HORNCHURCH AIR TRAINING CORPS LOOKING FOR RECRUITS
Are you between 13 and 18 and looking for a new and exciting challenge? Or do you know someone who is? 452 (Hornchurch) Squadron ATC is now recruiting new members for the most adventurous and challenging youth organisation today. Among our regular activities are flying, gliding, outward bound, sports.
Bill Giles, probably the best known TV weatherman, will drop into the New Windmill Hall in St Mary's Lane, Upminster, on Sunday 23 rd March (3pm).
Bill Giles led the BBC's weather team for 17 years and was awarded an OBE in 1995 for services to weather broadcasting.
Bill will be talking about his life and career, tell anecdotes about fellow presenters and explain how the weather patterns may change over the coming 50 – 100 years. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions.
Tickets for this one-off event cost £10 and can be purchased from Fairkytes Arts Centre in Billet Lane, Hornchurch, or call 01708 456308.
15.3.08
CRIME FIGURES TUMBLE IN HAVERING
Figures released by the Metropolitan Police indicate a significant decrease in the number of offences committed in Havering for the year ending January 2008.
The total number offences for the 12 month period to January 2008 amounted to 17,294 compared with 20,627 for the same period in 2007, equating to a 19 per cent decrease in recorded offences.
Former Upminster residents Tony and Wendy Burns (pictured) were prominent members of the Upminster & Cranham Residents' Association before they moved to Grantham a few years ago. This is the story of how they took the spirit of the Residents' Association with them and have now successfully formed the Manthorpe Residents' Association and website.
The issue of how often the ‘Living' newspaper should be delivered across the borough attracted heated debate in the Town Hall at the recent meeting to set the 2008/09 council tax.
Following a question from Cllr Andy Mann to the Chairman of the Environment Overview & Scrutiny Committee at the last Council meeting (27.2.08), the chair has agreed to consider a review into the use of the car.
Review the number of phone kiosks to match demand, that's the majority view of readers in an on-line poll run by the Havering Residents' Association – but keep our heritage listed phone boxes!
Of the 146 votes cast, 68% were in favour of reducing the kiosks to reflect demand while 29% thought that the call boxes should be kept at existing levels. Just 3% though they should be scrapped altogether
Following the resignation of Alan Bailey, the sole BNP representative on Havering Council, the Gooshays by-election is set for March 20 th
Six candidates will contest the seat, but unfortunately an RA candidate will not be standing. Whilst a candidate had been selected, the individual had to pull out at the eleventh hour for personal reasons leaving no time to field a replacement.
The candidates standing are Malcolm Fox (Cons), Yvonne Cornell (Labour), Mark Logan (BNP), David Durant (National Liberal Party), Lawrence Web (UKIP) and Ian Sanderson (Lib Dem).
1.3.08
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GALLOWS CORNER FLYOVER CLOSURE
Major maintenance works will be carried out on the A127 Gallows Corner flyover for 5 weeks as from 17 th March.
The flyover will be shut over this period which will also mean lane closures on the roundabout and slip roads at certain times during off-peak hours.
Further information from Transport for London on 0845 305 1234.
24.2.08
FIVE HAVERING POST OFFICES FACE AXE
The Royal Mail propose to close 169 post offices across London including five outlets in Havering. Camborne Avenue and Gobions in Romford are joined by Berther Road, Hylands and Woodhall Parade in Hornchurch on the hit list.
Havering Council, in conjunction with the London Trading Standards Authorities (LoTSA), have launched the Buy With Confidence scheme. The initiative aims to help businesses comply with the law while improving consumer protection through a partnership approach. It is open to any business within the area of the London Borough of Havering.
The question of footway trips and compensation claims was raised at Full Council last week (6.2.08).
Cllr Clarence Barrett (Cranham, RA) asked: ‘ Over the last three years, what is the number of Insurance claims for accidents involving footways? And what were the agreed compensation claims (and their total value) involving footway accidents?'
The 373 bus route, which operates a twice hourly service from Upminster to Lakeside, is set to be axed as from 29 th March.
A spokesman for bus operators Arriva said that the withdrawal is due to a lack of passengers and changes to the 370 bus route (which runs between Romford and Lakeside ) which has made the continued operation of the 373 route unviable.
The 373 route was shortened in April last year when it used to run from Romford to Grays.
The 73 bus route, which operates under contract to Thurrock Council and runs from Upminster to Grays, is also set to be axed at the same time due to withdrawal of funding by Thurrock .
16.2.08
GRAND RESTORATION PLAN FOR UPMINSTER COURT
Upminster Court could soon be the subject of a ground-breaking restoration project if a planning application is approved by the Council.
In January 2007, Uniserve Group purchased the grade II listed building, located in Hall Lane, Upminster. After a year spent researching the history and planning the renovation and future of this property, the Essex-based company has now submitted i nnovative plans to restore the early Edwardian mansion to its former glory.
This year around 50,000 people are expected to renew their freedom passes before the expiry date of 31 st March. The Council have arranged for passes to be collected during a specific week depending on surname. If you miss your allocated slot you can still pick up your pass in the week 24-31 March
Victoria Road, Romford, is the top location for tickets issued by the CCTV parking enforcement vehicle this year.
Responding to a question at Full Council (6.2.08) from Cllr Andy Mann (Havering Pk , RA) requesting information in respect of the top 10 sites for CCTV enforcement, the response given by the Council was as follows:
Ernie Oakley has stepped down as ‘Bulletin' Area Organiser for Cranham having dedicated over 10 years to organising and overseeing Bulletin deliveries to over 5,000 homes in the area.
