Living in Havering 188 December 2019

LIVING

in Havering December 2019

Issue 188 • www.havering.gov.uk

Christmas is special in Havering See pages 14-15

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

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02 | December 2019 | LIVING in Havering

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12

Contents issue 188

13

19

Remembrance A poignant display at the Town Hall

Ready for winter Havering Council is prepared for whatever the weather throws at us

Building talent Fake news Avoid dodgy goods this Christmas

Students learn their craft in Rainham

Cover picture: Enjoy the Narnia Experience in Romford’s Market Place from 14 to 24 December.

4N ews A n opportunity to receive funding 8 Making their mark Young people say what's important to them 13 Take care this winter Advice to beat the winter blues and bugs 14 Cover story – Christmas cheer Lots to do over the festive season

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 over 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.

16 C hristmas care Don't be lonely this Christmas 18 Business focus Support for new enterprises 20 Arts & Culture listings Lots to see and do in Havering – from concerts and plays to exhibitions and pantomimes 22 What's on listings Havering's community what's on noticeboard

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 – 18 December Cabinet – 15 January Full Council – 22 January Cabinet – 12 February Full Council – 26 February 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. www.havering.gov.uk/living | December 2019 | 03

News

Love the App and report to us!

Reporting fly-tipping and litter has been made easier for residents via the Love Havering App. The app is part of the Love Clean Streets initiative, one of the UK’s leading environmental reporting service.

It was launched by the Council to help improve efficiency and effectiveness for residents to be able to report but also for it to resolve issues including fly-tipping, litter, dog mess, graffiti and the reporting of dead animals for removal.

Residents can download the app onto any mobile smartphone or tablet and the issue will be sent straight to the service team in the Council to deal with.

A report needs to include a photograph of the issue and brief details.

Once a report is received through the app to the Council, a confirmation message will be sent that it is in progress and is being dealt with by officers in the relevant service. Once the issue has been resolved, those who have reported it, will receive a message to show that.

Here’s how you download the Love Havering App: • The App is designed to work with your My Havering account so you can view and send your reports via the phone or the website.

• If you already have a My Havering account you should use the same email address to register the app. If you haven’t an account, you can set this up by visiting www.havering.gov.uk.

i www.havering.gov.uk/lovehavering

B I G B AT H R O O M S A L E S TA R T S 2 7 T H D E C E M B E R FOR UNBEATABLE SERVICE AND PRICES NOBODY DOES IT BETTER

04 | December 2019 | LIVING in Havering

A12 Eastern Avenue, Romford, RM5 3AL Tele: 01708 736700 sales@bodywash.uk www.bodywash.uk

A Fanntastic opportunity

Bedfords Park in Havering-atte Bower, part of the Land of the Fanns

If you are involved with a community project that needs some funding then you should read this.

The Land of the Fanns Landscape Partnership Project’s Community Grant fund is again open for applications.

Grants of up to £5,000 are available for local groups to run environmental or heritage projects within the Land of the Fanns area that covers large parts of Havering including Bedfords Park and the Ingrebourne Valley. Groups in these areas can apply for a grant to run a project within the area which meets one of the aims of the Landscape Partnership Project. These are: conserving and enhancing the historic and or natural landscape of the area; helping people learn about and enjoy the heritage or landscape of the Land of the Fanns; or involving the local community and volunteers.

Never forgotten Havering’s 2020 Holocaust Memorial Service will take place on Sunday 26 January.

The service will be held at the Holocaust War Memorial in Coronation Gardens, Main Road, from 2pm.

Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) 2020 marks 75 years since the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp.

The theme for HMD 2020 is Stand Together.

Projects awarded grants

Projects which have so far been awarded grants include planting an orchard and creating a dipping pond at a school, bat monitoring, installation of an interpretation sign and supporting the development of a new heritage museum.

Drapers’ Maylands Primary School in Romford was a successful applicant in Round One of the Community Action Fund. The school’s outdoor learning area was transformed by the Thames Chase Conservation Volunteers. The Community Action Fund enabled the school to create a living science area where children will learn about habitats and wildlife in their own school field. The Thames Chase Conservation Volunteers, aided by children from the school, created a pond, decking platform, seating area and study table.

The Havering Wildlife Project also received funding from the Community Action Fund to help protect and restore the bat population in Thames Chase Community Forest.

The grant awarded was used to pay for training in bat handling and equipment to monitor and record the bats.

This is the fourth round of applications and runs until 31 January 2020. One last round will occur in March 2020. All projects funded by the scheme must be completed by September 2021. More information about how to apply for the Land of the Fanns Community Action Fund can be found on their website or by calling 01708 642950.

i www.landofthefanns.org/community-grants www.havering.gov.uk/living www.havering.gov.uk/living | December | October 2019 | 05

News

Poppy appeal stands to attention Havering’s Poppy Appeal was launched at the Town Hall for the first time with the unveiling of a poignant poppy installation created by Havering Council, schools and local community groups.

The unique art project involves six wire sculptures of soldiers, covered in handcrafted poppies, in all shapes and sizes, and placed in blankets of red flowers lining the entrance to the Town Hall.

Local schools were involved, with Redden Court School,

Whybridge Infant School, St Alban’s School, Parklands Junior School, RJ Mitchell School and the Hornchurch Sea Cadets, all creating and donating poppies. Avelon Road Centre, a day centre for adults with learning disabilities, supported the installation by making poppies. Meanwhile, children’s centres around the borough produced poppies, created from recycled plastic bottles donated by the Sapphire Ice and Leisure Centre.

After a period on show in front of the Town Hall the wire soldiers were then displayed in local libraries.

Havering Recycling & Refuse Collection Dates Christmas/New Year 2019/20

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Collection times are likely to change.

Please present waste/recycling by 7.00am on the day of collection.

There will be no Garden Waste or Bulky collections service from Monday 23 Dec. Collections will resume the week commencing Monday 6 Jan.

Collections will run as normal, up to and including 24 Dec Normal collection date

Revised collection date *

Tues 24 Dec Tues 24 Dec Wed 25 Dec Fri 27 Dec Thurs 26 Dec Sat 28 Dec Fri 27 Dec Mon 30 Dec Mon 30 Dec Tues 31 Dec Tues 31 Dec Thurs 2 Jan Wed 1 Jan Fri 3 Jan Thurs 2 Jan Sat 4 Jan Fri 3 Jan Mon 6 Jan

Seasonal opening times at Gerpins Lane Reuse & Recycling Centre, Upminster: Christmas Eve Christmas Day Boxing Day New Year’s Eve New Year’s Day All other times (Mon - Sun)

7.30am – 4.30pm Closed 9.30am – 4pm 7.30am – 4.30pm 9.30am – 4pm 7.30am – 5.45pm

Mon 6 Jan Tues 7 Jan Tues 7 Jan Wed 8 Jan Wed 8 Jan Thurs 9 Jan Thurs 9 Jan Fri 10 Jan Fri 10 Jan Sat 11 Jan

Normal collections resume Monday 13 January 2020 *This also applies to the Clinical Waste Service.

