MBE for former Bower Park Pupil

Congratulations to former Bower Park pupil, Mark Hunter who received an MBE with rowing partner, Zac Purchase (who is also awarded an MBE) in the New Years Honours List, announced today.

Mark and his rowing partner, Zac Purchase crossed the line in first place in the men's lightweight double sculls, 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.

Cllr Mann said "I have had the great pleasure of meeting Mark when he visited Bower Park school back in the Autumn after his fantastic result in the Olympics this year, his efforts have now been rewarded again, he is a true roll model to all young people"

To see the report and photos of Marks visit to Bower Park, click here.

Ambitions, but only for Harold Hill

During the Local Elections in 2006, the Conservatives in Collier Row suggested that if you voted for us, the Residents Association, we would move money out of the town and only spend it in Harold Hill, like the previous Labour party Administration did.

So it’s rather funny, how less than a year later, the Administration set up a regeneration project just for Harold Hill, by the name of the “Harold Hill Ambitions” and over the last two years, they have been investing more and more money in Harold Hill, at the expense of other areas of the Borough, not just a few pounds here and there, but millions of pounds !

The latest example from the Administration, involves yet more help for the Borough’s most vulnerable residents, including the elderly and families with young children, that is, unless you live in Harold Hill !!

Cllr Andrew Mann has launched a scathing attack on the Tory Administration over its plan to help only those residents in Harold Hill improve their energy efficiency and fuel bills. He said "I am amazed that in this climate of increased fuel bills and financial instability, the Tory Administration are only helping those people in its marginal seats and ignoring those in need across the Borough"

He went on "During the last local elections in 2006, the Conservatives, including Andrew Rosindell complained about the money being spent on Harold Hill and here they are, two years later doing the same thing"

"Whilst I do not begrudge the people of Harold Hill extra help, there are hundreds or even thousands of people in real need across the whole Borough".

The scheme announced by Havering Council works with the London Warm Zone scheme to make the homes of residents in Harold Hill warmer and more energy efficient this winter.
Over the next year, partners including seven London boroughs, the East London Renewal Partnership, London Warm Zone and EDF Energy, will help residents access all available grants to improve insulation, as well as lower the cost of heating their homes.

Grants are available for loft and cavity wall insulation and while people on certain benefits could qualify to have the work done for free, homeowners could receive a discount of up to 75 per cent.
The scheme is focused on the areas which are part of the Harold Hill Ambitions Project, a 20-year regeneration plan to rejuvenate the area with improved education and training opportunities, youth facilities and parks, to give residents a better quality of life.

The project aims to change people’s perception of Harold Hill, as well as give our residents there a better quality of life. Making sure vulnerable people have warm, energy efficient homes is just one way that we are making Havering a better place for all.

Cllr Clarence Barrett, leader of the Residents Association in the Town Hall said “Whilst energy efficiency improvements are very welcome in Harold Hill, it should be borne in mind that the scheme does extend to homes right across the borough”.

The London Warm Zone offers grants for insulation and central heating to help people save money on fuel bills and reduce the effects of climate change. For example, subject to eligibility, discounts of up to 75% are available for those considering loft and cavity wall insulation.

To find out more we would encourage residents to call London Warm Zone on freephone 0800 587 2251 or visit http://www.londonwarmzones.co.uk/.

Woolworths closes today

It’s a sad day for Collier Row today, after 99 years of Business Woolworths is closing, they may not have been in the Town Centre for all those years but to be honest, it seems like it. Despite last minute attempts by the administrators to sell part or all of the business, they have not managed to find a buyer.

Apart from the loss of jobs to local people (over 30 staff will be made redundant today) the impact of losing a major store in Collier Row could be devastating, after Tesco’s, Woolworths were the next biggest retailer in Town.

Collier Row Councillor, Andrew Mann said “I am very saddened about the loss of Woolworths in our town centre; it has been one of the biggest stores in Collier Row for many years, the staff have been fantastic working through difficult times, I do hope that they can all find new jobs locally.

Boxing Day Parking Woes

I’m not normally one for the sales, I prefer to shop online, less people about, but had to go into Romford today as spotted a bargain (online) and had to get it from the shop as soon as possible before they all went, as it was, I got the last one.

Being as Boxing Day is a Bank Holiday I did wonder if you would need to purchase a ticket, my experiences usually tell me, when you pop into a shop for 3 minutes, you will always get caught.

Maybe I still had to much festive spirit in me, but I was amazed to see that you still needed to purchase a ticket to park your car. I know it was a Bank Holiday, but it was Boxing Day after all and with Lakeside just a 15 minute drive away, surely it would be good for business to offer free parking for the sales.

However, that is not the worst of it, not only were the charges being implemented, they were actually being enforced. Sadly rather vigorously in my view, as I parked and made the short walk to the shops, I saw at least six tickets on cars in just two rows.

On speaking to a private traffic warden, I asked was they really enforcing today, he looked at me rather sheepishly and said yes, on further questioning, he admitted that he had issued over 12 tickets and that he was one of four working that day, believe it or not, it was only 11.00 !

