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WALTHAM FOREST ECHO

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Looking back at a busy first year since the opening of Walthamstow Wetlands

Council ends contract for supporting young people's mental health

The Mill is planning a big get-together to help social entrepreneurs

Artists explore beauty of town square trees scheduled for the chop

The original inhabitants of Brisbane Road make a name for themselves in E17

FreeDec 2018, No. 45

Your independent community newspaper

Students from Leyton Sixth Form College are leading the way in tackling crime

tudents praised for taking action over youth violence have hit out at cuts to pro-vision for young people in

Waltham Forest. The Leyton Sixth Form College (LSC) pupils led efforts this year to establish a local youth violence commission, presenting community leaders with a list of demands and arranging meetings with Waltham Forest Council and the Metropol-itan Police.

Speaking to Waltham Forest Echo shortly after receiving a 'Young Londoner' award at City Hall for their efforts to tackle crime, the LSC students hit out at cuts made to youth provision. Sayeed Ahmed, 17, said: “I was in-volved in a programme with Active Change Foundation, looking at grooming and local issues, but it has now been shut down. It helped me with my public speaking and other things that you don't always get to learn at school. “It is disappointing because a lot of young people won't have

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Young people speak out on youth violence

that opportunity to get involved and learn these skills.” Chloe Pirotta, 17, said: “It is easy for young people if they are good at academic subjects but if you are better at art or other things it is more difficult to get the support you need. When there are budget cuts it's always the vocational courses that are the ones to go first. We need more help.” Last year the group from LSC conducted a 'listening campaign' to collect the views of staff and fellow students on issues around crime and youth violence. They subsequently

drew up a list of demands for the council that were presented at the Waltham Forest Accountability As-sembly, organised by campaign group Waltham Forest Citizens, during the run-up to this year's local election. One of the demands was the establishment of a local youth violence commission, comprised of civic representatives alongside young people, which is now hearing evidence and will publish a report with a list of recommendations next year. Another demand is that at least 30% of the funding pro- vided as part of London Borough of Culture 2019 is allocated to projects benefiting young people. Sayeed said: “We are holding the council to account and making sure tackling youth violence is one of their top priorities. We have been meeting them at the town hall. “I feel it is a step in the right direction. Once all of the actions get implemented I think it will make a difference.” Reasons for increasing youth violence, the students have argued, include school exclusions; traumatic home experiences; declining trust in authority; involvement with gangs; and lack of job opportunities. Aaron Adikwu, 17, said: “Com-mitting crimes is easier than it was before. They do it to earn respect.” Students at LSC are also current-ly working on a drama production, XplusY, based around the pressure felt by young men to conform. One of those involved is Blaize Alexis- Anglin, 18, who is studying for a diploma in arts. He said: “It talks about masculinity, how there are certain social standards that men

Sayeed Ahmed, Chloe Pirotta, and Nouf Abdulqadar, have been campaigning for more action to tackle youth violence in Waltham Forest

by James Cracknell

Become a member of Waltham Forest Echo and get the paper delivered each month: walthamforestecho.co.uk/join

have to live up to, and about male psychology.” Sayeed added: “I think a lot of young people don't realise they can make a difference. It is import-ant that we understand this is an essential issue for us and it is our story to tell.” Young victims of violence in Waltham Forest this year include 20-year-old Joseph William-Torres, fatally shot in Essex Close in March; 16-year-old Amaan Shakoor, fatally shot in Markhouse Road in April, and 19-year-old Guled Farah, fatally shot in Vallentin Road in September. London Assembly Member Jennette Arnold said: “It has been extremely concerning to see the rise in violent crime in Waltham Forest, and across London. However, in the face of tragedy, our local community has always pulled together to try and find a way to heal and tackle the underlying causes. “We should be immensely proud of these students who are leading the way locally when it comes to ensuring the views and concerns of their peers are heard. “I am looking forward to seeing their work replicated in other schools across the borough.”

"It is important we understand that this is an essential issue for us and it is our story to tell"

2 No. 45 DECEMBER 2018 WALTHAM FOREST ECHO

DECEMBER 2018 – No. 45

Waltham Forest Echo is an independent community newspaper. We publish monthly and distribute 12,500 free copies of each issue to libraries, cafés, pubs, and other places around Waltham Forest.

PublisherDavid Floyd

EditorJames Cracknell

DesignerJonathan Duncan

ManagerPenny Dampier

ContributorsJoanna Hooper, Jules Carey, Charlotte Major, Jon Salmon, Kit MacArthur, Matt Corne, Ada Crawshay-Jones, Ray Yates, Linsey Wynton, Helen Bigham, Jo Seely, Korantema Anyimadu, Helen Porter, Linda Green, Julia Poynter, Michelle Edwards, Scott Lanza

MembersAdam Pike, Chris Lemin, Darrel Hunneybell, David Gardiner, David Hamilton, David O'Driscoll, Dexter Coles, Graham Millington, Jean Duggleby, Melanie Strickland, Michael Grimshaw, Roland Karthaus, Sanjoy Kumar, Renetta Neal, Graham Larkbey, Paul Schneider, Megan Lucero, Andrew Sharp, Deri Jones, Scott Davies, Abigail Woodman, Pat Stannard, Lee Mitchell, Ian Cadogan, Madeleine Munday, Irena Souroup, Paul Scaife, Roy Sutton, Jon Dalladay, David Kalloo, David McDade, Chingford Pet Rescue.

The member organisations of WFWellComm CIC are:Community Transport Waltham Forest, Social Spider CIC, HEET.

WFWellComm CIC Board:David Floyd (Social Spider CIC)Tom Ruxton (HEET)Helen Tredoux (Community Transport WF)

Waltham Forest EchoThe Mill, 7 - 11 Coppermill Lane, E17 7HAE [email protected] 020 8521 7956

Advertising EnquiriesContact Ben Cawthra:E [email protected] 020 3892 0061

The Echo began with Big Lottery funding.

Giving a voice to young people

COMMENT

FELLOWSHIP IS LIFE

An introduction from Waltham Forest Echo editor James Cracknell

Wendy Davis from Waltham Forest Streets For All asks whether the case for Mini Holland's road closures has really been made

ello and welcome to Issue 45 of Waltham Forest Echo. It's been a tragic year

in Waltham Forest as several kill-ings and serious violent attacks have taken place on the borough's streets – with young people among their most frequent victims. As a monthly paper, the Echo isn't able to cover breaking crime stories as they happen, but we can take a broader look at crime trends, their causes, and their potential solutions. Earlier this year I inter-viewed Waltham Forest's borough commander, Detective Chief

oes closing roads really give us cleaner air? It’s great to learn air pollution is reducing

across London. Of course, there are many contributors to pollu-tion; private cars, public transport, aeroplanes, central heating, wood- burning stoves, industrial processes. Some years ago, carbon dioxide was the main worry as a contrib-utor to climate change, leading to everyone being urged to buy diesel vehicles. Now the concern is that nitrogen dioxide is a serious

Superintendent Richard Tucker, to talk about violent crime. We've also reported on the response from Waltham Forest Council. I have been keen, however, to talk to young people in the borough about their views, because surely no-one can understand the problems causing this rise in youth violence better than young people themselves. I was struggling to find a group of teenagers who were willing to talk to the Echo until last month, when I heard about Leyton Sixth Form College's incredible work to high-light the causes of violent crime and draw up a local action plan.

danger to health, with diesel the main source. Like everyone else, the Waltham Forest Streets For All campaign wants cleaner air. However, we contend that recent claims made in the Echo (Evidence racking up for cycle scheme, , Issue 42) attributing air quality improve-ments to Mini Holland, have not been verified. The first problem is that not enough relevant air quality measurements were taken before Mini Holland was implemented. Waltham Forest

I'd like to thank the staff at LSC, particularly principal Gill Burbridge and head of arts Richard Hodgkiss, for facilitat-ing my meeting with this extraor-dinary group of young people. Elsewhere in the paper, on Page 7 Ada Crawshay-Jones looks back at a busy first year for Waltham-stow Wetlands; on Page 9 mum Linsey Wynton explains how a little generosity can solve more problems than one; and on Page 14 campaigner Julia Poynter writes about the latest concerns over Universal Credit and how it is affecting local benefits claimants.

