Editor

Celebrating sustainability, creativity and community spirit, the South Woodford Society will join the Mayor’s Community Weekend this September with free events for all ages. Louise Burgess reports

Taking place over the weekend of Friday 12 September to Sunday 14 September 2025, the Mayor’s Community Weekend encourages Londoners and communities to come together to celebrate the city and our local groups and spaces. The South Woodford Society will be holding a number of events over this weekend to showcase our local initiatives, particularly related to the greening and sustainability of our area.

The South Woodford Society is one of several organisations in Redbridge to receive a grant from The National Lottery Community Fund to enable us to host free workshops over the weekend. The last Mayor’s Community Weekend took place in 2023, with 184 organisations receiving £250,000 of grants between them. This year, £385,000 was made available to voluntary or community groups, each being awarded up to £2,000 to host activities that celebrate and support building strong community relationships.

Our events begin on Saturday 13 September at the South Woodford Community Orchard (on the corner of Primrose Road and Mulberry Way), when we will be running two free workshops to create mosaic stepping stones to use in your garden. You will achieve a splash of colour and a playful mix of patterns, insects, birds or animals, which will energise your garden space. There will be two sessions, from 10am to 12 noon and then from 1pm to 3pm. We can only accommodate 10 people per session, so please make sure you book early.

On Sunday 14 September, you can spend more time in the orchard and help us tidy up after our dry summer. We will also be checking our fruit trees and picking any ripe apples. We aim for low-maintenance planting and follow the forest garden philosophy of permaculture, attempting to create a space where visitors can enjoy time in nature and harvest the fruits of their labours.

We’ll also be running one of our regular litter picks, a strangely addictive activity, which children are particularly good at!

Both of Sunday’s events will be running from 11am, and all equipment will be provided, but if you have your own gardening gloves or favourite tools, please bring them along. All ages are welcome, and even our four-legged friends, but children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Other local events happening as part of the Mayor’s Community Weekend include a cricket tournament and BBQ at South Woodford Cricket Club and nature-inspired activities at ELHAP adventure playground in Woodford Bridge.

For more information on the Mayor’s Community Weekend events, visit swvg.co.uk/mcw25

For more information on South Woodford Society events, visit sowosoc.org

Permission has been granted for a new development on Holy Trinity Church land, off Hermon Hill.

Under the plans – named Project Arclight – the church’s 100-year-old Trinity Hall will be replaced by a new community hall with flexible spaces, a play area and café. A four-storey apartment block and nine townhouses will also be built on the site.

“This project will see church land developed to better support the needs of the church and the community for generations to come,” said Rev Abi Todd.

Construction is expected to begin in late 2026.

Redbridge Council has issued an update on South Woodford Library, which closed in September 2024 following the discovery of RAAC concrete.

“We’re in the final stages of negotiation and anticipate the appointed contractor will begin work this autumn. In the meantime, our structural engineers have been assessing the building and providing recommendations. As part of this preparatory phase, we’ve had to prop up the roof structure and install security hoardings… A reopening date will be announced in due course.”

Woodford Pantomime received an award for the best production of a traditional pantomime at the NODA London Awards, held in June.

The honour was in recognition of the amateur company’s January production of Sleeping Beauty, with preparations now underway for their next show. “Rehearsals have begun and excitement is building as we prepare to bring the tale of Dick Whittington to life in 2026,” said a spokesperson. The panto will take place at Sir James Hawkey Hall from 1 to 11 January.

isit swvg.co.uk/wpanto

The head chef of Namak Indian restaurant in South Woodford has been named National Curry Chef of the Year at the UK Curry Championships 2025.

“Cooking is my passion and this award encourages me even more,” said Ravindra Singh, who joined the restaurant eight months ago. Rajesh Suri, director of operations at Namak, said: “Ravindra made a lot of changes to the kitchen, focussing on locally sourced ingredients. He has green beliefs and likes zero waste.”

Namak is located at 219 High Road.

Visit swvg.co.uk/namak

Redbridge Council has approved plans for the introduction of permanent market stalls in South Woodford and Wanstead.

Applications are now open for two pitches on the High Road near Pizza Express and nine pitches along Wanstead High Street.

Wanstead residents have called a public meeting to discuss the proposals.

The new pitches are listed in the council’s recently approved Street Trading Policy 2025.

Redbridge Council is moving forward with plans to demolish and rebuild Broadmead Road bridge, which has been closed to traffic since July 2023 due to structural defects.

he decision follows a detailed options appraisal, which identified full replacement as the most effective long-term solution. The new bridge will cost £24m to construct, with a further £56m required to cover associated costs. The council plans to apply for support from the government’s recently announced £1bn infrastructure fund.

Visit swvg.co.uk/brb

A new edition of Village Vouchers has been jointly published by the South Woodford Village Gazette and Wanstead Village Directory.

“Next time you head to the high street, make sure you have Village Vouchers in your pocket. There are over £500 of savings available at local shops, salons, cafés, pubs and restaurants. Plus, every copy sold includes a donation to Tin in a Bin,” said editor Lee Marquis.

Valid until June 2026, the booklets can be ordered online (£5) and collected from George Lane.

Visit swvg.co.uk/vouchers

Nominations are invited for the Redbridge People’s Plaque Scheme, a new initiative by the council to celebrate the people, buildings, landmarks, parks, open spaces and events that have shaped the borough’s history.

Nominations – which must have a clear historical connection to Redbridge, as known since 1965 – will be reviewed by a panel, including councillors and representatives from community and youth groups.

Visit swvg.co.uk/plaque

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 part-time in August 2023. In January 2024 it became a full-time business after Shaheen lost her beloved grandmother a few months earlier. “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