Living in Havering 187 October 2019

LIVING

in Havering October 2019

Issue 187 • www.havering.gov.uk

Havering's green and pleasant land Residents vote for their favourite park See pages 19 – 21

Collier Row • Cranham • Elm Park • Emerson Park • Harold Hill Harold Wood • Hornchurch • Rainham • Romford • Rush Green • Upminster

Parents, apply APPLY now!

3 and 4 year olds will be starting at an infant or primary school, and Year 6 children will be starting secondary school in September 2020

You must apply online to the local authority you pay your council tax to for your child’s school place Children’s dates of birth

School year group in September 2020

Apply on time between

01/09/2015 - 31/08/2016

Reception

01/09/2019 - 15/01/2020

01/09/2008 - 31/08/2009

Year 7

01/09/2019 - 31/10/2019

Havering residents can find admissions information and details of how to apply online at www.havering.gov.uk/admissions

02 | October 2019 | LIVING in Havering

Leader's welcome Welcome to the October edition of Living in Havering.

In the last edition of this magazine we were looking forward to the Havering Show. I am pleased to say that the weather was kind to us and over 21,000 people packed out the event as the community came together for a weekend of music and entertainment. Thank you to everyone who attended, supported, sponsored and organised the event.

One of the highlights of my summer was at the end of July when I was proud to attend a ceremony in Rainham to mark the start of one of London’s biggest housing regeneration schemes. Over the next 12 to 15 years the project will deliver around 5,200 high quality homes. Projects like this are about so much more than the physical homes. Through close working with our joint venture partners we can ensure that they help local businesses, provide training opportunities for our young people and provide homes that help build a sense of community. You can read about this exciting new chapter in the future of Havering on page 16.

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One of the things that make Havering so special is our wonderful parks and open spaces. In this edition of Living in Havering we celebrate our green borough and in particular, Hornchurch Country Park, which triumphed in our recent ‘World Cup of Parks’. I am sure it won’t be long before that park is flying a Green Flag alongside the fourteen other parks in our borough that carry that prestigious status. Read about our parks on pages 19 – 21.

Lastly, in November many of you will again be honouring the sacrifice made by men and women who have served in our armed forces. Havering is a proud supporter of the Armed Forces Covenant for communities. Community covenants complement, at a local level, the Armed Forces Covenant, which outlines the moral obligation between the nation, the government and the armed forces. It encourages all of us to support the armed forces community in our area and promote understanding and awareness among the public of issues affecting the armed forces community.

Councillor Damian White, Leader of the Council www.havering.gov.uk/Leader

CONTACT DAMIAN Tell Damian what you think.

Complete this form and post it to: Councillor Damian White, Leader of the Council, Havering Council, Town Hall, Romford, RM1 3BB. Alternatively you can email him at: CouncillorDamian.White @havering.gov.uk

!

4 1. Meeting Hornchurch fire station’s Blue Watch at the Malan Square, Elm Park, housing summer fun day in August.

2. With Cllr Osman Dervish at the Craft Beer Festival in Romford Market Place on 7 September.

3. A ttending the Merchant Navy Red Ensign raising ceremony at the Town Hall on 3 September.

4. V isiting Hornchurch and Upminster Sea Cadet Unit in July for the official announcement of Cllr Dilip Patel as their President.

Photo courtesy of Sandra Rowse Photography

YOUR DETAILS Name: Address: Email:

Phone:

Your comment:

www.havering.gov.uk/living | October 2019 | 03

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No, not m 12

Contents issue 187

16

14

Enforcement Action is being taken to crackdown on criminal landlords

Safe Havering Tackling crime together and staying safe

Regeneration Better roads and pavements

Cover picture: A view of Hornchurch Country Park looking towards the Ingrebourne Valley Visitor Centre.

6 News H elping students make the right food choices and awards for local projects 9 Celebrate safely Enjoying fireworks in Havering 11 Working for a cleaner Havering A new app is revealed 19 Cover story – Winning parks Havering's parks go head-to-head

Keep up-to-date

Living in Havering is delivered to every home in Havering free of charge thanks to support from our advertisers. Did you know that Living in Havering has a sister email bulletin that is published weekly? If you don’t already receive these bulletins join the nearly 56,000 who do and have all the latest news and updates on events across our borough delivered directly to your mobile, PC or tablet.

Just go to www.havering.gov.uk/newsletters and sign up.

An exciting new chapter in the history of Havering

At the cutting edge of keeping our roads and pavements tidy

23 F ostering good relations Championing work of foster carers 29 Historic Havering 80 years of Citizens Advice Havering 30 Wellbeing in Havering Take time to look after your mental health 32 Arts & Culture listings Lots to see and do in Havering – from concerts to exhibitions

Cabinet and Council meetings

Cabinet and Full Council meetings are open to the public and are held at 7.30pm (unless stated otherwise) in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Main Road, Romford, RM1 3BB. Forthcoming meeting dates are as follows: Cabinet – 9 October Cabinet – 13 November Full Council – 20 November Cabinet – 11 December 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.

Come along and listen to Pet officer, talk about child

04 | October 2019 | LIVING in Havering

crim

News

Estate Improvement

Programme roadshows underway

“We want to make sure that all of our tenants live in a place they feel safe, happy and proud to call home.”

Cllr Damian White

Malan Square in Elm Park is set to share in the investment programme and was recently visited by Havering Council Leader Cllr Damian White and Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Joshua Chapman.

An extra £10m has been set aside in the Council's housing budget (Housing Revenue Account) to improve council estates in Havering and Havering Council has been speaking directly with residents of the council estates targeted for work.

The extra money will focus on the safety, look and feel of council estates, enhancing buildings and communal areas, so that residents will have an environment that they can be proud of and want to spend time in. Each of the 47 estates will be scored against a set of criteria, using Council, crime, and investment data, along with 'on the ground' scores from Havering Council staff to decide on improvements.

Council officers have been holding evening roadshows and door-knocking sessions to engage with local residents about the programme and what improvements they feel are required on their estates. The feedback we gather from residents will feed directly into the final improvements plans, which are scheduled to begin at the end of October.

The Estates Improvement Programme will improve the quality of accommodation for those council estates that are not part of the borough’s wider regeneration plans, ensuring no resident is left behind.

Literary Festival returns Following last year’s success, the Havering Literary Festival returns this year from 4 to 22 November.

A host of well-known names will be appearing, including best-selling crime author Martina Cole (pictured), award-winning novelist Dorothy Koomson, travel expert Simon Calder, BBC Anthropologist Alice Roberts, top author Adele Parks and renowned art historian, Dan Cruickshank and many others.

Sponsored by Waterstones, Mullis & Peake and The Mercury Shopping Mall, there will be children’s authors and illustrators, workshops, panels and more. Events will be taking place in the borough’s libraries and you can purchase i www.haveringliteraryfestival.eventbrite.co.uk tickets online.

www.havering.gov.uk/living www.havering.gov.uk/living | October October 2019 | 05

News

Helping pupils

make the right choices Making sure our students' lunches match their dietary needs

Havering Council and food tech innovators Kafoodle launched England’s first partnership to support students in secondary schools with known food allergens at the start of new academic year.

The Council’s multi-award winning catering organisation, HES Catering Services developed this innovative partnership to allow secondary school students to independently select lunches in the safe knowledge that their choices match their dietary needs.

All secondary schools supplied by HES Catering Services across Havering will each receive a unique QR code developed by Kafoodle. Students simply scan the code with their mobile phone which opens up an online app, where they can then easily view daily menus and filter options based on known food allergens or dietary requirements.

Paul Ward, Head Teacher, Redden Court School, said: “The lunchtime dining experience is an important part of a student’s day. We don’t want any students missing out on peer bonding opportunities if they wrongly believe they can’t make an informed lunch choice in their school.”

We will remember them

Remembrance Sunday parades will take place across Havering on Sunday 10 November.

Services will be held in Elm Park, Harold Hill, Harold Wood, Hornchurch, Rainham, Romford and Upminster. In addition, an Armistice Day service will take place at 10.45am in Market Place, Romford on Monday 11 November.

For full details see Havering Council’s website.

i

www.havering.gov.uk/remembrance2019

Local projects

awarded

BBC Children in Need has awarded grants totalling £59,436 to two local projects working with disadvantaged children and young people in Havering. The grants have been allocated through the charity’s Small Grants Programme.

More than £397,000 invested locally The new funding will enable projects to provide services to young people in the area and means that BBC Children in Need currently has more than £397,000 invested locally.

Home-Start Havering will use a three-year grant of £29,568 to provide home support to families in Havering. Funding will help to encourage emotional support and wellbeing whilst building on the strengths of the family and encouraging positive outcomes.

Elsewhere, Havering Women’s Aid has also benefitted in this latest round, receiving a three-year grant of £29,868 to provide a breakfast and after school club plus counselling and therapy sessions for children and young people who have experienced domestic violence. The funding will aim to improve mental health awareness, reduce the feeling of isolation and improve the confidence of participants.

06 06 | October October 2019 2019 | LIVING LIVING in in Havering Havering

Get ready for Brexit Prepare for Brexit at gov.uk/brexit

Going

swimmingly

Work is continuing at pace in the development of the brand new Hornchurch Sports Centre.

Since early this year, the work has included the completion of the construction of the diving and swimming pools areas, which are now ready for the wall surroundings to be installed.

The concrete structure diving boards are in place and roofing works have started in the main sports hall area.

Ground works have seen essential drainage works being carried out and over the next few weeks, more work will be done around the steel framework of the new facilities.

The new centre is being delivered by Havering Council, working in partnership with Everyone Active, who manage the Council’s leisure centres, developers Metnor and consultants, Paragon.

2020 opening

It is set to open in 2020 and residents will be able to enjoy a 25m eight-lane swimming pool, a 20m wide learning and diving pool with a movable floor to change the depth, a 100+ station health and fitness suite, top class changing facilities and three exercise studios.

Until the work is completed, the current sports centre in Harrow Lodge Park will remain open.

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www.havering.gov.uk/living www.havering.gov.uk/living | October October 2019 | 07

News

Get to govern Havering has launched its latest drive to recruit new school governors.

Havering Education Services and local academies are seeking people from different backgrounds and with different experiences to contribute to local school life. In return, they will learn new skills, meet new people and have an opportunity to be part of the leadership of schools and academies.

People with backgrounds in areas such as marketing, human resources, management and education are being sought to

Making

their mark The UK Youth Parliament Make Your Mark Campaign has now launched. Young people, aged 11 to 18, have an opportunity to decide what members of the UK Youth Parliament should debate in 2020.

Last year more than 7,000 young people in Havering participated and chose knife crime and votes for 16 year olds as their main concerns. Voting is through schools, colleges or myplace in Harold Hill until October 9.

