The Government has launched a new amnesty and compensation scheme for people who have 'zombie' knives, blades and machetes in their possession. 

The weapons are set to be banned in England and Wales on Tuesday 24 September.

It will become a criminal offence with prison-time to own, make, transport or sell a wide variety of blades referred to as 'statement' blades, which are frequently used in gang-related violence. 

People who currently own such weapons will be able to hand them in at police stations without any fear of prosecution. In some cases, owners may be able to claim compensation for safely disposing of the weapon. 

The amnesty period is in place now until Monday 23 September. You can anonymously dispose of weapons in the surrender bins set up at police stations, or contact the local police for alternate ways to dispose of them. 

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A company has been prosecuted for not complying with a notice issued by Havering Council around fly-tipping of waste in the borough.

The Council’s environmental enforcement team took action against Hertz UK Limited after it failed to provide the details for the driver of a vehicle it owned who was caught by the Council’s CCTV cameras in January this year, dumping waste on a public road in Hilldene Avenue, Harold Hill.

The notice requested Hertz to provide the details of the driver, which are required as part of the formal notice.

Despite further warning letters from the Council, Hertz failed to do this and the Council escalated the matter to court.

Hertz failed to send any representatives to Barkingside Magistrates Court and the fine was imposed in their absence on 27 August.

There was a fine of £3,000 and Hertz was also ordered to pay £2,175 towards the Council’s costs and a victim surcharge of £1,200.

The Council is cracking down on fly-tipping in the borough, and will not hesitate to prosecute those who illegally dump rubbish.

Thames Freeport is crafting an Employment and Skills Strategy to support your community. They are keen to gather insight into the skills, employment, and development opportunities that matter most to you, so they can align their strategy with your community's needs and ambitions.

If you live in Rainham and Wennington, Beam Park, or South Hornchurch, please take a few minutes to complete this consultation before Wednesday 25 September to help advise them on training, employment and investment in South Havering. 

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Thames Freeport has also recently secured £1.2million for its Skills Fund, which will support a diverse range of training programmes, apprenticeships, and upskilling initiatives across the Freeport zone.

The fund aims to help develop a highly-skilled workforce to take full advantage of the opportunities within the rapidly expanding Freeport. 

Recipients of the funding include CEME in Rainham, which will use the money for a Green Skills Showcase for teachers and children. 

If you'd like to learn more about Thames Freeport, you can register to watch the next Board Meeting, which is scheduled for Tuesday 3 September in Grays. Register online for more information. 

Blackwall Tunnel will be closed Southbound from Saturday 7 September to Monday 9 September to support the opening of the new Silvertown Tunnel. 

The closure will allow for final road configuration and resurfacing to take place ahead of the official Silvertown Tunnel opening next year. 

The new modern tunnel will ease congestion from the Victorian-built Blackwall tunnel, which faces hundreds of closures throughout the year, as well as having poor ventilation for drivers.

Read more about the new Silvertown tunnel on the TfL website.

Barking-based 80-year old Terry Coote, is planning to raise money for specialist medical equipment at Queen's Hospital in Romford, by walking for 127 days.

Terry, who is a cancer survivor, will be walking three laps of the square around his home in Barking each day between now and Christmas Eve. Five years ago, Terry was diagnosed with oesophageal and bowel cancer, and underwent treatment at Queen's.

He's hoping to raise £60,000 in donations to say thanks to the NHS staff that saved his life, and put towards special equipment to help future cancer patients through their treatment. Anyone that wants to donate to Terry's cause can do so through his JustGiving page.

If you or your family are struggling financially and on a low income, you may qualify for a Council Tax discretionary hardship payment. 

Complete the online form on the website, and provide two months’ recent bank statements for yourself and/or partner/spouse.

If you are eligible, the payment will go directly to your Council Tax account to reduce the outstanding balance for 2024/25 and does not need to be paid back to the Council if your circumstances change in the future.

Current funding for this assistance is only available until Monday 30 September, so act fast.

Harrow Lodge Leisure Centre is welcoming visitors to a free open day on Sunday 8 September between 11am to 4pm.

The day's events will include activities such as face painting for children, float sessions in the main pool, while the teaching pool will offer diving and rookie swimming sessions under the expert guidance of instructors.

The fitness suite will be open, with guests able to enjoy free access to the state-of-the-art gym from 11am to 3pm including a variety of additional fitness classes scheduled throughout the day.

Younger visitors have plenty of opportunities to stay active and have fun with Young Ballers, Tots Football, and HOF Basketball.

Sessions are bookable via the Everyone Active app, via the website or by turning up on the day with all events on a first-come-first-serve basis.

As of this coming Monday (2 September), customers will be able to park in Market Place car park, Romford, for up to four hours on non-market days, an increase from the current two hour maximum stay.

