North Romford Area Committee

The next meeting of the North Romford Area Committee will be held this week, on Thursday 22nd October, starting at 7.30pm. StreetCare officers will be present from 7pm, along with Cllr Mann and other members of the Residents Association.

The meeting is being held at Clockhouse Primary School, in Clockhouse Lane, Collier Row.

Items on the agenda include a report about proposed yellow lines in the new Havring's estate (the former Gobions school site) and in Litten Close, off Lodge Lane.

Their is also the opportunity to raise question in a public forum for 30 minutes. For more information and to see the agenda, click on the link below.

http://www.havering.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=19542&p=0

Say No to Dartford Crossing sell - Off

SIGN THE PETITION TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

Gordon Brown has recently announced a car boot sale of British owned assets, to ballance the books after bringing the Country to its knees.

The proposed sell-off of the Dartford Crossing will mean that the toll will not only remain but is likely to increase significantly as private operators seek to maximise profits.

The Crossing should not be sold off and, furthermore, the toll should be scrapped at the earliest possible opportunity in order to prevent the unacceptable levels of delay, pollution and cost to business.

SIGN THE PETITION TO THE PRIME MINISTER TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

http://www.gopetition.com/online/31379.html

2nd Annual Horseman Sunday Service

Cllr Andy Mann attended the 2nd Havering-Atte-Bower Conservation Societies “Horseman’s Sunday Service” held on the village green last Sunday.

The event started with a parade of horses from across the various stables based in the Village, approx 50 where on display whilst an open air service was conducted by the Revd David Marshall of St Johns Church, with songs being sung and prayers said for the horses and for the residents of the village.

After the horses had all been presented with a rosette by the M.P for Romford and myself. A BBQ was kindly laid on by the Church and HABCOS, which some 100 plus people took advantage of in the glorious Autumn sun that came out especially for the day.

The whole event was fantastic and really brought out the best of the village, my thanks to Nicky Gates and Heather Sherry (who are the Chairman and Secretary) and their team of helpers for putting the event together, I very much look forward to the 3rd annual service, next year.

Cllr Andy Mann

Freedom Pass Mischief from the Tories

Cllr Andy Mann has hit out at the Collier Row Conservatives after producing a leaflet that is full of inaccuracies and lies in relation to the Freedom Pass, by implying that the Government have withheld this year’s payment of £1.8 Million from Havering Council. The leaflet was written by Silly Billy Taylor, who has a habit of printing mis-leading leaflets for the Conservative Party.

Cllr Mann is particularly unhappy about a quote from Cllr Binion and Leader of the Council Cllr Michael White who say “The Collier Row & Mawneys Residents Association have failed to defend the free travel and that he (Cllr Mann) regularly votes with the Labour party in the Town Hall”

Cllr Mann said “I am amazed that the Leader of the Council can get himself involved in another leaflet produced by Silly Billy Taylor (he of the Bower Park School to close leaflet, which was full of lies), I expect this sort of thing from Cllr Binion, as she does not know any better, having been mentored by former Councillor, Alby Tebbutt. However for Cllr White to associate himself with such deliberately misleading statements scarring the elderly of our Borough is an abuse of Power”

The Facts

· The Government have not withheld any money this year !

· The Government have actually started a consultation with London Councils on the possibility of withdrawing the last year of a three year grant in 2010 / 2011. The total grant across London is £55 million, with Havering’s part being possibly £1.8 million.

· Havering Council actually received a saving last year from the Freedom Pass budget of some £2.65 million, which it used to prop up some of its overspending Council Departments.

London Councils first raised this issue, after they attended a meeting with Whitehall Officials and came away with some concerns from it and are now seeking reassurances that the money will not be cut. (Cllr Merrick Cockell, Chairman of London Councils speaking in London Bulletin Sept/Oct 2009)

Cllr Mann said “If the Conservatives managed to run the finances of the Borough better they would not be in this mess, we have £12.5 million tied up in Iceland and they took £2.65 million out of the Freedom pass budget last year and spread around overspending budgets in the Council”.

