Friday 12 November 2021
 It is right that every year Havering remembers those who have died in war.
Following the Armistice Day service in Romford yesterday, parades and services will be held across the borough on Remembrance Sunday (14 November).
Our website has a list of all the events that are planned.
At our Cabinet meeting earlier this week we agreed on a plan of action to ensure that the Council is carbon neutral by 2040 at the latest, and a Havering Climate Challenge to encourage every individual and business in our borough to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. You can read more about this below.
We also decided that we want to do as much as we can to help both residents and our local businesses in the run-up to Christmas.
Free parking in our car parks over Christmas and into the New Year will help give our local shops a much needed boost at what is one of the most important times of the year for them.
The retail and hospitality sector has suffered a lot because of the restrictions we have faced with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Not only does free parking support and encourage our residents to shop local – it will hopefully provide a shot in the arm to Havering businesses after what has been another challenging year.
On Wednesday I was delighted to attend a groundbreaking ceremony (pictured) for the start of construction work at a site in Hornchurch.
Havering Council and Wates Residential are working in partnership to design and build homes that put local people first.
Havering residents deserve quality homes that are fit for the future. That's why we are investing heavily to solve the borough’s housing needs. There's more on this work later in this newsletter.
Lastly, If you are eligible for a COVID-19 booster jab or a flu vaccination, please do get your jab. With more than 800 new COVID-19 cases recorded in Havering last week, it’s really important to boost your immunity this winter.
If you want to contact me directly, you can email me.
Cllr Damian White
Leader, Havering Council
|
Havering Council’s Cabinet has formally laid out how the Council will tackle climate change and become carbon neutral by 2040 or sooner – meaning the Council will emit no more greenhouse gases than it can absorb.
The Havering Climate Change Action Plan sets out how it will do this through nine priority areas.
The Havering Climate Change Action Plan will be subject to final approval at the Full Council meeting on 17 November.
Transport and domestic gas use have been identified as being the most responsible for carbon emissions in the borough.
The Council will also address the impact that the borough as a whole has on the environment, through the ‘Havering Climate Challenge’.
This initiative, calls on residents, community groups, schools and businesses to work together to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
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.
|
Havering Council is to provide free parking in all council car parks at weekends beginning later this month and running until 2 January 2022.
This is to help support local businesses in our High Streets and town centres in the run-up to Christmas and over the festive period.
Parking fees will be suspended for five Saturdays, from 27 November to 2 January inclusive.
This is in addition to the free parking on Sundays already in place, which will continue.
The suspension of parking fees only applies to Council-run car parks. Charges remain as usual for on-street parking bays.
|
Construction for a new retirement village in Hornchurch is officially underway.
This follows a groundbreaking ceremony at the site in Sunrise Avenue earlier this week.
Following demolition of the former sheltered accommodation on the site, and planning approval being granted, groundwork has now begun on the construction of 175 new homes thanks to the Council’s joint venture partnership with Wates Residential.
The homes will specifically be for local people who are approaching, or who have reached retirement age.
Former Serena Court resident Alan Jones (pictured above), who was rehomed from the site to allow for the regeneration project to start, said that he is looking to return to the site in a new home.
|
 If you are over 50, live in a care home, are a frontline health or social care worker, or a vulnerable person aged between 16 and 49 you are among those who are now being offered a third, or booster dose, of a COVID-19 vaccination.
This week the Government has opened up the national booking system for people whose second jab was at least five months ago. If that applies to you, you can now book for the booster vaccine ahead of time - but you still cannot get a booster jab until six months after your second jab.
Please don’t attend a walk-in clinic before that six month period is up as you’ll be turned away.
See the banner above for details of a walk-in booster jab centre in Romford that is open this weekend.
For other vaccination sites you can book a jab online.
 Young people between 12-15 years of age are now eligible to receive a single COVID-19 vaccine.
12-15 year olds can book an appointment on the national booking system for the Liberty Vaccination Centre in Romford or King George Hospital in Goodmayes, or visit Raphael House in Romford tomorrow (Saturday 13 November) as detailed in the banner above.
Those attending for a jab must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
The countdown to the big switch-on in Romford Market Place has begun.
On Thursday 18 November Jasmine Somer (pictured) will be hitting the stage.
Jasmine has been lucky enough to appear on BBC1 hit show Little Mix - The Search.
Jasmine received four massive yes’s from the girls, which boosted her social media platforms to over 200,000 followers on TikTok and over 29,000 on Instagram.
She has also performed with Robbie Williams at the Palladium and recorded vocals for his album ‘Swings Both Ways’.
No booking is needed, this is a free event thanks to support from the event's sponsors Romford Business Improvement District and Marlborough Highways.
|
Are you a parent of a child aged three or four?