The Council announced a dramatic U-turn in its decision to sell off land at the corner of Abbs Cross Lane and Hornchurch Road
At Full Council (6.2.08) Council Leader Michael White announced that, in view of the huge opposition from residents, the land would not now be sold off and efforts will be made to incorporate this piece of land into Harrow Lodge Park .
A petition asking for an increase in the £10 Christmas Bonus, which was supported by hundreds of signatories, has received a less than festive response from the Office of the Prime Minister.
Despite vigorous and widespread protests objecting to the introduction of car park charges in our out-of-town car parks, including petitions amounting to some 22,000 strong, Havering Council have introduced the new parking charges regime across the borough as from Sunday 27 January.
The recent planning application to build 25 homes on land at the end of Moor Lane (P2052.07) has been refused by the Council.
Among the reasons for refusal were - land is designated Green Belt, scheme would be detrimental to the character of the area, increased traffic congestion, site is of nature conservation importance.
Many thanks to all those who attended our public meeting and lodged objections/comments. The Residents' Association is fully committed to preserving our Green Belt and will remain vigilant in respect of any further applications.
More details can be obtained by visiting www.havering.gov.uk/planning
24.1.08
AN ADVERT TOO FAR FOR HAVERING?
The Council Cabinet (16.1.08) agreed plans to raise £500,000 through advertising across the borough.
Among the Council assets that may be leased out for advertising purposes are hoardings, building wraps, lamp posts, roundabouts, street furniture, council vehicles, boundary signs, subways and car parks. Also considered will be council leaflets and website.
On behalf of everyone at Chapman's Farm in Hall Lane (pictured), Upminster (by the A127), I would like to heartily thank all of the kind and considerate motorists who stop to allow us to walk our horses across the road to their field. As one of 40 people who stable their horses up at the farm, I am all too aware how difficult it is to get our horses across the road to our grazing fields.
The Council have turned down an application from the Kingsway International Christian Centre to build an 8,000-seater venue in Beam Reach, Rainham.
Against a backdrop of significant objections from residents and local councillors, among the reasons for rejection were that the proposal failed to provide sufficient jobs in the area and that it would lead to traffic problems.
If you happen to travel through town in the small hours of the morning, you may be surprised to see the number of lights blazing away illuminating shops and offices for no apparent reason.
After our “Bright Christmas“, the Cranham Regeneration Group is looking forward to a “Colourful Summer”. Following the success of Avon Road Shopkeepers in the “Havering in Bloom” Competition, the Village Shopkeepers are keen to show what they can do. If you have any ideas or would like to help, please contact Dee of “Studio 100”. Tel. 640800
Our thanks go to all who helped to provide the Christmas Lights in Cranham and we hope to expand the events for 2008.
Valerie Morris
Chair, Cranham Regeneration Group
13.1.08
ROAD CLOSURE AT UPMINSTER BRIDGE
Network Rail is planning major structural repair work to Upminster Bridge ( Railway Bridge ) on Upminster Road at the end of January.
The work is estimated to last for 10 weeks from 28 January to 7 April 2008 . This will involve closing one lane on Upminster Road whilst scaffolding is in place. Temporary traffic signals will be manually controlled from 07:30am till 19:30pm to assist with traffic flows.
Footways will remain open at all times with a temporary subway being built into the scaffolding.
7.1.08
ON-LINE POLL BACKS ZERO DRINK-DRIVE LIMIT
Havering residents are marginally in favour of introducing a zero drink-drive limit over maintaining the existing limit. That's the conclusion of an on-line poll run by the Havering Residents' Association over the Christmas period.
Havering will benefit from a £700,000 share of lottery funding to improve walking and cycling routes between the Thames and Weald Park in Brentwood . The proposed route follows the Ingrebourne Valley passing through Harold Hill, Upminster, Hornchurch and Rainham before reaching the Thames .
Sustrans, a leading sustainable transport charity, were recently announced as the winners of The People's £50 Million Lottery Contest.
Havering's Ingrebourne Valley Project was one of 79 schemes selected by Sustrans to form part of their 'Connect2' bid.
27.12.07
SAVE OUR BACK GARDENS FROM PROPERTY DEVELOPERS
By Cllr Clarence Barrett
The recent trend for property developers to focus on back gardens and green corridors for development is a real concern to all of us. This practice owes much to the last conservative Government who first classified back gardens as 'brownfield' land and then to Labour who put the definition into planning rules.
Havering has, once again, received the minimum revenue support grant possible from the government.
The level of central government funding for 2008/09, which forms around 75% of council funding, has increased by just over £1m (2%), the minimum possible, and otherwise known as a floored grant.
Havering issued 101 litter fines over the period April 2006 to March 2007. Of the 101 issued, 21 were cancelled, 10 are subject to court action and 70 were paid, raising some £3,600.
As residents may be aware, the Highways Agency is proposing to widen the M25 motorway to four lanes each way between junctions 27 and 30. Work is due to begin mid 2010 and be complete by August 2012.
Keep the existing waste collection arrangements, that's the majority view in the latest on-line poll run by the Havering Residents' Association (haveringra.org.uk).
Shops in Avon Road , Cranham are now featured as an ‘on-line' directory on the Havering Residents' Association website. With shops ranging from butchers (Miles Quality Meats) to balloon specialist (Balloons by Wonderland), there is plenty to choose from. Click to explore
30.11.07
248 BUS ROUTE
For regular 248 bus users, the following observation from a regular reader may strike a chord:
Local resident, Mr Walsh of Brookmans Close, has lived in the area for over 25 years and recently wrote asking: ‘I've never quite understood where the boundary exists between Cranham and Upminster?’