What is going on in the ROMFORD TOWN WARD of the London Borough of Havering Your Councillors are: Cllr. Wendy Brice-Thompson Cllr. Joshua Chapman Cllr. Frederick Thompson
Friday, 30 September 2011
Surgery this week
I am doing a surgery with Andrew Rosindell MP in ASDA, Romford this afternoon from 3 pm.
Wednesday, 21 September 2011
Counterfeiting gang leader to pay £1.2 million after Havering Council busted biggest ever global eBay scam
Counterfeiting gang leader to pay £1.2 million after Havering Council busted biggest ever global eBay scam
21 September 2011
The ringleader of a criminal network convicted of masterminding a global fake golf club scam after an unprecedented investigation by Havering Council has been ordered to pay more than £1.2 million by a court.
The counterfeiting operation was the biggest of its kind ever to be investigated by a Council trading standards team and is the largest counterfeiting conspiracy ever uncovered on eBay.
Gary Bellchambers, from Rainham in Havering, was ordered to pay back the total amount at a Proceeds Of Crime hearing at Snaresbrook Crown Court .
Bellchambers has to pay £1,248,638 in total – of which £250,000 is towards Havering Council’s prosecution costs. Havering Council will also receive a large amount of the confiscated amount. If he fails to pay the amount within four months he faces a maximum of up to five years in custody in default. He is currently serving a sentence of four years and three months in jail after the criminal trial in 2009.
Earlier this year four other members of the gang were ordered to pay a total of £643,000. The confiscation orders totalled £513,000 and £130,000 was towards the Council’s prosecution costs.
The group sold millions of pounds worth of counterfeit golf clubs and other fake golf merchandise through the website between June 2003 and March 2008.
Bellchambers was the ‘ringleader’ who orchestrated the conspiracy, sourced and organised the delivery of more than six tons of golf equipment into the United Kingdom alone.
The majority of the fake goods were manufactured at factories in Turtle Creek, Shenzhen, China and shipped to the various defendants’ addresses in the UK. From bases in Thailand, or their homes in the UK, they arranged for the fake goods to be sent to eBay customers in Ireland, Australia, the United States, Germany, Italy, France, Canada, the Netherlands, Brazil and New Zealand. Nearly every major golf brand had been counterfeited.
The downfall of the counterfeiting empire was brought about when a customer complained to Havering Council trading standards officers after she had tried to get a refund for two clubs.
The Council then launched an investigation, codenamed Operation Augusta, named after the US golf club which hosts The Masters.
Council officers searched the homes of the defendants and other addresses and seized computers and thousands of golf clubs.
The defendants sold the clubs for around £50-£100 (genuine clubs retail at £110-130). The cost of manufacturing each fake club and having it shipped from China to the UK was US$5.
Councillor Lesley Kelly, Cabinet member for Public Protection, said:
“Operation Augusta was an unprecedented investigation and a huge victory against counterfeiters who were ripping off thousands of people. It was an incredible effort by our team, named this year as the best department in the country in tackling counterfeiting.
“We will be able to take a large amount of these criminals’ assets and invest this money into protecting local people.”
Under the confiscation order made on May 6 this year, Roy Cottee, (23/9/43) of Thorn Lane, Rainham, was ordered to pay £220,000 within six months and also £60,000 prosecution costs. His wife Kay (26/5/63) was ordered to pay £80,000 and £10,000 prosecution costs.
Keith Thomas, (13/11/59) from Martin Drive, Rainham, was ordered to pay £173,000 and £40,000 prosecution costs.
Sharron Williams, (21/11/60) from The Alders, West Wickham, Kent, was ordered to pay £40,000 and £20,000 prosecution costs.
In the criminal trial which took place between September and December 2009, Roy and Kay Cottee, Sharron Williams and Helen Wilson, (14/11/80) of The Knoll, Hertford, were found guilty of conspiring together to sell or distribute counterfeit golf clubs, clothing and accessories bearing signs likely to be mistaken for registered trademarks contrary to Section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977.
Bellchambers, (2/9/63), of Dunedin Road, Rainham, pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy along with Keith Thomas. Chris Moughton, from Hayfield Avenue, Blackpool, pleaded guilty to a role in a connected conspiracy.