Cllr Mann goes on “Everyone knows you can not trust Gordon Brown when it comes to finance, if the Conservatives had been a but more prudent last year and not spent their savings of £2.65 million form the Freedom Pass budget, we would not be in this position now”.

The Collier Row and Mawneys Residents Association have an on-line petition at their web site www.collier-row.co.uk that residents can sign if they wish to show their support for not cutting funding from the grant.

As Chairman of the Collier Row & Mawneys Residents Association, Cllr Mann has written to Cllr Michael White and Mr Billy Taylor warning them that any further lies printed in a Conservative Newsletter will result in Court Action. It is not the first time this has happened, Cllr Mann issued proceedings in the County Court against Cllr Michael White two years ago.

Cllr Mann said “I will do whatever is needed to protect my good name and that of the Collier Row & Mawneys Residents Association, if that mean we have to take the Leader of the Council back to Court again, then so be it. The residents of Collier Row deserve far better than what they are getting from the Five Conservative Councillors at present, and if we need to put all of them in a witness box to prove they are lying then so be it”

Joe Webster beats the Chatsworth Challenge

Mawneys Action member, Joe Webster, walked 25 miles across the hills of the Peak District to raise money for the charity, Breaks 4 Kids. Joe said “Not only was it a long walk but also involved ascents totalling 3500 feet. Fortunately the weather was just right for walking and I managed to complete the course in ten hours and sixteen minutes.”

By his efforts Joe has raised over £600 for the charity which sponsors young people who otherwise could not afford residential courses in climbing, caving, canoeing and other outward bound type courses run by the Youth Hostels Association.

Joe quoted a statement by the Department of Education and Skills in 2006, “Staying away for a few or more days is a powerful way of developing key life skills, building confidence, self esteem, communication and team working.” He added, “I do not necessarily agree with everything that emanates from the department but over this I totally concur. If it helps to get a few youngsters off the streets into something useful it is worth every penny spent".

Joe is pictured on the summit of Helvellyn in the Lake District earlier in the year whilst training for the Chatsworth Challenge.

Young Artists on Display

From the 25th September until the 1st October 2009, Havering will host a free exhibition of young contemporary artists and writers. Open everyday from 11am until 5pm the exhibition will be held in the former shop 'Heart of Dixie UK' (opposite the Salvation Army building) in Romford.

Free workshops and talks will be available to attend for both individuals and groups. Everyone is welcome, please come along and support youth arts in the area.

Romfest 09

On Sunday 27 September Havering Council will present 'Romfest'; a free, day-long festival of music, dance, sport and the arts. The day will get off to a flying start at 10am with a 5 kilometre Fun Run in Raphael Park. You can walk, run, jog or be pushed around in a buggy – it doesn't matter.

From midday until seven in the evening, Romford market place will be the venue for a non-stop programme of free, live entertainment featuring a host of superb local talent.

The programme also includes some great headline acts - Chico, Blazin' Squad and “Lemar” – with some of our most popular local presenters from Time 107.5 and Link 92.2 comparing the lavish stage show.

Don't worry if you can't make it to the front of the stage – we've laid on an overhead big screen so you don't miss out on any of the action!

And there will be lots of other things going on to keep visitors of all ages entertained. Why not try your hand at the arts and crafts workshops on offer; pick up some handy personal safety advice from the borough's experts; check out the active sports zone or pop along to the fashion show in The Liberty Shopping Centre?

There'll be street entertainers, amusements and, at 5pm, the Romfest Best Rock Band competition taking place at Brannigans in South Street concluding with a special performance by London Blackmarket. Doors open at 5pm at Brannigans and entry is FREE before 8.30pm.

Romfest will offer something for everyone. And the great thing is the admission is FREE. So mark the date – Sunday 27 September – on your calendar, tell your friends and join us for a great day out.

