Walthamstow Wetlands now See open – look inside for photos page 3

Your Council keeping residents informed Issue 192 6 November 2017 www.walthamforest.gov.uk @wfcouncil Only one month to go: Back our Borough of Culture bid n More than 7,500 residents have pledged their support so far n 200 local firms have backed the bid n Success will bring £1m arts funding

There’s less than a month to your support and help Waltham go to pledge your support for Forest – firstly, make sure you have Waltham Forest’s bid to be the signed the pledge at WFculture19. first London Borough of Culture. co.uk. The campaign has gained Local businesses can get their momentum as it has entered its hands on some bid branding to final weeks, with more than 7500 display by emailing WFculture@ residents pledging their support. walthamforest.gov.uk. The winning London borough will You should also vote for Waltham receive an investment of over £1 Forest in ITV’s online poll at bit. million to spend on a spectacular ly/2uJlCnv. arts and culture programme. Every post on social media using Winning would shine a light on all #WFculture19 will help with the bid the brilliant cultural opportunities too – so post, tweet and snap away. that Waltham Forest has on offer The bid will be submitted to and really put the borough on the the Mayor of London on the map. The funding would also benefit 1 December, and the winning the local economy and bring new borough will be announced in the employment opportunities to the new year. borough. Over 200 local businesses have Okan Arlan from Stone Mini Market, Leytonstone got behind the bid, with shops, proudly displays his ‘Back the Bid’ sticker restaurants, venues and galleries More info proudly displaying stickers in their To pledge your support for Waltham shop windows. Forest’s bid to be Borough of There are still lots of ways to show Culture, visit: WFculture19.co.uk Pledge your support for our bid to be London’s first Borough of Culture #mylocalculture www.WFculture19.co.uk #WFculture19 2 News Comedy night a sell out

The Black History Month Comedy of October. It’s a show for all ages, Night has just celebrated 15 years as the sets include minimal swearing. at the Walthamstow Assembly At six hours in length it is one of the Hall with a sell-out night of longest comedy shows in London, but laughter and music. includes breaks to let the audience Hosts were Robbie G, who has compose themselves from their starred in Snatch, The Real McCoy, laughter while listening to music, and Desmonds and Eastenders, and BBC enjoying food and drink. Radio’s Drive Times’ Eddie Nestor. The comperes urged audience The line-up for the event’s birthday members to back Waltham Forest’s included headline act Curtis Walker bid to be Borough of Culture, so that and London-based comedian more events like this one could take Glenda Jaxson. Other performances place. came from Shabba – who is new to Comedy will return to the the show, Miss Mo ‘Real, Ghanian Walthamstow Assembly Hall next comedian A Dot, Roger D, Ashley May 2018. The comedy night will be Jay and Travis Jay. Even audience hosted by Thanyia Moore and feature members were taking to the stage to Kevin J, White Yardie, Aurie Styla, tell some jokes. Axel Blake, Eygpt, Babtunde, Kae Originally conceived as a cabaret Kurd, Judi Love and Pantonic Steel show, this year Comedy Promoter Orchestra. and organiser Glen Watson The night features comedy, music, food and drink included music in the show – with More info performances from Opera Singer To pledge your support for Yvonne Davis and Violinist Daj Jordan. the campaign to be London’s The show marks the end of Black first borough of culture, visit: History Month every year at the end bit.ly/WFculture19 War memorials cleaned ready for Remembrance

