Introduction How to use this guide Community Centres 1 Pensioner Organisations 11 Arts & Education 15 · General 15 · Arts & crafts 19 · Dance 21 ·Drama 23 · Film, Video and Photography 24 · Music 25 · Writing 27 Libraries 28 Museums and Heritage 33 Galleries 39 Entertainment 47 · Cinemas 47 · Comedy 49 · Music 50 · Theatre & Performing Arts 52 · Other 55 Parks 59 Farms 61 Sports & Leisure 62 Alternative Therapies 63 Information Services 64 Transport 66 Alphabetical index for Centres, Venues & Organisations To bring you up-to-date with what to do and where to go in the borough, London Borough of Tower Hamlets arts & events have printed this updated edition of the Arts and Leisure Guide for the Over 50s, originally produced in 2003. The council is committed to improving its services for older people and recognises that arts and leisure activities are an important part of a person’s wellbeing and ongoing personal development. Whether you want to enrol in some workshops, go to a museum, take up line dancing or join a luncheon club, you can find details in this guide. There is a fantastic array of services that would be of interest to over 50s and we have compiled a list of organisations to help you in your pursuit of arts & leisure activities. The information in this guide can also be found on the council's web-site www.towerhamlets.gov.uk, which will include a version in Bengali and Somali. You can also subscribe to one of our free e-newslet- ters which give updates on events (including over 50s events), workshops, training and job opportunities related to the arts. To access the arts and entertainment web pages direct, go to www.towerhamletsarts.org.uk We hope that you find this a useful guide and welcome any comments on how our information services could be improved. how to use this guide To help you find what you're looking for the guide is divided into categories as listed in the contents, and according to the arts and leisure services provided. Specific centres and organisations are also listed in the alphabetical index at the back of the guide and all entries are in alphabetical order within their category. The guide is also available online on www.towerhamletsarts.org.uk and is available in both English and Bengali. London Borough of Tower Hamlets is divided into eight regions known as 'Local Area Partnerships' (LAP's) and each entry in the guide indicates the LAP area the venue or organisation is based in. The Local Area Partnerships (LAP) groups are: · Weavers, Bethnal Green North, Mile End and Globe Town - LAP 1 · Bethnal Green South, Spitalfields & Banglatown - LAP 2 · Whitechapel, St Dunstan's & Stepney Green - LAP 3 · Shadwell, St Katharine's & Wapping - LAP 4 · Bow East & West - LAP 5 · Mile End East & Bromley by Bow - LAP 6 · Limehouse, East India and Lansbury - LAP 7 · Millwall, Blackwall & Cubitt Town - LAP 8 For further copies of this guide please call 020 7364 7900 or email [email protected] Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information in this guide at the time of publication, the London Borough of Tower Hamlets disclaims liability caused by any errors or omissions. Whilst trying to compile a comprehensive list of services provided for over 50s, please note that inclusion in this guide is not a recommendation for services listed. Aberfeldy Neighbourhood Centre Aberfeldy Street, E14 0NU Various activities including: line dancing (over 50s), yoga for over 50's, sewing, t 020 7515 6794 a gardening project, beginners computers & internet, f 020 7510 8900 English classes (women only), keep-fit (women only, all [email protected] ages) and mixed adult gym. www.poplarharca.co.uk Open to local community. Limehouse, East India & Lansbury / LAP 7 Fee: £1 for line dancing, yoga and Keep-fit. Disabled access. Activity in Retirement St Margaret's House, Centre for people over 60 and people who have 21 Old Ford Road, E2 9PL taken early retirement. Unsupervised arts sessions currently offered. Lunch and outings arranged (approx. t 020 8980 2092 one a month) e.g. to the seaside, theatre or cinema. f 020 8983 7028 [email protected] Membership: £1 Weavers, Bethnal Green North, Mile Disabled access. End & Globe Town / LAP 1 African Women's Welfare Association Church Hall, There are various activities including Northumbria Street, E14 6LF storytelling/reminiscence, indoor games and socialising. Bring along a packed lunch for the t 020 8981 9603 / 020 7987 0371 luncheon club on Sundays from 4pm. f 020 8981 9603 [email protected] Some pensioner groups also meet at the centre. Please contact the centre for details. Limehouse, East India & Lansbury / LAP 7 Yoruba 1 Bangladesh Welfare Association 39 Fournier Street, E1 6QE The first Bangladeshi charitable organisation in the UK, formed in 1954, providing advice & information t 020 7247 2105 on welfare rights, housing, education and IT. f 020 7247 7960 [email protected] There is a luncheon club for seniors (Thursdays) with advice