Active Living news and information for October 2014

Try crowdfunding for your events

Havering Council is supporting community groups looking to raise funds for their events and is looking for local projects which need extra cash to make them viable.

Crowdfunding, where individuals and businesses can donate money to support local projects, is available through Spacehive.

If you are planning a project where extra funding could be helpful contact Kayleigh Pardoe to find out if the Spacehive scheme could help.

With match-funding from corporate donations available through Spacehive, every £1 donated may be worth £2 towards the cost of achieving your goal.

The three Havering schemes currently on the site are Collier Row's Frozen Christmas, Hornchurch Christmas Cracker, and Rainham Christmas Event.

Special events at Havering Museum

Havering Museum is hosting a series of events for the over 50s as part of International Older People’s Week.

• Friday 3 October,10.30am. Antiques and Collectables. Admission £3.00
• Heritage Bus Tour which visits Bower House, the Roundhouse and the Tithe Barn at Upminster. Lunch is at the Good Intent in Hornchurch. The bus tours Havering on Saturday 18 October leaving Queen's Theatre at 9.00am and returning at 5.30pm. The price is £10 for the bus tour and people pay for their own lunch. Bookings should be made by email or telephone 01708 766571.

To enquire about these events and find out what else is on contact Havering Museum.

Red Deer walk

Observe the Red Deer rut on a guided walk around the deer enclosure, and learn about the types of deer to be found wild in the UK. On Sunday 5 October, 1.30pm until 3.30pm at Bedfords Park Visitors Centre, Havering-atte-Bower, RM4 1QH.  Admission £5.  To book contact Bedfords Park. T: 01708 74864.

Photo by Paul Harold.

BME Cultural Celebration Event

A day of celebration to experience culture and diversity on Saturday 11 October, 10am until 4pm at The Queen's Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT. 

Browse craft stalls, enjoy cultural activities such as henna, threading and sari wrapping, take part in dance and drumming workshops with Bollywood Vibes and Ambassadors of Dhol and be entertained with performances from Ngati Ranana (Maori dancers), Lucia Marconi (Italian Folk singer), Mariachi El Mexicano band and Georgie B (from the Groove Association). 

Upminster and District Horticultural Society

Gardening Lecture – ‘A Banquet for Pollinators’ on Tuesday 14 October at New Windmill Hall, St Mary’s Lane, Upminster, RM14 2QH.  Doors open 7.15pm for 7.45pm start.  A small charge is made for non-members.

If you live in Upminster, Hornchurch or the surrounding areas and are interested in gardening, plants, growing vegetables or visiting beautiful gardens why not become a member?

 If you would like to know more email Upminster and District Horticultural Society.

Havering Over 50s Forum

A non-political organisation, that, offers a platform where the over 50s can find information and raise issues of concern,  meets on the second Tuesday of each month. The next meeting is on Tuesday 14 October, 10.30am until 12.30pm at the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Main Road, Romford, RM1 3BD.  First meeting is free then £5 annually.

Autumn Pamper Evening

On Wednesday 15 October, 6pm until 10pm at Collier Row Library, Collier Row Road, Collier Row, RM5 3NR.  Pedicures, eyebrow tinting, massage, reiki, psychic mediums, henna and much more. 

Booking is essential, contact Jade Foster 07800 563932.

Rod Stewart Tribute Act

Starring Greg Dorrell as Rod Stewart on Friday 17 October, 7.30 until 11pm. Tickets £16, members £14 (includes entrance, fish & chip supper, glass of wine, pint of lager or soft drink on arrival). More information  Ardleigh House Community Association, 42 Ardleigh Green Road, Hornchurch, RM11 2LG. T: 01708 440660.

Autumn Craft Fair

On Saturday 18 October, 10am until 5pm at The Old Chapel, St Mary’s Lane, Upminster.

£5 per person with refreshments included.  Come along and pick up some unique gifts or treat yourself.

1940s Tea Dance

The dance team ‘Swing Patrol’ return for an end of season finale. Enjoy a cuppa and a dance. Sunday 19 October 1-5pm at The Old Chapel, St Mary’s Lane Upminster. 

Admission free for Friends of the Old Chapel, otherwise £2 per person.                                 

For more information contact G Smith  T: 01708 222660.

Cream Tea at Thames Chase

Come along and enjoy a cream tea on Friday 10 October, 3pm until 5pm in the Education Room, Thames Chase Forest Centre, Broadfields, Pike Lane, Upminster, RM14 3NS.  The tea includes  homemade cakes and scones with cream and local jam.

To book please contact 01708 642970.

Win a meal for two with your Image of Havering

Autumn is a great time for striking colours and superb pictures so if you see an image that makes you think ‘wow”’, take a quick photo and send it to the Images of Havering competition, via our website.

You could win a fantastic meal for two at the Top Meadow Golf Club and Hotel in Fen Lane, Upminster.

To enter you must be a Havering resident and submit a digital image of Havering. Closing date for entries is Sunday 30 November 2014.

Pictured: One of the entries already received - Raphael Park in the snow by Kirsty Tourick

Free assistance to cope with winter

Do you or anyone you know:

• Live in a cold home and have difficulty paying energy bills? 
• Have a boiler that is not working or is very old and needs replacing?
• Feel isolated and alone during winter, and could use some help during bad winter weather spells? 

Havering Council and community partners are providing services to help residents during winter including:

• Grants towards new boilers and insulation for eligible residents
• A ‘Winter Readiness Check’ home visit service to help residents in fuel poverty get assistance
• Helping residents find lower energy tariffs
• Warm Packs for vulnerable older residents who are cold in their homes
• Cold Alarms for residents at risk of low temperatures in their homes

For more information email Catherine Culley.

Totally Thames Stroll

Join one of our experts to discover the wonderful wildlife on the Rainham Marshes nature reserve. This is the perfect opportunity to improve your wildlife identification skills, meet like-minded people and walk off that Sunday lunch.

This month we are having a Totally Thames Stroll, but you can join us every Sunday, for a Sunday Stroll to explore the reserve and see our stunning wildlife.

The Rainham Marshes Totally Thames Stroll is part of Totally Thames an exciting new, month-long arts and cultural celebration of London’s river. Price £5 (£4 for RSPB members).

The walks are on Sundays 5, 12, 19 and 26 October from 1pm until 3.30pm. Meet at RSPB Rainham Marshes, New Tank Hill Road, Purfleet, RM19 1SZ. 

For more information email Rainham Marshes

Age Concern day trips

Trips pick up at The Queen’s Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT. To book call Age Concern on 01708 479686. 

Be first to hear about new trips by joining the Age Concern mailing list!

• Tuesday 14 October: Portsmouth Tickets £17.00.
  
• Wednesday 29 October: Dover Castle (pictured) Tickets £30.00 (including full admission)

Fyfield Road and Ongar Way Community Clean-up

Are you available to volunteer for a few hours to help clean up these two streets in Rainham on 31 October, 11am until 3pm?  For more information contact Havering Council’s Homes and Housing Community Engagement Team.