Editor

A community project which aims to break the stigma of men’s mental health has launched in Redbridge.

“Our mission is to get men talking about mental health. We do this by offering free walk and talk groups across London. You don’t have to be in a bad place to join us, but at the core of what we do is create a safe environment where you can talk if you want to. It would be great to see South Woodford’s men joining us for our Redbridge walks,” said Scott Johnson, who launched The Proper Blokes Club in 2020.

Visit swvg.co.uk/pbc

Woodford Arts Group, Art Group Wanstead and Essex Art Club will join forces for an exhibition this spring. Ged Rumak reports 

The Woodford Arts Group are delighted to present an inclusive celebration of local artists to be held at the Sir James Hawkey Hall this March. Joining us are Art Group Wanstead and Essex Art Club, collectively offering a stimulating celebration of the visual arts.

Irrepressibly creative, painters, printmakers, sculptors and artists working in a variety of media reflect the thoughts, ideas and talents in Woodford and Wanstead and the surrounding area. Recognising the importance of nurturing new voices in the art world, the work of sixth-form students from Woodford County High School will also be showcased. 

Opportunities to exhibit, view and purchase original art from local artists are rare in the local area. Recognising this, when the Hawkey Hall became available, the Woodford Arts Group decided its spring exhibition should be open to all local art groups to exhibit. When purchasing at this exhibition, buyers will not only gain enormous pleasure and brighten their homes, they will also support the local artistic community.

In addition, Woodford County High School’s jazz orchestra will be performing on 12 March between 1.30pm to 2pm. And further embracing the joys of music, Redbridge Music Lounge will be performing over the weekend.

Representing creativity in garden design and horticulture, the Woodford Greeners and the South Woodford Gardeners will be on hand to explain their activities and plans for the area.

Sponsored generously by The Stow Brothers and enthusiastically supported by Vision RCL, even if you have no intention of picking up a pencil, paintbrush, welding torch or musical instrument, I recommend a visit to this fun, dynamic and inspirational exhibition.

The exhibition will run from 9 to 12 March at the Sir James Hawkey Hall, Broomhill Road, Woodford, IG8 0BG, open from 11am to 6pm (free entry). For more information, visit swvg.co.uk/wag

Local residents took part in a day of action at the South Woodford Community Orchard in February.

“Many thanks to the volunteers who came out on a day set for rain, which ended up lovely and sunny! We dug a pit to replant our fig tree and lined it with bricks to restrict growth – a great tip if you don’t want your tree to take over the garden! Why not join us for our next session on 17 March from 11am?” said a South Woodford Society spokesperson.

The orchard is located on the corner of Primrose Road and Mulberry Way.

Visit swvg.co.uk/sws

Redbridge Council has issued an update on Broadmead Road bridge, which has been closed to traffic since July.

“While we appeal for government support, work is ongoing. Engineers are completing hammer tapping surveys to the spans and legs of the structure. The bridge remains open for pedestrians and opening up the traffic management to cyclists and motorbikes is under consideration.” With surveys taking place adjacent to the Central Line, engineers are restricted to two hours of work per night.

Visit swvg.co.uk/brr

Redbridge Council has introduced tougher sanctions for those who make a mess in the borough.

“Anyone caught dumping their rubbish now faces a £1,000 on-the-spot fine for fly-tipping,” said a spokesperson. There will also be £200 fines for littering and £500 fines for graffitiing or fly-posting. The council offers a bulky waste collection service entitling residents to a free collection every 12 months.

Visit swvg.co.uk/bulky

TfL has responded to Redbridge Council’s request for urgent action over disruption to the Central Line.

“Motor failures are still occurring at a higher rate than we have experienced before, which unfortunately will continue to disrupt services for some months… I apologise again,” said Glynn Barton, Chief Operating Officer for TfL. With 10 Central Line stations across the borough, the impact is widespread. “We need to see immediate action to improve the service, not just apologies,” said Councillor Jo Blackman.

David Bird discusses the work of Redbridge Music Society and introduces local flautist Daniel Swani, who will be performing at Wanstead Library this March

Redbridge Music Society’s current programme of events aims to bring high-quality, live chamber recitals to the Redbridge public and to promote young, talented musicians by providing them with the opportunity to perform in front of an appreciative and supportive audience. On 12 March, outstanding young local flautist Daniel Swani will perform an exciting programme of works, ranging from the baroque to contemporary, including music by Bach, Fauré, Ian Clarke and others at the Churchill Room in Wanstead Library.

Daniel started flute and recorder lessons at the age of 10, and whilst attending Woodbridge High School he also studied at Redbridge Music School. He has fond memories of his time there and also of when he was principal flute in the Redbridge Music School Orchestra. He also studied at the Purcell School and the Junior Royal Academy of Music, winning the senior woodwind prize at both institutions. He was a member of the National Youth Orchestra and was also principal flute with the London Schools’ Symphony Orchestra.

Daniel studied flute, recorder and baroque flute at the Royal Academy of Music, graduating with first-class honours in 2021. Whilst a student, he won a number of prizes and awards, including the Nancy Nuttall Early Music Prize and the Jonathan Myall Piccolo Prize. He also gained a teaching diploma and currently teaches at the Royal Academy of Music (Junior Department), the City of London School for Girls and Wellington College in Berkshire.

