‘Essex We Are, Essex We Stay!’ Havering Celebrates Its Proud County Heritage

28th October 202628th October 2026 Francesca Lilleystone 0 Comments Andrew Rosindell MP, Councillors, Essex Day, Essex Flag, Flag Raising, Havering, Mayor, Town Hall min read

Not even the rain could dampen Essex pride in Romford as Havering’s Mayor, Councillors, Council Leader Keith Prince AM and Romford MP Andrew Rosindell gathered outside the Town Hall to raise the Essex flag and celebrate the borough’s historic ties to the county.

Monday’s flag-raising ceremony marked Essex Day, which commemorates Saint Cedd, the county’s patron saint, and celebrates more than 1,300 years of Essex history, heritage and identity.

Although Havering has been part of Greater London since 1965, its historic roots remain firmly in Essex, a connection that continues to mean a great deal to many residents.

The Mayor of Havering, Councillor Maggie Themistocli, welcomed those attending and spoke about the importance of celebrating the county’s history and the sense of belonging it brings to communities across the borough.

She said:

“It is a great pleasure to welcome you as we come together to celebrate Essex Day and proudly raise the Essex flag here in Havering.

“Essex Day commemorates Saint Cedd, the county’s patron saint, who helped bring Christianity to the Kingdom of the East Saxons more than 1,300 years ago. It is also an opportunity to celebrate the rich history, traditions and identity that continue to unite communities across Essex.

“Here in Havering, our connection to Essex runs particularly deep. Although we have been part of Greater London since 1965, our historic roots remain firmly in Essex, and for many residents that connection is as strong today as ever.

“From our historic market town of Romford to the villages and communities across the borough, Essex remains an important part of who we are.

“Raising the flag is a simple but meaningful gesture. It reminds us of where we have come from, the traditions we share and the importance of preserving our heritage for future generations.

“We may be a London borough, but Essex will always be part of Havering’s story.

“It is now my great honour, as Mayor of Havering, to raise the Essex flag.”

Andrew Rosindell MP: ‘Essex We Are, Essex We Stay!’

Romford MP Andrew Rosindell also celebrated the occasion, praising the Mayor for her speech and for raising the Essex flag outside Havering Town Hall.

Despite the wet weather, Mr Rosindell said the ceremony was an important reminder of the borough’s historic identity and its enduring connection to the county.

He said:

“Monday was a thoroughly wet morning in Romford, but nothing was going to stop the Essex flag being raised for Essex Day, marking Saint Cedd, our county’s patron saint, and more than 1,300 years of Essex heritage, of which Havering has always been part.

“The raising of the Essex flag at Havering Town Hall demonstrates that our borough proudly remains within this magnificent English county and that we celebrate our Essex heritage, as an historical and geographical part of England, with our own Essex culture and identity being as strong as ever!

“Thank you to our brilliant Mayor of Havering, Cllr. Maggie Themistocli @MayorOfHavering for her splendid speech in celebration of our Essex identity and for raising the flag of Essex in front of @LBofHavering Town Hall.

“Romford remains a proud market town within the historic English County of Essex and that will never change. Havering may sit (for the time being) within the administrative region of ‘Greater London,’ but Essex is and always will be our county. Essex we are, Essex we stay!”

Celebrating Havering’s Essex Roots

The ceremony brought together local representatives to celebrate a heritage that continues to shape the identity of communities across Havering.

From Romford’s historic market town roots to the borough’s villages and neighbourhoods, Essex’s history remains an important part of local life.

The raising of the flag was a symbolic moment, celebrating the traditions, history and sense of belonging that connect Havering to Essex.

And as the rain fell outside the Town Hall, the message from the day was clear: while administrative boundaries may have changed, the pride many residents feel in Havering’s Essex heritage remains as strong as ever.