Collection dates may change depending on weather conditions. Keep checking www.havering.gov.uk

06 | December 2019 | LIVING in Havering

Read all about it

The Havering Literary Festival

The Havering Literary Festival returned to the borough earlier this month, with almost 1,000 tickets selling before the festival began. Taking place between 4 and 23 November, it boasted a fantastic array of award-winning and internationally acclaimed writing talent who took part in the festival, inspiring a love of reading in libraries across our borough.

Hugely successful authors like leading travel writer Simon Calder and queen of crime drama Martina Cole took part in the almost three-week festival, along with Sunday Times bestselling author Christy Lefteri and Scottish writing talent James

Oswald, who launched his new book at a special event during the festival.

There was plenty for children and schools to enjoy too, including award-winning author Sally Nichols, who hosted pre-school and baby bounce sessions throughout the festival.

School pupils were also able to enjoy two leading children’s writers/illustrators, as well as other sessions across the three weeks.

The festival saw communities across the borough come together to enjoy reading–through meeting their favourite authors and inspiring a new generation of younger readers.

The Mawney Foundation School would like to invite prospective parents/carers of pupils commencing Reception in September 2020 to visit our school on Thursday 5th December 2019, at 6:00pm.

There will be an opportunity to tour the school, as well as meet the staff, governors, Executive Head teacher and Head teacher.

If you have any enquiries or would like to attend the open evening, please telephone the School Office on 01708 741612.

We look forward to meeting you.

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

Make Your

“

Mark Knife and youth crime remains a critical issue for young people in the borough

”

Sila Urgulu (left) and Emily Thompson, members of the Youth Parliament are pictured at the elections

Tackling knife and youth crime is the most urgent issue facing young people in Havering, according to a new youth consultation. More than 11,000 votes were submitted by young people from Havering in this year’s UK Youth Parliament’s Make Your Mark Campaign. The world’s largest youth consultation, saw schools, colleges and youth organisations, have their say about the issues that matter to them the most.

As they did in 2018, local young people said knife and youth crime was once again their number one concern, followed

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They were also asked to vote on specific issues they felt the Youth Parliament should be campaigning on UK wide in 2020. Protecting the environment, tackling hate crime and votes at 16, were their top choices, with knife crime, mental health and curriculum for life.

The issues were then taken to the Youth Parliament in the House of Commons this month and the outcome is expected to be announced after the General Election. Two members of Havering’s Youth Parliament attended the vote.

Youth Parliament member Sila Urgulu said: “It was an honour to represent Havering at the UK Youth Parliament House of Commons sitting and extremely interesting to hear opinions from all over the country on matters that affect young people most. All of this on top of the opportunity to attend Parliament made it an amazing experience.”

Youth Parliament member Emily Thompson added: I had a great day debating and networking with fellow MYPs from across the UK. it was a great opportunity to provide a voice for the young people of Havering as well improve my public speaking skills.”

Robert South, Director of Children’s Services, said: “Knife and youth crime remains a critical issue for young people in the borough. Across the Council we’ve been working hard to prevent knife crime and to educate young people about the dangers and risks. We’ve run workshops to show them how to stay safe and we’re continuing to work closely with the police and other partners.

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by littering and the environment, a need for more youth services and more police presence in Havering.

“We’ll be taking a closer look at the results and working with young people to continue to improve the borough and the services that we use.”

Havering Telecare Centre

The other main topics young people were asked whether the Parliament should campaign on included welcoming refugees and making the United Nations Convention on the Right of the Child statutory law.

Web: https://www.havering.gov.uk/telecare Email: telecare@havering.gov.uk Phone: 01708 432843

contact us for further details quoting HR19.

08 | December 2019 | LIVING in Havering

i www.havering.gov.uk/mark

Could you be a foster carer?

“

There are some amazing people out there Angela, Havering social worker who could be a role model

We’re not looking for superheroes, just ordinary human beings, the Council’s fostering team told Living in Havering when we spoke recently.

There isn’t a mould or an ideal person, but as Nicola, a social worker on the foster care team, says: “We want people to rule themselves in, instead of out.”

People sometimes decide not to come forward because of their life experience, age or background, but if you’re interested in fostering contact us first and we’ll look into your eligibility, as potential foster carers, come from all backgrounds, says Nicola.

The Council is constantly searching for local residents to put themselves forward to provide a loving and stable home life for some of the children currently in care.

They range from siblings and babies to teenagers and unaccompanied minors.

Fellow social worker Angela adds: “We’re looking for people who can provide a family home where a child in care can reach their full potential and have an opportunity that they may not have in their birth family at the moment.

“There are some amazing people out there who could be a role model and a voice for a child who may not have had this before.

“Some of these children have not been a priority in the family for a number of reasons. Perhaps their mum or dad have other children or they may have been misusing substances.

”

Because of this, there is an ongoing need for people to come forward and become a foster carer.”

The team is constantly looking for novel ways to reach people and have run advertising campaigns, held stalls in shopping malls, attended shows and visited supermarkets to attract potential new people.

They also run monthly drop-in events in Havering Town Hall in Romford on the first Thursday of every month between 6pm and 7.30 pm.

Once a person comes forward, staff will assess them by finding out more about their lives and visiting their home, which also gives them a chance to meet other family members, if they have them. Once agreed, they receive full training and meet current foster carers to find out about their experiences and ask any burning questions.

Once approved, the foster carer will be given plenty of information and support, says social worker Sunil, who also assists with recruitment.

They will be appointed with their own social worker, have 24/7 support and be invited to be a part of Havering Foster Carers Association, which is a family of foster carers who provide support and social activities for each other.

Sunil said: “We want people from all walks of life, as they might just be what one particular child is looking for.”

For more information please call 01708 434574.

i www.havering.gov.uk/fostering www.havering.gov.uk/living | December 2019 | 09

Make sure you don’t advertise your home to thieves this Christmas – follow our simple security tips to beat burglars: 1 Remember to lock your doors and windows at night and when leaving your home unattended.

2

Ensure your home is well-lit. A dark house can be attractive to burglars. Use timers to switch lights on when you are out.

3

Keep presents safe. Make sure they are out of sight.

4 5 6

Don’t store expensive gifts in sheds and garages.

7

Take note of serial numbers on your new goods.

You can register them with the UK National Property register.

8

Use a UV pen to mark your postcode and door number on new items.

SANTA’S GROTTO

Check and set your house alarm.

Dispose of wrapping and packaging carefully – don’t advertise your new goods.

