Friday 5 April 2024
It's time to nominate your business in the Havering Small Business Awards, sponsored by Wates and our media partner Time 107.5FM.
This year, the awards format is changing to help encourage even more businesses from across the whole borough to enter, with the first round of nominations open for businesses to nominate themselves.
When a Havering Business enters, they’ll be asked to explain and evidence why they should be shortlisted for that award.
We have provided some handy tips to help nominees do this quickly and easily.
You can also follow the Havering Small Business Awards 2023/24 on our social media channels or by searching #HaveringSBA. Don't forget to tag your favourite businesses and encourage them to nominate themselves.
The Mayor and London Assembly elections will take place on Thursday 2 May.
The deadline to register to vote is midnight on Tuesday 16 April. Voters can apply online. It takes just five minutes.
There are a range of options for you to cast your vote:
- In person at a polling station
- Through the post (by applying for a postal vote)
- By appointing someone you trust to vote in your place, known as a proxy vote.
The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Wednesday 17 April. The deadline to apply for a proxy vote is a week later, 5pm on Wednesday 24 April.
Don’t forget, all voters will need to show photo ID to vote at a polling station.
Information about the new requirement and all your voting options can be found online.
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Havering Council’s community safety and enforcement teams joined up recently with the Safer Neighbourhood police teams to serve a full closure order on areas of Rothbury House, Kings Lynn Drive, Harold Hill.
It followed several reports of anti-social behaviour concerns from the community, which included violence, drugs and shop lifting offences. After listening to concerns, an application was made by the Council and police for the closure order.
This order means that no one, unless they have authorisation, is allowed to access blocks 1-12 of Rothbury House. The aim is to help towards stopping the premises being associated with nuisance or disorder.
The closure order was granted by Barkingside Magistrates Court in March and will run for three months. The windows and doors at the premises have been secured and anyone entering the block will be liable to arrest.
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 Havering Council is asking residents and businesses for their thoughts on how to improve Romford Town Centre and the surrounding area.
From this Monday (8 April) until Friday 3 May, we are inviting feedback on the refreshed Masterplan - this can be done in person or online.
How can residents get involved?
Come and find us at one of our pop up events:
- Friday 12 April, 12pm to 4pm - Romford Market (opposite Lloyds Bank)
- Saturday 20 April, 9am to 6pm - The Liberty Shopping Centre (opposite Starbucks)
- Saturday 27 April, 11am to 3pm - South Street (opposite Santander)
- Wednesday 1 May, 12noon to 4pm - South Street (opposite M&S Foodhall).
Residents can also have their say online, which goes live on Monday 8 April.
Would you like to try adrenaline-packed white water rafting less than an hour from Havering?
We’ve got a pair of tickets for you to enjoy gallons of fun at Lee Valley White Water Centre rafting, the same course used at the 2012 London Olympics, where thousands of people raft and paddle every year.
We’ve teamed up with Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, who own the centre and have heaps of other sports venues open for anyone to use along the 26 mile long park.
To be in with a chance to win a free pair of tickets for this unforgettable adventure, all you have to do is visit the competition page and leave your details (T&Cs apply). The competition closes at 11:59pm on Sunday 14 April.
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 Hornchurch Cricket Club have emerged as European Champions after securing the European Cricket League 2024 title in a fiercely contested tournament.
Competing against 34 clubs from 33 European nations, Hornchurch took on Old Victorians from Jersey on Friday 22 March in Spain to take home the title.
The club has had a long run of victories recently, including wining the T20 Essex, the National T20 Cup, and Conference and League Cups. The club now look forward to competing for the National 40-over Cup later this year.
Havering Council is aware of grass verges across the borough that have been temporarily damaged by over-use of weed treatment by contractors.
We acted quickly to ask the contractors to rectify the damage as soon as possible and carry out re-seeding of grass that has died off so it will soon grow back again.
The Council will also review the process used by the contractors to help ensure this doesn’t happen again.
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Remember, glass bottles and jars are now part of the weekly rubbish and recycling collection for Havering residents.
You can place them in the same orange recycling bag along with other items to be recycled. Everything is then separated at the recycling plant.
Putting glass in with other recyclable items can help to support the glass more. Remember to also crush down plastic bottles and tins, which should also be rinsed beforehand. To make sure our crews can lift them safely, and to avoid spillages, please do not overfill the bags.
A roll of 16 orange sacks are delivered to each household every 13 weeks. The first deliveries are still ongoing, and if you haven't received yours yet, you should be getting them shortly. Extra orange sacks are available from your local library.
If residents have broken glass, then this should be securely wrapped in something like newspaper and put into their black waste bags.
