A Romford-based furniture shop has received a £15,000 fine for selling unsafe chairs that did not meet fire safety requirements, following an investigation by Havering Council.
The owners of Rattan Garden Furniture Ltd appeared in Barkingside Magistrates' Court on Tuesday 6 September after Havering’s Trading Standards team received an anonymous complaint about two of their products – the ‘Atlanta’ and ‘Tokyo’ chairs.
Trading Standards conducted test purchases of two Atlanta chairs and sent them to a laboratory for fire safety tests. The results indicated that the fabric and foam used in the chairs were unsafe.
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An extraordinary Council meeting will be held at 7.30pm tonight (Thursday 22 September).
The meeting has been called to allow members of the Council to offer tributes on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
You can watch the meeting from the public gallery in Council Chamber in the Town Hall, or follow the meeting with our online video feed.
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Avoid foxes ripping open your rubbish bags and making a mess of your garden or street.
Only put your black and orange sacks out on the day of collection.
This week that's a day later than usual due to the Bank Holiday on Monday.
So, if your rubbish collection day is usually Friday, please don't put your bags out until Saturday morning this week. Sacks should be put out at 7am.
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New guidelines have been introduced to the planning application process in Havering.
Residents and developers will need to refer to the updated validation lists, which explains what supporting information will be needed for their planning application.
These documents, introduced last week, are required for any new planning application and will help avoid any unnecessary delays to planning permission.
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Havering Council continues to do all it can to resolve the long-running issue of fires in Launders Lane, Rainham (pictured).
The Council working group, which includes Jon Cruddas MP, councillors, council officers, the Environment Agency and the London Fire Brigade, recently met for the second time to update on progress.
A number of key things are taking place to help understand better if there is a danger of harm to residents.
The first is working with Imperial College London to improve on the monitoring devices that measure the air quality and see if there are harmful emissions from the fires. They are also looking to see if there are trends around when the fires took place and people requesting medical help.
Secondly, local councillors are working with residents to see if there are suitable locations in their gardens to install monitoring equipment.
Thirdly, working with another contractor to look at the emissions in more detail. They will be called out if there are reports of fires, to measure the air and then study if it contains harmful particles, to see what they are.
In addition to this, advice is being sought from experts on remedial or improvement work to contaminated land.
All of this will help build a better picture of the issues and possible solutions. However, due to the complex nature of the issues, it will take time through this work to fully understand what impact there may be to the health of local residents.
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This year it’s more important than ever for people at risk to get their free flu vaccine and COVID-19 booster when they are invited by the NHS.
The best time to get vaccinated is in the autumn, before the cold temperatures start.
Find out more or speak to your local pharmacy or GP. School-aged children will be offered the vaccine at school.
The flu spreads from person to person – even amongst those not showing symptoms. The vaccine is the best protection for you and those around you.
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A Job Fair will be held on Thursday 29 September at the Harold Hill Community Hub.
Open between 1pm and 4pm everyone is welcome although it is particularly designed to help Ukrainian refugees find work, or better work.
There will be lots of opportunities to speak to employers and to get some advice, also information on courses too. Translators will also be there to help.
Also, due to the death of The Queen, the Homes for Ukraine sponsors' thank-you evening that was due to be held earlier this month was postponed.
Havering Council will now be hosting this event for local sponsors who have come forward to open up their homes to Ukrainian refugees on Monday 3 October, between 6pm and 8pm at the Salvation Army in High Street, Romford.
The event is also open to any residents who are interested in hosting Ukrainian guests to come along to hear more about sponsoring refugees.
It will be an opportunity to speak with existing sponsors on their experiences as hosts. You will also be able to speak with the Council's Homes for Ukraine team if you have any questions.
For more information send Havering's Homes for Ukraine team an email.
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 All Saints Players in Ardleigh Green Road, Hornchurch will be performing Murder Weekend, a comedy-thriller by Bettine Manktelow, tonight (Thursday, 22 September) and on 23 and 24 September. Tickets are £7.50.
For more details call 01708 456683 or visit their website.
Tech buddy is a weekly drop-in session for one-to-one computer help and advice.
The sessions provide help for beginners on any device and query including web browsing, creating and sending emails, operating systems or software and using Word.
Sessions run from 10am to 2pm each Wednesday at Gidea Park Library, and it's free to attend.
St Thomas’ Church in Noak Hill has a ‘Communi-Tea Catchup’ on the fourth Saturday of each month. The next one is from 2pm to 4pm this Saturday (24 September).
Enjoy a hot or cold drink and cake, have a chat with others, or sit a while in the grounds for quiet thoughts in the peace and beauty of the outdoors. It’s free to attend and off-street parking is available.
Join the 'Catchup' in the Church Hall, Church Road, Noak Hill, RM4 1LD.
Blueprint Festival is a fortnight of new and unusual theatre being held at the Queen's Theatre Hornchurch (pictured).
It runs until 24 September.
