Hornchurch High Street

Hornchurch High Street has been closed this afternoon after a building appeared to be on the verge of collapsing.

Police were called to reports of a building looking unsafe on the street at 12.28pm, and fire brigade also attended the scene.
An eye witness described seeing the building above Thomson and The Wallpaper Shop as “coming out about a foot” and looking like it may fall down.
Shop workers and residents have been evacuated from the surrounding buildings. Roads have been closed off at the junctions of Station Lane and Billet Lane; North Street and High Street; and High Street and Billet Lane to stop traffic travelling down the road.
All buses are being diverted through Appleton Way.
A spokesman for the fire brigade said they only attended in an advisory capacity and left soon after.
No one has been hurt or injured.

URGENT MESSAGE FROM THE METROPOLITAN POLICE SERVICE

WELCOME TO ALERTCOMMS Police Communication to the Community ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It has come to Metropolitan Police Service in Havering attention that a significant number of our residents have received phone calls from security companies indicating that they are working with Home Office Departments and calling themselves 'Crime Preventions Services or Agencies. The language used, in many cases ,leads residents to believe they are recognised by or part of the Police Organisation .The caller offers to attend the residents home to carry out a free security survey. Some residents have also been advised that they are in entitled to a free burglar alarm or one for £1 　 Havering police DO NOT recognise any of these companies nor are we working with them to reduce burglary. From our experience this may be a method used to get into a residents home and then put pressure on the resident to purchase an expensive and possibly inadequate alarm system, with ongoing monitoring charges. 　 If as a Havering resident you are concerned about your home security we would urge you to contact your Local Safer Neighbourhood teams. All members of our teams are trained to deliver a domestic home securi ty survey free of charge and without the intention of creating a contact with them. Residents over 60 may be entitled to have their security up graded free of charge from the Havering Community Safety Partnership scheme 'Havering Safe At Home'. 　 Intruder alarms are a proven deterrent against burglary. Residents who are considering having an alarm installed should in the first instance get three companies into quote. Preferably the alarm company should be affiliated to an inspectorate body such as NSI or SSAIB, and not selected from a cold call. For further information contact your local SNT or go to 　 We would like to thank the number of residents who have contacted police to bring this matter to our attention. Together we can continue to ensure Havering remains one of the safest boroughs to live. 　 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 　www.met.police.uk/crimeprevention/index
For further information, please contact your nearest police station: Romford　Police Station Telephone: 0300 123 1212 Opening Hours: 24 hours a day

Armed Forces Day

Thousands of people lined the streets of Romford this Saturday for the annual Armed Forces Day parade through the town centre.

Thousands line streets for Armed Forces Day

Thousands of people lined the streets of Romford this Saturday for the annual Armed Forces Day parade through the town centre.

The parade was led by the Royal British Legion Band & Corps of Drums, Romford along South Street, and continued through the market before ending at Tollgate House.

Later in the day, Mayor of Havering, Councillor Melvin Wallace presented awards of meritorious service at the Town Hall to local people who had given distinguished service to the borough.

After the parade, a uniformed youth festival took place in the market with information stalls from Air Cadets and Hornchurch Drum and Trumpet Corp, charity stalls were also set up for Help for Heroes and the  Royal British Legion.

Leader of Havering Council, Councillor, Michael White said:

"On Armed Forces Day we show our appreciation of the enormous commitment of the men and women of our armed forces past, present and future. Wherever they are in the world and whatever they are doing they serve our country and represent our borough with pride. The day was a tremendous success for everyone."

Havering Mela

As the Mayor and the Deputy are both away this weekend on twin town duties, I shall be officially opening this year's Mela on Theatre Green in Hornchurch. So looking forward to some Indian food and possibly a henna tattoo???

ECPAT UK

ECPAT UK - End Child Prostitution, Pornography and Trafficking

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ECPAT UK - End Child Prostitution, Pornography and Trafficking - ECPAT UK is a leading children's rights organisation campaigning against the commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking of children. - General Information: ECPAT UK values comments both complimentary and critical on our Facebook page

Albert Road Centre PRU

Lunchtime today, I will be at the ARC Pupil Referral Unit where I am Chair of the Management Board for the annual Awards Presentations.  This is an opportunity for students to showcase their achievements for family and friends.

The Mayor of Havering, Cllr. Melvin Wallace will also be attending.

