Friday 16 June 2023
 Rainham Leisure Centre is set to open ahead of schedule next month.
All ‘dry side’ facilities including dance and spin studio, and a 75-station fitness suite will be complete and handed over to Everyone Active, the company that runs the leisure centres in the borough, on Saturday 1 July with ‘wet facilities’ such as the six-lane swimming pool, opening later this summer.
The Leader of Havering Council, Councillor Ray Morgon, said:
"We continue to be impressed by the new facilities at Rainham Leisure Centre and seeing the project delivered on time is such fantastic work by all the contractors involved.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing the centre being enjoyed as a place to stay healthy through exercise, and also somewhere for people of all ages to meet and socialise.
“This will be a wonderful asset not only for the community in Rainham, but for the whole borough.”
 New residents of New Green, Rainham were officially welcomed to their homes and community yesterday, Thursday 15 June.
Councillor Paul McGeary, Cabinet Lead for Housing and Councillor Graham Williamson, Cabinet Lead for Development and Regeneration, along with Council officers from the Housing Team attended the meet and greet session for new residents, as the final residents have now moved in. Residents got to meet their new neighbours, their Housing Officer and also find out about local services available to them.
Havering Council, with its regeneration joint venture partner Wates, have built 197 affordable homes for local people, the first development to be completed in the 12 estates regeneration programme.
The properties range from one, two, and three bedroom, and all the residents that were moved from the original Napier and New Plymouth site were offered the right to return, with 12 residents choosing to do so.
126 of the homes are social housing, helping to reduce the burden on the housing register. The final 71 were available through shared ownership, to assist Havering residents onto the property ladder, prioritising Havering teachers, social workers and NHS staff. Of these, only nine one-bedroom homes now remain.
 Havering Council has launched a special email bulletin providing the latest help and advice on the rising cost of living. Sign up to receive free updates now.
Havering Council is asking for residents to have their say on a review of the borough’s parks byelaws.
The current byelaws were last updated in 1983 and the Council wants to hear from residents on putting these in line with how our parks are used by people today and that are relevant to the borough.
Byelaws are essentially local rules that have the force of law. They are there to help people enjoy these spaces and also make clear that certain behaviours are not allowed, such as camping, barbecues and unauthorised events.
These changes include clauses on responsible cycling, events and activities. They will also be updated to include any spaces left out of the existing byelaws.
|
A parade will take place to mark Armed Forces Day on Saturday 24 June.
It will start at 10.30am on South Street's junction with Arcade Place in Romford Town Centre.
The parade will be led by Royal British Legion band and Corps of Drums, Romford. It will go down South Street, turn right through Romford Market and finish at Tollgate House in Market Place.
Among those marching will be currently serving troops, veterans and cadets, as well as service families.
|
Despite the Council's continued lobbying to the Mayor of London to delay the planned expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) - the scheme is due to be extended to Havering on Tuesday 29 August.
We are encouraging Havering residents to check that your vehicles are compliant.
If a vehicle doesn’t meet ULEZ emission standards and isn’t exempt, you need to pay £12.50 to drive inside the zone each day. If you drive a petrol vehicle over 16 years old or a diesel vehicle over six years old you should definitely see if this applies to you.
The Mayor of London has recently extended the scrappage scheme which helps with the purchase of new vehicles, though Council Leader, Cllr Ray Morgon, wrote to the Mayor last week to urge him to pause the scheme and provide better support to those who will be hit hardest by the charge.
|
 This week is Loneliness Awareness Week (Monday 12 to Sunday 18 June) as part of the Better Health: Every Mind Matters campaign.
Loneliness is something we can all experience at any point in our lives and it can have a huge impact on our mental health and wellbeing.
Sometimes reaching out to someone with as little as three words - "fancy a chat?" - can make a big difference.
The aim is to reach 16-34 year olds by continuing to encourage them to ‘Lift someone Out of Loneliness’, knowing that this is likely to help their own feelings of loneliness.
To find out ways to help someone out of loneliness, visit the website.
As part of Learning Disability Week (19-25 June), Havering Community Learning Disability Team with local services will be smashing some of the misconceptions associated with disability.
They will be in The Liberty Shopping Centre, Romford, on Friday 23 June from 9:30am.
The event will feature physiotherapy exercise equipment, drama performances from Avelon Road Day Centre and an opportunity for blood pressure, weight and oxygen check-ups.
Information on services and resources will be available from health professionals on the day, via email or on 01708 433446.
|
Havering Council wants to hear feedback from residents on the current set of School Streets Schemes that have been in place since September 2022.
The current list includes schemes around seven different schools and you can have your say on any of the areas.
A School Street Scheme is a road outside a school with a temporary restriction on motorised traffic at school drop-off and pick-up times.
Vehicles are not allowed to enter the zone between these times unless they have been granted an exemption.
The aim of the schemes is to improve local road safety, air quality and make it easier for children and their parents to walk and cycle to school.
Feedback will help guide the Council’s services on any future decisions and schemes.
The survey will run until Friday 4 August.
|
Celebrate Pride Month at Libraries across the borough. Hornchurch Library (pictured) will be displaying LGBTQ+ books all month.
Learn about the history of the LGBT community, read real-life accounts of people's experiences, and immerse yourself in worlds full of LGBT characters.
|
Havering residents are being encouraged to apply for funding that will help towards community projects in the borough’s green spaces.
