Editor

From quiet walks to impromptu woodland exhibitions, nature has guided a deeply personal art journey for Woodford Arts Group member Emma Liebeskind, who shares how Epping Forest became both studio and sanctuary

Walking through the woods on my way to work, I don’t need to be reminded of how lucky we are to live in South Woodford. The past five years have not been easy ones for my family, and the forest has provided a source of solace and continuity in tumultuous and changing times. 

Little under a decade ago, I was offered a place on the City Lit Fine Art course based in Holborn; an independent adult education college unlike any other. Its life-changing arts course proved to be the catalyst that shifted my mindset away from being exclusively a sometime schoolteacher and mother of growing children towards becoming a self-declared artist and evolving a self-determined art practice.

Landscape has been my preferred genre to work within for many years. I live on the edge of the magnificent Epping Forest and trees inevitably appear as prime subjects in my drawings and paintings.   

About five years ago, lockdown forced an even greater focus on my surroundings, and I was encouraged to find different ways to respond to the local landscape besides the act of starting and making a finished drawing. This has led me into adventures in forest art, which are both sculptural and performative.

Recent changes in woodland management of Epping Forest led to the clearing of the invasive holly and ivy, which had hidden the trunks of ancient trees for decades. Suddenly, the character of the woodlands became exposed to the human gaze.   

I have drawn portraits of familiar trees from observation in one such glade over several years. I jokingly refer to this space as an outdoors studio, as it sits very close to my family home, on the edge of Mill Plain.  Extending the act of drawing into a public space, it feels like an inevitable next step to experiment with hanging the drawings on the trees themselves.

Artists typically share their artwork on Instagram, and for a while, these tree portraits, hung temporarily using makeshift wooden poles, became the hallmark of my postings.  Perhaps the high point of my tree project was on the occasion I used the highly regular trunks of young birches to stage an exhibition of my tree drawings. The show lasted for little over one day, and was probably only noticed by deer and the odd local walker as they passed through the wood.

To view more of Emma’s art, visit emmaliebeskind.co.uk

For more information on Woodford Arts Group, visit swvg.co.uk/wag

Attending court can be intimidating for witnesses, but volunteers at Snaresbrook Crown Court are there to help them every step of the way, says Catherine Redmond from the Citizens Advice Witness Service

For many people, attending court as a witness can be a daunting and unfamiliar experience. But at Snaresbrook Crown Court, a dedicated team of local volunteers are making a big difference in helping people feel more confident and supported when giving evidence.

The Citizens Advice Witness Service, a national initiative funded by the Ministry of Justice, operates in every criminal court in England and Wales, and runs a strong team right here in Snaresbrook. Snaresbrook has 20 courtrooms and is one of the biggest and busiest crown courts. Around 20 trained volunteers give their time each week to welcome and support witnesses and their families attending court proceedings.

From 9am each day, volunteers are on hand to greet witnesses, explain what happens at court and offer reassurance. They talk through who’s who in the courtroom and what to expect, always remaining impartial and supporting both prosecution and defence witnesses equally.

As well as practical guidance, volunteers provide much-needed emotional support. They’re trained to handle sensitive situations with empathy and care, and they often chat with witnesses about other concerns in their lives, pointing them towards organisations that can offer further help after the trial.

The team is supported by two experienced staff members, who keep everything running smoothly. Volunteers come from all walks of life; some are retired and looking to give back, others are students gaining insight into the justice system. What unites them is a shared commitment to helping others and remaining fair and neutral at all times. The role is varied and unpredictable; some days are quiet, others are busy with back-to-back cases, but it’s always rewarding. Volunteers also attend sentencing hearings, ensuring witnesses are supported at every stage.

“It has given me the opportunity to develop invaluable skills, especially in communication,” said one local volunteer. Another added: “Being a volunteer has not only allowed me to support others, but it’s also deepened my understanding of the justice system. Every day is different, and every person I meet reminds me why this role matters. It’s been one of the most rewarding things I’ve done and it’s really helped me build confidence in myself and how I communicate with others.”

New volunteers are always welcome. The service asks for a day of volunteering a week, with three months of training, observing trials and shadowing others, followed by 12 months of active volunteering. If you’re empathetic, flexible and interested in supporting others while gaining insight into the criminal justice system, this could be the perfect role for you.

For more information and to apply to volunteer, visit swvg.co.uk/witness

South Woodford Community Gardeners are bidding for much-needed funding to improve local flower beds and tackle the challenges of climate change. Fiona Grant explains the many benefits of their work

South Woodford Community Gardeners have been working hard for over 11 years, maintaining the flower beds and planters in the local area. (Litter-picking is sadly a regular chore, too!) We look after the beds on George Lane, outside Regency Court (High Road), the raised ‘bridge beds’ opposite Waitrose, the parklet outside Tipi café, as well as various railing planters.