Adoption and Fostering

Yesterday I attended an all day conference on Adoption and Fostering with the Havering, Thurrock and Southend Consortium.

Topics discussed covered linking and matching in adoption, preparing foster carers to manage move of children to adoption and pathways to permanence for Black, Asian and Mixed Ethnity children.

Human Trafficking

I am  a meeting in the House of Commons tonight on Human Trafficking via the Olympics.

Opportunities for a Better Future for Havering Young People

Havering Council has launched a campaign, 'Learn Longer for a Better Future', to ensure secondary school pupils are aware of the opportunities open to them when they leave school.
The campaign runs in line with Government plans to raise the age of participation in education from 2013. Havering pupils currently in year nine will leave compulsory education at 17, while those in year eight will leave at 18.
By changing the age young people finish their compulsory education, the Government hopes to help them reach their full potential and not become unemployed.
But rather than staying in the classroom, a range of opportunities will be open to school leavers including college courses, apprenticeships, work-based training and even volunteering to learn vital skills to prepare them for the workplace.
From this month a series of road shows and information events will be taking place across the borough to inform parents about the changes.
Staff from Connexions, which provides advice and guidance to young people to prepare them for their working life, will also be visiting schools to talk to the pupils who are among the first to be affected, about the change and what it means to them.
Councillor Paul Rochford, Cabinet Member for Children and Learning, said;
"The job market is now a much more competitive place than it once was and many young people are leaving school and becoming unemployed. We don't want that for our young people.
"This change will give them much more choice over how they continue their education, whether they would prefer to learn on the job, take up volunteering, an apprenticeship or study while also working. We want young people in Havering to have all the skills necessary to reach their full potential. This will enable them to learn as much as they can in preparation for their working lives."

St Francis Hospice - Star Trek

Don't Overload Queen's Hospital campaign

DON’T OVERLOAD QUEENS HOSPITAL

PUBLIC MEETING

7.30pm 8th July
St Edwards Church Hall
Market Place RomfordAndrew Rosindell MP
Lee Scott MP
John Cryer MP
Mike Gapes MP
and other speakersPrinted by: Nickel Press T: 020 8590 3264 www.nickelpress.com

Save King George's A&E Campaign

I will be attending a cross party campaign meeting at Havering Town Hall today.  I will update later.

Hornchurch Live!

Havering Council announces free all-day music festival

Havering Council is organising a free all-day music event for young people to showcase local musical talent.
The event, called Hornchurch Live, will be on Saturday 27 August – the day before the Havering Show.

The event will be aimed at music fans in their teens and early twenties and will be alcohol-free. It is hoped the event will attract between 5,000 to 10,000 fans.

There will be three stages featuring up-and-coming guitar bands  largely from Havering and the Dagenham area. Bands will be playing music covering the whole rock spectrum –  metal, goth, grunge indie and pop-punk.

Already booked are fun-loving pop-punk band Summerlin, tribute band Kins of Leon and Upminster band Stereo Decade. Other bands include The Dead Kings, Disrupt The Skies, Tomorrow belongs To Us, The Hype Theory, Dead Baby Birds, Dakota Skyline and much more. As well as the music, there will be a funfair, traders and refreshments.

Council surveys have shown that residents want the local authority to help arrange more fun activities for teenagers.

Councillor Michael White, Leader of Havering Council, said:

"We want to provide a fun event for young people featuring local bands. We know from surveys that our residents want us to provide more for young people to do and Hornchurch Live will be a great chance to see local and up and coming music talent for free. It will be a really fun day in an alcohol-free environment over the bank holiday weekend."

Hornchurch Live will run from midday to 10pm. More headlining acts will be announced in the coming weeks.

New Primary Schools open

Havering Council Opens First New Primary Schools for More Than 30 Years

Two primary schools, Elm Park Primary School in Hornchurch and Hylands Primary School in Romford, have opened the doors of their new buildings to Havering schoolchildren, the first time this has happened in more than 30 years.