Latest Newsletter Delivered

Issue 16 of the Collier Row and Mawneys Residents Association newsletter is now being delivered across Mawneys and Havering Park Wards. Over 10,500 copies are issued free by volunteers across Chase Cross, Collier Row, Mawneys and Havering-Atte-Bower.

Items in this issue include, the alcohol license approved by the Conservative controlled committee for Newsboy, Websters Walkabout, St Francis 25th Anniversary Celebrations, Travellers invade Bedfords Park again and Bower Park exam result success. See the full details by clicking below.

Click here or on the the newsletter to go to our archive and read the newsletters on-line.

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

Charity Abseil down YMCA building

Havering Park Ward members, Cllr Andy Mann and Kevin Tonks, both took part in a sponsored abseil at the weekend. Andy and Kevin dropped in at the YMCA building during Saturday (the 5th Sept), to take part in the sponsored abseil event. Upminster and Cranham Residents Association Councillors, Clarence Barrett and Linda Van Den Hende also took part on Sunday.

They dropped down the 120 foot building in aid of St Francis Hospice, who are based in Havering-Atte-Bower. The hospice offers specialist care to patients who have cancer or other life-limiting illnesses. It costs over £6.5 million every year to run the service, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can care for more than 1,600 patients and their families each year.

Its still not to late to sponsor Cllr Andy Mann & Kevin Tonks, who aim to raise over £700 for St Francis.

If you would like to sponsor Andy & Kevin please go to the just giving web site at http://www.justgiving.com/AndyandKevsbigabseil/ Or you can send a cheque made payable to St Francis Hospice to Andy Mann, at 380 Havering Road, Romford, Essex, RM1 4DE.

YMCA Charity Abseail Event

Its not to late to sponsor Cllr Andy Mann & Kevin Tonks, who will be literally dropping in at the YMCA building this Saturday (the 5th Sept), to take part in the sponsored abseil event. They will be dropping down the 120 foot building in aid of St Francis Hospice at 3.30pm tomorrow afternoon.

Andy and Kevin aim to raise £500 for St Francis, who are based in Havering-Atte-Bower, the hospice offers specialist care to patients who have cancer or other life-limiting illnesses.

It costs over £6.5 million every year to run the service, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can care for more than 1,600 patients and their families each year.

If you would like to sponsor Andy & Kevin please go to the just giving web site at http://www.justgiving.com/AndyandKevsbigabseil/ or send a cheque made payable to St Francis Hospice to Andy Mann, at 380 Havering Road, Romford, Essex, RM1 4DE.

Bower Park School - Best Ever Exam Results

Bower Park School are celebrating after their 2009 GCSE Exam result jumped a massive 14% on the previous years. The amount of pupils receiving five A* to C grade GCSE’s including English and Maths increased from 35% to 40%.

The overall figure of A* to C grades without English and Maths, increased from 44% to a whopping 63%, a 50% increase on last year. This is the fifth year in succession that the results at Bower Park have increased since Head Teacher, Mary Morrison joined the school.

This continues the trend of year on year improvement and is once again Bower Park Schools highest results.

Head Teacher, Mary Morrison said, “I am extremely proud of the achievement of our pupils over the last 12 months in gaining such a good set of results, all of the pupils have been a credit to the school, I must also say a big thank you to all of the school staff who have contributed towards this excellent progress”.

Local Councillor and School Governor, Andrew Mann said “This is another brilliant result for Bower Park students and staff, all of which deserve praise for what they have achieved over the last 12 months. Bower Park is a fantastic school within our community and these latest results are proof that it is continuing to move forward and is changing all the time”.

177 / 179 Mawney Road

Mawneys team member Graham Price, has received adverse comments from a number of concerned residents in relation to a planning application for 177/179, Mawney Road.

This is for a change of use from a purely residential home, to a residential institution, to provide a residential care home for twelve residents, with ancillary facilities, amenity space and parking provision.

