Dear all I have been contacted by a researcher asking for help by filling in a study.

If you wish to help the study is at

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/J9MTGBR

The acompanying email is as follows:

Hello,

My name is James Cully. I came across your site conducting an online search. I am a PhD researcher in University College Cork, Ireland,  carrying out a study on 50 – 75 year old people and how they engage with cognitively stimulating activities. The research is focused on the negative aspects of ageism and how it may affect Alzheimer’s disease. I know that surveys are a nuisance and so I am very much just gently enquiring if you would have any interest in collaborating in my research? The survey is completely anonymous and does not ask for any contact details. It takes less than 10 minutes to complete. I’m finding it very difficult to access participants in this particular age demographic, and so would be very appreciative of any help you could provide. I can email on a link to the survey if you are willing to help, which could perhaps be sent to your members?

Thank you for your time,

james

Exhibitions

* Romford Market: Historic Heart of the Town

Saturday, 10 January – Saturday 28 March

This exhibition explores the history of the Market from the 13^th century to the present day. It examines the key role it has played in the development of Romford and how it has evolved over the years.

50 Years of Havering, 1 April – 12 June 2015

Telling the story of the creation of the London Borough of Havering on 1 April 1965.

Land, Sea and Sky: The Art of Robert Bryan

4 April – 27 June 2015

Over 40 paintings and sketches by the Romford artist, some of which have never been displayed before, ranging from maritime and aviation scenes to landscapes and the natural world.

ADVANCE BOOKING AND PAYMENT REQUIRED FOR ALL EVENTS

Family Activities

Pirate Pete and the Easter Egg Hunt

Thursday, 2 April, 11 am

£5 per child, accompanying adults free

Come along and take part in our Easter Egg Hunt and learn about pirates. Best dressed pirate wins a prize. Every child receives a ‘Pirate Egg’.

Spies and Espionage

Wednesday, 8 April, 1pm

£3 per child, accompanying adult free

Learn how to be a brilliant spy, write secret messages in code and use other undercover techniques.

FREE WWI Talks for Schools and Children’s Uniform Groups. Contact Ellen Owen on 01708 766571 for information about free WWI sessions. Email: hmmarketing@btconnect.com

Havering’s Hedgehogs

Join our Saturday Hedgehogs Club for 4 to 11 year olds, 11.30 am – 12.30 pm.

Annual membership is £12.

Sessions include arts and crafts, object hunts in the Museum. See our separate programme for more information.

Adult Activities

Tales From Romford Market

Thursday, 19 March, 6.30 pm

Tony Luscombe, shares his memories of working in Romford Market for nearly 57 years and presenting the Queen with a quilt cover.

An Amazing Life

Saturday, 28 March, 2 pm  –  £3.50

Danni Almond, famous movie stunt man, shares his stories of working with the Beatles, Bob Hope and many more top celebrities.

Events

Havering Museum Photographic Group

1^st Thursday – 1.30pm – 3.30pm

£5.00 per session or £7.50 for a workshop.

Join the Museum’s monthly Photographic Group and have fun with your camera, make new friends and share techniques.

New – Fun With Photography Events

Wednesdays, 1.30 pm – 3.30 pm

Total Cost £45

Six sessions which explain what makes a good photograph and takes you through both artistic and technical matters to enable you to produce your own ‘masterpieces’ with your own camera.

Dates: 25 March, 15 and 29 April, 13 and 27 May and 10 June.

Family Tree Talks, 1 pm – 3 pm £5 per session

Learn more about tracing your ancestors by attending our three interactive talks. 11 April – Introduction and tips, 9 May, Military Records and 30 May, Family Tree Surgery –

Variety Clubs (For Over 50s)

Events are Free – £2 for tea and cake

This Club is run on a fortnightly basis on Wednesdays and Thursdays and is for people over 50 who wish to try new activities, learn a new skill, listen to talks and make new friends. Next sessions 4 and 12 March. Places are limited and must be reserved.  See separate information sheet.

