Editor

Residents will be able to get their clothes and household items fixed for free with the return of the South Woodford Repair Café on 20 July.

“From small electrical appliances to jeans and bicycles, there are plenty of items that can be salvaged from landfill and given a new lease of life. There will also be a toy swap, information stalls from local community groups and free refreshments available throughout the session,” said a spokesperson. The event runs from 10am to 1pm at Woodford Memorial Hall, 207 High Road.

Visit swvg.co.uk/repair

A local swan rescue volunteer has been praised for her work by the BBC Springwatch Wildlife Hero Awards.

“I’ve been a rescuer for The Swan Sanctuary for many years, and through this I have built up a great network of supporters. This year, many of them messaged to say they had nominated me for the award, and I was greatly surprised when the Springwatch team got in touch to say I was on the shortlist!” said Gill Walker, who was one of 32 finalists from over 1,750 nominations.

To report an injured swan, call 07970 404 866

A disability awareness festival will take place on Christ Church Green in Wanstead on 17 July.

“Audiences will be entertained by outstanding disabled talent, Paralympians and star guests Rozalla, Baby D and Alison Limerick,” said a spokesperson for One Place East.

The Disability Festival in the Park – taking place from 12 noon to 7pm (free entry) – will also feature workshops, games and crafts.

Visit swvg.co.uk/ope 

The Chingford & Woodford Green constituency will continue to be represented by the Conservative Party in parliament, with Sir Iain Duncan Smith re-elected as the MP.

Having held the seat since it was created in 1997, the former Tory leader increased his majority by 3,495 votes, although his share of the vote was down from 48.5% in 2019 to 35.6% in yesterday’s election.

“Working together, we’ve delivered on our shared priorities,” said Sir Iain Duncan Smith in a pre-election statement, citing the repair of Broadmead Road bridge as a local priority he will fight for.

Second and third place candidates were Labour’s Shama Tatler and the independent candidate Faiza Shaheen respectively, with just 79 votes separating them. Faiza Shaheen had previously been the Labour candidate, but was dropped by the party in the run-up to the election, causing a split in the Labour vote.

The Liberal Democrats received just 2.6% of the vote, down from 5.7% in 2029, leaving them in last place behind Reform and the Greens.

The Leyton and Wanstead constituency will continue to be represented by Labour in parliament, with Calvin Bailey elected as the new MP.

The former Royal Air Force pilot won the seat with a 13,964 vote majority, a reduction of 6,844 compared to his predecessor John Cryer.

“I am passionate about education and opportunities for our young people in Leyton and Wanstead,” said Bailey in a pre-election statement, citing the delivery of a new Whipps Cross Hospital and opportunities for the next generation as his top priorities.

The Green Party increased their vote share, up from 4.1% in 2019 to 15.5% in yesterday’s election, pushing their candidate Charlotte Lafferty into second place.

Both the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats saw their vote share drop, finishing third and fifth respectively, with independent candidate Shanell Johnson earning a 9.5%  share of the vote to take fourth place.

Inspector Chris Russell, who oversees neighbourhood policing for north Redbridge, reflects on the Hainault sword attack and emphasises his desire for police officers to earn trust in the community

Hello again from your Neighbourhood Inspector for north Redbridge. I was asked following my last article in March: “What does north Redbridge actually cover?” So, to clarify, I cover all Redbridge wards north of the A12 (plus Wanstead Park ward).

In April, we saw the horrific sword attack in Hainault where 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin tragically lost his life on his way to school. Four other people suffered serious injuries, including two police officers, who were bravely protecting the public and attempting to arrest the attacker. My Safer Neighbourhoods Teams (SNT) were on scene within minutes, along with colleagues from emergency response and the town centre teams, and the suspect was arrested and taken to custody. He has since been charged and remanded to prison and now awaits trial. My thoughts go out to all those who were affected by this horrendous crime and continue to piece their lives back together since that awful day. For anyone who would like support following the attack, whether directly or indirectly impacted, please call Victim Support (0808 168 9111), who offer a range of services that may help.

