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Free WALTHAM June 2019, No. 51 Email [email protected] Facebook /WalthamForestEcho Tweet @WFEcho FOREST ECHO Visit walthamforestecho.co.uk

Features News Interview News Arts & Culture Resident Mike Grimshaw Council still investing tens teacher Fire safety flaws deemed Artists open up their homes demands better for of millions in fossil fuels, on how she is creating a 'substantial' at nearly half for another fortnight of fun businesses investigation reveals help service for parents of council tower blocks with E17 Art Trail P . 5 P . 6 P . 7 P . 9 P . 12 Better late Artists bemoan 'lack of space' than never Redevelopment plans will leave artists without a studio ail passengers who have endured frequent line by Judith Burnett closures, delays and reduced services for three hirty Leytonstone artists Ryears, have finally got their reward. are set to be evicted A year behind schedule, the first from their studios to electric trains on Over- make way for a redevel- ground's Gospel Oak to Barking Topment scheme – during Waltham line (or 'Goblin') have entered Forest's year as London Borough service. This summer all eight new of Culture. trains will arrive, completing the The studios, based at Norlington line's electrification – and its long- Road Industrial Estate, are home to promised doubling of capacity. a wide range of creative people and Confirming passengers' patience organisations, including fine artist would pay off with a free travel Willie Nash and the award-winning offer this September, Jon Fox, direc- October! Collective. tor of rail at Transport for London Artists found out by accident (TfL), said: “We know this was a that their landlord was planning long time coming and we will offer to kick them out. Willie told the a month of free travel for custom- Echo: “The first I heard of it was ers. I am pleased we will now make when the council phoned up in a real difference to their journeys.” January, wanting to arrange for The Goblin's upgrade began in some surveyors to call. They were June 2016 with an eight-month surprised at my reaction, and apol- closure, but in February 2017 ogetic, because they thought I Network Rail admitted serious knew about it.” errors had been made – including When Willie contacted the land- a severed sewer in Walthamstow lords, JMB Estates, “they said 'you – requiring more closures. In May have to be out in November' – it 2018 the line was ready, but TfL This former factory at Norlington Road Industrial Estate is used as art studios – but is now set to be redeveloped was blasé, as if they were coming admitted new Class 710 electric round to paint the door”. Waltham Forest we have re- area's wider redevelopment. trains had been delayed by manu- Waltham Forest Council purchased purposed a number of our buildings Willie said: “There is an extreme "If other spaces facturer Bombardier. In March this part of the industrial estate in 2016 to provide studios, including Central shortage of affordable studio space year the last diesels were shipped to support the expansion of the Parade and Wood Street Studios in in the borough, some accommoda- are not provided to the West Midlands, leaving TfL adjacent Norlington School for Walthamstow, Switchboard Studios tion is just too expensive, and we artists will be to run a less frequent service using Boys, but JMB holds the lease on the in Blackhorse Lane, and Market are being forced to look outside. We borrowed trains. affected studios up until November. Parade in Bakers Arms. would like to stay in our local area.” pushed out" Glenn Wallis, secretary of the Councillor Simon Miller, cabinet “Our business and investment Award-winning visual artist Alek- worrying about where we will go.” Barking to Gospel Oak Rail User's member for economic growth and team has been in touch with the sandra Karpowicz said the October! Isabella Steinsdotter, another artist Group, said: “Passengers have high streets, said: “JMB Estates is artists to discuss how we can help Collective had met and formed in with the group, is also concerned. waited 14 months for these Class responsible for communication with them to relocate and carry on their Leytonstone and they consider the She said: “East London is changing 710s and endured a deteriorating the current tenants in these units. valuable work in Waltham Forest.” area their home. She told the Echo: fast. People need somewhere to live service in the meantime. It is to “We are keen to support culture on The council has also confirmed that “We are on our way to Venice as the but if other kinds of spaces are not be hoped that all software issues every corner, especially during our a private developer was interested in flagship act to launch the new Gi- provided artists will be pushed out.” have been resolved and the units year as London Borough of Culture. buying up the remaining studios on udecca Art District. It is a turning JMB Estates did not respond to prove reliable, so the full 15-minute To help keep artists working in the industrial estate, as part of the point in our careers. But now we are requests for comment. interval timetable can be restored.”

Become a member of Waltham Forest Echo and get the paper delivered each month – find out more on Page 16 2 No. 51 JUNE 2019 WALTHAM FOREST ECHO COMMENT In the pocket of developers Claire Weiss from Love is campaigning to save a pocket park development at the entrance to FELLOWSHIP IS LIFE Lea Bridge Station. "It has failed The land opposite Motion was JUNE 2019 – No. 51 originally used as a gasworks. to explain how Waltham Forest Echo is an After gas was no longer manufac- demolishing a independent community tured there, the ground was left to pocket park newspaper. We publish monthly waste for several decades. Orient can be credible" and distribute 12,500 free copies Way was built in the early 2000s of each issue to libraries, cafés, and part of the settlement agreed won government funding for four pubs, and other places around with residents in the Elm Park and new pocket parks in the borough. Waltham Forest. Perth Road area back then was for But it has failed to explain how an open space to create a buffer demolishing an existing pocket Publisher David Floyd against the noise and pollution of park can be a credible strategy, this newly designated freight road. particularly since this area is in a Editor The resulting pocket park was high-risk flood plain. James Cracknell pleasingly designed with grassy The council’s clumsy handling Designer mounds, trees, walkways and of preparation works for this Jonathan Duncan benches. Horrifyingly, it is now seriously-mistaken project – when Manager Residents protest against the felling of trees at Orient Way Pocket Park Credit Karl Weiss proposed to be flattened and con- they almost sent contractors to fell Penny Dampier rient Way Pocket Park ed the ‘Motion’ housing estate di- creted. Even more alarmingly, the trees during the nesting season – has Contributors is a classic example rectly opposite the pocket park. You council has purchased an adjacent galvanised residents and local people Judith Burnett of good use being put would think that the new residents strip of land from a private landown- into defending the Orient Way Claire Weiss Frances Dismore to a piece of former who start to move into their small er to enlarge the area available for Pocket Park not just by protesting Gill Poulter Obrownfield land. flats this year might benefit from the development, thus compounding the and lobbying the council but by Charlotte Palmer Thirteen years after its creation, breathing space of a nearby park? violation of our environment. taking steps to reclaim our park and Mike Grimshaw however, Waltham Forest Council Sadly the council doesn’t see it Many people are now thinking improve it. Three symbolic plant- Winston Reid has invited developers to come up that way. Even worse, ignoring the more deeply about the wisdom of ings of bushes and a tree have taken Richard Collett-White with proposals to clear this green impact of Motion's tower blocks obliterating open space and asking place and other informal activities Alice Richardson space, together with around on the traffic-saturated and pol- whether such solutions to the are planned for this summer. Laura Martinez Helen Bigham a hundred trees, and erect a luted crossroads of Argall Way, housing crisis will only create ten-storey building in its place. and Orient Way, further problems. The council To get involved with the Love Lea Michelle Edwards Bridge action group: Jožef Sraka In the meantime developers Hill the council has set out propos- itself has recently declared a Email [email protected] Jim Nichols and Peabody have almost complet- als for another massive 22-storey 'climate emergency' and has also Alastair Ball Mike Gerber The member organisations of WFWellComm CIC are: Community Transport Waltham Forest, Social Spider CIC, HEET. Thanks for your support WFWellComm CIC Board: David Floyd (Social Spider CIC) An introduction from Echo editor James Cracknell Tom Ruxton (HEET) ello and welcome to the latest winner of our 'Article of Attendees at the Echo's Helen Tredoux 50th edition celebration Issue 51 of Waltham the Year Award'. Attendees were Credit Penny Dampier (Community Transport WF) Forest Echo. able to vote for their favourite on Last month we cel- Contact the night and the most popular Hebrated our 50th edition with an entry was a very moving article in Call 020 8521 7956 event at Today Bread in Hoe Street, our April paper written by teen- Email [email protected] Post The Mill, 7 - 11 Coppermill Walthamstow. It was wonderful to ager Tanner Reid-Brady. Tanner Lane, Walthamstow E17 7HA meet readers, members and con- was a friend of Jaden Moodie, tributors alike, and discover that the 14-year-old stabbed to death Advertising I am not the only one who cares in in January, and wrote Contact Klaudia Kiss: about the future of local media! about his thoughts and feelings Email [email protected] Thank you for all of your support, following that tragedy and what we wouldn't be here without you. action he'd like to see the govern- As part of the event we premiered ment take to combat youth vio- a short film that my Social Spider lence. Congratulations to Tanner, website DeSmog, which reveals On Pages 12 and 13 we look colleagues Anna, Penny and Ffion he is a very deserving winner. that Waltham Forest Council still ahead to E17 Art Trail, the famous have made, after conducting in- Finally I'd like to thank Today has tens of millions invested in Walthamstow institution that terviews with a range of people Bread for hosting us and also East fossil fuels two-and-a-half years offers a mind-boggling tour of the about what they enjoy and value London Brewery for donating after they pledged to divest their area's artists and makers. The Echo began with Big Lottery funding. about the Echo. This video is now some of their delicious ales! pension fund. On Page 9 we also This month is also the start of a