This year will also see applications for two members of Youth Parliament. Budding young politicians have the chance to represent Havering from next spring. If you think you have what it takes to speak up for local young people look out for application forms or email: participation@havering.gov.uk

08 | October 2019 | LIVING in Havering

help support council-run schools and academies.

Cllr Robert Benham, Havering’s Cabinet Member for Education, Children and Families, said: “Our community is full of people with a rich mixture of skills and experiences that we’d more than welcome in our schools. By becoming a school governor they can share their knowledge and expertise and help develop schools in new and exciting ways.”

Hayley McClenaghan, executive headteacher of The Growing Together Federation for Crowlands and Newtons Primary Schools added: “Governors provide a vital role as they help to scrutinise the schools’ work and holds headteachers, like myself, to account. A school couldn’t run effectively without the support of governors.”

If you’re over 18 and would like to meet current governors to find out more about what’s involved, come along to a governor’s recruitment evening in Hornchurch Library, North Street, on Thursday 14 November from 5.30 to 8 pm.

Last year’s search resulted in new recruits who have already made a significant contribution to schools and academies across Havering.

If you’re unable to attend, but would like more information, contact HGSadmin@havering.gov.uk

HALF TERM FUN

FRIDAY 25TH OCTOBER 10 AM - 4 PM £3.00 PER CHILD TRICK OR TREAT HUNT ROMFORD SHOPPING HALL 43 MARKET PLACE, ROMFORD, RM1 3AB

FANCY DRESS OPTIONAL YOU CAN MEET OUR ANIMATRONIC FRIENDS! MAPS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE FRONT OF THE BUILDING ON THE DAY www.romfordshoppinghall.com

Celebrate

safely

“Fireworks can be spectacular, but they are explosive and can cause serious injury if handled irresponsibly.”

Cllr Viddy Persaud, Lead Member for Public Protection and Safety If you want to celebrate Guy Fawkes’ night please attend an organised firework display to reduce the risk of injury.

One of these events is organised by the Friends of Marshalls Park Academy. They are holding a firework display on Friday 8 November at the school. Gates open 7pm. Display at 8pm.

Advance tickets at reduced rates via Eventbrite. On the night: adults £6, children £4. Displays will be held at Maylands Golf Club on Saturday 9 November from 3 to 8pm. On the same day, Coopers' Coburn School have a display starting at 5.30pm. For details of other events see: www.havering.gov.uk Cllr Viddy Persaud, Lead Member for Public Protection and Safety said: “Fireworks can be spectacular, but they are explosive and can cause serious injury if handled irresponsibly. A hospital visit or damage to your home will make you remember November 5, but for all the wrong reasons.”

If you are having your own celebration, please stay safe by carefully following our Firework Safety Code: • Only buy fireworks which are CE marked • Only purchase from licensed premises and don’t buy from markets, boot fairs, facebook, Gumtree or from residential

premises as they are unlikely to be licensed. Furthermore fireworks could be counterfeit or stolen • Don't drink alcohol if setting off fireworks • Keep fireworks in a closed box and always follow the instructions carefully when using them • Light at arm’s length using a taper and stand well back • Never throw fireworks and never put them in your pocket • Respect your neighbours – don’t let off fireworks late at night.

Fireworks should not be set off between 11pm and 7am (times are extended for Bonfire Night, New year’s eve, Diwali and Chinese New year) • Always supervise children around fireworks • Take care with sparklers – never give them to children under five. Even when they have gone out they are still hot so put sparklers in a bucket of water after use • Keep your pets indoors throughout the evening • Never go back to fireworks once they are lit – even if a firework hasn't gone off, it could still explode.

All firework sellers are required by law to have a storage licence. Fireworks can only be sold to over 18s. For Bonfire Night, fireworks can only be sold between 15 October and 10 November unless you have an annual licence granted by the Council, and only three of these have been granted in Havering.

Firework premises in Havering are licensed by Havering Council and its Public Protection Officers will visit premises to ensure that fireworks are being stored safely and not sold to children.

If you are a business wishing to sell fireworks in Havering contact environmental.health@havering.gov.uk If you have any concerns about the storage or sale of fireworks in Havering, or see fireworks being sold to children please contact Havering’s Public Safety team at: trading.standards@havering.gov.uk www.havering.gov.uk/living | October 2019 | 09

Enforcement

Raising housing standards

“We won’t tolerate landlords taking advantage of local families and individuals by providing overcrowded and poorly maintained HMO properties.”

Cllr Viddy Persaud, Cabinet Member for Public Protection and Safety Enforcement by Havering Council has seen £462,000 issued in penalty notices to criminal landlords in the last 16 months.

Action has been taken to crackdown on those landlords operating inadequate and dangerous living conditions in housing of multiple occupancy (HMOs).

Between April 2018 and August 2019, the Council’s private

housing enforcement team has dealt with the following: • 153 financial penalty notices • 25 housing related notices served to address poor housing standards • 2,581 formal warning letters sent out • 34 multi-agency enforcement operations • £462, 000 – value issued in penalty notices to landlords The consultation to look at proposals to extend the Council’s successful Landlord Licencing Scheme, ended in September.

If the extension goes ahead, it would see regulation of HMOs currently in 12 wards, rolled out to a further six wards in the borough, covering Cranham, Emerson Park, Hacton, Hylands, St Andrew’s and Upminster.

The proposals also considered looking at introducing a selective licensing scheme to cover single family properties in Romford Town and Brooklands wards only. Feedback from the consultation is currently being reviewed.

Joint working yields results A joint operation by Havering Council’s StreetScene Enforcement and public protection officers, police and Environment Agency, saw a crackdown on unlicensed waste carriers recently.

On-the-spot enforcement

On-the-spot enforcement action was carried out in Crow Lane, Romford with 25 vehicles stopped, seven of which were carrying waste.

10 10 | October October 2019 2019 | LIVING LIVING in in Havering Havering

Fixed Penalty Notices

Of those carrying waste, two drivers were issued with Fixed Penalty Notices for failing to produce waste transfer notes, the document that details the transfer of waste legally from one person to another.

If you see fly-tipping, please report it.

i

www.havering.gov.uk/cleanerhavering

Working for a Cleaner Havering –

Download the App!

Residents now have a quick and easier way of reporting fly-tipping, litter and dog mess, thanks to the new Love Havering App. You can download the app on to any mobile smartphone or tablet and your report about an environmental issue is sent directly to the service team within the Council to deal with.

The app can also be used for reports on graffiti and dead animals. Residents should take a photo, add some brief details of the issue and forward their report via the mobile app.

When a new report is received via the App, a confirmation message will sent out to say it has been received. Those reporting will then receive an alert to say their report is in progress and has been forwarded on to the relevant officers for action. Then, once the issue has been completed, a message will be sent out to confirm that.

Love Clean Streets

The app is part of the Love Clean Streets platform, the UK’s leading environmental reporting app and cloud service.

The aim is to improve efficiency and effectiveness of reporting and resolving environmental issues.

As well as making it quicker and easier for people to report, it is also allowing Council officers to work remotely without having to return the office to log cases.

Cllr Osman Dervish, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “We’re working with residents to have a cleaner and greener borough and we want them to be able to report issues to us, such as fly-tipping, dog mess and litter in such a way that is easy and quick for them.

“Through the App, residents can know that their reports are going directly to the services who can deal with the issue as soon as they can and then let them know when this issue has been sorted.

“As part of the Cleaner Havering campaign, we have invested an extra £400,000 into more frequent residential street cleaning, we are carrying out enforcement against those who drop litter or don’t clean up after their dogs and we will take the strongest action

possible against those who fly-tip.

“We want our residents to work with us and report these issues and know that their concerns are being dealt with as efficiently as possible. The Love Havering App will help them to do just that.”

How you can download Love Havering App

• The App is designed to work with your My Havering • • i

account so you can view and send your reports via your phone or the website.

If you already have a My Havering account you can use the same email address to register the app.

For more details on the Love Havering App and how to download go to: www.havering.gov.uk/lovehaveringapp

www.havering.gov.uk/cleanerhavering

Chewing gum programme arrives in Rainham

Rainham Village has benefited from a major extensive clean-up programme, that sees the removal of chewing gum from pavements.

The programme started in May in South Street, Romford and then moved to Elm Park in July before arriving in Rainham in late August.

It involves thoroughly washing the pavements and removing the chewing gum with specialist equipment.

It is part of the Cleaner Havering campaign, which has also seen Havering Council investing an extra £400,000 in street cleaning in residential streets and town centres. www.havering.gov.uk/living www.havering.gov.uk/living | October October 2019 | 11

Safe Havering

Tackling crime together Over the next few issues of Living in Havering we’ll be telling you about the Havering Community Safety Partnership, the organisations involved and what they do.

Havering Community Partnership works to keep Havering a safe place to live, work and visit through the continuing reduction of crime and disorder. It’s a statutory body set up under the Crime and Disorder Act and the Police Reform Act 2002. The Partnership meets quarterly and is chaired by the Chief Executive of Havering Council. Authorities represented include the Metropolitan Police with the Borough

Commander as the vice chair, the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, the National Probation Service and the Havering NHS Clinical Commissioning Group.

Among its objectives are to develop and implement a crime reduction community safety plan for the borough and monitor and evaluate the plan; respond to emerging community safety issues in the borough and to work with the Mayor of London’s Office for Policing and Crime.

Safe in every season As the winter nights creep in there are some simple actions you can take to keep yourself safe: Remember to leave a light on at home, or install an automatic timer-switch

• • Always check who’s at the door and don’t open it if you feel anxious • Make sure house and car keys aren’t visible from outside • Protect your credit and bank cards from being cloned, for example, by using a safety pouch

• Don’t share your

location on social media, especially when travelling at night

• If you’re walking home alone plan your route using well-lit areas • If you’re shopping, ensure valuables are out of sight, especially mobile phones and purses and wallets

• Make sure bikes are marked with safety pens and are locked and left in a well-lit location.

Halloween

If you’re celebrating Halloween there are few things you can do to keep safe and ensure the day goes smoothly: If your child is playing trick or treat make sure they are accompanied by an appropriate adult Older children out without adults should stick to familiar paths Ensure all costumes and props are fire resistant Make sure your vision isn’t obstructed by costumes to avoid accidents on the roads and pavements Motorists should be extra vigilant as more small children are likely to be out in evening Children should wear high visibility strips or carry glow sticks, where possible.

Make sure make-up is non-toxic.

• • • • • • •

12 12 | October October 2019 2019 | LIVING LIVING in in Havering Havering

Hate crime

Stop Hate UK has launched a new Hate Crime helpline in Havering to provide a confidential 24-hour support service for young people, under the age of 18, experiencing or witnessing Hate Crime.

The new helpline service – Call Hate Out will be an additional service in the borough and means that any young person who is a target or a witness of a Hate Crime will have access to a service that will listen, provide advice and support and help explore what to do next.

Call 0808 801 0576, text 07717 989 025 or visit: www.callhateout.org

Combatting county lines

Havering residents are being invited to a series of public talks to help them spot the signs of child criminal exploitation.

