Dagenham Park CofE School has created a stunning display as part of a whole school Remembrance Day project.

Staff and pupils made 963 poppies to create a wonderful four-metre high structure to commemorate those who lost their lives during the wars. Pupils learned the meaning behind different colours of poppies and included these in the display to honour all members of the community.

The Barking and Dagenham catering service BD Together is celebrating the recognition of two of its school catering teams in the LACA Awards for Excellence.

The LACA Awards acknowledge individuals and teams who make a real difference to school food and education catering. William Bellamy Primary School and Eastbury Community School were shortlisted in the Primary School Team of the Year and Secondary School Team of the Year categories, respectively. 

Councillors from across the capital with responsibility for the safety and educational needs of children have written to the Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson MP, asking for more support to make school settings safe for staff and young people.

In their letter, the Councillors made clear their desire to work closely with the government to minimise the impact of Covid-19 on the health, wellbeing and education of children. 

Barking and Dagenham is celebrating Interfaith week this week which runs from 8 to 15 November. 

This is a national event designed to focus on interfaith understanding and cooperation, strengthen good interfaith relations, increases awareness of the different and distinct faith communities and increases understanding between people of religious and non-religious beliefs.

Residents of Barking and Dagenham on the lookout for their next job are being encouraged to get in touch with the council’s job shop to take advantage of a number of jobs available this week.

Burglaries tend to increase around Christmas time and to help residents stay safe during the festive period, Barking and Dagenham Council and the police are holding an online Q&A session with residents.

The session, which will take place on Tuesday 10 November at 5pm, will see the police give tips on what residents can do to reduce the likelihood of them becoming a victim to burglary and there will also be an update from the Burglary and Robbery Investigation Team on the latest activities in the borough.

Local volunteers providing a service to local residents have been rewarded for their hard work and dedication after scooping the Volunteers for Learning award at an online ceremony which took place yesterday, Wednesday 5 November.

The British Museum and the Marsh Christian Trust announced the winners of the volunteer awards which celebrated the work and achievements of museum volunteers across the UK for last year.

Residents of Barking and Dagenham aged 16 plus and above are being invited to apply for apprenticeship roles in the construction industry, working on building sites across the borough.

The council’s Construction Job Shop will be working closely with Be First and Joe Brennan Training (JBT) to recruit several trade apprentices on various sites across the borough.

Barking and Dagenham Council today (3 November) signed an agreement with global media real estate leader Hackman Capital Partners (HCP) to build London’s largest film and TV production centre in Dagenham.

Eastbrook Studios London will be the capital’s largest studio campus. The project comes with planning permission, and HCP’s ambitious plans include up to 12 sound stages, three acres of backlot, offices and ancillary space, totalling over half a million square feet.

Despite the best efforts of the council, around 55% of businesses in Barking and Dagenham are still not following all of the rules put in place by the government to stop the spread of coronavirus.

In the last two weeks, council enforcement officers visited 270 businesses where concerns have been raised about Covid related issues and have also handed out 10 Fixed Penalty Notices of £1000 each to those found to have continued to flout the rules.