Is it any wonder this country is in a recession when on Boxing Day, the car park in the Brewery Shopping Centre, still insisted on charging for car parking and issuing tickets, they should be trying to encourage shoppers into Romford to help the Boroughs economy.

Cllr Andy Mann

Christmas Waste Collection Dates

Refuse collection dates over the Christmas and New Year period will be subject to change. Below is the revised collection details, for more infor click on this link for further details together with information on the wheeled bin garden waste service and opening times of Gerpins Lane reuse and recycling centre.

Christmas & New Year Collection Dates 2008/09

Normal Collection Dates Revised Collection Dates

Wednesday 24th December -- Collections as normal
Christmas Day -- Saturday 27th December
Boxing Day -- Monday 29th December
Monday 29th December -- Tuesday 30th December
Tuesday 30th December -- Wednesday 31st December
Wednesday 31st December -- Friday 2nd January
New Year's Day -- Saturday 3rd January
Friday 2nd January -- Monday 5th January
Monday 5th January -- Tuesday 6th January
Tuesday 6th January -- Wednesday 7th January
Wednesday 7th January -- Thursday 8th January
Thursday 8th January -- Friday 9th January
Friday 9th January -- Saturday 10th January

Normal collections resume Monday 12th January 2009.

Please note: The above dates also apply to clinical, cardboard and trade waste collections.
Wheeled Bin Garden Waste Service:

Customers of the Wheeled Bin Garden Waste Collection service should note that collections of this service cease between 23rd December and 5th January. Collections resume Tuesday 6th January on the normal scheduled day (please see garden waste calendars for these dates).

All orange recycling sacks and sacks of domestic waste should be placed on the boundary of properties nearest the road by 7am on collection day.

Additional orange sacks can be collected free of charge from Havering Town Hall in Main Road Romford, local libraries or from the Public Advice and Service Centre in The Liberty Shopping Centre, Romford.

CCTV Car still causing mischief !

Havering Council's CCTV smart cars are still giving out tickets left, right and centre it would seem, following a question to Council by Councillor Andrew Mann recently.

When the Cabinet member for StreetCare (Cllr Barry Tebbutt) was asked by Cllr Mann how many tickets the cars had issued to to date in the 2008 / 2009 year, the answer was an amazing 14,240 tickets(from 1st April to 23rd November).

This is on top of the 24,000 that was issued in the part year of 2007 / 2008, the full year to june was 26,837. In a second question by Cllr Mann, he asked how much income was produced by the CCTV car for the municipal year 2007/08.

The answer was £875,702.43, this was for only a part year, as the car did not start until mid June, so in a full year the figure would be over £1 million.

Click here to see previous story "CCTV Car is just a cash cow"

Christmas Lights in the Village

If you are looking for the best house in the Borough for Christmas lights, then pop up to Havering Villgae, Broxhill Road to be exact to see this wonderful display.

The lights are truly magical and bring a little bit of Santas Grotto to the Village and the best part of it, is the owner of the house has done the whole thing for charity, St Francis Hospice to be exact.

So if you have a spare 10 mins and are heading towards the village, take a drive up Broxhill Road.

Christmas Carols on the Green

Cllr Andy Mann, Kevin Tonks and Denis Stevens all braved the cold winter night last evening to attend the Havering-Atte-Bower Conservation Societies (HABCOS) Christmas Carols event. The service was hosted by the Revd David Marshall of St Johns Church.

Over 100 people attended, mostly residents of the village to join in with the signing of carols by torch and candle light. The event ended with mince pies and mulled wine, served by local residents.

Cllr Mann said "What a wonderful event organised by HABCOS for the village, it was fantastic to see so many people turn out, in particular as the evening was so cold, I will certainly be looking forward to the next event".

Rise Park School

Following a recent Cabinet meeting, Havering Council have decided not to go ahead with the planned merger of Rise Park Infants and Junior schools, after a massive 95% of pupils and parents said a resounding NO to the Conservatives plans to close and merge the two schools.

At the time of the plan, Collier Row Councillor Andrew Mann has hit out at the Conservative Administration in their handling of the proposed amalgamation of the schools. The proposal to consult in joining the two schools together was started back in May, when Cabinet member for Education, Cllr Geoff Starns (Tory) signed an Executive Decision agreeing to consult on the amalgamation.

Cllr Mann was inundated with concerned parents who were unhappy that the two schools could merge into one, they were also disappointed following the public meetings that were held as the Council were biased towards merging the schools and gave no evidence as to what benefits it would have..

Cllr Mann, whose children have attended the school, for the last seven year said “I am amazed that the Council would want to even think about closing the infant and junior schools and making a new Primary school, this action should only be considered if the school is failing and Rise Park is far from that situation”.

The amalgamation plans were labelled a farce by Cllr Mann, after the three Conservative ward Councillors for Pettits Ward have all objected to the proposal by their own Cabinet colleague, with a few of them turning out for a photo shoot with the M.P for Romford and Cllr Starns all pretending to be concerned, they even brought along former Councillor, Alby Tebbutt.

Cllr Mann said “The farcical situation is that the Tories made the decision to consult on its merger in the first place and now they are all shouting their heads off suggesting they were against it, Cllr Starns evens turns up for a photo shoot against his own consultation”.

