Happy 50th Birthday Havering

Wednesday 1 April 2015 marks the 50th anniversary of the creation of the London boroughs.

Throughout 2015, several events will take place to mark the 50th anniversary of Havering as a London borough.

Wednesday 1 April, 12pm to 2pm, 

Havering is 50 on 1 April and the Council will be going back to 1965 for the day. Between 12pm and 2pm, there will be a classic car and scooter display outside the Town Hall and a small photographic exhibition of Havering over the years is being held inside. The event is open to the public.

More information available here.

Aviva 2015 Community Fund offers up to £25,000

Aviva's 2015 Community Fund is open for applications until 11.59pm on Friday 24 April.

Community organisations can apply for funding of £1,000 to £25,000 for projects in one of four categories:

• Health, disability and well-being
• Supporting the younger generation
• Supporting the older generation
• Or community support.

More information is available here.

Liberty Credit Union

You can now join Liberty Credit Union online here.

Liberty Credit Union is a community-based savings and loans organisation, open to anyone who lives or works in Havering. Because time is precious, joining Liberty Credit Union is now as easy as possible by going online here.

More information available here or call 01708 741899.

Looking for performers

Fairkytes Live is Hornchurch's newest live music venue, in the Annexe of Fairkytes Arts Centre, 51 Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1AX.

It has a licensed bar and has been the recent host to local talent including rock bands, singers and even an accordion player.​ 

The venue is always seeking performers. If you are interested in performing at Fairkytes Live, please email Lucy Shadwell.

Goodbye rouge traders

The Age UK London Business Directory is an online service which aims to help reduce the risk of people in later life being exploited by ‘rogue’ traders.

Only traders that have been thoroughly checked by Age UK London and deemed to be reputable and reliable will appear on the directory.

More information available here or call 0800 334 5056.

The Hornchurch Passion Play 2015 is coming…

The Hornchurch Passion Play is a community event for the people of Hornchurch and anyone who comes to witness our retelling of the Easter Story, from Friday 3 April until Sunday 5 April at 7.30pm on The Green, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT.  Admission is free. All Welcome. 

More information available here or call 07593 778576.

Sean Wilson Roadshow

On Saturday 4 April come along and meet Sean Wilson, a well-known actor (most famously Martin Platt in Coronation Street), presenting his award winning cheeses and a range of preservative free products here in Romford Market.

Celebrating ANZAC Day

Saturday 25 April is the anniversary of the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) at Gallipoli during World War I in 1915. The Australian and New Zealander soldiers were part of an Allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli Peninsula.

In January 1916 Grey Towers in Hornchurch was chosen to be England’s first depot for the New Zealand contingent.

A memorial service will be held at St Andrew’s Church, High Street, Hornchurch from 4pm and all are welcome to attend.

More information available here.

Havering Inter Faith Forum AGM and social evening

The Havering Inter Faith Forum is hosting an informal, friendly evening on Thursday 23 April 2015, 7.30pm to 9.00pm at Salvation Army, High Street, Romford, RM1 1JJ.  

The first 30 minutes will be the Annual General Meeting, followed by workshops focussing on: Safeguarding Children, Dementia Awareness, Social Action and Havering Peace Walk. 

Refreshments provided and free parking. 

Book your place by emailing  Dave Chuck or call 01708 380280.

Exhibitions at Havering Museum

Havering Museum, 19-21 High Street, Romford, RM1 1JU

More information available here or call 01708 766571.

50 Years of Havering from Wednesday 1 April to Friday 12 June 2015. 

Telling the story of the creation of the London Borough of Havering on Thursday 1 April 1965.

Land, Sea and Sky: The Art of Robert Bryan from Saturday 4 April to Saturday 27 June 2015.

More than 40 paintings and sketches by the Romford artist, some of which have never been displayed before, ranging from maritime and aviation scenes to landscapes and the natural world.

History of Rainham Hall

The National Trust will be coming to Hornchurch Library, 44 North Street, Hornchurch, RM11 1TB  on Thursday 9 April, 6pm to 7pm,  to give a talk on Rainham Hall, the history of the hall, and an update on the refurbishment that is taking place.

Admission £4 members, £5.50 non members (includes £1 donation to National Trust).

For more information email Hornchurch Library  or call 01708 434903.

Day trips to Winchester and Ipswich

Tapestry day trips to:

City of Winchester, Hampshire on Wednesday 1 April.  Tickets £16.00 includes return coach travel. [Pictured: Winchester Cathedral]

Ipswich, Suffolk on Wednesday 29 April. Tickets £16.50 includes return coach travel.

Trips pick up at The Queens Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT.

More information available here. Book your tickets by email or call 01708 479686..  

Hidden treasures of Kent

A day trip to Eagle Heights, then Lullingstone Castle and the World Garden of Plants on Thursday 2 April.  Leave Ardleigh House, 42 Ardleigh Green Road, Hornchurch, RM11 2LG at 9.30am and return 6.30pm.

All prices include entry fees and cost of guide.

With lunch price £50, members price £45. Without lunch - price £35, members price £32.50.

To book call 01708 440660.

And they’re off….race night in aid of Macmillan

Friday 17 April at 7pm at Ardleigh House Community Association, 42 Ardleigh Green Road, Hornchurch, RM11 2LG.  Tickets £10 per person and include £2 race card, drink and fish and chip supper.

To book call 01708 440660.

