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South Woodford resident Shaheen Riaz was named southern region dog sitter of the year at the Animal Star Awards in May.

“I am deeply honoured to have won this award, a recognition that feels like a beautiful acknowledgment of the journey I’ve been on with every dog and owner who has trusted me,” said the former school PA, who launched Aunty Shan’s Dog Care in August 2023 after losing her beloved grandmother. “I’d always known that life is short, but her unexpected passing solidified that truth in the most profound way.”

Shaheen went on to establish a business which offers detailed care plans for each dog sit or overnight stay, with personalised and specialised care and ongoing dog support. “Starting a dog-sitting business wasn’t just hard work – it consumed every spare moment, in the most positive way.”

“Life before this business was incredibly dark for me. Trauma had left deep scars, and there were moments I genuinely didn’t think I would make it. All of the amazing dogs and equally amazing owners have quite literally been a life saver. They’ve given me purpose, joy and a reason to wake up excited every single day… Dogs have become my heart and soul… I hope to inspire others to go and follow their dreams no matter what!”

Aunty Shan’s Dog Care has availability from August 2025 and is taking bookings for 2026.

Judged by a panel of industry experts, the Animal Star Awards celebrate individuals and organisations that go above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of animals.

For more information, visit auntyshansdogcare.com

Ahead of this year’s Epping Forest Centenary Walk, West Essex Ramblers’ David Evans explains the background to the event and invites local residents to join them on all or part of the 14-mile trek

Next time you’re walking in Epping Forest – the largest open space in London – tip your hat to the shades of Thomas Willingale and a host of like-minded philanthropists, whose perseverance in the face of rapacious landowners resulted in this wonderful walking area remaining accessible to the common people – that’s you and me. Their efforts over more than a decade led to the passage of the Epping Forest Act in 1878, ending unlawful encroachment and enclosures on Forest land. Today, it has more than four million visitors each year.

Stimulated by the opening of a railway line to Chingford, the Forest rapidly became a magnet for East Londoners keen to alleviate the hardships of inner-city industrial life with the Forest’s pastoral tranquillity. Indeed, throughout the first half of the 20th century, it became almost a holiday destination, supplying (relatively) clean air, access to a natural environment and peace and quiet.

In 1978, two members of West Essex Ramblers – Harry Bitten and Fred Matthews – devised a Centenary Walk to acknowledge the debt owed to the architects of the Epping Forest Act. Since then, West Essex Ramblers have each year (excluding Covid times) organised the Centenary Walk, following the same route. It runs from Manor Park in the south, finishing at Epping in the north. The Centenary Walk follows well-established footpaths (they’re even named on the OS map) and is easily accessible by public transport. The total length is 14.5 miles, which will be within the capability of many walkers. “Our intention is to make the walk as inclusive as possible, so we’ve also built in a series of joining and dropping-off points that make the walk suitable for families and you can tailor your participation to your own walking range,” said David Keane, project leader for this year’s walk.

West Essex is a very active group within the Ramblers’ Association with over 600 members, including many living locally. We enjoy walking in a variety of locations. Epping Forest is on our doorstep, but our programme includes walks in the Essex countryside, the Lea Valley, London, along the Thames and further afield, including national trails. We are very keen to welcome new walkers of all ages.

This year is the 49th iteration of the Centenary Walk. From little beginnings, it has grown in stature and we now attract walkers from many parts of London, Essex and Hertfordshire. The passing of the Epping Forest Act was, for many Londoners, a moment as significant as the Peak District’s Kinder Scout trespass in the 1930s. Willingale and his colleagues would no doubt be delighted to see just how successful their efforts have been in opening up Epping Forest. We all owe them a debt of gratitude.

This year’s Epping Forest Centenary Walk will take place on 6 July. For full details and for more information on the West Essex Ramblers, visit swvg.co.uk/wer

Some South Woodford scribbles from DD, our resident diarist and observer of all things local. Illustrated by Evelyn Rowland

I thought I might write about feet. I asked David what he thought. “I think the idea’s got legs.” Helpful and encouraging as always. So, best foot forward!

Feet are ‘on trend’ really. By the time you are 50, you are likely to have travelled 75,000 miles on them. Recently, my daughter arrived for a weekend visit. In came her laptop and overnight bag and a big hug. Then she was straight out again: “I need another 2,000 steps to reach today’s target.” On your marks. Get set. Go!

