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Residents have until 5 January to apply to adopt a tree pit on their street, alongside year-round applications to remove an entire road from the chemical weed control spraying schedule.

“A tree pit is the soil area at the base of trees, perfect for planting with wildflowers. Last year, residents adopted over 650 tree pits across the borough, boosting biodiversity. If you have previously adopted a tree pit, you will have to re-apply as adoptions only last for 12 months,” said a Redbridge Council spokesperson.

Visit swvg.co.uk/treepits

Redbridge Council has launched a public consultation on its first sustainable transport strategy.

“Our ambition is to create seamless and safe connections between the bus, underground and rail networks, and an extensive network of zero-emission vehicle charging points that support the borough’s carbon-neutral ambition. We really value your input and feedback,” said a spokesperson.

The survey is open until 5 January.

Visit swvg.co.uk/sts

A PE teacher from St Aubyn’s School in Woodford Green represented England in the Women’s Masters Hockey World Cup held in New Zealand in November.

“It was quite an achievement and one which has made me and my family and friends so proud… The trip to Auckland was amazing and shows that whatever your age… with effort and determination, dreams can come true,” said Lynn Wright, who competed in the over-50s squad.

The team finished in fifth place and were undefeated in all their matches.

A fundraiser has been launched to support The Children’s Society in recovering lost revenue after its South Woodford charity shop was closed for a week in November following a burglary.

“We were moved by the concerns of people in the local community who contacted us to help, and so we set up the fundraiser page for anyone that would like to make donations so we can keep up our important work with children and young people,” said a spokesperson for the charity.

Visit swvg.co.uk/tcs

Nominations for the Mayor of Redbridge’s annual community awards are open until 6 January.

“Do you know an unsung hero within your street or local community? Or a group or organisation that has made a positive contribution to the lives of local residents?” asked a council spokesperson.

The judging panel is comprised of councillors, council officers and local residents.

Visit swvg.co.uk/mca25

Redbridge Council has confirmed Broadmead Road bridge will remain closed to cars for the foreseeable future.

The 87-year-old structure – closed to traffic since July 2023 due to structural defects – was discussed in an online meeting with the leader of Redbridge Council in November.

“The bridge is closed due to safety concerns following inspections that identified cracks and concrete corrosion. Detailed inspections revealed extensive defects, such as carbonation and chloride contamination, which have compromised the bridge’s integrity… A reopening date depends on the chosen repair option… We expect to receive the final options report in the spring,” said a spokesperson.

The cost of repair is estimated to be over £25m. The bridge is currently open to pedestrians, cyclists and motorbikes.

A recording of the meeting is available to view online.

Visit swvg.co.uk/bvid

South Woodford resident Gina Wade started creating coloured-pencil drawings of pets and wildlife – including this festive Robin – during lockdown. Here, the Dutch-born artist explains how it all began

I was born in The Netherlands to a Dutch mother and an English father. We spent the next few years in Germany. Then, we lived in Cyprus, Aden and Belgium, in between returning to Holland, where I spent nearly five years at a Dutch school. You may have gathered my father was in the Forces. His last posting was in England, in Upminster. Currently, I live in South Woodford. 

I have one son and three beautiful grandchildren, living in Sydney, Australia. So there is still lots of travelling between visiting family there and the Netherlands, and holidays, of course.

I started oil painting at school in Belgium. Here, in the UK, I did various part-time art courses. Drawing animals was never my thing and I was pretty bad at it, but lockdown started and I saw a picture of a cat which had been done in coloured pencils. After a bit of investigating, I decided to have a go.

This got me watching YouTube and Instagram, where there are lots of good coloured-pencil artists giving demonstrations and tips. A lot of them also do classes on Patreon. After honing my skills, I now specialise in drawing pets and wildlife.

I have lived in the area for more years than I can remember, but until lockdown, most of my social life was in London. I have now joined Art Group Wanstead, and was delighted when I sold one of my earlier drawings of a German Shepherd at one of the group’s exhibitions. 

My first cat and dog drawings were started with a box of 24 Faber-Castell Polychromos. The most important thing is shading, lights and darks. I then gradually added to my pencils, buying mostly loose pencils. I now also use Caran d’Ache Luminance 6901 series, Derwent Drawing, Derwent Lightfast and Derwent Studio and Caran d’Ache Pablos. The type of paper is also really important. I started with a pad of Strathmore Bristol Vellum 300 and off I went. The various types of paper I now use are Pastelmat, Derwent Lightfast, Dura-Lar 0.005, Polydraw 0.50 and Grafix 0.005. The latter and Pastelmat are my favourites.

