Icy welcome for Raiders
This festive season Havering residents and visitors will get an early foretaste of the fun that can be had on ice once Havering’s new permanent ice rink opens in Western Road in May 2018.
The covered ice rink will operate seven days a week across the festive season (except for Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day) from 18 November until 15 January at the clock tower end of the Market Place. It will have a capacity for 130 skaters per hour. It will be open to anyone over four years old and trained staff will be on hand to supervise the skating at all times. There will be special rates for children’s organisations and groups wishing to book sessions on the ice for just £5 per child and adult supervisor/s. The rink opens for skaters at midday this Friday and the first 10 people to buy tickets at the box office in the Market Place from 6pm for the Friday 6pm session will also win free tickets for the Paradise Wildlife Park in Hertfordshire.
This Friday (18 November) the Raiders, who play in the National Ice Hockey League, and were formed and previously played in Havering, will be among the first people to take to the real ice in the temporary rink.
John Scott, Director of The Raiders said:
“It’s the Raiders 30th season this year and despite playing at Lee Valley for the last 4 seasons the players, management and fans all have very strong links with Havering. The team was formed back in 1987 and the local fans and players enjoyed some fantastic times and cherish many wonderful memories from playing in the borough. Having this temporary facility will allow us a taster of what it is like to be “back home” and we are delighted to take part in this opening.”
The official opening of the ice rink takes place on Saturday (19 November) when the Mayor of Havering, Cllr Philippa Crowder, will cut the ribbon at 11.50am followed by a performance from the Birmingham Ice Freestylers on the ice at midday, and a sing-a-long with Princess Elsa and her sister Anna.
Councillor Osman Dervish, Havering Council Cabinet Member for Environment said: “This will be a great new attraction to bring people to Romford Market Place and fun for all the family. The ice ink is just one of a long list of activities planned to brighten up the winter days and I’d encourage everyone to look for details of all these events in Living in Havering magazine that has been distributed to all homes in the borough this week, or our website (www.havering.gov.uk).”