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Close at 1pm SHARP Christmas Eve (he has a busy night!)

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Stick together – go shopping with a friend.

Market

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10 | December 2019 | LIVING in Havering

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Take Care

of Yourself this Winter

The NHS is warning that cold weather can be seriously bad for your health.

That's why it's important to look after yourself, especially during the winter.

If you start to feel unwell, even if it's a cough or a cold, don't wait until it gets more serious.

You can call the NHS helpline by dialling just three numbers on your phone – 111 Or go online to www.111.nhs.uk and follow these simple steps: 1. Answer questions about your main symptoms 2. Find out when and where to get help 3. Be contacted by a nurse, if needed If you have difficulties communicating or hearing, you can: • call 18001 111 on a textphone • use the NHS 111 British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter service if you’re deaf and want to use the phone service

Get a Flu Jab If you’re aged 65 or over, are pregnant, have a long term condition such as heart, kidney or respiratory disease, or severe asthma, you can get a FREE flu vaccination from your GP or local pharmacy. See www.nhs.uk/flu for more information. If you are not eligible, you can still get one from a pharmacy costing between £7 to £13.

Keeping Seasonal Coughs and Colds at Bay Ask your pharmacist what medicines should be in your cabinet and how to help you and your family get through the winter season.

Many over-the-counter medicines (including paracetamol and ibuprofen) are available to relieve symptoms of common winter ailments such as cold, sore throat, cough, sinusitis or painful middle ear infection (earache). Always seek advice from your pharmacist at the first sign of a cough or cold before it gets more serious. Keep medicines out of the reach of children.

Stay warm It is also important to keep warm in winter – both inside and outdoors. Keeping warm over the winter months can help to prevent colds, flu and more serious problems such as heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia and depression.

Heat your home to at least 18C (65F). You might prefer your main living room to be slightly warmer.

Keep your bedroom window closed on winter nights – breathing cold air can be bad for your health as it increases the risk of chest infections.

Stay active Keep active when you're indoors. Try not to sit still for more than an hour or so. Wear several layers of light clothes. They trap warm air better than one bulky layer.

Stay informed Make sure you're receiving all the help that you're entitled to. Learn how to make your home more energy efficient, improve your heating and keep up with your energy bills at www.gov.uk/phe/keep-warm .

And check your heating and cooking appliances are safe.

Contact a Gas Safe registered engineer to make sure these are operating properly. www.havering.gov.uk/living | December 2019 | 11

Stay

greener this

Christmas Don’t let it go to waste – use the power of frozen

Freeze cooked turkey and ham and thaw in the fridge to use in casseroles, curries, pies and sandwiches.

Leftover party food such as sausage rolls, mince pies and quiches can also be frozen to be used in packed lunches for when you return to work or school.

Compost at Christmas Remember - you can compost over a third of the everyday things you throw away, including vegetable peelings from your Christmas roast.

Cut the wrap Wrapping from Christmas gifts and more leftover food than usual during the festive time, can lead to an increase in the amount of waste we have to collect.

You can still enjoy all the fun of Christmas and indulge, but at the same time play your part in helping us to minimise waste and recycle more. By making small changes, such as freezing leftovers and planning meals, you can save on your weekly or monthly food bill as well as help to cut the cost of the borough’s waste disposal, which last year totalled just over £16 million.

Here are some handy tips on how you can reduce food waste and step up your recycling:

Love your leftovers They’re one of the delights of Christmas so go to www.lovefoodhatewaste.com for lots of tasty recipes using your leftovers from the delicious meals you have cooked over the festive period.

Christmas creates mountains of plastic packaging and wrapping so why not think outside of the box this Christmas?

Gift experiences such as theatre or concert tickets and meal vouchers are just some of many presents that don’t need wrapping. Or think green, by giving something that is reusable?

If you do have to wrap: • Avoid metallic or plastic coated paper – it can’t be recycled • Remember to squash packaging down as much as possible so you have plenty of room in your orange sacks • Break down cardboard boxes and if necessary leave them next to your orange sacks for collection Collection dates for waste and recycling will change over Christmas and New Year – please see the revised schedule on page 6.

Working in a winter wonderland

We’re ready for winter, whatever the weather. Our fleet of salting lorries are on stand-by should snow or ice arrive – to keep the roads clear and keep the borough moving.

We also have a snow plough ready to clear roads, while the street cleansing team will do their best to keep pavements and bridges as clear as possible during colder weather.

We’ve got: • Five gritting lorries on stand-by • 2,000 tonnes of salt in our depot – enough to grit up to over 380 miles of roads and sufficient for almost three weeks of continuous snowfall and a back-up supply if needed • A team of winter heroes on-call 24/7 including weekends.

12 | December 2019 | LIVING in Havering

Havering Council’s Trading Standards team is urging residents to take extra care when buying online and to be wary of fake goods as they look for that perfect gift for family and friends this Christmas.

Here’s your Christmas stay safe guide: safety •Product Product safety Be aware when purchasing Christmas lights and electrical goods. Always ensure the product has the CE mark and the manufacturer’s identity. Make sure they have a 3-pin plug and instructions/ warnings.

•Toys Toys Look for CE marking and manufacturer’s identity, which should be on all toys, from large toys to small 'stocking fillers'. Instructions for use and the ageappropriate warnings should also feature with the product.

Fake goods Many goods, from perfume to computer games are cheaper online or at markets, but beware of fake products.

Counterfeit goods including DVDs, clothing, electrical goods such as hair straighteners, jewellery and children’s toys, may appear to be a bargain, but often are not.

A sign that a product is fake is the poor quality. Purchasing fake goods, even unwittingly, means you could be supporting criminal activity.

Buying online In most cases when you shop online or via a mail-order catalogue, you have the right to cancel your order and receive a full refund. This is in addition to your normal statutory rights.

You would have 14 days to cancel, but make sure to print and save details of your order including reference number.

Also, keep details of the trader/company name, address and contact numbers/email addresses.

Havering Council’s Trading Standards team work closely with National Trading Standards Safety colleagues to prevent illegal and unsafe goods being imported into the UK. Recently, officers helped to stop 13 batches containing around 16,295 novelty lights being imported. None of the lights had any details of the manufacturer or any instructions or warnings to enable safe use and tests indicated there was a potential risk of an electric shock if used. In addition over 2,000 LED lights which plug directly in to the mains were identified as

Beware of fake websites that often look like they are real, particularly when ordering designer goods. Seek advice on how to check if the site is genuine.

Useful websites and contact numbers: i www.havering.gov.uk/tradingstandards i www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer - you can also call the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 04 05 06 www.getsafeonline.org/connectedchristmas

being unsafe after being tested.

All lights found to be unsafe were either destroyed, or sent for modification to ensure they could be correctly labelled and instructions included.