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Waltham Forest Echo is a member of IMPRESS: The Independent Monitor of The Press. For more information on the Echo’s complaints policy and how to make a complaint visit: walthamforestecho.co.uk/complaints

Unanswered questions about road closures

Council instead bases its claims on a theoretical study by researchers at King’s College London. Where a source of air pollution such as traffic had changed in a particular place, the King's College researchers calculated the proba-ble change in air quality for the year 2020. But while the council told them where Mini Holland had closed roads, and therefore reduced traffic, the report did not appear to account for the increase in traffic on other nearby roads. The council's own figures show that the

traffic on main roads in Waltham-stow, such as Hoe Street, has increased. We don't therefore trust the report's conclusions. Waltham Forest Streets For All opposes road closures because they make car journeys longer, increase traffic congestion, can delay emergency vehicles, cause inconvenience to small business-es, contribute to delays for buses, and generally make life more difficult for many residents. If it were possible to demonstrate that road closures do improve air quality and can ensure our chil-dren “live six weeks longer” as cited in the King's College report, there might be a reason to accept limited closures in certain places. But we don't think the case has been made. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the people who live, work, cycle, walk, and go to school in Palmerston Road, Hoe Street, and Shernhall Street, are experiencing worse pollution than before Mini Holland. We therefore challenge the council not to close any more roads until they have monitored the air pollution at all significant spots in the vicinity for a full year. The recent 'Markhouse Village' consultation gives us a perfect opportunity to check the impact of road closures properly by monitor-ing the roads in question, as well as all the surrounding roads into which traffic would be diverted.

A junction with Palmerston Road that has been closed to cars because of changes made as part of the £30m Mini Holland cycling programme

Finally, as a 'thank you' to our readers over the last year, we're running a competition with a first prize of a meal-for-two at local restaurant Turtle Bay. Find out how to win on Page 10 – and good luck!

3No. 45 DECEMBER 2018 WALTHAM FOREST ECHO

arents are being invited to swap outgrown chil-dren's clothes through a new charitable scheme

in Walthamstow. The 'Street Store' clothes swap pop-up has been launched by environmental charity Hubbub at Walthamstow Toy Library. It provides parents of chil-dren aged up to seven years with a free, environmentally- friendly way to update their

two-year £100,000 business support programme is set to benefit creative and cultur-

al freelancers, sole traders, and small or medium size firms, at Blackhorse Lane's 'Creative Enterprise Zone'. Creative entrepreneurs will be able to attend free workshops, network-ing events, and one-to-one support with Forge, to help them to fulfil their potential for growth and impact. Forge is delivered by Creative United with partners Slingshot Simple Venture Design, Hive Collective, Ayama Coaching, To Market, and Waltham Forest Business Network. The Forge launch event takes place on Tuesday 4th December at Switchboard Studios in Blackhorse Lane, from 9.30am–11.30am. Applications open this month and the first cohort will embark on their course of business support in March 2019. For more information visit creativeunited.org.uk/programme/forge-lbwf

contract for children's mental health services in Waltham Forest has been terminated after

being slammed as “not satisfactory”. Waltham Forest Council made the move to end its partnership with North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) after claiming the trust was failing to meet the targets it had been given. The £1.14million three-year contract for the 'Young People's Specialist Early Response Service' was signed in April this year, replacing a previous child and adolescent mental health services

wardrobes for the winter months. Trewin Restorick, chief executive of Hubbub, said: “We aim to provide a one-stop solution for parents.” The project is funded by North London Waste Authority (NLWA).

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NEWSFeatureLocal people urged to become 'mental health champions' to help end stigma

he owners of The Mall in Walthamstow have denied that their plans to build

500 homes in two 29-storey tower blocks have stalled since planning permission was granted a year ago. Reports last month suggested that Capital & Regional's devel-opment partner, Mount Anvil, had pulled out of the project. But a spokesperson said: “Our relation-ship with Mount Anvil remains unchanged, as we look to progress the £200million scheme.” Simon Miller, the council's cabinet member for economic growth, said: “The scheme remains on track. It is up to C&R to find the best devel-opment partner to deliver the best project and that process is ongoing.”

l ight paths that have increased noise pollution in Leyton should not be not

altered, according to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Anti-aviation campaigners spent three years demanding CAA reduce the number of flights over Waltham Forest – now the third-most overflown borough in London – but a report concluded: “There has been no increase in the number of people significantly affected by noise as a direct result of the airspace change.” In 2016 a pattern of concentrated flight paths was introduced by London City Airport, increasing the planes flying over the borough. Leyton and Wanstead MP John Cryer said: “I am very disappointed by the news. I am consulting campaigners to see what more can be done.”

lans for a disused office block to be replaced by a 16-storey tower in Walthamstow are

being taken forward by Waltham Forest Council. Juniper House in Hoe Street is set to be redeveloped to provide 91 homes – including 35% 'affordable' housing – and a nursery for 53 children. A consultation was held last summer and an application will be submitted next year. Simon Miller, cabinet member for economic growth, said: “This is our flagship development in Walthamstow town centre.”

Mall owners deny delay

Plane pain

New tower

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Council ends youth contract

Swap shop for kids

NHS trust criticised for failing to meet targets for young people(CAMHS) contract that was also delivered by NELFT. Explaining at last month's cabinet meeting why the move had been made, Naheed Asghar, the coun-cil's cabinet member for health and voluntary sector partner-ships, said: “The results are not satisfactory and the contract is not fit for purpose. “This affects our more vulnerable and at-risk residents and we need to terminate the contract. Con-tinuing it could result in a failure of our statutory duty to protect young people. Taking this step is very unusual and we have given it a lot of thought, but we cannot compromise on this.” A report outlining the decision

by James Cracknellnoted that “NELFT and the council hold different views on the scale and scope of the service” but that the NHS trust had refused to a mutual termination of the contract, forcing the council to intervene. The report also stated that “appropriate steps” would be taken to ensure the service could be continued without NELFT, but Cllr Asghar said: “We cannot at the moment set out the details of our alternative provision.” Council leader Clare Cogill also told the meeting: “We set out to do our best but we are brutally realistic; when an organisation is failing and it is affecting our young people, we will act.” Other contracts being delivered

by NELFT on behalf of Waltham Forest Council will not be affected by the decision. A spokesperson for the NHS trust said: “Unfor-tunately NELFT and the council have not been able to resolve the differences around expectation on the delivery of the contract to provide a Young People’s Special-ist Early Response Service. “These differences do not reflect the very positive collaborative working relationship we have in our many other areas of joint working on young people’s mental health services and other service areas. “We will continue to work very closely with the council to ensure a safe and smooth transfer to the new arrangements for this service area.”

Street Store is located at Walthamstow Toy Library, Comely Bank Community Clinic, 46 Ravenswood Road. It is open 9.30am–3pm weekdays and 10am–12pm on Saturdays.

Switchboard Studios in Blackhorse Lane

Forge your path

Mum Katie and daughter Poppy enjoy trying on new outfits at the new 'Street Store' pop-up in Walthamstow


FEATURES4

he pungent smell of chopped apples is rife in the air as I finally locate the small industrial unit

on a side street off Borwick Avenue. I’d been wandering about in the rain trying to find a hidden gem, the Local Fox cider press. Who knew that Walthamstow housed a 'micro-cidery' within its residential rows? This is not an ordinary cider press either, but a rather unique project run by national environmental charity, The Orchard Project, aimed at reduc-ing the amount of fruit London wastes and leaves to rot.

our years ago my sister Rosie started to experi-ence various issues with her stomach.

She visited our local GP at the time and was told she was most likely gluten intolerant and that she needed to cut out various foods. But the problems persisted, and again and again she was turned away from her GP surgery, leaving her upset and frustrated at their dis-missive attitudes. After a year of this, Rosie was diagnosed with stage-four bowel cancer, aged only 34. She was op-erated on immediately to remove the main tumour and part of her

an you imagine having to spend Christmas in a women’s shelter, hiding

away from someone that has hurt you and possibly your children? I’m sure you’ll agree it would be one of your darkest days, if not the darkest. Local mum Laura Hartly and I certainly think so, and we decided to try and bring these women and their children a touch of Christmas spirit by giving them a gift to open on Christmas morning. Solace Women’s Aid has helped London women and their chil-dren for more than 40 years to build safe and strong lives, with futures free from abuse and violence. They have 19 refuge shelters across the city and help more than 8,000 women and 2,000 children every year. Recent government cuts have put pressure on charities like Solace to continue to provide these life- saving spaces. It’s a small gesture, but donating a present to open can give the mums a reminder of their self-worth, and the kids a moment of joy and excitement, despite their often bleak situations and being away from any family and friends. We are aiming to collect at least 100 gifts for the women and chil-dren in their shelters, but we need your help to achieve this! If you’d like to get involved we will be col-lecting until Friday 7th December. We have an online gift list to make it easy, or you can of course buy what you like and deliver to one of us in Walthamstow. Cards of support with the gifts are also welcomed. If you would like to join in this local effort and spread some hap-piness where it is needed, please get in touch.