There's something for everyone ranging from new writing, immersive experiences, culinary experiences, to a sensory family show. Most events are just £5 and some are free.
Visit the Queen's Theatre Hornchurch website for more details.
Local resident Dave Speller is running a special charity fun day this Saturday (24 September) for Cancer Research UK, in honour of a close family member, at Harrow Lodge Park in Hornchurch.
Between noon and 6pm you'll find singers, inflatables, kids games and more along with pop-up food and drink locations. It's free to attend.
Bargains and brunch are on offer at the Towers Boot Sale being held this Sunday, 25 September, between 9.30am and midday.
Organised by the Friends of Towers Fundraising Association the sale takes place at Towers Junior School, Windsor Road in Hornchurch. There's free entry for visitors.
If you would like to book a table it's just £8 and the charge per car is £10. To book a table, send an email.
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You are invited to join a free Love Food Hate Waste cookery workshop held between 11am and 1pm on Wednesday 28 September at the Salvation Army, High Street, Romford.
Learn and share tips on making the most of your food and saving money. Learn about meal planning that could save you £70 a month.
The session includes a cookery demonstration and an opportunity to take part in cooking an easy, healthy, vegetarian dish. To find out more, or book your place, call 01708 433212 or send an email.
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Do you know someone who lives with Dementia? Learn more about Dementia and how to support your loved ones with dedicated training in three one-hour monthly sessions beginning on 4 October.
The sessions run from 1pm to 2pm on the first Tuesday of each month and will be held at Harold Hill Community Hub, Harold Hill Library, 19A Farnham Road.
More details can be found online.
Lastly, as part of Black History Month Romford Library is hosting an event with author Sarah Lee (pictured below) on Saturday 8 October between 2pm and 3pm.
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You can meet the author of a novel inspired by real-life stories of the Windrush Generation and her mother’s own experiences as a nurse coming to Britain from the Caribbean.
It’s 1954 and, in Barbados, Ruby Haynes spots an advertisement for young women to train as nurses for the new National Health Service in Great Britain.
Her sister, Connie, takes some persuading, but soon the sisters are on their way to a new country – and a whole new world of experiences.
'An Ocean Apart' is a free event but you should book in advance at any Havering Library. More information on the libraries' website.
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 Your home may be able to get funding for energy-saving improvements, to help keep you warmer while saving you money on your energy bills and helping to reduce carbon emissions.
To get these improvements your home should have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rated E, F or G and you are likely to be an eligible household if you are on a low income. For example, with an annual household income under £30,000 or on means-tested benefits.
For further information send an email, call the Energy Saving Trust free on 0808 196 8255. Alternatively, complete the online application form.
The hugely successful pop-up Business School delivered for Havering Council by Rebel Business School returns in October.
Aimed at helping to kick-start the businesses of tomorrow, the programme starts on Monday 31 October and runs for 10 days, with different workshops on each day.
And the best part is it's completely free.
The whole thing is virtual with participants able to join every session or just those most relevant to you. Outside the traditional classroom environment, entrepreneurs can flourish while learning all about:
- starting a business for free
- sales
- marketing
- pricing and negotiation
- tax and accounting
- building a website for free, Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
- social media
- pitching and mindset.
These sessions are completely free, and take place Monday 31 October to Friday 11 November, 10am – 3pm.
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Night-time survey work by Transport for London (TfL) on the A127 Southend Arterial Road means that the slip road connecting the eastbound carriageway of the A127 with the M25 junction 29 roundabout may be closed at certain times between 9pm and 5am.
This survey work may continue until 17 November.
TfL is also carrying out surveys on the foundations of the Gallows Corner flyover. This work will continue until early November. It will take place overnight on weekdays only from Mondays to Fridays between 9pm and 5am.
During these times there will be a single lane closure on the A12 (Eastern Avenue East), the A127 (Southend Arterial Road), and the inner ring of the roundabout.
Lamson Road in Rainham is closed between its junction with Bridge Road and Creekside for the installation of a new toucan crossing. Work is expected to be completed by 30 September.
Pettits Lane North in Rise Park will be closed between its junctions of Heather Gardens and Havering Road each night between 7.30pm and 6am from Monday 26 September until Wednesday 28 September for road resurfacing.
A diversion route will be signposted.
Lastly, Mawney Road in Romford between Palm Road and the A12, will be resurfaced between Monday 3 October and Thursday 6 October. This work will take place overnight between 8pm and 5am.
During these times Mawney Road will be closed to vehicles.
Public transport
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On Saturday 24 September, there will be no service on the District line between Barking and Upminster, and on Sunday 25 September no service between Plaistow and Upminster.
Replacement buses will operate on both days.
Due to points work no c2c trains will call at Upminster or Ockendon stations on Saturday 24 September. Rail replacement bus services will be provided.
Due to numerous engineering works on c2c routes on Sunday 25 September no trains will be running from Upminster or Ockendon stations. Rail replacement bus services will run instead of trains.
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