The meetings are being held across the borough between October 7 and 16 and will provide parents and other adults with information about what to do if they suspect a child could be at risk.

The six meetings are a direct response to the public’s call for more information about county lines and will be led a former police officer who will speak about how drug dealers groom and utilise vulnerable young people to help them run their illegal operations.

County lines?

No, not my kids...

What parents can do to protect their children Cllr Viddy Persaud, Havering’s Cabinet Member for Public Protection and Safety, said: “The Council has set up these meetings in direct response to parents concerns for more information about county lines, how they can spot the signs of exploitation and what they can do to protect their children.

“Keeping our children safe is paramount” “Keeping our children safe is paramount and stopping them from being exploited and knowing where to get help and support is vital if we’re to keep them from getting involved in a life of crime.”

The talks are free to attend and are for adults only.

Tickets must be booked in advance and only one ticket is available per person.

Come along and listen to Peter Wilson, ex-Trident police

criminal exploitation and county lines drugs trafficking. officer, talk about child

Find out about its impact on our young people, signs to look out for, and how we can work together to reduce it.

Sessions are available to book for 7, 9, 10, 14, 15 and 16 October 2019 at www.havering.gov.uk/countylinesCCE

www.havering.gov.uk/living www.havering.gov.uk/living | October October 2019 | 13

Investment in roads & pavements

At the cu

A verge before cutting

A verge after cutting

While resurfacing work is carried out on roads and pavements as part of the Highways Investment programme, alongside this, Havering Council is also working on other areas to help make the borough cleaner and tidier.

As we leave the summer months, these works become part of the winter programme in October and November.

Once grass cutting finishes for the season, the focus changes to planting shrubs suitable for autumn and winter, cleaning and tidying up of flower beds, maintaining turf patches and preparing for next spring, by planting bulbs.

Specialist machinery with a spinning blade that can cut into grass verges, will enable ground maintenance staff to carry out cutting and clearing of those verges in residential and main roads in the borough.

Where grass has grown over into the pavement, the team will cut and create an edge that separates the grass verge and the pavement, giving a cleaner and tidier look and feel to a pavement.

These works are most suited to being carried out in the winter months as the ground is wetter enabling easier cutting of verges. It also includes repairing roadside verges that are damaged from vehicles driving over them, filling in holes and re-seeding.

All edgings trimmed will be composted and re-used in other works across the borough.

i 14 14 | October October 2019 2019 | LIVING LIVING in in Havering Havering

www.havering.gov.uk/betterjourneys

utting edge Havering Council is committed to spending £40million over the next four years to improve the borough’s roads and pavements. Here are some before and after pictures of recent work.

The Approach, Upminster

Barnsley Road, Romford

Miramar Way, Hornchurch

Before

Before

Before

After

After

After

Resurfacing or repaving works by Havering Council's contractor, Marlborough Highways, will commence at these locations over the next three months.

Road

Ward

Pavement

Ward

1

PARK DRIVE

Petits

1

SOUTH VIEW DRIVE

Upminster

2

PARKSIDE AVENUE

Petits

2

PARK DRIVE

Upminster

3

RAPHAEL AVENUE

Petits

3

HAZEL CLOSE

St Andrews

4

MASHITERS WALK

Petits

4

LODGE COURT

St Andrews

5

GERPINS LANE

South Hornchurch

5

RETFORD PATH

Gooshays

6

BETTERTON ROAD/ STANLEY ROAD NORTH

South Hornchurch

6

RETFORD ROAD

Gooshays

7

RETFORD CLOSE

Gooshays

7

GROSVENOR GARDENS

Cranham

8

MESSANT CLOSE

Harold Wood

8

HYLAND WAY

Hylands

9

SUNNYDENE CLOSE

Harold Wood

9

CARLTON ROAD

Romford Town

10

OAK AVENUE

Upminsterr

www.havering.gov.uk/living www.havering.gov.uk/living | October October 2019 | 15

Regeneration – Local homes for local people

Demolition

begins

Demolition has begun on one of London’s biggest housing regeneration projects, marking a significant step forward for the £1.5 billion scheme.

5,200 high quality homes

The project will deliver around 5,200 high quality homes over the next 12 to 15 years, doubling the amount of council rented accommodation and more than doubling the number of affordable homes. The right to return is also guaranteed to all residents, meaning families that have been relocated from the estates under development will be able to return, if they wish to.

The Napier and New Plymouth House site in Rainham is the first of 12 to be redeveloped as part of the joint venture partnership between Havering Council and Wates Residential, and is just one element of Phase One of the wider project. It includes 126 affordable homes and a further 71 homes for private sale.

Phase One also includes the Waterloo Estate in Romford and Serena, Solar and Sunrise Courts in South Hornchurch.

Havering Council’s Cabinet, including the Leader, Cllr Damian White and Deputy Leader, Cllr Robert Benham, attended an event on Monday 29 July to mark the start of work alongside Wates Residential’s Operations Director Adrian Fennessy, Development Directors Kate Ives and Lia Silva and members of the site team.

As part of Havering Council and Wates Residential’s pledge to deliver a borough-wide legacy and boost the local economy, 16 16 | October October 2019 2019 | LIVING LIVING in in Havering Havering

“Today marks a new and exciting chapter in the future of Havering” Cllr Damian White, Leader of the Council

the demolition will be carried out by local contractor Kilnbridge Construction Services, which has offices in Rainham and employs local people.

This all honours a pledge from the developer to boost the local economy by using local Small and Medium Enterprises. This investment will make up a minimum of 20 per cent of the total programme, valued at £200 million of contracts to be secured by local businesses. The demolition of Solar, Serena and Sunrise Courts in South Hornchurch is being carried out by a local supplier, Downwell Demolition. Work began in September.

Waterloo Estate in Romford is in the design stage with work progressing well and planning application expected to be made by the end of the year.

Benefitting as many Havering businesses and residents as possible

Damian White, said: “This marks a new and exciting chapter in the future of Havering and the Council’s commitment to double the amount of council rented accommodation and more than doubling the number of affordable homes for local people, including former residents, who will get the right to return to a brand new home.

“We are ensuring that this investment in the borough goes much further than just creating new homes; through our supply chain initiative, ‘meet the buyer’ events, training opportunities and apprenticeships, we can make sure the project benefits as many Havering businesses and residents as possible.”

w r

Local jobs for local people

Housing regeneration has benefits for more people than just those who will live in the new homes. Living in Havering speaks to Havering residents Katrina and Jamie about their work on Havering Council’s joint venture with Wates Residential. The project will deliver around 5,000 high quality homes across 12 estates in the next 12-15 years.

Katrina, who lives in Romford, recently started as a Design Manager for Wates Residential. She is passionate about creating spaces that make a difference to her local community.

What interested you about working on this project?

Many of the projects I am involved in are very close to my home. The redevelopment will have a positive impact within the area, not only for me but for my children as well. Areas that are prone to antisocial behaviour will be revitalised and designed to create safe and open communal spaces for the community to enjoy.

What is an average day at work like for you?

The day is usually very busy, but in the best way! I liaise with a range of consultants from all disciplines on different project designs before reviewing the information, along with the Wates team, to ensure everything is compliant and buildable.

What do you love most about Havering?

I moved to Havering because my family and I fell in love with how much green space there is. My children love to run around and there are so many conservation areas with deer, ducks, squirrels, and even insect hotels!

As part of the project, Havering Council and Wates Residential have also pledged to deliver a boroughwide legacy by investing in education, training and skills. The first phase of regeneration alone will help to create more than 160 apprenticeships, as well as providing business mentoring and courses for young people and adults to help them move up the career ladder.

Jamie, who was born in Romford, works as a Project Surveyor for Wates Residential after being headhunted by the national developer’s Commercial Manager. He has lived in Havering for most of his life and has just bought (with his fiancée) his first home in Gidea Park.

What interested you about working on this project?

I was initially attracted to the prospect of working on

the project as it is so close to home and it’s also a great opportunity to develop my skillset. The Havering and Wates JV is a great local employer and has recruited local labour directly, such as myself, as well as through the supply chain.

What aspect of your work are you most looking forward to?

I am most looking forward to when the regeneration site is fully set up and I can really get my teeth into the build and carry out the day-to-day responsibilities.

What benefits do you think the regeneration project will bring to the local area?

The regeneration will give the surrounding areas in Havering a complete and well-needed refresh. The Waterloo Estate is a key example of what we’re trying to achieve and we are making the most of the prime land locations close to Romford Station.

Plan for the future

The final exhibition for the Romford Masterplan took place on Saturday 7 September in the Liberty Shopping Centre.

There was a high level of interest with feedback from 177 people on the day, with many more wandering over to take a look at the boards. This means more than 1,200 people have shared their ideas and opinions since January, and this will help shape the future of Romford town and the surrounding area.

The final data is still being processed, but overall, people were

very supportive of the plans, particularly around the market, River Rom, linking green spaces and widening Romford's offer beyond retail.

If you missed the exhibition you can view the boards online.

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www.yourromford.co.uk www.havering.gov.uk/living www.havering.gov.uk/living | October October 2019 | 17

Post 16 Education in Havering – tell us what you think!

We want you to tell us what your aspiration is for Post 16 Education in Havering: do we need more school sixth forms or colleges? A levels, BTEC diplomas, NVQs, T levels qualifications and/or apprenticeship opportunities?

This survey is for all parents, pupils and other stakeholders who are interested in what the Post 16 offer in Havering could look like.

The survey can be accessed via the following link: www.havering.gov.uk/post16consultation The survey can be accessed online from 1 October 2019 to 30 November 2019.

Once the survey has closed we will analyse the responses and publish a report on the Havering school organisation web page Have your yoursay sayon onwhat whatyou youthink thinkPost Post16 16Education Educationin inHavering Haveringshould shouldlook looklike! like!

Have

Something spooky Romford Market is open every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Events are also held throughout the year to help celebrate the rich history of the market. With the nights drawing in and Halloween approaching it’s time to give yourself a fright.

Saturday 26 October – Halloween celebration • Pumpkin decorating • Vortex – an ultimate walk through illusion • Ghost train • Slime workshop • 11am to 4pm

ROMFORD MARKET EVENTS 18 | October 2019 | LIVING in Havering

FREE

Havering Parks

So many winners 1. Mick Greenslade, Park Ranger for Hornchurch Country Park, is joined by members of the Friends of Ingrebourne Valley and Hornchurch Country Park to celebrate the park’s success in the recent online World Cup of Parks competition.

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2. The eco-friendly Essex Wildlife Trust's Ingrebourne Valley Visitor Centre is a partnership project between Essex Wildlife Trust and Havering Council.

Built in Hornchurch Country Park, the centre overlooks the marshland and reedbeds of the River Ingrebourne Valley.

