Last Chance to Vote

You have until 5pm today....

...To vote for two Havering parks that are in the running for a £400,000 makeover, if they receive enough votes in the Mayor of London's 'Help a London Park' scheme.

Harrow Lodge Park in Hornchurch and Central Park in Harold Hill, are our two nominations.

Please vote at http://www.london.gov.uk/parksvote/ The vote closes at 5pm today.

For full details, please see previous story by clicking here

Havering Winter Walk

Time to put those New Year's resolutions into practice! Step out and beat the winter blues by joining one of 40 FREE, led walks on offer in Walk Londons Winter Wanders weekend.

Why not join the Redbridge/Havering walk on Sunday February 1st 2009

A surprisingly rural walk through farmland and along brooks. Pubs at Chigwell, Chigwell Row and Havering-atte-Bower. Cafes at Chigwell, WCs at Hainault Forest Country park and Havering-atte-Bower. 10.3 miles, approx 5 1/2 hours

Meet At: 11:15 at Chigwell Tube Station finishing at Harold Wood Station.

For more information www.walklondon.org email to info@walklondon.org.uk or ring Walk London on 0870 240 6094.

Bedfords Park Deer

The following is an update from a Haveriomg Council Parks Officer in relation to the Deer at Bedfords Park:

There has been concern for some time on the health of the Red Deer in the enclosure at Bedfords Park. There have been too many deer in the enclosure as the herd has increased through breeding. There are two options in managing the size of game herds these being either culling or relocation.

It would not be acceptable in terms of public relations for Havering to cull the deer therefore the only option we have in managing the numbers is by relocation.

Undertaking the relocation of part of the heard has been very difficult over past years due to restrictions imposed on the movement of cattle and deer due to the recent Blue Tongue and the Foot and Mouth outbreaks. These movement restrictions were lifted a little while ago and officers have been working on a relocation plan for the deer.

The method detailed outlines a process that was followed to allow the deer to live a full and healthy life under the supervision of experts who are very experienced in managing and transporting deer.

On Thursday 22nd January twenty seven Red Deer were taken out of Bedfords Park. Seven of these were stags, which were darted to tranquillise them and their antlers were removed. This is to ensure their safety, that of their travelling companions and the staff handling them.

To achieve this Dr John Fletcher from Scotland a leading vet and deer herder, who has previously removed deer for Havering worked closely with Council staff from Grounds Maintenance, Parks and Havering Country Park. Council staff worked under difficult conditions and carried out the removal in a professional and controlled manner.

The deer that were taken to Scotland will end up in private collections. Dr Fletcher has recently returned from Southern France and has indicated that some of our deer may be transferred to private collections in Huddersfield and Hungary.

We now have a herd of sixteen deer that consist of three stags and thirteen hinds. By reducing the herd the remaining deer will have better grazing and the grass sward will improve.

Additionally one three year old stag was removed last week and was taken to a private collection at Knock Hatch Hall near Eastbourne. This stag will be replaced at a later date to change the blood line.

STOP BURGLARS FROM SIMPLY WALKING INTO YOUR HOME

Residents across Havering are being urged to ensure their homes are locked up securely after a rise in house burglary. Break-ins sometimes increase in the winter months but most burglaries can be prevented by simply ensuring doors are locked.

Havering was the eighth safest out of London’s 32 boroughs for burglary in the 12 months to November 2008, however burglary has been on the rise. There were 1,281 burglaries during the 12 month period – an increase of 307 offences compared to the previous 12 months. Seven out of ten burglaries were a result of the victims forgetting to lock, or not properly locking, their front or rear door.

Most of these burglaries are due to people failing to lock uPVC doors correctly. uPVC multi-lock doors have a central lock which engages additional bolts or hooks when the handle is lifted. However, the door won’t be locked unless the key is also turned. Simply closing the door and lifting the handle without turning the key will mean the door will be shut, but not locked.

The awareness campaign this week is part of the Council’s Better Together campaign to reduce crime. The Council will be placing posters across the borough and there will be radio adverts to raise awareness.

Havering Council Said "It seems so obvious to tell people to lock their doors but it is a message we have to make loud and clear. Incredibly, most burglars never need to break into a home – they simply just walk in. “uPVC doors are very secure – but only if they are locked properly".

Havering Budget Consultation

Havering residents can let the Council know what they think of the Administrations proposals for investment in services in the next financial year by coming along to three public meetings taking place during January.

The meetings will be attended by Cabinet members and senior officers who will give presentations on the proposals and answer questions.You can help shape the future of your borough by coming to one of the public meetings and letting us have your views.