I flagged down Vitaliy from Ukraine as he was belting up Bressey Grove. Oh dear. Had I interrupted a time trial? But no, he was happy to chat. “I began running at 16.  Running is a state of mind. It’s meditative.  All of us are in such a hurry, rushing about everywhere. I have a young family to support, lots of responsibilities and concerns. I find refreshment and a stream of positive thoughts when I’m out on my feet. It’s not just that: I’m in a sitting job so I need to get moving anyway and watch my weight.” A run begins the moment you forget you’re running.

Bhavesh qualified as a podiatrist 31 years ago. “By accident, really,” he explained. “By default. I call myself a failed medic.” (All this with a beaming smile!) He’s living and working locally. You can find him at the Woodbury Practice. “Everyone seems to know me here. I’m part of the area. You see, caring for people’s feet means you get to know complete families, from all backgrounds and faiths. It’s so good belonging to a community. Some of my most eye-opening experiences have been when helping out at the Redbridge Night Shelter. My son has also qualified. They are proud moments when we are working together.” A pedicure  is a little love affair for your feet.

Betty didn’t hesitate: “Oh God,” she said, “Don’t talk to me about feet!” (I took this to mean the opposite). “My feet are absolutely killing me at this moment! I’m on magnetic shoe insoles. Look (she produced one from her left shoe; stunning in blue and green and purple), they’ve got ball bearings in them. They’re supposed to relieve pain and correct alignment.” Max, short for Maxine, was listening close by and joined in: “I once fell off my lovely wedge clogs. I was terrified of them and decided never to wear them again. But foolishly, I did and fell over again in a beautiful park in Spain. That was enough; I threw them away.” There’s one good thing about tight shoes; they make you forget your other troubles.

I encountered John after spotting an advert for East London Reflexology. I tracked him down in his bijou studio in Station Passage, behind the Railway Bell. People seem either to love or to hate having feet treatment. I love it. John told me something of his past career. “I trained as a reflexologist after spending over 30 years in the media industry with its long hours and high-pressure environments. I needed to change direction: I discovered reflexology, and almost immediately knew I had found my future path. Reflexology involves applying gentle pressure to specific points on the feet or hands that correspond to various organs and systems within the body. This promotes relaxation, relieves stress and supports the body’s natural healing process.” The human foot is a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art (Leonardo da Vinci).

Daniel, in his workshop, just below the station, gave me an impressive welcome: “You came in here about eight years ago about a key.” “Wow! Well, the topic this time is feet. Tell me, is shoe repairing much in demand these days?” “Not as much as it used to be. We live in a throwaway society now. But if customers love a particular pair, they’ll pay to have them repaired.” “What about people with problematic feet? Can you help them?” “Oh yes, I do some orthopaedic stuff. Often, it’s to insert build-ups. All I need is the customer’s measurements. Then I can quickly sort them out.” When the shoe fits, the foot is forgotten.

The staff at Creative Biscuit are into baby footprints. Sophia sat down with me to describe the technique. “It’s really simple. First, we brush the paint onto the baby’s feet.” “Can it be that simple? Do they mind?” “Some are quite chilled and there’s no reaction. Some are chaotic and there’s kicking and screaming. A spot of ‘sensory overload’. But we soon restore calm. The paint washes off easily and the mums and dads are thrilled with the precious footprints we transfer to a pretty plate or perhaps a mug or a flower pot.” There is no foot too small that it cannot leave its imprint on the world.

I was lucky to catch Sara, the principal of Variations Dance Studio. In 1987, she was involved at the start of Redbridge Dance Link promoting dance throughout the borough. She described the ideal foot for ballet-based dancing: a big instep and a high arch. Even showed me a picture. Her enthusiasm was infectious: “There’s a childish side to me, I suppose. Years spent with children of all ages definitely keeps you young! We had a gala recently, with street dances and ballet-based characterisations. In May, there will be free workshops for kids to experiment with in lots of different dance styles.” Dancing is the poetry of the foot (John Dryden).

Katie was in Sainsbury’s with two-year-old Ollie and four-year-old Alice. “Do you remember their very first steps?” I asked.” “Oh yes! For a while, Alice was on her feet but holding on. Then, suddenly, at 14 months she seemed to say, ‘Right, I’m just going to go!’ and she walked the whole length of the sitting room. Ollie started earlier, at 11 months. He had a role model, of course, but anyway, he was more of a kamikaze kid!” Every adventure requires a first step.

