Friends of Havering Country Park Quiz Night

The whole Collier Row & Mawneys Residents Association team attended the Quiz Night of the Friends of Havering Country Park last Saturday, to help raise funds for the group to spend in the park.

Over 80 people attended the night, helping to raise over £600 that the group can use to good use in the park. Our team kept up with the top teams for a good part of the night, but we lost out on the music round and ended up a close 5th out of the 13 or so teams who took part.

The friends group has been running for over almost 3 years now and has grown in that time, with new members and has consistently pushed the Council in setting out its plans for the parks investments.

Cllr Mann said “We were all very pleased to be able to support the friends group for the second year running out their quiz night, it was a great night and we all very much look forward to coming back next year, maybe we can improve on our score”

For more information about the group, take a look at their web site at,
http://sites.google.com/site/fohcpg

Bat Walk in Havering Country Park

The Friends of Havering Country Park in association with Essex Bat Group or organising another Bat Walk in Havering Country Park on Saturday 15th August, at 7.45pm, following the success of the walk held last summer (pictured above). It is known that there are at least three species of Bat in the park, so you should be in for a good night.

You must also be over 11 years old to take part, a small charge of £2.50 is payable per person and you should book in advance.

To reserve a place, please leave your contact details on the friend’s mobile phone, 07531 250463 or email them at: fohcpg@googlemail.com

All places will be reserved on a first come first served basis. In the event of bad weather a talk on the subject will take place under cover.

If you would like to take part, click here for more information.

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.

Haverings Sports Summer Programme

Havering Councils, Sports Development Team have lined up a great range of activities for young people aged 8-19 years to enjoy during the summer holidays.

You can try lots of different sports including archery, cricket, tag rugby, basketball, handball, netball, football, tennis, athletics and many more. There's something happening at locations all over Havering, so there's bound to be one close to where you live.

They have also arranged family fun days at Harrow Lodge Park, Upminster Park and Dagnam Park. And in August the Active Sports Zone comes to Rise Park for a week of sporting activities.

You can download a PDF version of the Havering Sports Summer Activities programme from the link below:

Click here for the Havering Sports Summer Activities Programme

To make a booking, just call the Sports Development Team on 01708 434743.

FREE - Summer Playfest in the Park

Havering will be hosting its annual Playfest again this summer. A free play festival which will take place over five days throughout the borough’s parks, to celebrate national Playday.The first Playfest was held last year, thanks to a £99,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund to host the event over three years.

Following last year’s successful event, an extra day has been added to make sure as many children as possible get the chance to take part.Activities at this year’s event include sports like quick cricket and short tennis as well as a dance workshop, interactive music, bouncy castles and face painting.

Playfest will be at:

Central Park, Harold Hill on Monday 3 August

Raphael Park, Romford on Tuesday 4 August

Harrow Lodge Park, Hornchurch on Wednesday 5 August

Rainham Recreation Ground on Thursday 6 August

Upminster Park on Friday 7 August.

Now the summer holidays have begun, it’s time for children to get out and about in the borough, make new friends, try new things and get active, this free event is a great, stress-free summer day out for children.

For more information go to http://www.havering.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=16248

Mounted Police come to Havering Park

Cllr Andrew Mann and Havering Park Ward Action Member, Denis Steven joined the friends of Havering Country Park and the Ward SNT Police team as the Metropolitan Police Mounted Branch visited Havering Country Park and Bedfords Park on Sunday.

Four Police horses were on patrol in the parks, along with Sgt Grahame Harle and PCSO Pete Watts, who were looking out for anti social behaviour problems, including people using motorbikes illegally in the parks.

The horses have become an annual fixture in the parks over the summer months, having been to Havering for the last few years.

Cllr Mann said “The sheer presence of the horses is enough to scare anyone off who even thinks about riding a bike in the park, we are all extremely grateful for the Mounted Branch for coming over to the park, my thanks to the local SNT Police team for arranging the event.

Denis Stevens said “The Police in our ward have been fantastic in supporting the Friends of Havering Country Park group, by bring in the horses it send a clear message that illegal motorbikes will not be tolerated in our parks”

Langtons Summer Concert

One of the most popular events in the borough's culture calendar, the Langtons Summer Concert, will take place on Sunday 7 June, and is free to all residents.

