, July and August 8 – 9.45pm t 473927 IN STITCHES GROUPS Join a friendly knitting and sewing group (small charge for refreshments) Collier Row Library – Fridays 10.30am-12noon and 1.30-3pm Elm Park Library – Thursday 2-4pm (term time only) Gidea Park Library – Thursday 2-3.30pm Harold Hill Library – Monday 1-3pm / Thursday 10am-12noon Harold Wood Library – Friday 10am-12noon

Hornchurch Library – Tuesday 2.30-4pm Rainham Library – Tuesday 2-4pm Romford Library – Wednesday 10am-12noon South Hornchurch Library – Wednesday 1.30-3.30pm Upminster Library – Wednesday 10am

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JOB CLUB Hornchurch Library – Thursday 10am-1pm LISTENING GROUP Adults listening to books on CDs (small charge for refreshments) Rainham Library – First Tuesday of the month 10am QUICK READS READING GROUPS Adults reading shorter books) Harold Hill Library – First Friday of the month 11am-12noon South Hornchurch Library – Second Thursday of the month 2pm READING GROUP FOR ADULTS Collier Row Library – First Wednesday of the month 11am / Thursday 7-7.30pm Elm Park Library – First Thursday of the month 6.30pm / First Friday of the month 10.30am (term time only) Gidea Park Library – Second Thursday of the month 6.45-7.45pm (every other month) Harold Wood Library – Thursday 6.30pm (approx. every 4 weeks) Hornchurch Library – First Monday of the month 2.15pm / First Thursday 7.30pm / First Friday 2.15pm Rainham Library – Last Monday of the month 6.30pm Romford Library – First Thursday of the month 2-3pm Upminster Library – Last Monday of the month 2-3pm / First Thursday 6-7pm SNAKEY SUE'S LIVE SNAKE ENCOUNTERS Tuesday 10 March, 2 – 3pm.

Fun and Educational Event for all ages at Hornchurch Library.

TECHY BUDDIES Sessions with our volunteer Techy Buddies to help you with your ICT problems.

Collier Row Library – Saturday 1.30-3.30pm Gidea Park Library – Saturday 10-11am (booking required) / Wednesday – 5 week beginners course 10-11am (booking required) Harold Hill Library – Tuesday 11am-12noon / Thursday 11am12noon / Alternate Saturdays 1.30-3.30pm (booking required).

Harold Wood Library – Wednesday 10.30am-12.30pm / Thursday 2.30-4.30pm (booking required).

Hornchurch Library – First Tuesday of the month 2-4pm

Rainham Library – Last Wednesday of the month 10.30am-12.30pm Romford Library – Wednesday 10am-12noon South Hornchurch Library – Alternate Saturdays 1.30-3.30pm Upminster Library – Thursday 10.30am-12.30pm (booking required), other appointments by arrangement.

VICTIM SUPPORT DROP-IN SESSION Gidea Park Library – Friday 10am-12noon YOUNG AT HEART GROUPS Collier Row Library – Thursday 2-4pm Elm Park Library – Last Wednesday of the month 2.30-3.30pm (term time only) Harold Hill Library – Last Tuesday of the month 11am-12noon Harold Wood Library – Second Wednesday of the month 11am-12noon Rainham Library – First Tuesday of the month 2-4pm

Libraries Havering Libraries hold many events, please check the website for latest details or contact your local library. Booking is usually advisable.

COLLIER ROW 45 Collier Row Road Romford RM5 3NR CollierRow.Library@havering.gov.uk ELM PARK St Nicholas Avenue Elm Park RM12 4PT ElmPark.Library@havering.gov.uk GIDEA PARK Balgores Lane, Gidea Park RM2 6BS GideaPark.Library@havering.gov.uk HAROLD HILL 19A Farnham Road, Harold Hill RM3 8ED HaroldHill.Library@havering.gov.uk HAROLD WOOD Arundel Road, Harold Wood RM3 0RX HaroldWood.Library@havering.gov.uk HORNCHURCH 44 North Street, Hornchurch RM11 1TB Hornchurch.Library@havering.gov.uk RAINHAM 6 Celtic Farm Road Rainham RM13 9GP Rainham.Library@havering.gov.uk ROMFORD St Edwards Way, Romford RM1 3AR Central.Library@havering.gov.uk SOUTH HORNCHURCH Rainham Road, Rainham RM13 7RD SouthHornchurch.Library@havering.gov.uk UPMINSTER 26 Corbets Tey Road, Upminster RM14 2BB Upminster.Library@havering.gov.uk

