Friday 21 May 2021
 My first message today has a familiar theme, but I have no hesitation in saying it again. Please be cautious whatever you are up to this weekend, or in the weeks ahead.
Hands - Face - Space - and Fresh Air is still the best advice for all of us, particularly now that we know the so-called "Indian" variant of this awful coronavirus has been detected in many London boroughs.
As the Transport Secretary said earlier this week we must use common sense when considering any foreign trips. Don't make trips to any amber or red list countries unless it is an exceptional circumstance, like visiting a very sick relation or attending a funeral. And be prepared to isolate when you return to the UK and have your quarantining status checked.
Continue to test yourself regularly by visiting any of the many drop-in testing centres across Havering, or pick up a test kit and check yourself at home. More details on this later in this newsletter.
If you are invited to have a COVID-19 vaccination please take it, and if you have already had your first jab don't forget that the second dose helps to give you longer-term protection.
 Second, let me say "good luck" to all the players, staff and fans of Hornchurch FC as they prepare to travel to Wembley Stadium tomorrow for the FA Trophy Final.
After their amazing win in the semi-final I am sure the confidence among the players and fans will be sky-high.
The team and manager have done the borough proud and we will all be rooting for them to overcome Hereford FC when they step out on to the famous Wembley turf at 4.15pm tomorrow.
Lastly, if you want to contact me directly, you can email me. However, please be patient as there may be a delay in getting back to you due to the volume of messages I am receiving.
Stay safe.
Cllr Damian White
Leader, Havering Council
As we’ve started to come out of the pandemic, Havering Council has been asking local young people what life in lockdown has been like for them.
We asked them to tell us in stories, videos and poems, how they coped and share their insights and inspirations.
Young people between the ages of eight and 17 told us how they learned new skills, got fit, set up new initiatives, got closer to their family, and even attended a round table event with London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
Their stories are now featured in a new virtual booklet – Life in Lockdown.
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Don't forget that if you want to follow the Mighty Urchins as they take on Hereford FC in the FA Trophy Final at Wembley Stadium tomorrow, you can see the match live on BT Sport 1.
A number of pubs across Havering will also be screening the action.
If you are watching indoors in a public venue please remember to maintain social distancing, and wear you face covering over your nose and mouth - except when drinking or eating!
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If you are aged 34 or over, or will be by 1 July this year, you can book your COVID-19 vaccination now.
Take up of the vaccine is a key way in helping to get things back to normal and will protect you, your friends and your family.
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 Regular, twice-weekly rapid testing for people without COVID-19 symptoms is available for everyone in Havering to help make sure you're not passing on the virus without knowing.
You should still use testing even if you have had one or both doses of the COVID-19 vaccination.
You can order home test kits or pick them up from test centres, some libraries and most pharmacies. There are over fifty places in Havering. Find your nearest testing site and collection point.
If you aren't sure how to do a rapid test at home, visit one of these centres first and be shown by the professionals. You can then take a test kit home with you to use in subsequent weeks.
You can also order a test kit online.
Have symptoms?
It remains vitally important to book a test if you have COVID-19 symptoms.
 Do you have concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine?
Are you worried about fertility and breastfeeding?
Should you have the vaccine if you’re pregnant or planning to have a baby?
Is the vaccine safe for all ethnicities?
If these are some of the questions you’d like answers to, then join our Zoom meeting on Thursday, 27 May at 6.30pm and speak to the health professionals.
Once you have been vaccinated you can check and show your COVID-19 vaccination status by using an app.
You can view and download your COVID-19 vaccination status using the NHS App.
You need to create an NHS login to use the NHS App if you do not have one already.
NHS login registrations may take longer than usual when there are high numbers of requests. If you are thinking of using this app to demonstrate your COVID-19 vaccination status you will need to register at least two weeks before you want to use it.
This app is NOT the NHS COVID-19 app.
The NHS App is available on iOS and Android. To use it you must be aged 13 and over and registered with a GP surgery in England.
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Havering Works are offering a "Speed Date" to help local people find work.
Take part and you will be able to speak to an experienced job broker and can discuss your current situation.
This could be help finding a job, going to college, attending a short course or getting work experience from an employer of your choice. You choose the sector you want to gain experience in.
You can also have your CV reviewed, or receive interview preparation help.