On Monday (13 June) Councillor Paul Rochford, Cabinet Member for Children and Learning visited Hylands Primary School to celebrate the opening of the school building, which first welcomed students on Wednesday June 8.
Councillor Rochford enjoyed a tour of the building, and spoke to children about what they think of their new school.
Headteacher Graham Player said:
"What a fantastic opportunity, we have state-of-the-art facilities which allow us to enjoy and expand our curriculum, with purpose built facilities indoor and out. It will be a great place to learn for years to come."
Year five pupil Morgan Fernandez added:
"I think the school is really nice because it's got two floors, the bottom for the infants and the top for the juniors and has a tree growing through the middle of the school.
"It's spacious and the classrooms are colourful so it makes learning fun. I also think it's nicer than our old school. It took a long time to build but it was worth the wait."
Both new schools benefit from better energy efficiency, more natural light and open space and easier access for disabled students. They also have state-of-the-art technology, pod-style areas for group or individual learning and outdoor learning space.
Elm Park Primary School's new building opened last month.
Vicki Knox, Headteacher of Elm Park Primary School, which opened last month, said:
"We feel that we are in a very privileged position. The building speaks for itself and is very light and airy and a calm place to learn."

Armed Forces Day 25th June

Armed Forces Day

The borough's annual Armed Forces Day celebration takes place on Saturday, June 25.

There will be a parade, organised by Havering Council, through Romford town centre, starting at 10.30am in South Street, going through the market before ending at Tollgate House.
This is an excellent opportunity for residents to come and show their support for our armed forces past, present and future.
If you are a veteran or represent a veterans' organisation and want to be involved in the parade, contact Mike Thomas on 432427 or by e-mail at mailto:events@havering.gov.uk?subject=Armed%20Forces%20Day%202011
Help for Heroes and Royal British Legion will have charity stalls in the Market Place.

There will be a Uniformed Youth Festival taking place after the parade between 12.30 and 3.30pm in the Market Place. The will be information stalls from the likes of the Air Cadets and Hornchurch Drum and Trumpet Corp, where you can find out about becoming a youth member or an adult volunteer.
There will be limited access to pay and display parking at the Town Hall during the day. If you wish to park at the Town Hall, you should enter from the Park End Road entrance. For alternative parking in Romford, visit the parking pages at www.havering.gov.uk/parking

LANGTONS HISTORIC GARDENS

COME ALONG TO LANGTONS AND ENJOY A STROLL

AROUND THE GROUNDS AND LEARN ABOUT THE

HISTORIC LANDSCAPE AND RARE TREES

LED BY NIGEL OXLEY AND GEOFF PEPPER

THURSDAY 30

MEET IN THE GARDENS OUTSIDE THE HOUSE

th JUNE 2011 STARTING AT 7.00PM.

NO CHARGE & NO NEED TO BOOK – FOR FURTHER

DETAILS TEL: 01708 433740

Heritage Walk in Hornchurch 9th July 2011

A HERITAGE WALK LED BY BRIAN EVANS THE

WELL KNOWN LOCAL HISTORIAN

A GENTLE STROLL AROUND HISTORIC

HORNCHURCH AND UPMINSTER

SATURDAY 9

STARTING AT FAIRKYTES ARTS CENTRE AND

FINISHING AT UPMINSTER TITHE BARN

th JULY 2011, 10.15AM -12.30PM

TICKETS £2.00 (ALL PROCEEDS GO TO CHARITY)

FOR DETAILS AND BOOKING TEL: 01708 434743

Photograph supplied by Havering Local Studies Library

DISCOVER HISTORIC HORNCHURCH

AND UPMINSTER – A HISTORY AND

LANDSCAPE WALK.

Councils failing to offer choice to personal budget holders

From Community Care.co.uk

 

 