“I encourage everyone to make the most of what our fantastic parks have to offer”

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Cllr Osman Dervish, Havering Cabinet Member for Environment

It has been another great year for Havering’s parks. Fourteen parks will continue to fly Green Flags across Havering after successfully retaining them for another year following 2018’s record haul.

Flags Flags A Green Flag award signifies that a park boasts the highest possible Flags Flags standards, is well maintained and has excellent facilities. The Flags recognition is awarded by environmental charity, Keep Britain Tidy.

Cllr Osman Dervish, Havering’s Cabinet Member for Environment, 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 said: “We are extremely proud, as I am sure our residents are, that we have retained the 14 Green Flags in our parks for another year.

The Green Flag awards are also recognition of all the hard work put in by council staff and volunteers from friends of parks groups, supported by members. It is right that this dedication has been rewarded and I encourage everyone to make the most of what our fantastic parks have to offer.”

Havering's Green Flag status parks In the inaugural 'World Cup of Parks' competition run across social media in July and August we asked residents vote for • Bedfords Park • Upminster Park • Hylands Park their favourite park. Amazingly it was another park, Hornchurch • Lodge Farm Park • Cottons Park Country Park, that doesn’t yet feature on the Green Flag list, that • Harold Wood Park • St Andrews Park won the vote of Havering’s favourite park. You can see how they • Lawns Park • Raphael Park • Central Park • Rise Park • Harrow Lodge Park • Haynes Park made it through to a hard fought final versus Raphael Park in Romford on the following pages.

• Langtons Gardens

Havering's Green Flag success

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www.havering.gov.uk/living | October 2019 | 19

Havering Parks

World Cup of H

Havering’s first World Cup of Par More than 5,250 votes were received in the month-long online tournament. 25 parks manage Hornchurch Country Park went up against Raphael Park in the fin

Dagnam Park

Spring Farm Park

V

V

Havering Country Park

Havering Country Park

Havering Country Park Bedfords Park

V

Bedfords Park

Haynes Park

V

Hornchurch Country Park Hornchurch Country Park

Hornchurch Country Park Upminster Hall Playing Fields

V

Upminster Hall Playing Fields

Quarter finals

Hornc Countr

Semi finals

Raphae

Rise Park

V

Lawns Park

V

Central Park

Central Park

Lodge Farm Park

Central Park Hylands Park

V

The F

Lodge Farm Park

V

Lodge Farm Park

Cottons Park

20 20 | October October 2019 2019 | LIVING LIVING in in Havering Havering

Lodge Farm Park

Havering Parks

rks was held during the summer. ed by Havering Council battled it out as residents voted on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram. nal, and was named champion after winning by 402 votes to 328.

Collier Row Recreation Grounds

King George Playing Fields

King George Playing Fields

St Andrews Park

V King George Playing Fields Bretons Outdoor Centre

Langtons Gardens Langtons Gardens

Langtons Gardens

church ry Park

Final

V

V

V Langtons Gardens

Clockhouse Gardens

Semi finals

Quarter finals Harrow Lodge Park

el Park Raphael Park

V Raphael Park

Raphael Park

Raphael Park

V Upminster Park

Grenfell Park Harold Wood Park

Harold Wood Park

V

V Harold Wood Park

Gidea Park Sports Ground

www.havering.gov.uk/living www.havering.gov.uk/living | October October 2019 | 21

Emerging from its shell

“Young adults were pivotal in the creation of the space including naming it The Cocoon”

Tendai Dooley, Head of Service As its second anniversary approaches, Living in Havering’s Lynda Shepherd discusses with Tendai Dooley (Head of Service, Leaving Care) and Kemi Akosile (Team Manager) Havering's service for young people with the experience of living in council care known as 'The Cocoon'. Since its opening, the centre, located in Romford town centre, has been endorsed by Ofsted as “highly impressive”.

“The Cocoon came into being following feedback from young people that they didn't have a space where they could meet their workers, friends and could be engaged in positive activities.

Together with Adult Services, the Cocoon was born with Adult Services money funding the building. Young adults were pivotal in the creation of the space including naming it The Cocoon,” says Tendai.

Developing positive and meaningful relationships with young people Since October 2017 staff from a number of council departments, including housing and youth services, have worked at the Cocoon and developed positive and meaningful relationships with the young people who have recently left council care. Through extensive partnership work, and events like Black History Month, and International Women's Day the Cocoon has promoted a positive image, so that carers are aware of the Cocoon and can support their young people to use the facilities.

“We work in partnership. Young people can access services and learn skills such as money management, art, design and cooking skills. The Cocoon provides a forum for us to help develop some of the independent living skills that our young people require. The Cocoon is open to our young people Monday to Saturday and 22 | October 2019 | LIVING in Havering

they view the Cocoon as a ‘safe space’. They young people know that there will be members of staff available to offer advice and support” says Kemi.

“By accessing the multi-agency support within The Cocoon no young people who have recently left Council care have been evicted or had housing related sanctions imposed in the last year.

This has significantly promoted housing stability for some of the most vulnerable young adults within Havering. The space has afforded our young people an opportunity to make friendships and build functional relationships with the team thereby reducing isolation and loneliness.”

Tendai continues telling us that in addition to this important achievement, her favourite thing about the Cocoon so far is that “it’s never knowing which young person will come through the door; never knowing what conversations will take place but always knowing that our young people absolutely value the conversations and activities that take place within the Cocoon.”

The Cocoon would not be successful without the input of our young adults Kemi agrees: “I feel that the Cocoon has provided young people with a space to come and ‘chill’ and engage with a variety of activities. Some of our young people have described the Cocoon as being their ‘second home’. It's a space that has enabled our young people to make new friendship groups as not everyone in care knows each other. We are very proud of The Cocoon and we are very excited to see it grow and flourish further. Other local authorities have heard about the great work that takes place here, and as such, are keen to visit us and see what we actually do. The Cocoon would not be successful without the input of our young adults.”

Fostering

good relations

Fostering ambassadors Eileen Caisey and Alison Fox If you’ve been to any local shows lately, you may have spotted Havering Council’s fostering ambassadors out and about.

“We quickly realised that new foster carers needed looking after, so we set up a support group to buddy up with them and take them under our wing,” says Eileen.

Championing the work of foster carers in havering

Offering reassurance

Eileen Caisey and Alison Fox are two of three ambassadors who have been championing the fantastic work of foster carers in Havering and encouraging local people to consider becoming a foster carer.

Alison currently fosters a 12-year old, while Eileen fosters two girls. Between them they have a breadth of experience of the challenges and rewards of fostering.

Eileen and Alison enjoy sharing their experience and encouraging people from all walks of life to think about fostering.

This includes people from any ethnicity, religion and culture, couples, same sex couples, single people. They can also advise on the basics needed in your home and how to combine work and fostering.

They said foster carers offer children who cannot be at home a stable, safe and secure home as well as benefit from being part of a fostering community that provides support, guidance and social events.

“New foster carers need nurturing as the first year can be daunting as there are so many questions – like how will fostering affect their own children. We offer reassurance and help them navigate how it all works. We act as a link between Havering’s fostering team and the carers.

“It’s important that they never feel alone, so the Council offers 24/7 support. One of us is always available, along with a social worker.”

Alison added: “I am still here 14 years later and I’m now in a position to be a fostering ambassador. It is the best thing I’ve ever done.”

34-year-old Eileen came from a childcare background and gave up her job to become a foster carer. She and her husband at present don’t have children, but have decided that if they do in the future, their children will grow up with their foster children.

Focusing on the positives “There are challenges but we look to overcome them by focusing on the positives.

We are always learning and there is guidance to help you. We all have ideas of

how things should be, but with fostering you need to be flexible and tweak things a bit, as every child’s need is different,” added Eileen.

50-year-old Alison was attracted to fostering after being inspired by another foster carer. She was already raising two children alone, but wanted to foster too.

She said: “Being single doesn’t rule you out, but it’s not always easy.”

They agree that the hardest part is when a child moves on. However, the feeling of having done a good job, having helped a child and made a contribution to the community and helps them learn from every experience.

Eileen concludes: “There is a huge demand for foster carers and the main thing the children need is love, whether they show that need or not.

“The scary thing is, what would happen if no one fostered?

“Don’t be scared of loving a child who may leave you. Be scared of a world full of children who have never felt love.”

If you’re interested in fostering visit the website or email fostering@havering.gov.uk for more information.

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www.havering.gov.uk/fostering

www.havering.gov.uk/living | October 2019 | 23

Eat to h the aim Veggie Run is back wit imary of encouraging more pr than and junior school pupils red ever to eat a healthy cate by lunch in school provided atering award winning HES C pils Services. By doing so, pu red and schools will be ente g new into a range of amazin competitions.

Sunday lunch is on Veggie Run this year lunch, will have a

ool Any pupil who eats a healthy catered sch family Roast Dinner box every academic week of winning a

chance worth £25 to cook at home. ple and will include simple recipe This amazing prize will feed 4-6 peo ldren’s healthy cooking skills. instructions aimed at developing chi ry Friday at a wining pupil’s school eve ed ard aw be l wil es box ner din Roast lude either 2kg Topside beef, a whole inc l wil ey Th r. yea ic dem aca the t throughou Chicken, pork loin or Turkey ats Ltd from our Butchers William White Me as and Vegetable supplier Prescott Thom g achievements Please share any roast dinner cookin social media. using the hashtag #VeggieRun on

Don’t forget you can purchase lunch cr 24 | October 2019 | LIVING in Havering

win

60

bikes to be won

KS2 pup ils who ea t a healthy until Frid catered sc ay 18 Oct hool lunch o b e r will be in winning a new bik with a cha e from ou nce of r friends Winning at Halford pupils wil s. l each rece gift vouch ive a £16 er after th 0 Halford e half term redeemed s break whi against: ch can be • A new A pollo Grid lock/Kin year olds) x bike (id • Bike hel eal for 7 met • Bik 11 e lock • C ycle Care

Stubbers – Class activity d a y s to b e w o n

The top six schools to show the hig hest school meal uptake during the autumn school term will also win a class activity day to Stubber s Adventure Centre. The activity days will be awarded for next Ma rch and will be a great opportunity for children to par ticipate in: • Archery • Climbing • Bush cra ft • or • woodland construction.

They are a great opportunity for children to develop their independ ence, confidence and problem solving skills outsi de of the classroom.

Veggie Run creates a unique partnership with London Marathon Events The aim of the partnership is to encourage more schools across Havering to take part in The Daily Mile™– a global initiative to get pupils jogging or running for 15 minutes every day, at their own pace.

