 The Met Office have issued an amber warning for strong winds tomorrow (Friday) morning. That is why this edition of Living in Havering is being published today rather than on a Friday morning as usual.
The wind is predicted to reach 60 - 70mph. London has not experienced winds of this speed so far this winter and as such there is an increased possibility of fallen trees and flying debris. There has already been a power cut in Upminster this morning.
Please take care.
Council staff will be on standby to help residents should trees or scaffolding fall and block roads. Flags on the roof of the Town Hall will be taken down tomorrow to avoid damage. Read more below about Storm Eunice.
On Tuesday I was delighted to visit Queen's Hospital in Romford (pictured).
The hospital has been boosted by the opening of a new £7.5m Intensive Therapy Unit (ITU).
This unit will be crucial in helping manage critical care demand. In recognition of the Queen’s 70 years on the throne, it is named the Jubilee ITU.
Key features of the purpose-built ITU include the addition of 15 beds, with flexibility to increase to 25 beds during busy winter months, and bright and airy lighting which provides a peaceful environment for staff and patients.
You can read more about this on the hospital's website.
Lastly, don't forget that I will be holding more online surgeries using Microsoft Teams on Tuesday (22 February), between 5pm and 6pm.
If you would like to book one of these slots, please send me an email telling me which day you would like to talk. My assistant will then get back to you by email to confirm your time slot.
Stay safe.
Cllr Damian White
Leader, Havering Council
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Storm Eunice will be hitting Havering in the early hours of Friday morning (18 February).
The Met Office has issued an Amber warning to run from 5am until 9pm tomorrow.
Widespread gusts of wind of 60 - 70mph are predicted and these gusts may reach 80mph in a few locations.
It will potentially bring the strongest winds seen across the south-east of England since October 2013.
Amber means you need to be prepared to change your plans and protect you, your family and community from the impacts of the severe weather based on the forecast from the Met Office.
There is a strong chance that flying debris could result in a danger to life.
Damage to buildings and homes is likely and roads, bridges and railway lines may close.
Therefore, do not travel on Friday unless it is absolutely necessary.
Closures
Romford Market will be closed on Friday and the situation will be reviewed tomorrow afternoon regarding opening on Saturday. Follow the Market on Twitter for the latest news.
The four local COVID-19 testing centres across the borough in Romford, Harold Hill, Honchurch and South Hornchurch will be closed tomorrow (Friday, 18 February).
Help
Council staff will be on standby to help residents but if you need assistance see the Emergency Planning page on our website. It has a list of useful phone numbers.
Anyone experiencing a power cut should visit this website and type in their postcode to view a live power cut map, with details of individual power cuts. You can also call 105 to report a power cut or damage to the electricity network.
If Friday is the usual collection day for your rubbish and recycling waste please avoid putting those bags out before 7am to reduce the chance of them being blown around in the windy weather. If possible, put heavier bags on top of lighter ones.
Ensure loose items outside your home, like garden furniture, are secured or safely stored away.
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The COVID-19 vaccination centre at Hornchurch Library (pictured) is due to close on Friday 25 February.
As a result of this, the library will be closed for a week from Monday 7 March, so that the books and other equipment can be moved back down to the ground floor.
Hornchurch Library will re-open on Monday 14 March.
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Led by the Thames Chase Trust, a group of skilled volunteers, including members of the Friends of Hornchurch Country Park, have been planting tree saplings this week at Hornchurch Country Park.
The plantings are in preparation for the Memorial Woodland, that will be part of Havering Council's commemorations of the impact of COVID-19 on local communities.
The landscaping works have temporarily closed access and parking at the south entrance to the park, off South End Road. Access to the park and car parking is still possible at the north entrance.
If you, or your business, would like to contribute to this COVID-19 memorial through the installation of dedicated benches, or you wish to receive more information regarding an individual memorial bench, please email the Memorial team.
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 A new recruitment drive has been launched to find more school governors in Havering.
People from different backgrounds and with varied experiences are needed to contribute to local school life in numerous roles including human resources, communications and management.
The search coincides with National School Governors’ Awareness Day on Tuesday (February 22). That day aims to raise awareness of how schools are governed and the contribution that governors and trustees are making to improve the lives of children and young people.
On Havering Council's website you can see details of any applications to change a Premises Licence.
There are currently four applications open for consultation. They include the new Ibis Styles Hotel next to Romford railway station which has applied for a licence to supply alcohol and late night refreshments. You have until 9 March to comment on this application.
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All children aged five to 11 in Havering will be offered a low dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
The Government has announced this week that the NHS in England will offer jabs to children in this age group during April.
This follows advice from the Government's vaccine advisory body - the JCVI - that the vaccination rollout is extended to children aged five to 11.
The vaccine advisory body said that the decision was taken with a view to increasing protection against potential future waves of COVID-19.
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The Havering Association for People with Disabilities is celebrating the completion of a new kitchen, thanks to a total refurbishment by Havering Council and Wates Residential.
Mayor, Cllr John Mylod, and Cllr Damian White, Leader of Havering Council, opened the new facility yesterday (16 February).
The project was led by Wates employee, and Hornchurch local, Dan Harrison, who attended Crowlands Primary School and Havering Sixth Form College.
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In March you will receive your Council Tax bill for the next financial year (2022/23).
If you pay in full before 1 April you will receive a 1.5 per cent discount off your bill. For Council Tax Band D properties, this could be as much as £28.40.