He went on “It would seem that the Conservative Party in North Romford are not content on ruining the reputation of Bower Park School (when they produced a leaflet suggesting it would close) they have now moved onto Rise Park, it would seem this bunch of so called local Councillors could not run a bath between them, let alone a Council”.

Older Persons Christmas Dinner

I had the oppertunity to pop into the Forest Row Centre yesterday, which was the venue for Havering Councils Older Persons Christmas Dinner and Party.

Over 150 residents came together for the event, which was organised by Havering Council for those people that may be spending Christmas on their own, or have no family. A host of Councillors helped out, with one looking strangely like Farther Christmas, the Mayor also made a visit.

Although I was only able to stay for an hour, it was great talking to some of the older people that had come out for the afternoon, the majority of them were picked up the Councils own fleet of mini buses, a true door to door service.

Cllr Andy Mann

Bower Park Christmas Concert

Bower Park School held it annual Christmas Concert at St Johns Church, Havering-Atte-Bower on Thursday evening and as usual a wonderful evening was had by all, followed by a few mince pies.

Both Cllr Mann (Who is a Governor at Bower Park) and Kevin Tonks attended the show and heard a mix of students singing, either on their own, duets or as a bigger group. We also had students playing various instruments, from the Guitar, Drums, Keyboard, Flute, Saxophone and Cello to name but a few.

Parents and guests were able to join in with a few carols and some sing along songs, such as the old favourites, Jingle Bell Rock, Last Christmas and Winter Wonderland.

Cllr Mann read a short reading from LUKE, Chapter 2, verse 1-7 and we had a short sermon from Revd David Marshall, the Vicar of St Johns. Head teacher, Mrs Morrison ended the evening with words of thanks, to all of the students and staff for putting the show together and wished everyone a Merry Christmas.

Pinewood Primary Nativity

Pinewood Primary School Governor, Cllr Andrew Mann was in attendance at the school on Thursday for their annual Christmas presentation. He joined the hundred plus parents and visitors to watch not one but two shows, however before that the School Choir entertained the guests as they arrived and took their seats, with a fine selection of Christmas carols and songs.

First up was the infant school, with the traditional nativity story, we had Mary, Joseph, Angels, Kings, sheep and chickens !! As expected with the younger children, there is always one or two that will go “off message”, the most amusing had to be the scene when Baby Jesus was delivered to Mary by and Angel; she then passed him to Joseph, who promptly threw him into his cot head first.

Next up was the Upper School, with a truly moving story entitled “Miracle at Christmas” but this was no ordinary Christmas tale. It goes back some 90 years ago, to Christmas Day in a field in France.

The Children told a moving story of how two sides came together on a special day and put aside their differences for a few days and stopped fighting. In this special year, 90 years since the end of World War One, using narrators and songs, it was a wonderful story, which the children all seemed to understand.

Cllr Mann said “As a School Governor at Pinewood, I was extremely proud of the children that put together such a fantastic afternoon for their parents, family and guests; everyone should rightly feel proud of the children’s achievement”.

Parcel Scam

Royal Mail has issued a warning on a mail scam originating from Belize. A card is posted to homes from a company called PDS (Parcel Delivery Service) suggesting they were unable to deliver a parcel and asks the occupier to contact them on 0906 6611911.

This is a premium rate number and callers will be billed £15 for the phone call. If you receive a card with these details, contact Royal Mail Fraud on 02072396655 or ICSTIS (the premium rate service regulator) at http://www.icstis.org.uk/ http://www.icstis.org.uk/

So you think you can dance ? (Two)

For the second year running, Bower Park School held its annual dance show, this year helping to raise money for the Lymphoma Association, on Friday 7th December.

Over 200 hundred people in the audience were entertained with twenty two acts, from students across all five year groups in the school, in particular those doing for their GCSE and B-Tec dance exams, something pupils can do, as part of the curriculum.

School Governor, Cllr Mann who was at the show said “As usual, the standard of the performers was excellent, some truly amazing dancing, from both boys and girls and the school once again raised money for a worthwhile charity”.

The event also raised over £500 for the Lymphoma Association.

Tree Planting in Havering Country Park

Cllr Andy Mann and Denis Stevens joined the Friends of Havering Country Park, along with residents, the Havering Park SNT Police team, Councillors, including the Mayor of Havering, for the event to mark National Tree Planting week.

8 Giant Redwoods (Sequoiadendron giganteum) were planted along Wellingtonia Avenue, in the middle of the Park and will form part of the existing Avenue of mature trees.

This Avenue was originally planted during the 1890s by the owners of Machiters Manor House. Some of the new trees have been donated by members of the friends group and the Safer Neighbourhood Team.

One tree was donated by the Collier Row & Mawneys Residents Association, with Andy and Denis on hand to help with its planting.

As Denis Stevens is a dab hand in the greenhouse, he has also taken some cuttings and hopes to be able to nature a few more trees for the park over the next few years, there are still many gaps in the avenue and more need replacing, but at £60 each, its not cheap replacing them.