sessions for over 55s in the mornings. Bethnal Green South, Spitalfields & Banglatown / LAP 2 May run outings for seniors in the future. Contact Bidhan Goswami for further details. Disabled access. Bengali, Sylheti Black Women's Health & Family Support 1st Floor, Activities and services include a luncheon club 82 Russia Lane, E2 9LU for older women & ESOL lessons for Somali older women. Health advocacy, regular health sessions, t 020 8980 3503 counselling service and carers support programme also f 020 8980 6314 provided. [email protected] Membership: waged individuals £5, unwaged individuals Weavers, Bethnal Green North, Mile End & £1. Travel expenses reimbursed for older members. Globe Town / LAP 1 Somali, Swahili, Arabic Brady Arts and Community Centre 192-196 Hanbury Street, E1 5HU The Brady Arts and Community Centre has a range of facilities including a café, studio theatre with a t 020 7364 7900 sprung floor and rehearsal space, and a large function hall f 020 7364 7901 suitable for conferences, meetings, seminars and events. [email protected] In addition, workshop facilities include a darkroom, pottery www.towerhamletsarts.org.uk room, large art room and professional editing facilities. There is also a gallery space for small exhibitions. Bethnal Green South, Spitalfields & Banglatown / LAP 2 The centre holds a range of events through the year, as well as providing arts classes and workshops. The Brady Centre is also home to LBTH Arts and Events Service, providing funding information and arts advice, as well as office space for community groups. Please call the centre for details including room/hall hire and equipment hire, or to request a copy of this term's Brady arts programme. Disabled access. 2 Cedar Centre 17 Arden Crescent, Various activities open to all ages including Timber Wharves, E14 9WA sewing group and tapestry project, IT & English classes, and advice sessions. t 020 7538 4600 f 020 7537 2283 Disabled access. [email protected] Volunteer opportunities. www.cedarcentre.co.uk Bengali, Urdu, Somali, Cantonese, Mandarin, Millwall, Blackwall & Cubitt Town / Vietnamese, Spanish, German, French & Italian. LAP 8 Chinese Association of Tower Hamlets 680 Commercial Road, E14 7HA General social activities are provided including a luncheon club. Events include Chinese New Year t 020 7515 5598 celebrations and outings arranged during the summer, f 020 7538 9764 primarily catering for the older generation of Chinese [email protected] and Vietnamese people. Advocacy and advice available (no advocacy on Saturdays). Limehouse, East India & Lansbury / LAP 7 Opening Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday - 9.30am - 5.30pm Please contact Alan Chau at the centre for details. Devons Estate TRA 7 Upcott House, Various activities are arranged for the pensioners' Bruce Road, E3 3NH club, including bingo, tea dances, song and chat. Events arranged include occasional parties and days 020 8980 3731 out. Mile End East & Bromley by Bow / LAP 6 Fee 20p entrance, 12p tea & biscuits. 3 Digby Greenways Community Centre The Tramshed, Digby Street, E2 0LS Various activities are offered, from short-mat bowls to line dancing, along with events including 020 8981 9637 parties, jumble & boot sales and outings. Please contact the centre for further details. Weavers, Bethnal Green North, Mile End & Globe Town / LAP 1 Outings: £4 (members), £5 (non-members). Nominal fees for other activities. Hall hire is available. Disabled access, new PA & loop system. Dockland Settlement 197 East Ferry Road, E14 3BA Docklands Settlement organises a range of activities including ballroom dancing and aerobics (all t 020 7538 3292 ages). f 020 7517 9306 [email protected] Various other groups meet at this centre, including the pensioners' social club, "Golden Ladies" who meet for Millwall, Blackwall & Cubitt Town / LAP 8 bingo and arrange occasional outings. This group can be contacted through Steve Hill at the centre. Fees applicable for dance classes. Disabled access. East London Chinese Community Centre Trussler Hall, Centre runs a women's group (Tuesdays 78 Grundy Street, E14 6DF 11.30am - 2.30pm) activities include sewing, knitting, craft work, singing and talks on family & health issues. 020 7538 5528 [email protected] There is also a luncheon club running Monday to Thursday starting at midday (participants should arrive Limehouse, East India & Lansbury / earlier in order to put their name down). T'ai chi classes LAP 7 and health checks/advice are also available. Events include visits and day trips (as & when organised). Centre Opening times: Monday to Thursday 10am - 3.30pm Disabled access. Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese 4 Fern Street Settlement Fern Street, Bow, E3 3PS Fern Street Settlement provides various activities including bingo and a lunch club (please book in t 020 7987 1949 advance). Various classes include singing, keep-fit, f 020 7538 3148 basket work and line dancing.