Keith Thomas was sentenced to 16 months in prison and Roy Cottee was given a custodial sentence of 12 months.
Confiscation orders were also made against Helen Wilson and Chris Moughton was held in January this year.
Havering Council’s Trading Standards team was named as the best department in the country in the Anti-Counterfeiting Group’s annual awards on Thursday 5 May 2011.
The ACG Awards Committee gave the team the 2011 Department Award for Excellence on Thursday 5 May for “outstanding work” for the Operation Augusta investigation and successful prosecution.
The Council was awarded £500 towards courses for Trading Standards officers, surveillance equipment, satellite navigations units, digital cameras or IT equipment.
Friday, 16 September 2011
This weekend at the Queen's Theatre
We've got something for everyone!
www.queens-theatre.co.uk
THIS Saturday Open Day at the Queen's!
Please book in advance by calling the Box Office on 01708 443333
Also THIS weekend!
Sun 18 Sep | Opera Novella presents Verdi's Rigoletto | 5pm | £22 | £16 children
Mon 19 Sep | Wayne Sleep in Performance | 7.30pm | £18
Sat 17 Sept
As part of London Open House, the Queen's Theatre will be throwing open its doors to give you a peek behind the scenes! Join us for a backstage tour, revealing the hidden elements that go into creating professional theatre.
Free Backstage Tours | 10am | 11am | 12noon
Free Tours for Children (aged 4 - 10) | 10am | 12 noon
There's also exciting, fun activity-filled tours for children!
Last few places remaining!As part of London Open House, the Queen's Theatre will be throwing open its doors to give you a peek behind the scenes! Join us for a backstage tour, revealing the hidden elements that go into creating professional theatre.
Free Backstage Tours | 10am | 11am | 12noon
Free Tours for Children (aged 4 - 10) | 10am | 12 noon
There's also exciting, fun activity-filled tours for children!
Please book in advance by calling the Box Office on 01708 443333
Also THIS weekend!
Sun 18 Sep | Opera Novella presents Verdi's Rigoletto | 5pm | £22 | £16 children
Mon 19 Sep | Wayne Sleep in Performance | 7.30pm | £18
Tuesday, 6 September 2011
London Open House
Romford Recorder
The Queen’s Theatre, Havering Town Hall and Towers Junior School-these are just some of the buildings that residents will be able to take a peek behind as part of the London Open House.
Havering Town HallThe event on Saturday September 17 and Sunday September 18 will see 12 buildings in Havering opening their doors for residents to explore.
Among the gems taking part in the annual event will be the Thames Chase Forest Centre, which reopened in April 2010.
People will be able to explore the award winning modern visitor centre which is attached to a 17C listed barn-one of the best preserved in the London area.
Residents will also be able to take a look behind the scenes of local democracy as the Grade II listed Havering Town Hall offers regular tours as part of the event. The design was the result of an architectural competition won by Collins & Geens and the building boasts unique fittings using Bath stone, bronze and Tasmanian oak.
Some of Havering’s classic buildings will again be taking part in the open weekend including The Queen’s Theatre, which will also have children’s activities, the recently refurbished Langtons House, Upminster Tithe Barn and Rainham Hall.
This year Havering has two exciting new editions to the event, Hylands Primary School and Towers Junior School have both recently been modernised. Hyland Primary School now boasts sustainable features such as a biomass boiler and sedum roof.
Residents can also join the Gidea Park Garden Suburb Walk. The two-hour tour takes in the Gidea Park exhibition houses and Hare Street buildings in the suburb’s centenary year. The walk takes place on the Saturday, meeting at 10.15am at the entrance to the Balgores Square car park.
There will also be the opportunity to take part in a guided walk around Havering-atte-Bower the oldest Royal village in the country. The walks will take place at 10.30am on Saturday 17 and 2.30pm on Sunday 18 meeting point is the bus stop on The Green.
Councillor Andrew Curtin, Cabinet Member for Towns and Communities, with special responsibility for Culture, said: “We are seeing some very interesting architecture being built in Havering now, tackling many social issues from environmental sustainability to reflecting modern ideas about education, as well as responding to aesthetic and engineering issues.
