Join our Climate Awareness Day, weekend Booster jab walk-ins, and news of roadworks in Havering

Living in Havering masthead with Sapphire centre at night

Friday 5 November 2021  

Cllr White blog masthead Doing my bit left hand image

Tomorrow (Saturday 6 November) I shall be visiting Romford's Market Place for Havering's Climate Challenge Awareness day.

Havering Council has organised a selection of stalls dedicated to tackling climate change and reducing our carbon emissions. Each stall focuses on promoting the small change individuals and families can make to help the environment.

Join me to find out more, and see how together we can hit Havering's target to be net carbon neutral no later than 2040.

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To meet this target we have been reviewing everything we do and we will publish a climate action plan later this month.

This plan will spell out what we are already doing to achieve that target and what more will be required as Havering does its bit to meet the Government’s commitment to the UK being net carbon neutral by 2050.

Also, don't forget, that we are looking to gain opinions from young people who will be most affected, and for the longest period of time, by climate change.

We are running a climate change survey that will be open until the end of COP26 summit on 12 November. If you're under 30, please take part in the survey to share your thoughts.

Lastly, if you are celebrating Guy Fawkes tonight with either a bonfire or fireworks display, please do so with consideration for your neighbours and their pets.

And remember that COVID-19 is still infecting large numbers of people in Havering every day so take sensible precautions to avoid spreading it. Meet outdoors if possible. If you are mixing indoors with people you don't usually meet, remember to open windows and let fresh air in. 

Cllr Damian White

Leader, Havering Council 

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Last chance

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Sunday (7 November) is your last chance to comment on five "School Street" consultations.

The consultations are about gathering residents' views on proposed "School Street" schemes that would close roads to non-essential vehicles around the entrance to a school at opening and closing times.

Only pedestrians and non-motorised vehicles would be permitted to access the zone while the restriction is in place, with exceptions made for emergency vehicles.

The aim is to improve local air quality and make it easier and safer for children and their parents to walk and cycle to school.

The schools under consideration for these schemes are Benhurst Primary School, Drapers Academy, Drapers Maylands Primary School, Lime Academy Forest Approach, Drapers Pyrgo, Emerson Park Academy, and Engayne Primary School.

More


Safeguarding week

Safeguarding Week 2021

This year’s Havering Safeguarding Week takes place next week (8 to 12 November).

It will see different agencies from across the borough looking at how they work together to protect our most vulnerable residents.

Havering Council has organised a programme of workshops and learning events that are open to all professionals working with adults, children and families.

These workshops and events will run throughout the week. These will include discussions around mental health awareness and private fostering, to domestic abuse and Universal Credit.

Read more


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Vaccinations for 12-15 year olds

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Young people between 12-15 years of age are now eligible to receive a single COVID-19 vaccine. 

Children will be offered the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which is the vaccine approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency for children and young people between 12-15 years of age.

At present, one dose of the vaccine will be offered to most children in this age group.

Children in this age group who are clinically extremely vulnerable, or live with someone who is immunosuppressed, will be offered two doses and will be contacted by their GP to arrange this.

12-15 year olds can book an appointment on the national booking system for the Liberty Vaccination Centre – they are offering after school clinics Tuesdays to Thursdays as well as Saturdays and Sundays.

If you are aged 12-17 you can walk-in to the Raphael House vaccination centre tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon and get a jab without a prior appointment. Details in the graphic below.

Jabs for 12 -15 yr olds graphic Nov 2021

Test regularly

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The COVID-19 infection rate in Havering has been rapidly rising over the last week.

Find out if you, or members of your family, have been infected by ordering a lateral flow test kit online, or pick one up from many places in Havering.

Find your nearest testing site and collection point.

Have symptoms?

It remains vitally important to book a test if you have COVID-19 symptoms.


Third dose

Covid Boosters Hornchurch Library 5-6 Nov UPDATE

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 above and below for details of walk-in booster jab centres in Romford and Hornchurch that are open today and this weekend.

For other vaccination sites you can book a jab online.

COVID Boosters Raphael House 6-7 November

Lighting up

Lit dancers

The countdown to the big switch-on in Romford Market Place is on.

On Thursday 18 November, 18 Lit Youth (pictured) and Lit Minis will be hitting the stage and entertaining the crowd before the firework display and lights switch-on. 

Lit Youth are a dance group that have performed at many events, such as The Newham Show, Africa Festival, and Dancer’s Delight as well as our 2019 Romford Christmas events.

Lit Minis are also a dance group aged between 10 and 11 years-old and have been dancing together for more than a year. Expect a big performance bursting with positivity and love.

No booking is needed, this is a free event thanks to support from the event's sponsors Romford Business Improvement District and Marlborough Highways.

Read more

Harold Hill will also have its Christmas lights switch-on, on Saturday 4 December.