We’re a group of mainly retirees, giving our time and expertise voluntarily. However, climate change is worryingly taking its toll, and it will have not escaped anyone’s notice that this summer’s heatwave, in particular, has left our plants desperate for water. We are excited, therefore, to have the opportunity to apply for some funding from the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) and have been busy preparing our application to hopefully win some much-needed funds, specifically for the bridge beds. Our proposal is for fresh soil and top dressing, plus some drought-tolerant plants. We also desperately need a way to transport water, as we have no easy access to it, so will include a water trolley in our bid, along with a compost bin. If we win, there will be many benefits for South Woodford!

Short-term benefits include the immediate visual improvement to the area. Residents frequently stop to thank us while we are gardening, telling us how much they enjoy the vibrant flower beds. Local businesses also benefit from the more attractive streetscape, a welcoming environment for customers.

In the medium term, our group benefits via enhanced physical and mental health through outdoor activity and shared purpose – and we are always looking for more volunteers. We foster community spirit and social connection, helping to reduce isolation and promote wellbeing. We are proud that a senior member of Vision RCL, who oversees Valentines Park gardens, recently commended us on maintaining South Woodford’s flower beds without any funding from the council.

Long-term benefits extend to environmental sustainability and biodiversity. Our flower beds and planters provide essential micro-habitats for pollinators, supporting local ecosystems in an increasingly urbanised environment. With natural habitats under threat, even small-scale interventions like ours play a vital role in preserving wildlife corridors.

We believe our work directly supports local green initiatives and contributes to a healthier, more resilient community. By greening our streets, we are not just planting flowers; we are planting pride, improving mental health, supporting wildlife and building a more cohesive, environmentally aware neighbourhood. These are benefits that will continue to grow, season after season. We value your support and look forward to hopefully sharing good news about our bid.

For more information, email southwoodfordgardeners@gmail.com

The South Woodford Village Gazette and Wanstead Village Directory have been put forward for an award that recognises businesses which excel in community engagement.

“We aim to support the community in everything we publish, but we now need the community to support us by voting for our magazines,” said editor Lee Marquis.

The Redbridge Social Value Award is a borough-wide category within the Ilford and Redbridge Business Awards. Voting is open until 31 October.

Visit swvg.co.uk/awards25

Local residents helped raise £8,750 for charity by opening their gardens to the public this year.

A number of homes across Wanstead, Woodford and beyond took part in the National Garden Scheme, which raises money for cancer charities, such as Marie Curie, Macmillan Cancer Support and Hospice UK.

“Ten homeowners volunteered their time and invited visitors to enjoy their gardens. Please continue to support this wonderful initiative,” said local volunteer organiser Teresa Farnham.

Visit ngs.org.uk

The heavily criticised hourly W14 continues to lack a proper bus stop at the start of its route at Whipps Cross Interchange.

When Calvin Bailey MP raised the issue, TfL told him its “team” went to the interchange and the stops all had shelters, seats and timetables. In response, the MP sent a photo (above) of the tucked-away, unclearly marked, unsheltered temporary stop, which confused W14 bus users have had to rely on for almost a year.

Campaigners are calling for a more frequent W14 service that enters the hospital grounds.

According to the inscribed stone above Pizza Express, this year marks the centenary of South Woodford’s Electric Parade – a row of shops on the High Road, curving into George Lane – although a local historian believes the celebrations may be premature.

“The original building plan submitted by HH Dartnall was approved in November 1924, after Grove Lodge was sold at auction in April of that year for £5,000,” said Dr Colin Runeckles.

“The first entries in Kelly’s Directory are in 1927, and only for High Road, Woodford, with nothing in George Lane. Given the approval date of late 1924, I suspect the parade was being built during all of 1925, which is where the date on the building comes from, but construction probably extended a long way into 1926.”

The parade has been home to numerous shops over the years, including a London Electricity Board showroom, Edwards supermarket, L Israel & Sons greengrocers, Robert Dyas and Laura Ashley.

Churchfields Junior School has been recognised as the most dedicated in London for getting pupils to make active and greener school journeys.

The South Woodford school beat off competition from around London to win the Long Term Excellence title at TfL’s Travel for Life Top Schools Award 2025.

“Having worked hard over many years to promote active travel and discourage car drop-offs by the school, we were delighted to receive the award from TfL,” said Deputy Headteacher James Easter.

Organisers of the Haven House Christmas Cake appeal are seeking local volunteer bakers to take part in the festive fundraiser.