There are different techniques you must use with the various types of paper. Pastelmat is the most forgiving. You can colour light over dark, whereas most of the other papers you can’t. With Grafix, Dura-Lar and Polydraw you have to have a really light touch. I use a mono zero 2.3 eraser and Faber-Castell kneadable eraser. I use them both to not only erase but to also create hairs, shadows and whiskers. A Helix Metal Erasing Shield and Scotch Magic Tape, again to create shadows. I do have an electric eraser but hardly use it. If you are starting out, then this is something I wouldn’t buy. 

So, with all this information, I hope there is someone out there who is going to give coloured-pencil drawing a go!

My ambition is to enter more exhibitions. One of my dreams would be to get something entered in The David Shepherd Wildlife exhibition.

Another thing I aim to do is give a drawing to an animal charity for them to auction off. In the meantime, I am doing commissions.

To view more of Gina’s artwork, follow her on Instagram @GinaWade03

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

Every morning, my partner, David, reads his newspaper from cover to cover. And then wishes he hadn’t. “Is there any good news to be had anywhere?” I’ve been asking myself. I decided to put that same question to ‘a random selection of people’ (as the statisticians say). So I took my notebook and pen down George Lane in hopeful expectancy.

I kicked off with Sally and Ken: “We haven’t won a million on the lottery, if that’s what you mean. But we have good neighbours, a strong sense of community. We have green spaces and parks. Not headline stuff, but good news for us, all the same.”

Ross looked relaxed, on a sunny seat by the station. He didn’t hesitate: “It’s my family.” I waited. “Our incredible little girl. She’s four. Starting school soon. She was born during the pandemic. I suppose that was an obvious time for reflection. I realised I was working too many hours. Away from home too much. She’s a miniature version of my wife and me. I see both of us in her. You can’t shake off that love. I seem to have done with drinking and parties these days. Does that answer your question?” 

“I can certainly help you!” said Mariana, with what I thought was suspiciously like the look of a very proud mother. I had guessed correctly! “My daughter did really well in her O levels. She went through quite a lot of exam stress but gained excellent results. We are feeling very proud. She’s going on to study Maths, English and Psychology at Advanced Level. Yes, we did celebrate, of course, with a meal at her favourite Italian restaurant.” 

Stephen and Monita were chatting while gazing at the abundant flower baskets at the Railway Bell. Turned out they were father and daughter. “Aren’t they beautiful!” they said. “Good news? Well, this for a start: fresh air, being comfortable in yourself, working hard, feeling that you are contributing something. Positivity. Talking to strangers, like this. We English don’t talk to each other enough, but when we do, it strengthens us. We realise how much good there is in people.” 

Bruce loves his dogs. Two Newfoundlands, one black, one brown. He walks them through the forest twice a day, obviously contented in their companionship. (Good news in itself really!) We often chat. Those dogs are way up there with his grandchildren on his list of favourite people. But now he told me: “Something delightful has happened: a couple of teenagers from up the road have started to come with me on my walks. We decide on a time and they come out and join me. We walk and we talk. They share some of their news, their studies, their hobbies. It’s given me quite a boost to think that young people are happy to spend time with an oldster like me. (And I like to think it’s not just because of the dogs.)”

Reham was expecting a friend to join her at any minute. “Good news? Yes. I’m hosting a bridal shower for one of my closest friends next month. It’s a surprise. I’m really happy she has met just the right person.” Reham’s fellow conspirator materialised exactly on time. Good news for a successfully run party, I thought. “We’re planning our shopping list today, with emphasis on Middle Eastern dishes, hummus, tabbouleh, baklava, a finger buffet. We really value our years of friendship with the bride to be.”

I found Christopher in thoughtful mood. “Yes, happy to talk. I’m looking forward to my second child, a daughter. We already have a son aged two. We always wanted two children. I have been wondering if I can possibly love another child as much as the first. But now I’ve realised, you don’t share out the love. More love and more joy floods in. We are becoming ‘homebodies’. You know: meals sitting round the table, talking, lighting a candle, celebrating how much we have.”