CRICKET COACHING SESSIONS Colt Coaching Sessions (aged 5+) CHILDREN are organised by Havering-atteBower Cricket Club, Broxhill Road, 6TH SQUIRRELS HEATH Romford, RM4 1QH SCOUT GROUP t 07718 944051 Wednesdays, 5-6.30pm e sixthbeaversgroup@yahoo.com www.havering-atte-bower-cc.co. uk/colts ADVENTURE AND FARM OPEN DAY ESSEX WILDLIFE TRUST Sunday 22 April, 11am – 4pm Lambourne End Centre for Outdoor To book your place on any of the events at the Ingrebourne Valley Learning Visitor Centre in Hornchurch Country £3 per car on entrance Park call 01708 520364. t 0208 5003047 EASTER FUN WEEKEND e info@lambourne-end.org.uk Saturday 31 March and Sunday 1 BASKING BABIES ROMFORD April , 11.00am-1.00pm Tuesdays, 9.45-11.15am Come along for some great Easter t 07701 367883 fun, including Easter craft, badge BROWNIES The 6th Harold Hill (Salvation Army) making, face painting, and more.

Meet the Easter bunny and receive Brownie Unit for 7 - 10 year olds your egg. meet every Monday at 6pm at Free Buggy Walks Petersfield Avenue, Harold Hill.

Every Tuesday 1.30-2.15pm £4 per week plus joining fee Bring your little one in their pram or t 07834 206562 buggy for a brisk 45 minute led walk e abloomfield77@hotmail.com around Hornchurch Country Park. No BUMPS AND BABIES GROUP need to book. Meet outside (organised by Havering NCT and Ingrebourne Valley Visitor Centre. sponsored by Soft Play Essex) at Little Badgers Parent and Toddler Mothercare Romford, Rom Valley Group Way, Romford, RM7 0AF Every Tuesday and Friday Thursdays from 1.30-3pm 10.30am-12 noon t 07910 217605 Indoor and outdoor fun for toddlers e parentsupport.havering@nct. and pre-schoolers with parents and org.uk carers. £6 per child per session www.facebook.com/haveringnct

JUNIOR TABLE TENNIS COACHING Tuesdays 7-9pm The Havering Table Tennis Club run junior sessions (9+) at the Coopers' Company & Coborn School, St. Marys Lane, Upminster KIDS BIRDWATCHING CLUB Join the RSPB on these special days held once a month to explore the Rainham Marshes nature reserve through the seasons, watching and learning about the birds that visit and live there.

Held once a month at RSPB Rainham Marshes New Tank Hill Road, Purfleet, RM19 1SZ between 9.30am and 12.30pm e Rainham.Marshes@rspb.org.uk

LITTLE LAPWINGS A regular toddler group with outdoor fun and early learning for preschoolers and their parents/carers at RSPB Rainham Marshes New Tank Hill Road, Purfleet, RM19 1SZ Every Monday during term time 9.30-10.30am e Rainham.Marshes@rspb.org.uk

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STAR WARS AND LEGO DAY Kids can meet characters, enjoy a Lego build, have their face painted and enter a colouring competition.

The Retailery, 82-84 Market Place, Romford, RM1 3ER Wednesday 4 April, 11am- 4pm £3 per child WIGGLE AND GIGGLE For children aged 2 – 4 years Wednesdays, 11.30am-12noon at Hornchurch Library YOGA FOR CHILDREN Mondays, 5-6pm at Havering Asian Social and Welfare Association www.haswa.org.uk

OVER-50s CRANHAM OVER 60S CLUB Cranham Social Centre Every Thursday, 1 – 3pm Entertainment, dancing and more. t 020 8593 5625 FRIENDSHIP CLUB For over 55s Every Thursday 10-11am Romford Shopping Hall 43 Market Place, Romford RM1 3AB. t 740492 GADABOUTS A social club for single/widowed/ divorced people meets at Harrow Lodge Bowls Club Hornchurch.

