Living in Havering 177 July 2017

LIVING

in Havering JULY 2017

Issue 177• www.havering.gov.uk

The Haverin Show is g back!

Bigger a nd better, b ut still

FREE

See pag es 20-21

02 | JULY 2017 | LIVING in Havering

Children starting Year 6?

Don’t forget you need to apply for Year 7

If your child was born between 1 September 2006 and 31 August 2007.

Applications must be made between Friday 01 September 2017 and Tuesday 31 October 2017.

Apply online for their Year 7 place www.havering.gov.uk/eAdmissions If you have a query, contact www.havering.gov.uk/admissions/poster

N O SEAtiSckets

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www.havering.gov.uk/living | JULY2017 | 03

Contents

8

issue 177

14

16

20

Showing support for our Armed Forces

Have fun at the Havering Show

Stay healthy this summer

Miles the Mole champions clean air

4 12 17 19 22

News The latest news in Havering

Protecting children Who is your child talking to?

A good start for every child More free childcare

Is someone else's child living with you?

Details of help available

Waste minimisation Everyone can help

25 26 27 32 34 005114

Crowning glory Celebrating the Queen's Sapphire Jubilee

Parking Dos and Don'ts

Historical Havering Library turns a page

Business focus Romford bids for success

Listings Your guide to what's on in the borough

04 | JULY2017 | LIVING in Havering

News

The future of cross-

Welcome to the July issue of Living in Havering which previews this year’s Havering Show to be held over the Bank Holiday weekend. Havering is one of the few local authorities that still provides a free show for residents and visitors and I’m proud of the fact that thanks to generous support from sponsors we are able to continue to do so.

Indeed, looking at the line up this year’s show will be one of the biggest yet. Let’s hope the weather is as kind to us this time as it was last year!

Like many of you I am a regular user of the A127 and it was extremely disappointing to hear from TfL last month that work on the Ardleigh Green Bridge has now been extended by more than a year. This delay in the completion of already protracted works is completely unacceptable and I have contacted the Minister for Transport and the Mayor of London to emphasise our frustration on behalf of businesses and residents.

I was very proud of the support we were able to offer the families affected by the Grenfell Tower tragedy last month. Social workers from our Children’s and Adults social care teams were part of the team helping residents who had lost loved ones or their homes. All of our blocks of flats have upto-date fire risk assessments and regular fire safety inspections. We only have one block with cladding and that is not of the same type as used in Grenfell Tower. We are therefore confident that our blocks comply with necessary safety regulations but have stepped up a programme of inspections of the common parts and public areas of our buildings to ensure all fire safety requirements are complied with, including the removal of all rubbish or items that could create a risk.

I hope you have a very enjoyable summer and look forward to seeing you at the Havering Show.

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

Users of Gidea Park, Harold Wood and Romford stations have in recent weeks had a glimpse of the future with the first of the new state-of-the-art Elizabeth line trains welcomed into passenger service.

Following extensive testing and preparation, the train, part of a fleet of 66 that will operate on the new line, is now in passenger service between Liverpool Street and Shenfield on the TfL Rail route.

Eleven trains will be introduced on the route by this autumn and will initially be 160 metres long and made up of seven carriages. They will later be extended to nine carriages and the full length of 200 metres to carry up to 1,500 people. Over the course of 2017, the majority of services on TfL Rail will move to being operated by new trains, although some of the older trains which are over thirty years old will remain in service until 2019.

Key features of the new trains include air conditioning, dedicated wheelchair spaces and additional multi-use spaces for buggies and luggage, intelligent lighting and temperature control, CCTV for passenger security, three sets of double doors along each carriage for quicker and easier boarding and alighting, and improved travel information for passengers to plan their onward journeys.

The development of the Elizabeth line is a key part of Havering Council’s ‘Making a Greater London’ vision that has great travel and communications connections as one of its key themes. When complete the Elizabeth line will directly link Havering with the West End of London, the City, Docklands, Reading and Heathrow in the west across to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east, through 40 accessible stations. When fully open in 2019, the Elizabeth line will increase central London's rail capacity by ten per cent, carrying over half a million passengers per day and will help deliver reliable and expanded train services to serve Havering’s growing population.

i

follow @Elizabethline on twitter

www.havering.gov.uk/living | JULY 2017 | 05

We stand arrives together

-London travel

Construction of the Crossrail project, which is on time and on budget, is 85 per cent complete. The Elizabeth line will open in phases:

ay 2018: TfL Rail service opens between • M Paddington Main Line and Heathrow Terminal 4, replacing the existing Heathrow Connect service and part of the Great Western inner suburban service.

December 2018: The Elizabeth line opens between Paddington and Abbey Wood, Liverpool Street Main Line to Shenfield, Paddington Main Line to Heathrow Terminal 4.

May 2019: The Elizabeth line through service extends from Shenfield to Paddington.

December 2019: The Elizabeth line fully opens, extending to Reading and Heathrow Terminal 4.

•

Britain's been through a lot in the last few months. But despite the tragic events in Manchester, London Bridge Finsbury Park and Grenfell Tower, we have also seen amazing acts of kindness and community spirit as people have stood together against terrorism or helped each other.

• •

Music in the

sunshine

Please remain calm and united, but also vigilant of any suspicious activity. If you see anything that causes concern or raises suspicions please call the Anti-Terrorist Hotline confidentially on 0800 789 321.

In an emergency, always dial 999.

Police continue to patrol Havering’s Town Centres and extra dedicated ward officers remain visible within our communities.

Conductor Jonathan Butcher leads the Westminster Philharmonic Orchestra at the Langtons Summer Concert in Hornchurch.

Around 1,500 people attended the free concert in Langtons Gardens on Sunday 10 June. A highlight of the Havering cultural calendar for 25 years, this year’s concert also marked the 65th anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the throne with a selection of music on a royal theme.

i

www.havering.gov.uk/langtons

Cllr Roger Ramsey, Leader of the Council said: “Our prayers and sympathies are with those who have been affected by the terrorist attacks in London and Manchester. We will remain united and work closely with the police and community groups to reassure residents that Havering is a safe place to live, work and visit.”

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www.met.police.uk/tell-us-about/ possible-terrorist-activity/

06 | JULY 2017 |

Election news

Democracy in action

Around 220 staff worked through the night at Hornchurch Sports Centre to count the ballot papers in two of the borough’s three constituencies for last month’s General Election.

• In Hornchurch and Upminster 56,189 people voted, a 70 per cent turnout.

• In Romford 50,099 votes were cast, a 68 per cent turnout.

Votes in the Dagenham and Rainham constituency were counted in the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham.

Julia Dockerill the Conservative Party candidate was victorious in Hornchurch and Upminster with 33,750 votes and

Labour’s candidate Sukhinder Singh in second place with 16,027 votes. Julia Dockerill replaces Dame Angela Watkinson who announced that she would be retiring prior to the election.

In Romford Andrew Rosindell was re-elected with 29,671 votes with Labour again in second place with their candidate Angelina Leatherbarrow receiving 15,893 votes.

In Dagenham & Rainham Labour’s Jon Cruddas was reelected with 22,958 votes with the Conservatives in second place with 18,306 votes.

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Make sure you’re

www.havering.gov.uk/elections

registered to

Each year Havering Council must contact every resident to check we have the correct information on the electoral register. We do this by sending each residential property a Household Enquiry Form, which contains the details of who is currently registered to vote. The forms, which will be delivered between 20 and 31 July, will be addressed to ‘The occupier’ because it is about all the occupants of the property rather than a specific individual. The forms will carry the Havering Council logo.

By law, we must receive a response from every property, even if the details have not changed.

To make it easier to reply, residents will be able to respond

VOTE

online. If there are no changes to the details, residents can also choose to respond by phone or by text message.

Details of how to respond will be included on the Household Enquiry Form.

Anyone who is not yet registered to vote will not automatically be registered when their name is included on a response to a Household Enquiry Form. They will also need to make an application to register, which they can do online at www.gov.uk/registertovote.

To be eligible to register to vote, you must be 16 years or over (you can only vote once you are 18) and a British, Irish, qualifying Commonwealth or European Union citizen. If you are already registered, you don’t need to register again, unless your details have changed.

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www.havering.gov.uk/elections

www.havering.gov.uk/living | JULY2017 | 07

News in brief

Cleaning up

A Havering resident has been fined £930 for repeatedly ignoring Council warnings ordering him to clean up his front and back gardens.

David Stoddart was served two Community Protection Notices following previous warning letters for failing to clear a large amount of building waste and overgrown foliage in the front and rear of his property in Birch Road, Collier Row. Mr Stoddart was subsequently issued a Fixed Penalty Notice for non-compliance with the Anti- Social Crime and Policing Act Corbally Jnr. They were found guilty of depositing waste, | WINTER 2016 | 15 including potentiallywww.havering.gov.uk/living hazardous materials, in 2012 and 2013.

2014.

On 16 June 2017, Mr Stoddart pleaded not guilty at a trial at Baldwins Farm was being used as an illegal waste site, and at least 7,000 tonnes of waste was deposited there between 1 Barkingside Magistrates Court. But Council evidence proved March and 31 August 2012. Both defendants pleaded guilty otherwise and the defendant was ordered to pay £200 for to operating a regulated facility without a permit and they each offence, £500 costs and £30 victim surcharge. also pleaded guilty to being responsible for another illegal tip This prosecution comes after a man from Upminster at Bush Farm. received a suspended jail sentence after he dumped rubble This fine is one of the highest ever to be imposed on on a street in Beckton. Stuart Beattie was given a two year Dip.FH MSPract individualKristina defendantsHaywood following an Environment Agency suspended jail sentence. Also last month The Environment prosecution. If you believe a site is being used for the illegal Agency successfully prosecuted two men for illegal waste Mobile Foot Health Practitioner of waste please call theCare Emvironemnt Agency’s 24tipping and storage at Baldwins Farm in Ockendon and Bush dumoping hour free incident hotline number 0800 80 70 60 or make Farm in Upminster.

Routine Foot Care an anonymous report to Crimestoppers on The Environment Agency, with support from Havering Nail Trimming & Reduction 0800 555 111.

Council’s enforcement team who provided intelligence Hard Skin/Callus/Corn pool with a movements moveable floor to change the management ofSince the new opportunities for residents to Removal this successful prosecution the incidents of fly tipping on vehicle in our borough, include investigated PCS the water depth.

Modern facilities Broxhill Park in Harold improve their health, fitness andToenails Management of Ingrowing haveHill. reduced significantly within Havering.

