Friday 15 October 2021
 Tonight (Friday) we are marking Baby Loss Awareness Week by lighting up Havering Town Hall, half in pink and half in blue.
It's part of our efforts to highlight the help and support available to local parents who have experienced baby loss.
One of those is Zoe Fitzgerald, a debt recovery officer working for Havering Council. She has since gone on to raise awareness of the issue and to fundraise for parents in a similar position.
You can read more about her story if you click on the link in the article below.
As you know we are improving our communities and building homes for our residents. One key area is in the South of the borough and this includes plans to build a new train station at Beam Park.
The Greater London Authority (GLA) have the funding to do this, but you may have seen in the media that the Department for Transport (DfT) has not, as yet, given the green light for this.
We know how difficult it is for residents and businesses in that area and have been lobbying for better transport connections for a long time.
In this case, in partnership with the GLA and Transport for London, we have been meeting with the DfT and Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to try and resolve this issue. Further meetings and lobbying will take place and I hope we can come to a positive conclusion on this matter.
Earlier this week I received an email from a Romford man who, despite not liking heights, has scaled many famous landmarks to raise money for our local hospitals. On 23 October he's at it again. You can read about his latest feat later in this newsletter.
Lastly, if you want to contact me directly, you can email me.
Cllr Damian White
Leader, Havering Council
Havering Council is marking Baby Loss Awareness Week (9 to 15 October) to highlight the help and support available to local parents who have experienced baby loss.
The theme of this year’s week is ‘Wellbeing’ and what it means for the people affected by baby loss.
Havering Council will be lighting up the Town Hall – in half pink, half blue - tonight (Friday, 15 October) as it joins many other organisations lighting up their local landmarks as part of the global "Wave of Light" to remember those who have experienced loss.
Zoe Fitzgerald, a debt recovery officer for Havering Council, lost her baby at 38 weeks and has since gone on to raise awareness of the issue and to fundraise for parents in a similar position.
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The Recycle Your Electricals campaign features “HypnoCat” (pictured) who's on a mission to encourage you to recycle your small old electricals.
When we recycle our old electricals, we’re giving a new lease of life to the treasure hidden within. This includes precious metals like gold, copper, steel and aluminium.
These valuable materials can then be recycled and turned into everything from children’s playgrounds to life-saving equipment – even into new electricals.
Here are just some examples of the sort of items that Havering Council will collect and recycle:
- small kitchen appliances (such as kettles, toasters, irons)
- hair dryers, straighteners and clippers
- clocks, watches, calculators and torches
- remote controls, mobile phones, cameras and chargers
- phone and laptop batteries
- radios, mini hi-fis, CD and MP3 players
- small electronic toys (such as remote control cars)
- hand power tools, smoke detectors and thermostats
To play your part, gather up and store your old electricals in a bag. When you’re ready to recycle put them in an open plastic bag and leave it next to your orange recycling sack on your collection day.
Alternatively you can take them to Gerpins Lane Reuse and Recycling Centre and place them in the electrical and electronic area. Or you can use the Recycle Your Electricals postcode locator to find your local recycling point.
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Havering Council has successfully retained its 16 Green Flags for another year.
This success is thanks to the efforts of Havering Council's parks and ground maintenance staff, and the community groups they work in partnership with, maintaining the parks to a high standard all year round.
A Green Flag Award means a park is well maintained and has excellent facilities.
The recognition is awarded by environmental charity, Keep Britain Tidy.
The current number of awards for our parks is the most the borough has ever had.
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 To mark Black History Month there will be a Community Cultural Celebration at Langtons Gardens organised by the Havering BME Forum.
See below for all the details.
Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (BHRUT) is refreshing its clinical strategy and it wants your thoughts on what your hospitals look like now, and in the future.
To help the Trust understand how patients and residents currently use its services it recently held a survey, and on Tuesday 19 October, between 6 and 8pm, it will hold an online event just for Havering residents.
If you want to take part, register your interest.
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Havering Council is supporting Get Online Week that runs from 18 to 24 October.
This year’s theme focuses on helping residents to build their digital skills and connections by getting online with free events designed to inspire people to make the most of the internet.
If you are reading this newsletter you are almost certainly online, but perhaps you could learn additional digital skills that will help you use online banking, the NHS app or finding jobs online? Or maybe you know someone who needs support getting connected?
If you would like some free and friendly help you can book to attend any of the events.
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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 are now being offered a third, or booster dose, of a COVID-19 vaccination.
At least six months must have passed since a second jab was given.
See the banners below for details of walk-in booster jab centres in Romford and Hornchurch that are open this weekend.
For other vaccination sites you can book a jab online.
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Havering Council's Autumn Blitz of deep-cleaning activities across the whole borough, as part of its COVID-19 recovery plans, continues.
The campaign focuses on sprucing up Havering's streets.
Recent work includes cleaning the steps in the North Street subway in Romford.
Other work taking place includes weeding, grass cutting, and litter picking.
If you see fly-tips or other rubbish issues please report them using our website or the Love Havering app.
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 Be prepared to get spooked on Tuesday 26 October when you follow the ghostly trail of paranormal activity in some of the buildings in Romford's town centre.
This walk, organised by Havering Museum, shares elements of the history of some of the oldest buildings and paranormal activity in them today.
The walk starts at 7pm and will end at 9pm.
It's just £10 to join and that includes a drink at the Golden Lion pub (pictured) which is where the walk finishes.
The starting point will be advised when you book a ticket.
This event is for adults only and ticket numbers are limited. More information on the Museum's website.