New Jersey Jukebox

The New Jersey Jukebox is the UK's finest tribute act to the multi award winning West End Musical 'Jersey Boys' and the legendary Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.

They will be on stage on Saturday 11 April from 8pm, at the Brookside Theatre, Romford War Memorial Social Club, 21a Eastern Road, Romford, RM1 3NH.

Tickets cost £17. To book call 01708 755775. 

Young at Heart – 50+

Two Young at Heart events this month:

Tuesday 7 April 2pm to 4pm – A talk by Ian Porter on East End Murders 1811-1911 at Rainham Library, Celtic Farm Road, Rainham, RM13 9GP 

Admission £3. To book tickets call 01708 434970. 

Wednesday 8 April 11am to 12noon – Pauline Obee MBE from the Rainbow Trust will be talking about the charity and the important work they do supporting children diagnosed with terminal or life-threatening illnesses at Harold Wood Library, Arundel Road, Romford, RM3 0RX.

Admission £1 including refreshments. To book tickets call 01708 434975.

Spring Craft Fair

A Spring Craft Fair will be held at The Old Chapel, Sacred Heart of Mary Girls’ School, St Mary’s Lane, Upminster, RM14 2QR on Saturday 4 April from 10am to 5pm. 

Free entry, refreshments available. 

For more information email Gemma Smith or call 01708 222660.

Musical theatre dance workout

Shake off those Wednesday blues with a fun hour of dance workout to your favourite show tunes.  

Wednesday’s 10am and 11am, tickets £5 at The Queens Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT. To book call 01708 443333.

Chinese and Thai cookery workshop

Join Chef Khan from MK Caterers for an evening of Chinese and Thai cooking, with live demonstrations and tastings. 

Monday 13 April, 7pm at Collier Row Library, Collier Row Road, Romford, RM5 3NR.  £5 members, £6.50 non-members.

Family tree talks

Learn more about tracing your ancestors by attending Havering Museum’s interactive talks on:

Saturday 11 April – Introduction and tips

Saturday 9 May - Military Records 

Saturday 30 May - Family Tree Surgery Problem solving

Havering Museum, 19-21 High Street, Romford, RM1 1JU

More information available here or call 01708 766571.

Sewing classes

A new sewing class is starting on Friday 3 April 12.30pm to 2.30pm in Community Room, Tesco Store, Roneo Corner, Romford, RM11 1PY.

This sewing class is suitable for complete beginners to intermediates. 

You must have your own sewing machine and sewing kit to attend.

Confirmation of the start date is pending. The first lesson will cost £5. For more details email Sewing Classes or call 07939 661786.

The World of Flowers

Illustrated talk about Dahlias and Pelargoniums on Tuesday 14 April from 7.45pm at the New Windmill Hall, St Mary’s Lane, Upminster, RM14 2QH. £2 admission for non-members, free to members of the Upminster and District Horticultural Society. 

More information by email or call 07790 680074.

Upminster Windmill open days

Come and look inside the Upminster Windmill, The Mill Field, St. Mary's Lane, Upminster, RM14 2QL on Saturday 4, Sunday 5, Saturday 18 or Sunday 19 April, 2pm to 5pm.

Free car parking on the Mill Field for Open Days.

More information available here or call 0300 030 1803.

Sunday stroll at Rainham Marshes

Join one of our experts to discover the wonderful wildlife on the reserve. This is the perfect opportunity to improve your identification skills, meet like-minded people and walk off that Sunday lunch. Takes place every Sunday 1pm to 3.30pm. No need to book.

Meet at RSPB Rainham Marshes, New Tank Hill Road, Purfleet, RM19 1SZ.  Admission £5 (£4 RSPB members).

For more information email Rainham Marshes  or call 01708 899840

Sunday night live….

Free Live Entertainment with a twist of Faith.  Great Artists and a fun evening.

Sunday Night Live Upminster, Costa Coffee, 34 Station Road, Upminster, RM14 2TR, second Sunday of every month 5.30pm to 7.15pm. Host: Kevin Nichols 07876 682402.

Sunday Night Live Romford, Costa Coffee, The Brewery, Romford, RM1 1AU, second Sunday of every month at 7pm.  Host: Justin Lewis 07877 843060.

Havering Over-50’s Forum

Havering Over-50s Forum is a non-political organisation that offers a platform where the over 50's can find information and raise issues which are of concern to them.

The Forum is open to Havering Residents.  The first monthly meeting is free, then £5 annually.

Next meeting: Tuesday 14 April 10.30am to 12.30pm in the Council Chamber, Havering Town Hall, Main Road, Romford, RM1 3BD. 

For more information email or call 07504 654686.

Parkinson’s UK (Havering and District Branch)

Parkinson’s UK (Havering and District Branch) holds regular meetings on the first Tuesday of every month, from 2pm to 4pm, at Langtons House, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1XJ. 

Next meeting Tuesday 7 April.

For more information email Brenda Crissell or call 01708 345424.

Men’s walking football

Mondays 12noon, YMCA, Rush Green Road, Romford RM7 0PH

Thursdays 7pm, Sanders School, Suttons Lane, Hornchurch, RM12 6RT.

Walking Football is a slower paced version of the beautiful game, aimed at men who are keen to keep an active lifestyle despite their age or ability. £3 per session.  Booking is required:

Please email Stuart Robinson or call 01708 796611.