Please check information on payment and charges on parking notice display boards and the Council website. Details are also available on the RingGo App.

All other car park terms and conditions will remain the same.

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The final Havering Council and Metropolitan Police free football and basketball event for children aged 6 to 17 years takes place this Sunday 1 September in Central Park, Dagnam Park Drive, RM2 9DL

Football starts at 11am for 6 to 11 year olds, and 12noon for 12 to 17 year olds. Basketball events start at 12noon for 6 to 11 year olds, and 1pm for 12 to 17 year olds. No booking required.

The sports events are also being held alongside a Community Fun Day is being held at Central Park, Harold Hill, on Saturday 7 September, 11am to 3pm. As part of the Our Harold Hill Clear Hold Build initiative run by police and Havering Council, there will be face painting, dancing and sports, as well as attendance by Police, the Safer Neighbourhoods Traffic Dogs Air Support Unit, London Fire Brigade St Johns Ambulance, the Council’s community safety, enforcement and housing services, youth services .

Modern Mystique Events is hosting a Summer Farewell Fiesta on Sunday 8 September at the North Romford Community Centre on Clockhouse Lane, Collier Row, RM5 3QJ.

There will be fun for the whole family, including face-painting and henna, sweet treats, clothing and jewellery stalls and more. Book your tickets online. 

The Arts Society Havering is holding a lecture on La Serenissima - The Golden Era of Music in Venice, on Tuesday 10 September. 

Claudio Monteverdi not only transformed the music at the Basilica of San Marco but also led the way in the creation of a new art form - opera.

The talk will look at and listen to works from the other musical geniuses who developed the musical life of San Marco such as Gabrieli and Lotti, as well as tracing Monteverdi’s successors in the creation of Venetian opera, including Cavalli and Albinoni.

The talk takes place at New Windmill Hall, St Marys Lane, Upminster, RM14 2QH. Visitor tickets cost £8. Check the website for more information.

The annual Thames Chase Art and Sculpture Exhibition opens on Monday 2 September.

Showcasing the work of around 30 local artists, offering a unique opportunity to purchase a bespoke piece of art and support artists within the local community.

Entry is free and works will be available to view from 10am to 4pm until Tuesday 10 September at the Thames Chase Forest Centre, Pike Lane, Upminster RM14 6NS.

Queen's Theatre Hornchurch presents its latest show: Bedroom Farce - A Comedy. 

In a world where we view relationships through reality TV, dating apps and magazine shows, Alan Ayckbourn’s 1977, Olivier Award-winning Comedy, asks the question, what happens when the honeymoon period is over? What really happens behind closed bedroom doors?

Set over the course of one evening, through a series of misunderstandings and dysfunction we witness four married couples play out their day-to-day relationships across three very busy bedrooms.

The show is open now and runs through until Saturday 21 September. Visit the website for more information.

Elm Park Horticultural Guild is hosting its Autumn Show on Saturday 31 August, 2:30pm to 4:30pm. There will be displays of flowers, fruit and vegetable exhibits, floral art and photography, as well as children's art classes and crafts. Home-made cakes and refreshments will be available, and there will be plants and other goods for sale. 

Entry is free to everyone, and the event takes place at St Alban's Church Hall, Langdale Gardens, Elm Park, RM12 5JX.

Upcoming road closures 

Lambs Lane North in Rainham will be closed daily from its junction with New Road to its junction with Todd Close for gas mains works, 7am to 7pm from Monday 2 September to Monday 23 September.

Ongoing closures  

Wingletye Lane remains closed at its junction with the A127 Southend Arterial Road for gas mains replacement, between 7am and 7pm until Monday 2 September.

Oaklands Avenue remains closed at its junction with Main Road for gas mains replacement, between 7am to 7pm until Monday 2 September.

Harlow Road remains closed at its junction with Rainham Road for gas mains replacement, between 7am to 7pm until Monday 2 September.

The Glen remains closed at its junction with Lambs Lane South for gas mains replacement, between 7am to 7pm until Tuesday 3 September.

Nelson Road remains closed at its junction with Rainham Road for gas mains replacement, between 7am to 7pm until Tuesday 3 September.

Blacksmiths Lane remains closed at its junction with Rainham Road for gas mains replacement, between 7am to 7pm until Tuesday 3 September.

Main Road cycle lane in Romford remains closed daily from the junction of St Edwards Way to the junction of Pettits Lane for gas mains works, from 7am to 7pm until Monday 9 September.

Lambs Lane South in Rainham remains closed daily from its junction with Wennington Road to the junction of New Road for gas mains works, 7am to 7pm until Monday 9 September. 

Erroll Road in Romford remains closed daily at its junction with Main Road for gas mains works, from 7am to 7pm until Monday 9 September.

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