Havering has two transit hub sheds in the borough – which are used for inland clearance of items imported from outside the EU via Tilbury, Essex. Hubs like these are where National Trading Standards refer products to, to determine which products need to be looked at further before they are deemed safe. www.havering.gov.uk/living | December 2019 | 13

ber 10am to 4pm Saturday 7 Decem a's Grotto • Train rides to Sant stive activities • Gifts, crafts and fe d marshmallows • Fire pit and roaste ments • Kids' rides • Food and Refresh Tickets £5 per child and £3 per adult

From Saturday 14 to Tuesda the seasonal spirit with a ho Christmas gifts and all the f festivities.

Havering Council have com Experience to Romford this and Christian charity with a performance and creativity The immersive Narnia Exp every day (except Christm It’s an interactive installat approximately five minut a wardrobe and enter a m costumed performers th CS Lewis. The room also

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m mber 4 to 8p Friday 6 Dece Santa’s grotto • Free visit to deer • Meet the rein s nk • Kids' ride • Food and dri afts, gifts • Christmas cr and shopping

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Elm Park Thursday 28 November 4 – 6pm ?

Free festive fun for all the family • Face painting • Carousel rides • Salvation Army Band • Circus performers • Choirs and much more • Jugglers • Steel band

14 | December 2019 | LIVING in Havering

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ay 24 December Romford Market will be THE place to get into ost of special attractions and events alongside stalls selling fruit, veg, meat, eggs and seafood you need to enjoy the

mmissioned Artless Theatre Company to bring The Narnia s Christmas. Artless is a Havering-based theatre company a mission to inspire children and young people through y. perience will be free to visit and will between 11am and 4pm mas Eve 3pm). Entry will be on a first come first served basis. tion for children and families. The experience lasts for tes from entry to exit. Participants enter the installation via magical winter forest-themed room where they encounter hat guide them in a short story inspired by the magical world of o features a 3D sound design and dazzling lighting installation.

• A mini funfair each day from 11am to 4p m (Christmas Eve 3pm ) with a ferris whee l and kids’ rides including fun castle, teacups, chair o’plane, train ride, crazy car ride.

All of these will be fre e to ride.

• Two mini Christm as concerts on Satu rday 14 and Saturday 21 De cember – 11am to 4p m.

• Meet the reindeer between 11am and 3p m on Saturday 21 Decem ber • A Christmas gift wr apping service • A postbox for child ren’s letters to Santa

n market attractions see page 28.

Saturday 7 December 10am to 4pm • Huskey Sleigh rides • The magical world of the Gri nch • Ice rink • Food stalls • Kids' rides

ov.uk/romfordmarketevents

facebook.com/TheChroniclesofNarnia LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE by C.S. Lewis copyright © C.S. Lewis Pte. Ltd. 1950.

nday 2 December witched on at 5.30pm.

Grotto in Harold Hill Library d and Mead School Choir rshine Dance Group and The 5 Star Boxing Club ngers and dance groups yplace performing arts group

Saturday 7 December - 10am - 3pm Free Entrance In the courtyard there will be Yuletide themed stalls, music and craft activities In the house a Wedding Open Day, showcasing the beautiful ceremony rooms and grand hall.

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

Don’t

be lonely this Christmas

The Council’s John Green talks about overcoming loneliness and the support available.

It’s classed as the most wonderful time of the year, but for some of our older and more vulnerable residents, it can be the loneliest time of the year.

Last Christmas, research by Age UK found that more than half a million older people across the UK were expecting to be lonely at Christmas and that many hadn’t sought any help.

It also found that Christmas wasn’t something they were looking forward to because it brought back memories of people who had passed away and of happier times.

John Green is head of Havering Council’s joint commissioning unit which works with local partners to ensure services are in place to support older and vulnerable residents. He explains how the Council is geared up to help older people keep themselves happy and upbeat at this time of the year.

Q - What kind of support is available to older people in Havering who might be lonely?

A – We carry out approximately a million home visits every year to our older residents through care agencies.

We know from the comments we receive from older people that this service is highly valued; not least that it gives the opportunity for a chat with carers. There is also an active and lively voluntary sector in Havering that offers a lot of support.

The Council works with a range of voluntary agencies to provide services that are intended to address social isolation in one way or another and some of these are detailed opposite.

Q - What can be done to combat loneliness?

A – We can all play a part in helping people to overcome isolation and loneliness – check on a neighbour, say hello in the supermarket, etc. For family, friends or for older people themselves, look at websites to see what help is available. There are a lot of groups designed for just the purpose of bringing people together. We have seen 16 | December 2019 | LIVING in Havering

people who were formerly isolated take the leap of joining a group and finding a new circle of friends that has transformed their lives.

Q - What are some of the highlights happening at this time of year?

A – All organisations and groups tend to put on Christmas celebrations and events. For example one of our services is the Havering Carers Hub, which supports people who care for loved ones, and they are putting on a range of events, including a Christmas Party. They are included in the organisations listed opposite.

Q - Where can you get help and support?

A – I appreciate that not everyone is able to get out and about so there are services which older people can access online or over the telephone. It’s also worth checking out local churches and community centres to find out what events they have coming up. Many host Christmas meals and festivities, so ask a friend or family to help you find out more. Have a look at some of the organisations listed opposite, and if you feel they are relevant, contact them for advice and guidance on how you might join in with their activities and events at Christmas and beyond.

i www.havering.gov.uk/social

Help over the festive season We hope all our readers have a very enjoyable and peaceful festive holiday. However, if you need assistance here are some numbers that may help:

Age UK Havering

NHS

T: 020 8220 6000 www.ageuk.org.uk/ redbridgebarkinghavering

• Within normal surgery hours your GP should be your first contact with health concerns. GPs provide examinations, advice, prescriptions, vaccinations and referrals.

• You should call 111 when you cannot wait to see your doctor. NHS 111 is a fast and easy way to get the right help urgently, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

• You should visit 111.nhs.uk when you cannot wait to see your doctor. NHS 111 is a fast and easy way to get the right help urgently, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

H.A.D Havering Association for People with Disabilities T: 01708 476554 E: admin@hadhavering.co.uk

Havering Carers Hub Havering Carers' Hub provides advice, information and support for carers.

T: 01708 961111 E: info@haveringcarershub.org.uk www.haveringcarershub.org.uk

Havering Mind Havering Mind is a local mental health charity, providing services to people living locally.

T: 01708 457040 E: reach.us@haveringmind.org.uk www.haveringmind.org.uk

London Fire Brigade In an emergency you should always call 999 – but if it's not urgent their switchboard service is available.

Monday to Friday 8.30am- 5pm on 020 8555 1200

Havering Council For general enquiries call 01708 434343 during the office hours of 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday.