You can also get the 1.5 per cent discount if you pay your annual Council Tax in full in one instalment on 1 April by Direct Debit. Complete the online direct debit form on our website and choose the payment date as the first of April. You don’t need to do anything else, Havering Council will request the payment from your bank.
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The next memorial service organised by Havering Council's Bereavement Service takes place on Sunday 27 February.
This interdenominational service is held twice a year for families whose loved ones have been cremated at South Essex Crematorium or buried in one of the borough's cemeteries.
The service will be at 3pm at the Parish Church of St Edward the Confessor in Romford Market Place (pictured).
Tickets are available online.
The service will be led by a minister from one of the town centre churches, hosted by Fr. David Simpson and attended by the Mayor of Havering.
On arrival you will be offered a candle and during the service there will be an Act of Remembrance when those who wish to, may come to the front of the church to light and place their candle in memory of a loved one.
All ages are welcome and extra candles are always available. There is wheelchair access and individual chairs can be removed to allow wheelchair users to select where they sit.
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A webinar will be held on Monday (21 February) to provide information on the current situation regarding organ donation after death.
It will consider issues from an ethnic minority perspective and explore how organ donation and use can be increased.
The webinar is organised by the NBTA (National Black, Asian, Mixed Race and Minority Ethnic Transplant Alliance) in partnership with NHS Blood and Transplant.
You can jon the webinar at 5pm on Monday.
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 You can join the next Repair Cafe event on Saturday 26 February between 11am and 2pm at Rainham Library. Register to attend by sending an email or calling 0208 724 5803 (Option 2).
At this event residents, aged 18 or over (children must be accompanied by an adult) can get together to alter or mend clothes, or fix broken electrical gadgets, bikes, toys, crockery and more.
On Wednesday 9 March at 1.30pm, Dr Ian Browne will be giving a talk on Everyday Life in Tudor Havering at Havering Museum. It's free for members of the Friends of Havering Museum and £5 for non-members.
Book your place at the Museum, or call 01708 766571 between 11am and 4pm, Wednesday to Friday. More details on the Museum's website.
Moon Over Buffalo is a farcical comedy by Ken Ludwig set in 1953. While Charlotte and George Hay are on tour in Buffalo, New York they receive word that Frank Capra is coming to town to see their matinee performance. They might just have one last shot at movie stardom after all.
The play will be performed nightly at 8pm from 16 to 19 March at The Little Theatre, Methodist Church Hall, The Drive, Harold Wood, RM3 0DU. There will also be a matinee at 2.30pm on Saturday 19 March.
Tickets are £8 and you can buy online from the Guildonians website or by calling 07762 132620.
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This February, the NHS is encouraging everybody to recognise the potential signs of a heart attack.
The early signs of a heart attack can vary, the most common include squeezing across the chest and a feeling of unease.
It can be easy to dismiss the early signs of a heart attack but it’s never too early to call 999 and describe your symptoms.
The faster you act, the better the chance of a positive outcome.
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Sewer replacement work means that Como Street in Romford (pictured) is closed at its junction with Brooklands Road. A diversion is signposted.
Water mains are being renewed by Essex and Suffolk Water in Highfield Road, Chase Cross, between its junctions with Avelon Road and Highfield Link. This work will be continuing until 2 March.
Cadent Gas will be working to replace gas mains in Park Lane at its junction with Brentwood Road in Romford, until 20 February. Temporary traffic signals will be used during the work. They will also be working in Newmarket Way, Hornchurch until Wednesday 23 February.
Havering Council's contractor for road resurfacing work, Marlborough Highways, will be working in Court Avenue, Harold Wood, until 21 February. They will also be doing carriageway patching work in Corbets Tey Road on 24 February, and working outside number 336 Rush Green Road, in Romford, on 1 March. They will then comence road resurfacing work in Collier Row Lane on 2 March, and in Garry Way and Dee Way, Romford, on 3 March.
Footpath work in Upminster Road North will mean that temporary traffic signals will be in use from 21 to 23 February.
Temporary traffic signals will be in use during work from 21 to 25 February in Butts Green Road at its junction with Burntwood Avenue.
Telecoms work in Upper Brentwood Road on Wednesday 23 February will mean that temporary traffic signals will be in use between 9.30am and 3pm.
Essex and Suffolk Water will be working outside number 200 London Road in Romford, from 28 February until 2 March. During this time temporary traffic signals will be in use. The same company will also be working in Heath Park Road in Romford, at its junction with Academy Fields Road, from 28 February until 2 March.
Telecoms work in Rainham Road South in South Hornchurch, near the junction with Simpson Road, will mean that temporary traffic signals will be in use from 7 until 11 March, and again from 21 to 25 March.
On the tracks
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Due to Storm Eunice, only travel if it is essential tomorrow (Friday 18 February).
Greater Anglia will be running a reduced timetable tomorrow. Trains will also be running at lower speeds due to high winds.
This weekend (19 and 20 February) there will be no TfL Rail service between Liverpool Street and Shenfield. Please use London Underground connections between Liverpool Street and Stratford. Replacement buses will be operating.
Also, this weekend there will be no London Overground service between Romford and Upminster. Please use local bus routes 165, 248 or 370.
Due to Network Rail undertaking overhead line maintenance work between Grays and Pitsea this Sunday (20 February), c2c trains on the Ockendon line will start and end their journeys at Grays. Rail replacement buses will run between Grays and Pitsea via Tilbury.
c2c trains on the Rainham line are also not running this Sunday (20 February). Rail replacement buses will run between Upminster and Grays via Rainham.
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