Local Fox's cider is made purely from surplus apples and pears, collected or donated from the capital’s gardens, orchards and parks. More recently, the project has also started to receive donations from commercial supply chains, a source it hopes to pursue further as it continues to grow. Since its inception in 2016, the Community Cider Hub, as it is more accurately called, has rescued 13 tonnes of waste fruit and transformed it into scrumptious cider and apple juice. The word ‘community’ is important here, as is evident from the enthusiastic

bowel, but the cancer had already spread to her liver and lymph nodes.After 45 rounds of chemotherapy and an operation in April 2017, which removed around three-quar-ters of her liver, Rosie still had cancer. No further options are available on the NHS. Rosie is one of a large number of young people with bowel cancer who are misdiagnosed and not treated soon enough. Every year more than 2,500 young people are diagnosed with bowel cancer nationwide. While only around 6% of those diagnosed, this number is slowly increasing. Research by Bowel Cancer UK shows that younger bowel cancer patients have a very different ex-perience of diagnosis, treatment,

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volunteers who I meet not long after arriving. Ready and willing to don a plastic apron and get their hands sticky, this group of nine have come for a day out of the office, organ-ised by their employer through a volunteering scheme. Around 700 volunteers have helped to power this project in the last two years, helping with picking apples at harvest time, chopping, pressing, bottling, and other tasks. Many who give their time to the hub are enticed by the tradition-al methods used here; very little machinery and natural wild yeast.

Others are simply interested in learn-ing new skills and improving their understanding of fruit trees and cider. The cider-makers who lead and instruct the volunteers ensure that everyone goes away with an increased awareness of food waste issues, and, of course, a bottle of cider to reward their efforts! The Community Cider Hub is growing in strength, producing approximately 15,000 bottles of cider since 2016. Unfortunately, its funding is soon to come to an end. But rather than close its doors and disappoint its enthusiastic volunteers and consumers alike, The Orchard Project has launched a crowdfunding campaign with an aim of raising £17,500 to save Local Fox. If you can donate any-thing before it ends on Monday 10th December, they would be very grateful; liquid rewards and other Christmas gift ideas are available to those who back the project!

Apples and pears

Fighting for Rosie

The gift of givingby Joanna Hooper

by Jules Carey

by Kit MacArthur

The Orchard Project has 700 volunteers helping to harvest and press fruit

A community growing project is bearing fruit

A local project is supporting victims of abuse and violence

To support the Local Fox crowdfunder:

Visit crowdfunder.co.uk/localfox

To find out more about The Orchard Project and how you can get involved:

Visit theorchardproject.org.uk/drinks

Read about Rosie and donate:

Visit uk.gofundme.com/50000-for-rose039s-cancer-treatment

Help support Walthamstow Secret Santa:

Email [email protected]

For more information about Solace Women's Aid:

Visit solacewomensaid.org

and care. They report having to see their GP many times before being referred for crucial diagnos-tic tests. Were Rosie a middle-aged man we believe she would have received the correct life-saving diagnosis immediately. Despite the seriousness of her condition, Rosie has done all she can to give herself the best chance of beating cancer. This has included significant dietary and lifestyle changes and alternative therapies alongside her medical treat-ment. She has been a true inspira-tion and her family and friends are humbled by her immense strength and determination. Earlier this year, in order to fund treatment in Istanbul, Rosie set up an online fundraising page which quickly reached £50,000. We are now

aiming to increase these funds for further treatment and to give Rosie the best chance of beating cancer.


FEATURES

oneliness is an uncom-fortable topic. It affects everyone at different moments, some more

than others. It can be the cause of poor mental and physical health, dysfunctional relationships, lack of motivation, and even unemployment. However, I believe that the communi-ty of Walthamstow is lucky. The Mill in Coppermill Lane – Waltham-stow’s living room – is a safe, inclusive space, which gives people the opportunity to make meaningful connections with other local people. The Mill’s tagline is “people making things happen”. It has run several community competi-tions in its short lifetime, offering individuals support to explore and develop an idea. Grow Your Idea 2 is the latest project to offer such an opportunity. The only criteria for entries was that they should help to combat loneliness, whether that be for refugees, new parents, new residents, elderly people, those with mobility issues, poor mental health, or people who are unemployed. One winner, Joanna, is running a group called ‘Mermaids and Dragons’ for children with

ental health prob-lems affect one in four of us every year. In my early 20s I was

one of them, and I ended up in hospital after being sectioned due to a psychotic episode. My mental illness was caused by the stress of my first job and not having had any professional helpafter my dad sadly took his own life after suffering from depression. Luckily, I was able to get cogni-tive behavioural therapy through my employer's health insurance. I returned to work a year later, but I didn’t dare tell a soul what had happened to me. However, that was all to change in May 2016, when a friend took her life after suffering from post- natal depression. I was in shock, and realised it was probably the stigma of mental illness that had stopped her from getting help. Since then I have campaigned for better mental health. I have spoken alongside Prince William as part of a cross-party debate

additional needs. Jo came to us passionately describing her own lived experience and wanted to offer others a safe, open, and flex-ible space where not only children would be allowed to interact with activities in whichever way suits them, but also a place for parents and guardians to be supported. We have found that the winners are drawing on their own person-al and professional experiences to create engaging and meaningful experiences for others. We will be hosting an exhibition to showcase and celebrate the work of these great projects and explore why actively combating loneliness is so important. The exhibition opens on Tuesday 4th December at The Mill, with our opening night taking place on Thursday 6th December from 6.30pm. Grow Your Idea 2 is made possible by a grant from St James Big Local and Co-op Food. To find out more about all the groups being supported by this project please visit our website.

in the House of Lords and I have also gone back to my old college to share my story with students. This is why I am so pleased that Waltham Forest is the first London borough to be awarded 'hub status' for the Time To Change campaign, calling for an end to mental health discrimination. The hub is being led by Waltham Forest Council and co-ordinated by local charity Crest Waltham Forest. However, it's the local champions with lived experience of mental health that will bring the campaign to life. It is recognised that having someone tell their story is a great way to challenge mental health stigma and end the shame and isolation around mental health. For World Mental Health Day in October, local Time to Change champion Hannah Schwartzman set up a living room at The Mall in Walthamstow and, along with other champions, had conversa-tions with shoppers to challenge the misconceptions of having a mental illness. I am really proud to be a Time To Change champion myself. We are seeking more local people with lived

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Mexperience of mental health to join our movement. When you become a Time To Change champion you will receive train-ing and ongoing support from other local champions, as well as the hub co-ordinator. There is also funding available for an event or initiative that challeng-es mental health discrimination.

Growing in confidence

Become a local mental health champion

by Charlotte Major

by Jon Salmon

A 'Mermaids and Dragons' session at The Mill

As part of the Time to Change initiative, local mental health champions set up a living room in The Mall to invite people to talk

A project at The Mill is giving people the chance to make their ideas for helping the community a reality

Waltham Forest has been named a 'Time to Change' hub

If you are interested in becoming a Time to Change champion, or to find out more, contact:

Email [email protected] walthamforest.gov.uk/timetochange

If you have been affected by anything in this article or would like someone to talk to, you can contact Samaritans for free at any time:

Call 116 123

Find out more about Grow Your Idea 2:

Visit themille17.org

"Having someone tell their story is a great way to challenge mental health stigma"

FeatureLooking back at a busy first year since the opening of Walthamstow Wetlands P . 7