Recycling and the owners, Patrick Corbally SnrSports and Patrick will also be established across The developments at Hornchurch wellbeing, as well as support young Verrucae existing leisure centres including and Central Park will be subject to people and amateur athletes to excel Risk Foot Care the extensions of fitness suites in planning permission. inDiabetic/High their sport.

Cracked Management Central Park Leisure Centre to create KMH FootMelvin &Heel Nail CareCabinet (Essex) This investment into sport and Councillor Wallace, a larger gym and also new studio Kristina Haywood Dip.FH MSPract leisure facilities throughout Member for Culture & Community space. The contract Experienced with Alzheimers the borough will provide more Engagement said, “Sporting Mobile Foot Health Care Practitioner investment in •Havering is an Routine Foot Care Nail Trimming & Reduction & Dementia Patients Hard Skin/Callous/Corn Management of Ingrowing Toenails importantRemoval aspect•of the council’s * Fully Insured * Verrucae • Diabetic/High Risk Foot Care plans to ensure residents remain hire, an office, kitchen and A new £500,000 hall Cracked Heel Management healthy and happy, and I encourage toilets. There will also be is nearing completion Experienced with Alzheimers & Dementia Patients all residents*Fully to make full use of Wi-Fi available in the new Insured* behind Highfield Towers these facilities when available.” centre thanks to support from in Hillrise Road, Collier 07528 752187 Harold Hill-based Breyer Row. The Sapphire Foundation.

Jubilee Community Centre, named in Illustration of Broxhill Beside the centre there’llActive be recognition of Her a new children’s play area – Majesty Queen Elizabeth funded by a £10,000 grant II’s Sapphire Jubilee, from the Tesco Bags of Help will officially open on 1 Fund; so now you know those CCTV & Access Control Specialists September.

5ps you spend on plastic 01375 893710 Work started in March this carrier bags are being put to good use. year and thanks to Scotts WHO’S AT YOUR DOOR? of Thrapston, a company Already a number of local Established Services Ltd Your local family funeral director 2004 that specialises in modular organisations, including preWest & Coe who have served the community • HD & IP CCTV Systems buildings, the facilities will school playgroups, a church for six over 100 years are pleased to offer • Free Remote Internet Monitoring be open just months and a karate club, have • Intruder Alarm Systems later. Facilities will include expressedWITH interest in hiring HELP AND ADVICE • Domestic & Commercial a large hall available for thePLANS hall and more bookings • We maintain systems FUNERAL community groups and are welcome.

• Repairs to systems Lorkins Farm, Conways Road other organisations to • FOC survey/quotation

leisure centre renovation plans

KMH Foot & Nail Care (Essex)

New centre in Collier Row

shaping up

07528 752187

Worried about the rising costs of funerals?

i

www.havering.gov.uk/SapphireJubileeCommunityCentre

• Package deals • All work guaranteed

Orsett, Essex RM16 3EL

tracy@itcuksales.co.uk www.itcservicesltd.co.uk

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08 | JULY2017 | LIVING in Havering

News

Showing support Crowds gathered to applaud those marching through Romford town centre as Armed Forces Day was celebrated on Saturday 24 June. The day provides an opportunity for members of the public to show their support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community.

The parade was led by the Royal British Legion Band and Corps of Drums Romford and included serving military personnel alongside veterans and cadets.

The parade started in South Street and finished at Tollgate House in the Market Place. Soldiers from 4 PARA, the country’s nationally recruited reserve parachute battalion were part of the parade. 4 PARA’s role is to augment the regular battalions that comprise 16 Air Assault Brigade based in Colchester.

The Officer Commanding B Company, Major Charlie Turner, said: “The Armed Forces Day parade in Romford Town centre was an excellent opportunity for us to enhance our local profile, to advertise what we do as reservist paratroopers and the opportunities that exist within 4th battalion. The Parachute Regiment is exceedingly grateful to the Mayor and the people of Romford for granting us the privilege of taking part.”

B Company 4 PARA has a detachment based in London Road, Romford and they are actively recruiting. They are looking for fit and mentally robust men aged 18 to 34. There are also posts available for non-PARA attached arms for both male and female applicants.

i

I f you’re interested contact the Army Recruiting Team on 0208 749 5694 or 4PARA-BCoy-RECRUITING@mod.uk

Following the parade the Mayor of Havering, Cllr Linda Van den Hende, attended a dedication ceremony at the Army Reserve Centre in London Road where the bar was formally named after local Upminster resident Jim Knox.

In 1941 Jim Knox reported at the same location to what was then known as The Drill Hall to sign up. He lied about his age so that he could join the Army aged just 16. He volunteered to then join The Parachute Regiment and went on to see action with the original 4PARA in North Africa and Italy including the critical battle for Monte Cassino.

www.havering.gov.uk/living | JULY2017 | 09

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www.havering.gov.uk/knockknock

10 | JULY 2017 | LIVING in Havering

News

New sport facilities on track

Havering Council is redeveloping its leisure centres across the borough. The biggest development is taking place in Romford town centre with one of East London’s only ice rinks. Inside the centre, the construction of both the 25m eight-lane lane main swimming pool and the 15 x 8m learner pool is complete and both are currently full of water for testing.

In May, Havering Council’s Councillors and staff were joined by contractors Willmott Dixon and partners to celebrate the completion of the roof (pictured above). Cllr Melvin Wallace, Cabinet member for Culture and Community Engagement drilled in the final screw on the roof of the centre to mark this milestone.

Noak Hill Sports Complex, in Harold Hill opened earlier this year. The centre includes a full size 3G artificial pitch, (pictured below) multi-use games area with four floodlit tennis courts that can be used for netball, basketball, five-a-side football and much more.

Renovations are ongoing at Central Park Leisure Centre as the gym is being extended (pictured above) and the Council is currently developing the design and preparing the planning application for new and improved facilities at Hornchurch Leisure Centre.

i

Community Clean Up

www.havering.gov.uk/leisurecentres

Many thanks to the 27 residents of Harwood Avenue and Oak Glen in Hornchurch who volunteered to help cut back the sides and trim the top of a large hedge that runs down the sides of the alley way behind Harwood Gardens on Saturday 10 June.

Debris was cleared from under the hedge and the alleyway swept. Litter was also picked in the alley way, garage area and some parts of Harwood Avenue.

Six volunteers also cleared overgrown front gardens, which greatly helped the owners.

The area was targeted after reports of anti-social activity in the alley way. Squirrels Heath Safer Neighbourhood Police Team were there along with Havering Council’s Community Development Team and over the course of two hours 40 bags of waste were collected.

A further series of community clean ups are scheduled during July, August and September. If you think your area should be included for a future clean-up please email Kim.Smith@havering.gov.uk

www.havering.gov.uk/living | JULY 2017 | 11

005099

KEY AM NESTY OWN U : P, GIV E UP

If you’re caught committing Tenancy Fraud…

• You will be evicted • You could be fined £50,000 • You could face 2 years in prison Own up, and give up your keys before January 2018 and no questions asked.

SEE IT OR SUSPE

CT IT?

Report it anonymously for a

£1,000 reward*

Tenancy Fraud hotline 01708 432405 www.havering.gov.uk/knockknock

*The reward depends on your information leading to the Council reclaiming the property

12 | JULY 2017 | LIVING in Havering

Protecting children o t g n i k l a t d l i h c Who is your this summer?

With the summer holidays beginning, it’s important to pay close attention to who has contact with your children. Many children and teenagers will be venturing off to various activity camps, spending time with extended family members, hanging out with friends and travelling on holiday with their family. These are all places where child sexual exploitation can occur!

If you’re a parent please be vigilant as abuse can occur in many situations including:

• •

Via a mobile phone, app, or online game

• •

With people we trust

hen children are in a group with W their friends Fun, relaxed environments.

What is Child Sexual exploitation?

Child sexual exploitation is when young people receive ‘something’ (such as food, accommodation, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, gifts, money) as part of a grooming process leading to abuse.

Young people often won’t recognize that what is happening is abuse. Child sexual exploitation happens to both boys and girls.

Spot the SIGNS • What to do if you are concerned parent or carer? concerns at www.CEOP.GOV.UK, the police or • Report

•

tmash@havering.gov.uk Talk to an experienced Parent Support Worker at PACE (Parents against Child Sexual Exploitation) on 0113 240 5226

• • • •

s trange phone calls or messages on their mobiles or via social media our child/teenager may bring home new, expensive items and can’t explain how they got them changes in behaviour at home or school a new circle of friends c hanged attitudes towards family and previous friends.

Detective Superintendent John Ross, Head of Safeguarding based at Romford Police Station has these tips to ensure your child's safety this summer:

• K now your child’s friends, associates and where they • •

live T alk to your child, make them aware not to share sexual images of themselves via their phones E nsure you know where your child is when they are out with friends

• K now what/who they are accessing online/through •

gaming consoles and help them keep safe by setting up parental controls and understanding their social media profile T alk to them about healthy relationships and healthy sexual relationships.

www.havering.gov.uk/living | JULY2017 | 13

Fostering Together in your care The council currently has 257 children living in care, and sadly not enough foster carers who can provide homes to brothers and sisters. The council strives to ensure that we meet the needs of all children in care, and is recruiting new foster carers, who can open their heart and home to siblings.

Kelly and Barry, experienced Havering foster carers since 2015, said: “We’ve fostered over 20 children and young people. Children in our care often tell us that staying with either their brother or sister is one of the best things when moving in with a foster carer.

Kelly and Barry, Havering foster carers “We have two of our own children living at home - this has helped children when they first move from their home to ours. i www.havering.gov.uk/fostering It helps to breaks the ice, the children settle into our home quickly, and feel more relaxed faster.

“It's very rewarding to know that you are able to keep children together with Child Care or Ages F their brothers and sisters.

Vouchers 6 to 16 Especially after they've often ed pt Acce experienced traumatic times Day Care in their young lives, knowing From £3.30 that they have either their Per Hour brother or sister close, supports them. It gives them a sense of normality and comfort which ultimately helps them to feel secure.

“We got into fostering through a family friend, who had fostered for years. We saw directly the positive impact fostering had for children living in care. It made us realise that we could also make a difference in a young person’s life, as we believe all children deserve to feel safe, loved, well cared for and happy.”

Foster children do require their own bedroom, however if the room is large enough, there is a possibility for siblings to share. This can have the added advantage for sisters, where they can provide comfort and a sense of security to each other.