If so, your child is due to start at an infant or primary school in September 2022 and you should apply now for your child’s place.
If you live in Havering, you can apply online.
If you live outside of the borough you should apply to the local authority you pay your Council Tax to.
If your child attends a school nursery then please remember that you must still apply online for a place in the Reception year.
|
Havering Council has launched its annual consultation on its budget, to help us plan its finances for the next few years.
The borough currently faces a £12 million pound budget shortfall in the wake of the pandemic. Therefore, Havering Council wants to hear from residents and businesses on plans to balance the books while protecting key frontline services.
With this in mind, you are invited to take part in budget focus groups. These will be taking place this month and the aim is to have a good cross-section of the local community involved.
If you want to take part, please click to register your interest.
You will then be contacted by Westco, who are running the focus groups on behalf of Havering Council, with further details.
|
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 by weeding, grass cutting, litter picking, and graffiti removal.
Clean-up teams are currently working in Gidea Park, Elm Park and South Hornchurch (a road on the Knightswood Estate in South Hornchurch is pictured).
By 9 November over 800 streets had received a deep clean. In addition, there are dedicated leaf collection teams working this week in Upminster and Gidea Park.
If you see fly-tips or other rubbish issues please report them using our website or the Love Havering app.
|
At this time of remembrance it is timely to remind ourselves of the sacrifices made by so many volunteers during both World Wars.
Volunteers played a vital role in keeping people at home supported and cared for.
These volunteers included Air Raid Wardens, staff at rest stations, Fire Marshalls, ambulance drivers, the Land Army, the Flying Corp Aid Committee (volunteers packing food parcels), "Dad's Army" units, Red Cross volunteers, First aiders and many more.
These volunteers in their thousands kept the home fires burning, and the country going in the grip of both wars.
Many volunteers lost their lives helping save others – lest we forget.
|
 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).
Adrian "Adi" Higham, the well-known antiques dealer from BBC TV's The Bidding Room, will be the speaker at Havering Antiques Collectors Club on Friday 19 November.
The club meets at 7.30pm for an 8pm start at Harold Wood Neighbourhood Centre, Gubbins Lane, Harold Wood. Admission is £8.
Bookings are now open for stallholders who wish to book a place at the Indoor Arts and Crafts Market that will be held in the former Ernest Jones shop in the Liberty Shopping Centre from 23 November until 23 December.
Prices start from £15 a day.
To book complete the online form.
If you have any questions or need any assistance in completing the form email: arts@havering.gov.uk.
Egyptologist Janet Brewer will be returning to Havering Museum to talk about Tutankhamun's tomb, and the objects placed in it, on Saturday 20 November at 1.30pm.
Admission is £5 including refreshments. The museum is located at 19-21 High Street, Romford. More details on the museum's website.
|
The Havering Literary Festival 2021 is in full swing.
On Thursday 18 November at Collier Row Library between 2 and 3pm you can hear local historian Mark Gorman.
He will talk about how popular protest helped to defend Victorian London’s open spaces.
In July 1871, thousands of people gathered at Wanstead Flats, on the edge of Epping Forest, to mount a protest. A campaign was beginning – one that ecologist Oliver Rackham has called “the origin of the modern British environmental movement.”
Visit Havering Council's website for details of all the Havering Literary Festival events taking place across the borough.
Havering Over 50’s Forum and Havering Dementia Action Alliance is holding an event in the foyer of Queen's Theatre, Hornchurch, on Wednesday 24 November between 1 and 4pm.
It's a chance to find out about some of the many organisations that offer help and support in Havering to those over 50, or coping with dementia.
Organisations attending include Age UK, the Peabody Trust, the Police, HASWA, Healthwatch and many more.
|
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.
To book tickets telephone the Brookside Theatre Box Office on 01708 755775 or book online.
The Arts Society, Havering's December lecture will be on the subject of Christmas at Covent Garden. The lecture will take place on Tuesday 14 December at 10.30am. The venue is The New Windmill Hall, St Mary's Lane, Upminster, RM14 2QH.
Admission is £8 and more details can be found online.
|
Havering Council’s annual Para Art Exhibition is now open for submissions.
To submit artwork, either take a good quality photograph of the artwork (ideally 1MB or larger), and email it to arts@havering.gov.uk, or deliver your artwork to Fairkytes Arts Centre, where it will be included in an exhibition in Fry’s Gallery. Please check Fairkytes opening hours before visiting.
For more information, email arts@havering.gov.uk.
|
Havering Council is commemorating the impact of COVID-19 on our communities by planting trees at significant sites throughout the borough.
This will include an extensive Memorial Woodland of native trees set within Hornchurch Country Park.
