Libraries, parks and leisure news

• Your say on parks and open spaces

  Havering Council wants to know residents’ views as it looks to update its parks and open spaces strategy.

  Published 30 September 2022.

• Havering’s parks have a golden glow

  Havering has bagged a number of top awards in the London in Bloom competition – placing the borough’s parks among the best in London.

  Published 27 September 2022.

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  Mighty Urchins look to outsmart Bulls at Wembley

  The Leader of Havering Council, Councillor Damian White, and his Cabinet, wishes Hornchurch FC the best of luck ahead of this Saturday's Buildbase FA Trophy Final against Hereford FC at Wembley.

  Published 21 May 2021.

• Havering’s libraries set for Covid-secure reopening from 12 April

  Havering's libraries will begin to reopen from Monday 12 April 2021 as government restrictions lift.

  Published 7 April 2021.

• Extra funding secured for Havering’s leisure centres

  Havering Council and Everyone Active, have secured over £580,000 from Sport England’s National Leisure Recovery Fund to support the reopening and recovery of the borough’s leisure centres.

  Published 6 April 2021.

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  UK Rappers unite with Havering Council and youth charity to support mental health awareness

  Havering Council has teamed up with four local rap stars for an online concert to help raise awareness of mental health issues made worse by Covid 19.

  Published 25 February 2021.

• Library buildings to close due to Covid 19

  With Covid 19 cases in the borough continuing to increase, Havering Council has announced that libraries will close at end of day Friday 8 January and will stay closed until at least mid-February.

  Published 8 January 2021.

• Libraries, children's centres and MyPlace to close

  Havering Council to close libraries, selected Children's Centres, and MyPlace in response to latest Government Coronavirus advice.

  Published 24 March 2020.

• Havering Music School closes its doors

  Due to the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak, Havering Music School is suspended with immediate effect until further notice. 

  Published 19 March 2020.

• Library closures

  Libraries are closed due to staffing availability.

  Published 18 March 2020.

• Topping out celebrates major milestone for Hornchurch Sports Centre

  Havering Council’s newest sports centre took a step closer to completion this week after a topping out ceremony marked a major milestone in construction.

  Published 4 March 2020.

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  Vote for your favourite book with Havering Libraries

  Residents are being invited to vote for their favourite adult fiction book as part of the Havering Reads initiative to get more adults reading.

  Published 23 January 2020.

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  State-of-the-art leisure centre finds new home in Rainham

  The new leisure centre for the south of the borough has found its home at the Rainham Recreation Ground, following a Cabinet Meeting on 15 January and a community conversation.

  Published 16 January 2020.

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  Literary Festival kicks off

  Book your place to meet acclaimed authors, social media sensations and TV personalities.

  Published 4 November 2019.

• Havering Libraries new digital management system

  During March 2019, Havering Libraries are introducing a new digital management system.

  Published 1 February 2019.

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  Fun of the fair and more

  The free funfair rides in Romford Market are proving a huge hit with visitors and shoppers.

  Published 20 December 2018.

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  Read all about the Havering Literary Festival

  Internationally acclaimed authors and TV personalities such as Great British Bake Off winner Candice Brown, will be descending on the borough for the first Havering Literary Festival.

  Published 26 September 2018.

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  Local leisure complex in the running for top industry award

  A local leisure complex is celebrating after being told it is in the running to receive a top industry award.

  Published 19 June 2018.

• Nine swimmers, 11 medals

  Havering Hurricanes won 11 London Youth Games Para Swimming medals

  Published 11 June 2018.

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  Havering continues to back culture

  Havering’s cultural strategy remains strong although the borough missed out on becoming the London Borough of Culture in 2020.

  Published 27 February 2018.

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  Hornchurch to welcome new art gallery

  Havering Council’s Fairkytes Arts Centre welcomes visitors to its new exhibition space - Fry’s Gallery.

  Published 22 February 2018.

• Thousands turn up to see Sapphire Ice and Leisure sparkle at grand opening

  Over 8,000 people joined Olympic medalist, Colin Jackson, CBE and Dancing on Ice star, Ray Quinn, along with Council officials on Saturday 3 February, to celebrate the Sapphire Ice and Leisure opening

  Published 7 February 2018.

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  Olympic gymnasts join Council Leader for official opening of Noak Hill Sports Complex

  Havering Council and Everyone Active hosted an exciting free sports day extravaganza to mark the official opening of Noak Hill Sports Complex, on Saturday 25 November.

  Published 29 November 2017.

• From Buckingham Palace to Havering Music School

  The Band of the Coldstream Guards hit high notes over the weekend (Saturday 4 November) as they visited Havering Music School in Hornchurch to deliver a large-scale performance with pupils.

  Published 7 November 2017.

• Gold rush for Havering in London in Bloom

  Havering has shone once again in the London in Bloom competition, winning more than 30 awards.

  Published 27 September 2017.

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  Councillors celebrate topping out ceremony on the roof of Romford Leisure Centre

  Havering Council, Willmott Dixon and partners, all braved the height of the new Romford Leisure Centre to celebrate the completion of the roof.

  Published 14 June 2017.

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  Central Park Leisure Centre to undergo £1.5M refurbishment

  Major refurbishment works begin today at Central Park Leisure Centre to improve its facilities, following a significant investment from Havering Council and Everyone Active.

  Published 24 April 2017.

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  Brand new Noak Hill Sports Complex in Havering

  Havering welcomes another new sports centre in the borough as Noak Hill Sports Complex opened on Monday in Harold Hill.

  Published 25 January 2017.

• £1.3 million to help improve landscape in Havering and beyond

  The Land of the Fanns Landscape Partnership Scheme has been granted £1.3 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). This will help improve the quality of the local landscape and increase awareness of, and access to the natural and cultural heritage of the area. The partnership includes Havering Council, Barking & Dagenham Council, Thurrock Council, Brentwood Council, Essex County Council, Thames Chase Trust, Thames21, Forestry Commission and Thames Estuary Partnership.

  Published 16 December 2016.

• Council to build on its army of volunteers

  Havering Council has launched its new and innovative five-year strategy to increase the number of committed volunteers in the borough.

  Published 15 December 2016.

• Local Councillors check out the future of fun

  Councillors were joined by Havering and Willmott Dixon staff members for a grand tour of the multi-million pound leisure development site on Tuesday 22 November in Romford.

  Published 23 November 2016.

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  Frozen feature for Romford

  Romford Market is changing with new events, stallholders and from Friday 18 November until 15 January you will be able to skate on a large temporary ice rink that will bring festive cheer to the town.

  Published 28 October 2016.

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  Fun for all the family

  There’s a host of activities and events in Romford Market in the coming weeks to keep you entertained, refreshed and well-fed.

  Published 27 October 2016.