First Tuesday of the month 8 pm. e gadabouts@live.co.uk HAVERING OVER 50S FORUM Second Tuesday of the month 10.30am-12.30pm www.Havo50Forum.org OVER 50S CLUB KingsHeart Church, 262 Pettits Lane North, Rise Park, Romford.

Every other Thursday from 2-4pm.

Games, quizzes and more. t 733724 www.Havo50Forum.org RGCA CHAIR ZUMBA Thursdays, 2-2.45pm www.rgcasc.org SENIOR CITIZENS PILATES CLASSES Emerson Park Community Assembly Hall, Slewins Lane, Hornchurch Monday 11am to 12noon

Hornchurch Conservative Club North Street Hornchurch Tuesday 9.30-10.30am Friday 10.30-11.30am Tweedway Hall Tweedway Rise Park Wednesday 10.30-11.30am t 07722174210 e beverlycracknell@btinternet.com TAPESTRY – WALKING FOOTBALL Mondays, 12 noon-1pm Thursdays, 7-8pm www.tapestry-uk.org TEA DANCE Every Thursday at the New Windmill Hall, Upminster, 1.30-3.30pm £3 or £6 with a lesson from 12.45-1.15pm t 433768 e dancingrita@hotmail.co.uk UPMINSTER AND DISTRICT PROBUS CLUB Variety of events on the website www.upminsterprobus.com TWEEDWAY (50+) SPORTS CLUB Darts, short mat bowls, snooker, pool, table tennis, scrabble and more.

Alternate Tuesdays, 8-10pm at Havering Road Methodist Church Hall, Rise Park, Romford, RM1 4YD t 01708 728448 e pete.mcevoy@ymail.com

WELLBEING CHAIR PILATES Exercise class every Wednesday, 12.15-1pm Ardleigh House Community Association 42 Ardleigh Green Road, Hornchurch RM11 2LG EPILEPSY ACTION ROMFORD COFFEE AND CHAT GROUP Third Wednesday of the month 12noon-2pm t 07704 979 654 HAVERING ASIAN SOCIAL AND WELFARE ASSOCIATION (HASWA) Yoga class Mondays, 10-11.30am Wednesdays, 10-11.30am Lunch Club Wednesdays, 12noon-2pm Fitness Fusion Thursdays, 11.30am-12.30pm Bollywood Dancing Tuesdays, 11.30am-12.30pm Coffee Stop Thursdays, 11am-1pm

Cabinet and Council meetings Cabinet and Full Council meetings are open to the public and are held on Wednesdays at 7.30pm in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Main Road, Romford, RM1 3BB. Forthcoming meeting dates are as follows: Council – 21 March They can also be watched online at www.havering.gov.uk/webcast Dates may change, please check www.havering.gov.uk/ calendarmeetings for latest information.

You can also meet the Leader of the Council, Cllr Roger Ramsey, and his Cabinet colleagues at a Meet the Leader and Cabinet event. It’s an opportunity to discuss any issues of concern in an informal manner. There’s no need to book, just turn up.

Friday 16 March 1–2pm in the Liberty Shopping Centre, Romford (behind Starbucks) Punjabi Class Thursdays, 6-7.30pm www.haswa.org.uk

RCCG LIFE CHANGERS ASSEMBLY Every Sunday, 10-11am e rccglca@gmail.com

HAVERING NUMISMATIC SOCIETY Fairkytes Arts Centre, Hornchurch.

First Tuesday of month 7.30-9.30pm e pambob2@ntlworld.com

SPORTS & FITNESS

HUBB (HELPING USERS BOUNCE BACK) SUPPORT GROUP First Thursday of the month, 5 -7pm e ecofriendlyangel62@gmail.com PARKINSON’S UK HAVERING AND DISTRICT BRANCH ROMFORD BRAIN INJURY SUPPORT GROUP Meets third Thursday of each month, 7-8.30pm at YMCA, 29 Rush Green Road, Romford RM7 0PH e Info@headwayeastlondon.org SUPPORT MEETINGS First and third Tuesday of the month 2-4pm Langtons Registry Office Hornchurch, RM11 1XL e brenda.crissell@gmail.com www.parkinsons.org.uk/havering PHASE (Prostate Health, Advice, Support and Education) Meets last Friday of each month (except August and December) at 7pm at the Harold Wood Neighbourhood Centre in Gubbins Lane t 0203 745 7318 POSITIVE LIVING GROUP Alternate Mondays, 7.45-10pm www.positivelivinggroups.org.uk RAGS ROMFORD AUTISTIC GROUP SUPPORT Supporting families living with Autism in Havering www.rags-havering.org.uk