To support uptake The London Marathon will award a £250 prize to one lucky school during the autumn term who is signed up for The Daily Mile™ and another £250 prize during the summer term.

redit via www.haveringcatering.co.uk www.havering.gov.uk/living | October 2019 | 25

Make a difference to the lives of 5382 Apr

young people You will receive: ts, l benefi a i c n a n i F ing full train ed icat and ded t suppor

Join Havering’s fostering community Call today 01708 434 574 email fostering@havering.gov.uk

www.havering.gov.uk/fostering 26 | October 2019 | LIVING in Havering

Going for gold

1 Launched in 1977, London Youth Games is Europe’s largest annual youth sporting event.

Over the past year Havering competed against the other 31 London boroughs in 51 different sporting events for the 2019 titles.

Havering’s team, the Hurricanes, finished seventh in this year’s Jubilee Trophy with three gold titles for the boys and girls football teams and for the diving team, a team silver and two team bronze medals. More than 900 young people from Havering participated in trial and training sessions with more than 400 going on to represent the borough.

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1. H avering’s Gold medal winning diving team, from left to right: Ruby Thorne, Jessica Lowrie, Oliver Goodspeed and Max Spencer.

2. A rchery, Samuel Gulvin.

3. Badminton, Ben Calder.

4. G irls football team.

5. B oys football team.

6. Indoor Rowing, Roelof Vorster.

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www.havering.gov.uk/living | October 2019 | 27

Business Focus

Loving Living in Havering talked to Tahira, owner of Havering business love4rumi, about the support she received from a recent pop-up business school she attended.

“I was raised around alternative medicine and natural healthy living all my life. For the last decade I have been providing natural health consultations for clients throughout the UK and very recently started a new company making and selling products inspired by the poetry of the ancient Persian poet and philosopher, Jelaluddin Rumi” said Tahira.

Tahira explained that hers is very much a family run business: “Everything is handmade by us and my children were involved in poetry selection for the candles and picking fragrances.”

In terms of her plans for the future, she said that her recent

Warm

welcome

Cllr Damian White meeting the leaders of the CCG at their new offices in Romford

“The CCGs are crucial in ensuring vital local health services provide quality care for Havering residents” Cllr Damian White, Leader of the Council

28 28 | October October 2019 2019 | LIVING LIVING in in Havering Havering

the pop-up business course

attendance at Havering’s pop-up business course in Romford was really informative and helpful. Tahira said, “I've just been approved by Amazon handmade to sell via their marketplace which will certainly take my products to a wider market and my business to the next level. The support I've received so far has been fantastic. Havering set up a joint venture project with Wates Residential to help fund a business pop-up course in Romford and I'm still in touch with many of the members so there's a great support network locally as a direct result of the course. As a lone parent and mother of an autistic child, these types of resources are absolutely crucial as traditional employment roles are sometimes inaccessible due to childcare needs.”

And when asked about the best piece of advice she’s ever received, Tahira said, “Just be yourself. As clichéd as that sounds, I feel it attracts the right kind of people your way and builds stronger relationships and greater understanding. I've found this to be the case in all aspects of life, not just with business”.

Havering Council has welcomed Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge Clinical Commissioning Group (BHR CCGs) to its new headquarters in North House, Romford.

The CCG’s main base was in Redbridge until recently, with satellite offices in Barking and Dagenham and Havering, but the new headquarters brings together its workforce of over 200 employees into one location, right in the heart of Romford town centre.

Council Leader, Cllr Damian White, joined Mayor Burton and members of the Cabinet, for a tour of the CCG’s new offices during a staff welcome in August.

Havering CCG is responsible for commissioning health services within the borough and work with local health and social care partners to decide how most of the local NHS budget is spent.

Local services such as GPs, mental health, hospital operations and walk-in clinics are paid for and monitored by the CCG. Cllr White said: “The CCGs are crucial in ensuring vital local health services, from cancer care to mental health, hospitals to clinics, continue to provide quality care for Havering residents.

“It is also great to see more large-scale businesses and employers moving to the borough. I am pleased to welcome the CCGs to their new home in Romford and look forward to a continued positive relationship between them and the Council for many years to come.”

Ceri Jacob, Managing Director for BHR CCGs, said: “After many years based in Redbridge, we’re now looking forward to working from our new headquarters in Romford and to continuing to work closely with all our partners in health and social care across our three boroughs.

“Bringing our teams together into one location will help us build on our work towards integrated health and social care for local people, and we are grateful to Havering Council for their support for our move.”

80

years young

Historic Havering

“Always acting in the best interests of citizens”

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1 The day after Britain declared war on Germany in 1939 might not be thought to be the most auspicious date to launch a charity to look after the rights of citizens but, 80 years later, Havering’s Citizens Advice service is still going strong.

The Romford branch started life in what is now the home of the Brookside Theatre in Eastern Road. In the early years the Citizens Advice Bureau, as it was then termed, dealt with many of the problems faced by local people living through wartime. Lost ration books, helping parents keep in contact with their children who had been evacuated to other parts of the country and, as the current Citizens Advice Havering’s Chief Officer Lesley Crisp puts it: “always acting in the best interests of citizens.”

In later years, a Hornchurch branch opened and these organisations eventually merged in the 1990s to leave today’s organisation now based in offices in the Central Library in Romford.

It’s an independent local charity but does receive some funding from Havering Council and raises additional funds by applying to various trusts, for National Lottery grants and by holding fundraising events. It operates with a mix of paid staff and volunteers. A Board of Trustees oversees their work. Currently Citizens Advice Havering has 14 paid staff in a mix of full and part-time roles, supported by more than 60 volunteers.

Figures from the archives show that in 1942 the Romford branch assisted 1,217 people. In the most recent financial year Citizens

1. Delivery of the Citizens Advice Bureau service during World War II. 2. Havering’s Deputy Mayor, Cllr John Mylod, joined the 80th birthday celebrations in Romford’s Market Place.

3. Citizens Advice Havering Chief Officer, Lesley Crisp.

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advice Havering helped 6,415 people with a total of 9,196 issues.

It does this primarily through drop-in sessions and appointments at its offices in Romford library and also at other drop-in sessions held at Hornchurch and Harold Hill libraries, and at the Mardyke Community Centre in South Street, Rainham. Today much other work is conducted over the phone, on email and webchat.

“We stand on the side of an individual who has a problem” says Lesley who began her work with Citizens Advice in the borough back in 1998. “We couldn’t do what we do without our magnificent volunteers” she adds. “Some of them see working for us as a way of gaining experience that will help them into employment. Others help us for the personal satisfaction.” One of her volunteers helped change the law to stop businesses forcing people to retire against their will.

To celebrate their 80th birthday, a party was held in Romford Market Place on 4 September. Jackie from Hornchurch, who stopped by the Citizens Advice stand, said that at a very low point in her life Citizens Advice helped her pull through. With their help and support she was able to look at her problems from a different perspective and turn her life back around.

“It’s an invaluable free service” she said.

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www.citizensadvice.org.uk www.havering.gov.uk/living | October 2019 | 29

Reach out if you’re not OK

Wellbeing in Havering

Mental health is just as important as physical health. Whether you are struggling with your feelings yourself, or supporting someone who is, it is important to take some time to look after yourself and reach out for support.

This Autumn, mental health and wellbeing is a key theme, with World Mental Health Day on 10 October. This page sums up what we can do to look after our own mental health, when and where to get help when we need it, and looking out for others

Keeping well The NHS suggests five steps we can all take to improve our mental wellbeing, from connecting with others, being active, embracing new things to learn, giving to others and being mindful.

Find out more on the NHS website by doing a search for 'Five steps to Wellbeing'.

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www.nhs.uk

Feeling unwell?

When people feel down, or depressed they can feel like withdrawing from social occasions, avoiding things they find difficult, eating too much, or not eating, sleeping badly and finding other coping mechanisms such as drinking.

If you are finding it difficult to cope, whether caused by everyday problems, or events that have happened in the past, you can: • speak to your GP • c ontact the FREE local Talking Therapies Service 24 hours a day, 365 days per year on 0300 555 1000 or www.talkingtherapies.nelft.nhs.uk/havering

Talking Therapies is a free and confidential NHS service that will work with you to help you feel better The service offers expert support from people who know what you are experiencing, and the professional team will introduce you to effective, practical techniques that are proven to work. You don’t need to be referred by a health professional – you can refer yourself.

Looking out for others If you are concerned about someone, either because of things they are saying or doing, it can be difficult to know where to start a conversation about distress and suicidal thoughts. It’s safe to talk about suicide – the only way to know is to ask. Saying something is safer than saying nothing and saying the word doesn’t make it happen. The National Suicide Prevention Alliance gives some excellent advice on what to say to someone you are concerned about.

Search for 'It's Safe to Talk' on their website.

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www.nspa.org.uk

30 | October 2019 | LIVING in Havering

Help is just a call away

Lighting the way This year’s Romford Christmas lights switch-on will be on Thursday 14 November.

Havering’s traditional curtain-raiser to the seasonal festivities will take place in Romford’s Market Place between 4.30 and 6.30pm.

S Club 3 are the headline act and the entertainment will also include a mini performance from The Greatest Showman by Vocal Jukebox and the local Razzamatazz Theatre school will be performing hits by Queen. In addition Queens Theatre will be showcasing a preview of their Christmas pantomime, Robin Hood.

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There will also be a firework finale.

Christmas light switch-on events will also be held around the borough: Hornchurch Saturday 16 November Upminster Thursday 21 November Elm Park Thursday 28 November Harold Hill Monday 2 December Rainham Thursday 5 December Collier Row Friday 6 December

The Greatest Showman

New housing grants

for people with a disability or long-term health needs

Razzamatazz

Some of the grants available: Essential home repairs

Stair lifts & ramps

Accessible

shower rooms

Extensions & room conversions Enabling people with dementia

For more information contact: 01708 432 837 or visit: www.havering.gov.uk/housinggrant

S Club 3 www.havering.gov.uk/living | October 2019 | 31

Arts & Culture Arts

Museums & Exhibitions

CRANHAM ART SOCIETY

Wednesdays, 10am –12pm t 01708 229715 e maureen.hunter44@yahoo.com

ELMWOOD ART SOCIETY

Mondays, 7.30 – 9.45pm Hall behind Baptist church in Rosewood Avenue, Elm Park t 01708 709227 e b.lucas7@ntlworld.com

HAVERING ARTS COUNCIL

Havering Arts Council represents arts groups in Havering and has a full programme of events email arts@havering.gov.uk t 01708 434135

HAVERING PARA ART EXHIBITION

Fry’s Gallery at Fairkytes Arts Centre 4-14 November Closing date for entries 31 October www.haveringartscouncil.org.uk

HORNCHURCH PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY

HAVERING MUSEUM

19 High Street, Romford, RM1 1JU t 01708 766 571 e info@haveringmuseum.org.uk www.haveringmuseum.org.uk Hornchurch Library Black History Month The Perfect Storm – The Rise and fall of slavery in British Colonies in the Caribbean.