Communities and local businesses are welcome to contribute to the memorial through the installation of dedicated memorial benches - like the one pictured at the Hornchurch Country Park site.
To receive more information regarding memorial benches, please send an email with your contact details.
|
Transport for London (TfL) has launched a public consultation to shape future step-free access priorities and improvements on the London Underground network, the first of its kind in 15 years.
The consultation, which runs until 10 February 2022, has been designed to help TfL identify which aspects of making London Underground stations more accessible it should prioritise, to help more Londoners use the public transport network independently.
Over half of the TfL network – spanning Tube, DLR, London Overground, London Trams and TfL Rail services – is now step-free. Since 2016, 21 Tube stations have been made step free as part of the London Underground accessibility programme, the Crossrail project and the Northern Line Extension.
|
A number of roads in the centres of Hornchurch, Upminster, Harold Hill, Elm Park, Romford and Rainham will be closed on the morning of Sunday 14 November to allow Remembrance Sunday parades to take place.
High Street, Hornchurch will be closed between number 153 and 187 from 7.30pm tonight (Friday) until 6am tomorrow morning to allow for emergency carriageway repairs in advance of the Hornchurch Remembrance Parade on Sunday. Temporary traffic signals will be used to control traffic around the roadworks.
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 this Sunday (14 November).
Essex and Suffolk Water will be repairing a water leak in London Road, Romford, until 16 November. During the work temporary traffic signals will be in use. The same company is also working outside 8-9 Bretons Cottages, Rainham Road, in Rainham until Tuesday (16 November) and outside number 72 North Street in Hornchurch until Wednesday.
Footpath renewal work in Gubbins Lane at its junction with The Ridgeway in Harold Wood may continue until 26 November. During this time temporary traffic signals may be in use between 9.30am and 3pm.
Contractors working to install new underground ducting for BT will be in Orchis Way, Harold Hill, until 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.
Sewer work by contractor Cappagh in Orange Tree Hill, Havering-atte-Bower, will take place from Monday 15 November until Friday 19 November. During this time temporary traffic signals will be in use 24 hours a day.
Springfield Gardens in Upminster will be closed at its junction with Corbets Tey Road for gas main replacement work between 8am on Monday 15 November until 5pm on Sunday 28 November, or the completion of the work, if sooner. A diversion will be signposted.
Tree cutting work between the Green Acres Trading Estate and 8 Aveley Road in Upminster will take place from Monday 15 to Wednesday 17 November. During the work temporary traffic signals will be used.
Temporary traffic signals will be in use outside 69a London Road in Romford for work by Essex and Suffolk Water from Tuesday 16 November to Thursday 18 November.
On Wednesday 17 November road works will be taking place outside Suttons Lane Post Office in Hornchurch. Temporary traffic signals will be used between 9.30am and 3.30pm.
Marlborough Highways will be carrying out some carriageway patching work outside number 36, Ardleigh Green Road, Hornchurch, from 17 to 19 November. Temporary traffic signals will be in use during the work. They will also be doing similar work outside number 281 Rainham Road, Rainham from 17 to 19 November.
Telecoms operator EE will be replacing a street cabinet near South Hornchurch Library at the junction of South End Road and Cherry Tree Lane, over the weekend of 20 - 21 November. Temporary four-way traffic signals will be used between 10am and 4pm.
TfL will be carrying out night-time carriageway resurfacing work on the A12 Eastern Avenue eastbound from Monday 22 November to Sunday 19 December.
The work, between the junctions with Mawney Road and Pettits Lane will mean a closure of the eastbound carriageway from the junction with A1112 Whalebone Lane North to Straight Road each night during that period between 10pm and 5am.
During these times local bus routes 66, 103, 175, 247, 252, 294, 296, 365, 375, 499 and 651 may be on diversion and subject to delays. Please allow more time for your journey.
On the tracks
|
Due to Network Rail engineering work, bus replacement services will run instead of trains on c2c's Upminster to Pitsea via Ockendon line tomorrow (Saturday 13 November).
On the same day c2c services between Barking and London Fenchurch Street, will be diverted to start and terminate at London Liverpool Street station.
Transport for London (TfL) has announced that Night Overground services will be returning next month in time for London’s festive celebrations.
The all-night services, which link key areas in the city’s night-time economy such as Shoreditch, Hoxton and Upper Street in Islington, have been suspended since March 2020 due to the impact of the pandemic.
Night Overground services between Highbury and Islington and New Cross Gate will run every 15 minutes throughout the night on Fridays and Saturdays from Friday 17 December.
Advance warning: On Saturday 25 December (Christmas Day) there will be no service on Docklands Light Railway, London Overground, London Trams, London
Underground and TfL Rail services.
|
|
