Havering In Bloom

Gardeners across the borough are being urged to enter this year's Havering In Bloom competition. As one of the greenest boroughs in London, the Havering in Bloom competition is always hotly contested and last year there were well over 100 entries.

This year there are 12 categories in the competition giving a wide range of opportunities for individuals and businesses with different gardening strengths to show off their green-fingered talents.

The most popular category is Best Front Garden – but there are also specialist categories including Best Hanging Basket, Best Container Garden and Best Community Garden. The pub and restaurant which produce the best displays will be honoured and there is an award for the Best Business Premises, which could cover anything from a shop, office building to industrial premises.A school grounds award will be given not just for areas that are attractive and well-maintained, but also on the educational use of the grounds for the pupils.

The awards are not just restricted to beautiful displays of flowers – but also to vegetables with prizes going to Best Allotment Site and Best Plot. In addition, there is a bio-diversity award which will be awarded to an area which supports the wildlife population and creates habitats which attract new species through the use of plantings, nesting sites, refuges and natural food sources.A new category, Best Capital Growth Area, will be awarded to residents who are creating new food growing spaces in their neighbourhoods.

Nomination forms will soon be available at local libraries and Council buildings. All entries must be received by 30 June. The winners will be announced in October. The aim of Havering In Bloom is to transform the appearance of the borough, instil pride in local people and to make it more attractive to visitors.

Bob Wenman, Head of Streetcare, said:"We know how much people love their gardens in Havering and take great pride in the homes and surroundings. Last year we had more entries than ever before but this year could be even bigger. Its amazing how uplifting a few flowers or hanging baskets can be – it can really transform a garden or office building."

Please click here for more information on the Havering in Bloom 2010 or to download the info leaflet and entry form.

Further Bus Strikes

Further Industrial action is expected to take place from 0300 Friday 20 November until 0300 Sunday 22 November, with all of the listed routes subject to possible withdrawal or reduction of service.

Core Routes: 5 8 15 (including Routemaster Heritage service) 25 26 30 48 55 56 62 69 86 97 101 103 104 106 115 145 147 158 169 175 205 230 238 241 247 257 262 276 277 287 294 296 300 325 330 366 369 376 387 396 473 496 D3.

School Routes: 608 647 674 678 687.

Night Routes: N8 N15 N26 N55 N86 N550, which will operate throughout Thursday night/Friday morning, but will be affected on Friday night/Saturday morning and Saturday night/Sunday morning.

For further information and updates please go to:http://www.tfl.gov.uk/

The Village Stocks & Whipping Post

The Stocks and Whipping Post on Havering Village Green have recently been temporally removed to carry out repair and conservation works.

The proposed works to be carried out have been agreed with English Heritage. The works will involve repairing the Whipping Post and the end post for the stocks, refurbishing the ironwork and installing small timber props to the end posts (that previously existed and were shown on the old photographs).

It is hoped the work will not take to long and will be back as soon as possible.

Free entry into the Havering Show - August Bank Holiday

The Havering Show, supported by The City Pavilion, is back for its 29th year. So make a diary date for the August Bank Holiday weekend - Sunday 30 and Monday 31 August in Harrow Lodge Park, Hornchurch. It promises to be a great fun day out for the whole family. And this year admission is free (NB there is a £1 charge for parking).

The Show will feature two great live music acts from pop's golden era - Eric Faulkner's Bay City Rollers ('By Bye Baby', 'Give a Little Love') and sixties chart-toppers The Manfreds ('Do Wah Diddy Diddy', 'Pretty Flamingo'),as well as the Never Forget tribute to Take That. Visit the Music Stage for the full line-up. There will also be an array of fun activities for all from the jousting Knights of Middle England to canine act, Delta Dogs.

Last year's popular acts, Stallions of Substance and the Havering Majorettes will be returning to the main stage.

Planet Havering will once again be providing environmental activities and workshops as well as a solar powered stage. Freecycle, a 'bring and take' opportunity, will match people who have things they no longer need with people who need them. This reduces the amount of things thrown away, minimises waste and helps you to save money.

There will be many other Activities and Workshops at the show including assault courses, bouncy castles, a traditional fun fair and craft and flower displays.

Don't forget to bring your Haveringcard to the show as many stalls will be offering discounts or special offers to residents. You can also find out more and pick up a FREE Haveringcard in the Havering Council marquee (Your Community area). Proof of address not more than three months old, such as a utility bill will be required.

For more information about the show, go to Havering Councils web site by clicking here.

Friends of Bedfords Park

The next work day of the Friends of Bedfords Park, takes place this Sunday, the 9th August. If you would like to come along and help, just turn up at 10.00 outside the visitors centre.