To contact DD with your thoughts or feedback, email dd@swvg.co.uk

Kavita Rana from local solicitors Edwards Duthie Shamash explores the complexities of disputes relating to the right to inheritance after death and challenges to the validity of wills

Disputes concerning wills and inheritance can be tricky and sensitive. When a person dies, their estate is administered in accordance with their wishes in the will. If the deceased does not have a will and dies intestate, the intestacy rules govern the distribution of the estate.

There are a number of grounds to contest a will. One ground considered by the courts is whether the deceased had the relevant mental capacity to understand their decisions at the time the will was signed. A person making the will must be of ‘sound mind, memory and understanding’. Dementia and old age is often a common complaint in deciding whether the deceased had capacity, but it is not the only factor. A failure to satisfy the test could result in the will being invalid.

It is important that any lawyer advising on the will checks whether the person making it understands the consequences of their actions and is of sound mind. If this did not happen, you may have a claim of negligence against the professional.

A will can also be overturned for undue influence. If you feel the deceased was pressured, forced or coerced into making the will or the content of it, this may give rise to an action to declare the will invalid.

If an individual feels they have been inadequately provided for in a will, this might result in a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. The law allows close family members and dependents to apply to the courts for reasonable financial provision from the estate where there is inadequate provision in the will. Here, the will remains in place but the law protects individuals in certain circumstances. The court’s award will depend very much on the individual facts.

If an individual relied on the deceased’s assurance of property and acted to his detriment as a result, the courts have jurisdiction to enforce the promise and order the property be transferred from the estate to the individual, even if the will does not provide for this.

In the case of Gee vs Gee (2018), the court found in favour of a son who was cut out of a promised inheritance of farmland worth in the region of £8m. John worked on his father’s farm since the 1970s for low pay and gave up his own career in reliance on his father’s promise that he would receive “the lion’s share” of the farm. Before he died, the father transferred the asset to his other son, Robert, in 2014. Despite this, the court awarded John a 52% controlling interest in the farm and a 48% interest in the land.

Edwards Duthie Shamash is located at 149 High Street, Wanstead, E11 2RL. For more information, call 020 8514 9000 or visit edwardsduthieshamash.co.uk

A number of local residents will be opening their gardens to the public this summer as part of the National Garden Scheme.

“The nine gardens that were open locally last year raised over £5,000 for charity. Not bad going for opening one day each! This year, locally, there are 18 gardens taking part, including four in the Woodford area. So, please visit at least one of the local NGS gardens, or if you’re planning a UK holiday, why not look up a garden near your destination?” said NGS area organiser Teresa Farnham.

Visit swvg.co.uk/ngs25

Local resident Nina Stafford explains the background to ArtHouse Social, a new charity dedicated to providing therapeutic art sessions for young adults with additional needs

When my daughter Renee was born in 2004 with Hirschsprung’s disease, a genetic bowel condition, our world changed forever. After developing E. coli and sepsis, she spent her first year at the Royal London Hospital.

As parents, we watched anxiously as Renee grew stronger, but at a pace different from that of her peers. The developmental gaps widened with time, and short-term memory challenges became evident as she progressed. Mainstream education proved increasingly difficult for Renee. So, at 13, we made the life-changing decision to move her to West Lea, a special needs school in Edmonton. This environment transformed our daughter and our family. She thrived, formed meaningful friendships and discovered a place where she could simply be her brilliant self, without pressure to conform.

The transition from this nurturing school environment into adulthood was devastating. Renee’s confidence crumbled as the structure and support system she relied upon disappeared. Severe anxiety overtook her, making even leaving the house an overwhelming challenge.

Today, after much perseverance, Renee works part-time at Millgrove Pre-School, a position she adores. The dedicated staff have allowed her to flourish professionally. However, socially, a significant void remains.

Throughout this journey, I’ve observed a critical gap for young adults with additional needs in our community. The lack of structured social opportunities, where individuals can build meaningful connections, is profound. Witnessing the impact on Renee has inspired me to create something new.