Graham has spoken to a number of residents in Mawney Road, and has also taken up a complaint received from a resident about the lack of notification. We are aware that there have been over 100 letters of objection sent in, which is a huge number for a planning issue, and we will be monitoring the progress of the application very closely.

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.

Newsboy granted alcohol Licence

Denis Stevens was on hand at the town Hall this week, speaking on behalf of Cllr Mann who is on holiday against a licensing application for an off license in Chase Cross Road. Sadly, Councillors decided to grant the license, despite objections from the Police, albeit with some restrictions.

However, local residents have vowed to boycott a newsagent after councillors gave the green light for them to sell alcohol. At the end of the licensing meeting on Monday August 10, residents said that they would take action after the committee agreed the application for Newsboy in Chase Cross Road, Romford.

Resident Julie Green said: "I feel very disappointed because the committee has not fully grasped the weight of people's anger. "I think he will definitely see a decline in his sales because people will boycott the shop."

Councillors agreed for the off licence to sell alcohol but they also put on conditions restricting the sale of alcohol in the shop from 10am to 9pm for seven days a week, two people have to be on duty at all time and staff training to be provided.Other conditions included restricting two young people to the shop at one time, bottle and can marking, a refusal register to be kept and CCTV cameras to be installed.

Earlier the councillors heard a presentation from resident George Higgins who was against the application because he believed that it would add to the problems already in the area. He said: "If alcohol was introduced in the shop public safety and crime is going to take a bad turn and I can only see bad news coming in the future."

The residents were also concerned that more people were not able to respond against the application because it was advertised in a paper that was not delivered to all residents and advertised behind the counter in the shop.

Denis Steven, speaking on behalf of Cllr Andy Mann, (Havering Park, Resident's Association) said: "I am disappointed that the formal legal adverts about this application were placed in the Yellow Advertiser, a paper which is not delivered to the new Havering's estate and, living in Havering Road myself, a paper that is only delivered every other week or so."

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.

The Collier Row and Mawneys Residents Association has learnt that a group of Travellers have invaded Befords Country Park in Havering Atte Bower.

They arrived at 2pm on Friday and despite the efforts of the police and parks department 6 caravans, 2 vans and a 4x4 managed to get onto the grass.

Planning enforcement issued Section 77 papers giving the travellers until Monday afternoon to leave the site. When Residence association action members visited the park on Tuesday evening they were still there. The council will now seek a court order to remove them from the site.

The Parks department has secured the area and arranged for 24hour security to stop any others entering the park.

This is the second time that travellers have been able to gain access to the park.

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.

New Recycling Schemes comes to Collier Row

A recycling collection trial that resulted in big increase in the usual amount of orange sacks and cardboard being collected, will become a permanent service and expand to cover more of the borough on Monday 3 August. The trial began in November and enabled 25,000 residents to recycle more materials in parts of Elm Park, Upminster, Cranham, Hornchurch and Rainham.

The improved service involves collecting orange sacks (including cardboard) and refuse sacks in different vehicles on the same day each week. This will now be rolled out to most of Collier Row, who missed out on being part of the scheme last year. Residents will receive a letter informing them if their property is covered by the new service. The remainder of the borough will be included in November.

A further three dedicated recycling vehicles will be introduced at the beginning of August and more vehicles being introduced in November.

Orange recycling sacks and flattened cardboard will be collected in one vehicle and the rubbish sacks in another on the same day each week. Yellow pages directories can now go in the orange recycling sacks.

More than 1,600 tonnes of orange sacks and cardboard were collected in the first 19 weeks of the trial. This equates to 90 tonnes per week compared to an average of 20 tonnes in the same area before the trial was launched.

The collection process has contributed to increasing the percentage of household waste recycled and composed to more than 27 per cent in 2008/9. It is expected that once the trial is rolled out, the recycling and composting rate could rise to 36 per cent.

For more information see the Council website: http://www.havering.gov.uk/recyclingOr call 01708 432563.