Now in its third year, the Harold Hill light switch-on event will see Father Christmas in his grotto, music, entertainment from local dance groups, face painting, a Christmas market, food and more.

All of this takes place at the Harold Hill Shopping Centre. The event starts at 12pm with the light switch-on at 5pm. 


Help find support

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At the Community Hubs you can get housing advice and support, speak to local Police about any concerns you may have, along with free refreshments and activities for children.


Spruced up streets

Autumn Blitz Brook Lane Rainham - 4 November

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 - with over 700 streets given the Blitz treatment so far. 

Crews (as pictured in Brookway, Rainham) are currently weeding, grass cutting, and litter picking in central and south areas of the borough. 

If you see fly-tips or other rubbish issues please report them using our website or the Love Havering app.


Top tips to save energy

Energy use in kitchen

With energy bills climbing, and climate change at the top of the news agenda, see some top tips as to how you can save energy this winter.

These tips can also help you reduce your carbon footprint.


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A photographic group meets on the first Thursday of every month at 1.30pm at Havering Museum, 19-21 High Street, Romford.

This group is for people who love to take pictures, and gives an opportunity to learn from others. They also organise outings for day and night time photography and socials. It's just £5 to attend and you can book a place on the Museum's website or phoning 01708 766571 (Wednesdays to Saturdays).

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, tomorrow (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.

The Havering Literary Festival 2021 begins next week. Visit Havering Council's website for details of all the events planned. 

Elf at Brookside Theatre Dec 2021

The Brookside Theatre's festive family musical this December, is the hit Broadway show, Elf the musical.

It will play at the Romford theatre from 10 to 23 December.

Based on the 2003 film, starring Will Ferrell, it's the tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole.

Unaware that he is actually human, Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father, discover his true identity, and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.

To book tickets telephone the Brookside Theatre Box Office on 01708 755775 or book online


Recycle your electricals

Old electrical items for recycling

Discarded old electrical items are one of the fastest growing waste streams in the world.

Last year over 50 million tonnes were thrown away globally.

In Havering we’re supporting Recycle Your Electricals, which is urging us all to stop binning our old electricals - and start to reuse or recycle them instead.

Everything with a plug, battery or cable can be recycled and transformed into anything from life-saving equipment to children’s playgrounds.

You can put them in an open bag and leave it next to your orange recycling sack on your collection day, or alternatively, take them to Gerpins Lane Reuse and Recycling Centre and place them in the electrical/electronic area.  

Read more


Recruiting now

Adult Social Care recruitment banner Oct 2021

Havering has launched a new recruitment drive to find people to work in adult social care.

Havering is building a workforce to support our community and the main qualities you’ll need are good communication skills and the desire to help others.

A range of jobs are on offer such as care workers, registered nurses, occupational therapists, drivers and cooks through local employers.

The jobs are local and are spread across the borough, so could be within easy reach of your home.

More


Roads and rails

Road improvement sign June 2019

Gas main replacement work is being carried out in Bridge Avenue at its junction with Brookdale Avenue near Upminster Bridge station. Work is expected to be completed by 14 November. 

Cadent Gas is working on pipes in St Mary's Lane, Upminster at its junction with Upminster Road, until 12 November. Temporary traffic lights will be in use. 

Temporary traffic lights will be in use in Rainham Road, Rainham, tonight (Friday, 5 November) from 9pm near the junction with Cherry Tree Lane. This is to allow for the removal of a phone mast on the footpath.

Work on a manhole outside 21 Butts Green Road in Emerson Park will begin on 10 November and is expected to be complete by 23 November. During this time temporary traffic signals will be in use. 

Essex and Suffolk Water will be repairing a water leak in London Road, Romford, between 10 and 16 November. During the work temporary traffic signals will be in use. 

Contractors working to install new underground ducting for BT will be in Orchis Way, Harold Hill, from 12 to 16 November. During this work temporary traffic signals will be used that will also affect traffic in Petersfield Avenue.

Cadent Gas will be working outside Romford Rugby Club in Crow Lane, Romford, from 15 to 19 November.

Track talk

c2c train at a station

Due to Network Rail undertaking engineering work in the Southend area, c2c train services on the Ockendon line will start and terminate at Pitsea tomorrow (Saturday 6 November).

Passengers for stations between Benfleet and Shoeburyness should change at Pitsea for onward services.

Rail replacement buses will run between Leigh-on-Sea & Shoeburyness.

On Sunday (7 November) Ockekendon line services will start and terminate at Grays. Rail replacement buses will run between Grays and Pitsea.

Rainham line trains will not be running on Sunday 7 November due to Network Rail's overhead line work between Barking and Grays. Rail replacement buses will run between Upminster and Grays via Rainham.

District line tube trains will not stop at Whitechapel station this weekend (6 and 7 November). 


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