Friday 1 October 2021
 Today (Friday, 1 October) is the start of Black History Month.
The month is an annual celebration of the history, achievements and contributions of Black people in the UK. The month, and the many events to be held as part of the celebrations, will begin with the ceremonial raising of a special flag outside the Town Hall.
The flag itself is a unique in-house design created by a member of the Council's staff. It features a colour scheme and symbolism historically associated with Caribbean and African communities all brought together. The design is also reflected in our special masthead on today's newsletter.
Our Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities have contributed so much to making Havering a great place to live and work.
Last year the Council had to mark Black History Month mainly online so it’s good that we have a number of live events and activities as part of this year's celebrations. We all have much to learn. You can read more about this below.
Yesterday saw the official opening of a fantastic new building in Rainham. I am proud of the investment that has been made in our borough into our educational and leisure facilities.
You can read more below about New City College’s £15million Construction and Engineering campus. In future months you will also be able to read more about another wonderful leisure centre for Havering, this time located in Rainham.
Lastly, if you want to contact me directly, you can email me.
Cllr Damian White
Leader, Havering Council
Today (1 October) Havering Council kicks off a month-long celebration of Black History.
This will include a range of activities and events starting with a ceremony at the Town Hall at which a special flag (pictured) designed by a member of Havering Council's Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) group will be raised.
The flag design
One of the key elements of the Black History Month (BHM) flag is the Sankofa symbol. This is in the form of a bird reaching back to retrieve one of its eggs.
This bird symbolises the retrieval of something that had been overlooked, discarded or left behind. The Sankofa bird has, for many years, been globally recognised as the symbol for BHM.
Why is there a Black History Month?
The purpose of Black History Month is to:
- showcase the lives, activities and achievements of Black people over the years
- recognise why BHM was established and why it continues to be necessary
- acknowledge the ongoing racism faced by Black people locally, nationally and globally
- consider what needs to be done to remedy the situation.
So much relevant history is not taught in schools or featured in the media. Did you know, for example, that the first recorded Black resident of Havering was Cumba who lived in Gidea Park in 1664?
How you can get involved
During the course of this month this newsletter will regularly feature events that celebrate BHM, and you can see one of them highlighted in our "What's Happening" section below.
There will also be a Community Cultural Celebration at Langtons Gardens organised by the Havering BAME Forum.
The fun for all the family event will be on Saturday 23 October between 12 noon and 5pm in the Western Garden or Fielders Field. You will be able to enjoy live music, dance, food, craft, plus children’s entertainment. Tickets will be sold on the day and are just £1 for adults. Children go free.
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The official launch of New City College’s £15million Construction and Engineering campus in Rainham took place yesterday (Thursday, 30 September) with the unveiling of a plaque and a VIP tour of the state-of-the-art facilities.
The new building, made possible by funding from New City College and the Greater London Authority, is now fully operational with hundreds of construction industry students benefiting from training and top-class technology within the centre of excellence.
This new centre is a significant enhancement for local people training for the jobs needed for a major period of regional development in the Havering, East London and Thames Gateway areas.
One of the College's students toured the site during the summer. Watch the video.
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According to a new study published this week smokers are up to 80 per cent more likely to be admitted to hospital with COVID-19 than non-smokers.
Smokers are also more likely to die from the disease, data from the University of Oxford study suggests.
So there have never been so many reasons to consider stopping smoking, and the NHS Stoptober campaign, that launches today, is designed to help you if you want to try and quit cigarettes.
You can use the NHS Quit Smoking app this Stoptober to help you quit smoking and start breathing easier.
Stoptober is a 28-day stop smoking challenge. The app allows you to:
- track your progress
- see how much you're saving
- get daily support.
The good news is, if you can make it to 28 days smoke-free, you're five times more likely to quit for good.
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 Every week Havering Council publishes a report on coronavirus in the borough on its website.
It includes data on infection rates and testing, as well as the vaccine roll-out. It also compares the programme in Havering with other parts of London and the rest of the country.
The graph above is taken from the report. It shows the number of Havering residents testing positive for coronavirus each week since 6 March last year.
There were 471 cases reported in the last week, 10 fewer than the previous week.
This corresponds to an incidence rate on 24 September of 182 new cases per 100,000 population. This is slightly lower than the equivalent figure for the whole of London (191/100,000) but below the England average of 327/100,000.
The total number of those who have died in Havering with COVID-19 now stands at 939 after two more deaths were recorded in the week ending 17 September.
Vaccines
Over 79 per cent of all adults aged 18 or over in Havering have had at least one dose of the vaccine.
Over 74 per cent of the adult population in Havering have had their second dose of the vaccine which is higher than in East London (59 per cent) and London as a whole (62 per cent), and the same as the national average for England.
Hospitals
As of 24 September there were 48 inpatients admitted due to COVID-19 to our local hospitals, slightly less than in the previous week.
The trust that runs those hospitals, BHRUT, also publishes weekly data on the number of patients it is treating.
