Becontree

Over the course of two days (19 and 26 February), volunteers planted trees at Barking and Dagenham’s ‘Forest of Thanks’, to recognise the incredible work local NHS staff and keyworkers have done and continue to do during the pandemic.

The council partnered with The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) who work across the UK to create healthier and happier communities, SUGi Projects, an international organisation specialising in urban rewilding and the Natwest Group who kindly donated all the trees for planting.

Planting, led by the council’s Ranger services started back in November 2020 followed by opportunities for residents to help further with the planting, when it was safe to do so.

The project included planting 28,000 native trees and shrubs, with an additional 8,000 trees planted by volunteers, following a new planting method called Miyawaki, which establishes a forest up to 30 times more dense than conventional tree planting. It also grows 10 times faster than regular forests and is a chemical and fertiliser free forest that sustains itself once established and supports local biodiversity.

The ‘Forest of Thanks’ will be a wonderful addition to our borough’s green spaces, and it was an honour to plant my own tree there.

Just four years after planting, the ‘Forest of Thanks’ will deliver benefits including:

• Absorb 24,000 kg of carbon: up to 30 times better absorption compared to other tree-planting schemes
• Show a huge increase in Biodiversity
• Process 1,500,000 litres of rain
• Improve air quality by reducing polluting floating particulates by up to 10%
• Up to 30 times better noise reduction compared to other tree-planting schemes

The ‘Forest of Thanks’ will be the largest Miyawaki Forest in the UK and Europe.

Council Leader, Cllr Darren Rodwell, who was there and planted his own tree said: “With what has been an extremely difficult time for our residents and people across the world, it is important that we recognise the sacrifices of those who work in the NHS, our keyworkers and others who have consistently gone above and beyond to help those who need it most.

“We wanted to recognise those individuals in a very special way and one that would benefit the local community. The ‘Forest of Thanks’ will be there for a long time to show our appreciation for all the incredible work they continue to do.”

Cllr Saima Ashraf, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Community Leadership and Engagement, who also attended the planting session said: “This is such a beautiful way of expressing our thanks to our local NHS staff and keyworkers who throughout this pandemic, worked with resilience and compassion, during what has been a difficult time for our community. The ‘Forest of Thanks’ will be a wonderful addition to our borough’s green spaces, and it was an honour to plant my own tree there.”

A man from Kent has been fined over £800 after he was caught dumping rubbish in a fly-tipping hot spot in Dagenham.

A CCTV camera placed by Barking and Dagenham Council on Gale Street, Dagenham caught the driver of a Mercedes-Benz and their passenger dumping rubbish into domestic waste bins without authorisation on 25 March 2021.

The camera clearly identified the number plate of the car and after a quick search on the DVLA database, an officer was able to see that the vehicle belonged to a Mr Eseoghene Odogun of New Romney, Kent.

The officer issued Mr Odogun with a Fixed Penalty Notice of £400, which he needed to pay within 14 days. However, he didn’t pay the fine and the case went to court.

The case was heart at Barkingside Magistrates Court on Tuesday 15 February where Mr Odogun pleaded guilty.

Councillor Margaret Mullane, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety said: “People may feel that they can just dump their rubbish in any bin, but that is not the case. Putting their waste in these types of domestic bins without permission prevents the people who are entitled to from doing so.

“We sadly get lots of complaints from residents about fly-tipping on Gale Street, so we are taking this very seriously if we catch anyone dumping rubbish. As this case shows, we will take whatever action we can.”

The judge ordered Mr Odogun to pay a fine of £500, costs to Barking and Dagenham Council of £300 and a Victim Surcharge of £50.

In December 2020, we planted trees for the ‘Forest of Thanks’ at Parsloes Park, which was created to celebrate the NHS, keyworkers and to remember all those who lost their lives to COVID-19.
On Saturday 19 and 26 February, you now have an opportunity to plant your own tree in the forest.
Join our Park Rangers service and The Conservation Volunteers (TVC), who will be on hand to assist with planting what will be the largest Miyawaki Forest in Europe, once it’s completed.
Registration is essential and we recommend you sign-up quickly as places are limited.
For more information and to register, visit the booking site

Create London in partnership with Barking and Dagenham Council unveiled special celebratory plaques across the 100-year-old Becontree Estate on Thursday 7 October.

Funded by the council, Create London commissioned artist Leonor Antunes to design and produce these commemorative plaques, as part of the council’s Becontree Forever programme celebrating the estate’s centenary. The plaques celebrate famous former residents from Becontree’s history as well as the important contribution of current residents to be sited on houses and public buildings across the estate.

"Those that were nominated for a plaque all deserve the praise and adulation that they were given. Whether it was for their outstanding contribution to their craft or in some cases, their incredible contribution to the local community."

Six plaques were unveiled following a significant period of research and a rigorous resident-led nomination process, which will be followed by a further 11 plaques to be installed for this centenary year.

These former and current Becontree Estate residents were nominated to have a plaque in their honour:

• Sir Hardy Amies (Installed on The White House, Dagenham) – for his exceptional work in the fashion industry and most notably, being dressmaker to Queen Elizabeth II.
• Sir Alf Ramsey (Installed on the Chestnut Nursery School – site of his former home) – for his contribution to professional English football and most notably, for being England manager during the 1966 World Cup campaign.
• Trevor and Doreen Lock (installed on their home) – for their contribution to the local community and most notably, for their long service with the Independent Living Agency and Trevor’s heroic actions, during his time as a police officer.
• Pat and Jack Lock (installed on the Julia Engwell Health Centre – which they frequented with their foster children) – for their contribution to fostering in the borough over many years.
• Zara McFarlane and Diversity (installed on Sydney Russell School) – former pupils of the school, Jazz singer/songwriter Zara and Diversity (Sam and Mitchell Craske attended the school), were awarded their plaque for their contribution to the arts.

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Community Leadership and Engagement, Cllr Saima Ashraf said: “This is such a wonderful way to celebrate former and existing residents of the Becontree Estate. I know that we have exceptional people who come from the borough and this project certainly highlights that.

“Those that were nominated for a plaque all deserve the praise and adulation that they were given. Whether it was for their outstanding contribution to their craft or in some cases, their incredible contribution to the local community.”

To find out more about the Becontree Forever programme, click here.