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FEATURES

A year in the wildlife

ere at Walthamstow Wetlands we have recently celebrated our one-year anniver-

sary – and what a year it has been! We have seen more than 415,000 visitors walk through the gates to spend time connecting with nature at our special water and wildlife haven – a rare opportunity in the capital. And we have had the plea-sure of winning a number of awards, including ‘People’s Choice’ at the annual New London Architecture Awards and ‘Best Use of Heritage in Placemaking’ at The Planning Awards 2018. Managing this site’s wildlife and enhancing the habitats of creatures great and small has kept our team busy. Staff from London Wildlife Trust, plus their dedicated volunteers, have been hard at work improving the site’s biodiversity, with 70 practical conservation days taking place. These have helped remove inva-sive species from the wetlands, manage the gorse path, tackle bramble growth, build ponds, dig trenches for trees, plant meadows, coppice the wood-lands, and much more! The ecology team has also played

an invaluable role in undertak-ing various surveys across the site to monitor wildlife numbers and activity – they have spent long hours surveying hedgehogs, recording bird nests, ringing birds, and also identifying dragonflies and damselflies. Many of the team also partook in a 'bioblitz' in July and helped record 346 species across Waltham-stow Wetlands and Waltham-stow Marshes, out of a total of 450 that are known to live there. With Thames Water, Waltham Forest Council and London Wild-life Trust working in partnership, we have hosted a number of public events and activities throughout the year with the aim of encourag-ing visitors to explore and discov-er the natural world around them. From bat walks, swift talks and mammal workshops, to floristry weekends, star gazing evenings and wildlife photography days, there has always been something to do and something to learn. Events and workshops with char-ities and organisations such as YMCA, the council’s social pre-scribing team, LGBT group Mi-croRainbow, Islamic youth group TeenSeekers, and older people's

charity Age UK, have also seen us work closely with worthwhile causes in the local community. Since opening we have devel-oped a diverse and dynamic education programme enjoyed by many schools and families. In the first year 2,010 schoolchil-dren have visited the site, 2,496 young children have enjoyed our under-five sessions, 1,008 chil-dren have taken part in free holiday activities, and 2,559 children have participated in weekend drop-in sessions. Alongside these education sessions, we are currently building a Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) sensory garden with the help of London Wildlife Trust and construction firm Mace. The space will help children explore and enjoy the wonders of the wet-lands in a safe and stimulating way. It will be fully wheelchair accessible in all seasons, with planting beds and interactive boxes at different heights. There will also be differ-ent sensory zones for touch, sight, taste, smell and sound. By opening a large nature reserve in a highly urbanised area, we have of course faced challenges, especially with

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Ada Crawshay-Jones looks back at a busy first year since Walthamstow Wetlands opened to the public

London Wildlife Trust staff ringing a little egret at Walthamstow Wetlands Credit Adam Wilson Pupils from Barn Croft Primary School enjoy a field trip at Walthamstow Wetlands

Since opening in October 2017, Walthamstow Wetlands has had 415,000 visitors

balancing the various uses of the wetlands. We are a Thames Water operational site supply-ing 3.5 million people daily with clean drinking water, as well as being an internationally import-ant nature reserve, Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and 211-hectare open space with free public access. But with the ded-ication of our team, increased numbers of staff and volunteers patrolling the site, and the thor-

Find out more about Walthamstow Wetlands:

Visit walthamstowwetlands.com

ough support of our partnership, the site does and will continue to provide wonderful opportu-nities for visitors to learn about conservation issues and appreci-ate the importance of wetland habitats as a place for both people and wildlife.

FeatureA mum explains how a little generosity can solve more problems than one P . 9


PHOTOGRAPHY

I've been in Waltham Forest for 18 years and have seen the fantastic changes since then. I live on the Leyton border and it is one of the most balanced, diverse cultural districts of London – and a visual delight. Street and public art is the urban lan-guage of our age, not only brightening

Leyton street artPhotographs by Ray Yates

Send us your photosTo submit your photos for consideration: Email [email protected]

up our lives but making us think about the world we live in. It’s good to see William Morris’s influence is still shining through; he had the idea of 'art for the people'. Whether it’s functional, commercial, or simply for art's sake, we demand more, making our streets sing. Go and explore.


f you ask my twin boys Luca and Leo what they got for their sixth birthday, they’ll say: “Toilet roll, baked beans,

and pasta.” They will also recall the cereal, soup, cooking oil, coffee, wash-ing-up liquid and nappies that they asked their friends to bring instead of gifts – all to be donated to Walthamstow's foodbank, Eat or Heat. Leo and Luca are in different classes at school and both wanted to invite all 29 of their class-mates to their birthday party! They didn’t want anyone to be left out. I know many parents would insist on choosing a few close friends. My husband and I had never been brave enough to host a party for 60 kids before, but we decided to risk inviting the lot! We booked the local cricket club and a magician called Markhele, who makes doves appear from balloons, and crossed our fingers that his act would work wonders in terms of crowd control. Our next worry was gifts. Potentially each twin could get a present from each guest – meaning there would be 116 gifts in total! Our house is pretty cluttered and we knew we’d struggle with such a mountain of presents – we also knew the boys would be quite indulged if that happened. Instead we decided to ask for donations for a good cause. Leo and Luca are very caring and have always been drawn to people who are struggling. I remember taking them aged four to the Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green, when they were more interested in why there were so many people sleeping on the streets outside. Similarly, at the National Gallery, the boys were more absorbed by befriending a homeless street artist who often draws on the pavement in Trafalgar Square. For their birthday we considered asking for donations to a charity, but the idea of the foodbank came about because giving food is visual – there was something real for all the kids to see. Four million people have used a foodbank, according to a recent

survey by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, and one million families have had to cut children’s portion sizes to get by in our tough economic climate. Not only that, but some children cannot go to parties, either at all or very often, because of the cost of buying presents. We felt our idea did not exclude anyone – no-one had to write their name on what they’d brought, so parents could just bring a tin or a packet, while others could bring heavy-duty carrier bags bulging full of food. As soon as the invitations went out, responses were overwhelmingly positive, and a few children who could not make it even brought food parcels into school! The day was hugely successful. We ended up with two trestle tables covered in bags of dried and canned foods; from baby food to biscuits, soap, spaghetti, teabags, tins of tuna. Even more bags and boxes were stuffed underneath the tables. Leo and Luca were lucky enough to get a few unexpected gifts from their close friends and stacks of beautiful cards with the sweet-est handwritten messages full of phonetic spellings of their names, 'Leeow' and 'Looka'. And they were so delighted to have spent the time with their friends, they were not in any way disappointed. We had so many donations for Eat or Heat that we had to leave them in the cricket club cellar over-night. The next day it took three big blokes to pack our people carrier, leaving just enough room for me, Luca, Leo, and their big brother Raphy, to squeeze in. When we arrived at Eat or Heat the boys could not wait to carry the bags in. Laden down, and staggering along, they knew they were doing something important! When they told the Eat or Heat volunteers about their party and what they had done, some were moved to tears. The boys felt really proud as they helped unpack the goodies. It was an amazing feeling that they could never have experi-enced otherwise. A few days later they each received an Eat or Heat t-shirt in the post – plus a medal. They didn’t expect anything, but it was so nice for them to have their efforts noticed. The boys took these into school and showed

I

Luca and Leo prepare to take their 'birthday presents' to Eat or Heat foodbank in Walthamstow

Banking on kindnessHow a little generosity can solve more problems than one

them at a harvest assembly. After-wards, we found out that they had inspired school staff to run an advent donation event for Eat or Heat. I hope this story might inspire other parents who are fed up of being inundated with plastic gifts at parties, or who just don’t want their kids to feel too entitled.

For more information about the Eat or Heat foodbank:

Visit eatorheat.org

by Linsey Wynton "We ended up with two trestle tables covered in bags of dried and canned foods"

Advertisement

ColumnThe Mill is planning a big get-together to help social entrepreneurs P . 11


LETTERS

suggest that the Kings College team is commissioned to repeat their work with the traffic-increase data included. It would have been more straightforward to understand the effects of Mini Holland on local life expectancy if pollu-tion measurements had been taken on the closed-off roads and the likely alternative routes before changes were implement-ed, and then again afterwards. If the council proceeds with road closures in the Markhouse area, as currently proposed, we urge that pollution monitoring is carried out for a substantial period prior to any closures taking place, so that the effect on air quality can be measured by direct comparison with data collected afterwards.

Steve LoweWaltham Forest Streets For All

Your readers may have heard that, nationally, an extra £240million is being allocated to the social care system to ease pressure on the NHS this winter. We now know this will mean that £1,088,692 will be made available in Waltham Forest.

Thank you for highlighting our Snooker for Health and Friend-ship community service [Break-ing down barriers, Page 6, Issue 37] for persons with disabilities with mental health issues. We carers strive together as one to break down barriers and the media is a sort of co-collabo-rator in communications. As responsible media, it is import-ant that Waltham Forest Echo spreads the good word. Your public communication helps sig-nificantly to secure funding for our disability cue sports outreach work. Thus, thanks to Big Lottery Fund, we are able to buy more snooker tables and equipment and pay for essential mental health training to equip ourselves to support even more vulnerable people in Waltham Forest and beyond. Thank you very much.