Jeremy Dunning

Thursday 16 June 2011

Some local authorities are still failing to offer significant levels of choice and control to personal budget holders in receipt of managed budgets, according to the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services.
Despite government calls for councils to make direct payments the preferred method of delivering personal budgets, some are giving clients personal budgets that are little more than a traditional service, while many are offering a managed budget as a default.
Richard Jones, joint president of the Think Local, Act Personal consortium, said this was causing the take-up of direct payments to "flatline".
Adass and TLAP have now pledged to encourage councils to ensure that users experience "meaningful choice and control" alongside good advice and support.
Adass's survey showed that most councils hit a target of 30% of users and carers on personal budgets by April 2011. But two-thirds of personal budgets were managed by local authorities, as opposed to given to service users as a direct payment.
In addition, managed personal budgets, rather than direct payments, accounted for almost all of the 170,000 extra personal budgets arranged in 2010-11.
Adass received responses from 132 of England's 153 local authorities with adult social care responsibilities.
The news comes as questions are asked about the future of personalisation in the face of budget cuts and the bureaucracy that some councils have applied to the implementation process.
A Community Care and Unison survey of social care professionals found just 41% believed personalisation would benefit service users in the long term, compared with 67% responding to a similar survey in 2009.
Jones said the "flatlining" of direct payments nationally would need to be addressed "because the evidence in relation to outcomes and efficiencies is that direct payments deliver a better response to people".
He said TLAP would work with councils and social work staff to ensure they understood the offers available in their area.
Adass president Peter Hay acknowledged some councils were offering the same menu of services as before, while others were "genuinely trying to build confidence towards choice and control" within a managed budget.
Julie Stansfield, chief executive of In Control - the social enterprise directing self-directed support - said: "It is critical that local authorities remember that personal budgets will only deliver good outcomes for people if they truly offer choice and control and do not simply become a 'box ticking' exercise."
Care services minister Paul Burstow said: "Local authorities need to do much more to ensure that as many people as possible are receiving their personal budgets as a direct payment."

DON'T OVERLOAD QUEEN'S HOSPITAL

PUBLIC MEETING
7.30pm 8th July
St Edwards Church Hall
Market Place Romford
Andrew Rosindell MP
and other speakers
p&p A Walker 120 Blythswood Rd, Ilford IG3 8SG

The Young Ones at the Queens Theatre

The Young Ones

Journey back to the 60s in this feel-good musical comedy based on Cliff Richard'...s unforgettable movie and bursting with his biggest hit songs.See more

A rock 'n' roll musical comedy

by: Queens Theatre Hornchurch

Motivated Minds and Weight Loss

This is from my friend Carla..... check it out

Does anyone want to lose weight and keep it off for good. Join motivated minds 6 months weight loss and personal exercise programme. Limited half price places available. More details can be found on our website, inbox me 4 further details.
Repost this in ur up-dates to support Motivated Minds, Thanks.

Motivated Minds

www.motivated-minds.co.uk

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde

Don't miss the WORLD PREMIERE of a gripping, grisly new stage show by Chris Bond..., whose Sweeney Todd thrilled audiences at the Queen's in 2009. Based on the classic gothic horror with an extra dose of laughter, suspense and song!

Comedy thriller

by: Queens Theatre Hornchurch

Benjamin Close, Romford - deliveries to new school

I have been advised by residents that vans are making illicit deliveries to the new Hylands School via the pedestrian entrance in Benjamin Close.  This is totally unacceptable and I have raised the matter with Town Hall staff as a matter of urgency.

Safe and Sound group receives three top accolades

 

A group made up of the Council, police and local businesses has received a top award from the Association of Business Crime Partnerships.

The Havering Safe and Sound group received a 'distinction', the highest award possible, for 'very good' management and work to reduce crime in Romford town centre.

The group also recently received a 'highly commended' in the Managing Evening Economy category of the annual Partnership Excellence awards run by the Business Against Crime Partnership.

In addition, the group has been shortlisted in the Association of Town Centre Management awards for Developing the Evening and Night-time Economy. The winner will be announced on 30 June.

The Safe and Sound group, comprising Council officers, the police, retailers and licensees, meets regularly to receive information on emerging issues, and share intelligence on known troublemakers.

London Mayor Boris Johnson visited the town last month (May) to hear about new schemes to tackle alcohol-related disorder that the Safe and Sound group has introduced.

A Banned From One, Banned From All scheme was introduced for licensed premises to stop drunken offending in October. Anyone banned from one licensed premises for drink related disorder will be banned from them all.

Teenagers caught attempting to use fake ID in order to drink under age are to be barred from Romford's pubs and clubs until they are 19. And troublemakers under the influence of alcohol in the streets are being given 'yellow cards' and temporarily excluded from the town centre.

The Banned From One, Banned From All scheme was also rolled out by the group to cover the town's shops in December. Anyone arrested for theft or pickpocketing face being banned from the town centre. Photos of barred people will be distributed to shops in the town centre so that the troublemakers can be identified by security officers and sales assistants.

Councillor Geoff Starns, Cabinet member for Community Safety, said:

"These three accolades demonstrate how well we, the police, local licensed premises and retailers are working together to make Romford a more pleasant and safer place to enjoy a night out and shop."
Photo caption: Councillor Geoff Starns and bar manager John Hogan from Yates's in Romford.

