Friday 25 April 2025
Close to 90 per cent of Havering children were offered their first choice of school on National Primary Offer Day (Wednesday 16 April).
Havering’s Schools Admissions team processed 3,212 applications and were able to offer 89.1 per cent of applicants their first choice of school, while a whopping 98.8 per cent were offered one of their listed preferences of school.
This was an improvement on last year’s figure of 97.7 per cent.
Only 44 children were allocated to a school they had not applied for, although this is also an improved position compared to last year, when 76 children could not be allocated an applied-for school.
|
Where We Live - King's Award for volunteers
Havering Council’s flagship campaign, Where We Live is shining a light on the many volunteers who help to keep our borough cleaner and greener.
The Friends of Bedfords Park Walled Garden, a group of volunteers based in Havering-atte-Bower, has been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2024. This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.
The group of volunteers have resurrected what was a completely derelict Walled Garden in Bedfords Park, working on it for over 13 years and turning it into an award winning Community Food Growing Project. This has seen a huge variety of vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers, grown naturally without pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilisers. It not only provides locally grown nourishing fresh produce, but also opportunities for volunteering.
|
The aim of the volunteers of the Friends of Bedfords Park Walled Garden, is to contribute to their local communities and help towards making life better for those around them - one of the themes of the Where We Live campaign, which is encouraging residents to take pride in where they live.
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to support their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate Her Majesty The late Queen’s Golden Jubilee and was continued following the accession of His Majesty The King.
Pictured top, Lois Amos, lead volunteer of The Friends of Bedfords Park Walled Garden receives a crystal award and certificate on behalf of the group, from Pat Edwards Esq, Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of the Greater London Lieutenancy, alongside Councillor Gerry O’Sullivan, Mayor of Havering and Andrew Rosindell, MP for Romford.
|
 This is your last chance to submit nominations for the Havering Small Business Awards 2025, before nominations close next Friday.
Nominations have been coming in thick and fast as Havering residents have been nominating their favourite businesses to be recognised in this year's awards.
The awards format for 2025 has changed to allow Havering businesses to nominate themselves and for the public to vote for their favourites, too.
We will then do a cross check with Council teams such as business rates, public protection and environmental enforcement teams, to make sure that the three businesses with the highest number of verified votes qualify for the final round.
Nominations close on Friday 2 May.
 Children from all backgrounds in Havering are in need of foster carers to have better outcomes in life.
Children enter foster care for many reasons. This means they need different forms of emotional and practical support.
We always try to keep families together when we can. We need foster carers when this is not possible.
Do you have a spare bedroom?
Can you offer a child or young person a home, time, love and support?
If the answer is yes, please contact localcommunityfostering.co.uk or call 02084963437 and ask to foster for Havering Council.
Advertorial
Havering Council has launched an official WhatsApp channel, giving residents access to urgent updates and important news and events across the borough.
Sign up now using the link below - all you need is a smart phone with WhatsApp installed.
And don't worry, your personal information is totally secure and you won't have to share your number with anyone.
|
Pupils at Clockhouse Primary School have been supporting efforts to tackle obesity in the borough, by helping to make it easier to find healthier food options on Collier Row high street.
Through a series of workshops and focus groups, students shared their experiences of buying food and drink on their journey to and from school, and the lack of healthy choices they felt were available.
A group of Year 5 Pupil Community Food Champions then collaborated with local takeaways and shops to look at how products were positioned and advertised, alongside work to make healthier options more available in these stores.
60 pupils, aged 5 to 11 years old, also took part in nutrition classes to improve their understanding of healthy eating and co-designed promotional materials to raise awareness across the school.
The 6-month project was delivered as part of the Greater London Authority (GLA) School Superzones programme, which has seen action to protect health and promote healthy behaviours, focused on a 400-800m zone surrounding a school.
Improving the availability of healthy food options is an important way to support the ambition of the Havering Healthy Weight Strategy which seeks to eradicate childhood obesity.
|
With school pupils gearing up for their exams next month, there are a number of tips to help parents spot signs of stress and support their children through this time.
Take a look at some tips for good sleep, eating well, exercising and handling nerves.
And good luck to everyone taking exams in the near future!
|
 Advertisement
Havering Council’s licensing and trading standards teams have been out across the borough to prevent local retailers selling age-restricted products such as knives and vapes to young people aged under 18.
The teams visited 10 different premises recently, in Upminster, Hornchurch, Romford, Harold Hill, Elm Park, Harold Wood and Collier Row.