In the aftermath of the attack, we immediately ensured Hainault and the surrounding areas received additional, daily reassurance patrols, along with setting up the Hainault Engagement Hub at Hainault Library in collaboration with our partners from the council. This provided a fixed location the community could attend to speak with local officers. We also held discussions with local faith leaders, schools and at youth engagement events, and door-knocked in the area so everyone could access a police officer and raise any concerns they had.

Policing does not work in isolation, and we are reliant on you, the public and our partners in almost everything we do. Community engagement and partnership work are the foundations of what neighbourhood policing is all about and are key in maintaining the Peelian principles of policing by consent. Although much has changed since the creation of the Metropolitan Police Act back in 1829 (often referred to as the creation of modern-day policing), Sir Robert Peel’s principles remain just as relevant today and form the basis of what my neighbourhood teams do. 

We have fantastic officers working in Redbridge who care deeply about improving your quality of life. We attend a variety of community events to see as many of you as possible and hear about your concerns and ideas for safety in your local area. Policing is only successful if we have your support and trust, and I am very conscious that trust is earned.

South Woodford’s SNT will be hosting a 45-minute ‘Cuppa with a Copper’ session at Starbucks on 10 July from 1pm. To contact local police, visit swvg.co.uk/police

The benefits of fitness are well-recognised, yet for individuals with autism and special educational needs, accessing appropriate exercise opportunities remains a challenge, says local resident Julia Morgan

Recent data shows people with disabilities are 12% more likely to be obese, facing heightened health risks. Furthermore, children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Key Stage 4 are 20% less active than their peers. With approximately 700,000 people in the UK on the autism spectrum and a growing trend in autism diagnosis, there is an urgent need to address this discrepancy.

Despite increasing awareness, many individuals with SEND face barriers to traditional fitness activities. This disparity can be due to a number of reasons, including their health needs or confidence; however, insufficient opportunities with trained professionals who can adapt exercises to their unique needs is undoubtedly a significant barrier. Inclusive and accessible fitness solutions are so vital to address this. It’s not that people with SEND can’t do exercise; it’s that the environment and expertise isn’t available or utilised. Gyms and PE lessons often leave those with SEND wandering and wondering in inaccessible and unsensory-friendly environments.

Exercise offers numerous benefits for people with SEND beyond the physical, as it is also proven to help reduce anxiety, improve mood and increase self-esteem. It can also enhance a range of other aspects, including social interaction, body awareness, motor coordination, communication, academic performance and reducing behaviours such as stimming (repetitive movements or noises). There is no question exercise makes everything better, as one parent said: “It is so rewarding to see my son getting stronger and more coordinated. We also love to see the relationships he is making with the other participants. It’s truly making a big difference.”

Including fitness in the daily routine of individuals with SEND can be transformative. One effective approach is integrating short exercise sessions into the day. Activities such as morning stretches, midday walks or evening dance sessions can be enjoyable. Schools and community centres can play a pivotal role by making exercise accessible through thoughtful adaptation. Sensory-friendly environments with controlled lighting and sound levels can make a difference. Using visual schedules and clear instructions can help individuals understand and follow routines. Additionally, employing specialised instructors can ensure exercises are appropriately modified, safe and accessible.

In conclusion, addressing the fitness inequality gap and the fitness needs of SEND individuals is not just about promoting health; it’s about ensuring inclusivity and equality. By creating accessible and supportive environments, we can help everyone to reap the numerous benefits of exercise, leading to a healthier, truly inclusive society.

Julia is a qualified autism exercise specialist, SENCo and personal trainer. For more information and advice, email FitForAll.UK@hotmail.com

An in-depth inspection is to be carried out on the George Lane Viaduct.

