Literacy lovers will be able to meet authors, hear about how to publish books, and have a chance to hone their writing skills at Barking and Dagenham’s very own book festival.

Now in its tenth year, ReadFest will take place between Monday, 6 and Friday, 24 September, and aims to deliver a selection of local, national and internationally acclaimed writers.

After a year off due to the global pandemic, festivals came back in style to Barking and Dagenham last weekend, and over 18,000 residents came to enjoy the fun and excitement.

The Becontree Forever Weekender took place at Parsloes Park, Dagenham with the Becontree 100 Festival on Saturday 14 August, followed by the Roundhouse Music Festival on Sunday 15 August.

Students across Barking and Dagenham had reason to celebrate today as they picked up their GCSE results. 

Once again, students in the borough had plenty to be proud of, as they achieved some of the top grades in the country. 

For the second year running, exams were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Teachers awarded grades using marked assignments, coursework, and mock exam results as part of a robust framework to ensure fairness and accuracy in line with government guidance.

There have been celebrations across Barking and Dagenham today as students picked up their A-Level results, after exams were cancelled for a second year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Students in the borough achieved some of the top grades in the country, with young people securing places to further their studies at some of the most prestigious universities in the world such as Oxford, Cambridge, London School of Economics, and Imperial College London.

From the start of the Coronavirus pandemic, the number one priority for Barking and Dagenham Council has been to keep residents as safe as possible and, unfortunately that has meant taking enforcement action against some individuals and businesses. 



Since the start of the first lockdown in March last year, council enforcement officers have been on the frontline working with and providing advice to businesses to ensure that they were following the rules set by the government.

Children and families across Barking and Dagenham are set to benefit from a number of new initiatives to help them achieve a healthy weight and boost their wellbeing thanks to an injection of funds from the government.



We are one of 11 councils to receive funding to support the expansion of our child weight management service. We bid for and were awarded a total of £465,000.

Two local charities have been given cheques worth thousands of pounds after a two-year fundraising drive by a former mayor.

Councillor Peter Chand, who held the ceremonial position as Mayor for Barking and Dagenham between 2019 and 2021, attended a presentation at Dagenham and Redbridge Football Club on Thursday, 29 July.

I would like to thank everyone who donated to my two chosen charities. The past 18 months have been difficult for us all and I’m honoured to have had so much support during this tough time.

In its efforts to reassure residents and improve safety in and around Barking, the council has increased security at London Road car park.



Since Wednesday 14 July, the council has had professional dog handlers in the car park from 8pm to 8am every day and they have so far ejected people who shouldn’t be there 25 times.

After a year off due to the global pandemic, festivals are back in Barking and Dagenham this weekend, and music lovers and families can enjoy the fun and excitement all for free.

The Becontree Forever Weekender will take place at Parsloes Park, Dagenham, and kicks off with the Becontree 100 Festival on Saturday 14 August, followed by the Roundhouse Music Festival on Sunday 15 August.

Some of the borough’s most prized portraits have gone under the microscope to understand how the paintings were made and how they can be preserved for future generations to enjoy.

Every inch of all 74 pieces of art in the Fanshawe family collection were meticulously evaluated using the latest conservation techniques such as ultraviolet light to identify any damage or flaking paint.