Thessa MacSnooker for Health and Friendship

In September the Echo published an opinion article [Evidence racking up for cycling scheme, Page 2, Issue 42] extolling Mini Holland and improved air quality in Waltham Forest. It summarised the findings of a study by Kings College, with whose respected researchers we have no quibble. It must be pointed out, however, that their analysis is driven largely by data supplied by Waltham Forest Council, concerning traffic reductions in closed-off roads. It seems that Kings were not told about the resulting traffic increases – and worse congestion – on main roads such as Hoe Street, Lea Bridge Road, and Shernhall Street. Had Kings been given this information, their results would surely have been less favourable. The report notes that the increase in life expectancy is not complete-ly because of Mini Holland, but also the ongoing background improvement in air pollution from motor vehicles. We would like to

Elliott Ashton was a prolific artist, creative catalyst. and unquenchable spirit. He was a quietly infectious juggernaut of the ‘can do’ spirit. Among his myriad achieve-ments, as a lifelong Star Wars aficionado, he was able to persuade the powers that be to install a blue plaque in Leytonstone to locally-born make-up and creature designer Stuart Freeborn, who worked on Star Wars and most notably created the character Yoda. Apart from academic graduate work, Elliot worked in animation and played roles in multiple Leyton-stone art initiatives, including with the group he co-founded, Creative Bloc; the much-loved art galleries The Stone Space and Fill the Gap; the annual Leytonstone Arts Trail; and a memorable Star Wars exhi-bition complete with live Storm-troopers. The question was not who knew Elliott, but rather who did not know Elliott. Farewell good sir!

Storm troopers slow marchingEscorted him solemnly inThe good and the great bowedThe unrelenting epic battle, ferociously, valiantly foughtCruelly for Elliott, our ‘old china ‘(plate)Destiny triumphed; cruel ill fateFrom central casting; Flaxen warm autumn sunshine emergedAcross Wanstead Flats golden spread surgedTo the cheery chirping of bird songFly past, chapeau doffing, singing, swinging, dipping wing...Bathing ramrod, sentinel, serried, ranks of the head stoned dead salutingCommending unto Valhalla ….. So too did bless a gentle wind softly,In solidarity for one last time to keenOur warrior king supreme

Anthony FernandesLeytonstone

I wonder if you can help me. My grandfather John Wright, who lived at 94 Stewart Road, Leyton, was hit by shrapnel outside the air-raid shelter in his garden on 7th October 1943. He died a day later in Whipps Cross Hospital. I would be most grateful for any help from your readers on this matter.

Ken WrightEastbourne, East Sussex

Transport for London (TfL) is well into the first year that it has had to survive without any revenue support from government. The HQ head-count has been cut to the bone, tube upgrades have been cancelled or postponed, and now attention is focusing on operations. The with-drawal of the 48 bus and diversion of the 55 is just the beginning. All bus routes are under scrutiny. On London Overground, TfL is seeking to close station booking offices, as has already been done on London Underground. A first con-sultation revealed that TfL wishes to close 51 Overground booking offices, including Wood Street and St James Street. There has to be a question mark hanging over the long-term survival of the remaining 14, including Walthamstow Central, Highams Park, and Chingford. TfL state that stations will still be staffed from the first train until the last. By now passengers on the Barking to Gospel Oak and Chingford to Liverpool Street lines should have been riding in new trains, but that programme is running almost a year late. TfL did not seek to renew the lease on the existing eight two-car

I volunteer at the Rukhsana Khan Foundation, which runs Waltham-stow’s first foodbank, servicing approximately 300 registered clients. We recently performed a survey and found that local vulnerable people need more than just basic food supplies. While we regularly receive food donations and hygiene prod-ucts, other household items are also needed in Walthamstow. We found that nearly 60 percent of our clients also struggle to afford bath products like soap, shampoo, and toilet paper, and 50 percent would want the foodbank to supply shaving products and laundry detergent. Other items they would find useful include washing-up liquid, hand soap, deodorant, toothbrush and paste, sanitary products and nappies. You can help by donating food, or products like those listed in our survey. Other items, like pet food, are also welcome. Please bring donations on Saturday mornings, between 9.45am and 10:30am, to the William Morris Community Centre. You can also donate money to the foodbank, and for more infor-mation about upcoming projects: rkf.org.uk/donate

Audrey HingleByron Road, Walthamstow

Social care 'not just for Christmas'

Thanks for our big break

Is new cycling infrastructure boosting public health?

Remembering Elliott Ashton

Information needed on grandfather

Belt tightening at TfL continues

Food bank needs more than food

Dear Waltham Forest Echo







Competition What is your favourite street in Waltham Forest and why?

As a 'thank you' to readers of the Echo, we've teamed up with local businesses to offer two great prizes. First prize is a £50 gift voucher to spend on a meal for two at Walthamstow restaurant Turtle Bay. Second prize is a £50 hair restyle for one with award-winning Walthamstow hairdresser Aycan Kemal, who has a salon in Wood Green.

While it’s important that the government has recognised that social care underfunding lies at the heart of our hospitals’ winter pres-sures, the amount committed is a let-down – less than ten per cent of what’s needed to fix the social care crisis now. The social care system is not just for Christmas. People with dementia, as its biggest recipients, are experiencing the emotional and economic cost all year round. To actually turn the tide for the 2,055 people with dementia in Waltham Forest, we need to plug the current funding gap and offer them the chance to access the good quality social care they have a right to. The Mayor of London and Alzheimer’s Society are working to make London the world’s first dementia-friendly capital city where every person with dementia – no matter who they are or where they live – can live well. Health and social care is a critical element of this strategy, and a priority identi-fied by people living with dementia.

Linda O’SullivanHead of London region, Alzheimer’s Society

diesel trains that operate between Barking and Gospel Oak, but by the time they realised that new electric trains were not ready, the leasing company had already signed a deal with a West Midlands train operator. This caused the withdrawal of five Monday to Friday peak-time services and increased cancellations because there are no spare trains to cover breakdowns. TfL is now hiring buses to cope with overcrowding.

Glenn WallisSecretary, Barking to Gospel Oak Rail Users' Group

To win, write your answer to the question above in an email to [email protected], before the deadline on 19th December 2018. We will pick our two favourite responses and notify the winners in January. For terms and conditions of entry go to: walthamforestecho.co.uk/competition


COLUMNS

C

Pippa Moye launched Silver Ray Healing Therapies in 2012

Cheryl Ndione is leading a social entrepreneurs event at The Mill

Keeping it social

Mindful living

In her regular column about life at The Mill, Helen Bigham is planning a big social get-together

In her regular column about local small businesses, Jo Sealy finds calm meeting a Leytonstone entrepreneur

elebrity reality star Kim Kardashian – worth £117billion – says “ambi-tious” is her middle name.

As societies evolve, economic and employment markets continuously change. Suddenly, certain careers can become popular for reasons such as TV shows or social media.People motivated by fame and money can aspire to a career similar to a Kardashian. They may have the creativity and energy to make things happen but their drive is not always about making a difference to society for the benefit of everyone. In comparison, social enterprises have a burning desire to make an impact, using commercial strate-gies but making profit to improve people’s lives. A particular favour-ite of mine that takes this approach is Waltham Forest Echo! Social enterprises can be mo-tivated by personal experienc-es, or might be inspired in some way to find a better solution to a local problem. Led by social entre-

personal health crisis resulting from chronic stress prompted Pippa Moye from Leyton-

stone to re-evaluate her life – and start a new business. Following a period of learning about energy work and medita-tion, and then business seminars from enterprise organisations, Pippa launched Silver Ray Healing Therapies in October 2012. The company specialises in coach-ing and positive psychology for the treatment of anxiety, depression, stress and exhaustion, as well as workshops and talks about wellness, stress management, and mindfulness. “I guide clients through difficult phases of personal and spiritual development,” explains Pippa. “I can help clients rediscover their con-fidence, motivation, and direction, to achieve a better quality of life.” Silver Ray Healing serves clients locally, or long-distance by Skype. Unusually for this kind of practice, the training is one-to-one, enabling Pippa to tailor the teaching to each person's needs, to ensure that their challeng-

For more information about Silver Ray Healing Therapies:

Visit silver-ray.co.uk

Do you know a great small business in Waltham Forest with a story to tell?

