New R.A. Web Sites Launched

New web sites have been launched by the Hornchurch Residents Association, at http://www.hornchurchresidentsassociation.org.uk/ and the Romford Residents Association at http://www.romfordra.co.uk/.

Both sites launched last month, provide local residents with up to date info on the work being done in Hornchurch wards, Hacton, Hylands & St Andrees and Romford wards, Pettits, Brooklands, Squirrels Heath and Romford Town.

You can also read the back issues of their newsletters, which have now all been archived on line, you can cheek out the sites by clicking the details above or on the link sites on the right hand side of this page.

Havering Country Park Litterpick

The Havering Park Residents Association team of Kevin Tonks, Denis Stevens and Cllr Andy Mann joined about a dozen members of the Friends of Havering Country Park group yesterday (Saturday) during its latest event.

The litter pick was organised by the group to clean up some of the mess that still remains in the park, such as litter and rubbish that blows into the deep foliage and bushes and then is lost as the summer comes along and the bushes and trees grow.

About 25 black bags were filled with rubbish, along with the old car tyres, containers, an old lawn mower and a deck chair were amongst the items found.

Cllr Mann said “This is the second litter pick the group has held and both Kevin, Denis and I are all pleased to be supporting the group that is trying to put something back into the park, it seems a shame that people still chooses to leave there rubbish in the park, or actually go out of their way to dump items”.

For more information about the friends group, you can go to their web site at http://sites.google.com/site/fohcpg. You can also phone or text the dedicated mobile number 07531-250463, or e-mail the group at fohcpg@googlemail.com

Romford Market Place Festival

With the 2012 London Olympic Games countdown now started, join the fun at the Romford Festival this Sunday 28 September. The free day includes music and performances, sporting activities and exhibitions, craft workshops and fashion displays and a fabulous parade lead by a giant phoenix. And one lucky sports fan will win a unique t-shirt signed by eight of our Olympic athletes - courtesy of The Mall shopping centre in Romford.

For more information, click on the poster below, to take you direct to the link on the Havering Web site.

Mayors New Car

Just as you think this Conservative Administration has taken us all for fools for the last time, they go and do it again, this time Leader of the Council, Cllr Michael White, surpasses himself by authorising the purchasing / lease of a new car for the Mayor.

However, it is by no means an ordinary car; it is a £50 Thousand plus Mercedes S class, in black of course. The decision was taken this week in what is know as an “Executive Decision” and signed by the Leader himself.


Cllr Mann said “The Tories have got ideas of grandeur above themselves, to spend that amount of money on a new car for the Mayor is unbelievable, the old car is still running perfectly well, even if it is a Rover 75 (pictured above), it is serviced by our own garage staff at Purfleet and has very low mileage”.
Leader of the Residents Association, Cllr Clarence Barrett said “At a time of rising inflation, cutbacks and the economic uncertainty, the need to exercise prudence is more important than ever. The current proposal to lease a Mercedes S class gives us no indication of costing, no idea of running costs and little evidence of alternative options being pursued. Whilst the car should be suitable for mayoral duties, there is a compelling need to ensure that council taxpayers are getting value for money and that environmental issues are also considered”.

The Residents Association will now be “Calling In” the decision, which means it will have to go before a special meeting of the Corporate Overview & Scrutiny meeting before the decision can be acted upon, the date of the meeting is not yet know, however it should be within the next two weeks.

Before anyone accuses me of making it up, follow this link to the Havering Web site http://www.havering.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=15361&p=0 where you can see a copy of the document yourself.

London Open House Weekend

Open House London, the capital's largest architectural showcase, is set to take place this weekend, Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 September. Many of Havering's most interesting buildings, some of which don't usually offer public access, will give visitors a chance to take a peek behind their doors and participate in guided walks and tours.

The event is a celebration of architecture past and present and the weekend aims to be fun and interesting to all. There are 690 sites taking part London-wide and in Havering there are 14 locations for you to visit as well as two guided walks.

Open House Weekend is a great opportunity for you and the family to come and see the new sails at The Upminster Windmill, and why not come and have a nose around The Town Hall in Romford, The Queens Theatre, The roundhouse in Havering-Atte-Bower and Fairkytes. For full details on all of the properties that are open, please follow the link below.

http://www.havering.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=14022

If you're a Havering resident don't miss the first Discover Havering weekend this Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

During the weekend many Havering attractions, restaurants and sports facilities will offer free entry, discounts or special offers to anyone who lives in, works in or is visiting the borough. For more details go to the link below.

http://www.havering.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=13987

KERB STONES

Loose kerb stones are creating a nuisance if not a danger in Rodney Way and the surrounding streets. When these were laid, the shallow kerbs were set on the concrete road base. Over time weathering, vibration, tree roots and pavement parking have taken their toll. The stones have come loose and are finishing up in the road creating a hazard particularly to cyclists.