Whilst researching his African roots, Paul Crooks discovered his great great great grandfather walked free from a sugar plantation in Jamaica in 1838. Paul wanted to

Mondays, 7.15 – 10pm www.hornchurchphoto.com

NATIONAL POETRY DAY RECITAL

A poetry recital open to all ages to celebrate the 25th anniversary of National Poetry Day on Thursday 3 October at Hornchurch Library 4-5.30pm.

The event is free, any theme welcome, book your place at any library.

Optional refreshments 50p.

PHOENIX ART GROUP

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

POP UP GALLERY

Every Saturday the Romford Shopping Hall features a pop up art gallery featuring local artists.

If you would like to use the FREE space ring Michelle on: 01708 740492

UPMINSTER CAMERA CLUB Tuesdays, 7.45 –10pm www.upminstercameraclub. org.uk 32 | October 2019 | LIVING in Havering

know more about what lay behind the decision to free the enslaved people of the Caribbean.

In this talk, Paul discusses the decades leading to emancipation to reveal the overlooked truth about how slaves brought about the demise of slavery in the British dominions.

Thursday 10 October at 7pm.

Tickets: £3.50 members, £4.50 non members Booking is essential and tickets can be purchased at any Havering library.

LIVES REMEMBERED This new exhibition put together by Havering Council’s bereavement service, reveals the intriguing tales behind 80 weathered headstones and bare cemetery plots where many of our past residents are laid to rest in Romford Cemetery.

It offers an unqiue insight to the lives of residents as the town expanded in the late Victoria era and beyond.

Open every day between 9am and 3.45pm at Romford Cemetery, Crow Lane, Romford, RM7 0EP.

SECOND WORLD WAR EXHIBITION The Romford Bomb Map, which plots where bombs were dropped and aircraft landed in Romford is on display for the first time at Central Library, Romford.

The map, recently conserved, was donated to the Havering Local Studies Library by the family of Fred Barnes, who was Deputy Food Distribution Officer for Romford during the Second World War. It takes pride of place in this exhibition to mark the 80th anniversary of the Declaration of War in September 1939.

The exhibition will also feature photographs, ration books, newspapers, plans, and wartime documents. It will be open until 18 December.

Music BRASS BAND CONCERT Collier Row Community Centre,Clockhouse Lane, Collier Row, RM5 3QJ A concert of popular music held in aid of Saint Francis Hospice.

Saturday, 5 October 7pm for 7.30 till 9.30pm Drinks to buy at the bar, tea/coffee and cakes available for a donation.

Raffle and lucky programme number prize.

Tickets: £6 for adults, £5 for children under 16.

Information: call Glinette on 01708 345887 or email: glinettewoods@ btinternet.com

illusions, ghoulish effects, laughout-loud comedy and its fair share of ‘jump out of your seat’ moments.

final night in prison before being hanged. As madness envelops him, he is ‘visited’ by some old acquaintances. Find out who he really was and how he ended up as one of the best known, yet unknown, of Dickens' characters.

QUEEN'S THEATRE HORNCHURCH

www.queens-theatre.co.uk

Travelin’ Man – The Ricky Nelson Rock N Roll Show Fri 15 Nov 2019 The UK's first ever tribute dedicated to rock 'n' roll pioneer, Ricky Nelson.

FAIRKYTES LIVE Fairkytes Arts Centre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1AX t 01708 456308 fairkytes@havering.gov.uk for tickets to any event go to www.seetickets.com

Last Band Standing Friday, 18 October The search for the best young groups in Havering Tickets: £6.60

The Rolling Clones Saturday 16 Nov The raw energy and excitement of a real 'Stones' concert. This show features a host of rock classics from the Stones' immense back catalogue, Start Me Up, Honky Tonk Women, Jumping Jack Flash, Sympathy for the Devil, Brown Sugar, Paint It Black, Get Off Of My Cloud and many more.

One Man Two Guvnors Wednesday 2 – Saturday 19 October A hilarious smash-hit comedy.

After being fired from his skiffle band, Francis Henshall is skint and hungry. He manages to secure a new job as a minder for small time gangster Roscoe Crabbe.

Featuring a mix of slapstick, farce and live music, One Man, Two Guvnors is one great night out.

Theatre BROOKSIDE THEATRE

www.brooksidetheatre.com

Fagin?

Saturday 23 Nov

The Canterville Ghost Wednesday 30 Oct – Saturday 2 Nov A new stage adaptation of an Oscar Wilde masterpiece featuring

A brand new play by acclaimed direcor and playwright, Simon Downing. Who was Fagin? Was he the Fagin in Dickens' Oliver Twist? Was he the Fagin in Oliver! the musical? Was he based on a real-life character? Join Fagin as he reviews his situation during his

A Tribute To Amy Monday 21 October Celebrate the life and music of Amy Winehouse. This authentic and respectful tribute is the only show worldwide to be endorsed by both of Amy’s parents, Janis & Mitch Winehouse. Taking songs from the multi-platinum selling albums Frank, Back To Black and Lioness: Hidden Treasures, worldrenowned tribute artist, Laura Jane Butler, recreates the distinctive sound and heartfelt performances of the jazz and soul powerhouse.

The Beauty Queen of Leenane Wednesday 30 October – Saturday 16 November In a remote cottage in the mountains of Connemara, 40 year old Maureen Folan lives with her manipulative and possessive mother, Mag. Hauntingly beautiful and blisteringly funny, this dark comedy thriller from Martin McDonagh, writer of the Oscar winning Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and In Bruges, is guaranteed to have you on the edge of your seat.

Robin Hood Thursday 28 November – Sunday 5 January After the giant success of 2018’s Jack and the Beanstalk, this swash -buckling panto, is twanging to the beats of pop hits from across the decades, traditional audience participation and laugh out loud family silliness.

Laughing I used to dread walking under horse chestnut trees in the autumn.

But, after years of therapy, I’ve managed to conker it. in Havering

www.havering.gov.uk/living | October 2019 | 33

What’s on

CHILDREN

10am to 12.30pm. Old and new friends welcome.

Transport: Free car park or via the 252 bus (alight at Gosport Drive), or 10 minutes walk from Elm Park Station (District Line) t 556355 e enquiries@firststep.org.uk www.firststep.org.uk 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

If you would like your event featured in future listings please complete the online form at www.havering.gov.uk/events All numbers are 01708 unless stated.

GENERAL COMMUNITY

BRAIN INJURY SUPPORT Headway East London the brain injury charity runs a Romford Support Group.

It meets on the third Tuesday of the month from 6-7.30pm at the YMCA, 29 Rush Green Road, Romford, RM7 0PH. BRITISH CACTUS & SUCCULENT SOCIETY, HAVERING BRANCH Third Saturday of the month, 7-10pm t 447778 CAKE DECORATING AND SUGARCRAFT Romford group, Mondays 7.30-10pm.

2nd Monday of the month at Forest KIDS BIRDWATCHING CLUB Held once a month at RSPB Rainham Row Centre, Lodge Lane, Collier Row, RM5 2LD. 7.30-10pm. Cost £7 includes Marshes New Tank Hill Road, Purfleet, RM19 1SZ between 9.30am refreshments. No need to book. t 767145 and 12.30pm Hornchurch group, Saturdays e Rainham.Marshes@rspb.org.uk 1.30-4pm. 1st Saturday of the month LIMITLESS YOUTH GROUP at Royal British Legion, 205 High St, Fun, games and chill time. For 11 Hornchurch, RM11 3XT. 1.30-4pm.

-18 year olds. Every Friday night Cost £8 includes refreshments.

7-9pm. 2A Newmarket Way, t 767145 Hornchurch, RM12 6DS CITIZENS ADVICE HAVERING e l imitless@haveringchristian Citizens Advice Havering is fellowship.org celebrating 80 years of giving MOTHER AND BABY YOGA CLASS advice in Havering. Find out about Buddha Babes mother and baby our volunteering opportunities or yoga/massage class for ages 6 attend an information session for weeks+. Every Friday 12 noon-1pm new volunteers.

St Andrews Church Hall, 222 High e lynn@haveringcab.org.uk for Street, Hornchurch RM12 6QP details or see the website.

Cost: £9.50 COLLIER ROW BRIDGE CLUB ESSEX WILDLIFE TRUST e chloenewman31@gmail.com Thursdays, 7-10.30pm To book your place on any of the events ROMFORD AUTISTIC GROUP www.bridgewebs.com/collierrow at the Ingrebourne Valley Visitor Centre Can help with emotional support for COLLIER ROW HORTICULTURAL in Hornchurch Country Park families with children on the SOCIETY AND ALLOTMENTS t 520364 autistic spectrum.

ASSOCIATION Free Buggy Walks Call on Mondays or Tuesdays Saturdays and Sundays Every Tuesday 1.30-2.15pm t 564871 10am-12.30pm Bring your little one in their pram or www.rags-havering.org.uk t 756005 buggy for a brisk 45 minute led walk WIGGLE AND GIGGLE COLLIER ROW TOWNSWOMEN’S GUILD around Hornchurch Country Park.

A lively session of action songs and First and third Tuesday of the Little Badgers Parent and Toddler rhymes for children aged 2-4. month, 1.30 -4pm Group Term time only. Free Event. e mclary2012@btinternet.com Every Tuesday and Friday 10.30am- Elm Park Library – COLOURING CLUB 12 noon. Indoor and outdoor fun for Wednesday 11.30am-12noon At the United Reformed Church, toddlers and pre-schoolers with Harold Hill Library – Western Road, Romford, RM1 3LP. parents and carers. £6 per child per Friday 2-2.30pm Every Friday, 1.30-3pm. session.

Upminster Library – t 07890420598 FIRST STEP Thursday 10.30-11am COMPUTERS FOR BEGINNERS Pop in for refreshments and cakes at YOGA FOR CHILDREN Wednesdays, 9.30 – 11am Tangmere Crescent, Hornchurch, Mondays, 5-6pm RM12 5PP at Havering Asian Social and Welfare Ardleigh House Community Association 42 Ardleigh Green Road Fundraising to support the work of Association Hornchurch RM11 2LG First Step on Friday 18 October and www.haswa.org.uk t 440660 Friday 15 November. e office@ardleighhouse.org 6TH SQUIRRELS HEATH SCOUT GROUP Wednesdays, 5-6.30pm e sixthbeaversgroup@yahoo.com BASKING BABIES ROMFORD Tuesdays, 9.45-11.15am t 07701 367883 BROWNIES The 1st Hornchurch Brownies for girls aged 7-10 years old meet in Vicarage Road on Thursdays between 6 and 7.30pm. t 07736 232239 e tanyamaidment28@gmail.com The 6th Harold Hill (Salvation Army) Brownie Unit for 7-10 year olds meet every Monday at 6pm at Petersfield Avenue, Harold Hill. t 07834 206562 e abloomfield77@hotmail.com CRICKET COACHING SESSIONS Colt Coaching Sessions (aged 5+) are organised by Havering-atteBower Cricket Club, Broxhill Road, Romford, RM4 1QH t 07718 944051 havering-atte-bower-cc.co.uk/colts

34 | October 2019 | LIVING in Havering

CONCERT PARTY The Entertainers are a concert party providing entertainment to care homes and social groups in Havering and the surrounding area.