 Join Friends of Havering Museum

Become a Friend of Havering Museum for £10 per annum and receive 4 free walks/talks each year. For further details contact

fohmmembers@googlemail.com or ring 01708 749119. Application forms available at the Museum. www.friendsofhaveringmuseum.btck.co.uk

 Opening Hours:

Wednesday to Saturday 11.00 am to 5.00 pm

Last Admission to Museum 4.00 pm.

 Shop

Open from 11 am – 4.30 pm on Museum days.

 Admission:

£2.50 Adult

£2.00 Senior Citizen

Free – Under 16 (accompanied by adult)

£15.00 Adult Annual Ticket

£12.00 Senior Citizen Annual Ticket

Other charges may apply for special events

Havering Museum

19-21 High Street, ROMFORD, RM1 1JU

Telephone 01708 766 571

Website : www.haveringmuseum.org.uk

E-mail info@haveringmuseum.org.uk

Blog www.haveringmuseum.wordpress.com

How To Find Us

From Romford Station turn left, go along South Street. At Market Place, turn left into High Street and we are 50 metres on left.

 Brewery Car Park (Pay on exit) From car park go into South Street and follow route from railway station.

 

Dagenham and Ingrebourne Valley are a step closer today after a new walking and cycling bridge was lifted into place in east London.

Bretons Bridge, which spans the River Beam between the Bretons Outdoor Centre and the Beam Valley Country Park, will provide a new link for people in Barking, Dagenham and Havering.

Read more and see the video at http://www.sustrans.org.uk/news/new-bridge-links-dagenham-and-ingrebourne-valley

The following a letter for you to send to David Cameron to support our campaign for a minister for older people.

You can download it to fill it in and send it off here David Cameron letter (new)

The contents of the letter are:

Dear Mr Cameron

As an older resident of Havering, I urgently request you appoint a Minister specifically for Older People.

There is a Minister for Children, and rightly so, as their needs are different from those of Adults and there is also one for people with Disabilities whose needs are different again. I urgently request you appoint a Minister for Older People whose needs are complex and not specifically covered by any ministry.

To illustrate the importance of older people to the UK economy :

• They support 5.7 million full time jobs in the UK through their spending and taxes
• Gross income of over 50’s households were 48.1pc of total UK household income in 2013
• In 2013 the over 50s generated £113 billion in tax revenue

Havering has the largest percentage of elderly people in all the London Boroughs. Approximately one third of our 250,000 population are over 65 with a large number over 80years of age. Senior Citizens, have considerable influence in their community whether it be through their knowledge or experience and the fact they provide the majority of volunteers in all areas. Older people live fulfilling lives as they safeguard the local cultural, social and economic interests for the benefit of their wider community

They should be looked upon, not as a burden but as a group to engage with their own dedicated Minister.

We are not properly represented in Parliament.

We believe Havering is a great place to grow older.

The General Election (7^th May 2015) will decide who becomes your local Member of Parliament (MP) and who forms the next Parliament and UK Government. Whoever you vote for and whoever wins, this is a really important opportunity to engage with your local candidates on issues that matter to older people in your area.

Age UK’s ambition for the next Parliament (2015-2020) is that politicians address the issues to ensure that the UK can be ‘a great place to grow older’ for older people today and tomorrow. This document summarises points raised by older people during our campaigning work.   It is designed to support you to engage with your local candidates on your priorities and ensure your voice is heard.

Meet your Candidates

If a candidate knocks on your door, you meet them in the street, you attend a local event in your area, it’s a great opportunity to make your voice heard. You can help them understand the issues facing people in later life? You can help explain what they can do, if elected as your MP, to help make your area and the UK a great place to grow older as an Age Champion?

Make your voice heard

When speaking to candidates, you might find this document a helpful guide to explain the kind of issues people face and our vision for later life. Overleaf are some suggested questions you might like to ask your local candidates, related to the campaign. You might also want to ask your own questions, based on your local experience and area.

For ideas on what to ask please read the folowing PDF document.