Please note that the Council’s offices will be closed on Friday 27 December.

If it’s an emergency, and outside our usual office hours, you can call 01708 433999.

Follow Havering Council on twitter: @LBofHavering. www.havering.gov.uk

Metropolitan Police T: 101 In an emergency dial 999

Peabody Here to Help Service T: 0300 123 3456 E: careandsupport@peabody.org.uk www.peabodycareandsupport.org.uk

Samaritans of Havering T: 01708 740000

Tapestry Care and support for adults and older people in the local community.

T: 01708 796600 E: hello@tapestry-uk.org www.tapestry-uk.org

Should the weather drop below zero overnight, emergency shelters and hostels will be made available

by Havering Council as part of its Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) which means that that no one needs to sleep rough on the streets of Havering.

The emergency shelters and hostels are geared up to offer food as well as providing rough sleepers with advice, care and access to longer term accommodation, minimising the chances of them returning to the streets.

If you spot someone sleeping rough, let the Council know so that they can provide support. This can be done online, via the Street Link app or by calling 01708 431180 during work hours (or 01708 433 999 outside of work hours).

i www.havering.gov.uk/roughsleepers

Havering Council will then contact the rough sleeper to provide advice on what services are locally available to them, discuss their housing needs and ensure that nobody is left behind. www.havering.gov.uk/living | December 2019 | 17

Business Focus

Support

when it’s

needed

“

We have no hesitation in recommending ELBP

”

“Hambro Roofing have been clients of East London Business Place since its formation in 2008, and we have benefited immensely Steve May, Director, Sandhurst Construction Ltd from working with their skilled team of advisers on a number of their support programmes, such as the current ‘Building East London Business Place (ELBP) has been providing Legacies’ project. Not only do they help you get your business business support to east London’s SMEs in the construction fit-to-supply and in a better position to bid for construction sector since 2008. contracts with major buyers, but they also provide all the training you need around accreditations, compliance and procurement, Their key focus for local sub-contractors and suppliers has etc. We would have no hesitation in recommending them to always been to make sure they are in a position of robust any Havering-based construction SME looking for free business ‘fitness-to-supply’ so they can meet the ever-increasing support and supply-chain brokerage.” standards of local authorities, main contractors and Jon Hammersley – Director, Hambro Roofing Ltd, Rainham developers.

“Registering on the Building Legacies business support programme was an excellent move for Sandhurst, and I believe it has really helped the company to grow, giving us the confidence to bid for and take on bigger and better contracts. Working with Building Legacies has really helped us to think much more strategically, which will undoubtedly support our longer-term profitability and sustainability objectives.”

They provide this and many other services through the Steve May, Director, Sandhurst Construction Ltd, Romford Building Legacies business support programme, which is not If you would like to talk to to ELBP’s Business Growth Manager only FREE, but also helps SMEs to get contract-ready, whilst Simon Lewin about how Building Legacies can support your providing main contractors working in Havering and across east London with access to a growing and diverse talent-pool business to grow, get sustainable and be able to bid for larger contracts, please contact him on simon.lewin@elbp.co.uk of local sub-contract trades.

In addition to working with SMEs to ensure they have all the right accreditations and policies which are typically required by larger buyers, they also undertake procurement training in group sessions and on a one-to-one basis, to ensure that businesses are fully aware of what it takes to both pre-qualify (via PQQ) and bid for contract and tender opportunities.

Howard Swift, Head of Economic Development at Havering Council writes…

We had a very successful evening at the Havering Chamber of Commerce Business event at the end of October at Queen’s Theatre. It was great to meet and talk to many borough businesses about their priorities and how the Council can help achieve those aims.

A real highlight for me was meeting the wonderful Neave, who came to the event with her Mum, Lisa Cable, who owns Radfield Home Care Havering and provides services to people in their own homes across Havering. I spent some time talking to Neave about her mum’s business and her plans to be a future Havering business owner.

18 | December 2019 | LIVING in Havering

Don’t miss out on contract opportunities!

If you are a Havering business and want to hear about all the current tender contracts available through our joint ventures and other programmes, as well as future ‘meet the buyer’ events, please sign up to our Supply Chain Initiative.

i www.havering.gov.uk/supplychain

Developing students’ talent and employability Drylining experts Measom have joined up with NCC Havering Colleges Construction Centre in Rainham to boost employability by offering taster courses and beginner Drylining courses for students in a unique, newly-constructed training area.

Measom Managing Director Andrew Measom said: “This is a ground-breaking partnership which is giving us the exciting opportunity to educate young people in a trade that is not typically offered at colleges. Drylining is a modern-day plastering but it is an undervalued trade in the industry. The reality is, however, that there is a lucrative career in drylining where specialists can earn up to £50,000 a year.”

Andrew went on to explain that the construction industry is in the middle of a revolution where ipads are replacing architects’ drawings and super technical equipment is now commonplace on sites.

The new courses at Rainham will start next year and will be short six-week courses taught by a Measom specialist. The successful students will be offered an interview giving them the opportunity of an apprenticeship with Measom where they will work with experienced dryliners on live projects.

Students putting their learning into action Colin Seabrook, Head of Department for Construction & Building Services for NCC Havering Colleges, said: “The construction industry is ever-evolving so we need industry experts working in the college with us. The partnership with Measom is really exciting for us. It will help us reach young people who are interested in a career in construction and it offers the college access to a major local and national employer.”

At the heart and soul of small business Heart & Soul, at 80-84 Market Place, Romford, officially opened for business at the beginning of October, after being taken over by new operator, KingsHeart.

The re-opened venue will offer live music and open mic nights, as well as a host of creative events. Complete with a professional sound, stage and lighting set up, and a baby grand piano, the venue will be a welcoming cultural hub for the people of Romford to enjoy.

Heart & Soul features a new bar and coffee facilities, as well as the existing and popular pop-up kitchens featuring award-winning Indian food, artisan pizza and a brand new gourmet burger menu.

In addition to the entertainment venue, Heart & Soul will continue to house a number of small businesses and start-ups in its first-floor office space, providing a nurturing environment for emerging enterprises in the borough.

Havering Council stepped in to safeguard the businesses housed at 80-84 Market Place in January 2019 until a new operator could be found.

KingsHeart have a strong track record in running another premises, holding community events and mentoring businesses to help them grow.