Junction road – Request for crossing

Highways Advisory Committee - Minutes 17th May 2011

Councillor Brice-Thompson addressed the Committee in support of the proposal to assist pedestrians and most especially for elderly accessing the Western Road Medical Centre. She noted the lack of funding, but asked if a facility could be put forward at part of the coming year’s Local Implementation Plan (LIP).

The Principal Engineer explained that if that was the Committee’s view, the item could be moved to Part C of the highways scheme list in order for officers to put the matter forward on the list for 2011/12.

The Principal Engineer further explained that a refuge would help, but would need road widening, which might be feasible and would allow people to cross in two halves. He added that a zebra crossing was possible and would allow people to get priority over traffic. The Committee was also informed that a speed table would reduce speeds, but might not give enough confidence to cross the road.

The Committee agreed to include this request on section C (Highways scheme proposals on hold for future decisions).

New Romford Pool and Ice Rink

Havering's Cabinet will consider proposals to realise the Council's long-standing ambition to bring a new leisure centre, ice rink and pool to Romford town centre, at its meeting on the 15 June.
The Council has been in initial negotiations with a retail developer to fund the building of a state-of-the-art leisure centre incorporating an eight-lane, 25 metre competition swimming pool, a pool for beginners, sauna and steam rooms as well as a health and fitness studio, gym, a dance studio and a cafe and bar.
The centre would also be home to a high quality ice-rink that can be used by the public and for competitive events, including ice hockey. This would replace the existing ice rink in Rom Valley Way.
Funding for the scheme will come from the sale of the current Council-owned ice rink site at Rom Valley Way to the developer which will fund the purchase of a plot of land in the town centre owned by the developer and the majority of building costs for the leisure centre.
Providing a modern leisure centre in central Romford would address the lack of public swimming facilities in the area, as well as being a major draw for visitors to the town. It would also provide a much-needed training and competition facility for swimming clubs in Havering.
Councillor Michael White, Leader of Havering Council, said:
"This is a great opportunity for the Council to provide a really exciting, state-of-the-art leisure centre in the heart of Romford. We've been working on this project for a number of years but we haven't managed to find the right deal. Now it seems that the right deal is within reach.
"We want to make certain we get the right facility, at the least possible cost to local taxpayers - so if Cabinet approve the proposals, we'll continue to negotiate hard to secure the best result, before we sign on the dotted line.
"If we can close this deal, the new leisure centre would be a huge asset for Romford and the rest of Havering for generations to come."
If approved by Cabinet then the report will be considered by full Council and any development will be subject to planning permission. A new leisure centre would take around three years to build and the Council would look at providing alternative provision for skaters while the new ice rink was being built.

Andrew Rosindell MP 10th Anniversary

Last evening I was a guest at Andrew's 10th anniversary bash at the Trafalgar Tavern in Greenwich.  The Rt. Hon. William Hague MP, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs was guest of honour.

It was a great, fun evening with entertainment by the Romford British Legion Band.

I think I may have had too much wine.

Communities working together for a healthier city

7th June 2011

Well London　-　Be Creative Be Well 　 ‘This is a wonderful experience for me. I have discovered that I have talent and abilities I never knew I had. I have learnt from the teachers to take a risk and go for it.’ Participant, South Acton Community Play Over the past three years Well London’s Be Creative Be Well project, developed and led by the Arts Council England, has commissioned over 100 creative projects in 20 of London’s most disadvantaged areas. The project tapped into the strong cultural traditions in each area as a way of promoting health and well-being and ensured that creativity was incorporated across the Well London programme. Over 3,300 residents took part in activities that included dance, community plays and choirs, poetry, wii music composition, story-telling, drawing and crafts making it Artists worked collaboratively with residents, sometimes physically transforming spaces.　 Others uncovered "hidden" histories; for example folk dancing in Canning Town, and challenged negative perceptions of the areas. All the projects helped people develop confidence and new skills, and promoted community cohesion by bringing people together to have fun and build new social networks. Our community development approach meant that local residents played a key role in activities. Some discovered latent or unused creative skills, and worked alongside professionals to deliver activities and encourage other local people to take part. Wherever possible projects built in training opportunities for personal development and sustainability e.g. Green Shoes Arts in Barking & Dagenham trained young local people as dance instructors so they could take their skills into the local community. The Arts Council learnt a huge amount about engaging with people in very disadvantaged areas and will now look at how they can pass this learning onto other arts institutions. Project delivery finished at the end of March 2011 and the focus of the Well London programme is now on evaluation and securing a second stage of delivery. For more information about this contact Alison Pearce at 　 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 one of the largest grass-roots arts programmes in this country. Alison.Pearce@london.gov.uk