The previous work day in July involved the pruning of some Giant Knot Weed by the walled garden so that it can be treated with herbicide by the council when it starts to regrow.

In the afternoon they cleared some of the paths around a couple of the ponds to the south of the park near Lower Bedfords Road. These paths were initially cleared by us about three of years ago. Although they are used by some dog walkers there is not enough 'traffic' to keep them completely clear.

One of the ponds was completely covered in duckweed whilst the other was clear of it. They also collected various items of 'litter' while we were walking around.

For further information contact Lois or Bill Amos on 01708 704619.

New sign for the Village green

The Havering-Atte-Bower Conservation Society has been successful in biding for a £5,000 grant from Grassroots (part of the Cabinet Office) for a sign to be erected on the Village Green and for repair of the circular seat.

A planning application has recently been submitted for the sign and Cllr Mann said "I was pleased to be able to write to the planners supporting the scheme, which has now been approved, HABCOS have done some wonderful work in the village and should be congratulated for all they do"

HABCOS have now set thee sites on a bid for a larger £10,000 grant to help enhance the village.

More information on what HABCOS have been doing to support the village are available on their website at www.habcos.co.uk

Havering in Bloom

Residents in Havering are being urged to enter this year’s Havering In Bloom competition. As one of the greenest boroughs in London, the Havering in Bloom competition is always hotly contested.

There are 11 categories in the competition which means it is well and truly open to all residents, from gardeners with beautiful window boxes and container boxes to the best community garden and the most beautiful front garden.

The pub and restaurant which produce the best displays for the passing public will be honoured and there is an award for the best business premises, which could cover anything from an office building to a garage forecourt. The awards also include best school hanging basket and best school grounds.

The basket winner will be involved in creating and planting baskets next Spring which will be displayed in South street, Romford. The school grounds award will be given, not just for areas that are attractive and well-maintained, but also on the educational use of the grounds for the pupils.

The awards are not just restricted to beautiful displays of flowers and pretty plants – but also to vegetables with prizes going to best allotment site and allotment plot. On the environment front, there is the bio-diversity award which will be awarded to an area which supports the wildlife population and creates habitats which attract new species through the use of plantings, nesting sites, refuges and natural food sources.

Nomination forms can be picked up at local libraries and Council buildings. All entries must be received by 3 July. The awards will be presented to winners at a special presentation ceremony in October.

Cllr Mann said "This competition has been an excellent show case of our residents talents, many of whom take great pride in their gardens, I have been honoured to present awards in the past for this event whilst i was the cabinet member for StreetCare, i only wish the rules allowed me to take part myself".

To coincide with Havering In Bloom, the Council has packets of sunflower seeds to give away to children who want to enter a competition to grow the tallest sunflower in the borough. The Council has seen some fantastic results over recent years and this year is expected to produce the same level of enthusiasm by all who take part.

Sunflowers can be planted between May and early June. To get a packet of seeds contact maria.smart@havering.gov.uk

Travellers moved on from Bedfords park

The Travellers spent less that 24 hours in Bedfords Park following an operation put together by Havering Council and the Havering Park Safer Neighbourhood Team.

Following the invasion by two families in the park, they settled in for the evening and eventually lit a fire on the ground, as they were trespassing, this constituted criminal damage.

This allowed Sgt Grahame Harle (the newly appointed Sergeant of Havering Park Ward) to conclude that as criminal damage had been caused, he was able to use powers under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act of 1994, after checking with Havering Councils Legal Department, that setting a fire was indeed, criminal damage as set out in the parks by-laws.

Sgt Harle then returned to the Park, with Havering Parks Dept staff and subjected the group to a Sec 61 Criminal justice and Public Order Act1994, i.e. a requirement to leave, giving them up to 18.00hrs that day to comply.

The Travellers then decided to leave the site in the early afternoon, being there for less than 24 hours, they were last seen heading out to the Brentwood Area.

Havering Park Ward Councillor Andrew Mann said "I am very grateful to the Havering Park SNT for the work in this matter, working along side Havering Council staff they have managed to use the law to our advantage, rather than having to use the normal long winded route of going to a magistrate Court to get an eviction order"

Lets hope that the park recovers well ready for its Green Flag Inspection, later this month,

Easter Refuse Collection dates

Havering Council has announced amended dates for refuse and recycling collection over the Easter holiday.

Revised collection days are:

Good Friday, 10 April - Saturday 11 April
Easter Monday, 13 April - Tuesday 14 April
Tuesday 14 April - Wednesday 15 April
Wednesday 15 April - Thursday 16 April
Thursday 16 April - Friday 17 April
Friday 17 April - Saturday 18 April

From Monday 20 April, collections will be back to normal.