KingsHeart’s Steve Kitchen said: “The team here at Heart & Soul are thrilled to partner with the Council and hope to build on the unique feel and spirit of the venue. Our vision is to be a little oasis in the heart of Romford market, and we’d like to invite members of the community to help us achieve this. Follow us on Facebook, or visit our website for details on upcoming events.”

i www.heartandsoulromford.com www.havering.gov.uk/living | December 2019 | 19

Arts & Culture Arts

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

FRY’S GALLERY Exposure Reflecting Havering

Open Photography

Exhibition

Exhibition 9/12/19 to

19/12/19

Open to all ages ine: 14/11/19 Digital copy entries deadl ine: 03/12/19 Hard copy entries deadl photography, For camera or phone 1mb minimum file size of ing.gov.uk, Information: arts@haver 01708 434135

EXPOSURE PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION Fry’s Gallery at Fairkytes Arts Centre

HAVERING ARTS COUNCIL

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

Museums & Exhibitions

BRETONS THROUGH TIME

At South Hornchurch Library until 8 December Bretons Manor can be traced back at least as far as 1160 and was an important manor in the district into the nineteenth century and is connected with interesting characters from Havering’s past.

Find out about the first tenant of the Romford Sewage Farm, William Hope, one of the first recipients of the Victoria Cross, and view a reproduction of the 1855 painting

by Louis William Desanges commemorating his brave action, courtesy of The Fusilier Museum London.

HAVERING MUSEUM

19 High Street, Romford, RM1 1JU t 01708 766 571 e info@haveringmuseum.org.uk www.haveringmuseum.org.uk Two years in 30 objects (20182019) Runs until 14 December

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

PHOENIX ART GROUP

Tuesdays, 2 – 4pm An art club for adults to socialise and create art with the help of a professional artist tutor.

Tuesdays 2 – 4pm 3 Elgin Avenue, Harold Park 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

Havering Singers Music for Christmas Saturday 21 December, 7:30 pm 9:00 pm Holy Cross Church, Hornchurch Road, Hornchurch RM11 1PX Classic Christmas carols and songs.

Tickets are £10 for adults or £5 for children and students aged 5 – 17 www.haveringsingers.org.uk

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

It takes pride of place in this exhibition to mark the 80th anniversary of the Declaration of War in September 1939.

The exhibition will be open until 18 December.

Music First Step Tasty Treats St. Alban's Hall, Ullswater Way, Elm Park, RM12 5LA Christmas entertainment by Fairlytes Singers to support the work of First Step.

10am to 1pm, Friday 13 December.

Free to attend. Fairlytes Singers will be performing traditional Christmas carols and songs. There will be a chance to buy gifts from our mini market. Refreshments and cakes will also be on sale.

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

S.E.N.D Performance Showcase An evening of performance in a relaxed environment by people with special educational needs and disabilities, of any age or genre.

Friday, 28 February, 7pm.

To take part, email arts@havering. gov.uk for information or phone 01708 434135.

Theatre BROOKSIDE THEATRE

www.brooksidetheatre.com

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.

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

20 | December 2019 | LIVING in Havering

Christmas celebrations Thames Chase Forest Centre, Pike Lane, Upminster RM14 3NS Christmas market and Christmas traditions with music by local musician and carols led by Upminster and Cranham Churches together on Sunday 15 December 10am – 4pm. Entrance is free, £1 donation to park. www.thameschase.org.uk

The Frank & Dean Show Saturday 30 November Lock up your bourbon - Frank and Dean are back in town in a fantastic new show that celebrates the talent of two of the world's most famous entertainers and some of the finest music and songs ever to be recorded. Take a

trip back to Las Vegas in the late 1950s and dance the night away to a host of classics hits including New York New York, Sway, The Lady Is A Tramp, Volare, Fly Me To The Moon, and My Way.

Peter Pan The Musical Wednesday 11 - Saturday 21 December A sensational musical adaptation of J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan. Join Peter and the Darling family as they are whisked away to a land full of imagination, possibility and a host of colourful characters.

D-Live presents The Frozen Snow Queen Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 January A brand new festive adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen with incorporated British Sign Language and Spoken English. Featuring a cast of two live performers joined digitally by a host of other characters. Join them on a journey through an icy

landscape with a young woman searching to find her soulmate who has been kidnapped by the evil Snow Queen.

Ad Hoc Players present Mother Goose’s Golden Christmas Thursday 9 - Saturday 11 January A magical family musical. Follow a host of classic fairty tale characters as they pursue a life of excitement and adventure.

Music from the Movies Saturday 18 January Performed by Five Star Swing. From London’s Leicester Square Theatre, this unique, show band present an evening of unforgettable classic film hits.

Haunted Havering Saturday 25 January A paranormal investigation of the Brookside Theatre, “The most haunted theatre in Britain!” (Daily Mirror) Women in Rock Friday 31 January The hit live show celebrating the world’s greatest female rock legends. Women In Rock deliver a show stopping performance covering all the great legends through the ages. Not just a tribute, but a celebration to all women who simply 'rock'!

QUEEN'S THEATRE HORNCHURCH

www.queens-theatre.co.uk

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.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Revolution with The Bluejays Tuesday 7 January

Jackson Live in Concert Wednesday 8 January

The Take That Experience Friday 10 January

Sparky the Elf and the Secret Toyshop 5 - 24 December A festive adventure from the team behind last year's production.

Outposted in a secret location in the Queen’s Theatre, there’s a little bit of the North Pole hiding…

Sparky Tinselbottom, a dedicated but chatty Elf, is frantically working away in the build-up to Christmas repairing abandoned toys.

Rat Pack Live Saturday 11 January Radio GaGa – The Ultimate Tribute To Queen Sunday 12 January

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

What’s on between 6 and 7.30pm. For girls aged 4-8 years. t 07951 744788 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.

COMPUTERS FOR BEGINNERS Wednesdays, 9.30 – 11am Ardleigh House Community BEAD AND DRESSMAKING 6TH SQUIRRELS HEATH SCOUT GROUP Association 42 Ardleigh Green Road Weekly meetings on Thursdays 10am Wednesdays, 5-6.30pm Hornchurch RM11 2LG - 12 noon. e sixthbeaversgroup@yahoo.com t 440660 Free to attend at North Romford BASKING BABIES ROMFORD e office@ardleighhouse.org Community Association Tuesdays, 9.45-11.15am 32 Clockhouse Lane, Romford RM5 3QJ CONCERT PARTY t 07701 367883 Teaching sewing, bead and jewellery The Entertainers are a concert party BROWNIES KIDS BIRDWATCHING CLUB making. providing entertainment to care The 1st Hornchurch Brownies for Held once a month at RSPB Rainham homes and social groups in BME FORUM WELCOME DROP-IN girls aged 7-10 years old meet in Marshes New Tank Hill Road, Havering and the surrounding area.