So, this spring, we are launching therapeutic art sessions in a small group setting – a space where 18- to 25-year-olds can create together, while forming friendships in a supportive environment. Ella Deeks is an integral part of this journey. With a degree in performing arts and music, and experience as a teacher before completing a diploma in child and adolescent psychotherapeutic counselling, Ella brings invaluable expertise to our programme. We are so excited that she will be leading our sessions. Our vision is to foster creativity alongside community building, offering participants greater independence and the confidence to engage with the wider world.

This project goes beyond creating opportunities for my daughter; it’s about building a community. So, we are seeking young adults with additional needs who wish to connect with like-minded peers. Our new South Woodford group begins in early May, featuring bi-weekly sessions and monthly outings designed to foster friendships and independence in a supportive setting. If building social connections while exploring new experiences interests you, we’d be delighted to welcome you.

For more information on ArtHouse Social, visit swvg.co.uk/arthouse

Amanda Whittle introduces Woodford Arts Group’s summer exhibition All Nature Has Feeling, inspired by and on show in Epping Forest

Following the success of our last two exhibitions held at the Sir James Hawkey Hall in 2023 and 2024, we are delighted to be exhibiting at the Epping Forest Visitor Centre (The View) in Chingford this year.

The View not only offers a gallery space on the first floor (there is a lift), but also has an interesting and historical collection of artefacts relating to the forest. Located beside the historic Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge and sitting on the edge of Epping Forest, this venue and surrounding forest have encouraged the members of Woodford Arts Group to study the wonderful resource on our doorstep. The group has drawn inspiration from the environment, from the historical landscape and from past artists, including the poet John Clare (1793–1864) who spent time in an asylum at High Beech.

We have responded in our own individual working practices to produce new work for the exhibition. Our responses will resonate with our audience, reflecting the need we all have to connect with nature and allow ourselves time to absorb the healing benefit the natural environment can provide.

Our ability and opportunity to express ourselves, whether on a personal level for our own peace of mind or to comment on the current environmental or social issues, is as relevant today as it’s always been and the arts play a vital role in this expression.

The Woodford Arts Group, established in 2019, is an eclectic group reflecting a diverse range of working practices, including three-dimensional methods as well as two-dimensional representations. All of the members, both original and new, have a common aim to promote the visual arts to our community. The group meet regularly in an informal setting.

As a group, we have worked with local schools and other art groups to present workshops and exhibitions. We are continually looking for community groups and like-minded artists to work with us to develop our experiences with the visual arts and to share our responses with the local community. We also continue to look for suitable venues to meet these aims. Should you feel able to contribute in any way, please do get in touch.

The exhibition is free to attend and runs from 4 to 29 June at The View, 6 Rangers Road, Chingford, E4 7QH. For more information, email art@swvg.co.uk

Local residents living with dementia and their carers are invited to join a nature-based memory café at St Mary’s in South Woodford.

“As a forest school practitioner, I am well aware of the benefits of nature to mental health and wellbeing. So, we use seasonal, nature-based activities to spark conversations and enjoy sharing tea, coffee and cake. It provides a comfortable space for participants to connect,” said organiser Rachel Summers.

The free sessions take place on the first Sunday of the month from 2pm to 3.30pm.

After years of responding to emergencies across East London, Inspector Nick Sutton is now proud to be part of neighbourhood policing in South Woodford and all other Redbridge wards north of the A12

After over two decades on the frontline in East London, I’ve now stepped into the role of inspector for Redbridge North. For the past 18 months, I’ve served as the Acting Chief Inspector for Redbridge’s emergency response teams, so I know this borough well; its challenges, its complexity and most importantly, its people, both in the community and in the teams who serve it every day. Taking on this new neighbourhood role is a genuine privilege. But I don’t want to use this space to talk about me – I want to tell you about the team I’ve joined.

Neighbourhood policing has faced relentless pressure. Like many other areas, we’ve been impacted by financial constraints and frequent abstractions – with officers regularly redeployed to support emergency response teams or central London operations. Despite this, the Redbridge Neighbourhood Police Teams have stayed focused on what truly matters: their communities.

They continue to show up, stay visible, and engage with those they serve. They solve problems quietly but effectively. They work with council and housing partners, tackle antisocial behaviour, engage with schools and youth groups and remove dangerous offenders from our streets. They do all this with limited resources and without ever seeking the spotlight. That level of commitment deserves recognition.