Email [email protected] walthamforestbusiness.co.uk

The Christmas Social is being held on Tuesday 11th December between 4pm and 8pm at The Mill. For more information:


To find out more about The Mill:Visit themille17.org

preneurs, they are uniquely well-placed to create change because they understand first-hand the problems facing their communi-ties. They use a “business school brain with a social worker’s heart” according to Thomas Friedman, a business journalist. This month The Mill is hosting a 'Christmas Social' run by UnLtd, an organisation that funds and helps social entrepreneurs. They’re working alongside the William Morris and St James Street 'Big Local' projects to achieve this. Come along if you’ve got an idea that tackles a community challenge close to your heart and could pos-sibly make Waltham Forest a better place to live, work and play. On offer will be one-to-one support, expert advice, connections to resources, as well as the potential to benefit from £20,000 funding. In other parts of the country previous projects have been dad’s cookery classes and all inclusive riding sessions from ages 18 months

to seniors. Mark Norbury, UnLtd CEO, states: “We are living in increasingly turbulent times; economically, culturally and so-cially. The social challenges we face have no easy answers, but Local Trust and UnLtd understand that the solutions lie with social entre-preneurs who have the spark and commitment to change their com-munity for the better. “We must invest in the energy, talent and ideas in these local people and communities. This partnership will enable them to have a voice, create opportunities and build confidence so that they become fairer, more optimistic and resilient communities.”

es and questions are fully addressed. By continuing to develop her own coaching and counselling skills, Pippa is able to fully support her clients process the issues that come up in healing sessions. As a reiki master-teacher, Pippa is also able to share her expertise and has trained more than 20 reiki practi-tioners, bringing a number up to reiki master level. Empowerment and not depen-dency is one of Pippa’s mantras. She says: “The better I do my job, the less my clients will need me! I work in partnership with them, teaching them as we go along and enabling them to help themselves. “I always debrief clients at the end of a session to explain what is going on with their energy and what they can do between sessions to support the healing process.” Running a busy practice does mean that scheduling her own per-sonal time is a priority for Pippa who, as you might expect, plans well ahead to ensure that she has a social life. “I’m extremely proud of my achievements and would say to

any new entrepreneurs to always trust your instincts. “I love the fact that I am complete-ly in control of my own success and I can be creative, work in a way that plays to my strengths and jump at opportunities when they come along. This makes the business flexible and responsive to what people need, and it keeps the whole thing fresh and exciting.”

Arts and CultureArtists explore beauty of town square trees scheduled for the chop P . 13

A "I can help clients rediscover their confidence"


LISTINGS

Upcoming OngoingLeyton&Stone Designers Christmas MarketSaturday 1st December, 11am–4pmLeytonstone Library, 6 Church Lane, Leytonstone E11 1HG

Magic Box's Fifth Birthday PartySunday 2nd December, 2pm–4pmWalthamstow Trades Hall, Tower Hamlets Road, Walthamstow E17 6RE

Turning Earth Winter Ceramics MarketSaturday 8th and Sunday 9th December, 12pm–6pmTurning Earth E10, 11 Argall Avenue, Leyton E10 7QE

Young Musicians and CompanySaturday 8th December, 7.30pmSt. Gabriel’s Church, Havant Road, Walthamstow E17 3JF

Spectacular Family Concert in LeytonstoneSaturday 8th December, 7.30pmSt John's Church, High Road, Leytonstone E11 1HH

Lucia with Norrsång ChoirThursday 13th December 2018, 8.15pm–9.15pmSt Mary’s Church, 8 Church End, Walthamstow E17 9RJ

Family Christingle Candlelight Carol ServiceSunday 16th December, 6pm–7.15pmLighthouse Methodist Church, 120 Markhouse Road, Walthamstow E17 8BQ

More than 20 stalls selling handmade cards and gifts from local designers and makers. Stalls include children’s clothes, jewellery, handknits, chocolates, honey and preserves, cakes, candles, art prints, stationery, ceramics, toiletries, and a variety of stocking fillers. Free mulled wine and selfies with Santa.

Magic Box-ers old and new, from 18 months to nine years, come along and celebrate five years of magic and wonder, stories, songs and adventures with Lottie and the Magic Box! Music, crafty corner, and party vibes from BeBop Baby. Dress as your favourite character. Double Bass Dan and his band will be performing live.

Turning Earth’s popular ceramics studios are once again opening their doors, with more than 100 of London’s most excit-ing emerging makers selling their work in the run-up to Christmas. It wouldn’t be a Turning Earth market without an appearance from The Turbans and as usual there’ll be spiced hot drinks and minced pies.

A family-friendly concert showcasing tal-ented young musicians from Wood Street and the surrounding areas. We will also be welcoming back Rob Foster, lutenist extraordinaire, and other local musicians. Please use password Young musicians to buy tickets. All proceeds go to Diabetes UK and Infinite Oasis Care.

A fun concert for all the family with music from Star Wars, Pirates of the Caribbean, as well as popular classics by Beethoven, Handel, Tchaikovsky, Madam Butterfly, Turandot and La Boheme. Plus carol sing-along with the Leytonstone Chorale and London Gala Orchestra.

The East London Norrsång Choir invite you to a special candlelit evening of singing to celebrate the Scandinavian tradition of Lucia. Half of the profits from ticket sales will go towards the fantastic charity work by St Mary’s Church, including their Forest Churches Emergency Night Shelter and Christians Against Poverty Centre.

Start your Christmas festivities at this de-lightful celebration of the season. You will receive a warm welcome and a Christingle candle to take home to add to your deco-rations and celebrations. Come as a family or with friends or come alone and make new friends. Join us for free refreshments afterwards. All welcome.

Free entryEmail [email protected] leytonandstonedesigners.co.uk/xmas-market

Free entryCall 07813 156140Email [email protected] magicboxstories.com

Free entryEmail [email protected] Visit facebook.com/events/176141123175594

Tickets £2.50 (includes mince pie and cup of tea)Email [email protected] ticketlab.co.uk/event/id/2254

Tickets £15Visit stephenelleryconductor.co.uk

Tickets are £9 adult, £4 child, £22 familyEmail [email protected] facebook.com/norrsangchoir

Free entryCall 020 8928 0099Email [email protected] lighthousemethodist.org.uk

Waltham Forest Community Choir's Candlelit Christmas ConcertMonday 17th December, 8pm–9.30pmSt Mary’s Church, 8 Church End Walthamstow E17 9RJ

Sing 'n' ShineEvery Saturday, 2.15pm–4.15pm458 Hoe Street, Walthamstow E17 9AH

Waltham Forest Community ChoirMondays, 7.30pm–9.30pmSt Mary’s Church, 8 Church End, Walthamstow E17 9RJ

Women's Silver Exercise GroupTuesdays, 11.30am–12.15pmLloyd Park, Forest Road, Walthamstow E17 4PP

Young Lawyers AssociationEvery first Tuesday, 6.30pm–8.30pmWaltham Forest Community Hub, 18a Orford Road, Walthamstow E17 9LN

Waltham Forest Community Choir’s Candlelit Christmas Concert 2018. Please come and join us for a programme of Christmas carols and readings. There will be a retiring collection. Refresh-ments will also be available. Doors open at 7.45pm.

If you enjoy singing with others, involv-ing solos and harmonies, and want to develop creative and musical abilities, then why not try this new group in Waltham-stow? It would be nice to collaborate on an original song too and to work towards a performance.

We are a self-funded group open to anyone living and working in the borough. Previ-ous singing or musical experience is not required. We believe that singing should be accessible to anyone and we do not au-dition prospective members. Our musical repertoire includes choral, tradition, folk and popular styles.

Women’s fitness class, ideal for over-55s). We do exercises specific for bone health, muscle toning and resistance, and pelvic floor health and strengthening. All exer-cises can be easily practised in your own home. This is a great way to meet other local women while enjoying the outdoors. We meet by the basketball court.

We offer free legal advice in immigra-tion, family and criminal law. Our ser-vices include walk-in sessions, a tele-phone advice service, assistance with filling court documents, and 45-minute pre-booked sessions. Our qualified legal professionals are on hand to assist with any legal query you may have.

Free EntryCall 07954 740 745Email [email protected]

Free entryCall 07513 811346Email [email protected]

First session is freeCall 07954 740745Email [email protected] singwithus.net

Tickets £5Email [email protected]

Free entry Email admin@ younglawyersassociation.com

To list your event for January, fill in the online form available at walthamstuff.com/echo before Monday 10th December.

Submit your listing

LICENSING ACT 2003 APPLICATION FOR GRANT OF PREMISES LICENCE SOLVAY BREWING LTD (t/a SOLVAY SOCIETY – Roman Hochuli, Director) has submitted an application for a new premises licence in respect of the following Premises:

• SOLVAY SOCIETY TAP ROOM, 223 RAILWAY ARCHES, DYERS HALL ROAD, E11 4AF, LONDON

Which would authorise the following activities:• Supply of alcohol for consumption on and/or away from the premises• Provision of pre-recorded amplified music

The proposed Operating Schedule is:• 9.00–18.00 Mon-Fri for alcohol to be consumed away from The Premises• 16.00–23.00 Fri, 12.00–23.00 & 12.00–22.00 for alcohol to be consumed both on and away from The Premises

The application is made to: Waltham Forest Licensing Section, Environment and Regeneration,Waltham Forest Council Sycamore House,Forest Road, Walthamstow E17 4SU

A record of the application can be inspected at the above address during normal working hours or at www.walthamforest.gov.uk/content/apply-premises-licence-sell-alcohol

A responsible authority or any other person may make representation to the licensing authority in respect of this application. Representations must be made in writing, either by post to the above address, or by email to [email protected] and must be received no later than 21st December 2018.

