Havering Friends of the Earth

Forthcoming Meetings

• 28 January 2025 Fairkytes Arts Centre^* 7.30pm
• 25 February 2025 Fairkytes Arts Centre^* 7.30pm

^* Circumstances permitting - please check this page for any last-minute changes.

For more information about our meetings, and how to find us, please see the About page.

Proposed East Havering Data Centre

Whisper it quietly: there's a plot afoot to build the biggest data centre in Europe, on green belt farmland in Havering.

At the centre of the proposed North Ockendon "campus" would be a vast array of computer servers, to be used for data storage and cloud services. This, together with ancillary equipment such as power controllers and batteries, would be housed in a number of warehouse-sized buildings, some over 20m high. The earmarked site comprises around 190 hectares (470 acres) of land, most of which is currently in arable use (crops) with some pasture, woodland and hedgerows.

Read more...

Langtons Eco Fayre

On Bank Holiday Monday, 27 May, we held another successful stall at the Eco Fayre in Langtons courtyard. This event, now in its second year, is run by Havering Green Streets. Luckily the weather was kind to us as we gave out leaflets and stickers, and met all sorts of interesting people.

This photo, featuring some of our members and helpers, appears by kind permission of The Havering Daily.

In the press

Since December 2021, our members have contributed to a regular community column in the Romford Recorder newspaper. These articles are also available on our Articles page.

In brief

Jill Luff

We were very sad to hear of the death of our secretary and long-standing campaigner Jill Luff, in December 2023.

Jill believed passionately in the importance of trees, green spaces and clean air for our spiritual wellbeing, as well as the health of the planet. She gave several talks about the vital role of bees and other pollinators, and wrote movingly about the calming benefits of connecting with nature. Her bright smile, warm spirit and positivity are greatly missed at our meetings and events, and above all by her husband, HFoE co-ordinator Ian Pirie.

ULEZ-vous?

The extension of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) to include outer London boroughs has proved divisive, to say the least. Even within HFoE there are differences of opinion, but it's fair to say we're united in wanting to breathe cleaner air.

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Vegetation, vegetation, vegetation

Early in 2022, we supported residents in a campaign to halt Network Rail's wholesale destruction of trackside vegetation - including mature trees - along the Romford-Upminster and Romford-Gidea Park lines. Following meetings and a petition, they scaled back their operations significantly. We continue to monitor the situation.

Climate change

We took a close look at the Council's new Climate Action Plan. Despite encouraging noises from them in the press (including some kind words about our local group), we feel that their plan should put more emphasis on preventing climate change, rather than just adapting to it. As with previous issues such as air pollution, we need to move forward beyond monitoring and measuring (the easy bits!) toward actively planning, budgeting for, and implementing changes to reduce our Borough's carbon footprint.

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Glyphosate

Together with other environmental groups, we've been putting pressure on Havering Council and its contractor to stop routinely spraying Glyphosate-based weedkiller on roadsides and pavements. We believe this chemical, which is thought to cause cancer, poses a risk to both people and wildlife. This started a wider debate about alternative methods to control weeds, and whether in some cases it would be better to accept and enjoy a natural carpet of attractive and beneficial wildflowers.