“Every year, a group of volunteers whip, mix and bake their hearts out to raise funds for the children’s hospice… If you can spare the time to bake one or more traditional fruit cakes, or if you would like to order a cake (or two) for the festive season, please get in touch. Last year’s cakes were a sell-out success in Wanstead and Woodford, let’s do it again!” said Paul Canal.

Email havenhousexmasbakers@gmail.com

Local residents told a public meeting how TfL’s careless bus reorganisation is wrecking lives in South Woodford and Wanstead and needs urgent action. Donna Mizzi and Millicent Brown report

On one of the hottest days of the year, about 60 local residents packed a meeting, called at short notice, to speak of the dreadful effects the area’s bus changes have had on their lives, livelihoods, health and education.

Caroline Russell, deputy chair of the London Assembly’s Transport Committee, explained she called July’s meeting at Wanstead House to understand why there was a continuing outcry about the changes imposed in September 2024. The London Assembly holds the Mayor and TfL chairman Sadiq Khan to account. Her eyes widened as, over 90 minutes, she heard emotional accounts of ongoing impact – particularly about the W14, which has created major hardships at every level. “Children can’t get to school and adults can’t get to work.” “Patients can’t reach the hospital.” “The whole thing is a disgrace. We can’t wait for a bus that doesn’t come,” said residents from South Woodford, Snaresbrook and Wanstead. The W12 and W13 buses have also been problematic for many.

Residents told Caroline the infrequency and unpredictability of the ‘hourly’ W14 services, where there is no alternative public transport, has left elderly and disabled people isolated and lonely – common causes of depression. Meanwhile, carers have had trouble reaching residents. The W14 also avoids the most useful sections of South Woodford’s and Wanstead’s shopping streets, before terminating at Whipps Cross interchange, half a mile from the Outpatients and A&E departments.

Lucille Grant (86) was confined to her Nightingale Estate home on a number of days last winter, forcing her to sell up and move to a more convenient location. “Now, I worry about the elderly and disabled people I’ve left behind,” she said. Elderly residents have gone out and not been able to get a bus back home.

Actor and Green Party member Ashley Gunstock said: “TfL is either grossly inept, thoughtless or callous.” Caroline suggested there might have been some planning oversights; the response was a shaking of heads. A resident said it appeared TfL was taking a “sneaky wrecking ball” to the W14 as it hasn’t been as profitable as other routes.

A local elderly woman apologised for arriving late after a one-and-a-half-hour journey. Caroline said she understood because it had taken her that same length of time to reach the meeting, involving Tube replacement buses. Immediately, several people chorused: “But this woman hasn’t travelled from Islington!” The exhausted, apologetic resident had just come from the nearby Nightingale Estate, but her bus didn’t turn up.

Caroline is a Green Party member. Fellow London Assembly member Keith Prince, Conservative member for Redbridge and Havering, also attended the meeting. He mentioned the local Labour MP Calvin Bailey has been involved, presenting a parliamentary petition in January. Meeting organiser Syed Siddiqi said the seriousness of the issues meant parties needed to work together to bring about the necessary bus changes. Keith said he is also arranging to get the Deputy Mayor down to the area and to the badly affected Woodbridge High School in September. Later, he explained he has also visited badly impacted retired residents in Eagle Lodge, Snaresbrook, and has arranged a meeting with the Director of Buses and to ride the W-buses with residents. He has raised direct questions with the London Mayor and says he is having ongoing meetings.

South Woodford and Wanstead’s Labour councillors have also been raising the issues at Redbridge’s External Committee meetings. Save Our Local Bus Services campaigners say they will be meeting Deputy Mayor Seb Dance soon, and they were urged to work together with councillors and officers. But then a TfL officer spent much time telling the committee how difficult it was for TfL to make any changes. Councillors responded saying their own objections had been ignored in the first place.

Other residents have been drawing attention to the lack of essential bus information at local stops, even though the extensive changes took place a year ago. A TfL officer just apologised, unchallenged, and said renewed details should appear by September.

Many people, including vulnerable and elderly residents, don’t possess a smartphone. Local people who do use them complained the TfL apps were frequently useless. Director of Wanstead Mental Health Clinic, David Sleet, said: “You’re told to check an app for information. If you are a vulnerable person, you are already a target, and TfL is making them do something which makes them even more vulnerable.”

To share your W-bus stories, email donnamizzi@btinternet.com

Tickets for this year’s Wanstead Beer Festival are on sale.

The event – now in its third year – will be taking place in the halls of Christ Church from 1pm on 4 October. “There will be more than 50 beers from across the country, including many local breweries, plus cider, gin, wine and food. Over 700 people attended last year and we hope for even more this year, so come along and share a beer with friends and neighbours,” said organiser Paul Donovan.

The £10 admission fee includes a unique Wanstead Beer Festival glass.

Visit swvg.co.uk/beer

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