Editor

South Woodford resident Simone Roach explains her frustration and desperation following the rejection of her disability benefit application, which has left her feeling abandoned

My name is Simone Roach. I’m 21 years old and was born with a disability called severe progressive axonal polyneuropathy. My condition caused me to lose the ability to walk, so I’m now a permanent wheelchair user. It also removed all of the movement from my fingers and wrists, so I can’t grab or hold objects with my hands either (I’m typing this article with a pen in my mouth). Despite all this, my claim to receive PIP, a disability benefit, was dismissed.

This has put me in an impossible situation. I currently have no funds despite having bills to pay. I have nothing I can use to pay the extra costs my disability causes me, and I don’t have a wheelchair taxi card (because I can’t claim PIP), so I’m stuck indoors. I’ve been applying to jobs nonstop and going through countless job interviews only to be rejected time and time again. There aren’t that many jobs I can apply for based on my skills and qualifications. I can’t just do a standard cleaning, waitressing or retail job because of my disability. 

I tried going to Citizens Advice Redbridge because things are getting quite desperate, but they don’t do in-person appointments. I phoned them but was on hold for over two hours. I emailed them, but they said they’re so busy working on cases that they might not be able to help anyone new at the moment. I desperately need help and I don’t know where else to turn.

My PIP claim is supposedly being dismissed because I recently lived in the Netherlands. I was born in London and I used to live here when I was younger (my parents and sisters are British citizens too). However, when I was a child, my family moved to the Netherlands. I moved back to the UK in April 2023. I contacted both Citizens Advice and a PIP adviser and they both assured me that if I moved here, I’d be able to claim PIP. I knew I wouldn’t be able to move to London without that extra financial support.

Upon my return, I filled out the PIP application form. To my surprise, after months of waiting, my PIP claim was dismissed. Apparently, because I haven’t lived in England for two of the last three years, I can’t claim PIP, even though on PIP’s official website it says: “If you’ve recently returned from living in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, you might be able to get PIP sooner.” In fact, it says that you are even able to claim PIP while living abroad if you’re a British citizen. I tried to appeal the decision but the answer was the same – I have to wait two years before I can claim.

This is deeply disturbing to me. It means if you have a disability and you leave the UK for two years, you can never return because how is one supposed to function here for two years until eligible to claim benefits again? I feel as if I’m being abandoned by the government.

For more information and to contact Simone, visit thewheelchairteen.com

Being made redundant was the best thing to happen to South Woodford resident Sonia Cudd, who soon went on to combine her passions for art and dogs (particularly greyhounds)

I love art and over the years have attended many evening classes, mainly life drawing and painting, at some of London’s leading art schools. My art has been a way to relax after my stressful accountancy day job.

Having been made redundant in April 2021, I decided to apply myself to my art full-time, and I opened an Etsy shop to see if I’d be able to sell what I was producing. It was a good way to combine my business mind and creativity. I opted to produce something that would be easy to dispatch by post, which is how I got back into lino printing.

What I love about doing lino cuts is that it brings drawing, painting and sculpture together. I enjoy the process of carving into the lino and the anticipation of seeing my work come to life as I lift the paper from the inked lino to reveal the finished piece. It can be quite exciting!

It’s always best to choose a subject you are passionate about. Luckily for me, I had adopted a greyhound supermodel in 2013. Grace the greyhound was the most beautiful, elegant and yet goofy creature. She was alarmingly tall and a rare blue fawn colour. She was quite a celebrity among the retired greyhound community and a great ambassador for her breed. I named my business after her, Grace Cuddle Art. 

Greyhounds are quite a misunderstood breed and it is only once you meet one of the lucky dogs who have been adopted after retiring from racing that you get to see what wonderful pets they make. As well as being the sixth-fastest land animal (for pub quizzers, the few land animals faster than a greyhound are a cheetah, pronghorn, springbok, blackbuck and lion).

Greyhounds are gentle, loving and lazy dogs. They also make wonderful muses with their doe eyes, big noses and powerful muscular form.