@london.gov.uk | www.london.gov.uk/welllondon . 　 Email:　simone.boothe

Maintenance of Shrub Beds

Revised procedure as follows:   StreetCare officers and the Contractor have inspected several sites to determine the level of intervention required, and have devised the following plan which will be rolled out across the borough:

1. Initial prune of shrubs to aid sight line issues, combined with an initial weed spray.　 Priority will be given in the first instance to shrub beds on busy roads, before moving onto the minor residential roads.

2. Second prune of the shrubs, with work starting to individualise the shrubs rather than just having a low hedge, and a second weed spray

3. Third prune and continue pruning individually, with another weed spray

4. Fourth prune where needed, and a fourth weed spray.

The shrub beds will be dressed with chippings once the weed growth is under control, with the chippings recycled from the shrub cuttings.　 Both the Contractor and StreetCare have modified their vehicles and depots to accommodate the chippings.

When devising this programme, this approach was agreed in order to ensure that all shrub beds are being maintained, rather than concentrate on a particular area.

Officers are also working to produce a schedule of works agreed with the Contractor according to priority. Officers aim to have this ready within the next few weeks.

Summer Programme: Expressions of Diversity

 'A Contemporary Introduction to Muslim Cultures', jointly offered by the Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations, London, U.K. and Simon Fraser University, Canada.

The Programme is being held  once again this year in London, with a focus on regional Islams, law, gender, development and the revolution of MENA.  The 2011 edition will be hosted in vibrant London at the Aga Khan University , Institute for the Study of Muslim Cultures. 

We would be delighted if you could share the details below and attached of this year's course with your friends, colleagues and networks.  I have included the web link below with full details, and attached the brochure.  Registration ends 1 July 2011,  for participants who do not require visa.  

Also we are offering a  Intensive Summer Course for Arabic from 25 July – 19 August, 2011 which focuses on Standard Arabic, including both the informal spoken and the formal written versions, used by the media and academic and literary communities.

The deadline for applications is 4 July. More information and the application details can be found on our homepage: http://www.aku.edu/ismc/shortcourses/acourse-2011.shtml

New Hylands Primary School opening

New Hylands Primary Opening　
　Practical completion was achieved at the new Hylands Primary school on Friday 3rd June as planned. Sign off of the building by Building Control and Fire officers was also achieved last week. The school building is effectively handed over. Some external works surfacing and land scaping are still to be completed but can be safely undertaken whilst building is in occupation as agreed with Head.
School has deferred opening from this Monday the 6th as was planned to Wed 8th to allow staff to further assimilate into the new building and new working environments. This is a decision made by Head and schools governors.

Will the Olympics legacy be Victims of HumanTrafficking

I am attending.

CWO Forum: Will the Olympics legacy be Victims of Human Trafficking?

Location: The Houses Of Parliament

Time: Tuesday, 21 June 2011 18:00

Father's Day at the Queens

Father's Day is fast approaching! online at www.queens-theatre.co.uk www.queens-theatre.co.uk Is your Dad a sports fan? Have you got him a present for Father's Day yet? (it's Sunday 19 June) Well, look no further! IN THE BOX features an all-star line-up from the exciting world of cricket. Read on for more details. In the Box Wednesday 22 June at 7.30pmTickets cost £19, £17.50 concessions and are available from the Box Office on 01708 443333 or Featuring Mike Gatting, Geoff Miller, Ralph Dellor and Jonathan Agnew! Following England's stunning success Down Under, Ralph Dellor hosts a hilarious evening of anecdotes with Test Match Special commentators and cricketing legends. Get into the summer spirit as cricket legends Mike Gatting, Geoff Miller and Jonathan Agnew bring you an unforgettable show as they recall favourite stories from life In the Box. Hosted by celebrated commentator Ralph Dellor, this special night will be packed with memories and laughs - from sporting achievements and blunders to the challenges of growing older. In the Box is the perfect starter to get your Dad in the mood for a glorious summer of sport - he'll be bowled over by this all-star line-up!