War memorials have been at St Peter and St Paul Church, will go ahead and the Service will be cleaned across Waltham Forest followed by another procession back held in the Walthamstow Assembly in preparation for Remembrance to Chingford Fire Station for the Hall. Sunday events this weekend. If close. you are interested in going to Leyton: pay your respects, events will be Walthamstow: A parade will gather at the held at the following locations on A parade of local organisations Buckingham Road gates to Sunday 12 November: and members of the Walthamstow Coronation Gardens at 9:30am. branch of the Royal British Legion Service finishes at 10:15am and Chingford: will march from the William Morris wreaths are laid during the service. Attendees will meet at 10am at the Gallery, Lloyd Park to the Town Hall The parade continues to St front of Chingford Fire Station with a at approximately 10.25am. To join Mary’s Parish Church for a service parade departing at 10:40am along the parade, assemble at the William commencing at approximately the Ridgeway to the memorial on Morris Gallery by no later than 10:30am. the corner of Kings Head Hill and the 10.00am. War Memorials are looking their best ready Ridgeway. A short service including Guests can also gather at the War Leytonstone: for Remembrance Services this week laying of wreaths and two minutes of Memorial, Waltham Forest Town Hall, A service will commence at silence will be carried out at 11am. Forest Road no later than 10.40am. 10:30am at the Harrow Green After this a service will take place If there is poor weather, the parade Memorial, Leytonstone High Road. Contact Waltham Forest Council Waltham Forest News Edited by: Corporate Advertising and promotional Their inclusion does not mean that Communications Team enquiries: the council endorses the company or Margie Agudelo 020 8496 3000 (press 6) product being advertised. Waltham Forest News wants to [email protected] hear from people in the local Waltham Forest News is produced using community. If you have a story Waltham Forest Council does not accept trees from sustainable managed forests that you’d like us to cover, email responsibility for the content of any where more trees are planted than felled. walthamforestnews non-council advertisements in Waltham Please recycle Waltham Forest News tap scroll click @walthamforest.gov.uk. Forest News. when you have finished with it. facebook.com/walthamforestcouncil @lbwalthamforest @wfcouncil www.walthamforest.gov.uk Waltham Forest News is published fortnightly by London Borough of Waltham Forest with a print run of 110,000 copies delivered to homes, organisations, businesses and bulk drops in the borough. More services The official independently audited free letterbox delivery of Waltham Forest News is 97,161 ABC Regional 4 January 2016 to available online. 1 January 2017 Issue 192 I 6 November 2017 www.walthamforest.gov.uk 3 Visitors flood to newly opened Wetlands The visitor centre includes a cafe and gift shop

More than 5,000 visitors for Thames Water, is on track to London’s first Borough of Culture.” descended on the Walthamstow become a favourite for families, The site, which is free to visit, is Wetlands over its opening walkers, wildlife fans, anglers and located on the 123 and 230 bus weekend last month. birders. routes and has a car park. It is The doors opened to the public With thousands of different wildlife open 9.30am to 4pm (October to for the first time on 20 October species visiting and living there, March) and 9.30am to 5pm (April to allowing residents to explore the the ten reservoirs that make up the September) 363 days of the year. expansive site for the first time in Wetlands are a designated Site of Resident Marcina Dunwell said: 150 years. Half term week followed the ‘We are very fortunate to have this grand opening, and London Wildlife Trust ran family fun days to teach fantastic oasis right on our doorstep’ about the variety of wildlife living on site. Children learnt about the bats Cllr Clare Coghill living in the tower of the Engine House and about how mammals Special Scientific Interest. The site “It’s great to have this fantastic survive cold and icy winters. is home to birds including herons, outdoor activity so close to home. The programme of weekly kingfishers, cormorants and the My girls, age three and seven The Wetlands are completely free to visit activities and seasonal events will fastest animal on the planet – the really enjoyed looking out from the continue all through the year giving peregrine falcon. A wide range of viewing platform. visitors a chance to learn about the freshwater fish including trout and “The lovely colourful handouts site’s flora and fauna. carp also live in the reservoirs. explaining the names of the of the Dubbed ‘London’s Best Kept Leader of Waltham Forest animals and birds made spotting Secret’ by the Mayor of London in Council, Cllr Clare Coghill, said: them all the more fun for the girls.” 2012, Walthamstow Wetlands is “Walthamstow Wetlands is the result of ten years of planning, a unique space in London. It is renewal, conservation work and Europe’s largest urban Wetland investment, as well as a £4.47m nature reserve, just 15 minutes More info National Lottery grant. away from central London. For more information about visiting The spectacular urban wetland This fantastic site is one of the Walthamstow Wetlands, visit: nature reserve, which is also an the many reasons why Waltham www.walthamstowwetlands. operational water supply site Forest is the ideal candidate to be com