Connie was weighing up the ripeness of the mangoes at the International Supermarket. She had just been to the gym. I put my question. “It’s strange you should ask that,” she said. “I’ve just had my offer on a house accepted. It’s only small but just what I felt I needed. I’m leaving my rented flat and already thinking about the décor, the colours, the autumn planting in my new miniature garden. I’ve been through some rather sad times recently, but now I don’t feel I’m just moving house, I feel I’m moving on.”    

Perhaps if you are enjoying a nice drink or a tasty sandwich, you don’t seem to mind when some strange woman turns up asking about good news. Certainly, for 24-year-old Ervis the question could not have been more apt. “I’m going home next week to see my family, after six years.” “And home is…?” “Albania. Good friends here found work for me and gave me support. I’m in the construction and landscaping industry. This is my cousin, Ibrahim. He’s younger than me but we’re going home together. We can’t wait to see everyone.”

I was greeted by a winning smile from 11-year-old Ella, enjoying a pavement snack with her dad and auntie. “I’ve got some very good news,” she said. I thought she was going to tell me about her excitement at starting secondary school. But it was her much-admired older cousin, a handsome 17-year-old she was eager to tell me about. “They found out he’d got a hole in his lung when he couldn’t stop coughing. A month later, he had an operation and it all went really well!” I was going to say a big thank you, but she hadn’t quite finished. There was a PS: “He’s ever so pleased to be back in the boxing ring.” 

I meant to stop there, but I’ve got another PS: David has just learnt he’s to be a great-grandfather for the first time before the year ends.

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

There’ll be plenty of festive cheer in South Woodford this November and December with plenty of events for all the community to enjoy. Kris Kringle reports

As the crisp winter air rolls in and the aroma of mulled spices drifts through South Woodford, preparations are well underway for another season of local festive gatherings. It’s a time to embrace the warmth of community and the joy of shared celebrations.

Charity Christmas Bazaar
23 November; 11am to 3pm (entry: £2)
Woodford Memorial Hall, High Road
Father Christmas visits also available at extra cost.

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

Christmas lights switch-on
6 December; from 3.30pm (free)
George Lane roundabout, South Woodford
Join Santa for the switching on of South Woodford’s Christmas lights and a jolly singalong of festive songs with Oakdale Choir, Redbridge Music Lounge and Brook Brass. Meet Woodford Panto characters and enjoy festive refreshments.

On-screen festive performances
from 7 December; (tickets: ££15)
Odeon, High Road, South Woodford
From André Rieu’s dazzling Christmas Concert to Royal Ballet and Opera’s performances of Cinderella and The Nutcracker, enjoy these live shows from the comfort of your local cinema.

A Celtic Christmas
8 December; 3pm to 4.30pm (tickets: £15.50)
Redbridge Drama Centre, South Woodford
Enjoy cherished carols sung with an ethereal beauty and performed on traditional instruments. Featuring beloved songs such as Joy to the World, The Holly and the Ivy and We Three Kings, this is Christmas music entwined with ancient festive folk tunes.

The Snow Queen
14, 15 and 21 December; various times
(adults: £16.50; children: £15)
Redbridge Drama Centre, South Woodford
With magic, mystery and lots of laughs, Redbridge Drama Centre brings you a modern adaptation of this classic tale.

Santa’s Christmas Workshop
14, 15 and 21 December; various times
(adults: £7; children: £15)
Redbridge Drama Centre, South Woodford
Come and visit Santa’s workshop, where Santa and his hard-working elves are busily getting ready for the big day. Elves will welcome you to their magical interactive Christmas show, after which Miss Christmas will take you to the elves workshop, where you will be able to make a Christmas decoration and write your letter to Santa. Next, you will be invited to meet Father Christmas himself, in the grotto. His helpful elves can then take your photo with your own phone or camera.

South Woodford Christmas Market
15 December; 11am to 5pm
George Lane, South Woodford
The monthly community market – offering a wide range of food and craft products – will be a family-friendly event with Christmas fayre, activities and entertainment.

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.

For more information on these and other Christmas events in South Woodford, visit swvg.co.uk/christmas24

Jo Cullen from local solicitors Edwards Duthie Shamash explores employee rights in a redundancy situation, when you need to protect yourself from unfair treatment, discrimination and victimisation 

A redundancy process can be stressful and difficult. If you are an employee about to be consulted, or you are in the process of being consulted about a potential redundancy, it is important you know your rights. 