It is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application. A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £5,000.

Waltham Forest Vegan MarketEvery second Sunday, 10.30am–3.30pmWalthamstow High Street (near St James Street), Walthamstow E17 7PP

Waltham Forest Vegan Market is a commu-nity-run and family-friendly market, where vegans and non-vegans alike can enjoy and discover the richness and diversity of a compassionate, vegan lifestyle. The market is run by volunteers and all profits made are donated to charity. The next Waltham Forest Vegan Market is out Christmas market on Sunday 16th December.

Free entryEmail [email protected] /WFVMarket Twitter @WFVeganMarket


ARTS & CULTURE

s City Hall announc-es its intention to clean up London’s air, Waltham Forest

Council is proposing to fell 80 historic trees at Walthamstow Town Square and Gardens. An area of high pollution in the town centre, the trees would make way for a large redevelop-ment scheme. In response, 17 local artists have created work both to celebrate the beauty and highlight the benefits of these healthy and mostly mature trees. An exhibition, Reading Between the Limes, is on display at Waltham-stow Village Windows Gallery until Sunday 2nd December. Previous-ly exhibited at the Winns Gallery in Walthamstow for three days in October, it attracted over 700 visitors. The exhibition highlights the contradiction between the coun-cil’s cleaner air ambitions and their willingness to approve such a reduc-

tion in green space and the felling of mature trees. Planned for the square is an expanded shopping mall and luxury residential devel-opment – and felling of 41 out of the 65 trees in 'Lime Tree Walk' to improve the view of the new shops. One visitor to the Winns Gallery exhibition said: “I hope the coun-cillors and developers come to see this exhibition and re-think their decision. If not, let’s bombard them with art. The council obviously does not know what makes the 'stow attractive to live in – low-rise housing and green spaces.” Personally, I believe these magnif-icent trees have historical, environ-mental, and aesthetic value. Some of the lime trees have been here for at least a century; to remove them simply to channel footfall to a new retail space would be an act of vandalism. For every mature tree felled, 100 new ones would need to be planted for any environmental equivalence. Evidence shows that mature trees are good for capturing carbon and

he stuff growing out of your head might seem quite insignificant but for black people, and

women in particular, it can lead to being suspended from school, expelled from the army, or branded as unprofessional at work. Three years ago I started a masters

he Walthamstow All Voice Ensemble (WAVE) was started at Harmony Hall three years ago and has

since performed at locations around the borough – including Ye Olde Rose and Crown in Walthamstow and the Learning Lodge in Chingford. Now, WAVE is coming to St Mary’s Church in Walthamstow Village for its Christmas concert, and we invite you to come along and hear the jazzy and soulful numbers arranged by Virginia Firnberg! As well as hearing Virginia’s arrangements of Jai Ho (made famous by The Pussycat Dolls), carols, and traditional songs, the choir will be joined by Latin- inspired musician Sara Dhillon, of From Here To Havana, and soloist Alicia Wilkins. Together we'll be singing You’ve Got A Friend, Hallelujah, A Change Gonna Come and Santa Baby. Since last singing with WAVE, Alicia Wilkins has been working in the studio on her own music and will have a new track out next year. Last year she enjoyed singing at a jazz festival in Cazalrenoux, France. Alicia was flown over especially for the festival and had the great experience of being part of a popular event that people came from all around to see. Ahead of singing at St Mary’s, Alicia says: “It is nice to sing in that church. The round sound of the choir is so beautiful, and everyone is there to sit back and listen because they love music and want to be there. I love to hear a performance where everyone really feels the sound, and are happy to be there. When WAVE was singing with Sara Dhillon’s Cuban rhythm band the energy and joy was amazing.” Alicia’s advice is to sing as much as possible. “If you want to work towards your goal of singing in public, join a choir, invite your friends to see performances, and your confidence will grow”.

A

T

T

The perfect plaits Crest of a WAVE

Artists unite to save trees

Sign the Reading Between The Limes petition:

Visit change.org

Follow the Save Our Square campaign group:

Facebook /SaveOurSquareE17Twitter @SaveSquareE17

WAVE rehearses at Harmony Hall on Wednesdays from 7.30pm, no audition necessary. The WAVE Christmas Concert is on Thursday 6th December at St Mary’s Church, Walthamstow E17 9RJ. Tickets from £5 in advance:

Visit eventbrite.co.uk/e/wave-christmas-concert-2018-tickets-48756853060

Korantema Anyimadu on how hair helps shape identity

Exhibition explores beauty of trees scheduled for the chop

in cultural heritage at University College London. I wrote my thesis on hair, black women and heritage. I spent months looking for books, films, or exhibitions on the topic, but at the time there were very few. I decided to interview 50 people myself and use their stories as the basis for my work.

Interviewing black women made me realise how deeply their expe-riences of hair were connected to ideas of beauty, identity, and family. Often, I found within families that the relationships between women had been nurtured through hair-care. Growing up, my mum was frequently busy, working a couple of jobs. The only one-on-one time we had with each other was every Friday evening, when she braided my hair after swimming class. It was always uncomfortable sitting on the floor for two hours, but in hindsight, the time that she took was very special. My photography exhibition Plaits, Princesses and Pink Mois-turiser went on display last month at Locus of Walthamstow – celebrating black women and non- binary people and their hair. Each portrait was taken in prominent locations around Waltham Forest by the photographer, Nana Ama. I asked each subject to choose an object relating to memories of their hair and displayed their object at

combating pollution as well as for mental health and wellbeing. So what can you do to help? The artists are encouraging people to give feedback to the council and ask them to reconsider the redevelopment, minimising the irreparable loss of these trees.

the exhibition – these ranged from a DVD of The Simpsons, to sports medals and a pair of tights. I’m from Leyton, and I especially wanted to showcase the incredible black people who have a connec-tion to Waltham Forest, including players from Leyton Orient FC, nurses from Whipps Cross Hospi-tal, and the politician Dawn Butler MP, who grew up locally. I wanted people to realise there are beauti-ful places to visit in the borough, which is why we shot the photo-graphs at places like the Vestry House Museum, William Morris Gallery, and Hollow Pond. During its run, the exhibition became a space where black women could reflect on their experiences and share stories. It was also great to have people who had never thought twice about black women’s hair spend time carefully reading each story. There’s a great community of artists in this borough, and I hope this exhibition can encourage more creatives of colour to share their work with others.

The original inhabitants of Brisbane Road make a name for themselves in E17

Sport

P . 15

by Linda Green

by Helen Porter

The avenue of lime trees in Walthamstow Town Square and Gardens could soon be gone

Akua is featured in the exhibition Plaits, Princesses and Pink Moisturiser Credit Nana Ama


COMMENT

Newly completed blocks of flats on Marlowe Road Estate, where Wood Street Library will soon be relocated Credit Penny Dampier

n 2019 the government's all-in-one benefits system, Universal Credit (UC), is set to be extended to working

families in Waltham Forest – we estimate 70,000 local people could soon be on it. After a series of highly-critical official reports, in November the government made some changes to UC, roughly halving the average losses working families on tax credits will face. But single parents and some disabled people in particular will still lose out. The new system's design dis-advantages women; currently, many tax credits are more often paid to women than to men, but

he fate of Wood Street Library is another case of “I told you so”. In my June article I

revealed that the existing building was set to be closed, with Waltham Forest Council confirming as much in July.

with Universal Credit there can only be a single payment made per household. Having rejected a call for 'split payments' under UC, the government is making it more difficult for women to survive finan-cially if they flee domestic abuse. A National Audit Office (NAO) report noted the government's aims for UC would increase the caseload for back-office manag-ers sixfold, and for work coaches fourfold. This is to be achieved through “more automation”. But that means more use of technolo-gy, which often baffles applicants, and less face-to-face contact. Appointments for jobseekers living in the south of Waltham

For those who didn't get a chance to dig through the coun-cil's 'Library Local' consultation report from February 2017, 69% of respondents disagreed with the idea to relocate Wood Street Library. A whopping 84% of users, for whom Wood Street is their main

