New Activities at Forest Row Centre

New and exciting activities continue to be added to the range at the Forest Row Centre, in Lodge Lane, Collier in particular a new Pilates Class (matwork based) that is about to start.

Treat yourself to Pilates, a combination of movement and breathing, great for relaxation and improving your strength, flexibility, balance and posture.

For all ages and abilities. Qualified and experienced instructor. Classes at Forest Row Centre, Lodge Lane, Collier Row, starting Wednesday 22nd April, 10.30-11.30am. £4.50 pay as you go or £24 for a 6 week block of classes.

Phone more information phone 01708 431742.

Brand new park, locked shut for 18 months !!

The Collier Row & Mawneys Residents Association has hit out at Havering Council for its failings to open a brand new park, in Lodge Lane, Collier Row.

The park was built as part of the new Forest Row Centre, although the park is in the grounds of the centre, it is managed by the Councils Parks Department, but since being finished in Sept 2007, it still remains closed and un-used as officers have failed to install security fencing and dealt with the land ownership issues with the lease holders of the centre.

Despite promises from officers to Cllr Mann that the issue will be dealt with, nothing has happened. The Forest Row Centre gets all of the complaints as the park is on their land at present and it is not fair on them. Children constantly climb over fences to get to the park.

Collier Row Councillor, Andrew Mann said “It is unbelievable that a brand new park can be built by the Council for the youth of Collier Row and then keep it shut for almost two years, they should hang their heads in shame”.

Havering Park Action Member, Denis Stevens (Pictured on the right) said “With complaints from residents about the lack of provision for younger people in Collier Row, it is almost criminal that this new facility, that has never been opened should be allowed to sit and rot, the Council are forever telling us how much they are spending on the parks, yet in Collier Row they are being neglected.

Go to the link below to see the original story when the park was finished and should have opened straight after.

http://andrewmann.blogspot.com/2007/11/new-park-for-collier-row.html

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

Residents Drop in Surgery

Our latest Residents drop in surgery is being held this Saturday, the 19th July at our usual location of the Forest Row Centre in Lodge Lane, Collier Row, between 10.00 and 11.00, all you have to do is drop in, no need for an appointment.

Our Residents Association Councillor for Havering Park, Andrew Mann will be on hand along with Mawneys team members Graham & Joe Webster and Havering Park member, Denis Stevens to help with any issues you may have about havering Council, such as Housing, StreetCare, Council Tax, Education or any other matter that you may need help with.

If you can not make the surgery, you can always phone us for an appointment at a different time or drop us an e-mail or letter, contact details on the right hand column.

Residents Drop in Surgery

Our latest Residents drop in surgery is being held this Saturday, the 21st June at our usual location of the Forest Row Centre in Lodge Lane, Collier Row, between 10.00 and 11.00, all you have to do is drop in, no need for an appointment.

Our Residents Association Councillor for Havering Park, Andrew Mann will be on hand along with Mawneys team members Graham & Karen Price and Joe Webster and Havering Park member, Denis Stevens to help with any issues you may have about havering Council, such as Housing, StreetCare, Council Tax, Education or any other matter that you may need help with.

If you can not make the surgery, you can always phone us for an appointment at a different time or drop us an e-mail or letter, contact details on the right hand column.

Residents Drop in Surgery

Our latest Residents drop in surgery is being held this Saturday, the 17th May at our usual location of the Forest Row Centre in Lodge Lane, Collier Row, between 10.00 and 11.00, all you have to do is drop in, no need for an appointment.

Our Residents Association Councillor for Havering Park, Andrew Mann will be on hand along with Mawneys team members Graham & Karen Price and Joe Webster to help with any issues you may have about havering Council, such as Housing, StreetCare, Council Tax, Education or any other matter that you may need help with.

If you can not make the surgery, you can always phone us for an appointment at a different time or drop us an e-mail or letter, contact details on the right hand column.

Drop in Surgery this Saturday

Our latest Residents drop in surgery is being held this Saturday, the 19th April at our usual location of the Forest Row Centre in Lodge Lane, Collier Row, between 10.00 and 11.00, all you have to do is drop in, no need for an appointment.

Our Residents Association Councillor for Havering Park, Andrew Mann will be on hand along with Mawneys team members Graham & Karen Price to help with any issues you may have about havering Council, such as Housing, StreetCare, Council Tax, Education or any other matter that you may need help with.

If you can not make the surgery, you can always phone us for an appointment at a different time or drop us an e-mail or letter, contact details on the right hand column.

Drop In Surgery, this Saturday

Our latest Residents drop in surgery is being held this Saturday, the 15th March at our usual location of the Forest Row Centre in Lodge Lane, Collier Row, between 10.00 and 11.00, all you have to do is drop in, no need for an appointment.

Our Residents Association Councillor for Havering Park, Andrew Mann will be on hand along with Denis Stevens and Mawneys team Graham Price and Joe Webster to help with any issues you may have about havering Council, such as Housing, StreetCare, Council Tax, Education or any other matter that you may need help with.