Waltham Forest Echo is a member of on YouTube and I would really In this month's paper, we've been examine fire safety at 22 of the new collaboration with UnLtd, a IMPRESS: The Independent Monitor of The Press. For more information recommend checking it out – go busy investigating. On Page 6 you'll borough's tower blocks, coincid- foundation for social entrepreneurs on the Echo’s complaints policy and to bit.ly/2QvF3wI. find an article written in collabo- ing with the second anniversary that will be supporting the Echo how to make a complaint visit: walthamforestecho.co.uk/complaints Also at the event, we announced ration with environmental news of the Grenfell Tower disaster. in future. Read more on Page 7. No. 51 JUNE 2019 WALTHAM FOREST ECHO 3 Features Resident Mike Grimshaw demands NEWS better for Bakers Arms businesses P . 5 Anti-violence partnership launched Depot plans ore than 400 homes are Council hopes to bring agencies together, but questions remain over funding set to be built on a depot search activities by providing extra Msite after Waltham training for officers and working Forest Council agreed to take with young people. Councillor forward its initial plans. Grace Williams, the council's The £20million redevelopment cabinet member for young people, of the council-owned Low Hall added: “We are all part of this Depot, in the Markhouse area effort. We know that it [violent of Walthamstow, will see a new crime] is not normal, and we will “fit-for-purpose” depot for council not let it become so.” vehicles created alongside 447 However, there has been criti- homes and new commercial space. cism of the council's recent efforts Up to half of the new homes to combat youth violence and the will be designated 'affordable', lack of extra money being made depending on funding from the available to fund the new VRP. Mayor of London. Nick Tiratsoo was director of the Better Way Partnership, a previous effort by authorities in Waltham Forest to co-ordinate Better care crime prevention work across nspectors say there have been different sectors, until 2016. He “strong improvements” in told the Echo: “Questions should IWaltham Forest Council's be asked about why there has provision for children and young been a hiatus [following the end people with special educational of the Better Way Partnership] needs or disabilities (SEND). and why they are now launching Ofsted and the Care Quality something similar to what they Commission (CQC) inspectors At the launch of the Waltham Forest Violence Reduction Partnership was council leader Clare Coghill; MP Iain Duncan Smith; Katy Thompson, Streetbase leader; Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy; and Dame Louise Casey Credit Waltham Forest Council had been running a few years ago. visited the borough to look at “My calculation is they are prob- the council's SEND provision, “We have to ask; why is this creating work and making it ably spending less money on this following problems identified at a by Judith Burnett happening? What is it about our much harder for them.” work now than what they were previous inspection in 2017. They & James Cracknell system that we can’t compete The young people's group also in 2012. There needs to be com- concluded: “There has been a with drug dealers and gangs? We called for more positive encoun- munity involvement – it is foolish strong, collective drive to improve new partnership for must provide alternatives, through ters with the police, compassion to run a programme with just the the education, health and care tackling violence in the working with the police, educa- in education, and better quality police and the council. You need outcomes this group of children borough has been launch- tion and health, and keeping our work opportunities. that community partner to help and young people achieve.” Aed by Waltham Forest Council. children warm, fed and at school.” Also speaking at the event was gather intelligence, so it is not The council has worked with Based on a model successful- Pledges made as part of the VRP Police Superintendent Ian Boles, another top-down experiment partners at Waltham Forest Clinical ly used in Glasgow, the Waltham include putting 10,000 primary who welcomed the new, multi- where people are marginalised. Commissioning Group (CCG) Forest Violence Reduction Part- school children through a life skills agency approach. He outlined “You can't arrest your way out of and the North East London nership (VRP) brings together the resilience programme over the next efforts to improve stop-and- this problem.” Foundation Trust (NELFT) to police, schools, NHS, and volun- three years; enhanced support make the required improvements. tary sector; aiming to crack down provided for children identified on violence such as knife crime. as vulnerable during the transi- "We must provide alternatives, The partnership was launched tion from primary to secondary through working with the police, at Sir George Monoux Sixth school; greater support for children Driver appeal Form College by Waltham Forest exposed to early trauma, such as education and health, and charity is appealing for Council leader Clare Coghill, who witnessing domestic violence, with keeping our children warm, fed volunteers to drive isolated was also joined by Walthamstow swifter access to mental health and at school" Aolder people to tea parties MP Stella Creasy and Ching- services; and council and police in Chingford, Walthamstow ford MP Iain Duncan Smith. It co-operation to target crime and Leytonstone. followed a report published by hotspots in the borough. Contact the Elderly, a charity campaign group Waltham Forest At the partnership launch council tackling loneliness and isolation Citizens and drawn up with help advice team Waltham Forest Youth among older people, provides social from local schools, which called Advisors presented its programme gatherings for over-75s but is in for early intervention, a halt to Streetbase, which sees around need of drivers who can escort them cuts, and fewer school exclusions 35 young adults helping to sign- to its gatherings in Waltham Forest. – amid rising rates of violent post services and supporting com- The charity's support officer crime in the borough. munities around the borough. Amanda Cattini said: “We have Dame Louise Casey, a former gov- Janzab described his experience five active groups in the area that ernment advisor, was the keynote of moving around schools while welcome 35 guests a month but speaker at the launch event. She growing up and called for more we need volunteer drivers who said: “We have to listen to fami- mentoring and early intervention, can escort them. Drivers will need lies who live with a bereavement while Nicole spoke about the lure their own car and be available one caused by murder and manslaugh- of a criminal lifestyle and said: Sunday a month.” ter and understand that it is a “We need to come up stronger Call 0800 716 543 or visit different experience. against these guys [gang leaders], Streetbase leader Katy Thompson (centre) talks to Chingford MP Iain Duncan Smith contact-the-elderly.org.uk 4 No. 51 JUNE 2019 WALTHAM FOREST ECHO FEATURES Students get trollied Shopping trolley among the objects fished out of river by dedicated college students as part of wildlife restoration project by Frances Dismore and I was surprised at seeing wild- Tottenham Floating Reedbed life living in the motor, it was the Project to 170 metres. first time I’d seen a bullhead fish.” Stonebridge Lock Coalition is Spurred on by their successful a group of residents, from both haul, the students returned for Tottenham and Walthamstow and more. They applied their canoeing further afield, who volunteer their skills to a kayak-based litter-pick time to improve the Tottenham between Stonebridge Lock and Marshes stretches of the Lee Nav- Chalk Bridge. Leandro Defina saw igation and River Lea diversion, the potential of using kayaks for which are integral to the ecolog- the task. She said: “Kayaking is an ical mosaic of the neighbouring efficient way to clean the river, it is Lee Valley Regional Park Nature a good business opportunity and Reserve, Lockwood Reservoir, provides voluntary opportunities.” and the internationally important Tutor Jarl added: “It was a Walthamstow Wetlands. fun experience, it gave everyone We do so because we believe that the opportunity to develop co- resident-led initiatives to safeguard operation, teamwork and newly local biodiversity and improve learned practical skills. Litter- urban green space and rivers as picking from kayaks allowed us to habitat for wildlife can help reverse explore the riverbanks and see our the current catastrophic loss of local wildlife up close.” species. We know that contrib- The clearance work has prepared uting to improving the riparian this section of the Lee Navigation, habitat and water quality of the the western border of Waltham lower Lea, as a local response to Forest, for the installation of 84 the national and global challenge metres of floating reedbed. With of ecosystem breakdown, will