Gerpins Lane Easter Opening Times

Gerpins Lane Reuse and Recycling Centre opening times are as normal, 7.30am until 5.45pm every day.

Easter Fun at Bedfords park

There's a great chance this Easter Sunday 12 April to get involved in some fantastic fun activities at Bedfords Park, north Romford between 10am and 4pm. You can also find out more about Havering's plans to declare Bedford's Park a Local Nature Reserve.

You'll be able to try out the trails and guided wildflower walks, find out about Easter crafts, indulge yourself in preserves & pickle tasting, and treat the children to face painting. Most activities are free apart from a £3 per child donation for the trail and Easter crafts.

During the day you'll also be able to find out more about the exciting plans to declare the park a Local Nature Reserve. These are places that are of special interest locally and where people of all ages can enjoy coming into contact with nature. With the Local Nature Reserve designation comes better protection and potentially more opportunities for external funding.

Havering Council's Countryside Team are organising the day in conjunction with Essex Wildlife Trust and the Friends of Bedfords Park.

As part of the Easter Sunday event we'll be asking people what they think about the proposed Local Nature Reserve declaration. Bedfords Park is already a popular site with local residents and school groups who visit regularly for walking, informal recreation and events put on by Essex Wildlife Trust who manage the visitor centre. It's a great place to see wildlife, with important habitats such as woodlands and wildflower meadows and animals including bats, great crested newts and a huge variety of dragonflies and damselflies in summer.

In Havering we already have five Local Nature Reserves - The Manor at Harold Hill covering Dagnam Park and Duck Wood; The Chase at Rush Green; The Ingrebourne Valley covering Hornchurch Country Park and the adjacent marshes; and most recently, Cranham Marsh and Cranham Brickfields in Upminster.

For further information contact:Benjamin SandersonCountryside Projects OfficerEnvironmental StrategyMercury HouseMercury Gardens RM1 3RXTel: 01708 432873e-mail: benjamin.sanderson@havering.gov.uk

StreetCare savings exposed

Cllr Andy Mann, (Residents Association, Havering Park Ward) has hit out at the secretive manner in which Havering’s Cabinet member for StreetCare and the Council have acted with a £330k thousand saving in this years budget.

The savings proposal was put up by StreetCare as part of this year’s Council Tax proposals and despite numerous requests for information over the last 2 months to give more details, Council Officers have been both vague and slow in coming forward with the full details.

Maybe there was good reason for the secretive behaviour, as despite making press comments about how much extra they were investing in StreetCare, Cllr Mann has discovered the truth behind what services they are cutting to make their savings.

To make the £330k saving, StreetCare is getting rid of over 20 vehicles and trailers from its fleet, which in itself is not too bad; however many of them are front line street sweeping vehicles.
The full reduction of the fleet includes, 3 No, 3.5ton small cage tippers, 2 No, pedestrian applied sweepers, 5 No, small Mechanical sweepers, 3 No, linkpacker 7.5t vehicles, 4 No, small Trailers, 2, No Highways tippers.

Cllr Mann has now managed to extract the information from Officers after 2 months of waiting, he said “I can understand reducing the fleet by taking out a few trailers and a few older vehicles; however the reduction of seven sweeping machines and the three linkpackers, which are used for collecting fly tips is not acceptable. At no time during the scrutiny process of the Councils budget, was there any mention of the drastic cut in front line services”.

Cllr Mann, who was formerly the Cabinet Member for StreetCare at Havering was responsible for bring in many of the vehicles in one of the biggest fleet purchases in 20 years, with over £2 million spent across five years to upgrade the service an improve cleansing standards. It has been suggested that four new vehicles will be purchased, however this will only happen once the Council has finished its new StreetCare depot.

Cllr Mann continued, “It is time for the Administration to be honest and upfront with its plans, what is the point of trying to sneak through such savings in its budget without proper consultation, when was a single resident asked if they would like to see a reduction of street cleansing in the Borough, our own research shoes people want more of it, not less”

Earth Hour tonight at 8.30pm

Tonight at 8:30pm you can take part in the world wide earth hour by switching off your non-essential lights for one hour.

The aim of Earth Hour is to get people to take action on climate change. The annual event was launched in 2007 by WWF-Australia and the citizens of Sydney, who on 31 March 2007 were asked to switch their lights off for one hour.

2.2 million people participated and the symbolic action attracted global attention. In 2008 the event went global with up to 50 million people across 35 countries participating http://www.earthhour.org/about).