I have since diversified into depicting other dog breeds, the occasional fox and my most challenging subject: a human grandchild! I have done commissions using pastels, coloured pencils and paint, and have recently introduced small ceramic art to my range of products.

A friend encouraged me to exhibit at the Local Makers Market in Wanstead and I absolutely loved meeting people and seeing their positive reactions to my work. I now regularly exhibit at a few other artisan markets. 

People do say that when you face a life challenge – in my case, being made redundant in my 50s – something better is around the corner, and I can definitely say it was the best thing that could have happened to me, as it has enabled me to live my dream of being a professional artist.

Follow Sonia on Instagram or Facebook @gracecuddleart, or to view her Etsy shop, visit swvg.co.uk/cuddle

With South Woodford’s Barclays set to close in February, and with NatWest having left Wanstead in October 2023, our high streets have suffered another blow, says Delia Ray

News that Barclays on George Lane will close on 23 February means no high street banks will remain throughout Wanstead and Woodford. In a remarkably short time, bustling branches of banks once competing on every street corner have become empty husks – or even been reinvented as an artisan bakery. 

The changes come on the back of a growing use of digital banking. Barclays state 94% of its South Woodford customers mostly bank online. They also say that fewer than 10 customers regularly use the branch for all their transactions. Other banks cite similar figures. Given these numbers, the banks claim it’s too expensive to staff branches. Perhaps it’s no surprise they are pulling out of smaller sites, to focus on densely populated areas such as Barkingside and Walthamstow – at least for now. Nationally, the number of bank and building society branches fell by about 34% between 2012 and 2021, according to the Office of National Statistics.

Closures force customers into challenging journeys. They also lead to fewer cash machines (at least, free ones). Research by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in 2022 found that older people, people in poor health or on lower incomes, and those less able to manage their finances, depend more on cash. In 2019, the FCA identified bank closures would affect much the same groups. 

People adept with computers, who pay for everything through their phone, may meet the loss of local branches with a shrug. But many who find online banking difficult welcome the support of bank staff. Transactions are not always straightforward. Small businesses which take cash will always need somewhere to deposit their takings.

What does this mean for Wanstead and Woodford? Fortunately, South Woodford recently regained its Post Office, where banking functions can still be carried out. As in Wanstead, visiting the Post Office to send a parcel or run through a passport application provides a sound reason to visit the high street – and visit local shops at the same time. The Nationwide Building Society recently pledged to keep its current branches open until 2026, which means they’ll remain for now in George Lane, South Woodford.

But if local services continue their decline, one option for us may be a banking hub. The number of hubs – shared spaces letting customers of multiple banks perform everyday banking tasks – is growing across the UK. Sharing makes them more viable than a branch of a single bank. Post Office staff operate counter services, where you can withdraw and deposit cash and pay bills. Bank representatives visit at different times. It’s early days, but with queues forming outside hubs as far afield as Brixham and Rochford, this innovation could restore vanished services. It could even revitalise our high streets.

For more information on banking hubs, visit swvg.co.uk/bankhub

The South Woodford Business Forum will host their second business information and networking event on 15 February (5pm to 7pm; venue to be confirmed).

It follows a popular event held in November, which saw more than 40 business owners and entrepreneurs from the local area attend. “Our event provides a platform to connect with the vibrant tapestry of local businesses. You’ll be able to exchange ideas and supercharge your network,” said a spokesperson.

The meeting is free, but booking is required.

Visit swvg.co.uk/bf

Local women raised concerns about safety in South Woodford during a walk with police, councillors and ward panel members in November.

“The main concern was a lack of lighting, particularly along Woodford Hall Path at the junction with Stanley Road, which has been reported to the council and will be remedied. We hope to organise more walks in 2024, and if residents would like to suggest different routes, please do get in touch,” said Councillor Rosa Gomez.

Email rosa.gomez@redbridge.gov.uk

Nicola Burrell is the artist behind South Woodford’s iconic flower sculptures, installed opposite George Lane roundabout 20 years ago. Photo by Geoff Wilkinson

It’s lovely to be asked to write something about my flower sculptures on their 20th birthday. It is hard to believe that it was two decades ago, and that many of the school children who took part in the project will now have children of their own, who might themselves have grown up with the flower sculptures. 