Students from Waltham Forest College find a shopping trolley in the Lee Navigation the help of Thames21, Stone- drive change. We are a communi- bridge Lock Coalition has used ty acting for the interests of our ith strong belief tutor Jarl Allard took on the task Student Charlotte Smith said: match-funding from Canal and community, present and future. in their ability to of pulling fly-tipped objects out “It was a fun experience in team River Trust and a grant from the create their own of the canal channel near Totten- building and in keeping our Mayor of London’s Greener City Stonebridge Lock Coalition is future, Waltham ham Lock. With impressive focus, community clean. It was surpris- Fund to secure a generous award led by Thames21, one of the WForest College students have put they deployed a grappling hook ing to pull out objects such as from the Environment Agency country's leading waterway charities. For more information: their energy and skills into im- to safely and efficiently hoist out a chair, shopping trolley, fences to install the floating reedbed proving the Lee Navigation for rubbish and debris, filling Canal and two motorbikes.” between Stonebridge Lock and Email stonebridgelockcoalition wildlife and the community. and River Trust's boat ‘The Lee’ Classmate Momodou Lamin Jaiteh Chalk Bridge, near Higham Hill, @gmail.com Facebook \StonebridgeLock The sports science students led by to the brim. said: “I enjoyed pulling out a moped bringing the total length of the Sparking conversation terest that showcase talent, high- go, why not join us at our monthly DJ, aged 13, who interviews his by Gill Poulter & Charlotte Palmer light local issues, play music of meetings? All ages and abilities are favourite artists in grime, beatbox "We aim to set all genres, discuss social and eco- welcome, although we are actively and R&B. local community nomic issues, and promote arts looking for younger contributors. Charlotte Palmer is our roving up a studio for internet radio station and culture in Waltham Forest, Shows include Kelly B's 'It's a reporter who interviews interest- regular live based in Highams aiming to reach out to all parts Dogs Life', a programme for dog ing Waltham Forest residents, Park, hSpark Radio, of the community. lovers; Meander Loop with DJ while there’s also Leytonstone’s broadcasts" Ahas been set up by members of the Currently contributors make Random Panic, an eclectic mix of Louis Gilman, an apocalyptic Planning Group. programmes at home, using a the weird and wonderful; 'Guitar blues artist. Charlotte is currently hSpark Radio on our website: We broadcast content made by free software programme, which Heroes' with Martin; motown and developing a music hall docu- themothershipconne3.wixsite. local contributors every day from they then submit and broad- hip hop with J Base; cheesy pop mentary featuring local pension- com/website noon until midnight. Designed cast. In the near future we aim with Dessen; and James, a broad- ers, all produced by Shaz from to reach out and engage with the to set up a studio for regular caster of cult, slightly off-centre our podcast platform, Mother- local community with a variety live broadcasts. drama. Plus we discuss Highams Ship Connected. hSpark Radio meets on the first Tuesday of each month at Hale of shows, the team of volunteers We constantly need new pro- Park, local news, and have a Currently we are developing a End Library, from 7.30pm. Find has grown steadily over two years. gramme makers to fill the daily bedtime story segment launching mobile app and hope to be avail- out more: At the monthly meet up, we share schedule. Training and advice is in the autumn! Young rising talent able on Alexa sometime this year. Visit hSpark.co.uk skills to create varied shows of in- available, so if you fancy having a includes Jackson, our youngest In the meantime you can find No. 51 JUNE 2019 WALTHAM FOREST ECHO 5 News Council still investing tens of millions FEATURES in fossil fuels, investigation reveals P . 6 Demanding better for Bakers Arms Local resident Mike Grimshaw meets shop owners to find out more about the problems they face akers Arms, the area sur- Way is Flowers but even as I was reluctant to use it to make deliv- rounding the junction of speaking to Cilem, the bays nearest eries. Loading and parking bays Lea Bridge Road, Hoe to her shop were suspended while on the opposite side are being Street and Leyton High pneumatic drills and diggers abolished. Hamid said: “The BRoad, is a bustling crossroads. removed them. Those remain- policy should be to make more Most businesses are small; cafés, ing allow 15 minutes for parking. roads one-way, not no-through bookmakers, barbers, bookmak- Before the corner was pedestrian- roads. It hasn't had the effect of ers, pubs, bookmakers, pharma- ised, there was a slip road where reducing the number of cars, it cies – did I mention bookmakers? some customers who came by car has just re-routed them.” There are also a number of could briefly stop and pop into the Another business owner I met was The Loopy Walkers are raising money for Walthamstow homeless hostel Branches empty premises, which has led shop. New benches, a welcome Mr Patel, of Medicos Pharmacy me to investigate the businesses sight for weary shoppers, are a in Hoe Street, who said none of that are still trading to find out magnet for intimidating alcoholics. the keyholders for his business live about the pressures they face. With that said, Cilem likes the locally. His workers travel by car Branching out Cilem runs The Only Way is area generally and has noticed because they are scared of crime Flowers, an independent florist. an influx of people from neigh- on public transport. He said: “If, as days we walked in ideal weather Over seven years she has done a bouring boroughs – moving to rumoured, Stanley Road Car Park by Winston Reid conditions, through the remot- lot to brighten the appearance of Waltham Forest because they find is to close, the pharmacy would est parts of the upper Thames; the shop and always has a pleas- it cheaper. Still, she is critical of have to consider either shorten- his summer, us 'Loopy the Cotswold villages and towns ant smile for customers and pass- the local authority: “The council ing their opening hours or closing Walkers' are taking on of Ashton Keynes, Cricklade ers-by. Waltham Forest Council's seem to care more about cyclists altogether, which would have a neg- our final fundraising and Lechlade; and the extensive efforts a few years ago to repaint than small businesses. There ought ative impact on the community.” challenge – walking 184 Cotswold Water Park which has Bakers Arms shopfronts in bright to be enough room on the streets Ronnie, the owner of RJ Gas milesT of the River Thames from more than 150 lakes. It was a very colours have helped cheer up the for everyone.” in Hoe Street for 44 years, has its source in the Cotswolds to its enjoyable but tiring few days! The appearance of the area, but at the A distrust of the council seems seen footfall reduce dramatical- mouth at the Thames Barrier. next leg of our journey begins on same time the council insisted to be increasing. Hamid has been ly since the Mini Holland cycling As always we are doing it in aid of Thursday 6th June, when another on replacing Cilem's shop sign. running London DIY Centre in scheme was introduced. He said: local charity Branches, a homeless three days of walking will take Individual letters started falling Lea Bridge Road for 20 years. He “The only way I can see the situ- hostel in Forest Road. This year’s us to near Reading. off, like a smile showing several employs five staff, all local, but cus- ation being improved now is for walk is raising money to recruit an Walking the length of the missing teeth. She ended up re- tomers and deliveries need some- the council to re-open the no- in-house specialist mental health Thames in 13 days from May to placing it at her own expense. where to park. His business has a through roads.” clinical practitioner, a role now September includes traversing A recurring problem at Bakers rear entrance in Poplar Road, but Dissatisfaction is running high in becoming much-needed as the Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Ox- Arms is the lack of parking. There now that has been blocked off at Bakers Arms. The future of local hostel increasingly supports res- fordshire, Berkshire, Bucking- are loading bays near The Only the Lea Bridge Road end lorries are shopping is looking bleak. idents with mental health needs. hamshire, Surrey and of course It will allow them to offer tailored, London. We aim to raise £5,000, one-to-one support to residents. so if you would like to support This is the third year of fund- us and help homeless people in raising by the Loopy Walkers and Waltham Forest, please donate! so far we've raised almost £9,000 We are also grateful to the many for Branches – used to purchase businesses who have already kitchen equipment and help fund pledged £2,000 in sponsorship the work of its resettlement service and to others who are support- – by walking the London Loop ing us by having our collection (150 miles) and London’s Capital boxes in their premises. Ring (78 miles). To start our latest challenge, For more information and to donate: eight Loopy Walkers met last Email theoffice@ month at Kemble, Gloucester- wfcbranches.org.uk shire, to find the source of the Visit give.net/ Thames, before turning to make ThamesPathChallenge2019 our way to London. Over three "This year's walk is raising money to recruit an in-house specialist mental health clinical practitioner" The junction at Bakers Arms is named after a former public house, now converted into a bookmakers Credit James Cracknell 6 No. 51 JUNE 2019 WALTHAM FOREST ECHO NEWS