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 Following the excellent response from young people across the borough to our recent youth-focussed budget consultation, SHOUT about the money, the Council has produced a special version of our budget animation to highlight what the financial changes mean for the youth of Havering.
Hundreds of young people from a range of age groups took the time to share their thoughts on the savings proposals put forward in the budget, and their feedback helped make direct changes to the final budget, which passed Council at the end of February.
If your children took part in the consultation, or would like to know more about the budget and Havering's financial situation, please show them this video.
Childhood infections like measles and whooping cough are rising, with outbreaks across the country.
Such infections can have a huge impact on your child’s life. They can miss out on school due to time spent unwell, be hospitalised, and even experience life-long complications and disability.
It is important for parents to take up the offer of the NHS free childhood immunisation programme as soon as they are offered to ensure your child has the best protection.
Parents can check their child’s Red Book to see if the children have missed any vaccines or check with their GP if they are unsure.
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The Thames Chase Trust were at Stubbers Adventure Centre last week, where they planted over 1,500 trees to establish a cross-country running track.
The running track will be used by many schools and local running groups across the borough, providing a valuable resource to the local community.
Thames Chase Trust partnered with Bridges Impact Foundation to plant eleven different species of trees, including Dogwood, Hazel, Wild Cherry, and Blackthorn. These species are all in keeping with the local environment, this will ensure that these trees have the best chance of survival and will provide an excellent appropriate habitat for local wildlife.
A total of 46 Thames Chase Conservation Volunteers and employees from Bridges Impact Foundation turned out to help, with the group planting three hedgerows totalling 301 metres.
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 To submit events for possible inclusion in this section of the newsletter, please use the form on our website or send an email
 Havering’s Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Easter programme will be running from Monday 1 April until Friday 12 April.
Eligible children can enjoy fun activities, such as holiday clubs, para sports and football camps. Aimed at children in low income families, from reception to Year 11, they can enjoy up to 16 hours of activities (for example, four hours per day, over four days) and children will also receive a meal during each session. For your convenience, the programme is open for the two week Easter break.
To find a full list of venues, activities, clubs, dates and times visit the website. Parents and carers can book directly with the HAF provider.
The Havering local group of the Essex Wildlife Trust is holding a gentle guided walk through Ellen Willmott's historic garden tomorrow, Saturday 6 April, from 10:30am until 12:30pm.
Join the group for the two-hour walk and see as much of the varied wildlife as possible in this beautiful location. The walk is suitable for all ages and there's no need to book. Simply meet at the entrance to the garden on Warley Place, Warley Road, Brentwood, CM13 3HU. There is a suggested donation of £5 to the trust. Visit the website for more information.
The group are also holding a talk on the work being done at Rainham Marshes, with a representative from the RSPB. The talk takes place at Fairkytes Arts Centre, Hornchurch, RM11 1AX, on Monday 8 April, 2pm to 3:30pm.
Havering Cyclists are holding a charity sponsored off-road bike ride on Sunday 28 April from 9:45am, to raise funds for the Mayor's Charity, First Step.
The bike ride will travel a 12-mile route starting at Ingrebourne Valley Visitor Centre in Hornchurch Country Park. The event is a family-friendly event, and riders can enter for a £5 fee, with under 16s riding free (but they must be accompanied by an adult). If you'd like to enter, you can visit the Eventbrite page. For more information, please email Jeff Stafford, or call/text him on 07710 302603.
The Brewery in Romford is marking the start of Eid with a special celebration on Wednesday 10 April from 11am. The festivities include free sweet treats, as well as free henna tattoo artists. There's no need to book in advance, just show up between 11am and 4pm.
Keep Fit 50+ is an exercise, movement and dance class for mature movers who wish to stay fit and keep active. The class will be meeting at Cranham Social Hall, Front Lane, Cranham, RM14 1XN every Tuesday from 16 April, 12:30pm until 3pm.
The class will help improve flexibility, stamina, strength and coordination, and includes some balance and chair work. It's a relaxed and friendly group, and the first class is free.
The Arts Society Havering is hosting its next lecture, European Art 1944 - 1960: Reactions to World War II, the Holocaust and the Atomic Age on Tuesday 9 April, 10:30am to 12noon. The talk will examine the situation of artists in Europe at the end of the Second World War and the exciting diversity of art that emerged in the 1950s ranging from Art Informel (the European equivalent to Abstract Expressionism) to Socialist Realism.
The event takes place at New Windmill Hall, Upminster, and is also open to visitors for £8 per person. You can read more information on the website.