This year the organisers are aiming even higher. The aim of Earth Hour 2009 is to reach one billion people worldwide. So if you'd like to tell the world that you care about climate change , please be one of those one billion people who switch their lights off on 28 March 2009 at 20:30.

To find out more and sign up to the commitment, click here.

The Friends of Bedfords Park

Cllr Andy Mann, invited Lois Amos, of the Friends of Bedfords Park to write for our Web Site on the activities that the group have been taking part in.

Our Group

The Friends of Bedfords Park, originally formed 4 years ago, are a group of energetic volunteers of all ages. We carry out conservation and practical tasks within Bedfords Park and meet on the 2nd Sunday of the month.

The Park is situated in a Conservation Area which is of Metropolitan Importance for Biodiversity, and is duly being considered for registration as a Local Nature Reserve. The habitats and environs provide many opportunities for varied work and over the last few years we have worked in the woodland, meadows, and grasslands and ponds and lakes. We meet at 9.30-45, beginning work at 10.am. Most of us stay all day, but we appreciate any help and would love to have new members. We have formal meetings every two months.

Flower Power!

We also help arrange events to promote the park and our Group have decided this year to focus on the plants in the Park as we feel that the wonderful native plants sometimes get overlooked. So much wildlife depends on the natural flora beneath our feet.

A joint event between the Essex Wildlife Trust has been arranged for Easter Sunday, the 12th April, when there will be a guided spring plant and flower walk. On June 28th from 2.00pm- 4.00pm we will have another interesting floral walk with local expert botanist Mary Smith, who will help us all recognise the fascinating plants that grow in the meadows and woodland. ( Suggested donation of £6 and must be booked)

The Georgian Walled Garden

The Friends Group, in partnership with the London Borough of Havering and hopefully the Essex Wildlife Trust, are applying for a Local Food Grant of £300,000 to resurrect the fabulous Georgian Walled Garden and create a community and social growing project. The feasibility study has been completed and we are working on our bid. The Walled Kitchen Garden Project will provide a large number of volunteer opportunities to get involved in growing fresh vegetables, fruit and flowers.

So you can see we are literally a growing Group and would love you to visit us on a workday or event. If you are interested please contact Lois and Bill Amos on 01708 704619. Or more information is available on our web site at:- www.friendsofbedfordspark.blogspot.com

Earth Hour

This year's Earth Hour will take place on Saturday 28th March at 8:30pm and you can take part by switching off your non-essential lights for one hour.

The aim of Earth Hour is to get people to take action on climate change.

The annual event was launched in 2007 by WWF-Australia and the citizens of Sydney, who on 31 March 2007 were asked to switch their lights off for one hour. 2.2 million people participated and the symbolic action attracted global attention.

In 2008 the event went global with up to “50 million people across 35 countries participating”, (source: http://www.earthhour.org/about).

This year the organisers are aiming even higher. The aim of Earth Hour 2009 is to reach one billion people worldwide.

So if you'd like to tell the world that you care about climate change , please be one of those one billion people who switch their lights off on 28 March 2009 at 20:30.

To find out more and sign up to the commitment, click here.

Friends of Havering Country Park

At the most recent meeting of the Friends of Havering Country Park, the vacant post of Chairman was filled by Gordon Walkley, who was duly elected to represent our Group. Those members holding other Committee posts remain in place.

Mawneys Team member Joe Webster attended and said "I am sure Gordon will make a wonderful Chairman of the group, so much has been achieved over the last two years or so by the group and I am sure he will take things further"

The next event for the group will be its usual public meeting at the North Romford Community Centre on the 19th March, starting at 7.30pm.

Following that is a work day on the 29th March, were the group will be clearing an area near to the bungalow called Charlie's Acre. We will be burning the old wood - baked spuds and bangers will be provided. Bring a flask.

For more information about the group you can visit there web site at: http://sites.google.com/site/fohcpg or e-mail at fohcpg@googlemail.comweb or by text or phone on mobile number 07531-250463

How are Havering's Roads Gritted

Cllr Andrew Mann, who was Havering's Cabinet Member for StreetCare for three years, gives an overview of how the gritting operation works in Havering. During his time as the Cabinet Member, he spent a night out with one of the crews seeing how the whole operation works (pictured above at the salt store during loading, pre diet I have to say)

This week's extreme weather conditions saw Havering Council bring into operation its most extensive road gritting programme for over 15 years.

The Council has five gritting vehicles. Usually four vehicles operate, with one spare. This week during the heavy snowfalls all five operated. The grit is loaded at the Councils small depot in Rainham Road, the vehicles and the JCB needed to load them, are all kept at the Purfleet Depot.