ATTE BOWER SHORT MAT BOWLS CLUB Bower Hall, Wellingtonia Avenue, Havering-atte-Bower, RM4 1QP Mondays 7.15-10pm and Thursdays at 9.15am-12noon Beginners welcome t 706833 www.attebowerbowls.weebly.com ARDLEIGH HOUSE SHORT MAT BOWLS CLUB Mondays and Tuesdays, 12.302.30pm Thursdays and Fridays, 10am12noon t 440660 e Ardleigh-house@sky.com HATHA/DRU YOGA CLASSES Tesco Community Room Roneo Corner, Hornchurch Sundays, 10-11.30am e mary@bodyandsoulyoga.org www.bodyandsoulyoga.org DUKES MODERN SEQUENCE DANCE CLUB Wednesdays, 1-3pm www.sequencedancing.co.uk/ourclubs FIVE STAR BASKETBALL ACADEMY Tuesdays, 5-6.30pm e elvan.dixon@havering.gov.uk FUN AND FUNKY DANCE Variety of dance classes available www.funandfunkydance.com FUSION STREET DANCE TEAM Tuesdays, 5-8pm www.funandfunkydance.com

38 | MARCH 2018 | LIVING in Havering

HARE PARK BADMINTON CLUB Thursdays, 7.30-9.30pm e anitaaudritt@btinternet.com HARROW LODGE PARKRUN Meet at Warren Drive car park Seniors: Saturdays, 9-10am Juniors: Free 2km run aged 4-14 years, Sundays, 9am RAPHAEL PARKRUN Saturdays, 9am e raphaeloffice@parkrun.com www.parkrun.org.uk/raphael HAVERING 90 JOGGERS Meet at Abbs Cross sports centre every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 7pm.

Membership from 18 years upwards. All abilities welcome to run courses provided. www.H90J.org.uk

HAVERING SAILING CLUB Saturdays, March – November 12noon-6pm www.haveringsailingclub.org.uk HEARTFELT YOGA Tuesdays, 8-9.30pm www.heartfeltyoga.co.uk HYLANDS TENNIS CLUB HYLANDS MINI TENNIS ACADEMY Tots at 6pm and Red balls at 7pm classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Orange ball at 6pm and Green ball at 7pm on Mondays.

JISSOKAN MARTIAL ARTS Wednesdays, 7.30-9pm e garrylever81@aol.com JU JITSU Variety of classes on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays www.ryujujitsu.com

LEARN TO RUN – SOFA TO 5km!

If you fancy starting to jog, but don't want to join a gym, or go on your own consider running at Rainham Marshes nature reserve.

9.30-11am every Sunday RSPB Rainham Marshes New Tank Hill Road, Purfleet, RM19 1SZ e Robyn.Smith@rspb.org.uk LYDIA LACEY YOGA Wednesdays, 7.30-8.30pm www.facebook.com/lydiasyoga MYPLACE COMMUNITY TABLE TENNIS CLUB myplace Centre, Dagnam Park Drive Harold Hill RM3 9EN Tuesdays 10am-12noon Thursdays 1-3pm t 340761 NORTH ROMFORD SHORT MAT BOWLS CLUB Mondays and Wednesdays 9am-12noon Mondays, Tuesdays Thursdays and Fridays, 1.30-4.45pm t 766308 www.nrca.co.uk OCCASIONAL DANCE Variety of classes on website www.occasionaldance.co.uk PILATES Pilates matwork with Angela Gill Wednesday 10am and Friday 9.15am at Ardleigh House, Ardleigh Green Road, Hornchurch (£6.50 per session), Monday 9.15am and Saturday 9am at Tesco Community Room, Roneo Corner (£6 per session) Beginners welcome.