Young volunteers help officers by going into businesses to attempt to buy a knife or a vape, also known as e-cigarettes - these products are illegal to anyone under the age of 18 to purchase.
All the businesses visited refused to sell the products to the young volunteers.
Havering’s Trading Standard officers carry out regular unannounced visits. Any business found selling the products to those underage, could face prosecution and the loss of their licence.
|
Havering Council's Housing Engagement Team spent the Easter Half Term relaunching the successful Maygreen Multi Sports events at the Park Lane recreational grounds.
Over 30 children took part in two sessions, playing in multiple sports, keeping fit and spending time outside in the nice weather.
The children were also provided with lunch and Easter Eggs, kindly donated by Havering contractors Mears and SureServe. The project was funded by Sport England.
Meanwhile, the Council teamed up with Havering Metropolitan Police to put on another series of free football and basketball events for children across Havering.
The project was part of the Clear Hold Build initiative, which started in Harold Hill, and works with young people of all ages across the community. The sports events were designed to offer a free and fun way to channel their energy over the summer, learn a new sport, and keep fit at the same time.
|
The Mayor of Havering, Cllr Gerry O’Sullivan, would like to thank all the runners and volunteers who made Easter Monday’s (21 April) charity fun run at Harrow Lodge Park such a success.
A special thanks to Havering Mind who helped organise the fun run and the event marshals who helped with registration and logistics on the day.
All proceeds from the event are going to this year’s Mayoral charities Havering Mind and Havering Association for People with Disabilities.
|
World Immunisation Week (Thursday 24 to Wednesday 30 April) promotes the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against disease.
This year’s theme, ‘Immunisation for All is Humanly Possible’ highlights the importance of ensuring more people, especially children, are vaccinated.
Contact your GP to find out if your child is up to date with their NHS vaccinations.
|
Those at increased risk from severe illness can boost their protection with a free NHS COVID-19 vaccine, including those who will be aged 75 or over on Tuesday 17 June 2025, people with a weakened immune system or who live in an older adult care home.
If eligible, you do not need to wait for an invitation to book your vaccine. To book, visit the NHS App, the NHS website or call 119 for free.
You may also be able to visit a walk-in site where no booking is required.
|
 We're always looking for help to improve services across the borough. This section of the newsletter features live consultations from the Council and partners so you can share your thoughts.
Have your say on all live Council consultations through our website.
C-Card Survey for Young People in Havering
We want to hear from young people (aged 16 to 24) in Havering about the C-Card (Come Correct) service - a free and confidential scheme providing access to condoms, sexual health information, and advice.
We want to know how we can ensure more young people know about and use the C-Card. Would social media campaigns, better promotion in schools and colleges, or more discreet collection points help?
We’re looking at ways to make the C-Card scheme more accessible, engaging, and widely known among young people. Your feedback will help us understand how to improve the service, from increasing awareness to making sign-ups and collections easier.
The survey closes on Friday 2 May.
Private Rented Housing
Residents across Havering can now have their say in a consultation on proposals that aim to improve and promote the private rental housing sector.
With private rented housing now making up 19 per cent of the borough’s housing market, the Council wants to help improve the condition and quality of properties and create a fairer environment for both tenants and responsible landlords.
The consultation asks tenants, landlords, property agents and anyone with an interest in private rented housing, to have their say on proposals to introduce property licensing schemes in different parts of the borough.
The consultation will look at two potential schemes and if approved, they would apply to private rented homes.
|
 To submit events for possible inclusion in this section of the newsletter, please use the form on our website or send an email
Havering Museum is hosting a talk on the life and work of celebrated film director Alfred Hitchcock, tracking the rise of the director from his birth in Leytonstone to becoming the icon of the film industry.
The talk takes place tomorrow, Saturday 26 April, from 1:30pm to 3pm. Tickets cost £5, please book in advance on the website or at the museum front desk (open Wednesday to Friday, 11am to 4pm).
Havering Museum is also hosting a brand new exhibition entitled Local Music Scene 1950s - 1960s. This fun and vibrant exhibition celebrates the local music scene from the era including venues, famous artists, and the fashions that followed.
The exhibition opens from Saturday 3 May through to Wednesday 28 June, and is included as part of the normal museum entry price. There are limited access times so check the website in advance for more details.
Ygam and the Metropolitan Police are offering a free online information session to help parents, carers, and guardians understand the potential harms of gaming and gambling for the children in their care.
