 The local elections will take place on Thursday 5 May.
All seats on Havering Council will be up for election.
All Havering residents who are registered to vote in local government elections can take part, including European Union citizens.
There is still time to register to vote if you haven’t already.
Local elections give everyone the chance to vote for a local representative for the next four years.
Whoever you choose to vote for, it’s important that you register by Thursday 14 April so you can have your say in our borough’s future.
Following a review of Havering's electoral boundaries the number of wards in the borough has increased from 18 to 20.
If you vote in person, then your usual place of voting may also have changed.
Please check your polling card carefully for instructions on which polling station you should attend to cast your vote.
A young woman from Ilford died last Saturday following the consumption of a cannabis infused sweet or "gummy".
The cause of her death is still under investigation.
The product (pictured) has been linked with a number of other people becoming unwell and it could be a serious risk to health.
This product is a class B drug and illegal.
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We are aware of fraudsters making calls in relation to the £150 Council Tax rebate introduced by the Government to help reduce the cost of energy bills.
The callers claim to be from ‘the council’ and ask residents for their bank details so that the Council could pay their £150 rebate direct to their account.
Do not provide your bank details to anyone calling you claiming to be from the Council’s Council Tax office and asking for your bank details.
Havering Council will not be calling you to ask for these details.
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Havering Council is to provide free parking in all council car parks across the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.
This is to help support local businesses in our high streets and town centres.
Parking fees will be suspended between Good Friday, 15 April, and Monday 18 April inclusive.
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Due to the Easter holidays there will be some changes to Havering Council's services.
Libraries in Havering will be closed on Friday 15 and Monday 18 April.
Collections of orange and black sacks, garden waste, clinical and bulky waste will continue as normal on Good Friday (15 April) but there will be changes to collection days the following week (beginning Monday 18 April).
See details of these changes on our website.
Please remember to put your orange and black sacks out by 7am on the morning of your revised collection day. Collections return to normal on Monday 25 April.
The Gerpins Lane Reuse and Recycling Centre is open every day across the Esater holidays.
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A team of Havering Council-funded police officers has been awarded for making the borough safer by the Metropolitan Police.
Named the Havering Joint Task Force, the team are intelligence-led and tasked to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour hotspots.
The Metropolitan Police Safer Neighbourhood Team of the Year Award recognises the Havering Joint Task Force efforts in targeting criminals, reducing crime and recovering stolen property.
Between November 2020 and October 2021 they arrested 249 suspects for a range of offences, made 480 stop and searches, and recovered 116 stolen vehicles.
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This feature shines a light on local businesses that were winners at the recent Havering Small Business Awards.
This time it's the winner of the "Best Take Away" award.
Where would we have been in the last year without the great British take away?
Whatever you’re in the mood for, be it fish and chips, pizzas, Asian food, or something entirely different, Havering has a great selection of take away restaurants to cater for everyone’s taste and one of the newest additions is NUGS, based in Hornchurch.
Their homemade nuggets only use chicken breast meat and they are hand-cut, hand-breaded and hand-fried. The food is served in biodegradable packaging.
Reis Esiroglu and Charley Fairbrother started their business in Reis’s mum’s garden during lockdown. However, the business quickly outgrew the back garden and they moved to The Rising Sun, in Hornchurch, where they continue to operate from now.
They have also opened up a second location in Wapping, and are also doing deliveries and takeaways during Wednesday to Friday, and on Sundays too.
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 There are lots of sporting and healthy activities children can take part in during the school Easter holidays.
The Havering Active website has details of activities for five to eighteen year-olds ranging from tennis to basketball or football. It also has information on para sports activities for people up to the age of 25.
An Easter egg hunt is being held today (Thursday 7 April).
It's running from 10am to 4pm in the Romford Shopping Hall, 43 Market Place, Romford.
It's just £3 per child to take part.
Pre-booking is essential.
Children can join in an Easter adventure in nature at Rainham Hall Community Garden. The National Trust property in Broadway, Rainham, is offering nature trails from 7 - 9 and 14 - 18 April. Find out more about those trails on their website.
South Hornchurch library is holding an Easter craft session on Friday 8 April between 2pm and 3pm. Easter decorations will be made. The event is suitable for all children aged three and over, and all materials will be provided. The cost is just £2.50.
