Friday 19 November 2021
Last night I had the pleasure of joining thousands of people welcoming in the festive period with the Romford Christmas lights switch-on.
With a broad range of performances from Big Brovaz and Booty Luv, Jasmine Somer, and 4tune as well as great previews from Queen's Theatre Hornchurch and Brookside Theatre's upcoming pantomimes, and an awe-inspiring fireworks display to finish, it was an exciting show for the whole family.
It was also wonderful to see so many Havering residents back together after having to cancel last year's event. I thank everyone for remaining vigilant during the event, and remembering that coronavirus is still with us.
I'd also like to take this chance to thank all of our performers and special guests who put on a brilliant show, and to all of the staff who made the night possible.
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 This event kicks off a whole series of festive fun leading up to Christmas, including the lights switch-on in Hornchurch tomorrow (Saturday 20 Novermber).
Unfortunately the shorter days and winter nights can also mean a rise in crime, such as burglaries and theft, so it is vital that we all remain extra vigilant while out and about in the evenings.
We have been sharing tips on how to keep yourself and your home safe, so do take a look at this on our website.
Finally, tonight I'll be joining the community safety team in Romford to see how we're working with police and local businesses to tackle the increasingly concerning trend of drink and needle spiking in nightclubs and bars.
You can read more about this in Living in Havering next week.
If you want to contact me directly, you can email me. Otherwise, have a great weekend and stay safe.
Cllr Damian White
Leader, Havering Council
Earlier this week Havering Council formally approved The Havering Climate Change Action Plan.
This sets 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.
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.
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Havering councillors have formally adopted a new vision for the development of the borough from now until 2031.
At a meeting of the Full Council on Wednesday night (17 November 2021), members voted to adopt the Havering Local plan.
The Plan provides a blueprint for delivering the Council’s priorities and sets out the strategy for our growth and improvement for the local economy, housing, transport systems and environment over the next 10 years.
Adoption of the Plan comes after the Government’s Planning Inspector advised that a number of modifications needed to be made to the Local Plan in order to find it ‘sound’ and allow the Council to adopt it.
Subsequent ‘Main Modifications’ consultations (in August 2020 and earlier this year) looked in more detail at the borough’s proposed plans for housing, parking and the provision of Gypsy and traveller sites in the borough.
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Advertorial
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.
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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.
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 The national booking system is open to book an appointment for a booster dose if it's been at least five months since your second jab and you're in one of these groups:
- aged 50 and over
- aged 16 and over with a health condition that puts you at high risk from COVID-19.
If you go through the national booking system, you will be offered appointment dates that start from six months after the date of your second jab.
See the banners above and below for details of walk-in booster jabs in Romford and Hornchurch today and over the weekend.
For other vaccination sites you can book a jab online.
The Christmas lights are now on in Romford Town centre after last night's switching-on event (pictured).
The Romford event was just the first of a series of events taking place across Havering to mark the start of the festive season.
Tomorrow (Saturday 20 November) from 3pm to 5pm you can see the lights go on in Hornchurch High Street.
The festive event will also include free kids funfair rides, entertainment from Bedrock Radio and walkabout characters, and the Mayor of Havering will switch the tree lights on at 5pm.
Future events include the Harold Hill 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.
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Advertorial
Are you missing out on free childcare for your 2 year old?
You may be entitled to claim a maximum of 11 hours free childcare per week throughout the year, or a maximum of 15 hours per week during term time.
You may qualify if:
- you have a child aged two years (funding will be available from the term after their second birthday)
- your family is living on a low income or claiming income based benefits
For more information and to apply please visit www.havering.gov.uk/earlyyears
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Over 22,000 residents have opted to receive their Council Tax bills electronically.
This is a safe, easy and convenient way to receive your bill.
Simply sign up to My Havering where you will have access to your Council Tax account 24 hours per day, seven days a week.
You can view your balance, set up a direct debit and let us know that you have moved. You can also access other Council Services at My Havering.
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It’s World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (18-24 November).
As more and more people get jabbed against flu and COVID-19 this winter season, it is important to know that you can’t fight flu or other viral infections, including coronavirus, with antibiotics.
We’re raising awareness that the inappropriate use of antibiotics can cause bacteria to change so that antibiotics don’t work when they should.
Inappropriate use includes using antibiotics without prescription, not completing your course, or sharing leftover drugs from friends and family.
If harmful bacteria become resistant to antibiotics, you’ll have to rely on your immune system to fight deadly infections.
Make sure you follow medical advice on the use of antibiotics.
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 Adrian "Adi" Higham, the well-known antiques dealer from BBC TV's The Bidding Room, will be the speaker at Havering Antiques Collectors Club tonight (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.
Langtons Gardens Christmas Fair takes place this Sunday (21 November) at 10am - 2pm. The event takes place in the courtyard at Langtons House and Gardens, Hornchurch, and entry is completely free.
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, tomorrow (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. 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 are 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.
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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.
Finally, Everyone Active are hosting adult Just Play Football sessions in Noak Hill Sports Complex on Monday evenings, 7 - 8pm. The sessions cost just £3.50 and can be booked via the Everyone Active app, or by calling 03330 050448.
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The romance between one of the Port of London's first female police officers and a former chief planning officer at Havering Council has been revealed, thanks to a new exhibition at the Museum of London Docklands.
A photo of Evelyn Chadderton (nee Thorn), pictured third left, with five other female recruits to the port constabulary in 1954) is being used to promote the exhibition London: Port City, which chronicles the port’s history over two centuries.
Her son Tim explains:
“My parents first met at the end of the war in Devon – father, Frank, in the army, and mother in the Wrens. Mum declined dad’s first offer of marriage in 1946, when she was 19, because she felt she was too young for married life.
“Nine years later, he spotted the picture of her in her uniform in the press and managed to track her down to Ilford, next door to Romford, where he was living. Six months later they were wed.”
The exhibition is free to attend and is on until 8 May 2022.
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As an exciting post-pandemic chapter emerges, Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is seeking new staff, freelancers, consultants, and senior volunteers for various roles within the theatre.
There are a variety of roles available, both paid and voluntary, offering opportunities to a widening range of people.
Take a look at the roles on offer on the link below.
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The 12 Estates Joint Venture partnership is advertising for Experienced Felt Roofers from Havering to work on the Napier and New Plymouth site in Rainham.
As part of our commitment to ensuring our regeneration schemes benefit as many people as possible, we are prioritising employment opportunities for local people.
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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.
Springfield Gardens in Upminster will be closed at its junction with Corbets Tey Road for gas main replacement work until 5pm on Sunday 28 November, or the completion of the work, if sooner. A diversion will be signposted.
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.
Gas main replacement work in Bridge Road at the junction of Brookdale Avenue in Upminster will begin on Monday 22 November. The work will require the use of temporary traffic signals and is expected to last until 6 December.
On the tracks
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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 20 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.
On Sunday (21 November) engineering works between Chafford Hundred and Shoeburyness means that c2c trains on the Ockendon line will start and terminate at Chafford Hundred. Rail replacement buses will run between Chafford Hundred and Pitsea.
Also on Sunday, due to Network Rail engineering work in connection with the Barking Riverside project, Rainham line services will not be running. Rail replacement buses will run between Upminster and Grays via Rainham.
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.
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