Quiz your candidate

Havering Over 50’s Forum

Manifesto for General Election

• Maintaining universal tax free pensioner benefits (Freedom Pass, winter fuel allowance, free TV licences for the over 75’s and free prescriptions) without means testing.
• Appoint a Minister for Older People:
• They support 5.7 million full time jobs in the UK through their spending and taxes
• Gross income of over 50’s households were 48.1pc of total UK household income in 2013
• In 2013 the over 50s generated £113 billion in tax revenue
• Ensuring the basic state pension for all new pensioners is above the poverty level and existing pensioners will not be not penalised by the new single-tier state pension
• Reintroducing the Retail Price Index alongside the Consumer Price Index, earnings and 2.5% as a measure for increasing pensions each year
• Ensuring that all patients leaving hospital have their needs for care after discharge fully considered in good time to make appropriate arrangements, ensuring that uncertainty about responsibility for funding does not interfere with best practice.
• Introducing a legally binding Dignity Code to improve the quality and standards of care for older people in hospital, care homes or their own home.
• Improve quality of current and future dementia care by increasing public awareness of the issue, planning for increased resources in the future and ensuring that professional carers have adequate time to help their clients
• Higher visibility of police on the streets and access to police generally.

I’m pleased to confirm that due to popular demand, additional  maintenance courses are being held at the Myplace Centre in Harold Hill this year.

These courses are for people looking to improve their knowledge of bike maintenance.

Basic course (aged 11 upwards) – This short (2 hour) course covers a safety check, gear and brake adjustment and emergency roadside repairs (punctures). Attendees are welcome to bring their own bicycle to this course.  This course is being held on the following dates:

May 9^th – Basic – 10:00–12:00 & 13:00-15:00

June 6^th – Basic – 10:00–12:00 & 13:00-15:00

July 4^th – Basic – 10:00–12:00 & 13:00-15:00

August 8^th – Basic – 10:00–12:00 & 13:00-15:00

September 5^th – Basic – 10:00–12:00 & 13:00-15:00

October 10^th – Basic – 10:00–12:00 & 13:00-15:00

Advance course (aged 15 upwards) – This 5 hour course covers the likely needs for a cycle touring holiday or to maintain your own bike, it includes advanced removal and installation of bicycle components. To get the best from this course attendees should be able to perform basic maintenance to a bicycle. Attendees are required to bring their own bike to this course.

April 18^th – Advanced – 10:00-16:00

May 30^th – Advanced – 10:00-16:00

June 27^th – Advanced – 10:00-16:00

July 25^th – Advanced – 10:00-16:00

August 15^th  – Advanced – 10:00-16:00

August 22^nd  – Advanced – 10:00-16:00

August 29^th – Advanced – 10:00-16:00

September 12^th – Advanced – 10:00-16:00

September 26^th – Advanced – 10:00-16:00

October 24^th – Advanced- 10:00-16:00

November 7^th – Advanced – 10:00-16:00

November 28^th – Advanced –10:00-16:00

 

Both courses are being held at MyPlace (Harold Hill) 343 Dagnam Park Dr, RM3 9EN

To book onto the course please call 01708 376004.

Inspection of Queen’s and King George Hospitals

(Barking, Havering & Redbridge University Hospitals Trust)

In March, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) will be inspecting Queen’s and King George Hospitals to see what improvements have been made since the Barking, Havering & Redbridge University Hospitals Trust (BHRUT) was put into “special measures” in 2013. The CQC particularly want to hear about the recent experiences of older patients attending either hospital.

Healthwatch Havering, in partnership with the CQC, is holding two sessions at Havering Town Hall, Romford to give you the chance to Have Your Say to the CQC inspectors about your recent experience. Why not come along? No appointment is necessary…

Venue: Havering Town Hall, Main Road, Romford RM1 3BD

Date: Thursday 26 February 2015

Times: Morning – 11am-1pm; Afternoon – 3pm-5pm Tea, coffee & biscuits will be available …