A group of woodcarvers will be meeting at Nelmes Church Hall, Burntwood Avenue, in Hornchurch this Saturday (9 April). Visitors are welcome between 11am and 2 pm. The woodcarvers meet on the second Saturday of each month.
The Harrow Lodge junior parkrun will be held on Sunday 10 April, and weekly after that. It's a free 2k event for juniors (4 to 14 year olds). It starts at 9am. Adults can accompany their children, but the course is marshalled and signed, so isn't strictly necessary.
Register on the website and bring your barcode along to get a time and placing.
Children can walk, jog or run the event. It's a run rather than a race, so can be taken as seriously as you want. See the results history on the event's website to get an idea of times.
The event starts by the Warren Drive car park in Harrow Lodge Park, Hornchurch.
The Arts Society Havering meets again at 10.15am on Tuesday 12 April at New Windmill Hall, in Upminster. The subject will be William Kent, architect and garden designer.
The talk will be given by Caroline Knight, an architectural historian. Visitors pay £8. More details on the Society's website.
A singalong club for young children on the autism spectrum will be held at Harold Hill library between 11.30am and 12.30pm on Saturday 23 April. There will be singing along to live nursery rhymes and the use of sensory toys.
This event is for children aged up to 10 years. Parents can stay with their
children or leave them for the hour under the supervision of a qualified and DBS checked youth leader.
For more information on this session, or the following one on Saturday 7 May, contact Harold Hill library on 01708 434973.
Harold Wood Reading Friends Knit and Natter meet every Friday from 10.30am to 12.30pm at Harold Wood Library in Arundel Road. Bring your knitting and join the chat.
Also on Fridays at Harold Wood Library between 2.30pm and 3pm you can join Baby Bounce sessions for children up to two years old.
Singing nursery rhymes has been proven to help children develop their language and pre-literacy skills. By using rhythmic language and repetition, children learn how words are formed, supporting the early stages of language development.
Visit the Library on Friday afternoons or call 01708 434975 to find out more.
Harold Hill Library at 19a Farnham Road also holds Baby Bounce sessions every Tuesday morning during school term time between 10.30am and 11am. Email the library if you would like to know more.
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The Hornchurch Passion Play is produced every four to five years on the Green outside the Queen's Theatre.
There was due to be a performance at Easter 2020 but then COVID-19 intervened, so that production will finally be seen this Easter.
You can watch the play for free on 15,16 and 17 April at 7.30pm.
For more information visit the Hornchurch Passion Play website.
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Havering's Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Forum, together with Havering Council, are organising a BME health and wellbeing event this Saturday (9 April) in Rainham.
The venue is Rainham Hall, the National Trust property in Broadway.
Open between midday and 3pm, the event will feature health stalls, blood pressure monitoring, cholestoral testing, weight management advice, and guest speakers talking about sickle cell and diabetes.
There's no need to book, just turn up on Saturday. Parking is available in the nearby Tesco car park.
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OWL (Online Watch Link) is a new scheme designed to make it easier for residents and communities across the borough to keep up to speed with incidents in their area.
This includes issues around crime and anti-social behaviour. It will also help people hear directly about the action being taken.
Residents can subscribe for free by signing up on the OWL website and will receive details via email.
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North East London Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) would like to hear from any residents who use their diabetes services.
They want to hear about your experiences and views about what a good service should look like.
If you live, or are registered with a GP, in Havering, and have Type 1, Type 2, or any other type of diabetes, or you are a carer or family member of someone who does, please complete the survey by 29 April.
You can read more on the CCG's website.
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BBC local radio stations across the country, including BBC London, are running the Make a Difference awards.
They celebrate the people who make a difference in their communities by trying to help others.
Is there someone in Havering you would like to nominate?
Nominations are open now and close on 29 April.
Categories cover the unsung heroes of every community from great neighbours, inspirational teachers, awesome volunteers or even outstanding key workers.
The winners will be announced at the Make a Difference awards hosted by BBC Radio London at a ceremony at Ronnie Scott’s in September.