Mawneys Team Member, Joe Webster (pictured above) has alerted StreetCare to the problem several weeks ago but as yet nothing has been done. Apart from urgent repairs to what is a dangerous situation, the Council should be looking to next years StreetCare budget for some planned maintenance in Mawneys Ward. There was nothing in this year's.

School Governors wanted

Have you ever considered becoming a School Governor? Every school in the borough has a Governing Body which is responsible for the Management of the School. Duties include staffing, budgets, monitoring and acting as a Critical Friend. It offers personal development, training and the opportunity to include something positive to a CV.

If you feel you can contribute to a Governing Body and are looking for a challenging but very rewarding role please contact Cllr Any Mann 01708 768 008, or e-mail andrew.mann@havering.gov.uk for more information.

Green Flag for Bedfords Park

Bedfords Park in Broxhill Road, Havering-atte-Bower has again been awarded the coveted Green Flag status, the award is the national standard for parks and green spaces. Bedfords is also home to Essex Wildlife Trust, with the visitors centre entering its fifth year in the park, bringing in visitors far and wide. The park occupies some 210 acres


Cllr Andy Mann (pictured with last years flag) said "It is wonderful that the park has again achieved green flag status, it is largely down to the hard work of the staff in the park, Essex Wildlife and the Friends Group".

Havering Council had made previous submissions and last year gained its first award for the park. A great deal of work had gone into the bid and a lot of that work was supported by the "Friends of Bedfords Park" group, a group of volunteers that give up their own time to improve the environment of the park, along with the Grounds Maintenance staff that have been doing a great job in keeping everything clean and tidy.

Bedfords Park was enclosed in the 15th century by Sir Thomas Cooke, one-time Lord Mayor of London, and remained in his family for almost 200 years. It was acquired in 1771 by John Heaton who built a the manor house of Bedfords on the crest of the hill which was enlarged in the 19th century and extensive gardens laid out around it, much of which still remain such as the monkey puzzle trees, cedars of Lebanon and rhododendrons.

Olympic Rower Mark Hunter at Bower Park

Former Bower Park student and Olympic gold medal winning rower, Mark Hunter was mobbed by hundreds of pupils as he returned to his former school today.

Mark, who used to live in Collier Row, spent almost the whole day in the school, meeting and talking to the 800 plus children and staff and of course showing off the now famous Beijing gold medal. He also attended classes, school assembly and a question and answer session. He was mobbed by hundreds of pupils during morning break and spent his day constantly signing autographs for the children.

Head Teacher, Mary Morrison said “It was fantastic having Mark back in school today, he is an inspiration to us all, he has proved that with a little hard work and commitment you can achieve whatever you set out to do, we are all extremely proud of him and wish him all the best in America for the next 12 months coaching women’s rowing in Los Angeles”.

Mark and his rowing partner, Zac Purchase crossed the line in first place in the men's lightweight double sculls on Sunday, August 17, winning gold. Their boat crossed the 2,000-metre line in a world beating 6.mins 10.99secs, at the Shunyi Rowing-Canoeing Park in China in an Olympic best as they beat Greece and Denmark.

School Governor and Ward Councillor, Andrew Mann said “It was a great privilege to meet Mark today, he has achieved something that almost all of us can only ever dream about, he was fantastic in school, taking time out to talk with the children about his achievements and what is was like to be part of the U.K Olympic team”.

Marks visit today was one of his last public appearances in the Borough and the U.K as he heads of to America to start a new job as a rowing coach at the University of Los Angeles.

Before visiting the School, Mark said: "I want to go to the school and to see the teachers and the kids and to give them the opportunity to touch the medal and wear it, so that they can get a sense of how amazing it is to follow a path that you want to go down.

"I've been dying for this day since I started rowing. The national anthem, the flag, it's a dream come true, It feels like a dream has come true and I feel so relaxed and complete because I have achieved the one thing I always wanted “. He went on "Nothing else can ever live up to this moment."

Romford Crossrail Information Session

Crossrail is the new £15.9 billion railway project to improve rail journeys across London between Maidenhead in the west and Shenfield in the east. The project is the largest single investment in London transport infrastructure for 50 years. It aims to improve journeys, provide more comfort for passengers, reduce congestion as well as create job opportunities throughout the region.

The new railway will run in underground tunnels from Paddington to Whitechapel, then on to the Isle of Dogs and Stratford. It will connect to existing railways to serve stations across London and the South East, including Heathrow, Maidenhead, Shenfield and Abbey Wood.

Funding for the project was agreed in autumn 2007. The Crossrail Bill received Parliamentary approval in July 2008 and provides powers to build the railway.

Crossrail is holding exhibitions throughout September 2008 as part of its longstanding commitment to keeping the public and other stakeholders informed.

As part of this initiative, Crossrail are holding an exhibition in Romford Town Hall on Wednesday and Thursday, 10th and 11th September 2008. It will be open to all in the community between 2pm and 8pm on both days.

You do not need to book in, just tuen up and see for yourself the info on display, you can also ask questions of Crossrail staff who will be onhand during the two days.