During periods of heavy snow and ice, StreetCare suspend road sweeping and staff switch to gritting important pedestrian areas, such as shops, school entrances, old peoples homes. Teams of staff from Parks, will use grit to clear entrance roads and paths around some of the bigger parks, see picture below of staff at Bedfords Park on Monday.

Prioritising roads

The total length of roads in Havering is 618 km, excluding trunk roads where gritting is carried out by Transport for London (TfL) and The Highways Agency. The total length of priority one roads is approximately 288 km. This is approximately 47% of the Boroughs roads. In Havering the only roads covered by TfL are the A12, A13 and A127. The Highways Agency is responsible for the M25.

Gritting operations during the night of Sunday 1st / Monday 2 February, the night of heaviest snowfall, the gritting crews put down 125 tonnes of salt – the most they have put down in 15 years. A normal night would see 20 to 30 tonnes. All five of Havering’s gritting vehicles were out, with crews started gritting a 5pm on Sunday and worked until 5am Monday. A new team carried on the operation from 7am.

Roads are gritted in the following priority order:

Main roads and bus routes including the accesses to emergency service centres. Gritters will only move onto other roads once these roads are clear.

Highways to essential industrial establishments, mainline and underground stations, bus garages, shopping centres and pedestrian areas.

Other commuter routes.

Single accesses to schools.

Residential roads and footways.

Roads to single premises.

For more information about Havering Council's Snow Plan click on the following link. http://www.havering.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=11637&p=0

Snow Update - Wed 4th Feb

The snow and ice is still affecting some Council services today. Romford market will be closed today, possibly re-opening on Friday, however further announcements will be made about that later today or tomorrow.

Havering's waste contractor, Biffa have not collected any waste on Monday or Tuesday. As of 07.00 this morning, they are Havering have not made any announcement on how they will deal with the back-log or when they plan to collect the normal rounds for this week.

We have not been informed of any school closures in North Romford today, we know that the following will be open as normal.

Bower Park

Pinewood

Rise Park J & I

Clockhouse

For more details about school closures, listen to Time FM on 107.5fm or confirm with your own school, you can also look up the details at Havering on http://www.havering.gov.uk/

Snow Update - Tues 3rd Feb

Following the heavy snow fall yesterday and the overnight icy conditions, a number of schools in Collier Row are still closed for today, Tuesday 3rd Feb, they include;

Bower Park
Marshalls Park
Pinewood
Rise Park
Parklands
Crownfield
Clockhouse



Havering Council has announced that no buses will be running today, for special school journeys are for the elderly at day centres across the Borough.

No rubbish or recycling was collected by Biffa, the Councils collection contractor yesterday, there may also be no collection today, more updates will be available later.

As a result of the extreme weather conditions, transport services are severely disrupted and driving conditions are poor today, Tuesday 3 February. Council staff are still working to clear and grit roads in the borough.

For news on buses and trains, the Transport for London (TfL) website has more information at: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/livetravelnewsThe London Travel Info 24hrs telephone helpline is on 020 7222 1234. BBC Ceefax, page 436, or ITV's Teletext, page 164.

For more information on Council services, go to; http://www.havering.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=15164

For more information on school closures, listen to Time 107.5fm or contact your school direct.

The Council have also had its fleet of five gritters working through the night, spreading over 100 tons of salt on the roads, priority is always on the main roads, bus routes.

Smaller roads are dealt with only once the others are completed, StreetCare have been gritting outside shopping centres, libraries and other Council buildings.

2nd Feb is now known as Snow Day !!

With almost every school in Havering closed and parents not able to get to work for the day, it would seem that almost all of them headed for Bedfords park, in Havering-Atte-Bower this morning.

Cllr Mann, was in the Park with his family (pictured above, with his youngest daughter and friends) and approx 1,000 plus people. The park road was gritted by staff early on to make getting in and out easier, however by mid morning the park was packed, to the degree that at 12.00 the park had to be closed to any more cars, as it was full up, with nowhere to park and was causing massive traffic problems.

Almost every school in the Borough is now closed (see list below) with quite a few announced they will be closed tomorrow (Tuesday 3rd Feb) as well, for full details about closures, contact you school web sites direct, listen to TIME FM on 107.5fm in the morning or go to Havering Councils web site at http://www.havering.gov.uk/.

I have posted a selection of photos taken today in and around Collier Row today.

The View from Collier Row Roundabout

Bower Park School, closed for the day

Havering Council Parks Department gritting the road in Bedfords Park

Bedfords Park

Bower Park Head Boy, Chris Webb enjoying the day off in Bedfords park.

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