The meetings will take place at:

St Georges Church Centre, Chippenham Road, Harold Hill - Tuesday 20th Jan 7pm
Havering Tow Hall, Main Road, Romford -- Thursday 22nd Jan 7pm
Havering Indoor Bowls Club, Harrow Lodge, Hornchurch – Thursday 29th Jan 7pm

Police Warning

Havering Police have had disturbing reports around a 'scam' that is being used to try to get vulnerable residents to part with their cash. If you, or a family friend, relative or neighbour is elderly or particularly vulnerable please help by passing on this message to them.

The Suspect, a white male knocks on the doorstep and chats to the home owner about doing a quick environmental survey usually on recycling.

The trick is they then entice the victim to take part in the quick doorstep survey to enable them to be entered into a free draw for Holiday Vouchers, a cash prize and, or bottle of wine. Personal details are usually taken i.e. name, address and phone number.

The victim is then given a card stating ' Protect your health ' indoor air pollution - the facts.
The address shown on the bottom of the card is 38 Thorney Road, Capel St Mary, Ipswich. IP9 2LH.

The victim usually then receives a unsolicited phone call and ,or further visit with a prize,usually a cheap bottle of wine, and then the suspects try and pressure the elderly victim to purchase expensive cleaning products.

A vehicle that may be concerned within this scam is a Green Range Rover with a registration number of R381DRT.

Should you have any information regarding this Scam please contact Havering Police on 0300 123 12 12, or if you receive such a visit or see the vehicle in your street call 999 immediately.

Remembering Holocaust Memorial Day in Havering

Havering will commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day 2009 with a service of remembrance and reflection to be held at the Holocaust Memorial in Coronation Gardens, Romford on Sunday 25 January at 2pm.

Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) is the international day of remembrance for the victims of the Holocaust and of other genocides. HMD is marked each year around 27 January, the date that commemorates the liberation of the Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau in January 1945.

In 2009 HMD challenges us all to Stand Up to Hatred. It urges us to look at our behaviour to others; to understand how hate is directed against different minorities in Britain today; and to explore how each of us can help make our communities stronger and safer. It is an opportunity to forge links across ALL the diverse strands of local community lives, to build understanding and to unite in a common cause.

Havering's Holocaust Memorial Day Service will also provide the opportunity for reflection on war, peace, tolerance and eliminating discrimination from our community. It will be led by Reverend Lee Sunderland, Rabbi of Romford and District Synagogue, and Reverend Stephen Waine, vicar of St Edward's Church, Market Place, Romford.

The Service will feature poignant readings from The Diary of Anne Frank, a commemoration with candles and a musical reflection by pupils from Marshalls Park School and Performing Arts College.

We Will Rock You

Cllr Mann and Kevin Tonks joined pupils, teachers and staff from Bower Park school last night at a performance of "We will rock you", in London's West End. The trip was organised as part of this years school performance being held in July.

As you may have guessed, the school will be putting on "We Will Rock You" themselves, with the pupils taking the staring roles, last night gave people the chance to see who they would like to play and what songs will be sung.

Cllr Mann said "The pupils, approx 35 in total, all behaved particularly well and I have to say, were a credit to the school, the only time they were jumping up and down screaming, was during the show, it was great to see some of the energy they had. I cant wait now until the real thing hits Bower Park in the Summer".

Friends of Havering Country park

The next meeting of the friends of Havering Country Park is being held this week, on Thursday 15th January at 7.30pm, the meeting is being held at the North Romford Community Centre.

The group has been going for over 18 months now and continues to grow in terms of numbers and of the work that they achieve, from litter picks to clearance days and to raising money to spend in the park.

The group have also just issued a news letter, that has been distributed to some local houses. Click here to read a copy.

The group also have a website with up to date information about meeting dates and contact details.

http://sites.google.com/site/fohcpg/

Police SNT are on their bikes

The Havering Park Ward Safer Neighbourhood Team has recently taken delivery of five new cycles for use by the team’s Police officers and P.C.S.Os. Pictured above on the bikes recently in Havering Village, are L to R (P.C. Di Hefferan and PCSC Pete Watts)

Havering Park Ward is one of the largest wards in Havering, covering two Country parks. By having the bikes, it has allowed the team to get around the ward much easier and quicker.

The bikes were funded through a capital grant of £5,000 from the North Romford Area Committee in the budget year 2007 / 2008. An allocation of this years budget has not yet been made, the year runs out on the 30th March, so Cllr Binion (The Chairman of North Romford A C) needs to get a move on, as valuable money is not being spent in the community.

Ice Danger Warning

With the cold weather still with us at below zero temperatures and lakes frozen over across the Borough, residents should be aware that the ice is not think enough to venture on to walk or play.