My role now is to support and champion their work. I want to protect their ability to focus on the issues that matter locally – to give them the time, tools and encouragement to continue building trust and delivering real results. That means enabling their ideas, reinforcing the impact they make and ensuring neighbourhood priorities are not overshadowed by competing demands.

Neighbourhood policing might not always make headlines, but it’s the foundation of public confidence. It’s what reassures residents, prevents harm and creates safer, more resilient communities. I’ve spent my whole policing career on the frontline and seen time and again how strong local relationships can make the difference in preventing crime and building lasting trust.

In my first few weeks, I’ve spent time listening to officers, to partners and to the people we serve. The message is clear: there’s more to do, but there’s a strong base to build from. The challenges are real. But so is the dedication of this team. They’ve stayed committed, focused and deeply connected to their communities. That’s something I’m proud to be part of.

To contact South Woodford SNT, call  07887 626 647 or visit swvg.co.uk/snt

To contact Churchfields SNT, call 07407 492 729 or visit swvg.co.uk/snt

To join the Met’s WhatsApp channel for Redbridge, visit swvg.co.uk/rwa

The rising blight of graffiti tags in South Woodford can be seen on our streets, subways and shopfronts, but with your help, we can report it, remove it and restore pride in our neighbourhood, says Rena Pathak

Have you noticed the surge in graffiti across South Woodford? It’s hard to miss. From the sides of shops and bridges to subways and signposts, the spray paint is spreading fast – and nowhere is it more visible than Rookery Path along the North Circular.

As a local resident who cares deeply about this area, I find it genuinely disheartening. This isn’t just about untidy walls; graffiti chips away at our sense of pride and safety. It sends the message that no one’s looking after our community. And when one piece of graffiti stays up, more often follow. It’s called the ‘broken windows’ effect – visible neglect that invites more antisocial behaviour.

What message are we sending to our children when they see vandalism all around them? That this is just normal? That this is okay?

Many of us in South Woodford are worried – and rightly so. This isn’t an occasional act of mischief anymore. It’s a growing problem that’s changing the look and feel of where we live.

In Redbridge, the Environmental Enforcement Team works to remove graffiti within three working days, prioritising anything offensive within 24 hours. That’s good news – but only if the graffiti gets reported. They’ve also trialled rapid-response cleaning and increased CCTV in hotspots. Offenders face fines of up to £5,000 and even prison time under the Criminal Damage Act 1971.

But here’s the rub: graffiti often reappears faster than it’s cleaned, and the burden falls on us – residents – to report it. And it’s not always clear who to report it to. Is it council-owned? TfL? BT? It’s frustrating, I know.

Still, if we want change, we can’t walk past this anymore. We need to act, together and consistently.

Here’s what you can do: download the Love Clean Streets app from Redbridge Council’s website (for free). It takes seconds to upload a photo, add a location and report any graffiti you see. Whether it’s on a shopfront or a subway wall, report it. Every time. Your report will be automatically sent to the relevant team at Redbridge Council to deal with. You will even be able to track the progress and will be notified as soon as the issue is resolve. (You can also use the app to report fly-tipping, potholes, abandoned cars, dog mess and other issues.)

If we all take that extra minute to report what we see, we can turn this around. It’s what being a community is all about. South Woodford deserves better. Let’s fight back with action, not apathy.

To download the Love Clean Streets app, visit swvg.co.uk/cleanstreets

A total of 114 new trees have been planted across South Woodford and Churchfields between November 2024 and March 2025.

“The Local Authority Treescapes Fund made this initiative possible. This fund, dedicated to enhancing our local environment, has also ensured the trees will be irrigated for the next three years,” said a Redbridge Council spokesperson.

While the council’s tree adoption window has closed, residents are encouraged to help care for the new trees by watering them during spring and summer.

Open-air theatre will return to Wanstead Park this summer.

The new season will begin on 14 June with a performance of The Wind in the Willows by outdoor theatre company Illyria. This will be followed by the East London Shakespeare Festival’s production of As You Like It on 5 and 6 July. Illyria will then return with Pride and Prejudice on 22 July and HMS Pinafore on 8 August. All shows take place in the park’s Temple enclosure and attendees are encouraged to bring their own seating and a picnic.

Visit swvg.co.uk/wp25