Due to the Platinum Jubilee bank holidays, Havering Council's offices and libraries will be closed tomorrow (2 June) and on Friday 3 June.
If you need to contact us urgently on these days please use our out of hours emergency number: 01708 433999.
You can see details of other changes to Council services due to the bank holidays on our website.
Over the Jubilee holiday period communal bins used by residents in flats will be collected as normal, but there will be changes to orange and black sack, garden waste, clinical and bulky waste collections from tomorrow (Thursday 2 June) until normal service resumes on Monday 13 June. There will be no collections on 2 and 3 June.
You can see details of revised collection days on our website.
Later in this newsletter you can read more about many of the special Platinum Jubilee events that are taking place across Havering over the next five days.
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Over 54,000 households, which is almost all households who pay their Council Tax by direct debit, have now received their £150 energy bills rebate.
If you are a Council Tax band A to D household who does not pay Council Tax by direct debit, there is now a form that you can complete on Havering Council's website. This will enable you to apply for your energy rebate to be paid into your bank account or your Council Tax account.
The aim is that these households receive their payment within 10 working days of their application.
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 On Tuesday 21 June Havering Council will be hosting a special tri-borough 'Meet the Buyer' event for contractors, tradespeople and other local suppliers or service businesses.
Representatives from Havering, Barking & Dagenham, and Redbridge Councils will be joined by representatives from the North East London NHS Foundation Trust, and other NHS partners.
The buyers will be sharing details of current and upcoming contracts and the event provides an opportunity for businesses to get one-to-one time with buyers across north east London, and enjoy free seminar workshops.
For more information and how to book tickets, visit this Eventbrite page.
Havering Council has published a free, short, ‘how to’ guide to help you capture the best footage on your phone from your Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
It’s available from our YouTube channel and has been developed by Mediorite.
The video provides all the key basic skills needed to get the best shots from your Jubilee festivities.
Havering residents can then share their videos to contribute to a film being created by Havering students as part of a 12 Estates regeneration scheme project between Havering Council and Wates Residential.
You can find more information and terms and conditions about sharing your films, as well as details on all the celebrations taking place across Havering, on our website.
Videos must be submitted by Wednesday 8 June.
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Doctors in north east London are urging people to use local health services wisely over the Jubilee bank holiday weekend to ensure everyone can get the care they need.
It comes after more than 6,600 people went to A&E units across north east London over the last bank holiday weekend (30 April to 2 May).
Hospital emergency departments and ambulance services remain under immense pressure, and may not always be required. Many people can be treated safely and comfortably elsewhere, meaning those who need life-saving care can be seen quicker.
Your best routes to urgent care include visiting your local pharmacy for advice, booking an out-of-hours appointment with your GP, or contacting NHS 111.
You can find out more about seeking urgent care online.
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 Entries are now open for this year’s Havering in Bloom competition.
By taking part, you will be helping to make the borough a bright and attractive place to live, work, visit and go to school.
Havering Council’s trading standards team helped to stop unsafe electrical goods being sold to the public in an investigation which saw a company director prosecuted.
Last month, Rizwan Nasir (52), of Havering, was given a three-month prison sentence for offences of failing to comply with the requirements of safety regulations at Snaresbrook Crown Court (pictured). The sentence was suspended for 18 months.
The judge also issued a forfeiture order against Buyersbargin LTD, an online business which sold electrical chargers, adaptors, plugs, cables and earphones, of which Mr Nasir was a company director from 2015.
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Havering Council has teamed up with Rebel Business School to offer a free 10-day online course, helping local residents turn their business ideas into a reality.
The programme, run by the business school on behalf of Havering Council, will teach new and prospective entrepreneurs about business plans, funding options, use of social media, and much more.
The programme begins on Monday 6 June and runs until Friday 17 June, with workshops running from 10am to 3pm.
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 Havering will celebrate the Queen’s 70th year of service with special events over the long bank holiday weekend.