What pleases me most is the obvious affection people have for the flowers. This was not the universal feeling when I first made them, when some thought them an odd intrusion between The Shrubberies and George Lane, but that is often the case with public artworks. It takes time for them to ‘grow’ into a place and become part of people’s fond memories. 

The project all began when Redbridge Council commissioned me to work with Churchfields Infants School, Oakdale Infants School, Wells Primary School and Churchfields Junior School to design a new sculpture for South Woodford, by making art together, exploring the themes of nature and flowers. We did this by making lots of flowers out of cardboard and painting and colouring them.

After working in the schools, I went away and built a big model of the whole of the George Lane roundabout and worked out the overall design with little maquettes of the flower sculptures, about two inches high. This model then led to making full-size patterns in wood for the sculpture, which I had cut out in Southend and then took to my studio near Colchester, where I formed all of the flowers and welded and painted the sculpture. 

For me, this was a very special commission. I trained as a painter and sculptress in Belfast. Up until the flowers, I had made lots of big, three-dimensional paintings and constructions, all built from either wood, thin steel metal or cardboard, but I hadn’t yet made a big, permanent public artwork for outside, and it was the first time I’d worked in thick steel. The whole project was part of a joyful time, which I think is reflected in the fun and happy character of the flowers.

I like making artworks that are visually appealing and tactile, and I trust my instincts and imagination to come up with them. You don’t need a degree in art to appreciate the flowers, and I often surprise myself in coming up with ideas. You could say they have something anthropomorphic about them, they add something fun and strange to George Lane, but when I see children playing about them, I think they have understood them, as well as me, and anybody else.

For more information and to contact Nicola, email n.burrellartist@gmail.com

More fast chargers for electric vehicles will be installed across Redbridge as part of a project with Uber and infrastructure provider Believ.

“The project is part of the borough’s bid to support local people to adopt more sustainable and greener travel choices, including making the switch from petrol or diesel to electric vehicles,” said a spokesperson for the council. A total of 174 new charging points will be created in 87 locations around the borough – including South Woodford – with installation to begin in early 2024.

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

I used to enjoy quiz nights. At the pub possibly or as a fundraiser for a good cause. I was quite useful if there was a spelling round, but when it came to General Knowledge, I often knew that I knew the answer but somehow it refused to surface. Rather disheartening. Perhaps you’ve been there yourself. But this morning, early, when I drew the curtains and saw the heavy mist (I write these diaries several months ahead), my memory turned up trumps: I recalled Keat’s Ode to Autumn: “Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, close bosom friend of the maturing sun.” An idea was born; would I dare to act on it? 

With the Gazette deadline approaching, I set off after breakfast, wondering how many funny looks I’d get in Sainsbury’s or Waitrose if I invited people to recall any single line of a poem they’d learnt, perhaps in childhood. Michael put down his bag and gave me his full attention. “Yesterday, upon the stair, I met a man who wasn’t there. He wasn’t there again today. Oh, how I wish he’d go away.” Of course I could use his name, he said. “But everyone knows me as The Post.” After some thought, Mary volunteered just an opening line: “I wandered lonely as a cloud.” Later on, Millie was also ‘wandering lonely as a cloud’. I thought how nice it would have been if they could wander together. Rugby-playing Richard was giving his godmother a hand with her shopping. They both were intrigued and happy to give it a go. “I know I ought to be able to help,” she said. But Richard got there (beautifully) before her: “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.” Pauline, aged 92, needed a preparatory drink of water before delivering her chosen lines, slowly and with real feeling: “Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!), awoke one night from a deep dream of peace.” I thought that was it but she was in full, passionate flow with a second contribution: “Ye have robbed, said he, ye have slaughtered and made an end!” I had jotted down “he said” but “No,” said Pauline, “It’s said he!” Barbara was instantly far away from the tinned baked beans and tubes of tomato puree and back in her primary school days, at Christmas, I think: “Little King so fair and sweet, see us gathered at thy feet. Be Thou Monarch of our school. It shall prosper neath thy rule.” In the next aisle, Ellie looked to the future rather than to the past: “When I am an old woman I shall wear purple, with a red hat that doesn’t go and doesn’t suit me. And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves.”