You can take the next step and visit our monthly information evening on the first Thursday of every month at the Town Hall in Romford, or contact the Havering fostering team on STUBBERS ADVENTURE CENTRE, UPMINSTER, RM14 2TY 01708 434 574.

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14 | JULY 2017 | LIVING in Havering

Helping Havering children stay healthy

The summer months offer lots of opportunities to be active and have fun, particularly for children while they’re on holiday from school.

Spending time being active can help to keep children entertained, create time for you to have fun as a family, reduce screen time and increase activity levels.

Whatever your age, there’s lots of evidence that being physically active can help you to lead a healthier, happier life. Whether it’s walking to school, playing in the park, swimming, going to the gym or cycling to work, incorporating regular physical activity into your family’s life has lots of benefits. These include:

• Reducing the risk of major illnesses including heart disease, stroke, type two diabetes and cancer by up to 50 per cent

• Boosting self-esteem, mood, quality of sleep and energy levels, and reducing the risk of stress, depression and dementia.

To stay healthy, young people aged five to18 should be doing 60 minutes of activity each day. This should range from moderate to vigorous activity and, on three days a week, include exercise for strong muscles and bones. The best way to achieve this is to do a range of different activities, including those that cause you to breathe faster and sweat, such as cycling or playing football, and those that involve working against resistance, such as skipping or playing tennis. There is a wide variety of activities taking place across Havering this summer for families and children to enjoy.

Where to find more info!

Remember:

Stay hydrated!

Drink water regularly during activity, particularly in hot weather.

Look out for the Summer Holiday brochure in schools, libraries and other places around the borough.

www.havering.gov.uk/living | JULY 2017 | 15

Remember: Be

Be sun aware!

Make sure y ou • covering u never burn by: p with suita ble clothing • using at le ast factor 1 5 sunscreen • taking extr a care with children

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• It’s easy to be active at home or in your local park with the Change4Life 10-Minute Shake-Up Campaign at www.nhs.uk/10-minute-shake-up

• Havering’s parks provide lots of opportunities to play, walk and cycle, and leisure centres offer swimming and fitness activities

• Havering Council offers a range of fun, social and affordable holiday sport activities, all of which are run by friendly, fully qualified sports coaches. Five to 11 year olds can try netball, skateboarding, basketball, athletics and enjoy our family fun day. 11-18 year olds can get involved in dodgeball, BMX, yoga, basketball and football. Para Sport activities include swimming, athletics and multisports. There are also arts and crafts activities at Fairkytes Arts Centre and Havering libraries

• Food-based activities include the ‘Grow>Cook>Eat’ programme at Bedford’s Park Walled Garden, or your family may be eligible for new ‘Kitchen Social’ activities that are taking place across the borough for the first time this summer

“Two of my children really enjoyed a previous Grow>Cook>Eat event at Bedford’s Park Walled Garden and want to go again and my youngest daughter also wants to go now. My son has even said he wants to grow tomatoes and runner beans in tubs in our garden!” Annemarie Billings, Harold Hill resident

• Free child and adult cycle training is available year-round in Havering and you can kick-start your involvement this

summer between the 23 July and 3 September at new Bikewise cycle hubs across the borough. Hubs are at myplace in Harold Hill, Rainham Village Primary School, Hornchurch Sports Centre & The Thames Chase Forest Trust. All will be offering a range of sessions, from individual and family cycle training to bike maintenance checks and workshops.

Find out more at www.cycleconfident.com/haveringhubs

• There will be fun and games at Havering’s Children’s Centres including Stay and Play sessions for up to five year olds, Arts and Crafts for up to eight year olds and Summer Fun days for up to 11 year olds with parents.

i

Full details of the activities on offer this summer can be found at: www.havering.gov.uk/HolidayActivities

16 | JULY2017 | LIVING in Havering

Keeping Havering healthy

Let's clear the air!

i

www.familyserviceshub.havering.gov.uk

Havering Council leader Cllr Roger Ramsey meets Miles the Mole at Mawney Foundation School.

Havering’s clean air champion Miles the Mole popped up at Mawney Foundation School, Romford, on Thursday 15 June to help children learn about air pollution.

Pupils received a surprise visit from Miles the Mole and the Leader of the Council, Councillor Roger Ramsey, where they enjoyed a meet-and-greet and photographs, following a Performance In Education (PIE) workshop.

Cllr Ramsey, said:

Last month more than 30 schools were treated to a theatre workshop by PIE, based on air quality and featuring our very own Miles.

“Compared to most other London boroughs, air pollution in Havering remains low, but as a Council we are always working hard to keep it to a minimum. The Miles the Mole campaign is a great way to get the clean air message into schools and to educate our children and their parents on how we can all help to protect our environment.

Miles stars in a Council film looking at how poor air quality has a negative impact on health; what we can do to improve the quality of our local air; along with providing some useful tips on how we can limit our exposure to air pollution.

“It was a pleasure to watch pupils enjoy and learn from the performance workshops and it was lovely for them to be able to meet our clean air champion, Miles the Mole, after all the great projects they’ve been doing around air quality. ”

The air quality film has been sent to all primary schools in the borough along with air quality lesson plans and Miles’ accessories, including educational banners for gates, posters and badges.

Check out the Miles the Mole film and learn more about air quality at i www.havering.gov.uk/airquality

www.havering.gov.uk/living | JULY 2017 | 17

A good start for every child

More free child care is coming Working parents in Havering may be eligible for up to 30 hours of free child care, instead of the current 15 hours from September. This new incentive is aimed at three to four year olds. This is a great opportunity for your child to attend a caring learning establishment, helping them to prepare for their transition to school.

Whereas the current 15 hours can be a morning or afternoon session every day for a week, the 30 hours would cover a full school day every day of the week.

Parklands Infant school nursery in Collier Row are one of the local providers who will be delivering the 30 hours Government funded childcare for three to four year olds.

Louise Mayes, Foundation Stage Leader, Parklands Infant School, said: “The funding will support parents to return to work. At Parklands we take into account the family circumstances and working arrangements. We work collaboratively with our parents to ensure that they are getting the best use of the offer.

“As you can imagine we had huge interest from our parents when the offer was first made available and we filled our immediately and as a result we now have a waiting list in place. Early years providers support one of the most valuable steps for children with their development and learning. Our current parents and children tell us that the time spent in our nursery is fun, stimulating, educational and a happy place to be.”

Thank you!

This month marks the 10th Year Anniversary of our Street Pastors. Street pastors are trained volunteers from local churches who patrol the streets of Romford between 10pm and 4am, offering care and support to residents and visitors.

To mark the sterling work of the street pastors Cllr Roger Ramsey, Leader of the Council and Cllr Linda Van den Hende, Mayor of Havering attended a special birthday party to celebrate their contribution to keeping Havering people safe.

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www.streetpastors.org/locations/havering

Mrs Aaishah Ahmed, Parent at Parklands Infant nursery: “I am so pleased that the 30 hours are now available. It is good to see that the Government are doing something to support working parents. This is a huge benefit for me and is making life a lot easier. I think it’s great and am looking forward to my son starting nursery in September.”

The 30 hours of free child care can be used at nurseries and nursery classes, playgroups and childminders. Not all providers in Havering are able to deliver the extended entitlement of 30 hours childcare from September, but this list is rapidly growing.

For full information of available providers in Havering, visit:

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familyserviceshub.havering.gov.uk

18 | JULY 2017 | LIVING in Havering

Havering Direct Payments Support Group

HELP when you need it most

The group includes people who needed some extra help themselves to manage their day-to-day routines. With their care arrangements in place, members have time to try and be of assistance to others who are just starting out.

If you have had a social care assessment, and you have been told that you can benefit from the use of a carer or personal assistant, this group may be able to offer you support.

Back in 2008, a group called the Self Directed Support forum was formed to bring together people using something called Personal Budgets – Direct Payments.

This was a new system then and in the early days members of the group talked about the teething problems and helped each other sort them out, where possible.

As the group has developed it has been able to work closely with council workers to offer advice and support to people receiving care for the first time.

If you would like to find out more about this group or have a chat with someone on a one-to-one basis, please go along to one of their monthly meetings. They meet on the third Thursday of each month from 13.30am to 12.30pm at the Yew Tree Resource Centre, 20 Yew Tree Gardens, Romford, RM7 9AA. Alternatively, you can telephone the Council to speak to a direct payment worker on 01708 432503

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email: Directpayments@havering.gov.uk

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If you need care in your own home, or perhaps a personal assistant or carer to accompany you in the community, then the Havering Direct Payments Support Group is here to help you.

www.havering.gov.uk/living | JULY2017 | 19

Is someone else's child living with you?

Or is your child living with someone else?

Has this been for more than 28 days?

This is private fostering If the statements above apply to you, please contact Havering Council. Children’s Services provides help, support and financial assistance. The Council has an obligation to protect children in private fostering arrangements. No child in the community should be hidden or remain unknown to the Council.

Residents may be looking after a child on behalf of their friend, and have a private long term arrangement in place with the birth parents, and not realise that support is available.

Donna, a private foster carer for nine years says: “I have a young girl in my care who is no blood relation to me. Her mother and my children's father are brother and sister, but he doesn’t live in our home. I decided to privately foster when the child was waiting for her mother’s arrival to the UK, but unfortunately she was unable to come.

The family decided it would be better for her to stay with us in the UK rather than return home to Africa with her mother.

“Once I contacted Havering Council, they provided both of us with our own social worker. This ensured any needs arising from the private fostering arrangement were identified and met. The council have supported me in pursuing court arrangements that give me parental rights for the child. I’m really pleased that after so many years, it has been agreed between her parents and me, that she will remain with us indefinitely.”

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www.havering.gov.uk/privatefostering

20 | JULY2017 | LIVING in Havering

Bank Holiday Entertainment

Free fun After setting a record with more than 50,000 visitors last year the Havering Show 2017 is shaping up to be even bigger and better. Local radio station Time 107.5 FM will be sponsoring the main stage. Thanks to their support and that of our other sponsors including West & Coe, Serco, Tony Levoi Vauxhall, Romford Kia, Toyota Romford and Kosho Bar the two day event held on Sunday 27 and Bank Holiday Monday 28 August will again be free for all to enjoy. Follow the event on social media at #HaveringShow or the dedicated pages on our website for all the latest show information. New for 2017 is the Kosho VIP Area, located by the main stage.

Keep checking the website and Time FM for more details and how to win entry.

