Havering Friends of the Earth

Forthcoming Meetings

• 25 February 2025 Fairkytes Arts Centre^* 7.30pm
• 25 March 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. You can also visit our Facebook group for topical news and discussion.

Taking the Liberty Line?

Three years on from our confrontation with Network Rail over their wholesale clearance of trackside vegetation, the sound of chainsaws has again echoed along the Romford-Upminster railway. As before, HFoE members have joined with local protest groups in a bid to preserve this important wildlife corridor.

Read more...

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...

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

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.

Read more...

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.

Read more...

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.

In Memoriam

We've arranged, via the Woodland Trust, for five trees to be dedicated in memory of HFoE member Jill Luff, who passed away 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.