The annual event, which last year attracted around 3,000 people to Langtons Gardens, will celebrate 80 years since Havering Council acquired the gardens of Langtons House from Elizabeth Varco Parkes in 1929.

In celebration of this anniversary, guests are invited to put on their best 1920s style fancy dress, and there will be a prize for the best costume in two categories, adults and children, presented by the Mayor of Havering.

The concert is performed by the Westminster Philharmonic Orchestra who will bring the sound of the 1920s to life with the help of long standing musical director Jonathan Butcher. The concert starts at 3pm and visitors are invited to bring along a picnic.

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,

Travellers invade Bedfords park

Havering Park Councillor, Andrew Mann is disappointed that Travellers have once again invaded Bedfords Park, in Broxhill Road, Havering-Atte-Bower. They used a crane on the back of a truck to drag a 3 ton tree, which was being used as a barrier to gain access to the fields.

On receiving the news, Cllr Mann and Havering Park Action Member, Kevin Tonks went straight to the park to see the situation that was unfolding and found three vehicles and two caravans. Despite only being there for less than 2 hours, there was already a large amount of rubbish accumulating.

Cllr Mann was able to talk with Havering Councils Parks Manager, Martin Stanton, who had also rushed to the Park to make sure that no further Travellers were able to gain access and join those that had already arrived. Extra security was brought in over night with guard dogs to make sure no further issues occurred.

This is now the third time we have had travellers in Bedfords Park in the same amount of years, each time extra measures have been put in place to make the park more secure and each time the travellers find new ways of beating them to gain access.

The focus will now turn to the process of getting rid of the travellers; sadly this can only be done by a legal process of serving eviction notices and attending Havering Magistrates Court. With any luck, they move on before this process is completed, like they did last year.

Once the removal has happened, the focus most turn to getting the park ship shape for it annual green flag inspection that will take place shortly. Bedfords Park has achieved green flag status for the last two years, and we can not allow this recent traveller invasion to distract from that goal.

I have to say well done to Martin Stanton from the Parks Department and his staff who acted quickly in getting to the park; I know he would be upset if he did not get a personal mention.

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

Chelmsford Avenue Play Site - STILL CLOSED

Cllr Andy Mann and Havering Park Action member, Kevin Tonks, of the Collier Row & Mawneys Residents Association, have hit out at the current situation in Collier Row of yet another park that is closed and not open for children to play in (following the story below concerning the park in Lodge Lane at the Forest Row Centre).

The long running issues at the Chelmsford Avenue play site, behind the shops in Gobions Avenue, saw the park closed by the local Police back in 2006 and remained locked shut for some 18 months. It was then re-opened after much argument from local residents.

During this time, Cllr Mann thought with the Council to start the public consultation into what park equipment was needed after the park was given £50 thousand some 4 years ago as part of a housing redevelopment on part of its land.

The consultation took place last October and the play equipment was installed shortly afterwards, late last year. Now, the park is still closed. After Cllr Mann complained about the situation yet again, he was advised by the Parks Manager that the team of staff responsible for locking and un-locking the parks across the Borough are refusing to lock this particular park up at night.

Now, local children are reduced to having to break into the park to play, as the gates are locked shut and there is a six foot fence all around it. They have no issues about anti-social behaviour; it just seems the Council has.

Havering Councils Mobile Patrol Team (subject to a recent Cabinet report disbanding their service) have refused to lock the park up on health and safety grounds as they feel the park entrance is a danger. This is despite the gates being moved nearer to the pavement to reduce any anti- social behaviour issues. The Councils own Health and Safety team has also visited and given the all clear for the gates to be locked at night.

Cllr Mann said “It is a crime against children that they have this park under their noses, yet for some stupid Council bureaucracy, the park remains closed and the children are barred from entering it, is it any wonder they are climbing the fences to get in there”.

Kevin Tonks said “We have been highlighting this issue for over 3 years; it is not good enough that the young people in the community are losing out yet again, young children need the park open, so they can play and run around without getting knocked over by a car playing in the street”.

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

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

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

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

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.

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/

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.

£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!!