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Nigeria marked 59 years of Independence today 1 October. The Nigerian flag was raised at Barking Town Hall, as the borough came together and celebrated with members of the Nigerian community, council staff and well-wishers.

I am delighted to join the residents of Barking and Dagenham in wishing all Nigerians a happy Independence Day. 

Barking and Dagenham Council officially kicked off Black History Month with a memorable launch last night, which had The Broadway Theatre in Barking filled to capacity.

The exciting night of performances and discussions was hosted by Barking and Dagenham's very own Janice Francis-Irwin, former world and European karate champion.

Those in attendance were treated to traditional African drumming and dance from Masai Cultural Arts, followed by a talk on tracing your ancestry by author and genealogist, Paul Crooks.

Eastbury Primary School has become the first primary school in Barking and Dagenham to achieve the Religious Education (RE) Quality Mark.

The school has been awarded the honour for their RE curriculum that provides opportunities to develop children’s knowledge and understanding of world religions.

Rush Green Primary School has been awarded the School Games Gold Award for the work they did during the 2018/19 academic year.

Launched in 2012, the Government-led award scheme, facilitated by the Youth Sport Trust, rewards schools for their commitment to the development of competition across their school and in the community.

Phony perfumes, counterfeit clothes and fake Apple AirPods were part of goods worth more than £50,000 that were seized in a raid by Barking and Dagenham Council. 

 

Trading Standards officers also found a number of hidden knives in the property after swooping on an address on Whalebone Grove, Dagenham. 

 

Pen to Print is Barking and Dagenham’s Creative Writing Programme, part funded by the Arts Council and has been running in the borough since 2014. The Readers Evening marks the end of Barking and Dagenham Libraries eighth successful free literary festival ReadFest.

Barking and Dagenham Council have been nominated for the Award for Best Engagement from a Local Authority in recognition of its work organising the Remember Srebrenica event yearly, which sees the flag being raised, followed by a civic commemoration which included prayers, speeches and a minutes silence. 

The award ceremony will take place on Saturday 5 October and has been organised by the charity Remembering Srebrenica.

Boxing classes, the chance to train like a firefighter and educational first aid courses are just some of the schemes being delivered to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in Barking and Dagenham.

There will also be interactive performance workshops in schools to highlight and discuss how local communities are impacted by illegal activities.

Black History Month comes to Barking and Dagenham this October, as the borough gets set for a jam-packed schedule of events to celebrate the history, achievements and culture of Black African and Caribbean people.

Black History Month comes to Barking and Dagenham this October, as the borough gets set for a jam-packed schedule of events to celebrate the history, achievements and culture of Black and Minority Ethnic people.