You have the right not to be unfairly dismissed. In a redundancy situation, this means you should be warned and consulted about the proposed redundancy. Your employer must adopt a fair basis on which to select for redundancy. An employer must identify an appropriate pool from which to select potentially redundant employees and must select against proper criteria.

Currently, the right not to be unfairly dismissed only applies to employees who have been employed continuously for two years or more at the termination date. 

You have rights from day one of employment not to be dismissed for an automatically unfair reason (for example, because you have raised a whistle-blowing concern, a health and safety reason or for asserting a statutory right) or where your redundancy is due to discrimination due to any of the protected characteristics (sex, maternity or pregnancy, marital status or civil partnership, age, race, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or religion or belief), victimisation or harassment or for less favourable treatment due to your fixed-term or part-time status.

If redundancy is confirmed, and you have been employed for two years or more, you have the right to take reasonable paid time off to look for other work or to arrange training. You will be entitled to your contractual notice subject to statutory minimum notice. You may be asked to work your notice, or you may be asked to go on ‘garden leave’ if your contract allows for the notice period. Alternatively, your contract may allow your employer to give you notice immediately and to pay you in lieu of your notice period.

If you have been employed for two years or more, you will have the right to receive a statutory redundancy payment calculated according to a formula based on your age, length of service (capped at 20 years) and a week’s pay (subject to a statutory limit currently £700 as of April 2024). If you unreasonably refuse an offer of suitable alternative employment, you may forfeit your right to a statutory redundancy payment.

An employment lawyer can guide employees through the redundancy process and you may wish to seek independent legal advice to ensure you are aware of your rights and any time limits to make a claim for unfair dismissal, discrimination or victimisation.

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

Adult mixed-voice chamber choir The Crofton Singers have entered their 77th year of music-making at Bancroft’s School. Chairman Greg Hartwell reports on a local choir with a rich history

Our choir started life as a joint collaboration between the boys of Bancroft’s School and the girls of Loughton Girls’ High School – hence ‘Croft-ton’ Singers. In 1947, it became a choir of former students, who are still welcomed, now along with school staff, parents and indeed any singers from the community.

Bancroft’s School has continued to offer its support and hospitality for which the choir is enormously grateful. Unsurprisingly, no original members are still singing with us – although our founder conductor is still in contact! Raymond Warren was a sixth-former in 1947 and subsequently went on to become an eminent musical academic and composer before retiring from the post of Professor of Music at Bristol, where he still lives, now in his nineties. Since Raymond’s time, the choir has benefited from a number of excellent amateur conductors, but since 2009, we have been privileged to have a professional director of music. Currently, this is Jonathan Rathbone, who has had a remarkable career with the Swingle Singers. Under Jonathan’s guidance, we sing a wide variety of unaccompanied choral music from the 16th to 20th centuries.

Singers from a variety of backgrounds have spent time with the choir, including local music teacher Sheena Booth, whose father was a local vicar. When Sheena was a teenager, she went on a seaside holiday in Devon with her parents and sister. At the same hotel, they met two other teenagers from London – future composers Sir John Tavener and Sir John Rutter – and they developed a friendship that lasted for the rest of their lives. Very sadly, Sheena died comparatively young, and at a time when Sir John Tavener was working on a commission from the Tenebrae Singers – Mother and Child – which he dedicated to Sheena’s ‘everlasting memory’. It was premiered at the Salisbury Cathedral festival. The Crofton Singers were privileged to give the second performance in St Mary’s Church as a memorial to a valued singer and friend. The piece required a double choir, full organ and a large Hindu temple gong!

The choir operates with a small committee of volunteers. One long-serving chairman and life-long Woodford resident was Diana Newlands, a former pupil and later teacher at Woodford County High School. Although now retired from singing in the choir, Diana remains a valued and avid supporter.

I was personally attracted to singing as a young boy, not by the uplifting glories of choral music, but by a more worldly offer of pocket money for attending the choir at my local church. The magic worked, however, and I discovered further opportunities to sing, without payment. I have now been a member of The Crofton Singers for 25 years and extend a warm welcome to anyone wanting to sing good music in Woodford.

For more information on The Crofton Singers, visit croftonsingers.org.uk

Redbridge Council will host an online meeting to explain the condition of Broadmead Road Bridge.

“Local people are invited to dial in, to hear about the condition of the bridge following assessments from structural engineers, and to find out the next steps for this crucial local infrastructure,” said a spokesperson.

The event will take place via Microsoft Teams on 18 November from 6pm.

For more information, click here.