An advisor will be able to speak to you one-to-one and follow-up appointments can also be made on the day.
These sessions are open to any Havering resident, aged 18 or over who is on a work-related benefit. The next session is on Wednesday, 26 May.
Find out more about Havering Works by watching this video.
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 Gidea Park Bowling Club would like to thank all who attended the recent Open Day at its green at Gallows Corner Sports Ground on Sunday 16 May.
The club is always interested in attracting new members and plan to hold regular recruitment and coaching sessions throughout the summer season.
Anyone who is interested should contact Des Cole on 07941 674938 for more details.
Enquires can also be made via the club's Facebook page or by email.
New City College student Charlie Ayris has organised a football match starring former professional players to raise money for charity.
Charlie from Harold Wood, has organised the Daggers Legends event which will take place this Sunday (23 May) at Hornchurch Stadium.
He hopes to attract up to 1,000 people to raise as much money as possible for the Dyspraxia Foundation and the British Dyslexia Association.
Charlie, who is studying A Levels at New City College's Havering Sixth Form in Wingletye Lane, has been a Dagenham & Redbridge FC fan all his life and was inspired by his family to organise the match.
Some of the former players involved are Scott Doe, Lee Matthews, Sam Saunders and Paul Terry (brother of former Chelsea captain John Terry). Charlie chose the two charities because his family have close connections with them.
On the day, as well as the football, there will be a bar, burger van, raffle and half-time entertainment.
Tickets are £5 for adults and £1 for under 5s and are available on the day. Gates open at 1pm and the match starts at 2pm. All are welcome.
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The windows of the Brookside Theatre in Romford are in a state of disrepair and urgently need replacing.
New windows would greatly improve public safety and the aesthetics, security, and energy efficiency of its historic building.
So far 51 backers have pledged £6,770 towards the Theatre's target of £10,544.
Can you join them?
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Pay your Council Tax by Direct Debit and you can choose from three different dates: the first, fifteenth or twenty-first of each month.
Simply complete an online form.
This is a safe, simple and secure way of making payments plus you are covered by the Direct Debit guarantee for a refund if something goes wrong.
Full details of all the help currently available including if you are facing financial hardship can also be viewed online.
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Thank you to everyone who has taken part in Foster Care Fortnight.
There was a great turn out at yesterday’s coffee morning and Havering Council's Fostering team will be following up the session by speaking to those who took part. The team also plans to hold more sessions in the future.
In the meantime, if you’re interested in fostering, please contact the Fostering team on 01708 434573 or by email.
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Wrexham Road in Harold Hill will be closed at its junction with Woodbridge Lane due to widening of the road. The work will begin at 8am on Monday 24 May and is expected to be completed by 5pm on Saturday 29 May.
Fyfield Road in South Hornchurch will be closed at its junction with Rainham Road on 29 May for the installation of a traffic island.
On the same day, Saturday 29 May, Market Link in Romford Town Centre will be closed between Ducking Stool Court and Market Place from 7pm until 11pm. This is to enable the dismantling and removal of a crane.
Towards the end of May, a special surface designed to prevent skidding and improve safety will be laid in parts of Squirrels Heath Lane on the approaches to the Zebra crossings by Elvet Avenue and Ashlyn Grove, and on the approaches to the Brentwood Road mini roundabout.
Carriageway resurfacing will take place tonight (Friday 21 May) on the northbound carriageway of Waterloo Road in Romford. This is part of the Romford ring road.
A special anti-skid surface will be laid on the approaches to The Drill roundabout and Ardleigh Green Road on Tuesday 1 June. During the work, which will be carried out overnight, Slewins Lane will be closed to through traffic with diversions in place.
Early in June parts of Upper Rainham Road will be resurfaced. The overnight work means that the road will be closed to through traffic between Roneo Link and Elm Park Avenue with diversions in place on the nights of 2, 3, 4, 7 and 8 June. Then from 7.30pm on 9 June, until 6am on 10 June, Upper Rainham Road will be closed between Roneo Corner and Wood Lane.
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Due to Network Rail undertaking engineering work in connection with the Barking Riverside project, c2c train services will not run on the Rainham line this Sunday (23 May).
Rail replacement buses will run between Upminster and Grays via Rainham.
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