Council still investing tens of millions in fossil fuels Joint investigation raises questions over council's divestment pledge indeed the country. “At a time when faith in our leaders and politicians is wafer "We are thin, it would severely damage our concerned by trust if this inspirational example of true leadership became another the slow rate broken promise, exposing the fund to stranded assets and ignoring of progress the climate emergency.” Last year the council moved towards the around one third of its £873m complete pension pot to the London Col- lective Investment Vehicle (CIV), divestment a pooled investment for borough councils that seeks to “limit that was exposure” to fossil fuel firms. Waltham Forest says it now has pledged to only £3.2m invested in such com- much fanfare, panies via the CIV. While the council claims its total pride and fossil fuel investments are current- ly around £30m, or 3.4% of the admiration" pension fund's value, its estimates Councillors and campaigners celebrating Waltham Forest Council’s divestment pledge on the steps of the town hall for previous years only included the social, economic and environ- ‘oil and gas’ investments, exclud- mental approach of the managers, cial year the fund had an estimated voted to declare a 'climate emer- ing coal and wider fossil fuel infra- which the committee believes will by Richard Collett-White £63million invested in fossil fuels, gency' in the borough in April, structure such as controversial new contribute to achieving our fossil fuel & James Cracknell virtually unchanged from the year acknowledging that “urgent pipelines in the US. The council objectives. The effectiveness of this before, although the council claims action is required to restrict global does not publicly release data on approach will now be monitored.” altham Forest it has been able to halve this figure warming to a maximum of 1.5°C”. its exact investments, meaning In their 'climate emergency' dec- Council still has over the last 12 months. Environmental activists from Waltham Forest Echo and DeSmog laration, councillors cited the tens of millions of An email from an officer involved Divest Waltham Forest, whose cam- were unable to verify these figures. council's divestment pledge as pounds invested with managing the authority's pen- paign originally led to the council A council spokesperson said: “In proof it had been “at the forefront inW fossil fuel companies – includ- sions also indicates that council making its divestment pledge, are 2016 the pension fund committee of often innovative initiatives ing BP and Shell – two-and-a-half bosses believe making the fund now calling for the authority to act decided to divest from fossil fuels to raise awareness, improve our years after pledging to divest its completely carbon free by 2021 much faster in its efforts to slash over the following five years. The environment and reduce the pension fund. will be difficult. In the email sent carbon emissions. Campaigner Nat committee is in the process of impact on our planet”. Cele- In September 2016 the council last December, seen by the Echo, Harding said: “We acknowledge developing an approach to achieve brating the declaration, cabinet became the first local authority a council officer wrote: “The easy we are still in the third year of the this aim. Ultimately we are reliant member for the environment in the UK to agree to divest its option of choosing a passive carbon council’s commitment to divest fully on the London CIV having appro- Clyde Loakes said: “We know pension fund from fossil fuels, but free or such index to invest in is not from all fossil fuels within five years. priate options available to deliver how much our residents care research by environmental investi- an option for us at this time, along “However, we are concerned by our investment objectives. about the environment and I’m gations website DeSmog suggests it with the fact that we hold pooled the slow rate of progress towards “During 2018 the committee proud to see so many stand up for remains a long way from meeting funds and cannot choose to simply the complete divestment that was invested in three funds provided their beliefs. We owe it to future its goal to fully divest by mid-2021. divest from any particular stock.” pledged to much fanfare, pride and by the London CIV. These were generations to change the way we At the end of the 2017/18 finan- The news comes after councillors admiration across the borough and selected taking into consideration live today, before it is too late.” Town centre tower block approved pre-school nursery with its own part of our wider vision to ensure ed to the town hall campus as part by Alice Richardson, play area at the back of the site as we deliver much needed housing of the council’s plans to bring all Local Democracy Reporter well as flexible commercial space for our local people. council services on to one site. and a pocket park along Hoe Street. “We are committed to delivering Developer Hill Partnerships lans for 91 new homes and The council was granted 1,800 new homes a year over the Limited has been awarded the a nursery for Waltham- £2.48million by the Greater next ten years. design and build contract for the stow town centre have London Authority’s (GLA) 'Build- “Not only are new homes prior- scheme. The council will retain been approved. ing Council Homes for London' itised for local people welcomed, ownership of the land when the P Waltham Forest Council gave the programme to enable the site to but also the provision of a new development is completed, with go ahead for a new 17-storey tower have 50% 'affordable' housing. nursery, something our residents the aim to ensure long-term bene- block at Juniper House, Hoe Street, Simon Miller, cabinet member for have told us they want.” fits are maximised for local people. which will include 23 flats for social economic growth and high streets, Juniper House previously housed Work on the site will start this rent and 18 for shared ownership. said: “The planning approval of the council’s children and families summer and is due to finish in How the new tower block in Hoe Street, The plans also include a 53-place 91 new homes at Juniper House is services, before these were relocat- early 2021. Walthamstow, will look No. 51 JUNE 2019 WALTHAM FOREST ECHO 7 News Fire safety flaws deemed 'substantial' at INTERVIEW nearly half of borough's tower blocks P . 9 Building something special A Walthamstow teacher is using her experiences to help others

UnLtd is the foundation for social entrepreneurs. We find, fund and support people that run businesses with a social purpose. We work in a number of communities across the UK to harness the talents and skills of local people to tackle the challenges faced by communities and the people who live in them. Our support comes in the form of cash awards along- side specialist coaching support, and is for people at the start of their journey to becoming a social entrepreneur. We help them set up a business, nurture their ideas and help them grow their impact. Social entrepreneurs are working hard to respond to the challenges faced by people in their communities. Yet in a climate of increasing inequality and reductions in public spending, we know that many people don’t feel empow- ered to create change in the places where they live. Solutions designed and led by people who have lived through the issues they are trying to solve are often the most effective. We know that people have the ideas to help their communities and to create lasting positive change. And this is where UnLtd can help them.

The award manager for St James Street and William Morris is Cheryl Ndione. To find out more about UnLtd: Call 0207 566 1100 Email [email protected] Visit unltd.org.uk Anike Mlemchukwu is the founder of Lapapo Special Needs

For Anike, who lives in part of the wider aim of the Anike has had to develop new plans for Lapapo Special Needs. by David Floyd Blackhorse Road, the answer to site to build “a community of skills. One of her biggest chal- “In two years, I want to be this problem was to set up Lapapo parents who are supporting and lenges, she said: “Is not knowing known in the UK and Europe. or many social entre- Special Needs. The website is part helping one another”. anything about tech and building In five years, I would like to be preneurs, the journey to shop, selling specialist products Unlike the tech pioneers of the website myself with the help known across the globe. I would starting their own busi- for children with special needs, Silicon Valley, Anike has not of freelancers.” like to go into countries which are ness starts when they spot and part online community, where had big money investment to Now the site is online, Anike is less well off, where learning dif- Fa social need that is not being met. parents can ask questions and help get her business off the about to go part-time with her ficulties are more stigmatised.” Anike Mlemchukwu was a receive support from others with ground. What she did have was job so that she can devote more Given Anike’s bold ambition, special needs teacher, working similar experiences. the drive to get started. “This is time to running the business. a business that started in a local at Woodside Primary School in The site is designed to help my first business,” she continued. She hopes that she will soon be library could go on to change Walthamstow, when she became parents find the right products “I have done business at school in a position to leave teaching the world. aware of the lack of support for for their children – from blankets but now I have this urge saying entirely and work full-time on parents of children with special and bibs to specially-designed ‘do it, do it’.” growing the site. needs. Such parents face major beds – by providing a curated While Anike is grateful for the “I am currently looking at challenges but, in many cases, experience that offers something help she received from social getting on some accelerator pro- have nowhere to turn for help. different to the priced-focused enterprise support organisa- grammes to get investment to Supported by: Anike explains: “I got frustrat- offer of online sales giants. Anike tion UnLtd, she has so far been dedicate more time into it. If I ed about what support is avail- says: “The thing with those sites building the business in her spare had more time, how much bigger able. A lot of parents don’t feel is that you don’t always know time, while working full-time as a could it actually be?” like they have someone to speak what you are getting.” special needs teacher. “It is hard As well as looking for invest- to. You can speak with family but It’s early stages but, just over when you don’t have a space. I’m ment, Anike is also looking for there is only so far you can get. a month after launch, there are at work until 4pm, then in the support from local businesses Vulnerable parents, if they can’t already 18 vendors listed on library 5pm-9pm, then I sleep.” and more parents to volunteer to reach out, where are they reach- the site and two parents have Faced with getting a website offer advice on the site. Despite ing out to?” signed up to offer advice as up-and-running on her own, being at an early stage, she has big 8 No. 51 JUNE 2019 WALTHAM FOREST ECHO PHOTOGRAPHY

