Let's make Hornchurch blooming lovely

​Following outstanding success in winning 47 prizes at last year's London in Bloom awards, the borough now goes forward as London's representatives to compete at national level in the Royal Horticultural Society's prestigious Britain in Bloom competition 2016

Britain in Bloom is an opportunity for everyone in Hornchurch to get involved either by joining or starting community projects or simply by making your own home as beautiful as possible. Find out how you can help here.

Keep up to date with all the different ways to get involved by visiting and liking our Facebook page, Britain in Bloom Havering, and Britain in Bloom Havering on Instagram.   

Join the Friends of Hylands Park

The Friends of Hylands Park is looking for volunteers to join the group that supports this Green Flag winning park.

Join the Friends of Hylands Park here.

Fouling Hornchurch Country Park costs dog walker £548

On Friday 1 April 2016 at Barkingside Magistrates Court, Michelle Nash, age 40 of Carlisle Road, Romford, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with a Dog Control Order by allowing a dog to foul in Hornchurch Country Park.

Ms Nash is a professional dog walker and owner of The Only Way is Dogs. In March 2015 she was issued with an £80 Fixed Penalty Notice for a similar offence.

Magistrates ordered her to pay a £330 fine, £185 in costs and a £33 victim surcharge, a total of £548. 

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. The deadline for street party applications is Friday 29 April.

Find out more about street parties in Havering here. 

Two meetings to discuss safer parking at Wykeham Primary School

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.

Residents can find out more at two meetings being held at the school on:

Thursday 14 April, 4pm - 6pm, Residents’ Drop In Session.

Friday 15 April, 4pm - 6pm, Parents Drop In Session, 

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, and the threat of criminal prosecution for more offences.  

Applique, Patchwork and Quilting

Havering Adult College's is offering this craft course at the Langtons House, starting on Wednesday 20 April, 9.45am – 11.45pm. This 10-week course has a cost of £122. Enquire about enrolment  here.

More information on classes at Havering Adult College 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

Havering Police will be providing crime prevention advice on Tuesday 19 April, 10am - noon at Halifax Bank, Hornchurch and on Monday 25 April, noon - 2pm at Barclays Bank, Hornchurch.

New library opening hours

The opening times are:

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 Hornchurch Library?

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

Monday 11 April, 8pm - 9.45pm. Havering Essex Wildlife Trust will hear a talk about wildlife in London.

Monday 9 May, 8pm - 9.45pm Havering Essex Wildlife Trust will hear a talk about Badgers and the Badger Man.

Both at Hornchurch Library. Email for more details.

Thursday 14 April, 2.30pm - 3.45pm. Charlotte Bronte: Tragedy and Triumph, a talk by Margaret Mills. Book tickets by email.

What's on at South Hornchurch Library?

Baby Bounce, every Friday during term time, 10.30am - 11am for babies from birth to two-years-old.

Wiggle and Giggle, every Friday during term time, 11.30am - noon for children from two  to four-years-old.

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.

If you are running a community event in Hornchurch, get free publicity by completing the online form here.

Fairkytes events

Follow Fairkytes Live on Facebook here.

Friday 8 April, 8pm. Fairkytes Live, Jonny Hepbir and Jason Henson are performing at Fairkytes Arts Centre, Hornchurch as part of Jazz Appreciation Month. Book your tickets here.

Friday 29 April, 8pm Leandra Varanda and Jonathan Preiss will be performing. Book your tickets here.

Craft classes

From Monday 11 April a 10-week art and crafts class is being run at  Fairkytes Arts Centre, Hornchurch, between 4pm and 5.30pm.

From Saturday 16 April, 10am - noon, a pottery class is running at the same venue. Both classes are for children over the age of five years.

More details, and how to book your place, are available here of all classes and workshops at Fairkytes.

Havering Writers' Circle

Meets at Fairkytes Arts Centre on the first Monday of each month, 7.30pm - 10pm

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.

The Silver Gym

Friday 15 April - Saturday 7 May

Ex-Army captain Stella Silver is starting afresh and has just bought herself a gym. Well, it's a building. With running water. Sometimes. More details here.

Book your tickets here.

Day Trip to Constable Country and Chocolate Box Villages of Suffolk

Thursday 14 April leave Ardleigh House, 42 Ardleigh Green Road, Hornchurch RM11 2LG at 9am, return 6.30pm. Get more information by email.

Essex Wildlife Trust Business Networking Event

Thursday 14 April, 3pm - 5.30pm at Ingrebourne Valley Visitor Centre, Squadrons Approach, Hornchurch, RM12 6DF. Email to book a place.

Bark in the Park

Sunday 17 April, 11am registration, Harrow Lodge Park, Hornchurch, Havering Mind is holding a Charity Dog Walk. Get more details by email.

Tuesday 19 April, 10.30am - 1.30pm, Real Nappy Information event at The Queen’s Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT. More information available here.

Tuesday 26 April, 7.30pm at Fairkytes Arts Centre, Hornchurch. The Friends of Harrow Lodge Park are meeting representatives of Thames Water to discuss issues of concern.

Join the Friends of Harrow Lodge Park here.

Beard Lunch Club

If your 16 to 19-years-old, then head down to the Robert Beard Centre, 233 High Street, Hornchurch, RM11 2XU, any Tuesday, 12.45pm – 2.45pm there is free information, advice and guidance plus pool, sport, music, Xbox, iMacs and free WiFi.

6th Squirrels Heath Scout Group

has places available for Beavers (six - nine years) and Cubs (eight - 10 years) for weekly meetings during term time at Brooke Hall, 95A Harwood Avenue, Hornchurch, RM11 2NR. Email for more details.

Junior parkrun

Every Sunday, 9am - 9.30am at Harrow Lodge Park. More details here and Free registration here.

Hylands Tennis Club

Mini-tennis takes place every Monday, 6pm - 6.50pm at The Albany School, Broadstone Road, Hornchurch, RM12 4AJ. Get more details here.

Inspired Health

and Fitness

holds Yoga, Pilates and Barre Pilates every Saturday, 9.20am - noon at Havering College, Ardleigh Green Road, Hornchurch, RM11 2ll.

Coffee social evening

Every Tuesday, 6.30pm - 8pm at iCoffee, 7 Suttons Lane, Hornchurch, RM12 6RD.

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.

Bilingual presentations

Second Monday of each month, 6.30pm - 7.30pm at  Osteria Due Fratelli, Station Lane, Hornchurch. Italian and English presentations.

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.

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.

Tell us about it

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.