The Government also provides daily COVID-19 data broken down by town or even postcode level.
From Monday (4 October) children aged 12 to 15 in Havering will be offered one dose of the Pfizer jab.
Invitations for these vaccinations will be offered by the NHS. Parental consent will be sought before any vaccinations are given at school.
Alternative arrangements will be made for children who are home schooled, or in care homes.
Children in this age group who are clinically extremely vulnerable, or live with someone who is immunosuppressed, will be offered two doses of the vaccine. They will be contacted by their GP to arrange this.
The NHS has also begun rolling out COVID-19 booster jabs.
People over 50s, people in care homes, frontline health and social care workers, and vulnerable people aged between 16 and 49 are among those who will be offered a third dose. At least six months must have passed since a second jab was given.
See the banners below, and at the end of this newsletter, for details of walk-in booster jab centres in Hornchurch and Romford.
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COVID-19 infection rates are still high in Havering as our weekly COVID-19 report shows.
When you’re travelling use hand sanitiser and make sure you wash your hands when you get to your destination and when you get home.
By taking a rapid test twice a week, you will help protect yourself and your colleagues as you’ll be coming into contact with more people throughout your day.
If you’re feeling unwell, make sure that you stay home and take a PCR test if you suspect you have COVID-19.
You can order a lateral flow test kit online or pick one up from many 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 the following weeks.
Have symptoms?
It remains vitally important to book a test if you have COVID-19 symptoms.
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This week has seen the start of the first Havering Youth Climate Change Summit.
As part of this on Tuesday this newsletter was filled with articles by young people in Havering telling us what concerns them as the world prepares for the COP26 Climate Change summit in Glasgow that begins on 31 October.
On Wednesday the Leader of Havering Council and Council officers joined young people for an online "Let's Talk" session, and a survey has also been launched to better understand what young people think is important when tackling climtae change locally.
To gain opinions from as many young people as possible that survey will now stay open until the end of COP26 summit on 12 November.
Early indications from the survey include young people suggesting that:
- People living alone without a family should have smaller cars, make better use of public transport or use bikes
- Cycling infrastructure is improved
- Food waste is recycled
- Car pollution outside schools is tackled
- We move away from cheap “throwaway” items.
If you're under 30 please take part in the survey, or encourage anyone you know who is, and lives in Havering, to share their thoughts.
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The Havering Housing Services team is currently writing a strategy to set out how they will communicate better with all their tenants and leaseholders in the future.
In order to develop that strategy they would like as many tenants and leaseholders as possible to complete an online survey before the closing date of Tuesday 5 October.
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 At Langtons in Hornchurch on Tuesday 5 October there's a free lantern making workshop for adults and a Halloween decor one for children. Both take place in the greenhouse between 11am and 1.30pm. No booking is required.
As part of Black History Month, Havering libraries have an event on National Poetry Day (Thursday 7 October) with guest poet Tolu' A. Akinyemi (pictured).
It's a free event held online via Zoom and it starts at 6.30pm.
Tolu’ is a multi-award-winning author who writes poetry, short stories, children’s literature and essays.
There will be an opportunity to tell your experiences and your stories through poetry or bring along your favourite poems about Black experience and culture. Everyone is welcome.
Email to book your free place or see more information online.
Havering Music Makers are back with their first post-COVID show, `Let’s Go On With The Show’. It's an original comedy review show telling the story of a group of actors rehearsing for a show after lockdown.
It features a wealth of songs from smash-hit West End shows such as Hamilton, Come From Away, Hairspray, Six, Mamma Mia and Singin’ in the Rain.
The show will be at Tweed Way Hall, Tweed Way, Rise Park, RM1 4AZ. Show dates are Friday 8 and Saturday 9 October at 7.30pm, and a Sunday 10 October matinee at 2pm. Refreshments will be available. Tickets can be purchased from the Havering Music Makers' website or by calling 01708 520778.
The October lecture for The Arts Society, Havering, will be held on Tuesday 12 October at 10am at New Windmill Hall, St Marys Lane, Upminster, RM14 2QH.
The subject will be the work of Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema.The talk will be given by Daniel Robbins and is open to members and guests. It's just £8 to attend. Find out more on the Arts Society's website.
Havering Singers first post-COVID live performance is a selection of Choral Favourites including Mozart's Ave Verum, Handel's Zadok the Priest and Brahms'
How Lovely are thy Dwellings.
This concert, at St Peter's Church, Gubbins Lane, Harold Wood, RM3 0QA, on Saturday 6 November, is free of charge but ticketed to allow for safe COVID-19 measures. You can get tickets from their website or by calling 01708 341265.
Havering Concert Orchestra are holding a Belated Happy Birthday Beethoven concert on Saturday 20 November at 7.30pm. The venue will be Frances Bardsley Academy, Brentwood Road, Romford RM1 2RR.
Tickets are £10 in advance. You can get more information on their website.