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www.havering.gov.uk/haveringshow

Kenny Thomas The multi-platinum selling soul artist who dominated the charts in the 90s, will perform on Sunday 27 August – listen out for his hits including ‘Outstanding’ and ‘Thinking About Your Love’!

Main Stage H

The Dualers After Tyber and Pete played a brilliant set at the show last year, the full nine-piece line-up of the much-loved ska-reggae band is set to rock the mauin stage on Sunday afternoon.

Harrow rk, a P e g Lod hurch Hor nc

Angie Brown The instantly recognisable voice on the huge hit 'I'm gonna get you' will be heard on Sunday afternoon.

m p 7 – m 11a 8

Band Theft Audio

27&2 August

www.havering.gov.uk/haveringshow @LBofHavering

This band will get any party started.

Comprising members fron UK Top 20 chart act 'Missing Andy'. Their enthusiasm for music is infectious. See them on Monday afternoon.

/haveringevents lbofhavering

www.havering.gov.uk/living | JULY 2017 | 21

is back!

Fairkytes Live returns to the Havering Show with a great variety of bands and acoustic performances. The stage will run from midday on both days and help showcase local talent. Home-grown talent including Luke Stanley fresh from this year’s Let it Shine TV show, and Jess Herring who will be making a welcome return after her great performance at last year’s show will also be performing on the main Time 107.5 FM stage.

There will be something for everyone at this year’s Havering Show including a Community Performance stage featuring local dance and drama schools, Snakes Alive displaying a variety of reptiles and slithery snakes, and Matti Hemmings, a professional Flatland BMX rider and three times Guinness world record holder performing a series of amazing bike stunts.

And back by popular demand is Rainham-based RCWA wrestling. Among those performing back flips and tricks will be Will Ospreay, one of the highest ranked British wrestling stars who is regularly featured in the national press.

Ray Lewis & the Drifters

Highlights

Come and see the legends close the show as they take to the stage on Monday 28 August. Original Drifter Ray Lewis will front the band performing all the classics including ‘There Goes My Baby’, ‘Up on the Roof’, and ‘Saturday Night at the Movies’.

Blockheads The legendary band which was originally led by frontman Ian Dury, and famous for their hits ‘Hit Me with your Rhythm Stick’ and ‘Reasons to be Cheerful (Part 3)’, will perform on the main stage on Monday 28 August.

Exposé Their set list encompasses everything from rock anthems by Queen and Pink Floyd to 80’s classics by Soft Cell, Gary Numan and current artists including Ed Sheeran, and even Adele!

Exposé are guaranteed to get you on your feet – make sure you bring your singing voices.

• Stree • Licen t Food sed • Fun F Bars air

• Car P ark

£2

22 | JULY 2017 | LIVING in Havering

Waste minimisation

Everyone can help Earlier this year the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee of MPs said that the level of household food waste in England is “unacceptable” and that householders have a key role to play in reducing it. In the summary of their report the MPs said: “Economically, food waste costs households hundreds of pounds a year and causes increased disposal costs to local authorities, pushing up council tax bills.”

This year Havering Council will spend just under £15m managing and disposing of rubbish from the homes and streets of the borough. In April a paper discussed by our Cabinet highlighted that without reducing our waste tonnage Havering council tax payers faced a £10m rise in costs by 2027 as waste levy charges and volumes continue to rise.

Average cost of wasted food per household per year

£700 £470

So it’s in all of our interests to reduce our waste tonnage.

This month we meet two of our Waste Minimisation Champions who are doing their bit to reduce household waste tonnage – and encourage others to do the same.

Source: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Comittee, House of Commons 2017.

Q. How do you reduce the amount of waste you put out for collection?

A. I compost with a bin in the garden and we put loads of stuff in

that including egg shells, egg cartons and old loo rolls. I use it in conjunction with a kitchen caddy to collect all old tea bags, vegetable peelings and stuff like that. When the kids were younger we used real, washable nappies instead of disposables. I reckon that saved us about a thousand pounds per child. I’m a volunteer for the National Childbirth Trust in Havering and twice a year we have a nearly new sale and we use that to get rid of all sorts of items we no longer need rather than putting them in the bin or taking them to the tip.

Q. How do you encourage others to reduce their waste?

A. I have conversations with friends, hand out leaflets from time to

Nicola Childs from Hornchurch is married with three kids.

Q. W hy are you a waste minimisation champion?

A. Everyone is responsible for looking

after our planet and I’d like to make the world a bit of a better place. I do canoeing as a hobby and you wouldn’t believe how much rubbish I find in the river at Chelmsford where I practice.

Why is it ok to throw rubbish into a river?

time and tell people about how I use things like Freegle (formerly Freecycle) to get rid of all sorts of things that would otherwise be binned. For instance I even found someone who wanted to come and collect some half used tester pots of paints!

I’m also about to try organsing my first ‘Jumble Trail’. This is where you get a group of households in local neighbourhood to all hold what the Americans would call a front yard sale on the same day.

We’re going to try one on Sunday 23 July between 12 and 4pm in the Albany Road and Chestnut Avenue area of Hornchurch and other neighbouring streets, near Harrow Lodge Park. It will be chance for everyone to put out stuff they no longer want and for purchasers to visit the roads and pick up anything they want at bargain prices. It’s the first time we’ve tried one of these in Havering so I hope as many people as possible take part.”

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www.jumbletrail.com/event/rm12

www.havering.gov.uk/living | JULY 2017 | 23

Q. Why do you think it’s important to reduce waste?

A. Waste has to be transported, treated, and dealt with.

The more there is, the more it’ll cost in lorries to carry it, petrol, manpower and treatment facilities. It’ll cost the council to do that. This means there will be less money to invest in something else such as children's services, looking after the elderly or street safety. It’s a waste to spend money on waste; there are better things money could be spent on.

Q. Could you describe the changes you made after you

attended a Love Food Hate Waste cookery workshop?

A. I thought I was doing well but I learned a lot at the

workshop. Now I make a point of checking the freezer before we go shopping. The most important thing I have changed is portions. I used to estimate how much rice or pasta we needed and often ended up with leftovers that went in the bin. Now I use a portion size tool and the waste is greatly reduced.

This year, two of our children are back home and initially I cooked for when they would get back from work. Inevitably when the food was ready, I would get a text saying that they would be eating somewhere else.

I had loads of leftovers again. I found this frustrating so now if the children don’t communicate with me about supper, I don’t cook for them. They are adults and can look after themselves!

Q. Have you noticed your savings?

A. When I buy a pack of chicken breasts, I freeze them

in individual sandwich bags so when I need to cook chicken I only take what I need. I therefore use less energy to cook, save money and don’t have to worry about leftovers that will need to go back in the freezer anyway.

Marie-Helene is an Occupational Therapist at Thurrock Hospital who lives in Cranham.

Q. W hy did you get involved with our Love food hate waste campaign?

A. T here are five in our family and with three children at university we were skint!

Q. What other things do you do to limit waste?

A. I plan our meals and use a shopping list. We have

compost bins in the garden. My best tip: I don’t peel potatoes anymore! It is a great gain of time especially when I cook for the whole family, the potatoes’ skin is good for you and there is no waste.

Waste less food and save more money with the new Food Waste Challenge!

This summer Havering residents will be encouraged to think about what they are throwing away in a bid to save themselves up to £60 a month and help tackle food waste in the Borough.

This month Havering Council and London Green Points – Havering will be introducing the Food Waste Challenge to give you some practical tips and tricks on reducing food waste. Get involved in the challenge and you will be able to earn Green Points to spend in the online shop, transfer to high street vouchers, or donate to charity The launch takes place on Saturday 22 July at Romford Market, where you will be able to find out more about the challenge, learn how wasting less will save you money, watch our community chefs demonstrate some quick, easy and healthy dishes (with samples!) and enter a prize draw to win a fabulous NutriBullet!

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www.localgreenpoints.com/havering

24 | JULY 2017 |LIVING in Havering

Before

After

Before

After

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Can we count on your tick?

Once the data protection laws change next year, we won’t be able to contact you with our latest appeals, stories and ways to get involved unless we have your consent.

Please visit www.sfh.org.uk/tick-yes and tick ‘yes’ for your local hospice. You can tell us exactly how you would like us to keep in touch with you. A simple tick from you could make the world of difference to the people we help.

Your support counts - all it takes is a tick.

Search Saint Francis Hospice

Registered Charity No. 275913

www.havering.gov.uk/living | JULY 2017 | 25

Celebrating the Queen’s Sapphire Jubilee

Thanks to generous contributions from Serco and Marlborough Highways, three large crowns have been installed across the borough to celebrate the Queen’s Sapphire Jubilee year.

The Council, with the support of our contractors, came up with the unique way of congratulating the Queen on her 65th year on the throne by saying it with flowers.

These special floral displays can be seen from now until this autumn at Langtons in Hornchurch, on the roundabout in Collier Row at the junction of Collier Row Road and Chase Cross Road, and outside the Town Hall in Romford.

The Langtons’ display was first unveiled for the summer concert held on June 22 that also featured music to celebrate this significant milestone in the Queen’s reign. The crowns, installed and tended by the Environmental Services team, are fast becoming a talking point. There have been hundreds of likes on a local community group website since an image of the crown in Collier Row was posted on the day it was installed.

The crowns at Langtons and Collier Row are placed in a circular flower bed, planted in red, white and blue for further impact and in keeping with the celebrations. The crown at the Town Hall is also complimented by a carpet bed, which also celebrates the Queen’s Sapphire Jubilee.

Luke Young, Serco’s contract manager for Havering (right) and Oz Dines a driver/Compliance Officer for Serco based In Rainham, with the floral crown in front of the Town Hall.

Serco provides a complete waste and recycling service on behalf of many local authorities including four London boroughs. They have been collecting waste and recycling in Havering since August 2014.

The crowns will be in place until the autumn.

The crown at Langtons is admired by crowds attending the summer concert last month.

Rainham-based Mathew Nebu, The Quality, Health, Safety and Environment Manager for Marlborough Highways (right) and his colleague Thomas Nebu with the floral tribute to the Queen’s Sapphire Jubilee at the Town Hall. Marlborough Highways have been providing highway maintenance services in Havering since 2011. They provide a range of services from highway and footway resurfacing to road marking, maintenance and town centre regeneration. Their contract with Havering has recently been extended until 2022.

The new addition to the roundabout at Collier Row.

26 | JULY 2017 | LIVING in Havering

Parking

DOs & DON’Ts

of parking near dropped kerbs

Havering Councillors and Council Officers are frequently asked questions about the rules relating to parking outside properties where there are dropped kerbs, also known as vehicle crossovers.

