Active Living news and information for November 2014

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 11 November, 10.30am until 12.30pm at the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Main Road, Romford, RM1 3BD.  First meeting is free then £5 annually.

Keep safe, healthy and warm this winter

Active Living 50+ is organising an event on Monday 17 November, from 10am until 2pm at The Queen’s Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT.

People over 50 will be able to pick up information on how to stay warm and keep safe, fuel poverty and income maximisation, as well as get advice from Community Safety, Trading Standards, Public Health falls prevention, Cancer Awareness for Lung Cancer Awareness month, YMCA will provide mini health checks and the Love Food Hate Waste team will be there with nutritious recipe ideas, You can also pick up a free warm pack! 

More information from Kim Crisp or call 07946 131041.

Council Tax Support Scheme 2015/16 Consultation

Havering Council is currently consulting on budget proposals as it has to save around one third of its budget over the next four years.

Council Tax Support (CTS), formerly known as council tax benefit, is funded by the Government but administered by councils. The Government is reducing the funding for CTS and councils are expected to devise a plan to manage this reduction. Proposals have been have drawn up to change the way CTS is allocated in Havering.

Reducing Council Tax Support will affect the amount of financial help we can give to working age people. The proposed changes will continue to protect pensioners who will get the same level of Council Tax Support as they do now.

More details on the proposals, and the opportunity to comment on them, are available here.

This consultation closes on Monday 29 December 2014.

Free Sew and Swish Workshop

On Tuesday 25 November between 6pm and 8.30pm at Hornchurch Library, 44 North Street, Hornchurch, RM11 1TB, learn about how to prolong the life of your clothes whilst also gaining a new skill.  Residents will be shown some sewing techniques for them to practice and make an item to take home or they can bring along a garment that they would like to mend, alter or recreate and will be given advice and assistance to do this in the session.

We will also run a swishing stall where attendees can bring along any unwanted clothes and shoes to swap with other clothing items on the table for free.

Finally, we can also collect any unwanted textiles/clothing to take for recycling as arrangements for a collection of these will be made.

More details are available here.

Inter-Faith week is 16 to 22 November

Havering Inter Faith Forum and Radio Harold Hill are taking part in this year’s Inter Faith Week by hosting daily radio slots throughout the week between 12noon and 1pm.  Tune in to hear these one-off broadcasts with Faith leaders from different communities speaking about what their faith teaches them about getting on well with people of other or no faith.  How to listen in…

1.    Visit Radio Harold Hill 

2.    Download the Radio Harold Hill app

3.    Sit back and enjoy!

If you are planning an event or activity to celebrate the richness and diversity of faith in Havering during Inter Faith Week send details by email to get a mention on air.

Inter-Faith discussion evening

Join Havering Inter Faith Forum on Thursday 20 November at 8pm at Salvation Army, High Street, Romford, RM1 1JJ to discuss ‘How Powerful is Prayer?’

All welcome to attend this free evening.  For information email John Lester. Find out more about the Havering Inter Faith Forum.

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 - Armed Forces Day Romford featuring The Romford Royal British Legion Band by Hayley Sullivan.

Free help 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.

Free cookery workshop

Learn how to save money and reduce the amount of food you throw away with professional chefs on Thursday 27 November from 5.30pm until 8pm at Hornchurch Library, 44 North Street, Hornchurch, RM11 1TB.  Contact Sue Brown or call 01708 432563.

One Pot Cooking

Come along and pick up cookery skills, healthy eating tips and recipes for one pot/easy meals from our professional chefs.  All ingredients are provided at this free event.  Sit and enjoy the meal you have prepared.

Active Living 50+ are working in partnership with Love Food, Hate Waste to organise ‘One Pot Cooking Workshops’ across the Borough.

If you are interested attending a session or hosting one please contact Kim Crisp or call 07946 131041.  Booking is essential.  The next event is Friday 7 November 2014 10am until 12noon, at Elm Park Assembly Hall Annexe, Eyhurst Avenue, Elm Park RM12 4RA.

Brookside Theatre

I Can’t Believe it’s not Buddy! - Friday 14 November. Tickets £15.00. This exciting, high-energy show features all the legendary hits - That'll Be The Day, Peggy Sue, Heartbeat, Maybe Baby, True Love Ways, Oh Boy, Not Fade Away, Everyday, Rave On, Raining In My Heart, guaranteed to have the whole audience rockin' and boppin' in the aisles.

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde - Saturday 15 November.  Tickets £12.00

Robert Louis Stevenson's classic story has enthralled and fascinated the world over for more than a hundred years, perhaps because a  'Mr Hyde' lurks deep within us all, watching and waiting... A fantastically dark production written by Patrick Prior and performed by Brookside regulars.

The Alter Eagles – Friday 21 November.  Tickets £15.00.  The Alter Eagles are a 'world class', experienced and authentic Eagles tribute band formed in 2003.

For details email or call 01708 755775 

Upminster and District Horticultural Society

A Gardening Lecture on Tuesday 11 November 2014 at New Windmill Hall, St Mary’s Lane, Upminster, RM14 2QH.   

Why Gardens and Open Spaces? with Anne Luder who has worked as a garden designer for 20 years and currently is a part-time lecturer at Capel Manor where she specialises in therapeutic horticulture for severe physical disabilities.  Doors open 7.15pm for 7.45pm start. A small charge is made for non members.

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

A 1940’s evening – listening to the radio

The Chase Players present an evening of 1940s nostalgia at Thames Chase Forest Centre, Broadfields, Pike Lane, Upminster RM14 3NS. Come along and be part of the studio audience for live radio broadcasts to the nation. It will be a packed evening of all kinds of entertainment.

Cost: £15: Bring own refreshments - Tea and Coffee provided. Contact: Jill Luff and Claire Bailey on 07930 825383.

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.

• Bluewater Shopping Centre - Wednesday 12 November 2014.  Tickets £12.00
• Blenheim Palace (pictured) ‘Crafts for Christmas’ (Inc. full admission) - Friday 21 November 2014. Tickets £28.00

Tea dance at The Queen's Theatre

Friday 7 November from 3pm at The Queen’s Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT.  Providing the entertainment will be local choir Dawn Chorus, led by professional singer Paul Rhodes, with a string of melodies from Big Band hits to songs by the great crooners. Part of the takings from the event will be donated to Saint Francis Hospice, Havering-atte-Bower.

More details are available here.

Havering Singers Autumn Concert

Saturday 15 November from 7.30pm until 9.15pm, St Andrews Church, 222 High Street, Hornchurch, RM12 6QP.  Programme to include Brahms Song of Destiny, Stanford’s Songs of the Fleet and Gounod St Cecilia Mass.  Buy tickets online here.