There will be plenty of ways to get involved with each event giving communities the opportunity to come together and mark the historic milestone.
Highlights include a commemorative Platinum Jubilee Church Service of Thanksgiving taking place tomorrow (Thursday 2 June) from 8pm to 8.45pm at St John The Evangelist Church, Havering-atte-Bower.
Seating capacity at the church is limited and will be available on a first come, first served, basis.
In recognition of Her Majesty The Queen’s long reign, a Beacon Lighting ceremony will be held on the Village Green, Havering-atte-Bower on Thursday 2 June from 9.15pm. The Dagenham Girl Pipers will play "Diu Regnare" at 9.35pm and a special bugle call entitled "Majesty" at 9.45pm to announce the lighting of the Beacon.
A performance from the Romford Drum and Trumpet Corps will close the ceremony.
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Romford Market will again be at the centre of festivities with the free family Platinum Party in the Place event on Saturday 4 June from 12pm to 4.30pm.
The market-place will be decked out in bunting and picnic style seating, with live performances from The Big 90s Show, local street dance and theatre, and The Royal British Legion Band and Corps of Drums Romford.
Other attractions include British Guard stilt walkers, free arts and crafts for the younger visitors, themed food, cocktails and craft beer will also be available and on sale.
There will be the opportunity for younger visitors to get the royal treatment at our children's pamper station - complete with make-up and manicures and a special appearance from animated characters.
This event will also see the unveiling of ‘The Regal Robe’ designed and created by students from New City College. The garment is made from patriotic red, white and blue cotton and features images of Queen Elizabeth II to further endorse the royal theme.
Also, on Saturday 4 June, Romford BID is holding a Platinum Jubilee afternoon tea party at St Edward's Church in Market Place, Romford.
There are three sessions during the day running from 12 noon to 1.30pm, from 2.30pm to 4pm, and from 5pm to 6.30pm. Tickets include a traditional tea of sandwiches, scones and cake, plus unlimited tea or coffee.
You can get more information, and book tickets online.
Lastly, for Jubilee events, running from midday until 4pm on Sunday 5 June you can join in the fun at the Rise Park Queens Platinum Jubilee Street Party in the Park.
It's free to get in to this event hosted by The Friends of Rise Park and it will feature entertainment, dog shows, classic cars, beer tent, a childrens' fancy dress competition and more. Just take your picnic along to Rise Park, Beauly Way, in Romford.
Cult hit event Solve-Along-A-Murder-She-Wrote comes to Queen's Theatre Hornchurch on Wednesday 8 June.
It will feature an interactive screening of the classic Murder, She Wrote episode “Broadway Malady”. Jessica Fletcher heads to New York City but soon gets caught up in a murder mystery only she (or you) can solve.
The night is hosted by super-fan Tim Benzie and includes games, prizes and audience participation, with special permission from NBC Universal Television. Listings magazine Time Out rated the show as one of 2021 and 2019’s 50 Great Nights Out in London.
More information on the Theatre's website.
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On Havering Council's website you can see details of any applications to change a Premises Licence.
You have a right to object to an application for a new premises licence or club premises certificate, or if an application is made to vary the licence or certificate.
There are currently four applications open for consultation.
These applications includes ones from Turtle Bay Hospitality Limited at Unit 1 and 2 at The Brewery shopping centre in Romford; from Darjeeling Tandoori in Collier Row Road; and from RM5 Lounge on Clockhouse Lane.
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 Harold Hill Community Hub will move to its new permanent location of Harold Hill Library (upstairs) from Thursday, 9 June.
You will be able to enter The Hub from East Dene Drive. The opening times and support available will remain the same, including the Community Food Shop.
Havering Council and Havering Museum are hosting a Climate Change is Everyone's Business drop-in networking event on Tuesday 14 June between 11am and 3pm.
This free to attend event is for businesses in Havering to explore and exchange ideas for climate change action in the borough. The event will also include presentations, business stalls, and light refreshments.