The Traffic Management Act 2004 states that to park across a dropped kerb is a parking contravention for which a Penalty Charge Notice can be issued. In Havering we only regard “unfriendly” parking across a dropped kerb as a parking contravention. Put simply, if you park in a part of a road where there is a dropped kerb you are committing an offence UNLESS you have the permission of the owner of the property, or properties, using that dropped kerb.

This is OK

It’s about good manners - respecting the right of property owners to gain access to their homes and in places near schools. It's about the safety of vulnerable children.

It is not OK to obstruct communal entrances, for example, a driveway leading to a block of flats that may need to be accessed by emergency services or rubbish collectors.

This policy applies in Havering – different rules may apply in other boroughs.

This is NOT OK This is NOT OK – unless you have the permission of the property owner who uses this dropped kerb.

This is OK – The car is parked at least 1.5 metres (5 feet) clear of the dropped kerb and there are no parking restrictions applying in this part of the road.

If you have parking bays in your street you can park across your own drive, but no further on to the footpath than the marked bays. The blue car in this illustration is correctly parked.

!

Never block the footway by parking across dropped kerbs - even in a road where there are parking bays marked on the footway.

Report parking across your driveway at: www.havering.gov.uk or call: 01708 432787

This is NOT OK – Even if you park like this when the single yellow line restrictions are not in operation, you must always have the permission of the property owner who uses this dropped kerb.

This is NOT OK– even though a vehicle could physically access the two properties sharing this dropped kerb it does not make this permissible at any time – agreement is needed from both property owners. If any part of a vehicle (not just the wheels) overhangs a dropped kerb which causes the property owner an obstruction to drive on or off their driveway, the vehicle owner may receive a Penalty Charge Notice.

The blue car in this illustration is incorrectly parked, since it blocks the footpath.

Havering Council Civil Enforcement Officers will issue Penalty Charge Notices to vehicles found to be parked in contravention of the rules applying to parking across dropped kerbs.

www.havering.gov.uk/living | JULY 2017 | 27

Historical Havering

Library turns a page in its 50 year story

1967: The library opens On 7 September Hornchurch Library celebrates 50 years of providing lending services and being a social hub for the local community.

Hornchurch Library under construction 50 years ago

Built by Messrs Douglas Grant and Partners, it cost £87,542 and was equipped with all new furniture including adjustable metal bookshelves. One of the main features of the new building was a staircase made of teak wood that had been In February 1965, just prior to the formation of the London manufactured in the builder’s yard in High Street, Borough of Havering, the former Hornchurch Urban District Hornchurch.

Described at the time as “modern labour saving Council accepted plans for the building of a new library in devices” the new Hornchurch in North library featured remote Street to replace the operated windows, library services that central heating, plus a were sharing space book lift from the within what is now the ground to the first floor.

Fairkytes arts complex.

The adult lending Building work library had shelf space commenced in North for 19,000 books with Street in 1965 but the space for 5,000 books original contractors in the separate went into liquidation children’s library. An and all work stopped exhibition space was before the work was incorporated into the Cottages in North Street c.1960 – soon to be the site for a re-tendered. As late as entrance foyer. The new Hornchurch Library April 1966 it was reference library on the reported that work still first floor had space for hadn’t restarted and that costs had increased by a likely a further 5,000 books and a collection of 2,000 records was £13,450. Work was completed by August 1967 though the also accommodated there, with study space for 40 people. opening date had been delayed when the new premises had The meeting room could accommodate 150 people. to be altered to meet the fire regulations of the London Fire For more local history visit Havering Museum or the local Brigade. studies department on the first floor of Romford Library.

Finally, on Friday 7 September 1967 the new, two storey Hornchurch Library was officially opened by the Mayor, www.haveringmuseum.org.uk i www.havering.gov.uk/libraries Cllr Bill Sibley. It opened to the public the following day.

28 | JULY2017 | LIVING in Havering

Landlord licensing

The Council has considered feedback from an informal public consultation carried out earlier this year on the proposals to introduce landlord licensing in our borough.

It's part of a coordinated approach to tackle significant and persistent anti-social behaviour as well as poor management within some multiple occupied private rented property.

We are now formally consulting on proposals to introduce an additional licensing scheme for houses in multiple occupation.

The Council particularly wants to hear from private sector tenants who may be directly affected by these proposals.

Two scheme options are being considered: Option 1 – A wider scheme covering 12 wards This option proposes that the additional licensing designation will include Brooklands, Elm Park, Gooshays, Heaton, Harold Wood, Havering Park, Mawneys, Pettits, Rainham & Wennington, Romford Town, South Hornchurch and Squirrels Heath wards.

Option 2 – A narrower scheme covering 4 wards This option proposes that only houses in multiple occupation located within the wards of Brooklands, Gooshays, Heaton and Romford Town would be subject to additional licensing.

If you want to have your say don’t forget that this consultation closes on Friday 28 July 2017.

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www.havering.gov.uk/consultations

Meet the Havering has a new Mayor following the Annual Council meeting on Wednesday 17 May. Cllr Linda Van den Hende, who represents Upminster, was elected to be Mayor of Havering for 2017/18 having served the last year as Deputy Mayor. She is joined by her husband, Mr Laurence Chalk, as her consort for the year.

Living took some time to find out a bit more about the person behind the ceremonial robes: Where did you grow up?

I was born in the Weald of Kent and grew up in South East London.

Why did you become a Councillor? What have you done previously?

I became a Councillor in 2006. Before this I also worked in the public sector, including 23 years in local government. I decided I wanted to become a councillor so I could use my experience to give back to the community.

What are you most excited about as the Mayor of Havering?

Being the Mayor of Havering is an honour. I'm excited to meet a wide range of residents, children, charities and other organisations. And also eating lots of cake!

What charities have you chosen and why?

I have three charities. First Step is a children’s charity for pre-school children with special needs and disabilities. I have been a Trustee for First Step since 2008. Dementia UK is a national Charity with local Admiral Nurses who support families

who have loved ones with dementia in Havering. With the oldest population in London we have a high number of residents with dementia and this is a growing issue. The third charity is Havering Volunteer Centre.

The centre recruits volunteers and match them to volunteering opportunities throughout the borough, including Havering Libraries, clean-up campaigns and many voluntary groups and charities. Without volunteers many organisations would not be able to provide services.

What would you like to achieve as Mayor of Havering?

I want to raise awareness for my charities, to ensure the office of Mayor remains relevant by respecting the history of the position, and to promote and recognise the many groups who contribute so much to our community.

If you could have any superpower for a day, what would you like to have?

I'd like to have a superpower that helps me to promote peace and harmony and to eradicate conflicts.

www.havering.gov.uk/living | JULY2017 | 29

Planning the future

Share your views

Havering Council is required to prepare a new Local Plan for the borough. The Havering Local Plan helps to deliver the Council’s ambitious Corporate Vision ’Havering, Making a Greater London’ by setting out a strategy for future growth and sustainable development over the next 15 years up to 2031.

The Local Plan indicates the broad locations for future housing, employment, retail, leisure, transport, community services and other types of development. The policies in the Local Plan will help to make sure that the needs of the borough are sustainably met.

The Local Plan plays a key role in the delivery of homes and infrastructure in the two Housing Zones in the borough in Romford and Rainham & Beam Park. It also helps deliver the

Council’s ambitious estate regeneration programme.

Initial consultation on the key priorities for the Local Plan took place in early 2015.

Consultation on the Local Plan is scheduled to take place over the summer, subject to approval by Cabinet and Full Council.

Draft papers are now available online and final papers will go to the full Council meeting on 26 July.

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www.havering.gov.uk/planningpolicy

30 | JULY2017 | LIVING in Havering

Business News Entrepreneurs

The brand new CEME Launchpad Centre in Rainham opened its doors to aspiring entrepreneurs with a showcase event held on 19 June. TECHVENT was designed to highlight the latest digital inventions, technologies and trends that are transforming the business world.

The Mayor of Havering, Cllr Linda Van der Hende, cut the ribbon on the grand opening in the presence of VIPs, tech leaders and entrepreneurs. Visitors were treated to demonstrations of show-stopping technology, such as interactive projection mapping and augmented reality apps from the award-winning Zappar. Aspiring entrepreneurs from thought leaders in start-up crowdfunding, gaming, coding and the digital landscape. An expert panel was also held to discuss openly the benefits of social media networking when launching a business and how to create a buzz around a potential project prior to seeking investment.

CEME’s Launchpad Centre is an incubator for fledgling businesses, offering affordable office space, constant business support from in-house experts and the exposure to make them successful. It has been developed in partnership with Havering Council and the Mayor of London.

welcome

Tom Ashby, Commercial Director at CEME Innovation Centre said: “We’re delighted to finally open the doors to the Launchpad Centre and give fledgling start-ups in Havering the opportunity to thrive. As the proud home of innovation, it was a day where we celebrated the fast-moving digital landscape and set in stone our ongoing commitment in providing a platform of growth for driving aspiring entrepreneurs to success.”

Roger Ramsey, Leader of Havering Council, said: “CEME plays an active role in supporting Havering’s aim to provide first-class business opportunities, as well as being a hub for start-ups and existing businesses. We are pleased to be working in partnership with CEME and the Mayor of London’s team to attract businesses and investment into London Riverside at the CEME Launchpad Centre, and delighted that TECHVENT was able to showcase the diverse range of industryleading businesses that Havering can support.”

To find out more about the Launchpad Centre or accessing the Centre’s business support service, talk to Tom Ashby on 020 8596 7050 or email tom.ashby@ceme.co.uk.

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www.ceme.co.uk

Smarter travel and your business

There are lots of ways in which Havering Council’s Smarter Travel Team can help you and your business. Here are just a few: Free Driver CPC Training – Attending these fully accredited driver CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) training courses contributes a full day towards the 35 hours driver CPC training that professional drivers need to complete every five years. Aimed at HGV, public service, and van drivers, it’s designed to give drivers training on how to reduce risks relating to cyclists and pedestrians on our roads.

Cycling – information on local schemes that may interest your business, including free national standard bike training for groups or individuals. Simply contact Andrada Jichici by email at andrada@cycleconfident.com or call her on 07718 325 816.

Transport for London Cycling Workplaces Scheme – a scheme that offers a range of free cycling based services, including help with cycle storage, bike checks, and bike security marking.

Electric Vehicles / Ultra-Low Emission Vehicles – information and helpful facts about EVs and their benefits.

