“The event helped build relationships that will support more joined-up care, with professionals now working more collaboratively rather than in isolation,” said organiser Rena Pathak, who hopes the network will continue to grow and improve patient journeys across South Woodford.
©City of London Corporation“We are grateful to the Friends of Wanstead Parklands and our cattle volunteers, who helped ensure the wellbeing of Lazy, Kite and Jolly whilst they went about their important business grazing the acid grasslands. Thanks to the cows, the anthills remain open and the dung beetles will continue to thrive, helping to preserve the delicate balance of Wanstead Park’s ecosystem,” said a spokesperson for the City of London Corporation.
Eastwood Green, off George Lane, in bloom. ©Geoff Wilkinson“Highlights have been the ongoing Community Orchard and Eastwood Green re-greening projects, along with regular litter picks and social events. The Summer Festival in July was a great success and the Christmas Light-Up is firmly in the local calendar. The SOWO Business Network is also going from strength to strength, thanks to collaboration with Redbridge Council and local councillors,” said a spokesperson.
Visit sowosoc.org
“Subject to planning permission, our aim is to create a welcoming, safe and positive environment where everyone feels respected, supported and inspired. The venue will host talks, events, workshops and family-friendly activities,” said a spokesperson for Seven Spikes Relief.
The building at 159–161 High Road was formerly home to the E Eighteen restaurant.
“Dudley and his partner Doris were known to many in our community and often seen grazing by The Drive. Dudley suffered a badly broken leg and other injuries and passed away at the scene. Doris was very distressed. I laid him on a white blanket, ensuring she could see him to understand he was gone and did not wait for him or go searching for him,” said Gill Walker, a local waterbird rescue volunteer.
“Work commenced in December and forms part of the council’s wider RAAC remediation programme. The project includes the removal of RAAC panels, a full roof replacement, the installation of solar panels and a package of internal redecoration works… The project remains on schedule for completion ahead of the planned summer 2026 reopening,” said a Redbridge Council spokesperson.
During procurement, the council received 14 bids, reflecting strong interest in delivering the scheme. The contract was awarded to Amber Construction Services Ltd.
Whilst the venue is closed, fitness classes, gym equipment and library books have been relocated to the Redbridge Drama Centre on Churchfields.
Neil Martin CBENeil Martin, chief executive of the Jewish Lads’ & Girls’ Brigade, was recognised for ‘national service to young people, interfaith relations and Holocaust remembrance’. “I am profoundly humbled by this honour. More than an individual achievement, it reflects the dedication of [all] who make this vital work possible, and whom I am so privileged to work alongside,” said Neil.
I first walked through the doors of Redbridge Drama Centre when I was about 13 or 14 years old. I’m 38 now, and this February I’m bringing my own original play, Tin Can, back to the venue with my company Buckle Up Theatre. It’s strange, emotional, and very special to be returning — not as a participant in the youth theatre, but as a writer and performer presenting professional work.
The Youth Theatre Workshop at Redbridge Drama Centre was the first place that allowed and encouraged me to mix with other young people of varying ages. At school, year groups are kept apart, but here it was different. The group ranged from around 14 to 21, all with a shared interest in creating theatre. You could learn so much just by being in the room — watching the confidence, talent, and acting ability of others who were a few years ahead of you.
We would work together for a term or two on productions, sometimes scripted, sometimes devised. The devising process was particularly formative for me. Small groups would create scenes and characters, then bring that work back to the wider group and find ways to stitch everything together into a full piece. It taught me collaboration, problem-solving, and how ideas evolve through shared creativity.
The facilities at the Drama Centre were also a huge part of that learning. We rehearsed in proper studio spaces, and when it came time to perform, we did so in the Lovegrove Theatre, with professional lighting, sound and set. That was where I really learned how theatre comes together — and where I realised the limitations (or lack of limitations) of what can be created when you start making theatre yourself.