If you can not make the surgery, you can always phone us for an appointment at a different time or drop us an e-mail or letter, contact details on the right hand column.

Residents Drop in Surgery

Our latest Residents drop in surgery is being held this Saturday, the 19th January at our usual location of the Forest Row Centre in Lodge Lane, Collier Row, between 10.00 and 11.00, all you have to do is drop in, no need for an appointment.

Our Residents Association Councillor for Havering Park, Andrew Mann will be on hand along with Mawneys team Graham Price and Joe Webster to help with any issues you may have about havering Council, such as Housing, StreetCare, Council Tax, Education or any other matter that you may need help with.

If you can not make the surgery, you can always phone us for an appointment at a different time or drop us an e-mail or letter, contact details on the right hand column.

Forest Row Open Day

Yesterday saw the opening of the Forest Row Centre, in Lodge Lane, Collier Row, Havering Park Councillor Andrew Mann was on hand as one of the Charity Trustees overseeing the centre to show local residents around the building.

Approx 500 plus residents attended on the day, to take a guided tour and look over the facilities on offer, apart from a free cup of tea and a sandwich; there was the chance to see some of the user groups in action, from dance shows and gymnastic displays, to jive dancing and the Collier Row juniors Football Club.

Havering Mayor, Cllr Georgina Galpin was on hand to meet and greet visitors to the centre long with cutting the cake, pictured with the three Charity Trustees, Phil Butler, Jacky Taylor and Cllr Mann cutting the cake.

Cllr Mann, who was a former Forest Lodge Schoolboy, has spoken of his delight at the centre finally opening. He said “Ever since I was elected in 2002, I have been working with the committee of FLAC (Forest Lodge Activity Centre) and the Collier Row Junior Football club to make this centre happen; I have had probably 100 meetings with both, the committee, planners council officers, developers and local residents to achieve this dream”

Cllr Mann was rewarded for his involvement with both organisations as they become one, to for the Forest Row Centre, that has now been registered as a charity, and he has now become one of the three charity trustees to oversee the running of the centre during the duration of its 25 year lease.

As you would imagine, the open day was crawling with Conservative Councillors and even an M.P and his assistants, they have even produced a leaflet suggesting it was all down to the Conservative Council for building this centre.

So Cllr Mann has set the record straight he said “For over 5 years, ever since I was first elected in 2002, I have been involved with this project. I have attended hundreds of meetings in that time, yet Tory Councillor Geoff Starns has you believe, along with his new colleague Sandra Binion that they have built this centre, almost single handily, you would think they had laid the bricks themselves.

In those five years, Geoff Starns has not attended one single meeting at Forest Lodge, not one in over 5 years, you have to wonder how he has the front to claim credit for anything in Collier Row, let alone this centre, as for his accolade, Sandra Binion, she has popped her head into the centre about half a dozen times in 18 months”

That said, the centre is fantastic, it is all down to the hard work and dedication to a small band of people that run the old FLAC building and Collier Row Juniors, they deserve all the credit for the commitment to stick at it over the years, and now they have their reward.

Cllr Andrew Mann

Forest Row Centre Open day

Please feel free to drop into the Forest Row Centre tomorrow, in Lodge Lane, Collier Row, between 10.00 and 2.00pm for the Grand Open day.

Come along and see what goes on in the new £2million centre built for the people of Collier Row and North Romford.

Charity Trustee Cllr Andrew Mann will be on hand to show people around the Centre, so just pop along, pick up a cup of tea and a sandwich and take a look around.

Forest Row Open Day

This Saturday (the 26th Jan) the Mayor of Havering will be opening the Forest Row Centre in Lodge Lane, Collier Row at 1pm. There will be an open day for local residents from 10.00am to 2.00pm, where you will be able to see some of the activities that go on in the centre, such as Karate, Dancing, Gym club, Pilate's, Collier Row Football Club and much more, a children's entertainer will also be on hand to keep everyone amused whilst looking round.

Local Havering Park Ward Councillor and Centre Trustee, Cllr Andrew Mann said "It would be fantastic if our local residents could drop in during the day, to have a cup of tea with us, whilst looking round the new £2 million centre, it has been built for the Residents of North Romford and i would very much like to see you all there on the day"

So, if you are not doing much on Saturday, just drop in between 10.00 and 2.00 and see what goes on, free refreshments are on hand throughout the day.

Residents Drop In Surgery

Our latest Residents drop in surgery is being held this Saturday, the 19th January at our usual location of the Forest Row Centre in Lodge Lane, Collier Row, between 10.00 and 11.00, all you have to do is drop in, no need for an appointment.

Our Residents Association Councillor for Havering Park, Andrew Mann will be on hand along with Mawneys team Graham Price and Joe Webster to help with any issues you may have about havering Council, such as Housing, StreetCare, Council Tax, Education or any other matter that you may need help with.