Small Grants for Business – You can apply for a grant worth up to £3,000 to help you increase active travel (cycling and walking) for your workforce. Funding can be used to create pool bikes, shower facilities for cyclists, bike storage and more.

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Please contact Martin Day to discuss any of the above opportunities or about applying for the grant.

Email martin.day@havering.gov.uk or call 01708 432869.

www.havering.gov.uk/living | JULY 2017 | 31

Winning votes Christina Drew-Smith and Danielle Griffiths from Warren James receive their award from Lindsay Jones, Editor of the Romford Recorder, (2nd from right) with Sarah de Courcy Rolls (far left) and Spencer Hawken (far right).

The national news may have been dominated by the General Election but on 8 June the votes that staff who work in the Mercury Mall, Romford were worried about were those cast by the public in the 13th annual Mercury Mall retailer awards.

Each year the Mercury asks members of the public to vote for their favourite stores. This year shoppers could use an online poll to express their views. A very tight competition was fought out with stores like Asda battling it out with Mall newcomers like Café Della Terra and The Entertainer.

Winners included Precious Thoughts for Visual Merchandising, Asda for Community Recognition, and The Entertainer for Best Customer Experience. The Mall’s eco award went to

McDonald’s for their green initiatives in the Mall and was presented by Sarah de Courcy Rolls on her final day as Centre Manager.

Finally the shining star award which is voted for by store managers went to Danielle Griffiths, Pam Tyne & Christina Smith from Warren James who managed the store without a manager during the busiest Christmas period the store had experienced.

“We value what our shoppers have to say – after all, they are our life blood.” said Spencer Hawken, who has now stepped up to the position of Manager of Mercury Mall.

Calm Tuesday mornings at the Mercury An initiative from The Mercury Mall aims to open up the centre for shoppers who suffer from sensory processing conditions.

While for the majority shopping is a way of relaxing and socialising, for people with a sensory processing condition a visit to a busy shopping centre can be just the opposite. Crowded stores, bright lights, piped music and noisy announcements can lead to sensory overload, meaning that shopping centres can become confusing, intimidating and frightening places.

Now shoppers who suffer from sensory processing conditions can visit the Mercury Mall every Tuesday between 9am and 3pm safe in the knowledge that on this day, all the music will be turned off, escalators turned to lighter colours, and stores requested to either turn their in-store music off or have it at a very low level. On the designated days, hand dryers are switched off and paper hand towels provided and, where possible, quiet zones are provided for anyone to use.

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www.themercurymall.co.uk

32 | JULY 2017 | LIVING in Havering

Business News

Romford bids for success

The London Riverside Business Improvement District (BID) recently received overwhelming backing from businesses in the BID area in Rainham to extend its operation for another five years (as reported opposite) and now a BID is proposed for Romford town centre.

Jonathan Poole, the Chair of the Romford Town Management Partnership explains why he thinks Romford needs a BID and how he hopes businesses in the area will back the plan:

“When you read that Romford is the largest town centre in Havering, the fourth largest town in London, and that it's also one of the top 15 retail centres in the south east, currently attracting more than 20 million visitors each year, it’s clear that there is a huge opportunity for our town. Romford has an extremely strong and balanced retail economy. It also has a vibrant night life.

There's a burgeoning arts movement, exciting new developments in the pipeline and Crossrail all on the way. It’s clearly one of the ‘up and coming’ places to live and raise a family in outer London, if not the UK.

Stand out from the crowd We want our business community to create an identity and support our BID business plan that will make our town stand out from the crowd, making Romford town centre a key visitor destination. For many years the managers of the five shopping centres have come together and acted as a valued connection between Havering Council and the key retailer operators within the town centre. With support from Havering Council, we have evolved this group into a new not-for-profit organisation – The Romford Town Management Partnership Ltd – that now includes businesses from every sector, ready to act as a vehicle for the delivery of the town centre improvement projects.

Our most important project is to take the lead on the development of a BID to enhance the profile and economic position of the town. The real journey begins now and we need every business in the town centre to engage and support us in our mission to become a BID.

September vote If we are successful with our vote in September, it will create an amazing opportunity for Romford Town Centre to prosper in a wellresourced and sustainable manner. The Romford BID would have a five-year minimum project life span and could collect and manage a budget in excess of £2.75million which we, as a collective, would spend on projects that we feel will both improve our town and help our businesses thrive.

If your business is based within the proposed BID area between the 18 September and 16 October 2017 you will be asked for your vote on creating a Romford BID. The aim of the Romford BID is to unite the local business community, giving you ownership of the town and authority on how it is managed, improved and promoted.

This is YOUR ultimate chance to have YOUR say on the future of Romford town centre. Don’t miss it.”

i

www.romfordbid.co.uk

www.havering.gov.uk/living | JULY2017 | 33

Yes to bids Between 26 January and 23 February 2017 businesses in the London Riverside BID area voted on whether they wished the BID to continue for another five years.

87 per cent of the businesses who voted were in favour of BID3.

To be successful a BID vote must see the majority of businesses in Pictured from left to right: Maggie Dixon, London Riverside BID Director; Linda favour and those in favour must White, BID-Coordinator; Eric Mollison, BID Director; the Mayor; Debbie Moore, BID collectively account for 51 per cent Coordinator; and Ilker Dervish, Director and Chair of the London Riverside BID. or more of the rateable value of the businesses eligible to vote. Those facilities and lobbying for improved transport links to the voting in favour accounted for 91 per cent by rateable value. area. In total over £2.4 million has been invested in security This was the highest vote in favour of the three polls held and improving the appearance of the area. over the last 10 years.

On 11 May an event was held at CEME to celebrate the Over the last 10 years the BID have invested the money start of London Riverside BID3 attended by then Mayor of raised through the levy on businesses in the BID area on Havering, Cllr Philippa Crowder. mobile security patrols, CCTV, removal of rubbish, planting and environmental improvements, improved recycling i www.londonriversidebid.co.uk

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Arts & Culture Art HAVERING ARTS COUNCIL

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

HORNCHURCH PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY Mondays, 7.45 – 10pm www.hornchurchphoto.co.uk

PHOENIX ART GROUP

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

UPMINSTER CAMERA CLUB

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

CRANHAM ART SOCIETY

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

Museums & Exhibitions HAVERING MUSEUM

Dave Church Radio Display Wednesday, 19 July – Saturday 25 September e info@haveringmuseum.org.uk 1950s Fashion: A Decade of Glamour Saturday, 15 July – Saturday 2 September e info@haveringmuseum.org.uk

Music

Gordon Giltrap Friday 8 September Havering Youth Singing Competition Saturday 16 Sep, 11.30am

Theatre QUEEN’S THEATRE HORNCHURCH

www.queens-theatre.co.uk The Staff Room Sunday 23 July, 6pm Confessions of a Cockney Temple Dancer Sunday 23 July, 7.45pm The Elvis Years – The Story of the King Tuesday 25 & Wednesday 26 July, 7.30pm The Gruffalo Wednesday 9 – Saturday 12 Aug 'Relaxed performance' Thursday 10 August, 12noon.

Join Mouse on a daring adventure through the deep, dark wood in Tall Stories’ magical, musical adaptation of the classic picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Suitable for ages 3+ Big Band and Ballroom Sunday 13 Aug, 4pm The Teddy Bears' Picnic Tuesday 15 Aug, 4pm Suitable for under 5s The Little Mix Experience Wednesday 16 Aug, 2pm That'll be the Day Thursday 17 Aug, 7.30pm

FAIRKYTES LIVE

fairkytes@havering.gov.uk

Musicals on a Summer Evening Sunday 20 Aug,7pm Puppet Pirates – Create and Play Morning Monday 21 Aug, 10am Elephant-tastic – Create and Play Morning Tuesday 22 Aug, 10am Alien Adventure – Create and Play Morning Wednesday 23 Aug,10am Stuart Douglas-James and the 'Ballads of the Musicals' Wednesday 23 Aug,8pm Sailing the Seven Seas – Create and Play Morning Thursday 24 Aug,10am Comedy Club Thursday 24 Aug, 8.30pm Daring Dragons – Create and Play Morning Friday 25 Aug,10am A Fox on the Fairway 25 Aug – 16 Sep Some Guys Have all the Luck – The Rod Stewart Story Sunday 27 Aug, 8pm Animal Antics – Crafty Kids!

Saturday 2 Sep, 10am Animal Encounters Saturday 2 Sep, 11.30am Stand by Me Sunday 3 Sep, 7.30pm Down Memory Lane – Dementia Friendly Wednesday 6 Sep, 2.30pm Michael Law's Piccadilly Dance Orchestra – You're the Top Sunday 10 Sep, 4pm The Emperor's New Clothes – Story Play Saturday 16 Sep, 10am Papalarny the Magic Man Saturday 16 Sep, 11.30am

Historic Buildings & Gardens

Big Country Acoustic Set Friday 18 August

The Take That Experience Friday 18 Aug, 7.30pm The Quo Experience Saturday 19 Aug, 7.30pm

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

COLLIER ROW HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY AND ALLOTMENTS ASSOCIATION Saturdays and Sundays 10am – 12.30pm t 756005

THAMES CHASE EVENTS

www.thameschase.org.uk Planting with the Conservation Team Tuesdays and Thursdays 10.30am – 2pm

SQUIRRELS HEATH GARDENING CLUB

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

RAINHAM HALL

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ rainham-hall

UPMINSTER TITHE BARN

www.upminstertithebarn.co.uk

UPMINSTER WINDMILL Thursday 20 July, 7 – 8.30pm Archaeology Talk Adam Wightman talking about the Fenwick Treasure. The talk is free but booking is required.

Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 July, 10am-4pm Victorian Garden Dig Event Get your hands dirty and help excavate the Victorian Kitchen Gardens of the Windmill site.

Excavations wil be focused on looking for remains, identification and handling, and a display of finds excavated from the Victorian kitchen gardens of the windmill site.

Friday 28 July 11am-4pm – Archaeology Fun Day Come and see a real excavation site and help uncover more history.

Craft activities and much more. Fun day out for the family. www.upminsterwindmill.co.uk If you would like your event featured for free in future Listings or on Havering’s website, please complete the online form at www.havering.gov.uk/eventsform All numbers are 01708 unless stated.