A free outdoor Christmas Fair will be held at Langtons Gardens in Hornchurch, on Sunday 21 November. If you are interested in having a free stall at the event use the online registration form.
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Havering Libraries are holding a competition to mark National Poetry Day on 7 October.
You are invited to write a poem for the day on the theme of ‘Choice’
Put your name, age and library card number on your entry and drop it into a library or send it in by email.
The closing date is 13 November.
Winners will receive book prizes, and their poems will be displayed in all libraries.
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Registered charity SMILE, based in North Street, have launched their Christmas appeal to help children throughout London and Essex who otherwise would not receive any presents this year as they are living in poverty.
SMILE has grown from a one woman project into a charity with multiple distribution sites across London and Essex supporting 22 family hostels.
SMILE provide shoe boxes full of presents and treats and deliver them to families who most need it. They work with local organizations to help those who are homeless.
SMILE is now registering businesses who wish to take part in their 2021 Christmas appeal.
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Havering Council's Autumn Blitz of deep-cleaning activities across the whole borough, as part of its COVID recovery plans continues.
The campaign focuses on sprucing up Havering's streets. This includes street cleaning, weeding, grass cutting, litter picking, enforcement of environmental issues, and graffiti removal.
Pictured is Irons Way in Collier Row before and after treatment.
If you see fly-tips or other rubbish issues please report them using our website or the Love Havering app.
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Weekly price capping on Oyster for adult pay as you go customers is now live so that anyone travelling on Tube and rail services across London will benefit from never needing to buy a weekly Travelcard again.
The upgrade, gives users the best possible fares for all journeys made between Monday and Sunday.
Daily caps on Tube and rail services are set at one fifth of the price of a weekly cap, and if customers travel more frequently, weekly caps ensure they don’t pay more than the equivalent weekly Travelcard.
Weekly capping is already available for those using pay as you go with contactless, and Oyster customers who only travel on bus and tram services across London.
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Until tomorrow (2 October), and also between 4 and 7 October, Upminster Road North will be resurfaced. This road provides access to many other roads north and south of the main road itself so please visit our website to see information on the extent and phasing of the works. This will help to minimise any inconvenience if you live near this road, or use it for your journeys.
Repairs to a water leak outside Old Mill Parade, Victoria Road in Romford starting on Monday (4 October) means that temporary traffic signals will be in use until Wednesday 6 October.
Work by BT in Ockendon Road, South Ockendon, at the junction with Fen Lane, means that temporary traffic signals will be in use from Monday 4 to Wednesday 6 October.
Contractor Cappagh will be carrying out sewer repair work on behalf of Thames Water in Junction Road and Kingston Road, Romford until 10 October. The work, near the Asda car park, will require the use of temporary traffic signals.
On Monday 4 October Ipsum Utlities will be carrying out the replacement of an electrical linkbox on behalf of UK Power Networks in Bruce Avenue, at the junction with Abbs Cross Lane in Hornchurch. The work will involve temporary three-way traffic signals until Friday 8 October.
Temporary traffic lights will be in use in Billet Lane, Hornchurch on 7 October as contractors carry out work on behalf of Virgin Media.
Collier Row Roundabout and the section of Chase Cross Road between number 26 and the Collier Row Roundabout will be resurfaced during night-time works next month. The work will begin on the evening of 7 October and should be finished by 6am on 9 October.
Starting Monday 11 October Dagenham Road, Romford, between Crow Lane and Grosvenor Road, will be resurfaced over the course of two nights. During these works the road will be closed to through traffic with traffic diverted via Rom Valley Way.
Courage Close in Hornchurch will be resurfaced on Thursday 14 October. Work will take place betwen 8am and 5pm.
Cappagh will be carrying out sewer diversion work on behalf of Thames Water outside 113 Upper Rainham Road in Hornchurch, between 18 and 29 October. This work will require temporary traffic lights.
Advanced warning: Cadent Gas will be working on pipes in St Marys Lane, Upminster at its junction with Upminster Road, from 1 to 12 November. Temporary traffic lights will be in use.
On the tracks
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Due to Network Rail engineering work in connection with the Barking Riverside Project, c2c train services will not be running on the Rainham line this Sunday (3 October).
Rail replacement buses will run between Upminster and Grays via Rainham.
Also, from Monday 4 to Thursday 7 October, on the same line, due to Network Rail undertaking track maintenance work between Barking and London Fenchurch Street each evening from 8.40pm, services will be diverted to start and terminate at London Liverpool Street.
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The Virgin Money London Marathon will return to its famous course through the capital this Sunday (3 October) after being cancelled last year due to the pandemic.
The London Marathon is one of the largest mass-participation events in the world with thousands of people, including world class athletes, celebrities and eager runners, raising millions of pounds for charities.
Road closures in support of the event will be in place and there are essential planned closures on Sunday on the Central line and London Overground.
Transport for London (TfL) is encouraging everyone to plan their journeys in advance and check the TfL website or TfL Go app for the latest travel information.
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