When I later applied to drama schools, the then head of the centre, Keith Homer, helped me refine and direct my audition speeches. That guidance was invaluable. After graduating, Redbridge Drama Centre also gave me my first acting job, touring local schools in an education project directed by Michael Woodwood, who lives locally in Wanstead. That early opportunity proved significant, as it began a collaboration that has continued over the years and now sees Michael directing Tin Can.
Returning now doesn’t feel like “full circle” because the Drama Centre has never really left me. It’s been the starting point for all of Buckle Up Theatre’s work, offering rehearsal space, technical support, and encouragement along the way. I’m sentimental about the place — it holds a lot of memories.
I still live nearby, in Wood Green, and my parents live in Loughton. At the moment, I’m building the set for Tin Can at their house. I’m not sure they’re thrilled about me angle-grinding metal in the garage and assembling scaffolding in my brother’s old bedroom — but they’ve always supported the life I chose, so they’ll have to live with it.
Tin Can is a wild sci-fi comedy adventure, created with the aim of entertaining first — offering escapism, laughter, and a trip to another world. That intention has always been at the heart of Buckle Up Theatre’s work. Bringing this production back to South Woodford feels right. Redbridge Drama Centre may not be on the high street, but it’s only a 10-minute walk from the station, and it offers high-quality theatre right on the doorstep. I hope more local people discover it — just as I did all those years ago.
Tin Can will be at at Redbridge Drama Centre, Churchfields, South Woodford, E18 2RB on 27 and 28 February 2026 (7.30pm – 9.30pm). Tickets: £10. Visit www.buckleuptheatre.co.uk
Art has always been a powerful force in my life; a language through which I’ve expressed emotion, memory and identity. Growing up in Romania with Hungarian roots, I chose the artistic path early, eventually pursuing formal studies in textile arts. My studies gave me a strong foundation in design, colour theory and traditional techniques, such as batik, which still influence my work today.
My journey took an unexpected turn when life brought me to the UK. Starting anew in a different culture came with many challenges: learning a new system, building a new network and finding a new sense of belonging. It was during the lockdown that I reconnected deeply with art, not just for myself, but through nurturing my child’s creativity. This period of artistic exploration and bonding led to our participation in a local exhibition at the Sir James Hawkey Hall in 2024, where my son’s school selected his artworks to be displayed. That event became a turning point. It introduced me to the Woodford Arts Group (WAG), a vibrant and supportive community of local artists. I was honoured to become a member, and through this group, I’ve found both inspiration and connection. WAG values diversity and I’m proud to contribute my unique background and artistic voice to this collective.
As a textile artist, I’m drawn to texture and rhythm. Traditionally, I worked with batik (a dyeing technique) on silk, using wax to create fine, delicate lines. Though my studio space is limited, I’ve adapted by working on small canvases using watercolour, inks and acrylics. The signature fine lines remain; a visual thread tying my past and present work together. These lines offer a modern aesthetic and have become central to my artistic identity.
My pieces are often decorative, reflecting my background in textile design, and they follow a rhythm, whether in the layering of colours or the movement of brushstrokes. I gravitate towards complementary colour schemes, though I also enjoy exploring unexpected combinations. Occasionally, I incorporate animals or portraits, always aiming to evoke a sense of emotion or narrative. For me, art is a form of therapy, a way to centre myself and find peace through creativity.
Being part of WAG has given me a platform to share my work, connect with other creatives and contribute to the artistic life of the community. I’m excited about what lies ahead, both as an individual artist and as a proud member of this dynamic group.
To view more of Andrea’s work, visit linesandart.com
For more information on Woodford Arts Group, visit swvg.co.uk/wag
In December 2025, Sue Rosner stepped down after five transformative years as chair of the Woodford and Wanstead Photographic Society (WWPS), leaving behind a legacy as bold and inclusive as her photography. Her leadership guided the club through the COVID pandemic and into a new era of hybrid creativity. It also reignited a powerful conversation about women’s place in photography.