Daniel is a particularly versatile multi-flute player, and since graduating, has embarked on a varied musical career. He is active as an orchestral musician – having performed with leading orchestras such as the Royal Opera House, BBC Concert and London Chamber Orchestras – and also as a chamber player and has played at major venues such as London’s Wigmore Hall. He co-founded the award-winning ensemble Parandrus, who have been featured on BBC Radio 3’s Early Music Show and Early Music Now and who perform internationally. 

Daniel is equally at home in musical theatre; he has performed in the West End show A Christmas Carol, recorded the music for the West End’s Upstart Crow starring David Mitchell and has performed with Damon Albarn for the BBC’s Later with Jools Holland. He has also recorded for BBC TV, Apple TV, Netflix and BBC Radio 3. 

Please come along to hear and support this exceptionally talented young musician.

Daniel will perform at Wanstead Library on 12 March from 8pm (tickets on the door; visitors: £12; members: £8). Call 07380 606 767. Redbridge Music Society is affiliated to Making Music.

The South Woodford branch of Barclays has remained open despite plans to close in February.

“I understand the delayed closure is due to an issue raised by LINK, who are concerned there will not be enough deposit solutions in the area. While I would prefer the branch to remain open permanently, I am pleased that Barclays will not be closing until appropriate deposit solutions are established,” said Councillor Joe Hehir. At the time of writing, there is no timescale for a new closing date.

Visit swvg.co.uk/barclays

Pay and display parking machines across Redbridge are no longer operational, with plans for a new PayPoint service to be introduced.

“PayPoint is a widely recognised scheme offering the opportunity to pay for a range of goods and services at local retailers… Later this year, the machines will be physically removed and replaced by PayPoint, enabling people to pay for parking in cash,” said a council spokesperson.

RingGo will continue to be the main method of payment for parking, via the app or by calling 020 3046 0010

Environmental charity Thames21 is making improvements to the River Roding adjacent to Wanstead Park. River Restoration Support Officer Tyler Randall invites you to get your hands dirty (and wet)

Throughout history, rivers have undergone extensive modifications to align with human needs. The River Roding, the third-largest river to traverse London, flowing through Wanstead Park, presents a rewarding area of intervention for Thames21. In this wide and deep stretch, where banks rise to heights exceeding 2m, the river has carved a profound trench in the landscape due to its rapid flow.

Prior to human intervention, the Roding’s shape and the landscape were in constant flux, the lines between river and land far less defined than now. However, to build cities and civilisations, controls were implemented, and certain banks in this Wanstead stretch are concreted, particularly where houses border the river or where erosion tends to occur.

These types of interventions have led to many rivers lacking character, particularly in urban settings: fallen trees are removed to prevent flooding and rivers are straightened in areas to simplify the landscape. Rivers have been dredged and banks raised, separating rivers from their floodplain. All of these actions ultimately remove habitats and make rivers less diverse and more ecologically simple.But nature is inherently messy and thrives on complexity. So, in this section of the Roding, Thames21 is installing large wood debris into the river, otherwise known as deflectors.

This intervention aims to mimic the natural process of trees falling into the river. Ash trees that were suppressed or dying from ‘Ash dieback’ (a fungal disease afflicting many Ash trees across Europe) were felled and cut to the correct size. We then positioned these deflectors in the river and pinned the trees to the bank and riverbed with stakes and wire to stop them from moving.

Deflectors influence the river in many ways: slowing water around the banks and accelerating water in the centre, creating turbulence and complex flow patterns which oxygenate the water, providing food and habitat for invertebrates, fish and bird species, creating varied sediment types which, in turn, promote plant growth and cleaning gravels for fish spawning. It also acts as a place for biofilms and algae to grow, which purify water and reduce the impact of pollution. Prior to our interventions, this complexity was notably absent in this stretch of the Roding. This is a fairly simple intervention, but it can have a profound effect on the biodiversity within a section of the river. Imagine a whole catchment, a whole city.

Volunteers have been playing a crucial role in completing this work. If you are available and eager to contribute to the work Thames21 does, improving the health of London’s rivers with community support, please get in touch.

Volunteer sessions will take place on 4, 7, 12 and 18 March from 10am to 2.30pm. For more information and to take part, visit swvg.co.uk/restoreroding or email tyler.randall@thames21.org.uk

Former pupils and members of staff are invited to attend a grand reunion event to celebrate the 150th year of Churchfields Infants’ and Junior School.

“This event is a testament to the enduring spirit of Churchfields, and we look forward to welcoming back familiar faces as we celebrate our shared history and look ahead to a future of continued excellence,” said Headteacher Rebecca Emeny.

The school first opened to the children of Woodford on 5 January 1874, consisting of two schools, one for boys and a combined girls and infant school. The boys’ and girls’ departments were amalgamated to form a mixed junior school in 1937.

The reunion – which will take place on 8 June from 11am – will include guided tours, refreshments and a performance by the school’s choir.

To register, visit swvg.co.uk/c150