Photographs by Laura Martinez Myself and artist Yanire Silva Delgado E17 Art Trail in 2005. We got in touch will feel like home. It will be shown at Send us your photos have created E17 Room to participate with ten participants and we made a Lot One Ten and Wood Street Coffee. To submit your photos in this year’s E17 Art Trail. The idea with documentary called Artists Around The These photographs are of some of the E17 Room was to collect testimonies Corner: E17 Art Trail (2005) Wonders. artists involved in the documentary. for consideration: from artists, makers and creative people in We invite you to follow and support us Email [email protected] our community who took part in the first in this exciting documentary where you Instagram @lauralalis/@sylvaceramics No. 51 JUNE 2019 WALTHAM FOREST ECHO 9 Arts & Culture Artists open up their homes for another NEWS fortnight of fun with E17 Art Trail P . 12 Fire safety flaws at borough tower blocks James Cracknell investigates the risk to Waltham Forest residents, two years after Grenfell lmost half of the council- and self-closing devices that “do owned tower blocks not operate correctly”. There was in Waltham Forest are also no effective emergency plan. "There was deemed by inspectors Twelve-storey St David Court in no evidence Ato pose a “substantial” fire risk to Parkstone Road, Walthamstow, was residents, the Echo has learned. found to have 86 fire risk issues, of any fire Two years on from the Grenfell including non-compliant fire doors Tower disaster, Fire Risk Assess- and inadequate compartmentalisa- management ments (FRAs) reveal nine out of tion, for containing fire. strategy" 22 tall buildings in the borough Rayner Tower in Albany Road, were given the most serious safety Leyton, was reported to have 88 seven storeys, as well as our shel- rating – meaning “improvements problems. A key finding was that at tered housing schemes, houses in should be undertaken urgently”. least four residents “were not aware multiple occupation, and hostels, Twelve other tower blocks carry of basic fire procedures”. Fire doors undergo thorough fire risk assess- “moderate” risk while just one, a were found with damaged frames ments annually. All council resi- new building opened last year, was and lock systems. There was no dential buildings have been con- said to be “tolerable”. effective emergency plan, evidence structed in accordance with the The FRAs for buildings owned of smokers using prohibited com- prevailing building control regu- by Waltham Forest Council that munal areas, and a faulty smoke lations and managed in compli- are six storeys or higher were detector in the hallway. ance with the Regulatory Reform obtained under Freedom of Infor- Also in Albany Road, Burrell (Fire Safety) Order 2005, and we mation laws. The documents, all Tower had 44 faults. They includ- are developing our approach to im- compiled in 2018, list hundreds of ed “unsecured bin areas containing plement the recommendations of identified fire risks of various kinds, combustible materials” and a bin the Hackitt Review following the from cluttered corridors to faulty chute “located within the escape Grenfell fire tragedy, expected to doors and damaged electrical wires. route” of the building. Inspectors become law in 2020. Some of the older buildings also recommended that “further inves- “Despite no additional gov- have historic design faults that fail tigation be undertaken to estab- ernment funding, the council to comply with modern standards. lish if the stairwell entrances can is exceeding regulatory require- None were said to have combusti- be reconfigured in order to avoid ments and installing sprinklers ble cladding, however, which was the refuse system”. The Fred Wigg and John Walsh towers are two of the most dangerous buildings in Waltham Forest across all our blocks over six a major factor at Grenfell. Another tower block at substan- storeys. We take into account the One of the most at-risk build- tial risk is St Nicholas Court in fire stopping to exposed services”. In FRAs for the two towers, 118 number of residents, the number ings in the borough is 13-storey Highams Park. In its FRA, 77 fire The three most dangerous build- fire risk issues were found at Fred of vulnerable residents, and the St George's Court in Wood Street, safety issues were listed, including ings in the borough, according to Wigg and 104 at John Walsh. As number of floors among other Walthamstow, which had 91 “unacceptable combustible mate- FRAs compiled last summer, were well as having many of the common considerations when prioritising faults relating to fire risk listed rials found in communal areas” of Northwood Tower in Marlowe problems found across the bor- this work. Our sheltered housing in its FRA. Inspectors found flat the 13-storey tower. Road, Walthamstow, and the ough's other tall buildings, both schemes are classified as the top doors “were not compliant to the St Patrick's Court in Woodford Fred Wigg and John Walsh towers towers suffer from design faults priority. There are currently six 30-minute standard” and that com- Green had 85 faults, including in Montague Road, Leytonstone. – having been built under weaker installations in progress. munal doors did not have ade- non-compliant fire doors, riser Marlowe Road Estate resident fire regulations in the 1960s. In one “We work hard with partners in- quate fire resistance, with “excessive cupboards filled with combusti- and Echo contributor Michelle key excerpt, the amount of time it cluding the London Fire Brigade to gaps”, “missing intumescent strips” ble materials, and “insufficient Edwards raised concerns about fire takes for residents to access their check our residential blocks provide safety at Northwood Tower, the nearest fire escape is criticised. The comfortable, safe roofs over all our borough's tallest building, shortly FRAs state: “There is only a single residents’ heads. The safety of our following the disaster at Grenfell. exit from the building for flats 1-9, tenants is the top priority and we Advertise with us This month she has returned to and the remainder of the building do all we can to ensure it.” The Echo has a circulation of 12,500 copies find little progress has been made, does not meet current standards... Separate to the Echo's investiga- writing on Page 11 that it was further guidance is required to tion into Waltham Forest's tower per issue and an estimated readership of up “inconceivable” that 106 fire risk formulate a suitable fire manage- blocks, last month it was revealed to 37,500 people issues were still unresolved. ment strategy for means of escape. by the London Assembly that fire Fred Wigg and John Walsh towers “There was no evidence of any safety standards were lacking at All income from advertising is reinvested – used as missile launch pads during fire management strategy in the 34 borough care homes. London in the paper. We want to ensure advertising is the London 2012 Olympic Games building at the time of the assess- Fire Brigade (LFB) audits carried affordable for businesses and community – had been slated for demoli- ment... travel distances to final exits out following Grenfell show major tion by the council as part of the are too long.” problems at more than 500 care organisations. redevelopment of Montague Road The council pledged in Novem- homes across the capital – with Contact our new advertising sales Estate. This was postponed in 2018, ber 2017 to install sprinkler systems Waltham Forest's record being however, with the council citing in all of its tall buildings and shel- the third worst of all boroughs. manager Klaudia Kiss: rising cost projections and uncer- tered housing blocks, setting aside Jennette Arnold, London As- tainty over the ongoing Grenfell £500,000 to complete this work. To sembly member for Waltham Call 020 8521 7956 Tower Inquiry. While many long- date, four have been fully installed. Forest, said: “It is very concern- term residents have moved out, Councillor Louise Mitchell, ing that some of the most vulner- Email [email protected] the estate is increasingly used as cabinet member for housing, said: able members of our community temporary accommodation. “All of the council’s buildings over are being put at risk in this way.” 10 No. 51 JUNE 2019 WALTHAM FOREST ECHO LETTERS

the council has joined the London headed “have your say” it does stow Central Station. The revised Will council Collective Investment Vehicle not allow residents to have a say road layout no longer permits Universal (CIV) where pension funds are on whether or not they want the the dropping off of bus pas- break pledge? pooled. The CIV claims to con- 'Market East' parking zone to sengers outside the bus station Credit shame sider climate change as one of be split into smaller zones. Res- and they now have to alight in Dear Waltham Forest Echo several factors which they consider idents have been complaining the bus station. Passengers are continues Waltham Forest Council finally when making investment choices. for years about punitive parking already moaning about it, but Dear Waltham Forest Echo declared a 'climate emergency' However, no information is given restrictions in Walthamstow, but as they should remember that much Universal Credit (UC) just gets on 25th April. This move was out publicly on funds that might well as only being asked whether has been done to reduce what worse. Recent reports show nearly neither surprising nor unexpect- be fossil fuel free, nor could we they want to have long hours or were quite lengthy delays only two million claimants, families and ed, given the recent highlighting find any recognition of the major very long hours, the consultation a couple of years ago. disabled people will be worse off of the planet-wide emergency role played in the climate emer- is also discriminatory. Thousands The council has widened the under UC. This is coupled with a by Extinction Rebellion, and by gency by fossil fuel consumption. of people in the borough do not bus station exit to allow buses long delay in providing a report young people’s campaigner and Unless the CIV urgently offers a have a computer and even if they to have their own lanes to turn on transition from legacy benefits Nobel Peace Prize nominee Greta new ‘climate emergency’ pension did, they would find this online left or right, speeding depar- to UC, which is shocking in itself. Thunberg. Waltham Forest was plan, our council will not be able consultation problematic. There ture times up. They have di- The UC process is not simple, hardly the first UK council to do to divest by 2021. Cllr Loakes, can is an 'agree' box, but you either verted the 97 and 357 services as claimed by [Chingford MP] so; it was the 60th. But in Sep- we hear from you on this, please? have to agree with all comments out of the bus station, reduc- Iain Duncan Smith. Many tember 2016 the council did score or none. Like so many council con- ing the number of buses en- cannot cope online, especial- a national first; it announced it Andrew Johns sultations, this one is an insult. We tering and departing, reducing ly those who are not computer would divest its pension fund Co-ordinator, Waltham Forest ask readers who agree to contact congestion. And the new road literate, or with mental health from fossil fuels by 2021. This and Redbridge Green Party their local councillors to complain. layout reduces congestion and issues or learning difficul- was an amazingly bold step – big delays to through traffic by not ties. We need a back-to-basics news at the time, and a rather Waltham Forest Streets for All having to wait for buses to turn approach, with human contact! large feather in the cap of deputy Another bad into the bus station. Am I the only one who feels this? leader and cabinet member for Passengers should quit moaning Far too many have died after the environment Clyde Loakes. consultation I welcome about the new arrangements and being found fit for work, or before So, what has happened since minor inconveniences and be disability benefit claims have even then? Recent research [Council Dear Waltham Forest Echo bus changes grateful that efforts have been been assessed. Shame on us! still investing tens of millions in Our members are shocked by the made to improve journey times. fossil fuels, Page 6] shows that in- latest Waltham Forest Council Dear Waltham Forest Echo Gary Martin vestments in fossil fuels remained 'consultation' – that is not a Good Friday saw the completion Keith Barber Carr Road at £62.9million as of 2018. Further, consultation at all. Ironically of roadworks outside Waltham- Walthamstow Walthamstow come and see howdifferent a nurserycan be!