Vicarage Road on Thursdays Purfleet, RM19 1SZ between 9.30am Mondays 3 – 5pm Havering Volunteer Centre, 32-34 High t 07770 325720 between 6 and 7.30pm. and 12.30pm e martinkelly1@hotmail.com St., Romford, RM1 1HR t 07736 232239 e Rainham.Marshes@rspb.org.uk CRAFTY ARTS KNIT AND NATTER GROUP The BME Forum are hosting 'drop in' e tanyamaidment28@gmail.com LIMITLESS YOUTH GROUP Tuesdays, 10am -12noon sessions for all to find out what is on The 6th Harold Hill (Salvation Army) Fun, games and chill time. For 11 offer across Havering, especially if you e sales@craftyarts.co.uk Brownie Unit for 7-10 year olds -18 year olds. Every Friday night are new to the area.

CRANHAM ENGAYNE WI meet every Monday at 6pm at 7-9pm. 2A Newmarket Way, Every third Tuesday of the month.

Petersfield Avenue, Harold Hill.

Hornchurch, RM12 6DS BRITISH CACTUS & SUCCULENT 2- 4pm. Doors open at 1.30pm. t 07834 206562 e l imitless@haveringchristian SOCIETY, HAVERING BRANCH e abloomfield77@hotmail.com fellowship.org Third Saturday of the month, 7-10pm Cranham Community association Hall. 115A Marlborough Gardens, t 447778 CRICKET COACHING SESSIONS MOTHER AND BABY YOGA CLASS Upminster RM14 1SR Colt Coaching Sessions (aged 5+) Buddha Babes mother and baby CAKE DECORATING AND SUGARCRAFT t 443374 are organised by Havering-atteyoga/massage class for ages 6 Romford group, Mondays 7.30-10pm.

DIABETES UK – HAVERING GROUP Bower Cricket Club, Broxhill Road, weeks+. Every Friday 12 noon-1pm 2nd Monday of the month at Forest Third Monday of each month Romford, RM4 1QH St Andrews Church Hall, 222 High Row Centre, Lodge Lane, Collier Row, (except January) North Street Halls, t 07718 944051 Street, Hornchurch RM12 6QP RM5 2LD. 7.30-10pm.

Hornchurch havering-atte-bower-cc.co.uk/colts e chloenewman31@gmail.com t 767145 t 935779 ROMFORD AUTISTIC GROUP Hornchurch group, Saturdays Can help with emotional support for 1.30-4pm. 1st Saturday of the month www.havering.diabetesukgroup.org EAST OF LONDON FAMILY families with children on the at Royal British Legion, 205 High St, HISTORY SOCIETY autistic spectrum.

Hornchurch, RM11 3XT. 1.30-4pm.

First Saturday of the month, Call on Mondays or Tuesdays t 767145 11am-4pm t 564871 CITIZENS ADVICE HAVERING e neal25@hotmail.com www.rags-havering.org.uk Citizens Advice Havering is ELM PARK HORTICULTURAL GUILD SOUNDS RIGHT PHONICS CLASSES celebrating 80 years of giving Weekly on Wednesdays from 1.45 to advice in Havering. Find out about AGM to be held at 7.30pm on ESSEX WILDLIFE TRUST Monday 2 December in the 2.30pm at Harold Wood Library. our volunteering opportunities.

To book your place on any of the events Classes are available for children Assembly Hall Annexe, e lynn@haveringcab.org.uk for at the Ingrebourne Valley Visitor Centre aged 12 months - 4 years.

Eyhurst Avenue, Elm Park RM12 4RA details or see the website. in Hornchurch Country Park t 709494 www.soundsrightphonicsclasses. COLLIER ROW BRIDGE CLUB t 520364 www.ephg.co.uk co.uk Thursdays, 7-10.30pm Free Buggy Walks FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY WIGGLE AND GIGGLE www.bridgewebs.com/collierrow Every Tuesday 1.30-2.15pm The Havering Branch of the East of A lively session of action songs and COLLIER ROW HORTICULTURAL Bring your little one in their pram or rhymes for children aged 2-4.

London Family History Society hold SOCIETY AND ALLOTMENTS buggy for a brisk 45 minute led walk Term time only. Free Event. meetings on the first Saturday of ASSOCIATION around Hornchurch Country Park. every month at Trinity Church, Elm Park Library – Saturdays and Sundays Station Rd, Upminster RM14 2SJ. Little Badgers Parent and Toddler Wednesday 11.30am-12noon 10am-12.30pm Members and visitors welcome.

Group Harold Hill Library – t 756005 4 January - ‘The History of Spoken Every Tuesday and Friday 10.30am- Friday 2-2.30pm COLLIER ROW TOWNSWOMEN’S GUILD English Part 1’ by Charlie Haylock.

12 noon. Indoor and outdoor fun for Upminster Library – First and third Tuesday of the 1 February -‘Kings of Essex ’ by toddlers and pre-schoolers with Thursday 10.30-11am month, 1.30 -4pm Julian Whybra. parents and carers. £6 per child per YOGA FOR CHILDREN e mclary2012@btinternet.com t 225313 session.

Mondays, 5-6pm COLOURING CLUB FAIRKYTES ACCORDION CLUB GIRLS BRIGADE at Havering Asian Social and Welfare At the United Reformed Church, First Wednesday of month, 7.30pm 3rd Hornchurch Girls Brigade Company Association Western Road, Romford, RM1 3LP. Enquiries to Val Coe: meet Friday nights during term time at www.haswa.org.uk Every Friday, 1.30-3pm. t 225313 St Andrews Church Hornchurch t 07890420598

CHILDREN

22 | December 2019 | LIVING in Havering

GENERAL COMMUNITY

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 Meets 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. 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. t 07947 367258 HAVERING BOARD GAMERS First, third and fifth Thursday of the month 7.30-10pm e fransnook@yahoo.co.uk HAVERING CONCERT ORCHESTRA (HCO) Wednesdays, during term-time 7.30-9.30pm www.hcoweb.co.uk HAVERING 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 SINGERS COME & SING WORKSHOP Saturday 18 January, 9.30am – 4pm at St Andrew's Church, Hornchurch, RM12 6QP An opportunity to try Choral Singing. e tickets@haveringsingers.org.uk www.haveringsingers.org.uk HAVERING SINGERS CHOIR REHEARSALS Weekly on Wednesdays between 8 and 10pm.

St. Edward’s Primary School, Havering Drive, Romford RM1 4BT Havering Singers is open to all who enjoy singing, whatever their musical experience. www.haveringsingers.org.uk 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 ROSEWOOD LADIES CLUB Sunday 8 December. 9.30am – 3pm.

SAINT FRANCIS HOSPICE FUN RUN Join hundreds of runners, joggers and walkers, spreading cheer this December with Frankie's Festive Fun Run at Fairlop Waters Country Park. As well as the new family friendly course, there will be a winter market, Santa's Grotto, reindeer petting, an event village with children's activities, characters, music and a host of warm food and refreshments. www.sfh.org.uk/fun-run 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 SUNDAY MARKET 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 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

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

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.