What's on COMMUNITY BIG WILD SLEEP OUT AT RAINHAM MARSHES New Tank Hill Road, Purfleet, RM19 1SZ 6pm Saturday 29 July – 9am Sunday 30 July Join the Big Wild Sleepout and camp in nature’s home at RSPB Rainham Marshes. Late night walk and more. Check the RSPB website for more details. £30 (£25 for RSPB members), Children: £15 (£12.50 for RSPB members) t 01708 899840 e rainham.marshes@rspb.org.uk www.rspb.org.uk/rainham BRITISH CACTUS & SUCCULENT SOCIETY, HAVERING BRANCH Third Saturday of the month 7 – 10pm t 447778 COLLIER ROW BRIDGE CLUB Thursdays, 7 – 10.30pm www.bridgewebs.com/collierrow COLLIER ROW TOWNSWOMEN’S GUILD First and third Tuesday of the month, 1.30 – 4pm e mclary2012@btinternet.com CRAFTY ARTS KNIT AND NATTER GROUP Tuesdays, 10am – 12noon e sales@craftyarts.co.uk CRANHAM ENGAYNE WOMEN'S INSTITUTE Second Monday of each month, t 228119 DIABETES UK – HAVERING GROUP Third Monday of each month (except August and January) at North Street Halls, Hornchurch, RM11 1QX 8 – 10pm www.havering.diabetesukgroup.org EAST OF LONDON FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY First Saturday of the month 11am – 4pm e neal25@hotmail.com ESSEX WILDLIFE TRUST To book your place on any of these events at Ingrebourne Valley Visitor Centre at Hornchurch Country Park call 01708 520364.

Birdie Birds – Sunday 30 July to Aug 27 Aug, 10am – 12 noon

A fortnightly bird-watching group for women. Enjoy a walk around Hornchurch Country Park and surrounding areas spotting and identifying birds and other wildlife along the way. £5 donation in advance per person.

Introduction to the Birds and other Wildlife of the Ingrebourne Valley – Saturday 12 August and Saturday 9 September, 10 am -12 noon.

Open Day /Fun Day – Sunday 20 August, 10.30am – 4pm – Fun Fair, Craft Stalls, Dog Show Displays and more.

Owl Evening – Thursday 31 August, 7pm - 8.30pm. £7 per person. A talk and a chance to see the birds flying. www.essex.wt.org.uk FOUR SEASONS KNITTING & CRAFT CLUB Mondays, 7pm – 10pm www.rgcasc.org FAIRKYTES ACCORDION CLUB First Wednesday of month, 7.30pm e fac.enquiries@outlook.com FUNKY VOICES Every Monday 8 – 10pm www.funkyvoices.co.uk GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG CLUB OF ESSEX Wednesdays, 7.30 – 9.30pm e shiela_ranking@btinternet.com

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HAVEN LADIES CLUB Alternate Tuesdays, 8 – 10pm www.rgcasc.org HAVERING ACTIVE TEA DANCE Thursdays, 1.30 – 3.30pm e dancingrita@hotmail.co.uk HAVERING ANTIQUE COLLECTORS CLUB Third Friday of the month from 7.30 – 9.30pm t 07947 367258 HAVERING BOARD GAMERS First, third and fifth Thursday of the month 7.30 – 10pm e fransnook@yahoo.co.uk HAVERING CONCERT ORCHESTRA (HCO) Wednesdays, during term-time 7.30 – 9.30pm www.hcoweb.co.uk HAVERING EAST ROTARY CLUB Tuesdays, 7.30 – 10pm www.haveringeastrotary.org HAVERING MUSIC MAKERS Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7 – 10pm e join@haveringmusicmakers.co.uk HAVERING WRITERS CIRCLE First Monday of month, 7.30 – 10pm t 375549 HORNCHURCH AND DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY Last Friday of the month except July August and December, 7.15pm e hdhs.barn@btinternet.com HORNCHURCH HARMONIES WOMEN’S INSTITUTE Meets on the third Wednesday of each month (except August) from 7.30 – 9.45pm at Havering Indoor Bowls Club in Harrow Lodge Park, Hornchurch, RM11 1JU. New members welcome. Visitors fee £3.50 includes tea & cake. t 01708 111111 e hornchurchharmonies@outlook. com HORNCHURCH WARGAMES CLUB Mondays, 7 – 11pm e collin.fairman@ntlworld.com HUMANISTS OF HAVERING Second Saturday of the month 2 – 4pm www.meetup.com/Essex-Humanists

MAKE AND TAKE CARD-MAKING CLUB Wednesdays, 12.30 – 3.30pm e maureen.hunter44@yahoo.com NELMES (HORNCHURCH) WOMEN'S INSTITUTE Second Wednesday of month 1.45 – 4pm e ruth.wellwisher@gmail.com NORTH OCKENDON HANDBELL RINGERS Tuesdays, 7.30 – 9.30pm t 459339 PASSIONE ITALIANA ITALIAN AND ENGLISH BILINGUAL PRESENTATIONS Second Monday of the month 6.30 – 7.30pm e lapassioneitaliana@gmail.com PSYCHIC CAFÉ Last Friday of the month, 7 – 9.30pm e info@hands-4-healing.co.uk RAINHAM HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Tuesdays, 10am – 12noon Saturdays, 9am – 12noon Sundays, 10am – 12.30pm www.rainhamhorticulturalsociety.org.uk RAPHAEL PARK EVENTS Love Parks Week Runs from 14 – 23 July. Follow Raphael Events on Facebook for details of free events 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 RSPB RAINHAM MARSHES Variety of events on the website www.rspb.org.uk/rainham

36 | JULY 2017 | LIVING in Havering

RUSH GREEN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION Annual Summer Fete Saturday 22 July Rush Green Road, Romford 1 – 5pm All proceeds to Macmillan Cancer Care Support 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 SMASH CAMPS at Stubbers Adventure Centre, Upminster 17 July- 1 Sept Summer holiday camps (years 2-11) offer fun filled activity days include archery, sailing, climbing, paddle boarding, quad biking & more. Book one week and pay only £1 for the fifth day! New to this year are Family Weekends in August! www.smashcamps.co.uk t 1708 224 753 ST JOHN AMBULANCE HAROLD HILL AND HAROLD WOOD UNIT Wednesdays, 7 – 9pm e doug.croxall@sja.org

TRAIN AID – LEVEL 2 EMERGENCY FIRST AID AT WORK COURSE First Saturday of month 9am – 3.30pm www.train-aid.co.uk/courses/ emergency first-aid-at-work UPMINSTER AND DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY New Windmill Hall Upminster. www.upminsterhorticulturalsociety.co.uk UPMINSTER WINE AND SOCIAL CLUB Third Thursday of month, 8pm t 2242145 WHIST CLUB Wednesdays and Fridays 7.30 – 9.30pm e lindaevans147@yahoo.co.uk ROMFORD SCRABBLE CLUB Wednesdays, 7.15 – 10.30pm e sandrad.richards@gmail.com

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

AFTERNOON TEA GROUP Harold Hill Library – Wednesday 2-3pm Small charge for refreshments.

FAMILY HISTORY Help with researching your family history Hornchurch Library – Tuesday 3-5pm Upminster Library – Thursday 2-4pm HAVERING BRANCH ESSEX WILDLIFE TRUST 1st floor meeting room , Hornchurch Library.

Second Monday of each month 8 – 9.45pm t 440297

THAMES CHASE EVENTS www.thameschase.org.uk Cream Tea Third Friday of each month 2.30 – 4.30pm Community Market Third Sunday of each month 10am – 2pm

IN STITCHES GROUPS Join a friendly knitting and sewing groups (small charge for refreshments) Collier Row Library – Friday 10.30am-12noon / Friday 1.30-3pm Elm Park Library – Thursday 2-4pm (term time only) Gidea Park Library – Thursday 2-3.30pm

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 Farham 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 SouthHornchuch.Library@havering.gov.uk UPMINSTER 26 Corbets Tey Road, Upminster RM14 2BB Upminster.Library@havering.gov.uk Harold Hill Library – Monday 1-3pm / Thursday 10am-12noon Harold Wood Library – Friday 10am-12noon Hornchurch Library – Tuesday 2.30-4pm Rainham Library – Tuesday 2-4pm Romford Library – Wednesday 10am-12noon South Hornchurch Library – Wednesday 1.30-3.30pm Upminster Library – Wednesday 10am JOB CLUB Collier Row Library – Thursday 2-5pm LISTENING GROUP Adults listening to books on CDs (small charge for refreshments) Rainham Library – First Tuesday of the month 10am QUICK READS READING GROUPS Adults reading shorter books “Quick Reads” (small charge for refreshments).

Harold Hill Library – First Friday of the month 11-12noon South Hornchurch Library – Second

Thursday of the month 2pm READING GROUP FOR ADULTS Small charge for refreshments.

Collier Row Library – First Wednesday of the month 11am / Thursday 7-7.30pm Elm Park Library – First Thursday of the month 6.30pm / First Friday of the month 10.30am (term time only) Gidea Park Library – Second Thursday of the month 6.45-7.45pm (every other month) Harold Wood Library – Thursday 6.30pm (approx. every 4 weeks) Hornchurch Library – First Mon of the month 2.15pm / First Thurs 7.30pm / First Fri 2.15pm

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Rainham Library – Last Monday of the month 6.30pm (no Aug meeting) 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 – First Wednesday of the month 2-4pm Gidea Park Library – Saturday 10-11am (booking required) / Wednesday – 5 week beginners course 10-11am (booking required) Harold Hill Library – Tuesday 11-12noon / Thursday 11-12noon / Alternate Saturdays 1.30-3.30pm (booking required) Harold Wood Library – Wednesday 10.30am – 12.30pm / Thursday 2.30-4.30pm (booking required) Hornchurch Library – First Tuesday of the month 2-4pm Rainham Library – Last Wednesday of the month 10.30am-12.30pm Romford Library – Wednesday 10am-12noon South Hornchurch Library – Alternate Saturdays 1.30-3.30pm Upminster Library – Thursday 10.30am-12.30pm (booking required) / other appointments by arrangement VICTIM SUPPORT DROP-IN SESSION Gidea Park Library – Friday 10-12noon YOUNG AT HEART GROUPS Join a social group – tea/coffee, chat and guest speakers (small charge for refreshments) Collier Row Library – Thursday 2-4pm Elm Park Library – Last Wednesday of the month 2.30-3.30pm (term time only) Harold Hill Library – Last Tuesday of the month 11am-12noon Harold Wood Library – Second Wednesday of the month 11am12noon (no Aug meeting) Rainham Library – First Tuesday of the month 2-4pm

CHILDREN 6TH SQUIRRELS HEATH SCOUT GROUP Wednesdays, 5-6.30pm e sixthbeaversgroup@yahoo.com

Cabinet and Council meetings Cabinet and Full Council meetings are open to the public and are held in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Main Road, Romford, RM1 3BB. All meetings are on Wednesdays and start at 7.30pm.