Something special is happening at Willow Brook Primary School and Nursery! All children flourish in our Early Years. They have excellent relationships with staff and it is Call us to book an appointment normal for children to exceed their expected levels of progress. Willow Brook provides a Willow Brook Primary School & Nursery happy and secure environment in which to learn, and our pupils enjoy their time at school 190 Church Road, Leyton, London E10 7BH so much they don’t want to leave! Tel: 020 8539 1428 Why not come and see for yourself? There are tours and stay and play sessions every [email protected] www.willowbrook-gst.org Wednesday 8.30am to 9.30am and 12.30pm to 1.30pm, or parents can book an appointment for a one-to-one meeting with the head. @WillowBrookGST No. 51 JUNE 2019 WALTHAM FOREST ECHO 11 COLUMNS

Reviving old memories by Helen Bigham Research has shown that the best tions, collective knowledge, and single factor of children’s emo- skills, to improve our borough. tional health and happiness lies This can be the 'glue' that holds in them having an understanding us together; as without this our of their heritage, helping them community can stagnate and we appreciate that they belong to can feel isolated. something bigger than themselves. One date in my diary is Satur- Keepsakes don’t have to be day 29th June, when a family open expensive or come from faraway day takes place at Suntrap Forest places but instead can be found Centre, an educational centre for much nearer to home. During local schools. Suntrap is closing the London Borough of Culture shortly for a major refurbish- year in Waltham Forest we’re ment and there’ll be an auction of spoilt with a whole host of fêtes, artefacts and mementos that will exhibitions, workshops and fairs. no longer be needed when the There’ll be plenty of opportuni- centre reopens next year. I’ve got ties to make and create or buy my eye on one of the wooden stools from local sellers such as E17 that I could have potentially pre- Designers. The May Day event cariously tipped back on at a class on Chingford Plains, a day of visit many years ago. many seasons with a mesmerising The value of memorabilia such as

The May Day celebration at Chingford Plains last month featured a spectacular rainbow Credit Marc Fletcher firework and fire finale, will stay a well-worn chair lies in the stories long in my memory. and experiences that they preserve. ne man’s trash is on a cracked plate but instead the crockery back together. My col- Also worth remembering is that In September my dog Busta will another man’s treasure; associated recollections. lection isn’t hidden away in a cup- local festivals can bring us togeth- be entered into the annual dog these are wise words. Preserving my treasured souve- board but kept on display, keeping er to celebrate things that make show as part of The Picnic in the The value of my memo- nirs allows me the opportunity to family stories alive and reminding our area special. They provide Park, in Highams Park, and maybe Orabilia lies not in the objects which keep alive a memory, such as my myself and my daughters of our an ideal chance for people to get again this year we’ll have a rosette include a child’s foot imprinted friend guiltily gluing the broken roots and varied experiences. involved and bring their connec- that I can proudly put on show! Returning to Northwood Tower Marlowe Road Estate resident Michelle Edwards goes back to investigate safety fears raised post-Grenfell ust before 1am on 14th June now upon us, I decided to revisit partmentalised for the purpose 2017, a fire broke out in the Northwood Tower to find out of containing smoke and flame, kitchen of a fourth floor what's happened since. rendering the infamous 'stay put' flat at the 24-storey Gren- Hearing residents' voices, it's evacuation policy of little use if a Jfell Tower block in North clear they are still being ignored. fire broke out. Post-Grenfell, such Kensington, west London. Disrepair and poor workmanship reports are inconceivable. A series of failings including under the 'external works pro- As reported on Page 9, despite the the building's external cladding gramme' carried out by former fanfare of the council's announce- – installed on the tower during council contractor Osborne were ment two years ago, Northwood a £9million refurbishment – is frequently flagged up. The refur- Tower is still without sprinklers. thought to have contributed to bishment included new windows, The council says the programme the rapid spread of the fire which but condensation pours down is being “prioritised according to claimed the lives of 72 people. the inside and excessive force need” but sprinklers will not be In the emotional aftermath, is necessary to pull them shut. installed until 2023/24. It is doubtful I wrote for the Echo about the fire Two families were experiencing a Northwood residents now paying safety fears of residents at the 21- leak in their kitchen roof, which more this year than last to live in a storey Northwood Tower, which is they've stopped reporting after death-trap will be convinced. a dominant local landmark on the being fobbed off by contractors I think the last word should go to Marlowe Road Estate. Determined – outsourcing helps the council the Grenfell Action Group, who to prevent another Grenfell on my evade accountability. fatefully predicted their building's own doorstep, I promised to stick Fire risk assessments for the build- own future: “Only a catastrophic with the story until Waltham Forest ing show there are 65 remedial event will expose the ineptitude and Council had made the tower safe. actions and 41 control measures incompetence of our landlord.” In autumn 2017 the council an- outstanding, including “damaged nounced it was installing sprinklers electrical cabling” and “an unac- Waltham Forest Council's in all 61 of its 'high priority' housing ceptable quantity of combusti- response to concerns raised blocks across the borough. Would ble items found in the communal about fire safety at Northwood Tower and other buildings can it prove a turning point? Well, with areas”. While broadly 'compliant', be read on Page 9. the second anniversary of Grenfell the building is not adequately com- Northwood Tower is the borough's tallest building 12 No. 51 JUNE 2019 WALTHAM FOREST ECHO ARTS & CULTURE Back on the art trail Songs Walthamstow artists open up their homes for another fortnight of fun of sport Record-shop owner Mike Gerber's music musings am a partner of the Vinyl Vanguard record shop in IWalthamstow, and this is the first of what is intended to be a regular column for the Echo on my musings about music! I would like to kick it off, as it were, on the theme of football. I went to a Walthamstow Folk Club gig last month at Ye Olde Rose and Crown pub, where the star was Robb Johnson, one of Britain’s most engaging radical folk musicians. But before that, I must mention a performer from the floor whose song was a tribute to three local football clubs that have done well this season – Leyton Orient, Walthamstow FC, and fan-owned Clapton Commu- nity FC, whose anarchically anti- racist, anti-sexist, anti-homopho- bic, leftist stance is inspirational! Robb Johnson writes and per- forms folk music with an often witty, punky edge, though also sometimes wistfully ruminative. I requested his song Life Is Foot- ball, about the 'thrills and spills' of supporting Brentford FC; more Sandie Sutton is one of hundreds of artists displaying their work for E17 Art Trail until 16th June spills than thrills, it’s something rt and science unite for brates “mental health, pioneer- spaces, cafés, shops, local business- permill Lane to mark the opening of a parable on life’s travails. But this year's E17 Art Trail ing women and environmental es, restaurants, on streets and in of an exhibition about pioneering instead, Robb treated us to a newer – the 15th edition of this activism” and features 400 exhibi- schools and libraries. Participating Walthamstow motorcycle racer song, Goalkeepers, which cites popular local institution. tions and events in 205 locations. artists have this year been invited Beryl Swain; paintings by Lucy Spurs players of yesteryear includ- A Taking place from Saturday 1st As ever, obtaining the E17 Art to respond to the theme 'wonder Henzell-Thomas of iconic women ing Northern Ireland international until Sunday 16th June, 8,500 artists Trail Guide – available to pick-up of art and science'. who have inspired wonder; plus Pat Jennings and writer and polit- and residents will be exhibiting or for free in dozens of different Highlights include ceramicist an exhibition at Vestry House ical essayist Albert Camus. I was performing in private and public community venues – will be Amanda Doidge's groundbreak- Museum responding to the decline delighted because I’m a Spurs fan, spaces throughout Walthamstow, crucial to the planning of peo- ing collaboration with neuroscien- of pollinating insects. as was Robb when growing up. making it one of the largest open ple's art trail experience. tists from Kings College London; Explaining that the song was in access visual arts festivals in the UK. Exhibitions, workshops and more than 30 female motorcy- To see the full E17 Art Trail memory of his father, Robb told Run by local arts organisation performances will take place in clists from VC London converg- festival programme: me: “My dad played in goal when Artillery, this year's festival cele- homes, community centres, faith ing on window gallery 1B Cop- Visit e17arttrail.co.uk he was a kid and in the RAF. So the song is about my dad but also about the role of the goalkeeper – and about how men use football as a code to building relationships. Made in friendship “So it starts off with me, then moves to my heroes – Pat Jennings, friend. As Marjan had been talking not with us any more, and face Albert Camus, and my dad. The by Jožef Sraka with his friends, the idea for The all sides of the sky on a golden song also allows me to reference the Energy Sculpture came about. stone rock. British war in Northern Ireland. It arjan Krnjic, a The sculpture has been made and Part of the sculpture is also the uses the goalkeeper as a metaphor, Slovenian fashion placed in the Friendship Gardens base board, with three different or as a way of describing my dad designer and brand near Lea Bridge Library, which crystals, for which the energy as a person – he kept to his goals, owner at MK Ex- has generously offered space for it, has been channelled at Stone- he did always stand for fellowship, Mclusive, gathered his friends and and contains four porcelain-based henge, during last year's Winter social justice and equality.” fellow Slovenian artists to come up pigeons, hand-painted using Solstice, by Anna Paynich. The with the idea to make a sculpture. different techniques. board carries the message: “You Vinyl Vanguard is based at Unit 2, Wood The idea followed tragic events The pigeons have been gilded are energy. May you be guided on Street Indoor Market, Walthamstow: when Marjan’s brother was bru- by Janusz Chyrowski and rep- your journey by Magen David.” Call 07495 030 018 Email vinylvanguardrecords@ tally murdered a year ago and resent someone and everyone in The sculpture can now be seen The new sculpture is now in Friendship gmail.com the recent loss of a close personal our lives, who are and who are at Friendship Gardens. Gardens, next to Lea Bridge Library No. 51 JUNE 2019 WALTHAM FOREST ECHO 13 Sport Fan-owned football club is winning people's ARTS & CULTURE hearts – as well as promotion P . 15 Capturing the moment A photography exhibition featuring portraits of local children is one of many highlights of this year's E17 Art Trail by Penny Dampier hope I have captured in my latest of the complex vivacity and beauty photographic portrait series for of the natural world is in balance E17 Art Trail. with the incredible ingenuity, re- I often take my immediate search and engineering of man- surroundings as an influence in made materials and objects. my work, and this show is no “The exotic colour and ‘practi- exception. My 11-year-old daugh- cal’ use of plastic packaging has ter is, at this very moment, about invaded every corner of our planet to leave the familiarity of primary and is destroying nature.” school, where she has spent the Frances was a student at Wal- last seven years, and enter the thamstow Art College from 1959, unknown and daunting world of then later studied fashion at the secondary school. Royal College of Art. Her world I have chosen to photograph her opened up to working across and a small group of her imme- disciplines and countries with diate friends in their bedrooms, engineers, mechanics and textile therefore suggesting something designers, eventually writing and about their interests and person- running a Bachelor of Arts in alities. I wonder if I took the same European Fashion at Rochester, photo in three years time, if there Kent. Always at the heart of what would be a marked difference in she does is to look, engage and surroundings and attitude? connect with the environment Sharing the venue with me will and people around us. be mixed media artist Frances Cowper Holzhausen. Her latest On the Cusp is displayed at Old work uses the colour, pattern Station Yard Cafe, 186 Wood Street, Walthamstow E17 3NA – venue 140 Penny's daughter Alice is a feature of her exhibition, 'On The Cusp' Credit Penny Dampier and shapes of discarded man- in the E17 Art Trail guide. A meet made materials and objects to the artists night is being held on here’s something a new adventure. has been, and excitement and help us look, and look again, at Thursday 6th June, 6-9pm. To see unique about those A feeling of being caught in trepidation of what is to come. the reality of our colourful but more of Penny's photographs: moments in life, when between saying goodbye to the It is this snapshot of a very par- shocking environment. Instagram @pennydampier Visit pennydampier.com Tyou are on the cusp of past, a nostalgic look at what ticular moment in time that I Frances explains: “The wonder Alright on the night Nineties pop legends East 17 are the inspiration for an all-night art festival in Walthamstow free all-night art fes- Twelve curated art projects have tival is coming to been conceived in response to the Walthamstow as part physical context of their locations of Waltham Forest and the communities who use them. ALondon Borough of Culture – Highlights include artist and inspired by East 17 pop classic composer Joe Nam plugging into It's Alright. London’s custom-designed car Free art will fill various parts stereo subculture, presenting a of Walthamstow, including car sound installation using local car parks, Polish deli’s, fishmongers owners' vehicles and their sound and late night internet cafés, systems in a Walthamstow car plus landmarks Walthamstow park, while Hannah Quinlan Market, Walthamstow Library, and Rosie Hastings will present and the Mall shopping centre. a ‘musical spectacle’ through It was 1993 when local pop legends Walthamstow Market by bring- East 17 released their single It’s ing together disco, house, pop Alright, heralding a new era for and other genres into a single boy bands and putting E17 on the dramatic vision. map of popular culture. In 2019 this song provides the inspiration Art Night begins at 7pm in for the fourth Art Night festival, Walthamstow on Saturday 22nd June. For more information: taking place simultaneously in Visit 2019.artnight.london Walthamstow and King’s Cross. Artist Joe Nam will plug into London’s custom car stereo subculture for his installation in a Walthamstow car park Credit Christian Kleiner 14 No. 51 JUNE 2019 WALTHAM FOREST ECHO LISTINGS Upcoming Ongoing

