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Singer and former Aldersbrook resident Caitlin Downie will be bringing her national tour of A Celtic Christmas to Redbridge Drama Centre in South Woodford next month.

“When I set out to create A Celtic Christmas in 2015, I wanted to give audiences an alternative ‘Christmas starts here’ show… Christmas classics such as Joy to the World and The Holly and the Ivy are sprinkled with the musical mythology of ancient Celtic tradition,” said Caitlin. Two shows will take place on 6 December (tickets: £19.50). Visit wnstd.com/celtic

In the 56th of a series of articles, David Bird discusses the work of Redbridge Music Society and introduces local flautist Daniel Swani, who will perform with pianist Cathy Davies in Wanstead this month

A central aim of Redbridge Music Society is to promote and support new generations of talented young musicians, and in Wanstead this month, outstanding local flautist Daniel Swani, accompanied by local pianist Cathy Davies, will demonstrate the flute’s versatility with an exciting and wide-ranging programme of music.

Daniel started woodwind lessons at age 10 and whilst attending Woodbridge High School studied at Redbridge Music School. He studied at the Purcell School and the Junior Royal Academy of Music, winning the senior woodwind prize at both institutions, and also played in the National Youth and London Schools’ Symphony Orchestras.

Daniel studied flute, recorder and baroque flute at the Royal Academy of Music, graduating with first-class honours. Whilst a student, he won a number of prizes and awards, including the Nancy Nuttall Early Music Prize. He has an MA degree and an LRAM in Woodwind Teaching and currently teaches at the Royal Academy of Music (Junior Department), the City of London School for Girls and Wellington College, Berkshire.

He is an active orchestral musician and has performed with leading orchestras such as the Royal Opera House, BBC Concert, Hallé, Royal Philharmonic, Philharmonia, and Sinfonia of London Orchestras as guest principal in piccolo and flute. He is also a chamber player and has played at major venues such as London’s Wigmore Hall.

Daniel is an experienced theatre musician and has toured with many shows. He has also recorded for BBC TV, Apple TV, Netflix and BBC Radio 3.

Local pianist Cathy Davies studied at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, obtaining a Licentiate degree in Music Performance. A long-established and experienced piano accompanist with extensive knowledge of many repertoires, Cathy has accompanied many instrumentalists and vocalists for all grades of music examinations (from beginners to diploma level) and for concerts and chamber recitals. She is a regular accompanist for choirs, ballet, tap and modern dance classes and has also been a local church organist for many years. She is manager of the West Essex Music Co-operative and an official accompanist for the Stratford and East London Music Festival.

Cathy is in much demand as a piano teacher, and in addition to teaching piano privately, teaches at local schools, including Woodford Green Preparatory and Bancroft’s. She makes a very welcome return to Redbridge Music Society this month. Please come along to hear an exceptional evening of music-making.

A snail survey has produced a new discovery for Wanstead Park.

“We had a fantastic day for our recent field survey, with 10 people joining us to explore the park and see what we could find. The overnight rain helped bring the molluscs out, making conditions ideal for our search. One of the highlights was discovering Paralaoma servilis, a terrestrial snail that is among the smallest in the UK, which was also a new record for the park!” said Nina Hundt, mollusc recorder for the London Natural History Society. Visit conchsoc.org

Work on Wanstead High School’s long-delayed redevelopment is moving forward after a new contractor took possession of the site last month.

Redbridge Council says residents can expect more activity in the coming weeks, including site clearance, changes to hoardings and safety improvements before the main construction phase begins. The project was delayed after the previous contractor entered administration earlier this year. A stakeholder group has also been established to keep the community informed of project updates.

Local business owners are invited to join a business strategy walk and talk around Epping Forest’s Mill Plain on 13 November.

“Whether you want to discuss a problem, plan for growth or bounce ideas off like-minded people, you’ll be very welcome,” said business adviser Kitti Majoran, who is organising the free event. Participants will meet at the junction of Woodford New Road and Chelmsford Road at 11am. WhatsApp 07999 229 497

Festive fun, seasonal sounds and community celebrations are set to bring Christmas cheer to the community. Kris Kringle takes a look at what’s coming up in South Woodford

As winter settles over South Woodford and twinkling lights begin to brighten the darker evenings, the festive season is getting into full swing. From seasonal traditions to community celebrations, there are plenty of opportunities to get together and enjoy some Christmas cheer. Here are a few local events to enjoy with family and friends.

Woodford Christmas Craft Market 21 November; 10am to 3pm (free entry) Woodford Memorial Hall, High Road Providing local creatives with a platform to showcase their wares.

Haven House Christmas Trail 28 and 29 November; 10am to 3pm (tickets: £10) Haven House, Woodford Green, IG8 9LB Follow the path through the magical, wintry woods to complete the Christmas Trail.

Christmas Bazaar 28 November; 10.30am to 3pm (entry: £2) Woodford Memorial Hall, High Road Father Christmas visits also available (£5 per child; includes a gift).

Jack and the Beanstalk Pop-Up Panto 28 and 29 November, various times (tickets: £15) Redbridge Drama Centre, South Woodford Join brave young Jack, his larger-than-life mum Dame Trott, a twinkly Fairy, and a Golden Goose with attitude as they take on the grumpy giant in this laugh-out-loud adventure for all the family.