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COVID-19 hasn't gone away and you are encouraged to follow five simple steps to stay safe from COVID-19:
- Stay home – for at least five days if you’re feeling unwell, have symptoms or test positive.
- Get vaccinated – protect yourself and others.
- Ventilate your space – ventilate and let fresh air in during meetings.
- Wear a face covering – especially around those who are not part of your household.
- Wash your hands regularly – for at least 20 seconds.
The Government has published updated guidance on who will still be able to get free COVID-19 testing. There has also been an update to the symptoms that you may experience if you catch COVID-19.
Vaccinations remain free and are available at vaccination centres, and pharmacies for everyone over the age of five.
See the NHS website for more information on vaccinations, including spring boosters for people aged 75 years old and over, and first vaccinations for children aged five to eleven.
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Live Healthier Havering is a free 12-week weight management programme run by Everyone Active, on behalf of Havering Council.
There are new programmes starting this month, and in May.
The courses are aimed at helping people to lose weight, increase their energy levels and feel better, whilst reducing their risk of diseases such as coronary heart disease, diabetes and strokes.
One of the courses to be held at Harrow Lodge Leisure Centre is for men only and starts on 19 April.
Residents who are overweight, according to the NHS definition, can join the courses, or speak to their GP or practice nurse to learn more.
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Fancy enjoying some of Havering's beautiful scenery and sights?
If you do, the Havering Wellbeing Walks programme could be for you.
A new booklet has been published online. It has details of organised walks taking place across Havering up until March 2023.
The booklet can be downloaded for free from the Havering Council website, and printed copies of this brochure can be collected free of charge from Walk Leaders. Copies are also available in libraries and medical centres.
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Up-and-coming athletes in Havering are being given the chance to become ‘Sporting Champions’ and gain much-needed support as part of a sports talent development scheme.
Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions Scheme, is now heading into its sixth year.
It has helped thousands of athletes to achieve their sporting potential by providing free access to Everyone Active’s leisure facilities across the country, including Central Park Leisure Centre in Harold Hill, the Harrow Lodge Leisure Cebtre in Hornchurch, the Noak Hill Sports Complex and Sapphire Ice and Leisure in Romford.
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Broadway in Rainham, between the War Memorial and the Phoenix pub, is closed to road traffic until around 23 May while developers Persimmon Homes carry out essential building works on the site of the old Rainham Library.
Cadent Gas work in South Street, Romford (near The Oak pub) is expected to be completed by tomorrow (Friday, 8 April)
Road resurfacing work is being carried out in Melville Road, Rainham, until tomorrow (8 April), and in Cowper Road, also in Rainham, on 11 and 12 April.
Essex and Suffolk Water will be working in Sylvan Avenue in Hornchurch from 8 to 12 April and during that time temporary traffic signals will be in use. They will also be working in Hornchurch Road, Hornchurch, from 11 to 13 April, and in Victoria Road, Romford from 19 to 28 April.
The Lanes Group will be cleaning sewers in Havering Road on Thursday, 14 April.
A number of roads in Upminster including Hall Lane, Station Road, St Marys Lane and Corbets Tey Road will be briefly closed between 10.15am and 10.30am on Friday 15 April for a Good Friday procession.
A fire damaged bus shelter in Corbets Tey Road, Upminster will be replaced on 26 April. Temporary traffic signals will be in use during the work.
Lastly, Randall Road in Hornchurch will be resurfaced between 13 and 21 April, as will the remainder of Thorn Lane in Rainham on 27 April.
On the tracks
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Due to Network Rail undertaking track maintenance work this weekend (9 and 10 April) between Barking and London Fenchurch Street, c2c train services on the Ockendon line will be diverted to start and end their journeys at London Liverpool Street station.
c2c trains on the Rainham line will not be running this weekend.
Rail replacement buses will run between Upminster and Grays, via Rainham.
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Congratulations to the Hindu Cultural Society of Havering.
The society, based in Sylvan Avenue in Hornchurch, is donating £3,000 to the British Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal.
The members of the society have contributed £1,300 themselves and the society has topped up with £1,700 from their funds.
To contact the Hindu Cultural Society of Havering send them an email.
There is infomation about how you as an individual, or organisations, can help the people of Ukraine on our website.
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