The Barking, Havering & Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust have released the following advice following an outbreak of the norovirus.

Havering Museum will be hosting an exhibition dedicated to Crime and Punishment from 14 th January to 17 th March.

The exhibition explores crime, punishment and law enforcement through the ages. Visitors will be amazed by stories of witchcraft, smuggling, murder, wartime black market and crimes of today.

The government's Cold Weather Payments scheme runs every winter from 1 November and 31 March. Eligible residents will get £25 for each seven day period of very cold weather between those dates.

Cold Weather Payments help people, who get certain income-related benefits (eg pension credit, income support, income based job seekers allowance and income related Employment and Support Allowance), with their increased heating costs caused by periods of very cold weather during winter. A period of very cold weather is when the temperature is either

Controversial plans to introduce charges to park in three of the boroughs parks were slammed by the Residents' Association last week as the Highways Advisory Committee agreed by 5 votes to 4 to proceed with the proposals.

Residents are invited to the launch of ‘Christmas in Cranham' on Friday 16 th December which promises to be a fun filled event. The festivities begin at 10.30am in the Cranham Social Hall, Front Lane , with carol singing by the Engayne School Choir, seasonal refreshments and a visit by the Mayor of Havering who will be judging the best decorated Christmas shop window and presenting a trophy to the winner.

For the first time in 30 years, charges for blue badge renewal and applications are set to increase. The new charges will see the current renewal fee of £2 increase to £10 as from 1 st January 2012.

The new charges coincide with the introduction of a national scheme, promoted by the Department of Transport, which will improve manufacturing, distribution and, crucially, security measures to tackle fraud and misuse.

St Andrew's Church in Hornchurch dates from 1243, but the church is now under threat because of copper thieves ! During a two month period last year, thieves struck 10 times.

Christmas is coming and the gritters are on standby to tackle the winter chill. Whether or not we have a winter as severe as the last remains to be seen, but the council have issued the following guidance on dealing with icy conditions.

The Boundary Commission are consulting on an extensive set of boundary changes which will impact on Havering residents.

Following government proposals to reduce the number of MPs from 650 to 600, the Boundary Commission is tasked with redrawing parliamentary boundaries to reflect the change. The new criteria is that each constituency should have between 72,810 and 80,473 electors.

Discounts for paying council tax in an early lump sum are set to be reviewed after concerns over the financial benefits were raised at Full Council.

Proposals to increase the standard Dartford Toll to £2.50 by next year have been scrapped following public opposition.

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Havering stood still at 11am on Remembrance Sunday to honour all those who gave their lives in the name of freedom and liberty.

On a glorious winters morning, thousands gathered at war memorials in Romford, Upminster, Hornchurch and Rainham to pay tribute to the fallen by observing a two minute silence and by placing wreaths and poppies on the memorials.

The general public will no longer be able to view Council and Cabinet meetings from a side gallery in the Council Chamber but will instead be banished to a balcony.

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Projected population figures to 2021 show a shifting demographic in Havering. The figures, released by the Mayor of London, indicate that by 2021the total population of the borough is estimated to grow from 234,600 to 261,700, an increase of 11.5%.

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New 5p and 10p coins will be introduced from January 2012 which will not be accepted in existing coin operated machines such as parking meters.

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The future of council run Community Halls in the borough have been thrown into doubt by the Council's decision to sell off Dukes Hall in Hornchurch.

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Following Council deposits of £12.5 million in Icelandic banks just before their collapse, it now appears that the majority of the cash will be recovered.

A comprehensive scheme to improve traffic flow in Upminster Town Centre was approved by Highways Advisory Committee on 18th October.

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King George Hospital's A&E and maternity unit will close but only when services at Queen's Hospital is of a high standard, the government has decided

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The Royal British Legion is holding the annual parade to rembember the fallen. Details of how to join the parade can be obtained by clicking here

It is interesting that the origins of the word 'bonfire' is believed to be derived from the Celtic custom of burning the bones of the cattle which were slaughtered. In modern times, bonfires can be a bone of contention between residents as what is reasonable and what is excessive.

Shopping centres in Romford – the Mercury Mall, the Liberty and the Brewery - have joined forces with Havering Council to launch an advertising push to promote Romford as a retail centre in light of new competition.

Figures released by the Mayor of London show a dip in the number of people employed in Havering over the last year.

Residents are urged to be vigilant when registering for a service to block cold calling by telephone. Following a recent article in the Residents' Association newsletter informing residents of the free Telephone Preference Service (TPS), it has emerged that bogus operators are contacting residents and offering the service for a substantial fee.

Harold Wood School will be holding a fireworks display on Friday 4th November on the school field.

Gates open at 6.30pm and the display is from 7.30pm. Wristbands are £6 Adult and £4 Child (4-16 years) 3's and under FREE. Under 18's MUST be accompanied by an adult. Entry is by wristband which can be bought in advance.

Over thirty companies competed for 12 Havering Council's Business Awards at a gala awards ceremony hosted by Jon Culshaw at the Maylands Golf Club on Friday.

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The Upminster branch of the Marie Curie Cancer Care group is seeking volunteers to help with their fundraising group.

By joining this excellent and worthwhile organisation, you can help raise money to provide care to terminally ill people in the local area, get involved in your community, meet new people in your area, share new experiences and have fun and receive expert support and advice from the Local Marie Curie fundraising teams

To find out more please call Emma Elmer on 07795 837713 or e.mail emmalelmer@googlemail.com.

Click here to see fund raising events

27.9.11

A licensing application to permit music and the sale of alcohol from 7am until 2am every day of the year at Upminster Court was successfully modified at the hearing of the Licensing Sub-Committee today.

The proposed eviction of travellers occupying illegal plots on Dale Farm, Basildon, has been well documented.

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A licensing application to permit music, dancing and the sale of alcohol until 2am every day of the year at Upminster Court has been met by an avalanche of protest and objections from local residents, police, public Health and the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority.

Raphael Park in Romford is set to receive a £200,000 grant from Veolia Havering Riverside Trust.

The Veolia Riverside Trust funding, together with a £1.7m grant from the Heritage lottery Fund will pay for a major restoration and refurbishment of the park to begin next year.

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Thames Chase in Pike Lane, Upminster, has launched a new look and a revamped website.

The Council are consulting on a number of measures to relieve congestion and to improve traffic management in Upminster Town Centre.