Party for Queen's Birthday

On Sunday 12 June 2016, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will celebrate her 90th birthday. 

Communities across Havering can be part of this national celebration by organising a neighbourhood street party.  Street parties are a great part of British life and an opportunity for communities to come together and celebrate national occasions. 

Find out more about street parties in Havering here. 

£100 fines to make school parking safer

Wykeham Primary School, in Hornchurch, is among six primary schools in Havering piloting a new initiative to tackle the problem of dangerous parking outside schools.

A key part of the scheme is introducing a Public Space Protection Order under the Crime and Policing Act 2014, enforced by fixed CCTV cameras, with offending motorists fined £100 for each offence, with the threat of criminal prosecution for more offences.  

Recycling centre upgrades

So far 22 recycling sites in various locations across the Borough have undergone improvements making them look cleaner and smarter, while raising awareness of the site and making them more appealing to residents.  The most recently transformed sites are Haynes Park car park, off Slewins Lane, Hornchurch, and Station Parade in Elm Park (pictured).  

Get your dog micro-chipped

If you own a dog a new law means it must be micro-chipped before Wednesday 6 April.

You can get your dog micro-chipped by The Dog’s Trust on Thursday 11 February, 11am to 3pm, at Dunningford Close, Hornchurch, RM12 5JJ.  More details here.

New prospectus

Havering Adult College's new mid-year prospectus is now available and includes a range of courses from the Ingrebourne Valley Visitor Centre in Hornchurch including art, photography and Local History. Copies are available from all Havering libraries and courses can be viewed here.

On the beat with Hornchurch Police

Each police Safer Neighbourhoods Team (SNT) holds meetings the public can attend, ask questions and get crime prevention advice.

More information available here about Elm Park SNT, Emerson Park SNT, Hacton SNT, St Andrews SNT, and South Hornchurch SNT.

Crime prevention advice

St Andrews SNT is running a crime prevention advice stall outside Peacocks in Hornchurch Town Centre on Saturday 27 February, 1pm - 2pm

Make your cycle secure

St Andrews SNT and Havering Safer Transport Team are holding a bike marking session outside The Fatling in Hornchurch High Street on Tuesday 16 February, 11am - 1pm.

What's on at Hornchurch Library?

Hornchurch Library has two classrooms and a meeting room available for hire.

Thursday 18 February, 2.30pm, Half-term Flower Craft – paint your own flower plot and plant a flower as part of the Britain in Bloom campaign. More information by email.

Saturday 20 February, 2.30pm, Craft Club. Booking essential.

Thursday 25 February, 2.30pm, an afternoon with Steve Bradley,  garden book author, The Sun garden columnist and BBC local radio broadcaster. Book your ticket by email.

Saturday 27 February, 2.15pm, Mother’s Day crafts. Booking essential.

Thursday 10 March, 7.30pm, Italian cookery talk and demonstration. Booking essential.

Saturday 19 March, 2.30pm, Easter craft session. Booking essential.

If you see something that needs improving in Hornchurch please report it using the Council’s online forms.

The forms cover a wide range of issues from fly-tipping to potholes. Completing the correct form sends it direct to the right people to deal with that issue.

Free swimming

Children aged under eight-years-old will be able to swim for free at Hornchurch Sports Centre as everyone Active extends its swimming offer until October 2016. 

Everyone Active also offers free swimming for adults aged 50 and above, at specific times throughout the week, which will also be extended until October 2016.

Meet the Cabinet

You can meet Havering Council  Cabinet Members on Friday 4 March, 1pm – 2pm, at Sainsbury's, High Street, Hornchurch. This is an opportunity for residents to let the Leader know what is important to them.

Fairkytes events

Follow Fairkytes Live on Facebook here.

Thursday 18 February, 8pm. Fairkytes Live, Music for a Winter’s Night: Clive Carroll

Book tickets here.

Wednesday 24 February, 11am – 3.30pm, Havering Mind open day at Harrow Lodge House, Harrow Lodge Park, Hornchurch Road, Hornchurch, RM11 1JU.

Sunday 13 March, 10am – 1pm. Free Harmonica Masterclass with Steve ‘West’ Weston at East Coast Music, 182 Hornchurch Road, Hornchurch, RM11 1QL. Places must be booked in advance.

What's on at The Queen's Theatre

The Queen’s Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT, has an extensive programme of events, which can be viewed here.

Thursday 18 – Saturday 27 February,

Gun-toting gangsters and stormy lovers collide in Cole Porter’s mischievous musical comedy Kiss Me Kate. Photo credit: Robert Workman. Book your tickets here.  

Friday 4 – Saturday 26 March, Much Ado About Nothing. Set amid the jubilant celebrations of the end of the Second World War this production marks our new Artistic Director Douglas Rintoul’s debut at The Queen’s and the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. Book your tickets here.

Pub Clubs

Tapestry organises a Pub Club on the third Tuesday of each month, noon - 2pm at The Village Bar and Grill, Station Lane, Hornchurch, RM12 6NA.

Hornchurch Photographic Society

Hornchurch Photographic Society meets every Monday, 7.45pm – 10pm at Ardleigh House, Ardleigh Green Road, Hornchurch, RM11 2LG.

WI meetings

Nelmes (Hornchurch) Womens’ Institute meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 2pm to 4pm at Nelmes United Reformed Church. New members welcome and further details from Ruth McDougall.

Men’s walking football

Walking Football is a slower paced version of the beautiful game, aimed at men who are keen to keep an active lifestyle despite their age or ability.

Booking is required. For more information email Stuart Robinson.

Sessions cost £3 and are on Thursdays from 7pm at Abbs Cross Health and Fitness, Abbs Cross Lane, Hornchurch, RM12 4YB.

NEW SESSION: starts Tuesday 26 January, 6.30pm - 7.30pm, Sanders School, Suttons Lane, Hornchurch, RM12 6RT.

Diabetes Group

Havering Group Diabetes UK meet at the North Street Halls, North Street, Hornchurch on the third Monday of each month at 8pm. Speakers on a medical topic, everyone is welcome.

Hornchurch Wargames Club

The Hornchurch Wargames Club meets every Monday, 7pm – 11pm at The Community Centre, Gooshays Drive, Harold Hill, RM3 9LB. More information.

New library opening hours

New opening hours begin from Monday 21 March. The opening times for:

Hornchurch Library:  Monday to Friday inclusive 1pm - 10pm, Saturday 10am - 3pm.

Elm Park and South Hornchurch: Monday and Tuesday closed; Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 10am – 4pm; Thursday 2pm - 8pm.

What's on at Elm Park Library?

Elm Park Library has a meeting room for hire.

Tuesday 16 February, 10am - 11.30am. Adult Craft Workshop: Cards for Men. Booking essential. 

Baby Bounce, Every Wednesday (term time only), 10am. Nursery rhymes and songs for babies.

In Stitches, Every Thursday (term time only), 2pm. Join our lively group of knitters for tea, a chat and to swap ideas.

Evening Reading Group, First Monday of the month, 6.30pm. Come along and listen to the group review their latest read and pick up the next book.

Elm Park Writing Group, Second Wednesday of the month,  1pm. Join us to share and discuss your stories and poems.  Everybody welcome.

Daytime Reading Group, First Thursday of the month, 11am. Come along and listen to the group review their latest read and pick up the next book.

Find out more about Elm Park Library.

What's on at South Hornchurch Library?

Squiggles takes place every Friday, 10am (term time only) and  consists of stories, rhymes and craft. All children, aged  two to five years, are welcome.