That conversation began over a century ago. In 1923, Gertrude Powers became the first woman to join WWPS, breaking a 30-year tradition of male-only membership. She was soon followed by Norah Cross, who became the society’s first female president in 1928. Their courage paved the way for generations of women to step behind the lens and into leadership.
Sue, the fifth woman to chair the society, has honoured that legacy with passion and purpose. Her International Women’s Day talk, entitled Women in the Frame, traced the club’s evolution from exclusion to empowerment. She spotlighted female photographers in newsletters, celebrated their achievements and championed a culture where every member, regardless of gender or experience, feels seen, supported and inspired.
To women photographers today: WWPS is your space. Whether you’re just starting out or rediscovering your creative voice, the club offers a welcoming community, hands-on learning and opportunities to grow. As Sue once said: “Photography gives you a new way to see the world and WWPS gives you the confidence to share it.”
Sue’s own journey, from beginner to chair, embodies that spirit. Her images are rich in texture and story and reflect the same curiosity and courage she brought to her leadership. She didn’t just lead WWPS, she helped reshape it.
As we celebrate over 100 years of women in the society, Sue’s story becomes a call to action: join us, bring your vision and help shape the next century of photographic storytelling.
For more information on the Woodford and Wanstead Photographic Society, visit wnstd.com/wwps
Woodford Hall – demolished in 1900 – now the site of Woodford Memorial Hall (built 1902)In 1653, Ilford stretched barely 100 yards along the High Road with just 53 houses, and Wanstead and Woodford probably had even fewer. This is, of course, because all the land was farmland, meadows and woods, with very few proper roads.
Even as late as 1816, Woodford had just four roads: the Upper (High, New) Road, Lower (Chigwell) Road, George Lane and Snakes Lane. It’s known that Snakes Lane derives from the Sakes family (circa 1404), who lived at Lanes Farm, just off Snakes Lane in Woodford Wells. Why the spelling changed to Snakes is unknown.
Inmans Row is named after the widow Inman (Christian name unknown). She owned cottages where the church now stands and meadows in 1840 on the green facing All Saints’ Church, which opened in 1874.
Off Hermon Hill in Wanstead are Nelson, Victory and Wellington Roads: easy to understand why their names were chosen, but the Nutters are remembered by Nutter Lane off the Eastern Avenue. Richard Nutter was churchwarden of Christ Church (1853–61) and lived with his daughters Annie, Mary, Gertrude and Jessie, buried in St Mary’s Wanstead churchyard. By 1911, they’d moved to Applegarth, George Lane. Nutter derives from Middle English, meaning beast or ox; old Norse ‘naut’ meaning cattle. A ‘nothard’ kept oxen and was mainly a northern word. Thomas Applegarth was a rector of Wanstead and his surname is a northern term meaning ‘apple orchard’. The elegant house still exists, built circa 1730 and now Grade II listed.
Woodford Hall estate and its impressive 56 acres was bought by John Maitland in 1801 for £14,000. His son, William, sold part of it to three speculators in 1867, who sold it on for development to the British Land Company (BLC) for £32,000. They acquired a triangle of land, bordered on the south now by the North Circular, to the west by Woodford New Road (A104) and to the east by the High Road (A1199 to Wanstead). The streets were built by various builders over time and were named for Prime Minister Lord Edward Derby’s third, short-lived Conservative government (1866–68). Founded in 1856, the BLC ardently supported extending the franchise to more men, so bought up land to sell small plots as cheaply as possible to give them the necessary property qualification to vote. The road names are very interesting as many of them were named for cabinet ministers (Chelmsford, Buckingham, Carnarvon, Derby, Malmesbury, Peel, Stanley and Walpole). Single-fronted houses were offered at £200, double-fronted £300. On Derby Road, homeowners wouldn’t pay £32 to Woodford Local Board in 1886 to be connected to Woodford New Road: it’s still a cul-de-sac today!
Jef’s presentation will take place at All Saints’ Church hall in Woodford Wells on 12 February from 2.30pm. (visitors: £5). For more information, visit swvg.co.uk/12feb