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Ilford and West Essex Model Railway Club will be hosting its first monthly Steam Open Day of 2024 on Sunday 7 April, 10:30am to 4pm next to Chadwell Heath Railway Station, Station Road, RM6 4BU.
The club will be running the miniature railway, as well as opening up the club house so members of the public can view the model railway layouts on display. Club house entry is free, and train rides cost just £1 per ride, or £4 for an all day pass. You can find more information on the website.
Havering Museum is hosting its next lunchtime lecture asking the key question of the modern-day art scene - Who is Banksy?
This explorative talk looks at the work of the mysterious graffiti artist, from his initial art work to the current day influences, creativity and impact on the art world.
The talk takes place on Thursday 11 April, 12noon to 1pm. You can buy tickets online, by phone (01708 766571), or by visiting the museum.
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Upcoming road closures
Stafford Avenue in Hornchurch will be closed daily between its junctions with Ardleigh Close and Ashlyn Grove for resurfacing works. The closures will take place between 8am and 5pm on Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 April.
Gaynes Park Road in Upminster will be closed daily between its junctions with Little Gaynes Lane and Cedar Avenue for a crossing installation, 8am to 5pm from Monday 8 April to Friday 12 April.
Rosewood Avenue in Hornchurch will be closed daily to the outside of numbers 1-5 Station Parade for a crossing installation, 8am to 5pm from Monday 8 April until Friday 3 May.
Sylvan Avenue in Hornchurch will be closed daily from outside number 3 to its junction with Wingletye Lane for gas mains work, 7am to 7pm from Monday 8 April until Sunday 12 May.
St Edwards Way in Romford will be closed east bound only for sewer cover works, 9:30am until 3:30pm on Tuesday 9 April.
Fen Lane in North Ockendon will be closed from its junction with Ockendon Road east bound to The Warren for network maintenance, 9:30am until 3:30pm on Wednesday 10 April and Thursday 11 April.
Ashlyn Grove in will be closed daily between its junction with Squirrels Heath Lane and its end for resurfacing works, 8am to 5pm from Wednesday 10 April until Friday 12 April, and again on Monday 15 April.
Ongoing closures
Upper Brentwood Road in Romford remains closed daily at its junction with Main Road for gas mains work, 7am until 7pm until Sunday 7 April.
Tawny Avenue in Upminster remains closed daily for sewage works outside number 55, 8am to 5pm until Tuesday 9 April.
Helen Road remains closed daily at its junction with Ashlyn Gardens for resurfacing works, 8am to 5pm until Thursday 11 April. Parking enforcement will be temporarily suspended on Ashlyn Grove, Helen Road and Stafford Avenue.
Laburnum Walk in Hornchurch remains closed daily for resurfacing works between its junctions with Lancaster Drive and Farm Way, 8am to 5pm, until Friday 12 April.
Hall Lane in Upminster remains closed daily for drainage works between its junctions with The Fairway and Ingrebourne Gardens, 7am to 5pm until Sunday 14 April.
South Street in Romford remains closed day and night at its junctions with Havana Close and Eastern Road for crossing, traffic island and cycling infrastructure installation, until 7pm on Friday 26 April.
Parts of the A127 (Southend Arterial) remain closed to all traffic for drainage works, between 10pm and 5am, until Tuesday 18 June. The on-slip road connecting the eastbound carriageway with M25 junction 29 roundabout, and the off-slip road connecting the M25 junction 29 roundabout with the A127 will be closed during this time.
Public transport
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Following the announcement from the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF), strike action is planned for Monday 8 April. Action short of strike is planned today (Friday 5 April), tomorrow (Saturday 6 April) and Tuesday 9 April.
A reduced service will run on all c2c lines on Friday 5, Saturday 6 and Tuesday 9 April. No service will run on Monday 8 April.
Check the website for full details on all c2c service changes.
Engineering works between Shenfield and Witham are affecting Greater Anglia services between Liverpool Street and Shenfield, Southend Victoria, and Southminster, on Saturday 6 April and Sunday 7 April. Services on these these routes will run a reduced timetable and may be delayed at stations longer.
Engineering works between Shenfield and Witham, in connection with the new Beaulieu Park station, is affecting Greater Anglia services between Liverpool Street and Chelmsford, Colchester, Ipswich, Norwich and branches on Saturday 6 April and Sunday 7 April. Rail replacement services will be in place for large portions of the journey.
Engineering works between Maryland and Romford will be affecting Greater Anglia services between Liverpool Street and Shenfield on Sunday 7 April.
The ASLEF strike action will affect Greater Anglia services on Monday 8 April, as well as early services on Tuesday 9 April.
Check the website for full details on all Greater Anglia service changes.
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