It follows six weeks of maintenance work, which began in April. “The works were completed ahead of schedule. We replaced the expansion joints along the entire length of the bridge. The scheduled inspection will be completed this financial year in line with the council’s routine maintenance programme,” said a Redbridge Council spokesperson.

Separately, Broadmead Road bridge has remained closed to traffic since July 2023 due to structural defects.

Kavita Rana from local solicitors Edwards Duthie Shamash takes a look at the long-awaited lease extension reforms, the implementation of which will be on the new government’s to-do list

The long-awaited reforms to the extension of leases have been officially approved. The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act became law on 24 May 2024. It is important to note the new law requires further implementation before it takes effect and will be in the hands of the new government. The act aims to enhance the benefits for leaseholders.

A key change under the reforms is the length of term for a standard lease extension, which will be significantly increased. The current length of term to extend a lease for a flat is 90 years. Under the reforms, this increases to 990 years for houses and flats. In the long run, this means fewer lease extensions – which attract the payment of hefty premiums – should be required.

The act also seeks to favour leaseholders in respect of any challenges to unreasonable service charges at the First-Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber). It is intended this procedure will be made less expensive and more focused and easier to navigate for homeowners. Currently, leaseholders bear the burden of legal costs in respect of any challenge to service charges, which inevitably makes it a difficult decision as to whether to bring an action where, more often than not, the legal costs outweigh the charges in dispute. However, the reforms remove the presumption that leaseholders will bear the costs of any service charge challenge. The reforms also aim to bring greater transparency in respect of the demand for service charges by introducing a standard form for invoices. 

The reforms will allow leaseholders to acquire their freehold in a more cost-effective manner and with greater ease. Currently, leaseholders need to pay the freeholder’s costs when seeking to acquire a share of the freehold. The reforms will abandon this.

The current law requires leaseholders to own a property for two years before qualifying for a lease extension. Under the reforms, this requirement will no longer be necessary. This means an extension can be obtained upon purchase of the property.  

The reforms also have a significant impact on commercial property owners where there is a mixed-use (residential and commercial) building. The current law only allows for the purchase of a freehold in a mixed-use building provided the commercial units occupy less than 25%. This figure now increases to 50%.

The above is not an exhaustive list of the reforms, and it is important to note that whilst the reforms have become law, the secondary legislation to implement the reforms may not be enforceable until 2025/2026. If in doubt, seek legal advice to achieve the best outcome for your circumstances in light of the reforms.

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

The South Woodford Business Forum will host its third networking and information event on 11 July.

“Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this event is perfect for fostering collaborations. Come and join us for a fantastic opportunity to connect with others, share ideas and expand your network,” said a spokesperson. The free event – which will include presentations aimed at helping local business owners – will take place at Starbucks on George Lane from 5pm to 7pm.

Visit swvg.co.uk/11july

A comedy festival showcasing acts with disabilities or mental health conditions will launch at Wanstead Library this July.

“When I started comedy five years ago, I remember being booked with another performer who was forced to drop out because they couldn’t get their wheelchair into the venue. I found this was a common barrier to a lot of acts with physical disabilities. So, I set myself a mission to change this,” said Fest-Able organiser Mark Nicholas. A series of 16 shows will take place from 3 to 31 July.

Visit swvg.co.uk/fest-able

Two community summer celebrations will take place in South Woodford in July.

The first event will see the return of South Woodford’s Summer Festival on 21 July. “George Lane will be partially closed to traffic to create a safe play zone for kids. All the regular market stalls will be there along with family-friendly activities, crafting, live music, a steel band, food and a pop-up pub,” said a South Woodford Society spokesperson.

The festival will be followed by a family fun day in Elmhurst Gardens on 27 July. “Bring a picnic blanket and enjoy a fun-filled day in the park. There’ll be stalls, face painting, a bouncy castle, refreshments and competitions,” said a representative for the Maybank Community Association. The whole community is invited to both events, which each run from 11am to 4pm.