On Friday, 15 August, a 79-year-old gentleman went to his local bank and asked to withdraw £3,000 from his savings account. Having discussed the withdrawal with the customer and being aware of the protocols set by Havering Trading Standards staff at the bank called police.

The victim informed officers from Romford Town Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) that builders had knocked on the door of his home in the Romford area and advised that he needed work done on a leaking gutter that if left unchecked could cause serious problems. The repair cost was quoted at £1,500.  However, when the victim agreed to this repair the builders advised that part of the roof also needed work and that the total cost would be £3,000.

Officers from Romford Town NPT and Richard Whight, specialist Fair Trading Officer attended the victim’s property where he found the builders had already begun work on the roof. Richard Whight informed them that as they had not followed the correct procedures the residents was not obliged to pay for the work unless ordered to pay through County Court.

The builders advised that at this point the resident owed them £500 and taking their equipment, left the scene.

Anyone requiring repair work on their property should contact traders who display the ‘Buy with confidence’ logo.

Those displaying this logo are fully audited by the Trading Standards Office to ensure that their business practices are legal, honest and fair.  All members are checked for trustworthiness and compliance with consumer protection laws.  They carry the necessary insurance and provide clear pricing information to the prospective customer.

To get your Buy with Confidence Directory telephone 08454 040506 www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk.

Dear Friend,

It is my very great pleasure to invite you to join me for my first fundraising event in support of my 2014-15 Mayoral Appeal*, a tour of historic Havering including some of our iconic buildings and led by a local history expert – not forgetting the all–important refreshment breaks along the way! – on Saturday 20 September.

Our itinerary will start with morning coffee at St Andrew’s Church in Hornchurch, one of the ancient landmarks of the borough, relied upon as a navigation point by generations of sailors plying up and down the Thames. From there we progress to the Queen’s Theatre, where we will see what happens back-stage as well as front of house. The Queen’s is home to the Cut to the Chase repertory company as well as including many varied events in the programme.

After the Queen’s we move on to the Upminster Windmill one of the few remaining complete windmills in the area. The climb up the mill is well worth it for a close look at the workings of it and the views from the upper levels, including across to the next stop on the tour, the Old Chapel, restored to use with a Heritage Lottery Fund grant. This building was nearly a lost treasure of Havering but renovations were carried out just in time to preserve it as a versatile, multi-purpose space for many people to use and enjoy as it hosts many different events to cater for a wide range of interests.

From here we move to the Upminster Golf Club which has an interesting history in its own right, beside being the venue for our lunch! After a break we move on to the Tithe Barn and a fascinating exhibition of artefacts from the Havering area.

Our final stop will be the Town Hall where I hope you will join me for tea in the Parlour before starting your journey home.

I look forward to welcoming you on Saturday 20 September.

Yours ever, Linda

For more information please download the following PDF and return the eclosed form

Linda’s Tour of Havering

When?        Wednesday 15 October, from 7.00 pm (first race 7.30 pm)

Where?     The Pavilion Coral Romford Greyhound Stadium, London Road,       Romford, RM7 9DU

Please join me for an entertaining night of thrills and spills at the famous Romford Dogs! One of only two remaining greyhound tracks in London, the stadium boasts a comfortable, high quality restaurant in the Pavilion, which has an outside viewing area for diners to enjoy the racing atmosphere right next to the track. This is a wonderful way to spend a fun evening to help me raise funds for my Appeal charities, Add+Up, the Alzheimers Society and Havering Mind.

Features include:

• Exclusive outdoor terrace
• Panoramic view of the track
• Fine dining
• A licensed bar
• State of the art plasma screens
• Table service for food, drinks and betting

The price of £40 includes a 3-course dinner with table wine. This is a very popular venue and we have to reserve our places well in advance so please book early to avoid disappointment.

I very much hope you’ll be able to join me.

Linda

Please download the following PDF and return as on the form.

Linda’s Night at the Dogs ’14

Active Living will be launching this new initiative for people aged over 60 during August and September. The project aims to engage with residents through a questionnaire survey to understand if this age group are aware of the social, health & well being and financial services available to them.

Letters will be sent out to residents aged over 60yrs. from the Citizens Advice Bureau advising them of the Pathways to Positive Ageing initiative.

The survey will be carried out by trained volunteers.  So if you see them out with their clip boards come over and say hello!

Active Living will be launching the project at Havering Show over the Bank holiday weekend.

For more information please contact Kim Crisp 01708 629903 or 07946131041 kim@haveringcab.org.uk

The next local Skyride this weekend is a nice steady ride around Goodmayes and Mayesbrook Parks.

It is again completely off road except for a short stretch which can be walked if necessary.

What’s even better you don’t have to ride your bike all the way to the start of the ride as the entrance to Goodmayes Park is short distance from Chadwell Heath Station.

Ray is leading this one too.

“Goodmayes Tour of the Duck Ponds”

Steady – Sunday 10 August – Start Time 10:00 a.m. – 6 miles

Start from Goodmayes Park Green Lane IG3 9PH

Join us on this short but very sweet ride starting in Goodmayes Park.  This ride really shows you the best way to enjoy the parks in Redbridge is by bike!  From Goodmayes Park we head over to Goodmayes Park Recreational Ground before continuing south into Mayesbrook Park where we will take a lap of the duck ponds before having a little breather and time for refreshments.  This ride really is perfect for those wanting to get out on their bike, enjoy the parks and have a chat without having to stretch your legs too much

 More details and registration at http://www.goskyride.com/Search/Details?eventid=37716

Dear All, we have now recieved a response (indeed 2 responses) from the Pensions Minister in response to our letters to the Prime Minister asking for an Older Persons’ Minister.

The response was not what we were hoping for and the jist of the reason for refusal is that all government departments must take older people into consideration in thier policy making and that a dedicated Minister might lead others to think that they no longer had that responsibility.

As Dame Angela Watkinson says in her covering letter:

“We may have lost round 1 but we shall carry on!”

Attached is Dame Angela’s covering letter and the 2 letters from the Pensions Minister.

Dame Angela Watkinson Letter 8 July 2014

Why not join Skyride this week-end for a nice easy ride from Rainham Station to the RSPB Reserve and back. Completely off-road. Rays leading this one.

“Exploring Rainham Marshes RSPB Reserve – The Essex Way”

Steady – Sunday 3rd August – Start Time 10:00 a.m. – 8 Miles

Start from Rainham C2C Train Station (by platform 1 – London bound) Ferry Lane RM13 9HY

This is an off-road ride where you can spot a variety of interesting, sometimes rare, birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians as well as bugs and beasties of all kinds. RSPB Rainham Marshes is just a stone’s throw from London. Located on ancient marshland nestled beside the river Thames, it really is a special place to enjoy the great outdoors. A new cycle route links the villages of Purfleet and Rainham and runs beside the reserve, along the Thames, looping round and passing the WW2 concrete barges and the “diver”.

The reserve itself offers a leisurely amble in a superb setting with fantastic facilities in the eco-friendly visitor centre where we will have time to stop and enjoy the cafe and shop.  For more information on Rainham Marshes RSPB Reserve please click on the link https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/r/rainhammarshes

More details and registration at

http://www.goskyride.com/Search/Details?eventid=37708