Whilst it may look nice and seem fun, with the exception of the odd duck, we suggest that you do not attempt to go on any ice around the Borough.

The water is so cold, that if you fall in, hypothermia would set in extremely fast and you could find yourself in serious trouble, the emergency services are already stretched during this cold spell and the often rural nature of some of our lakes and pond will make it more difficult for an ambulance to attend in good time.

Family Remembrance Service

The Collier Row branch of Harold Wood Funeral Service is hosting a non-denominational family remembrance celebration, featuring readings, music and lighting of candles ending with the offer of a blessing for all present at Tweed Way Hall, Tweed Way, Rise Park on Sunday 11th January 2009 between 2pm and 4pm.

The afternoon will be followed by light refreshments, everyone is encouraged to bring along their photograph albums and diaries illustrating local life in the past, and share them with family, friends and neighbours.

For more details contact Harold Wood Funeral Service on 01708 376 472 or http://www.hwfunerals.co.uk/

Rise Park Infant School closed

Rise Park Infant School in Annan Way, Rise Park, Tuesday 6 January and will also be closed tomorrow, Wednesday 7 January due to a breakdown of the school's heating system.

The Council is doing all it can to repair the heating system as soon as possible. As soon as there is news of when the school will re-open it will be posted on this website, or go to the Havering Council web site at www.havering.gov.uk, for more information, you can also listen out on Time FM at 107.5fm.

Rise Park Junior School, also in Annan Way, is not affected and has re-opened for the Spring term.

24 Hour Freedom Pass

Twenty four hour free travel for elderly Freedom Pass holders came into force on 2 January 2009. The extension of the free travel scheme applies to journeys made on TfL routes, which include London buses, tubes, the DLR, and some train services (until now the elderly person’s pass could not be used before 9 am).

The Freedom Pass, paid for and run by London’s boroughs, is one of the most comprehensive concessionary fares schemes of its kind for older and disabled people in the country, and London boroughs have recently agreed a £240 million deal to provide the Freedom Pass between 1 April 2009 and 31 March 2010.

The Train Operating Companies have been invited to participate in offering the supplemental benefits but it has not been possible to reach an agreement to date. Therefore the additional hours will not apply to National Rail services in London, aside from the services specified above.
Transport for London estimates the cost of supplementing the scheme on their services will be up to £10m per annum.

To find out more visit http://www.freedompass.org/

£400k up for grab at two Havering Parks

Two Havering parks, Harrow Lodge Park in Hornchurch and Central Park in Harold Hill, are in line to win a £400,000 makeover if Havering residents give them their votes in the Mayor of London's 'Help a London Park' scheme.

As part of the Priority Parks programme, the Mayor will award grants of up to £400,000 for improvement programmes in ten needy parks across the capital to make them cleaner, safer, greener and nicer places to visit.

The competition will be keenly contested. Forty-seven parks in five sub-regions have been nominated, and the two parks from each of the five sub-regions receiving the most votes will win the grants. In Havering the parks you can vote for are:

Harrow Lodge Park, Hornchurch

Harrow Lodge is located on the River Ravensbourne flood plain. The river runs in a concrete channel through the park. If we win a grant:

• the ugly concrete slabs along the river would disappear;

• soft river banks would be restored;

• attractive wetland plants would be established;

• the lake would be improved;

• information panels would tell people about the park's natural heritage.

Central Park, Harold Hill

Central Park is the main park for Harold Hill and the area's focus for recreation and social regeneration. It's a busy local park, much visited and appreciated by local people. If we're successful the grant will help:

• improve the landscape;

• create wild flower meadows;

• plant hundreds of spring bulbs;

• improve management of the woodland;

• create opportunities for natural play;

• install lighting where it's needed most;

• provide new litter bins to encourage people to keep the park clean.

All we need now is for Havering residents to get behind our parks by casting their votes, which couldn't be easier. There are several ways to vote:

Online at www.london.gov.uk/parksvote Text parks and your postcode to 62967. This will automatically vote for the nearest park to where you live. Texts cost 10p plus your standard network rate. Call 020 7983 4100 or email parksvote@london.gov.uk for a voting card.You can also pop into any Havering library to vote online.

Voting closes on Friday 30 January 2009, so spread the word and encourage your friends and family to cast their votes. Every vote matters and all members of your family can vote too. Help us to makeover your local park!!

Happy New Year

On behalf of all of us at the Collier Row & Mawneys Residents Association we hope you all had a good Christmas and would like to wish you all the very best for the New Year and hope 2009 brings you everything you want.