Meet the Partners: London Borough of Havering

One of the most important partners for the Harold Hill Festival is the London Borough of Havering. A number of their services help make the festival possible. These include:

Parks - by allowing us to use Central Park, Harold Hill.

Homes and Housing - storage of equipment, logistical support and staff support on the day

Regeneration - promotion on website and newsletter, provision of funding and staff time from the Harold Hill Ambitions programme to support the festival

Community Engagement - support for the committee, networking advice and support with marketing

Events and Communications - advice on event organisation, health and safety, licencing as well as promotion support

myplace - help with recording event and due to put on activities at this year's event

There will in additional be a range of other council staff who support the Harold Hill Festival. We are grateful for the support we receive as a committee from them and look forward to working with the council in future.

To find out more about the council see London Borough of Havering

Call to get Harold Hill Groups Online

Harold Hill Festival has recently signed up to go on to the Havering Community in Action Portal. This is an online directory that enables people to find local groups in the area. This can be a boost to groups in terms of raising their profile and getting more hits for their websites. In Harold Hill particularly there has been a push to get more groups listed on there recently and we support anything that promotes local community activities.

To find out more visit http://www.haveringcommunityinaction.org.uk/

You can download a form from the website which you can use to sign up. Or alternatively you can call HAVCO on 01708 742881

This is a joint initiative between London Borough of Havering and HAVCO who are both Festival partners.

Meet the Partners - Harold Hill Ambitions Community Programme

Harold Hill Ambitions is the Council's programme for improving the Harold Hill area. The Harold Hill Ambitions Community Programme supports a lot of activities and developments in the Harold Hill area. They have contributed to funding the Harold Hill Festival and have helped us to get support from other council services. To find out their latest news you can visit their website at http://www.havering.gov.uk/Pages/ServiceChild/HaroldHillAmbitionsCommunityProgramme-LGSL-823.aspx

Consultation sessions on changes to Briar Road Estate

The Harold Hill Festival likes residents to have their say on their local area.

Therefore we want to let you know the council is consulting on changes to the Briar Road Estate.

The council website says:

"A series of public consultation sessions on the proposals will take place on a number of dates and locations. Residents are encouraged to call in to a session to give feedback on the plans.

The consultation sessions will provide an opportunity for all residents to look in details at the proposals for new homes, news village square, parking and environmental improvements and also meet the project team."

The dates for the consultation sessions are this week and next. See more at http://www.havering.gov.uk/Pages/News/Briar-improvement-plans-to-be-revealed.aspx

Festive Events

It's the time of year for Festive events and everyone wants to know what's on, when and where. We share your excitement and want to let you know what's on. The best place to find a comprehensive list of what's on is at the London Borough of Havering website at http://www.havering.gov.uk/Pages/LatestEvents.aspx

As the Harold Hill Festival we always like to promote family or community events in the Harold Hill area. If you are holding a local event in Harold Hill to which the public is invited then please leave a comment below or email us at haroldhillfestival@gmail.com and we will feature it on this blog.

Harold Hill Light Switch-On Details Confirmed

This year's 'Light Up Harold Hill' event organised by Harold Hill Ambitions now has a few more details confirmed. The event will start at 4pm, have the light switch-on at 5pm (by leader of the Council - Councillor Michael White) and close at 6pm. Santa will be present in his grotto in the area the bottom of Hilldene Avenue Shopping Centre. There will be carol singing with several schools involved. There will also be Christmas craft making activities taking place in the library.

All the latest details can be found on the Harold Hill Ambitions Community Programme website at http://www.havering.gov.uk/Pages/ServiceChild/HaroldHillAmbitionsCommunityProgramme-LGSL-823.aspx

Free Swimming for Over 50s at Central Park Leisure Centre

Havering Council is working in conjunction with SLM to offer residents of Havering, that are over the age of 50, the chance to swim for free in off peak times at Central Park Leisure Centre.

For further information please see http://www.havering.gov.uk/Pages/ServiceChild/Free-Swimming.aspx

Community Chest Funding Now Available

If you are involved with a local community group then we thought this news would be of interest:

Community Chest Opens

Apply now for the latest round of Community Chest grants - applications can be accepted from Monday 1st October.  

Past successes include grants for sports equipment, language lessons, musical instruments and improvements to outside spaces.

Groups can apply for up to £5,000 and should read the standard conditions below before submitting their application.

The closing date is Friday 26th October 2012   

Find out more at http://www.havering.gov.uk/Pages/Services/Grants-community-facilities.aspx

Cycle event in Central Park - Sat 6 Oct

​Residents are invited to take their bikes to the doctor for a health check, arranged by Havering Council, in Central Park, Harold Hill on Saturday, October 6.

A cycle care event will take place from 1.00pm to 4.00pm. Dr Bike Cycle Care will be on hand to check bikes over for the winter.

There will also be an opportunity for visitors to try out lots of unusual bikes including adult and child tandems, a mini penny farthing, a BMX with a sidecar, a hand-cranked cycle and many more. The police will be on hand to security tag resident's cycles.

The event is being run by Havering Council as part of a consultation for the Harold Hill Ambitions Programme.

The Council is asking residents for their views on how to improve Central Park, from safety and security to equipment, appearance and access. Details of how to take part in the consultation will also be available at the event and those who are keen can fill out a survey on the day.

You can give your views online at www.surveymonkey.com/s/haroldhillcentralpark - if you enjoyed the festival then please mention us!