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 TALKS Havering Branch Essex Wildlife Trust are holding talks in the first floor meeting room in Hornchurch Library.

Monday 9 December 7.45 – 9.30pm An illustrated talk on orchids of Britain and abroad with botanist Mary Smith.

Monday 13 January 7.45 – 9.30pm The wonderful world of wildlife photography with Peter Clayton, local wildlifephotographer. t 440297 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 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

24 | December 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 tel. 01708 434936 ELM PARK St Nicholas Avenue, Elm Park RM12 4PT ElmPark.Library@havering.gov.uk tel. 01708 434919 GIDEA PARK Balgores Lane, Gidea Park RM2 6BS GideaPark.Library@havering.gov.uk tel. 01708 434978 HAROLD HILL 19A Farnham Road, Harold Hill RM3 8ED HaroldHill.Library@havering.gov.uk tel. 01708 434973 HAROLD WOOD Arundel Road, Harold Wood RM3 0RX HaroldWood.Library@havering.gov.uk tel. 01708 434975 HORNCHURCH 44 North Street, Hornchurch RM11 1TB Hornchurch.Library@havering.gov.uk tel. 01708 434903 RAINHAM 6 Celtic Farm Road, Rainham RM13 9GP Rainham.Library@havering.gov.uk tel. 01708 434970 ROMFORD St Edwards Way, Romford RM1 3AR Central.Library@havering.gov.uk tel. 01708 432389 SOUTH HORNCHURCH Rainham Road, Rainham RM13 7RD SouthHornchurch.Library@havering.gov.uk tel. 01708 434921 UPMINSTER 26 Corbets Tey Road, Upminster RM14 2BB Upminster.Library@havering.gov.uk tel. 01708 434933 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 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 Friday 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.

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 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

FIVE STAR BASKETBALL ACADEMY Tuesdays, 5-6.30pm e elvan.dixon@havering.gov.uk FUN AND FUNKY DANCE Variety of dance classes available www.funandfunkydance.com FUSION STREET DANCE TEAM Tuesdays, 5-8pm www.funandfunkydance.com 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. www.H90j.org.uk HEARTFELT YOGA Tuesdays, 8-9.30pm www.heartfeltyoga.co.uk HYLANDS TENNIS CLUB HYLANDS MINI TENNIS ACADEMY Tots at 6pm and Red balls at 7pm classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Orange ball at 6pm and Green ball at 7pm on Mondays.

JISSOKAN MARTIAL ARTS Wednesdays, 7.30-9pm e garrylever81@aol.com

SPORTS & FITNESS ARDLEIGH HOUSE SHORT MAT BOWLS CLUB Mondays and Tuesdays, 12.302.30pm. Thursdays and Fridays, 10am-12noon t 440660 e Ardleigh-house@sky.com ATTE BOWER SHORT MAT BOWLS CLUB Bower Hall, Wellingtonia Avenue, Havering-atte-Bower, RM4 1QP Mondays 7.15-10pm and Thursdays at 9.15am-12noon Beginners welcome t 706833 attebowerbowls.weebly.com

JUDO The Black Dragon Judo Club run judo classes at the Harris Academy School, Lambs Lane South, Rainham, in the main gym from 6 to 7.30pm. t 07533 458303 e joex15@mail.com JU JITSU Variety of classes on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays www.ryujujitsu.com

KAIZENS GUNNS KARATE CLUB Family run karate club open to everyone over the age of 6.

Saturdays 12noon-1pm and Tuesdays 7.30-8.30pm Frances Bardsley School, Brentwood Road, Romford RM1 2RR t 07919 884679 e kaizengunns@gmail.com KEEP FIT CLASS Keep fit training for people who 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, Monday 9.15am and 6.45pm, and Saturday 8.10am and 9am at Tesco Community Room, Roneo Corner. 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

www.havering.gov.uk/living | December 2019 | 25

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 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

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. www.afinebalance.me YOGA, PILATES AND BARRE PILATES Classes on Monday to Saturday www.absoluteyogaandpilates.co.uk ZUMBA Zumba classes every Monday evening, everyone is welcome.

6.45 – 7.45pm at Rainham Library, 6 Celtic Farm Road, Rainham.

SHORT MAT BOWLS Play every Tuesday at the Community Centre, Gooshayes Drive, Harold Hill, from 10 – 11.30am and noon – 2pm.

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

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

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

WELLBEING

26 | December 2019 | LIVING in Havering

Tuesday of the month 1:30 – 3pm t 961111 e info@haveringcarershub.org.uk www.haveringcarershub.org.uk 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. t 07785 901886 MINDFULNESS WORKSHOP Weekly meetings on Mondays.

7.15 – 8.15pm at The Friends Meeting House, Balgores Crescent, Gidea Park RM2 6AB A workshop using techniques from China. t 07847 509360 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.

YOGA WITH JOULES Weekly on Fridays from 1.30 to 2.30pm at HASWA, Kilmartin Way, Elm Park, RM12 5NB Vinyasa flow yoga. All levels welcome, including beginners e joulesmurdock@gmail.com t 07581 386778

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

Parents: 3 and 4 year olds are starting school in September 2020 free childcare for working parents

• Working parents can access up to 30 hours childcare from January 2020 if their 30 hour code has a start date on or before 31/12/2019.

• If you already access 30 hours childcare make sure your reconfirm on time, by logging into your childcare service account.

• Don’t delay. For further information and to apply now, visit www.havering.gov.uk/earlyyears or www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

APPLY ONLIN E Applications close on Wednesday 15 January 2020 For information about school admissions and to apply online go to www.havering.gov.uk/admissions

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

FREE mini funfair, including a ferris wheel 14 to 24 December* Daily 10am to 4pm *finish 3pm on 24 December

Come and meet the reindeer

21 December 11am to 3pm

Wrapping station from Wed 20 Dec until Tues 24 Dec. Buy a present or anything from Romford Market and we’ll wrap it up for free! Located near to the card stall just outside Debenhams.

FREE Immersive Narnia experience 11am to 4pm (3pm Christmas Eve) www.narnia.com www.facebook.com/TheChroniclesofNarnia Narnia® is a registered trademark of CS Lewis Pte Ltd. THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE

by C.S. Lewis copyright © C.S. Lewis Pte. Ltd. 1950.

Mini Christmas concert hosted by Time 107.5FM featuring: Frozen sing-along, tap dancing elves, party performances from your favourite children’s characters

14 & 21 December

Santa’s Post Box, from Fri 13 Dec until Wed 18 Dec Get your little ones to send their Christmas letters to Santa and get a personalised reply from the man himself.

Located in the middle of the market.

Enter a magical winter forest and find yourself immersed in a short story inspired by the world of CS Lewis.

Commissioned by:

www.havering.gov.uk/christmas

ROMFORD MARKET EVENTS