E17 Art Trail: Artists E17 Art Trail: Gemstone Whist Social Club in Chingford Games Club in Walthamstow Rockabilly Night Around the Corner Suncatcher Workshop Wednesdays, 10am–1pm Tuesdays, 2pm–5pm Every second Saturday, 8pm–11.30pm Tuesday 4th June, 10am–5pm Sunday 9th June, 4pm–5.30pm The Connaught Club, Barn Hoppett, The Salvation Army, 434 Forest Road, Sinbin at the Plough and Harrow, 419 Gnome House, 7 Blackhorse Lane, High 5 Workshops, 124 Farnan Rangers Road, Chingford E4 7QH Walthamstow E17 4PY High Road, Leytonstone E11 4JU Walthamstow E17 6DS Avenue, Chingford E17 4NH Do you want to play whist and make new Rediscover the fun of playing table-top Come and join the Chicken Shack’s Tricia Do you know the story of E17 Art Trail In this workshop you will learn copper friends? A friendly club that welcomes games at our relaxed and friendly club and Malc for a night of rockin’ tunes with and how it came about? E17 Room brings wire twisting techniques to make a 'Tree all standards. for adults of all ages. From card games DJ The Caveman Keith Hurry. Original you a documentary with ten of the first of Life Gemstone Suncatcher' room and to board games, come and enjoy playing jive, rock’n’roll, and rockabilly. participants who opened their homes and window decoration, with a wide choice £3 entry, includes refreshments your old favourites as well as learning exhibited in iconic places for the first- of gemstone chips and crystal beads to Call 020 8529 2341 a few new ones along the way. Refresh- £4 entry ever E17 Art Trail in 2005. Screenings at create your very individual suncatcher. Email [email protected] ments provided. Visit facebook.com/ Visit connaughtclub.co.uk events/786320158379067 10am, 1pm and 3pm. Free entry £10 entry Children's Yoga in Lloyds Park Call 07552 364 380 Email [email protected] Social Sequence Tea Dance £2 entry Visit wmbiglocal.org/just- Visit high5workshops.weebly.com Fridays, 3.45pm–4.15pm Fridays, 1.15pm–3.15pm Email [email protected] play-wm-games-club Visit ticketlab.co.uk/event/id/2836 The Avelin Centre, Lloyds Park Winns St. Edmund's Centre, 216 Chingford E17 Art Trail: Colour Terrace, Walthamstow E17 5SQ Ladies Tennis in Road, Chingford E4 8JL Charity Quiz Night in Walthamstow and Light in the Air Mondays, 9.30am–11am Friday 7th June, 7.45pm–10.45pm Monday 10th June, 1pm–3pm Experience spiritual nurturing when you Join us for a social tea dance in Chingford. book Bliss Cubs Children’s Yoga. We offer The Connaught Club, Barn Hoppett, WF Community Hub, Orford Road, Carefree Kids, Unit DA2 Sutherland Rangers Road, Chingford E4 7QH Walthamstow E17 9LN House, Walthamstow E17 6BU meditation and relaxation in a sacred £2.50 entry, includes refreshments and secure space. Enjoy nature walking, Call 020 8550 5878 This is a coach-led session for ladies who Grand quiz night in aid of Oxfam. Prizes Craft workshop using a variety of art ma- storytelling, and games for your children. wish to learn to play tennis or improve. Miniature Steam Train Rides and raffle. Light supper included but bring terials within the theme of colour and light The sessions take place on our indoor Sundays, 2pm–5.30pm your own drinks. Come with your own in the air. We will use some of your cre- £4.50-£5.50 entry tennis courts and last 90 minutes. Rackets Ridgeway Park, Peel Close, off Old team or join with others on the night. ations to decorate our in-house playroom. Call 07505 778 409 Email [email protected] and equipment can be provided. The Church Road, Chingford E4 6XU blisscubs.wixsite.com/yoga club has a lovely bar area where you Free entry Visit can purchase food and refreshments Great fun for children and adults alike. £15 entry per person Visit ticketlab.co.uk/event/id/2686 after the session. Run by the Chingford and District Model Call 07760 406 365 (Glenda) Submit your listing Email [email protected] Women's Business Workshop Engineering Club. Tuesday 18th June, 6.30pm–9.30pm Fill in the online form available £10 per player The Chingford Village Festival 18-22 Radlix Road, Leyton E10 7BD at walthamstuff.com/echo Call 0208 529 2341 Tickets £1-£1.50 Saturday 8th June, all day before Saturday 15th June Email [email protected] Visit chingford-model-engineering.com The Green and surrounding venues, Come to this free workshop to find Station Road, Chingford E4 7EN out how social media can earn you a passive income. Now in its 25th year, this well-known local festival will see hundreds of people flock Free entry to enjoy a craft fair, live music, children's Call 07954 426 088 Leyton great hall entertainment, fun fair rides and displays Email womenforchangeconsultancy by community groups. @gmail.com