“I am looking forward to seeing some of these building as part of London Open House in Havering in 2011, and setting new works in the context of the rich historic tradition of landscape and architecture which exists in the borough, and I hope that many other residents will do so too.”
If you fancy exploring outside Havering, other buildings in London will also be taking part in the event.
The Queen’s Theatre, Havering Town Hall and Towers Junior School-these are just some of the buildings that residents will be able to take a peek behind as part of the London Open House.
Havering Town HallAmong the gems taking part in the annual event will be the Thames Chase Forest Centre, which reopened in April 2010.
People will be able to explore the award winning modern visitor centre which is attached to a 17C listed barn-one of the best preserved in the London area.
Residents will also be able to take a look behind the scenes of local democracy as the Grade II listed Havering Town Hall offers regular tours as part of the event. The design was the result of an architectural competition won by Collins & Geens and the building boasts unique fittings using Bath stone, bronze and Tasmanian oak.
Some of Havering’s classic buildings will again be taking part in the open weekend including The Queen’s Theatre, which will also have children’s activities, the recently refurbished Langtons House, Upminster Tithe Barn and Rainham Hall.
This year Havering has two exciting new editions to the event, Hylands Primary School and Towers Junior School have both recently been modernised. Hyland Primary School now boasts sustainable features such as a biomass boiler and sedum roof.
Residents can also join the Gidea Park Garden Suburb Walk. The two-hour tour takes in the Gidea Park exhibition houses and Hare Street buildings in the suburb’s centenary year. The walk takes place on the Saturday, meeting at 10.15am at the entrance to the Balgores Square car park.
There will also be the opportunity to take part in a guided walk around Havering-atte-Bower the oldest Royal village in the country. The walks will take place at 10.30am on Saturday 17 and 2.30pm on Sunday 18 meeting point is the bus stop on The Green.
Councillor Andrew Curtin, Cabinet Member for Towns and Communities, with special responsibility for Culture, said: “We are seeing some very interesting architecture being built in Havering now, tackling many social issues from environmental sustainability to reflecting modern ideas about education, as well as responding to aesthetic and engineering issues.
“I am looking forward to seeing some of these building as part of London Open House in Havering in 2011, and setting new works in the context of the rich historic tradition of landscape and architecture which exists in the borough, and I hope that many other residents will do so too.”
If you fancy exploring outside Havering, other buildings in London will also be taking part in the event.
Sunday, 4 September 2011
LEARN ABOUT QUEEN’S THEATRE
Residents will have the chance to learn more about the vital work in education and with young people which the Queen’s Theatre does at Romford Town Conservatives annual dinner at Romford Golf Club on Friday 14th October, 7.30pm. Tickets cost £30 and are available from Cllr. Wendy Brice-Thompson on 01708 747993. There will be a speaker from the theatre.
HEAR BORIS JOHNSON SPEAK IN ROMFORD
Boris Johnson is to speak at a dinner at a Romford venue on Thursday 6th October at 7.30pm. Tickets are £50 each. Residents who are interested in attending should send a cheque for tickets made payable to Havering and Redbridge Conservatives at 23 Butts Green Road, Hornchurch, RM11 2JS. You should include your name, address and a contact e.mail or phone number.
Residents will have the chance to learn more about the vital work in education and with young people which the Queen’s Theatre does at Romford Town Conservatives annual dinner at Romford Golf Club on Friday 14th October, 7.30pm. Tickets cost £30 and are available from Cllr. Wendy Brice-Thompson on 01708 747993. There will be a speaker from the theatre.
HEAR BORIS JOHNSON SPEAK IN ROMFORD
Boris Johnson is to speak at a dinner at a Romford venue on Thursday 6th October at 7.30pm. Tickets are £50 each. Residents who are interested in attending should send a cheque for tickets made payable to Havering and Redbridge Conservatives at 23 Butts Green Road, Hornchurch, RM11 2JS. You should include your name, address and a contact e.mail or phone number.