Performances usually take place on weekday afternoons and rehearsals are on Tuesday mornings. t 07770 325720 e martinkelly1@hotmail.com CRAFTY ARTS KNIT AND NATTER GROUP Tuesdays, 10am -12noon e sales@craftyarts.co.uk CRANHAM ENGAYNE WI Every third Tuesday of the month.

2- 4pm. Doors open at 1.30pm.

Cranham Community association Hall. 115A Marlborough Gardens, Upminster RM14 1SR t 443374 DIABETES UK – HAVERING GROUP Third Monday of each month (except January) North Street Halls, Hornchurch t 935779 www.havering.diabetesukgroup.org EAST OF LONDON FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY First Saturday of the month, 11am-4pm e neal25@hotmail.com ELM PARK HORTICULTURAL GUILD Trading huts open every Sunday between 9.30am to 12noon from early February to the first weekend in November.Next show: Saturday 2 November at The Assembly Hall in Elm Park, RM12 4RA. Displays of flowers, fruit and vegetables; exhibits of floral art; photography and handicrafts.

T 709494 www.ephg.co.uk FAMILY HISTORY Havering Branch of the East of London Family History Society Genealogy help and advice on tracing your family history.

The first Saturday of every month 11am-4pm, Trinity Church, Station Road, Upminster, RM14 2JS t 225313 FAIRKYTES ACCORDION CLUB First Wednesday of month, 7.30pm Enquiries to Val Coe: t 225313 FUNKY VOICES Every Monday 8-10pm www.funkyvoices.co.uk

GADABOUTS A social club for single/widowed/ divorced people age 40-70. Meet at Harrow Lodge Bowls Club, Hornchurch on the first Tuesday of each month at 8pm. e gadabouts@live.co.uk GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG CLUB OF ESSEX Wednesdays, 7.30-9.30pm e shiela_ranking@btinternet.com HAROLD WOOD BRIDGE CLUB FMeets Wednesdays and Fridays 12.30 to 4 pm, and Thursday evening 6.45 to 10 pm at H.W.N C, Gubbins Lane, Harold Wood. New members welcome. t 523513 or 07812 412611 e ronloc231@gmail.com HAROLD WOOD EVENING WI First Wednesday of each month, 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 & VINTAGE COLLECTABLES CLUB Every third Friday of the month at 7.30 for 8pm at Harold Wood Neighbourhood Centre, Gubbins Lane, Harold Wood. They have a variety of speakers every month including Judith Miller from the BBC Antiques Roadshow exploring the Art Deco era on 18 October. Annual Membership is £30. Guests £8. t 07947 367258 HAVERING BME FORUM Annual community cultural celebration on 5 October 2019 at Romford Baptist Church, 12 noon till 5pm.

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 DEMENTIA CARERS SUPPORT GROUP A dementia carers group run by carers for carers. Every Monday (except Bank Holidays)

10.30am-12 noon, 2a Newmarket Way, Hornchurch, RM12 6DS t 07811 344523 e pam.shippen@gmail.com HAVERING EAST ROTARY CLUB Tuesdays, 7.30-10pm www.haveringeastrotary.org HAVERING MUSIC MAKERS Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7-10pm e j oin@haveringmusicmakers. co.uk HAVERING NUMISMATIC SOCIETY This coin collecting club meets at Fairkytes Arts Centre, Hornchurch.

First Tuesday of month. 7.30-9.30pm e pambob2@ntlworld.com HAVERING U3A University of the Third Age. Meets monthly on the second Wednesday of each month at 2.30pm at St. Michael's Church, Gidea Park. e suecrawleyu3a@gmail.com HAVERING WRITERS CIRCLE First Monday of month, 7.30-10pm t 375549 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 JOB SEARCHING AND COMPUTER CLASSES FOR ADULTS Free courses for beginners up to advanced level Mardyke Community Centre, South Street, Rainham, RM13 8PJ. Tuesdays, 2-4pm t 07951 789590 e ictskillstraining@hotmail.co.uk KNITTING CLUB Every Monday 9.30 -11.30am at the Sunrise Café in the Romford Shopping Hall, 43 Market Place, Romford.

LONDON AND ESSEX HERITAGE CLUB Tuesdays, 7.30 – 9.30pm Langtons, Billet Lane, Hornchurch t 07443 594240/607614 e btaylorville@gmail.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 t 07793 642115 e janet.sampson1@btinternet.com www.parkinsons.org.uk 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 RAINHAM HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 300 Upminster Road North, Rainham, RM13 9JR Opening times: Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 12.30pm £2 per household per year 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 ROMFORD SPEAKERS An affiliated club of Toastmasters International for people who want to improve their public speaking skills and build their leadership abilities. Meetings take place every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month from 7 to 9 pm at Ed's Place, 40 High St, Romford. www.romfordspeakers.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

SQUIRRELS HEATH GARDENING CLUB Last Monday of each month 8-10pm e essexgardens@hotmail.com ST JOHN AMBULANCE HAROLD HILL AND HAROLD WOOD UNIT Wednesdays, 7-9pm e doug.croxall@sja.org 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

THE BIG CHARITY QUIZ Fundraising night for King George and Queen’s Hospitals Charity.

Friday 11 October. 6.45pm.

New Windmill Hall, Upminster RM14 2QH t 504335 e Stacey.english@nhs.net TRAIN AID – LEVEL 2 EMERGENCY FIRST AID AT WORK COURSE First Saturday of the month 9am-3.30pm www.train-aid.co.uk TRINOVANTE A ladies club attached to the United Reformed Church in Western Road, Romford RM1 3LP. Weekly meetings are held on Tuesday afternoons from 1.30 – 3.30pm. All ladies are welcome for talks, outings and social events. t 07890 420598 UPMINSTER AND DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY New Windmill Hall Upminster upminsterhorticulturalsociety.co.uk UPMINSTER FLORAL ART SOCIETY Windmill Hall, St Mary's Lane, Upminster. Third Wednesday of every month, 7.45-10pm £7 visitors. Free for members. t 01708 471977 UPMINSTER U3A University of the Third Age. Meets monthly on the third Tuesday of each month, 1pm.

www.havering.gov.uk/living | October 2019 | 35

New Windmill Hall, Upminster www.u3asites.org.uk/upminster UPMINSTER WINE AND SOCIAL CLUB Third Thursday of the month, 8pm at Cranham Social Hall. Talks on various subjects plus social evening. t 744023 e cwine151@gmail.com VOLUNTEERING AT BEDFORDS PARK WALLED GARDEN Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10am-3pm WHIST CLUB Wednesdays and Fridays, 7.30-9.30pm e lindaevans147@yahoo.co.uk 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 YAPPY YARNS KNITTING CLUB A chance to make new friends suitable for all ages and abilities Mondays, 9.30-11.30am Romford Shopping Hall, Market Place, Romford

LIBRARIES

ACTIVITY FOR CHILDREN AT HALF-TERM Thursday 24 October A professional storyteller 11am – Gidea Park library - The Enormous Crocodile – ages 3+ 1pm – Hornchurch - The Twits – ages 5+ 3pm – Hornchurch - The Enormous Crocodile – ages 3+£2.50 members/£3.50 non members ADULT CRAFT WORKSHOP Elm Park Library – Craft workshop on the third Tuesday of the month 9.30-11am. Booking required.

Upminster Library – Card making Third Fri of the month 1.30-3pm. £7. Booking required.

AFTERNOON TEA GROUP Harold Hill Library – Wednesday 2-3pm

BRITISH SIGN LANGUAGE GROUP Romford Library – 2nd Friday of the month. 12.30-2pm.

Chargeable event: £2 members / £3.50 non-members per session FAMILY HISTORY Help with researching your family history.

Upminster Library – Thursday 2-4pm HORNCHURCH LIBRARY WRITERS’ GROUP Meet at 7pm on the first Thursday of every month.

All writers (beginner or established) are welcome to join, and it’s free. t 07771 635847 e kevingill@ntlworld.com IN STITCHES GROUPS Join a friendly knitting and sewing group (small charge for refreshments) Meetings are held at each library.

Contact your local library for meeting times.

JEWELLERY MAKING Friday mornings, 9.30-11.30am at Upminster Library Booking essential. £12 t 434933 LISTENING GROUP Adults listening to books on CDs 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 RELAX AND INDULGE SESSIONS Treatments by trained therapists include Indian head massage, neck and back massage, reflexology. The first two Saturdays in each month at Gidea Park Library. 10.20am-3pm Cost: £9 per 20 minute session t 434978 e g ideapark.library@havering. gov.uk READING GROUP FOR ADULTS Collier Row Library – First Wednesday of the month 11am Elm Park Library – First Thursday of the month 6.30pm / First Friday of the month 10.30am 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

36 | October 2019 | LIVING in Havering

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

Collier Row Library – Saturday 1.30-3.30pm Elm Park Library – Thursdays 5-6pm (booking essential) Gidea Park Library – Wednesday – 5 week beginners course 10-11am (booking required) Harold Hill Library – Contact library for details.

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 – Thursdays 4 week course 10am-12noon.

Booking required.

Romford Library – Wednesday 10am-12noon South Hornchurch Library First Wednesday of each month 10.30-11.30am 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 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

OVER-50s 50+ EXERCISE MOVEMENT AND DANCE An exercise, movement & dance class to help keep you flexible, mobile and improve strength. Every Wednesday during school term time. 2-3.30pm St Laurence Church Hall Corbets Tey Road, Upminster e chrisbannister104@btinternet.com THE CAMEO CLUB KingsHeart Church, 262 Pettits Lane North, Rise Park, Romford RM1 4PJ. First and third Thursdays each month from 2-4pm. Games, quizzes, talks and more. t 780787

CRANHAM OVER 60s CLUB Cranham Social Centre Every Thursday, 1-3pm Entertainment, dancing and more. t 020 8593 5625 or t 740492 FRIENDSHIP GROUP Every Thursday 10-11am. 55+ group for Havering residents to meet new local people. Romford Shopping Hall, Market Place, Romford GEORGIANS Held every Wednesday from 2 to 4pm at St. George’s Church Hall, Chippenham Road, Harold Hill, RM3 8HX. A chance to meet new friends with local guest speakers, games, quizzes and refreshments. t 07786 515594 e pat.knowles@hotmail.com HAVERING OVER 50S FORUM Second Tuesday of the month 10.30am-12.30pm www.Havo50Forum.org INGREBOURNE PROBUS CLUB A club for retired men who meet once a month for a meal followed by a speaker on various topics.