Mats and other equipment provided. t 07961 428911 PILATES CLASSES Beginners/mixed ability Monday 10-11am Senior Citizen Monday 11am-12noon Emerson Park Community Assembly Hall, Slewins Lane Hornchurch Beginners/mixed ability 9.30-10.30am Senior Citizen 10.30-11.30am Tweedway Hall, Tweedway Rise Park t 07722 174210 e beverleycracknell@btinternet. com ROMFORD AUTISTIC GROUP MULTI-SPORT SESSIONS Fridays, 5.15-6.45pm www.rags-havering.org.uk RUSH GREEN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION INDOOR BOWLS CLUB Alternate Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7.30-10pm www.rgcasc.org

SYM SAILING CLUB Sundays, until 30 November, 9am-4pm www.sym.org.uk TABLE TENNIS COACHING Tuesdays, 7-9pm The Havering Table Tennis Club run junior sessions (9 years +) at the Coopers' Company & Coborn School, St. Marys Lane, Upminster t 01708 340761 TABLE TENNIS COACHING Saturdays 9am-12 noon Junior table tennis coaching from the age of 8 years .

Maylands Junior Table Tennis Club, Bretons Outdoor Community Centre, The Barn, Rainham Rd, Rainham. t 0208 503 8757 or 07932 233824 e clivevandome@btinternet.com TENNIS 4 ALL Saturdays during term time for anyone aged 13 to 25, 11am-12 noon Hylands tennis club, c/o The Albany School, Hornchurch t 07956 406874

e hylandsclub@gmail.com www.hylandstennis.co.uk TENNIS 4 GIRLS Social fun activity for girls ages 11-18, Fridays during term time

5.30-6.30pm.

Hylands Tennis Club, c/o The Albany School, Hornchurch RM12 4AJ t 07956 406874 e hylandsclub@gmail.com www.hylandstennis.co.uk TWEED MODERN SEQUENCE DANCE CLUB Thursdays, 7.30pm-10pm e shaun22@btinternet.com UPMINSTER SPORTS MASSAGE & PILATES Around 20 classes held each week held in locations around Upminster, Cranham and Bulphan. Classes are every morning Monday - Friday and every evening Monday – Thursday and include post-natal Pilates and pilates for seniors. t 07411 826721 www.upminstersportsmassage. co.uk US GIRLS ACTIVITIES Sports and physical activities for women. www.havering.gov.uk/usgirls YOGA FOR ALL Classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays www.janettibbleyoga.com YOGA, PILATES AND BARRE PILATES Classes on Monday to Saturday www.inspiredhealthandfitness.co.uk

This community magazine should reach every home in Havering. Additional copies are available at libraries and leisure centres. The cost of producing and distributing Living in Havering is supported by advertising.

For enquiries regarding content or details of advertising rates, call the Editor, Peter Stremes, on 01708 433247 or visit www.havering.gov.uk/living.

Advertisements are accepted subject to available space and Havering Council’s approval of copy. Terms and conditions available on request.

Products and services mentioned in advertisements or editorial do not carry the endorsement of Havering Council.

Living in Havering is written, designed and published

by Communications, Havering Council, Town Hall, Main Road, Romford RM1 3BD. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly forbidden without the prior written permission of Havering Council.

If you would like to receive this publication in another language or format please contact us. An audio version is available thanks to Havering Talking Newspaper.

For more information go to: www.havering.gov.uk/living

www.havering.gov.uk/living | MARCH 2018 | 39

Don’t get locked out of Havering

Landlord licensing is here*

Private (HMO) landlords must get a licence now 5356

It’s an offence for a landlord to rent out a house in multiple occupation within the designation area without a licence.

Any landlord who doesn’t have a licence may face prosecution or a fine of up to £30,000.

Report an unlic ensed HMO ema

landlord licensin @haver g ing.gov. uk or call 01708 4 32777 il:

Apply now at: www.havering.gov.uk/landlordlicence * The scheme applies to 12 Havering wards: Brooklands • Mawneys • Elm Park • Pettits • Gooshays • Rainham & Wennington • Harold Wood • Romford Town • Havering Park • South Hornchurch • Heaton • Squirrels Heath.

For more information on this scheme, visit: www.havering.gov.uk