The event is part of Havering Council's work to become carbon-neutral by 2040.
The venue for the drop-in is Havering Museum at 19-21 High Street, Romford.
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According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), monkeypox is a rare infectious disease. The risk of catching it is low. However, there have been a number of recent cases reported in the UK.
Monkeypox is a viral infection usually associated with travel to West Africa. It is typically a mild self-limiting illness, spread by very close contact with someone with monkeypox. Most people recover within a few weeks without treatment.
The virus can spread easily through close contact, such as touching someone with the monkeypox rash or blisters, or sharing bedding. People diagnosed with monkeypox may be asked to isolate.
You are very unlikely to have monkeypox if you have not been in close contact with someone infected, or you have not recently travelled to west or central Africa.
Anyone can catch and pass on monkeypox. Some cases have been diagnosed in gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men. UKHSA advise these groups of people in particular to be alert to any unusual rashes or lesions on any part of their body, especially their genitalia.
The first symptoms of monkeypox include one or more of a high temperature, headache, muscle aches, swollen glands, shivering or feeling excessively tired. The rash (pictured), which is sometimes confused with chickenpox, usually appears one to five days after the first symptoms.
If you think you have monkeypox symptoms:
- Contact NHS 111 or call a sexual health clinic immediately. Contact the clinic before visiting. Tell the person you speak to if you've had close contact with someone who has or might have monkeypox, or if you've recently travelled to central or west Africa.
- Stay at home and avoid close personal or sexual contact with others until you have had a clinical assessment.
Your call or discussion will be treated sensitively and confidentially.
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Havering Council's partner for the redevelopment of 12 estates across the borough, Wates Residential, is piloting a new eight to nine week traineeship for local residents aged 16 to 24.
The next course with 10 places available begins on 20 June, so applications are welcome now.
Wates will pay travel and subsistence costs, and will offer work experience for all participants, and interviews for entry level jobs or apprenticeships at the end of the programme.
For more information email Samantha or call 07783 829233.
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On behalf of Havering Council, Marlborough Highways are resurfacing Grenfell Avenue and Gordon Avenue,Romford. This work is expected to be completed by 8 June.
Maple Avenue, Upminster, is due to be resurfaced on 9 and 10 June, followed by Murfitt Way, Upminster, on Tuesday 16 June, and The Grove, also in Upminster, from 14 to 17 June.
The part of South Street, Romford, near the station, will also be resurfaced on the night of Monday, 20 June.
Jubilee parties
Many roads in Havering will be closed to allow local residents to hold Platinum Jubilee street parties. Closures begin tomorrow (2 June) with the last closures taking place on Sunday 5 June. Roads will be closed for street parties from 10am until 8pm.
The Romford Recorder has published an interactive map showing all the street closures for Jubilee parties across Havering.
On the tracks
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Due to Network Rail undertaking overhead line work between Grays and Pitsea, c2c trains on the Ockendon line on Sunday (5 June) will start and terminate at Grays. Rail replacement buses will run instead of trains.
Bank holiday timetables will be in operation on c2c train services tomorrow (Thursday, 2 June) and Friday (3 June).
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A consultation on plans to expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) to cover almost the whole of the London from 29 August 2023 has been launched.
The Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL) want to expand the zone to help tackle the capital’s toxic air crisis, the climate emergency and traffic congestion.
Around 4,000 premature deaths in 2019 were attributed to filthy air, with the greatest number in outer London. Havering was one of four outer London boroughs with the highest number of early deaths atrributed to air pollution.
The consultation is open until 29 July.
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Well done to the team at a Romford nursery who scooped a prestigious prize last week.
The Early Years team at Over the Rainbow day nursery in Victoria Road, Romford, (pictured), was named as one of 80 Pearson National Teaching Award Silver Award winners.
They were honoured for their outstanding commitment to changing the lives of the children they work with every day.
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