If you can not make the surgery, you can always phone us for an appointment at a different time or drop us an e-mail or letter, contact details on the right hand column.

Residents Drop In Surgery

Our latest Residents Drop in Surgery, held this Saturday was another success, with residents from both Mawneys and Havering Park ward turning up at the new Forest Row Centre in Lodge Lane to discuss issues of local concern.

The next Drop in Surgery will be held on the second Saturday of December, the 8th, again at the Forest Row Centre in Lodge Lane. However, do not worry if you cannot make it on that day, as we will come and see you at a time more convenient to you, just drop us a line at haveringpark@hotmail.co.uk or phone Romford 768 008.

Residents Drop In Surgery

Do you need any help or advice about a local issue, do you live in either Mawneys or Havering Park ward in North Romford ? If so, you can pop in any time between 10.30 and 12.00 this Saturday at the Forest Row Centre in Lodge Lane Collier Row to see one of our action team members along with Cllr Mann.

A map of the location is below, if you are using SAT Nav, the postcode address is RM5 2LD, the centre is located two thirds of the way along Lodge Lane and is on the old Forest Lodge school site.

This is our first surgery being held in the newly opened centre, our surgeries will be held monthly on a Saturday, the next surgery will be in December, on Saturday the 8th, no need to make an appointment, just turn up.

New Park for Collier Row

Residents of Collier Row will be celebrating shortly as a new children’s play site will open as part of the new Forest Row Centre in Lodge Lane on the site of the old Forest Lodge School.

Ward Councillor, Andrew Mann, who is a trustee of the new charity that’s runs the Forest Row Centre was on hand recently as the finishing touches were being made and commented on the new park.

He said “This play site has been five years in the making and I am pleased to have paid a part in providing this new park to an area of Collier Row that is lacking in provision for young people and im sure it will go a long way to giving local residents some quality amenity facilities”.

Although the park is on the site of the Forest Row Centre, it was paid for out of the agreement when the builders were appointed to build the centre. The park will be run by the Councils Parks Department and will open to the public shortly once all of the work is complete and safety checks have been made.

Cllr Mann went on “It is great that something good can come out of building on this site, with a new community centre on its way, local residents will have some first class facilities on their door step”.

The Centre is on the site of the Former Forest Lodge School, which Cllr Mann attended as a pupil from 1982 to 1987. 29 housed have also been allowed to be built on the site, which funded the building works for the new centre. The houses are still being built.

Forest Row Centre opens its Doors

Cllr Mann was on hand today as the official handing over of the Forest Row Centre took place; the building has been completed in just under 12 months and is almost fully operational.

The former Forest Lodge School in Lodge Lane has come a long way over the last 10 years, writes former pupil and now local Ward Councillor, Andrew Mann.

“Since I was first elected in 2002, I have been involved with the plans to redevelop the former school, meeting with the user groups almost monthly, discussing the plans and proposals with Council Officers and being involved with discussions as the project moved through the planning, design and build stage and even watching the last part being demolished”.

As one of three trustees of the “Forest Row Centre” who recently signed the 25 year lease for the Forest Row organisation to use the new building and centre, Cllr Mann said “It has been an honour and privilege to be asked to be one of the trustees of the new centre, to walk round the finished building and the site with its football pitches is just fantastic”

Another organisation celebrating, is the Collier Row Football club, who have been playing at the former school for over 10 years, they now have a new home fit for the future and a wonderful asset for the young people to use.

Forest Row Centre is well on its way

I had a site meeting today at the new Forest Row Centre in Lodge Lane, Collier Row, the building work is progressing at a very steady pace and it will not be long before the work is complete.

You can see from the two photos taken above, the progress being made. The first photo was taken about one month ago, the second was taken today. The picture is of the main sports hall.

I went through some of the minor issues on site with the builders, such as the colours to be painted on the walls in different rooms, going through some details in the reception area and generally looking over the progress of the work.

I also met last week with the Forest Row committee and Council officers to go through some of the finer details surrounding the lease negotiations. As a trustee of the Forest Row Centre, which as now been officially recognised as a charity it is great to finally see something nearing completion that you started over five years ago.

Forest Lodge finally Demolished

The last remaining building of the old Forest lodge School building was demolished this week to make way for the new £2 million Community & Activity Centre in Lodge Lane. The building had been used by the Forest Lodge Activity Centre (F.L.A.C) for the last 15 plus years and found itself in the middle of the new car park.

As a former pupil of the old school, on one hand it was a sad day to see the last remains of the school disappear, however i am looking forward to seeing the new building open to the community, which will be a wonderful resource for both young and old.

The new centre is well under way, with the roof now on and all of the services inside, such as heating, electrics, plumbing etc now being installed, hopefully the centre will be ready by the end of the summer.

I have been very proud to have been involved with this building project from the begining, i have meet with Council Officers and representatives of FLAC for the last five years tha i have been your Councillor in "Havering Park" ward and i am looking forward to the grand opening later in the year.