I

T

Forest are less accessible now that the Leytonstone Jobcentre Plus has been closed. The NAO report calls for big improvements in administrative performance before existing benefits claimants are moved to UC. Faced with a highly sceptical report from one of its own committees, the Department for Work and Pensions announced in November that it would soften some aspects of the “managed migration” to UC for existing benefits claimants and delay the start of forced trans-fers by possibly six months. The government's own research has found that most applicants face “difficulty” in making UC claims, especially those with

library, disagreed. But as usual, the Labour-run local authority’s response to this setback was to press ahead with their orig-inal decision regardless, rendering the whole process a waste of time. At a scrutiny committee meeting in August, council leader Clare

mental health issues. These diffi-culties continue even after people are signed up to UC. Many local authorities and prom-inent politicians, including Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, have called for a halt in extending UC until major design flaws and adminis-trative problems are addressed. Trade unions have called for it to be scrapped altogether. In the mean-time, Camden and Southwark councils have promised not to evict tenants where UC is a factor in rent arrears. Tower Hamlets Council is spending £1million on specialist staff to help people on UC. Waltham Forest Council has talked vaguely about support

Coghill shrugged off concerns made by five people who spoke in opposition to the library's closure and relocation. When quizzed on the accuracy of financial information and lack of pre- decision scrutiny, she figuratively gave the middle finger to Conser-vative councillors John Moss and Catherine Saumarez. At an earlier cabinet meeting in July, where the decision to relocate the library to the new Marlowe Road Estate develop-ment was approved, three public speakers attended. One contribu-tion caused my right eyebrow to join my hairline. James Seriuex, deputy head boy at Holy Family Catholic School, spoke positive-ly about natural light and safety design. Cllr Coghill was delighted and started a round of applause from the cabinet. Afterwards, I spoke with James and asked what prompted him to attend; he told me that newly-elected Wood Street councillor Vicky te Velde had invited him and stressed upon him how good it would be to give his opinion. Having long known the library was consigned to the demolition dump, I've been trying to network and have some much-needed 'fun'.

Big concerns over Universal Credit remain

Out of the Wood Street

Julia Poynter, chair of Waltham Forest Stand Up for Your Rights, on the latest fears over the government's new benefits system

Marlowe Road Estate resident Michelle Edwards looks back at one of the most contentious local issues of 2018

from existing staff and money (about £30,000 a year) for Citi-zens Advice Bureau staff to advise on budgeting. Waltham Forest Stand Up for Your Rights has road-tested the ‘support’ offered to people on UC locally; that given in libraries, for example. It amounted to being helped to log on to a computer and then being left to get on with it. That is nowhere near enough. Library assistants have neither the time nor training for the ongoing support specialist staff can give. A public protest against UC is planned to take place at the Ching-ford Mount War Memorial on Saturday 1st December, from 11am.

The Guardian gave me a compli-mentary ticket to their Guardian Live event 'Grenfell Tower: One Year On' and it was there that I met a survivor who brought me to tears. On hearing about our victory in Waltham Forest, with the council being persuaded to install fire sprinklers in 61 tower blocks, she presented me with a Grenfell green heart pin. Hearing about grassroots activists like Paul Sng, director and producer of the social housing documentary Dispossession, as well as groups such as Focus E15 whose high-profile actions prevent-ed 29 mothers being shipped out of London by Newham Council, has really energised me over the past few months. But my Christ-mas came early with the arrival of a complimentary copy of Meghan Markle's charitable cookbook Together: Our Community Cook-book. As well as 50 colourful recipes, it showcases the women of the Hubb Community Kitchen who rallied around to cook for neighbours and families after the Grenfell Tower fire last year. Profits from the book will help to keep Hubb open every day. One question: What did you do for your community in 2018?


SPORT15No. 45 DECEMBER 2018 WALTHAM FOREST ECHO

althamstow FC is the latest name for a club that has had a far from

straightforward history since its inception in 1868. One of the longest-running foot-ball clubs in the country, Waltham-

stow FC's history encompasses Leyton FC, one of the great names in amateur football that won a number of honours. Their pinna-cle was perhaps being FA Amateur Cup winners for two consecutive seasons back in the 1920s. Along the way, the club has re-

WWalthamstow FC were known as Waltham Forest FC until the end of last season

Rabble rousing footballThe original inhabitants of Brisbane Road are now making a name for themselves in E17, writes Scott Lanza

"We want to raise

awareness and offer support"

New Mind shop openingMonday 3rd December

17 Church Lane LeytonstoneE11 1HG

Come in and check out our great gift ideas.You’ll help raise money to ensure no one faces a mental health problem alone.

Advertisement

formed three times before merging to become Leyton Wingate; then when both clubs went their own separate ways Leyton merged with Pennant FC and was renamed Leyton Pennant. The club was subsequently known as Waltham Forest FC from 2003 until the end of last season. As I meet chairman Andy Perkins, I ask what was the thinking behind renaming the club Walthamstow FC. He said: “We have been outside of Leyton since 1995, playing at Wadham Lodge in Walthamstow, then a period in exile at Ilford’s Cricklefield Stadium, before re-turning to Wadham Lodge in 2013. “We decided that to unite our-selves with the people of Waltham-stow and be their community club meant taking a name that reflect-ed where we are currently based.” The rebuilding process started last season when previous chair-man Turget Esengali sadly passedaway. For a while it looked like the club was on the verge of disbanding,

but the change of name has seen a massive overhaul. The club is now looking to open a youth academy and restart its ladies team to become a football club that offers opportu-nities for all ages to play football. Current manager Ryan Maxwell has been instrumental in the club’s rebirth as he took over the reins last season, with the club embroiled in a relegation battle. The club’s Essex Senior League (ESL) status was only preserved after the club went unbeaten through the final five games of the season. Maxwell, having secured Walthamstow's ESL status, has made a number of sign-ings that have helped pitch the club at the top end of the table. The ESL title may still be out of reach, but it is something to build on for the future. Meanwhile, the club has started to pick up a following from locals, many of whom have become disillusioned with the cost of Premier League football. The fans have called themselves ‘The Rabble’ and they have started supporting the

club, home and away, with vocal backing.They will even have their own song to sing soon, as long-time fan Graham Larkbey, with his band The Lodgers, is recording a track that will be available to listen to from the club’s website shortly. Walthamstow FC are also keen to offer assistance to semi-pro players with mental health problems. “There is support for professional players but nothing for non-league players,” said Andy. “We want to raise aware-ness and offer support.” A fundraising game with Clapton Community FC is in the pipeline to support this erstwhile project, with the GMB trade union also working with the club to bring it to fruition. A game with Leyton Orient FC is also planned to celebrate Waltham-stow’s 150th anniversary. While the O’s themselves were formed in 1881, it is Walthamstow and their forebears that have been around the longest, with Leyton FC having been the first occupants of the stadium Orient now calls home.

Licensing Act 2003Notice of application for the grant of a

Premises Licence under section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003

Notice is hereby given that Gravity Well Brewing Company Limited of Arch 142 Tilbury Road, London E10 6RE has applied to the London Borough of Waltham Forest for the grant of a Premises Licence at Arch 142 Tilbury Road, London E10 6RE.

The application seeks to permit the sale by retail of alcohol. The proposed hours are 12:00 to 23:00 on Thursday to Sunday.

The Licensing register listing full details of the application is kept by the Licensing Service, Sycamore House, Walthamstow Town Hall, Forest Road, Walthamstow E17 4SU. The application may be viewed Monday to Friday between the hours of 9am–5pm (except Bank Holidays).

Any person wishing to make a representation in respect of the above activities may do so in writing to the Licensing Service, The Magistrates, 1 Farnan Avenue, Walthamstow, London, E17 4NX.

Representations must be received no later than 24th December 2018.


Facebook: Walthamstow Toy Library and Play Centre

Website: www.walthamstowtoylibrary.org

Twitter: @E17toylibrary Instagram: walthamstowtoylibrary Fundraising Event for Charity #1178098

SUITABLE FOR

UNDER 10s £6 ENTRY

SATURDAY 8th AND SUNDAY 9th DECEMBER 10am – 5pm

46 RAVENSWOOD RD, E17 9LY

COMELY BANK COMMUNITY CLINIC

,

INCLUDES: VISIT TO SANTA, A GIFT

AND PHOTOGRAPH, CRAFT ACTIVITIES AND

GAMES WHILE YOU WAIT!

CHRISTMAS GROTTO

WALTHAMSTOW TOY LIBRARY

AND PLAY CENTRE’S ANNUAL

MULLED WINE, MINCE PIES, HOT SOUP AND KIDS’ SANDWICH BOXES AVAILABLE

POST

ER D

ESIG

N

A

MBE

RBYD

ESIG

N.C

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