Christmas Light Up 4 December; from 3.30pm (free) George Lane roundabout, South Woodford Join the SOWO Society for the switching on of South Woodford’s Christmas lights and a jolly singalong of festive songs with Da Capo Brass and the Redbridge Music Lounge. Meet some surprise Christmas visitors and enjoy festive refreshments.

Haven House Santa’s Grotto 5 to 23 December; 9.30am to 4pm (tickets: £15) Roding Lane North, IG8 8LZ Haven House’s Santa’s Grotto is moving to a brand-new home at Redbridge Garden Centre.

On-screen festive performances from 7 December (tickets: from £17.50) Odeon, High Road, South Woodford From André Rieu’s dazzling Christmas concert to Royal Ballet and Opera’s performance of The Nutcracker, enjoy festive live shows from the comfort of your local cinema.

A Celtic Christmas 6 December; various times (tickets: £19.50) Redbridge Drama Centre, South Woodford Enjoy cherished carols sung with an ethereal beauty and performed on traditional instruments.

The Story of the Nativity 11 and 12 December; 7.30pm (tickets: £14) Redbridge Drama Centre, South Woodford Seven actors use inventive storytelling techniques to play more than 50 characters in one of the world’s greatest stories.

Elf Jr The Musical and Santa’s Grotto 18 to 24 December (tickets: from £18) Redbridge Drama Centre, South Woodford A Redbridge Creates Youth Theatre Company production, with the option to book a visit to Santa’s Grotto after the show.

South Woodford Christmas Market 20 December; 11am to 4pm George Lane, South Woodford The monthly community market, offering a wide range of food and craft products, will be a family-friendly festive event.

Beauty and the Beast 1 to 17 January; various times (tickets: £20.50) Sir James Hawkey Hall, Woodford Green A production by the award-winning Woodford Pantomime.

Local school and church events Festive fun, gift stalls, special events and services – too many to include here, so check the full listings to see what’s on.

Paola Noto reports on a new home for the Haven House Santa’s Grotto and a magical Christmas trail through the charity’s Woodford Green woodland, both raising vital funds to help seriously ill children

A much-loved Christmas tradition is moving to a new home this December as Haven House Children’s Hospice brings its popular Santa’s Grotto to Redbridge.

Following the closure of Northfields Nursery in Waltham Abbey, where the grotto has welcomed families for many years, the charity has found a new home for its festive attraction at Redbridge Garden Centre on Roding Lane North.

Thanks to the generosity of the garden centre, the grotto will continue to bring Christmas magic to local families, with a fresh setting and plenty of festive surprises. Running on selected dates from 5 to 23 December, the experience will include a festive walkthrough, Christmas crafts, photo opportunities and, of course, a special visit with Father Christmas, complete with a gift for every child.

The festive celebrations will begin even earlier at the hospice itself, when Haven House opens its beautiful four acres of woodland grounds in Woodford Green for its Christmas Trail on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November. Families can follow a magical trail through the winter woodland, discovering festive sights, games and activities along the way. There will also be Christmas crafts, seasonal treats and a special gift bag containing an Advent calendar to take home.

While both events promise plenty of Christmas cheer, they also have a much greater purpose. Based in Woodford Green, Haven House provides specialist care and support to more than 450 seriously ill babies, children and young people and their families across North East London, West Essex and East Hertfordshire. Its services include specialist nursing, respite and end-of-life care, alongside music therapy, physiotherapy, counselling and support for siblings. Whether caring for children at the hospice or in their own homes, Haven House helps families make the most of their time together, offering practical and emotional support when they need it most.

With the number of families receiving care increasing by 52% over the past year, the charity’s services are needed more than ever. It costs approximately £9m annually to provide this care, with fundraising and community support playing a vital role in keeping services running. Events such as the Santa’s Grotto and Christmas Trail are therefore about more than festive fun. They offer families an opportunity to make Christmas memories while helping Haven House continue supporting children and families facing serious illness.

The SOWO Society is inviting residents to give feedback on its plans for the local area.

“We are updating our work on the Neighbourhood Plan and the Design Code for submission to Redbridge Council. As part of that process, we are required to hold a pre-submission consultation to give residents the opportunity to respond and comment. Please bookmark the link and check our website,” said a spokesperson. The consultation is expected to launch at the end of November. 

Three Remembrance services will take place across Wanstead and South Woodford this November.

The first will take place on 7 November at the Woodford War Memorial, outside St Mary’s Church in South Woodford (arrive by 8.40am). This will be followed by a gathering at the Wanstead War Memorial on the High Street on 8 November (arrive by 12.15pm). A final service will take place on Armistice Day at the Snaresbrook Garden of Remembrance, off Snaresbrook Road, opposite Eagle Pond (arrive by 10.45am).

A local maths and English tutoring business has been named a finalist in the 2026 What’s On 4 Kids National Children’s Activities Awards.

“I am incredibly grateful to all who took the time to vote for us. Your support and kind words make this recognition even more special,” said Sabeena Kondogeorgis, who opened MagiKats Woodford in 2019. Lessons take place at Woodford Methodist Church on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Award winners will be announced at a ceremony in November. Visit swvg.co.uk/magikats

Food waste collections will be rolled out across Redbridge following a year-long trial in parts of Wanstead.

Households will receive a small kitchen caddy for food waste and a larger outdoor caddy to decant the kitchen caddy into. Food waste – including meat, fish, vegetables, bread, tea bags and coffee grounds – will be recycled into renewable energy and bio-fertiliser. Borough-wide collections are expected to begin from November (flats will be included next year). Visit swvg.co.uk/foodwaste