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.

BUMPS AND BABIES GROUP (organised by Havering NCT and sponsored by Soft Play Essex) at Mothercare Romford, Rom Valley Way,Romford, RM7 0AF Thursdays from 1.30-3pm A weekly social gathering for expectant mums, and mums with young babies to come together, make new friends, chat over refreshments and share advice and experiences in their new roles as a mother. Free. t 07910 217605 e parentsupport.havering@nct. org.uk www.facebook.com/haveringnct BASKING BABIES ROMFORD Tuesdays, 9.45-11.15am t 07701 367883 BIKE MARKING AND TRAVEL ADVICE Friday 28 July and Friday 25 August.

10am- 2pm at Ingrebourne Valley Visitor Centre in Hornchurch Country Park. Come and see officers from the Metropolitan Police Safer Transport Team outside the visitor centre who will security mark your bicycle and are available for advice on safer travel.

CHILDREN'S POTTERY CAFE Thursday 27 July 10am-2pm – Children’s Pottery Café See how creative your little ones can be at The Old Chapel at Sacred Heart of Mary’s Girls@ School, Upminster t 642919 CRICKET COACHING SESSIONS Colt Coaching Sessions (aged 5+) are held at Havering-atte-Bower Cricket Club, Broxhill Road, Romford, RM4 1QH on Saturdays 9.30-11.30am t 07718 944051 www.havering-atte-bower-cc.co. uk/colts

ESSEX WILDLIFE TRUST To book your place on any of these events at the Ingrebourne Valley Visitor Centre in Hornchurch Country Park call 01708 520364.

Alice in the Park – Saturday 29 July 11am-12pm, 1-2pm, 2-3pm. £6 per child. Help the White Rabbit solve the clues to find Alice’s tea party, then create great wonderland craft.

Merlins Bird Watching Club for Young People – every Thursday 27 July - 31 Aug 10.30 am-12.30pm Armed with binoculars, bird guide and notepad (all provided) join birdwatching guide Brenda to spot, observe and identify the bird life of Hornchurch Country Park. Suitable for 8+ years old. £6 donation in advance per child, siblings £4.

Little Badgers Parent and Toddler Group – Every Tuesday and Friday 10.30am12 noon Indoor and outdoor fun for toddlers and pre-schoolers with parents and carers. £6 donation in advance per child per session.

Free Buggy Walks –Every Tuesday 1.30pm-2.15pm Bring your little one in their pram or buggy for a brisk 45 minute led walk around Hornchurch Country Park.

Enjoy the fresh air and beautiful surroundings while meeting new friends. No need to book. Meet outside Ingrebourne Valley Visitor Centre.

Tree Trail and Leaf Art – Wednesday 9 August 10.30am2.30pm Make your very own canvas board art with some great leaves. Make a magnificent work of art to take home. £6 per child.

WIGGLE AND GIGGLE For children aged 2 – 4 years Wednesdays, 11.30am-12noon at Hornchurch Library

OVER-50s HAVERING OVER 50S FORUM Second Tuesday of the month 10.30am-12.30pm www.Havo50Forum.org RGCA CHAIR ZUMBA Thursdays, 2-2.45pm www.rgcasc.org 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 £5 with a lesson from 1pm t 433768 UPMINSTER AND DISTRICT PROBUS CLUB Variety of events on the website www.upminsterprobus.com TWEEDWAY (50+) SPORTS CLUB Darts, short mat bowls, snooker, pool, table tennis, scrabble and more.

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

WELLBEING EPILEPSY ACTION ROMFORD COFFEE AND CHAT GROUP Third Wednesday of the month 12noon-2pm t 07704 979 654

38 | JULY 2017 | LIVING in Havering

HAVERING ASIAN SOCIAL AND WELFARE ASSOCIATION (HASWA) Yoga class Mondays, 10-11.30am Wednesdays, 10-11.30am Lunch Club Wednesdays, 12noon-2pm Punjabi Class Thursdays, 11.15am-12.15pm Coffee Stop Thursdays, 2-4pm Punjabi Class Thursdays, 6-7.30pm www.haswa.org.uk HAVERING NUMISMATIC SOCIETY First Tuesday of month 7.309.30pm e pambob2@ntlworld.com HUBB (HELPING USERS BOUNCE BACK) SUPPORT GROUP First Thursday of the month, 5 -7pm e ecofriendlyangel62@gmail.com PARKINSON’S UK HAVERING AND DISTRICT BRANCH SUPPORT MEETINGS First and third Tuesday of the month 2-4pm Langtons Registry Office Hornchurch, RM11 1XL e brenda.crissell@gmail.com www.parkinsons.org.uk/havering POSITIVE LIVING GROUP Alternate Mondays, 7.45-10pm www.positivelivinggroups.org.uk RAGS ROMFORD AUTISTIC GROUP SUPPORT Supporting families living with Autism in Havering www.rags-havering.org.uk RCCG LIFE CHANGERS ASSEMBLY Every Sunday, 10-11am e rccglca@gmail.com

FIVE STAR BASKETBALL ACADEMY Tuesdays, 5-6.30pm e elvan.dixon@havering.gov.uk FUSION STREET DANCE TEAM Tuesdays, 5-8pm www.funandfunkydance.com HARE PARK BADMINTON CLUB Thursdays, 7.30-9.30pm e anitaaudritt@btinternet.com HARROW LODGE PARKRUN Meet at Warren Drive car park Seniors: Saturdays, 9-10am Juniors: Free 2km run aged 4-14 years, Sundays, 9am RAPHAEL PARKRUN Every Saturday 9am e raphaeloffice@parkrun.com www.parkrun.org.uk/raphael HAVERING SAILING CLUB Saturdays, March-November 12noon-6pm www.haveringsailingclub.org.uk HEARTFELT YOGA Tuesdays, 8-9.30pm www.heartfeltyoga.co.uk HYLANDS TENNIS CLUB HYLANDS MINI TENNIS ACADEMY Tots at 6pm and Red balls at 7pm classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

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

TENNIS 4 GIRLS Selected Fridays, 5.30pm One term free to first time applicants

SPORTS & FITNESS ARDLEIGH HOUSE SHORT MAT BOWLS CLUB Tuesdays, 12.30-2.30pm Thursdays and Fridays, 10am12noon t 440660 HATHA/DRU YOGA CLASSES Tesco Community Room Roneo Corner, Hornchurch Sundays, 10-11.30am e mary@bodyandsoulyoga.org www.bodyandsoulyoga.org DUKES MODERN SEQUENCE DANCE CLUB Wednesdays, 1-3pm www.sequencedancing.co.uk/ourclubs

TENNIS 4 U Four weeks tennis lessons free on Saturday mornings www.hylandstennis.co.uk e hylandsclub@gmail.com JISSOKAN MARTIAL ARTS Wednesdays, 7.30-9pm e garrylever81@aol.com

JU JITSU Variety of classes on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays www.ryujujitsu.com LYDIA LACEY YOGA Wednesdays, 7.30-8.30pm www.facebook.com/lydiasyoga FUN AND FUNKY DANCE Variety of dance classes available www.funandfunkydance.com NORTH ROMFORD SHORT MAT BOWLS CLUB Mondays and Wednesdays 9am-12noon Mondays, Tuesdays Thursdays and Fridays, 1.30-4.45pm www.nrca.co.uk OCCASIONAL DANCE Variety of classes on website www.occasionaldance.co.uk PHASE (Prostate Health, Advice, Support and Education) Meets last Friday of each month (except August and December) at 7pm at the Harold Wood Neighbourhood Centre in Grubbins Lane t 02037 457318 ROMFORD AUTISTIC GROUP MULTI-SPORT SESSIONS Fridays, 5.15-6.45pm www.rags-havering.org.uk

RUSH GREEN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION INDOOR BOWLS CLUB Alternate Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7.30 – 10pm www.rgcasc.org

SYM SAILING CLUB Sundays, 1 March to 30 November 9am-4pm www.sym.org.uk TWEED MODERN SEQUENCE DANCE CLUB Thursdays, 7.30pm-10pm e shaun22@btinternet.com US GIRLS ACTIVITIES Sports and physical activities for women www.havering.gov.uk/usgirls YOGA FOR ALL Classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays www.janettibbleyoga.com YOGA, PILATES AND BARRE PILATES Classes on Monday to Saturday www.inspiredhealthandfitness.co.uk

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www.havering.gov.uk/living | JULY2017 | 39

The Frances Bardsley Academy for Girls

Tradition – Innovation – Community – Achievement

Year7 7Open OpenEvening Evening Year Year 7

Open Evening

Tuesday 19th September Tuesday 19th September 5.45 - 9.00pm 5.45 - 9.00pm

Year 7 Open Evening

Tuesday 19th September 5.45 – 9.00pm The Headteacher speak Tuesday 19th September The Headteacher willwill speak at at Tuesday 19th September Headteacher will speak at 5.45 - 9.00pm 5.45 - 9.00pm 6.00pm 7.00pm 6.00pm andand 7.00pm 6.00pm and 7.00pm

Year 7 Open Evening

The Headteacher will speak at The Headteacher will speak at 6.00pm and 7.00pm 6.00pm and 7.00pm Year 6 to 7 Transition Programme including Induction Days & Workshop Programme

Year 7 Open Evening Tuesday 19th September 5.45 - 9.00pm

Visit www.fbaok.co.uk for more Visit for more Visitwww.fbaok.co.uk www.fbaok.co.uk for more information or for a prospectus call 01708 447368 information or for a Prospectus call 01708 447368 Visit www.fbaok.co.uk for Visit www.fbaok.co.uk for more information or for a Prospectus call 01708 447368 Brentwood Road, Romford RM1 2RR more Brentwood Road, Romford RM1 2RR information or a forProspectus a Prospectus 01708 447368 information or for callcall 01708 447368

The Headteacher will speak at Brentwood Road, Romford RM1 Brentwood Road, Romford RM1 2RR2RR 6.00pm and 7.00pm Brentwood Road, Romford RM1 2RR

Visit www.fbaok.co.uk for more mation or for a Prospectus call 01708 447368 Brentwood Road, Romford RM1 2RR

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#SafeWhileAway

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www.havering.gov.uk/SafeWhileAway