Applications open for Visitors can enjoy the 211 hectare site Artist in Residence To celebrate the opening of the expectation of that they will speak led walks, workshops, schools Walthamstow Wetlands a new a to guests and be visible on site. activities, evening events and more. new contemporary art residency The selected artist will work The deadline for applications is and commissioning programme on-site to make new works to be 9am on Monday 20 November. is being launched. installed in the Weltlands, exploring The first residency will focus on the migration of birds, of people the theme of ‘Migration’ and will run and of wildlife. from the beginning end of January They will use research about the More info 2018 to April 2018. Wetlands to inspire studio events, It will be the start of a three year workshops and installations. They To find out more about the opportunity, including where to programme of residencies and will also be an active presence apply, visit: www.walthamforest. contemporary art commissions for on site, from having informal gov.uk/content/walthamstow- Keep an eye out for wildlife on site the Wetlands. Artists at any stage conversations with visitors in the wetlands-artist-residency- of their career are welcome, with an café and shop, to holding artist opportunity 4 News Tree planting to put the ‘Forest’ into ‘Waltham’ monoxide, and ease of care. is forced to take these measures Selecting the best trees for the we will make sure that residents local area means that the trees will are kept informed about why, and live longer without requiring much wherever possible the Council will maintenance. always try to replace any trees that Cllr Clyde Loakes, Deputy are removed with new trees. Leader and Lead Member for the The Council is urging residents Environment at Waltham Forest to Look after their neighbourhood Council, helped plant new trees by trees. If you see one that looks a the reopened Heathcote and Star dehydrated, give it some of water pub in Leytonstone on Wednesday using the plastic tubing at the base 25 October and a young oak on the of the trunk. This means that the junction of Kingswood Road and water can get right to the roots. Gainsborough Road. If you think there is a tree that Cllr Loakes said: “It’s been a needs attention, or you think there great day joining the team as we is a problem with a tree, please plant new trees to benefit all our report it to the Council via our residents and visitors. website. “We know that our residents love Cllr Clyde Loakes, Deputy Leader and Lead Member the street trees that brighten up for the Environment, planting trees our neighbourhoods and help to combat the air pollution issues that affect Waltham Forest and indeed the whole of London.” More info Waltham Forest’s streets are result will be more than 50,000 include magnolias and Himalayan On occasion, the Council have to For more information about the getting greener following a new trees across the borough. birches. These have been selected remove trees that are diseased or if borough’s tree strategy, visit: Council commitment to planting Some of the species planted by the tree officers for their their roots or branches are causing www.walthamforest.gov.uk/ at least 1,200 extra trees. The around local neighbourhoods durability, ability to soak up carbon problems. However if the Council content/trees Un-bulb-lievable turnout for flower planting weekend More than 25,000 flower bulbs are among the easiest and most were given away free of charge rewarding garden plants to grow. to residents, local schools Over the weekend, volunteers and community groups last donned gloves and joined in with weekend. litter picks, getting their hands dirty As part of the Big Bulb Weekend, removing rubbish from the streets. a variety of bulbs were on offer The Council provided the bulbs, including White Narcissus, Crocuses as well as litter pickers and bags. and Snowdrops. Residents only had to bring along a An additional 25,000 bulbs were trowel and their enthusiasm! planted in Leyton Jubilee Park to Residents tweeted about their work to bring colour and beauty to efforts over the weekend using the borough. #WFbigbulbweekend. Cllr Clyde Loakes, Deputy Leader and Member for the Environment, said: “We’re keen to grow a sense of community in Waltham Forest and More info planting bulbs in our open shared For more flower based fun, why spaces is a great way of doing this.” More than 25,000 flower bulbs were given free of charge not adopt a flowerbed? Visit: The whole community came www.walthamforest.gov.uk/ together to plant bulbs, which content/adopt-flowerbed-0 Issue 192 I 6 November 2017 www.walthamforest.gov.uk 5