Havering Interfaith Forum

The Community Engagement Team of LBH and the Local Police are supporting the Havering Interfaith Forum to plan a Youth Interfaith Conversation which aims to bring young people from the different faith groups to engage and discuss matters of interest to young people in Havering.

We are interested in working with youth between the ages of 18 and 25 to participate in planning these programmes.

We would be grateful if you could pass on this message to the young people among your faith group who are interested to contact me either via phone or email.

Details are given below

Benjamin Agyemang

London Borough of Havering

Community Engagement

01708432268

benjamin.agayemang@havering.gov.uk

Open Gardens at St Francis Hospice

If you are a keen gardener or need inspiration for your own garden you may want to take up a rare opportunity to enjoy the award-winning grounds of Saint Francis Hospice. BBC Essex's gardening expert Ken Crowther will be presenting two question and answer sessions at the open gardens event on Saturday 11th June. Set in nearly two-acres the hospice gardens feature two fish ponds, a Roman garden, Garden of Remembrance and more. They have won the titles London Hospices Garden at the London Gardens Society Awards and Best Commercial Garden at Havering in Bloom. There will be refreshments, plants and fundraising merchandise for sale at the event, which coincides with the London Open Squares Weekend. Entry is £2 at the gate, however the sessions with Ken need to be booked. Please call 01708 771431 or email fundraising@sfh.org.uk to book.

Location

Saint Francis Hospice, The Hall, Havering-atte-Bower, Romford, Essex, RM4 1QH

Event Date

On: 11 Jun 2011
From:11:00
To: 16:00

Admission:

Entry is £2 at the gate, however the sessions with Ken need to be booked.
Phone: 01708 771431
Email: fundraising@sfh.org.uk

Have Your Say - Planning & The Green Belt

Location: Rear Bar, Hornchurch Conservative Club, North Street, Hornchurch, RM11 1RS

Time: Wednesday, 29 June 2011 19:30

Langtons Summer Concert

The ever popular Langtons Summer Concert will be held this Sunday (5 June), with the Westminster Philharmonic Orchestra performing free in the beautiful surroundings of Langtons Gardens, Hornchurch.

The concert is fast becoming a local tradition where residents bring their chairs, rugs and picnics for an afternoon of classical music which begins at 3pm.  

Around 2,000 music lovers enjoyed the performance last year, which is one of the highlights of the Hornchurch Festival of Arts and Heritage.

The festival will again be in full swing though out this month with plenty of exciting events including:

•    Shakespeare in the Garden with Illyria Theatre Company's production of 'Twelfth Night' on 14 and 15 June in the Gardens of Fairkytes Arts Centre

•    The annual Havering Mela which will offer residents an international flavour of music, food and dance on the Queen's Green on 26 June

•    Sunday Lunchtime Jazz session featuring Pete Corrigan and the Band of Hope taking residence every Sunday throughout June at the Queen's Theatre.

A full list of events is available here. Hornchurch Festival of Arts & Heritage 2011 Brochure [15Mb]

Havering Happy Hounds Show

Canines invited to take part in the Havering Happy Hounds Show

Dog owners across Havering can take their pooch along to their very own show on Saturday June 4, the Havering Happy Hounds Show.

At the event, in Central Park, Harold Hill, there will be a number of titles for dogs to win including waggiest tail, prettiest female and best rescue dog.
There will also be a performance of agility and skill from the Ajax Dog Display Team and the chance to see a demonstration of the work carried out by drugs dogs.
The event aims to encourage Havering resident to be responsible dog owners with free micro chipping, free poop bags and information about dog fouling and complaints relating to noisy barking dogs.
Entry to the show is free and entry the competition costs £1.50 per category. The event runs from 12pm to 5pm and there will also be animal charity stalls and refreshments available.
Contact Claire Still, Havering Council press office, 01708 432 005.

Steam/Open Day at Ilford & West Essex Model Railway Club

• Steam/Open Day at Ilford & West Essex Model Railway Club

Monthly Steam Open Day (April to September every year).
Rides on our 7.25" Gauge Live Steam Miniature Railway. Club house open to public with several layouts running. Refreshments available all day. Great for a quick visit or a family day out

Location

Next to Chadwell Heath Station, Station Road, Chadwell Heath, Romford RM6 4BU

Event Date

On: 5 Jun 2011
From: 10:30
to: 16:00
Admission Free. Train Rides 50p each or £3 all day pass
Email: info@iwemrc.org.uk

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