The Bupa Foundation Green Community Grants provides funding for schools, local councils and other organisations, to help them improve green spaces and run community projects.
Applications need to be initiatives that include works towards regeneration of a green space for the well-being of communities, tree planting, creation of allotments and installing sustainable equipment.
For any enquiries on the grant and your project, please email and you will be directed to the appropriate department for more guidance.
Applications close on Friday 30 June.
|
You have one week left to have your say on what community safety issues you are concerned about in your area.
The survey is being carried out by the Havering Community Safety Partnership, which includes representatives from the Council, Metropolitan Police and London Fire Brigade plus probation and health services.
The online survey asks residents to give their views about crime, anti-social behaviour and other local issues.
It will help to give the partnership a bigger picture of what issues there are, what needs to be prioritised and how they can best work together to tackle those issues and help to prevent the threat of crime.
The survey closes on Tuesday 23 June.
|
 To submit events for possible inclusion in this section of the newsletter, please use the form on our website or send an email
Run with your Doctor at Raphael Park at 3pm on Saturday 24 June, and take your first steps on the road to fitness.
Join doctors from Queen's Hospital for a 30-minute walk, jog or run through the park at 3pm - you can do it at your own pace. All are welcome, but check with your doctor if you're unsure if you should take part. Register by email, meet at the Parkway entrance near the tennis courts.
Havering Museum is hosting a Table Top Sale on Saturday 1 July, 11am until 3pm. Spend the afternoon exploring the museum galleries and purchasing items from local organisations and charities, who will be raising awareness and funds for their causes.
The event will also include a books and bric-a-brac sale, and a pop-up cafe. Entry is free.
|
Thames Chase is holding a special Solstice Walk on Wednesday 21 June, 6:30pm until 8:30pm. Join them to celebrate the beauty of nature and promote wellbeing and mindfulness on the longest day of the year.
The walk is suitable for all ages and the trust asks for a £3 donation. Book your place at the reception or call 01708 642970, and find more information online.
Diabetes UK - Havering Group runs regular meetings offering help and support to local people living with diabetes along with their families and carers. The group is holding its next meeting on Monday 19 June, with a talk about research into type 1 and 2 diabetes, and how money raised by Diabetes UK volunteers is used for vital diabetes research.
The meeting takes place at 8pm at Large Hall, Hornchurch, RM11 1QX, and is completely free to attend. Call the group secretary on 01708 935779 for more information.
The Elm Park Horticultural Guild is celebrating its 86th anniversary by hosting a Summer Show at the Assembly Hall, Eyhurst Avenue, RM12 4RA.
As well as displays of flowers and fruit and vegetables, there are exhibits for floral art, photography, children’s classes, handicrafts and baking. Home-made refreshments will be available throughout the day.
The show takes place tomorrow, Saturday 17 June, 2:30pm - 4:30pm. Entry is free.
|
Havering Concert Orchestra is hosting a Summer Folk Concert on Saturday 1 July. Join them for an evening of music from Penzance, Bohemia, Spain and Ireland which feature in this Folk themed concert.
The concert takes place at Frances Bardsley Academy, Romford RM1 2RR, from 7:30pm to 10pm. Tickets start at £12 per adult, £5 per child or student when booked in advance.
Romford Shopping Hall invites you to The Big Toddle and Free Family Fun Day. Take a walk "on the wild side" and raise funds for Barnardo's Charity with a free family Sponsored Walk and Fun day, The Barnardo's Big Toddle.
This safari-themed sponsored walk is aimed at children under five, although all ages and abilities can take part. Your toddlers can get support from brave older siblings, and the littlest cubs can join in the fun from their solo safari jeeps (their pushchairs).
The event takes place tomorrow (Saturday 17 June), 10am to 2pm at Romford Shopping Hall and Market Place. Find more information and register your place online.
|
Dunster Crescent will be partially closed for gas works from its junction with Berkeley Drive between 8am on Monday 19 June, to 6pm on Friday 30 June.
Noak Hill Road will be closed for resurfacing works between its junctions with North Hill Drive and Tees Drive, from 9:30am until 3pm on Monday 19 and Tuesday 20 June. Tees Drive will also be closed at its junction with Noak Hill Road during this work.
Longwood Close will be closed for resurfacing works at its junction with Corbets Tey Road, between 8am and 5pm on Wednesday 21 June.
Western Avenue will be closed for resurfacing works between its junctions with Upper Brentwood Road and Castellan Avenue, from 8am to 5pm on Thursday 22 and Friday 23 June.
Spencer Road will be closed for works between its junctions with New Road and Frederick Road, from 8am on Monday 19 June to 6pm on Wednesday 21 June.
Parkland Avenue remains closed for gas mains works at its junction with Lake Rise until 5pm on Monday 26 June.
Elm Park Avenue will be closed overnight westbound from its junction with St Nicholas Avenue for high friction surfacing from 7:30pm on Monday 19 June, until 6am the following day.
South Street Romford will be closed for the Armed Forced Day Parade between Brewery Walk and the taxi rank in High Street, from 7am until 12noon on Saturday 24 June. Brewery Walk and Arcade Place will also be closed at their junctions with Exchange Street. Town Hall Car Park will be closed for the event from 8pm on Friday 23 June, until 1pm on Saturday 24 June.
Public transport
|
There are engineering works on c2c lines between Fenchurch Street and Barking on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 June. Services will not call at Fenchurch Street, Limehouse and West Ham.
Check the website for full details.
|
|