Free entry Dear Home Office Email [email protected] Sunday 23rd June, 2pm–3.30pm Visit chingfordvillagefestival.info Wanstead Quaker Meeting House, Bush Road, Leytonstone E11 3AU E17 Art Trail: Designers Market Saturday 8th June, 10am–5pm Dear Home Office is an extraordinary One Hoe Street, 1 Hoe Street, film about Tariq, a 14-year-old asylum Walthamstow E17 4SD seeker. It recounts his attempt to settle in this country, combating his own lone- During the E17 Art Trail this designers’ liness and the authorities. Part drama, market is selling handmade arts and crafts part documentary, part play and part from our local community of artists, political manifesto. makers and designers. Donations for Walthamstow Free entry Migrants Action Group Leyton Great Hall is the jewel in the crown of the Legacy Business Email [email protected] Call 020 8556 7268 Centre in Leyton, E10; a Grade II listed building, fully restored. Visit e17designers.co.uk Family Open Day Leyton Great Hall is arguably one of (if not) the finest venues in Forest Community Saturday 29th June, 11am–12pm east London and stands as a testament to the glamour of the era of Land Trust Fun Day Suntrap Forest Centre, Central Art Nouveau. Sunday 9th June, 3pm–5pm Parade, Walthamstow E17 4RT St James Park, Essex Road, Walthamstow E17 For over 50 years, thousands have visited For all Leyton Great Hall hire enquiries please contact Maria on Suntrap Forest Centre – often as their first 07484 916080 or visit our website on www.leytongreathall.com. Forest Community Land Trust is holding a experience of nature. To celebrate our fun day in the park to publicise their com- unique building before it closes for refur- Leyton Great Hall is suitable for all kinds of celebrations and occasions. It is munity housing project. There will be food bishment we are hosting a free open day. and activities for children, as well as the Includes a memorabilia auction of items suitable for weddings, birthdays, christenings, bar mitzvah, anniversaries, chance to learn more about how they plan no longer required, plus pond dipping! theatre and concerts and many more events! Charitable organizations, leisure to build truly affordable homes locally. and corporate clients will be able to cater for any of their requirements for their Free entry Call 07847 194 919 Visit ticketlab.co.uk/event/id/2548/ event in Leyton Great Hall. Email [email protected] Family-Open-Day No. 51 JUNE 2019 WALTHAM FOREST ECHO 15 SPORT Orient win league, lose cup Wembley defeat is only blemish on magnificent season, writes Jim Nichols rient suffered more any lingering doubt that it wasn't Wembley woe in losing to be Orient's day, it came when to AFC Fylde in the FA Joe Widdowson – yet to score for Trophy final – three Orient in two full seasons at the Oweeks after securing promotion. club – burst into the box and drove a About 24,000 Orient fans travelled shot against the post. If that wasn't from far and wide to show their ap- unlucky enough, Maguire-Drew's preciation for the recently-crowned rebound beat everyone except his National League champions in the fellow substitute Matt Harrold, hope of cheering them on to an his- who inadvertently got in the way of toric non-league double. However, the goal-bound strike. Fylde saw the it was not to be, as a superb free rest of the game out comfortably. kick from National League player No FA Trophy celebrations for of the year Danny Rowe won the Orient, then, and a third defeat at game for the Lancashire outfit. Wembley in 20 years is painful. But In truth, the O's were not at their promotion was always the main best in the first half, perhaps feeling aim, so it shouldn't take long for the effects of the celebrations from fans and players alike to get over the three weeks previously and the disappointment and look forward lack of a competitive fixture since to the new season as a Football then. The introduction of Jordan League club after two years away. Maguire-Drew at half-time added They'll be hoping the FA Trophy some much needed impetus to the is a competition, with only non- Leyton Orient players and staff celebrate winning the Vanarama National League on the last day of the season at Brisbane Road attack, and having hit the post with league teams competing, that they tracts being signed by Widdowson, of particular focus. They look in good health, both a set piece, he then turned provid- won't have to play in again. Harrold, captain Jobi McAnuff and Signings in other areas of the on and off the pitch, and set for er for Marvin Ekpiteta, who also In preparation for that new season, club player of the year Craig Clay. pitch will largely depend on how a decent showing next term. hit the woodwork with the resul- O's manager has In addition to that core, there will many of his talented crop of It will have to go some way to tant header. been busy keeping his success- undoubtedly be a few additions, youngsters Edinburgh is able to be as successful as 2018/19, which After Rowe's strike, if there was ful squad together with new con- with central midfield likely to be retain as the summer progresses. has been a blast. Fan-owned club founded on fairness One year after forming, Clapton CFC win promotion and people's hearts Rogers President’s Cup, is a huge Midfielder Phil Blakesley said: achievement for a club that was “It’s just been amazing to be part formed less than a year ago. While of. The fans thank us, but we want "Clapton Clapton Football Club dates back to thank the fans as well because CFC has a to the 1870s, Clapton Commu- we both need each other – they nity Football Club was created make it so special for us.” strong anti- in June 2018 following a dispute Clapton CFC’s fans’ passion for with the former's chief executive. the club is matched by the club’s fascist ethos The new club is a co-operative commitment to inclusivity. As well with “each member having an as co-operative ownership, Clapton and opposes equal vote in the direction fan- CFC has a strong anti-fascist ethos racism, owned Clapton CFC will take”. and opposes racism, sexism and The club plays home games on homophobia. At each match, the sexism and The Stray Dog pitch at Wadham side of The Stay Dog is adorned Lodge Sports Ground in Kitchen- with rainbow and anti-fascist flags homophobia" er Road, Walthamstow, and has and there are food donations for Clapton CFC celebrate winning promotion at the end of their first-ever season Credit Max Reeves caught the attention of football local foodbank Eat or Heat. Pasaran”, meaning “they shall meant they were going to win fans and local people. Attendanc- Foward Charlie Fagan said: “This not pass”. This shirt, designed by by Alastair Ball the Middlesex County First es have started to grow, with 1,266 club is sending such a positive a member and selected via a vote Division (East and Central). attending the league finale. At every message to the world about what of members from several designs, hen the third goal Midfielder Josh Adejokun, who match, large numbers of fans turn football can do about inclusivity.” went viral and led to an explosion went in, the sound scored a hat-trick during the match, up to sing, wave flags and chant in The club’s away shirt uses the of more than 12,000 orders, mostly of Clapton CFC said he was “literally speechless”. support of the 'Mighty Tons'. It is a colours of the flag of the second from Spain. fans chanting Clapton CFC’s own blog said the diverse community of fans, where Spanish Republic and the three- Next season Clapton CFC will be W“that’s the way, a-ha a-ha, we like match was “exactly the profession- old 'Eastenders' rub shoulders with pointed star of the International playing in the Middlesex County it” filled The Stray Dog. al performance needed to seal this young, trendy arrivals to the area. Brigades who travelled to Spain League Premier Division. Josh Clapton CFC were now winning momentous achievement”. Arsenal, Spurs, Leyton Orient and to fight fascism in the 1930s. It said: “We’ll continue to put our 3-0 against FC Roast, which Winning the league, and the Jim West Ham fans all get along well. bears the anti-fascist slogan “No heart and soul into those games.” 16 No. 51 JUNE 2019 WALTHAM FOREST ECHO Support local

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What we do How you can help Here at Waltham Forest Echo, we do things As a not-for-profit publication we rely on the differently. We believe that local newspapers generous support of our community. We look should put the concerns of the local to our readers, who recognise the value of community at the heart of their publication. independent journalism, to help support the We combine professional journalism with continuing publication of Waltham Forest Echo. voluntary contributions from people who live and work in the local area and create Rewards content which is responsive to and reflective of the community. By becoming a member, not only will you support our publication, but you can access rewards. These are challenging times for print media, with many newspapers closing and advertising revenue in decline, but our £3 per month upwards: not-for-profit model offers a new approach membership certificate, name in to creating local news which is inclusive the paper and website, pin badge and accountable. £5 per month upwards: home delivery, tote bag, membership Visit walthamforest certificate, name in the paper and echo.co.uk/join website, pin badge Current members Adam Pike, Chris Lemin, Darrel Hunneybell, David Gardiner, David Hamilton, David O'Driscoll, Dexter Coles, Graham Millington, Jean Duggleby, Melanie Strickland, Michael Grimshaw, Roland Karthaus, 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, Community Counts UK, Esther Neslen, Bright Stars Youth FC, Saradadevii Hull-Jurkovic, Claire Weiss, George Clarke, Ben Marlow, Creative Works, Alex Dandeker, Greg Cochrane, Julie Gibson, Carmen Trachenko, Transition Leytonstone, Clem Cowton, Linda Ridgers-Waite, Cranston Watts, Rachael Castell, Hewing Wittare, Alfred Joyner, Stephanie Waterman, Martin Riches