The workshop explores how gambling can influence children and young people, discusses loot boxes and the blurred lines between gaming and gambling, and the different benefits and concerns of gaming. The session takes place online on Tuesday 13 May, 7pm to 8:15pm. Book your place online.
My Pilates Fix is having an Open Day tomorrow, Saturday 26 April from 10am to 2pm, celebrating the opening of their brand new Pilates Studio and Therapy rooms opposite Upminster station. Head along for a cuppa and a chat, and discover why Pilates exercise is so good for your health.
|
A free exhibition 60 Years of Havering – a look back in pictures opened at the Central Library, Romford last week, and is available in the foyer of the library until Tuesday 6 May.
The exhibition celebrates the diamond anniversary of the amalgamation of Romford Borough Council with Hornchurch Urban District Council in 1965, and highlights important events and changes from the borough over the last 60 years, such as the 2012 Olympic Torch coming through Romford (see above).
The next Havering Green Forum will be held at 7pm on Tuesday 29 September at Havering Town Hall, Romford. This will be a special session to discuss Air Pollution and senior representatives from Public Health and Public Protection will be in attendance.
Unlock new digital skills with Havering Adult College’s free Byte-Size Mondays workshops. Whether you want to master Excel, improve online safety, or explore AI basics, the expert-led sessions make learning simple and accessible.
No cost, no commitment, just valuable skills to boost your confidence with technology. Book your place today at www.haveringadultcollege.co.uk or call 01708 434955.
Pro-scooter rider, Internet and YouTube sensation Spanner will be at Rom Skatepark for a Meet & Greet on Saturday 3rd May 12noon to 4pm. He’ll be giving demos, prizes and autographs, and there will be Spanner merchandise on offer, as well as signing autographs. Tickets cost £20, you can book online.
Brewing Connections is a new friendly and informal coffee afternoon designed to support all members of the local community. The drop-in space in The Hope Cafe, Romford Market, will be running as a pilot every Tuesday from 12noon to 1:30pm for the next few months, beginning on Tuesday 6 May.
Hear the Dawn Chorus at Rainham Marshes and mark International Dawn Chorus Day with an exclusive guided walk to experience the magic of early morning bird song. The walk takes place at the RSPB Rainham Marshes nature reserve at 4:30am to 7am on Friday 9 May. Tickets start at £25, and you can find more information on the website.
|
Gallows Corner updates
Works continue on the Gallows Corner flyover and roundabout. There will be a series of temporary lane restrictions on the A127 Southend Arterial Road and A12 Eastern Avenue to/from Gallows Corner roundabout. These will reduce road widths from two lanes down to one.
All routes - including the flyover - will remain open, except for some overnight closures. There will be walking route diversions.
Major roads, approach roads and local roads will be very busy, so expect traffic queues and long delays. There is likely to be less disruption before 7:30am and after 7pm.
You can read more about the closures online.
Upcoming road closures
Firbank Road in Collier Row will be closed overnight from its junction with Clockhouse Lane to the junction of Carter Drive for crossing resurfacing, from 7:30pm on Monday 28 April to 5am on Tuesday 29 April.
Collier Row Lane will be closed nightly at its junction with Rex Close to the roundabout for replacement works, 8pm to 5am from Monday 28 April to Wednesday 30 April.
Lodge Avenue in Romford will be closed for resurfacing works from 8am to 4pm on Tuesday 29 April.
Heath Park Road in Romford will be closed outside number 164 for resurfacing works, 8am to 4pm on Wednesday 30 April.
Ongoing road closures
Winifred Avenue in Hornchurch remains closed daily from outside number 2 to its junction with Sutton Lane for footway improvements, 8am to 5:30pm until Saturday 26 April.
Parts of the M25 J28 Brook Street roundabout will be closed from today, Friday 25 April, until 5am on Monday 28 April. Follow local diversion signage where possible.
VE Day street party closures
Several roads across the borough will be closed across the May Bank Holiday weekend for street parties in celebration of the 80th Anniversary of VE Day. Closures will be taking place on Saturday 3 May, Sunday 4 May and Monday 5 May. A full list of streets and the corresponding dates can be found online. Please plan ahead.
|
Public transport
Engineering works between Fenchurch Street and Barking, and between Barking and Upminster, are affecting evening services after 8:45pm on all c2c lines from Monday 28 April to Thursday 1 May.
Check the website for full details on all c2c service changes.
|
Advertisements
|