Businesses come together In brief at networking event

Entrepreneurship Week, which will be hosted jointly with NatWest Bank and Google. There will also be a “Hackathon” working on cracking a Local school pupils were cultural map created for the borough surprised by the Premier – read more on page 11. League trophy A number of businesses also pledged their support for the bid to become London’s first Borough Primary kids of Culture. Stickers supporting the bid have been appearing in shop go premier More than 80 entrepreneurs attended the event windows across the borough over Waltham Forest school children enjoyed the past few weeks. If you want a surprise viewing of the Premier League to get involved in backing the Trophy at the end of a tour of Leyton bid you can sign the pledge at Orient Stadium last month. Leyton More than 80 local firms took speakers were very engaging, “We met and spoke to www.wfculture19.co.uk. Orient Trust’s Premier League Primary part in a networking event and it was great to hear that small businesses that we have admired Stars programme invited children from last week where the Council businesses like ourselves have the for a while and it was good to get Malmesbury, Barclay, Ainslie Wood and committed to ‘Keep, Seed support and backing of the Council. hear advice and experiences. I Mission Grove primary schools, to learn and Grow’ businesses in the “It’s easy to feel like you’re out on really enjoyed it and will definitely about the history of the club, visit the borough. your own sometimes so it was great attend more events like this one!” More info changing rooms and hospitality suites. Children were not told before the visit Hosted by the Council and the to meet other businesses in the The Council also launched For more information about the that they would actually get to see the Federation of Small Businesses, borough and to hear other people’s a Business Offer, which is a Council’s support for businesses, trophy standing pitch side. The day the event brought together local stories. commitment to keep, seed and visit: www.walthamforest.gov.uk/ taught children about resilience in sport businesses to swap ideas, share “We made lots of contacts and grow local businesses in the content/business-advice and general life, and they wrote poems advice. learn a lot about businesses that borough. This will be done through a To keep abreast of the Council’s work to be submitted into the national Premier Mat from mobile espresso are completely different to us but programme of support and activities on business in the borough, follow League Writing Stars Challenge. bar Ruttle and Rowe, said: “The have similar ambition. around Digital Month and Global @LBWFinbusiness on Twitter. • For more information about the Leyton Orient Trust, visit: www.leytonorienttrust.org.uk Future for Chestnuts House A beautiful Georgian House in The project team heard many SEND over the heart of Walthamstow is ideas about what Chestnuts House going to be transformed into a could be transformed into. These your thoughts community facility with the help include an artists’ workspace, a A consultation has begun on how to of an £80,000 grant from the community meeting space and a prioritise school places for children Heritage Lottery Fund. community facility for the elderly with Special Educational Needs and Almost 80 local residents came and children. There were also Disabilities (SEND). Waltham Forest together with the Council’s project suggestions to use the forecourt for Council is asking parents, carers and team to put forward ideas on how a community garden, a community SEND professionals at schools and the Grade II listed building can best café or restaurant. educational settings to take part in the serve the community. The Council Cllr Simon Miller, Cabinet Member consultation this autumn to decide how will be investing £20,000 in the for Economic Growth and High funding should be prioritised. All views upgrade. Streets, said: “Chestnuts House is will be fully considered. A survey aimed The event at Hornbeam Cafe a wonderful example of Georgian at parents and carers can be completed brought together people interested architecture. It is an important at: http://bit.ly/WFparentscarersSEND in the heritage, the local community community asset that should be A survey aimed at SEND professionals, and the building itself. retained for the benefit of our The Grade II listed house will including teachers and support staff, can be completed at: http://bit.ly/ Some residents were then community in Waltham Forest and become a community facility WFprofessionalsSEND taken on a tour of the previously for future generations.” The results of this consultation will be derelict building, which was once a The project team are about to published on the Council website in family home and at another time a launch an e-survey so even more Spring 2018. Comments about SEND hospital and a training centre. They people can have their say on the resources, buildings and services in the were able to view the key family future of Chestnuts House. This will More info borough can also be emailed to Ellie reception rooms and the Victorian be published in a future edition of If you weren’t able to make the community event you can pass on your ideas Hooper at [email protected]. extension. WFN and on our website. regarding Chestnuts House to [email protected]. 6 Our campaigns In brief Calling all #WFculture19 – Planting makers and creators! a digital Forest of Culture The Town Hall will be opened for a Christmas extravaganza on Friday 1 December from 3 to 8pm. This special event will be free to enter and once you’re in, you can enjoy Santa, carol singers, entertainment, food and beverage stalls, a makers and creators Christmas market and tours of the Town Hall. Local, creative small businesses can have a stand in the Christmas Craft market. Pitches are free, and will be offered first come first served to businesses that meet the criteria. • To put your business forward for a stall, contact: carly.davis@ walthamforest.gov.uk.