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The Friends of Marshalls Park Academy are holding a fireworks display at the school on 4 November.
Doors open at 6pm with the display beginning at 7.30pm.
Tickets are £5 for adults and £3 for those under 16 years old - if bought in advance via the Eventbrite website.
Refreshments and food will also be on sale on the night.
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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Attractions at the special Christmas Fayre being held as part of The Royal Liberty School's 100th anniversary include an artificial ice rink, snow globe, Christmas market and a Prosecco palace.
Entrance is just £2 for adults on the door with children going free.
Doors open at 12.30pm on Saturday 27 November at the school in Upper Brentwood Road in Romford.
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Charlie Richardson from Junction Road in Romford has been a volunteer at Queens and King George hospitals for a number of years.
He has also raised money for them by taking part in sky dives and abseils.
Now the 73-year-old grandfather of eight - who says he doesn't like heights - is planning his toughest fundraising challenge yet.
On 23 October he is doing a "Triple Whammy' starting with walking across the O2 Arena roof, then over to Tottenham's new stadium to do what is known as the Dare Skywalk, and finally he will abseil down from The Golden Cockerel at the top of the roof of the stadium to the ground.
If you can support Charlie raise funds for the King George & Queen's Hospitals Charity please donate online.
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A number of new service water connections are being made outside 17 Hall Lane, Upminster. This work will require temporary traffic signals to be used until the work is complete on 21 October.
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.
Road resurfacing work will take place between Monday 18 and Thursday 21 October from 8am to 5pm daily in Acer Avenue, Fagus Avenue and Elder Way in Rainham. Unfortunately, during these works vehicle access to homes in these roads will be restricted.
Drainage repair work outside numbers 36-42 Moray Way, Romford, mean that temporary traffic signals will be in use from 18 to 22 October.
Cappagh will be working to repair a collapsed sewer outside number 441 Brentwood Road in Romford from 18 to 29 October.
A water box outside 121A Collier Row Road in Romford will be replaced by Essex and Suffolk Water on Tuesday 19 October. Temporary traffic signals will be in use for a time during the day.
Sewer cover replacement work in the road outside 114 Upminster Road South and outside 93 Mungo Park Road, will take place on Wednesday 20 October.
On Thursday 21 October a bridge inspection on Warley Road near Monks Farm, close to the border with Thurrock, means that temporary traffic signals will be in use between 9.30am and 3.30pm.
Road resurfacing work will take place in Esher Avenue, Romford, on 25 October.
Electrical work ouside number 13 Marlborough Gardens in Upminster means that the road will be closed from 8am on 25 October with a diversion route signposted. The work is expected to be completed by 29 October.
The A1306 bridge over the A13 at the Wennington Interchange will be closed for inspection work from 9pm on 25 October. A diversion route will be signposted. This work is expected to be complete by 5 November.
Straight Road in Harold Hill will be closed during the daytime for resurfacing work between its junctions with Heaton Avenue and Grange Road from 9.30am on 25 October. The work should be complete by 28 October.
Advanced warnings:
Problems with a rattling manhole cover in the raised pedestrian crossing outside of The Liberty Shopping Centre in Western Road, Romford, will be addressed with work that will begin on Monday 1 November and should be complete by Wednesday 3 November.
During this time, this part of Western Road will be closed to traffic. Any vehicles wishing to get in or out of properties within the closed section, may be able to do so under guidance from traffic marshals, who will be located at either end of the road.
For the duration of the works buses heading towards Romford station will be diverted into Grimshaw Way, Slaney Road, Chandlers Way, and Eastern Road back on to their route. Buses heading away from Romford station will be diverted via Victoria Road and Mercury Gardens back on to their route.
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.
Cadent Gas will also be working outside Romford Rugby Club in Crow Lane, Romford, from 15 to 19 November.
On the tracks
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Due to Network Rail undertaking engineering work in the Southend area tomorrow (Saturday 16 October) c2c train services on the Ockendon line will start and terminate at Pitsea.
Passengers for stations between Benfleet and Shoeburyness should change at Pitsea for onward services.
Rail replacement buses will run between Leigh-on-Sea & Shoeburyness.
The following day (Sunday 17 October) c2c services on the Ockendon line will start and terminate at Grays with replacement buses running between Grays and Pitsea. This is due to Network Rail carrying out overhead line works between Grays and Pitsea via Tilbury.
Rainham line trains will not be running on Sunday 17 October due to Network Rail's overhead line work between Barking and Grays.
Rail replacement buses will run between Upminster & Grays via Rainham.
There will be no service over the weekend of 23 and 24 October on the District tube line between Tower Hill and Upminster.
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Transport for London has announced that the Night Tube will be returning in time for the busy Christmas period after being suspended since March 2020 due to the pandemic.
Services on the Central and Victoria lines will run throughout the night on Fridays and Saturdays from Saturday 27 November.
These services will provide more options for people who need to travel at night either for leisure or for work, while also making journey times shorter and offering safer routes home for women, girls and all Londoners.
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From Monday 25 October, the existing central London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will expand to create a single larger zone up to, but not including, the North Circular Road (A406) and South Circular Road (A205).
Cars, motorcycles, vans and other specialist vehicles (up to and including 3.5 tonnes), and minibuses (up to and including 5 tonnes) will either need to meet the ULEZ emissions standards, or pay a £12.50 daily charge when driving within the expanded ULEZ zone.
ULEZ charges are in addition to the Congestion Charge when and where it is applicable.
Check to see if your vehicle meets the emissions standard and any charges you need to pay. Four out of five cars already meet the ULEZ emissions standards.
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