I could almost see Darryl and Wendy putting on their thinking caps: Kipling’s poem to his son, entitled If was his favourite. “If only I could remember how it starts,” he said. (I checked it out later. I expect he did too: “If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs…”) Wendy recalled a moving line from a poem often read at a funeral. “I have only slipped away into the next room.” A second Mary stopped and leaned on her trolley to give the topic some serious consideration. “I’d like you to include in your article the words on the Kohima Epitaph in North India: “When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow we gave our today.” Almost as if to move from the sublime to the ridiculous, Anthony launched into one of Spike Milligan’s masterpieces: “Today I saw a little worm wriggling on his belly. Perhaps he’d like to come inside and see what’s on the telly.” Taxi-driver, Colin, was a Milligan fan too, but we settled on that much-parodied verse: “The boy stood on the burning deck whence all but he had fled.” We mulled over what possible reasons the boy had; was he heroic or barmy? In fact, evidently, it was a true story of a boy who was obedient to his father’s orders, not knowing that his father was no longer alive. Doubly tragic really! Geraldine delivered her lines with appropriate vigour: “I sprang to the stirrup, and Joris, and he; I galloped, Dirck galloped, we galloped all three.” I did wonder how many more shoppers would be ‘wandering lonely as a cloud’. Yet another Mary chose the same Wordsworth poem but leapt straight to the “host of golden daffodils, beside the lake, beneath the tress, fluttering and dancing in the breeze.”

As you can imagine, I was delighted, privileged, even, to find that so many people immersed in shopping lists, marmalade, cheese biscuits, tin foil, washing-up liquid, could switch, effortlessly in some cases, to some of the most profound and complex poetry. I certainly wasn’t expecting a small slice of EE Cummings’ poem about a couple in love: “One not half two. It’s two are halves of one.” While I was unwrapping this line, Guy came out with another offering, from Larkin, “but it’s a bit rude,” he said. “So?” I replied. “They ‘bleep’ you up, your Mum and Dad. They may not mean to but they do.” Get it? Some of my ‘respondents’ apologised, feeling like I did on quiz nights. At least three promised to catch me up if they did recall one of the many poems they knew they knew. When would Shakespeare claim his place in this day’s adventure? I asked myself. He did, when Gordon brought a spot of As You Like It to life, enjoyed by not a few others in the fresh fish queue: “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances, and one man in his time plays many parts”. Time for me to exit? I think so.

(But I did remember to buy the kippers for tea.)

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

A number of roads across South Woodford and Wanstead were included in Redbridge Council’s trial of a new – and fast – low-carbon fix for potholes.

“The injection patcher carries out rapid pothole repairs using a pioneering technique known as injection spray patching. Firstly, air is pumped at speed into the pothole to remove dirt and debris. Seconds later, the hole is sprayed with cold bitumen, followed by a layer of aggregate applied at high speed – the whole repair takes just a couple of minutes,” said a spokesperson.

A design code for South Woodford is another step closer to completion following a successful online survey which sought to discover what matters most to residents and visitors.

“Over 1,600 people visited the design code community portal, with idea contributions from 369 visitors. These will be fed into the final version of our draft design code. Thank you to all who took the time to participate. Please keep an eye out in the next edition for a breakdown of the contributions received,” said Pearl Arbenser-Simmonds.

The surbey prize draw was held on 1 December, with the following winners selected: Alison G and Hannah N.

A student from Woodford Green has been awarded a £20,000 bursary by the Amazon Future Engineer programme.

Leah-Megan Chi – who attended Trinity Catholic High School before starting a computer science degree at the University of Leeds in October – was one of 30 women in the UK to receive the funding in 2023. “I was really happy when I read the email. I told everyone in the house and then recorded their reaction. It means a lot to me; I can focus on my education without worrying too much about expenses,” said Leah-Megan.