Occasional outings and a Christmas lunch to which wives and partners are invited t 01277 215702 OVER 55s FRIENDSHIP CLUB Every Thursday, 10-11am Romford Shopping Hall, Market Place, Romford, RM1 3AB Free cup of tea for all visitors t 740492 RETIRED GENTLEMEN’S CLUB Meets at United Reformed church, Western Road, Romford, every Tuesday from 1.30 – 3.30pm.

Board games, occasional social outings, chat and refreshments.

50p per afternoon. All are welcome.

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, Rise Park Wednesday 10.30-11.30am t 07722174210 e beverlycracknell@btinternet.com

SEQUENCE TEA DANCE Every Monday at Hornchurch British Legion, 1.30 – 3.30pm t 474418 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 TUESDAY GROUP (OVER 50s LGBT+) Meets on the first Tuesday of each month at The Havering Volunteer Centre, 32-34 High Street, Romford, RM1 1HR. t 07757 122749 romfordtuesday.simplesite.com TWEEDWAY (50+) SPORTS CLUB Darts, short mat bowls, snooker, pool, table tennis, scrabble and more. Alternate Tuesdays, 7.30-9.30pm at Havering Road Methodist Church Hall, Rise Park, Romford, RM1 4YD t 07551221700 or 07500 057130 UPMINSTER AND DISTRICT PROBUS CLUB Variety of events on the website www.upminsterprobus.com

HARE PARK BADMINTON CLUB Thursdays, 7.30-9.30pm e anitaaudritt@btinternet.com HAROLD WOOD RUNNING CLUB Meet every night at 6.30 and 8am Sundays.Harold Wood Park e info@haroldwoodrunning.club www.haroldwoodrunning.club HARROW LODGE PARKRUN Meet at Warren Drive car park Seniors: Saturdays, 9-10am Juniors: Free 2km run aged 4-14 years, Sundays, 9am 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 SPORTS & FITNESS Tuesdays, 8-9.30pm www.heartfeltyoga.co.uk ARDLEIGH HOUSE SHORT HYLANDS TENNIS CLUB MAT BOWLS CLUB HYLANDS MINI TENNIS ACADEMY Mondays and Tuesdays, 12.30Tots at 6pm and Red balls at 7pm 2.30pm. Thursdays and Fridays, classes on Tuesdays and 10am-12noon Thursdays. Orange ball at 6pm and t 440660 Green ball at 7pm on Mondays. e Ardleigh-house@sky.com JISSOKAN MARTIAL ARTS ATTE BOWER SHORT MAT Wednesdays, 7.30-9pm BOWLS CLUB e garrylever81@aol.com Bower Hall, Wellingtonia Avenue, Havering-atte-Bower, RM4 1QP JU JITSU Mondays 7.15-10pm and Thursdays Variety of classes on Mondays, at 9.15am-12noon Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays Beginners welcome www.ryujujitsu.com t 706833 KAIZENS GUNNS KARATE CLUB attebowerbowls.weebly.com Family run karate club open to FIVE STAR BASKETBALL ACADEMY everyone over the age of 6.

Tuesdays, 5-6.30pm Saturdays 12noon-1pm and e elvan.dixon@havering.gov.uk Tuesdays 7.30-8.30pm Frances Bardsley School, Brentwood FUN AND FUNKY DANCE Road, Romford RM1 2RR Variety of dance classes available t 07919 884679 www.funandfunkydance.com e kaizengunns@gmail.com FUSION STREET DANCE TEAM KEEP FIT CLASS Tuesdays, 5-8pm Keep fit training for people who www.funandfunkydance.com

find gyms intimidating.

Every Tuesday at 1pm.Ardleigh House, 42 Ardleigh Green Road, Hornchurch, RM11 2LG. £6.50 t 07717 317598 e samisaacs.pt@gmail.com LYDIA LACEY YOGA Wednesdays, 7.30-8.30pm facebook.com/lydialaceyyoga MODERN SEQUENCE DANCE CLUB Harold Wood Neighbourhood Centre Mondays 8 - 10 pm. t 07814 368352 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 Friday 9.15am at Ardleigh House, Ardleigh Green Road, Hornchurch (£7 per session), Monday 9.15am and 6.45pm, and Saturday 8.10am and 9am at Tesco Community Room, Roneo Corner (£6.50 per session) Beginners welcome. Mats provided. t 07961 428911 PILATES CLASSES Beginners/mixed ability Monday 10-11am Senior Citizen Monday 11am-12noon Emerson Park Community Hall, Slewins Lane Hornchurch Beginners/mixed ability 9.30-10.30am Senior citizens Wednesday 10.30 - 11.30am Tweedway Hall, Rise Park Beginners/mixed ability/Senior Citizens Wednesday 7.15 - 8.15pm Hornchurch Conservative Club North Street, Hornchurch t 07722 174210 e beverleycracknell@btinternet. com

www.havering.gov.uk/living | October 2019 | 37

RAPHAEL PARKRUN Saturdays, 9am e raphaeloffice@parkrun.com www.parkrun.org.uk/raphael RUSH GREEN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION INDOOR BOWLS CLUB Alternate Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7.30-10pm www.rgcasc.org SYM SAILING CLUB Sundays, 1 March to 30 November, 9am-4pm www.sym.org.uk SHORT MAT BOWLS Play every Tuesday at the Community Centre, Gooshayes Drive, Harold Hill, from 10 – 11.30am and noon – 2pm.

All equipment supplied just need soft shoes.

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 TWEED MODERN SEQUENCE DANCE CLUB Thursdays, 7.30pm-10pm e shaun22@btinternet.com UPMINSTER SPORTS MASSAGE & PILATES Pilates beginner courses, improver/ intermediate weekly classes, and Pilates for seniors, in a studio off Argyle Gardens in Upminster.

Private 1:1 Pilates, reformer Pilates, and sports/remedial Massage appointments also available. Open every day. 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 AND PILATES CLASSES Yoga, Pilates and Ballet Barre classes for all levels at A Fine Balance Studio, Upminster. New students offer: £20 for 2 weeks of unlimited classes. www.afinebalance.me YOGA, PILATES AND BARRE PILATES Classes on Monday to Saturday www.absoluteyogaandpilates.co.uk

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 Punjabi Class Thursdays, 6-7.30pm www.haswa.org.uk HAVERING CARERS’ HUB A local organisation offering support and information to adult carers, caring for individuals over 18.Come along to our groups: Me Time - 10am-12pm on first Wednesday of the month Better Together - 11am-1pm on second Wednesday of the month Time to Talk - 11am-1pm on the third Wednesday of the month Carers Conversation Café - on the fourth Wednesday of the month) Mental Health Group - Every last Tuesday of the month 6.30-8.30pm Turkish Support Group - Every last Tuesday of the month 1:30 – 3pm t 961111 e info@haveringcarershub.org.uk www.haveringcarershub.org.uk

38 | October 2019 | LIVING in Havering

HUBB (HELPING USERS BOUNCE BACK) SUPPORT GROUP First Thursday of the month, 5 -7pm e admin@hubb.org.uk MEDITATION & WELLBEING CLASSES Monday morning 10.30am - 12.00 at the education hall,Thames Chase, Pike Lane, Upminster , RM14 3NS. A relaxing morning lead by a qualified British Wheel of Yoga teacher. Call John to book your place. £7.50 per week, booking required. t 07785 901886 PARKINSON'S UK HAVERING & DISTRICT BRANCH First and third Tuesday of the month 2-4pm Langtons Registry Office Hornchurch, RM11 1XL t 07793 642115 e janet.sampson1@btinternet.com www.facebook.com/groups/ parkinsonsuk.havering PHASE (Prostate Health, Advice, Support and Education) Meets last Friday of November, January, March, May and July at 7pm at the Harold Wood Neighbourhood Centre in Gubbins Lane t 0203 745 7318 PREGNANCY YOGA All abilities pregnancy yoga class in Hornchurch from 12+ weeks

Wednesdays 7.15-8.15pm Fairkytes Art Centre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch. RM11 1AX £12.50 RAGS ROMFORD AUTISTIC GROUP SUPPORT Supporting families living with Autism in Havering. Mondays and Wednesdays from 9.30am-2.30pm www.rags-havering.org.uk RCCG LIFE CHANGERS ASSEMBLY Every Sunday, 10-11am e rccglca@gmail.com ROMFORD BRAIN INJURY SUPPORT GROUP Meets third Friday of each month, 1-2.30pm in the lecture room at YMCA, 29 Rush Green Road, Romford RM7 0PH e Info@headwayeastlondon.org

TRUE COLOURS OF A BEAUTIFUL MIND Autism and SEN parent support group. Fridays 9am-12 noon Meet next to the soft play in Frankie’s café at myplace in Harold Hill.

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, email living@havering.gov.uk 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

OPEN SCHOOL TOURS EVENING NOW AVAILABLE! DID YOU MISS OUR YEAR 7 OPEN EVENING?

th Tuesday 24ONLINE September BOOK TODAY2019

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6.00pm to 8.30pm • Principal’s Address at 6.15pm & 7.15pm

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01708 371 331 • Drapers’ Academy, Settle Road, Harold Hill, Romford RM3 9XR

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01708 371 331 • Drapers’ Academy, Settle Road, Harold Hill, Romford RM3 9XR

Compost Bin Offer The London Borough of Havering has teamed up with getcomposting.com to offer a limited number of discounted compost bins with a free kitchen caddy to its residents.

From only

This very special offer is available while stocks last on a first come first served basis and is limited to one compost bin with a caddy per household.

£9.99 Compost Converter – available in 2 sizes 220 Litre • Capacity: 900mm • Height • Diameter 740mm • Discounted Price

£9.99*(RRP £17.98)

330 Litre • Capacity: 1000mm • Height • Diameter 800mm • Discounted Price

£12.99*(RRP £19.98)

* Promotional price includes delivery charge and free caddy Made from 100% recycled plastic.

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

Order NOW online at www.getcomposting.com or call 0844 571 4444 quoting reference HAV16A

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

Terms and conditions apply, see website for details.

www.havering.gov.uk/living | October 2019 | 39

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Call 0208 050 8910 or visit www.SovSafe.co.uk today CallDeposit 0208Centres 050 (Ilford 8910Branch): or visit www.SovSafe.co.uk today Sovereign Safe Kinfauns House, 51-53 Goodmayes Rd, Ilford IG3 9UF Sovereign Safe Deposit Centres is a privately limited company registered in England and Wales (No. 08944490). FCA Registration Number 618654.

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*10% off applies to Havering residents only for new annual box rentals started in Jul/Aug 2019. £84 applies to a 5 year rental of a XS size box paid upfront. Price and discount excludes setup fee and key deposit. T&C’s apply.

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10% OFF in July & August 2019* 10% OFF in JulyDecember & August 2019 * until 2019*

*10% off applies toresidents Havering only residents onlyannual for newbox boxrentals rentals started startingininJul/Aug 2019. £84 applies a 5 year of arental XS sizeofbox paid Price and discount excludes setupexcludes fee and setup key deposit.

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