Library Events
AGE CONCERN AT CENTRAL LIBRARY
Age Concern will be holding an event in Central Library on 4th October hoping to help residents with the maze of questions about care in later life and matters such as who pays for it. Entry will be by ticket only, £3 each. To book and for further information please phone 01708 796602.
GIDEA PARK LIBRARY FOR 7-11 YEAR OLDS
The Special Agents Reading Group meets monthly on Tuesdays from 4-5pm. Admission is free, but residents need to phone the library on 01708 434978 to book a place.
POETRY AT HORNCHURCH LIBRARY
Havering Poetry Group for Adults will next meet on 14th September at 4.30pm at Hornchurch Library.
Age Concern will be holding an event in Central Library on 4th October hoping to help residents with the maze of questions about care in later life and matters such as who pays for it. Entry will be by ticket only, £3 each. To book and for further information please phone 01708 796602.
GIDEA PARK LIBRARY FOR 7-11 YEAR OLDS
The Special Agents Reading Group meets monthly on Tuesdays from 4-5pm. Admission is free, but residents need to phone the library on 01708 434978 to book a place.
POETRY AT HORNCHURCH LIBRARY
Havering Poetry Group for Adults will next meet on 14th September at 4.30pm at Hornchurch Library.
Green Flags for our Parks
GREEN FLAGS
Cottons Park, Lodge Farm Park and Hylands Park have all been awarded prestigious Green Flags in the Green Flag Award Scheme supported by the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers and Keep Britain Tidy, among others. The flags recognise outstanding achievement in areas including nature conservation, maintenance and community involvement. 8 parks in Havering have Green Flags.
NEW EXHIBITION AT LOCAL STUDIES LIBRARY
An exhibition on the history of Romford Summer Theatre, who celebrate their 50th anniversary producing Shakespeare in Raphael Park this year, is open for all to see for free at the Local Studies and Family History Centre on the first floor of Central Library until 25th September. To check opening hours please phone the library on 432392.
Cottons Park, Lodge Farm Park and Hylands Park have all been awarded prestigious Green Flags in the Green Flag Award Scheme supported by the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers and Keep Britain Tidy, among others. The flags recognise outstanding achievement in areas including nature conservation, maintenance and community involvement. 8 parks in Havering have Green Flags.
NEW EXHIBITION AT LOCAL STUDIES LIBRARY
An exhibition on the history of Romford Summer Theatre, who celebrate their 50th anniversary producing Shakespeare in Raphael Park this year, is open for all to see for free at the Local Studies and Family History Centre on the first floor of Central Library until 25th September. To check opening hours please phone the library on 432392.
Friday, 2 September 2011
PARKS PROTECTION TEAM
Havering Council’s Parks Protection Team can be contacted on the mobile telephone number 07904 805 872 should you notice anything untoward going on in any Havering park.
HYLANDS PARK
The Council has carried out some repairs on play equipment. Hylands Park Community Amateur Sports Club is opening its 6 tennis courts in the park to residents for free on Sundays from 2pm to 4pm until 23rd October. There is no need to pre-book and all are welcome. The Council works with Hylands Park Action Group to continue improvements at the park.
COTTONS PARK
The Council has replaced picnic tables, some outdoor gym equipment and children’s play equipment at Cottons Park. the Council works with Friends of Cottons Park to keep on improving the park.
LODGE FARM PARK
Picnic tables inside the play area have been replaced by the Council.
Havering Council’s Parks Protection Team can be contacted on the mobile telephone number 07904 805 872 should you notice anything untoward going on in any Havering park.
HYLANDS PARK
The Council has carried out some repairs on play equipment. Hylands Park Community Amateur Sports Club is opening its 6 tennis courts in the park to residents for free on Sundays from 2pm to 4pm until 23rd October. There is no need to pre-book and all are welcome. The Council works with Hylands Park Action Group to continue improvements at the park.
COTTONS PARK
The Council has replaced picnic tables, some outdoor gym equipment and children’s play equipment at Cottons Park. the Council works with Friends of Cottons Park to keep on improving the park.
LODGE FARM PARK
Picnic tables inside the play area have been replaced by the Council.
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