Editor

As the nation marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day, local historian Davis Watson reflects on the impact World War Two had on Woodford

Eighty years ago, South Woodford residents joined the nation in celebrating VE Day and the end of six painful years of war.

By the time war had been declared in September 1939, South Woodford, like many other towns across the nation, had been preparing in case of conflict. The local borough had founded a community Civil Defence Service in March 1936 and when war was announced, 43 wardens’ posts, spread across six districts, were quickly confirmed. It was post 21 – located at The Shrubberies, George Lane – who were tasked to deal with one of South Woodford’s most demanding incidents in the early hours of 14 October 1940. Two high-explosive bombs fell onto the train crossing, causing serious damage to the tracks and adjoining subway that was then under construction. On that occasion, no casualties were recorded. However, the residents of South Woodford would not always be so lucky.

Less than two months later, a mine exploded in Wordsworth Avenue, killing 12 people and injuring 41. Sixteen of those injured required hospital treatment and were likely collected by volunteers based at the nearby Cowslip Road School (since renamed Oakdale Infant School), who would transport victims to the nearest hospital. Later in the war, the school was used as an emergency feeding store and suffered severe damage in January 1945 when a long-range rocket fell in Woodville Road. Sadly, that incident alone injured 90 people and claimed the lives of a further 18, including a small girl found crushed beneath a fallen chimney stack.

Another young South Woodford resident to lose their life during the war was seven-year-old Arthur Bartaby of 8 Stanley Road. Arthur was one of four children of Ada and George Bartaby that were evacuated to Barnstaple in July 1939. One morning in September 1940, while in the kitchen of the Hawkins family with whom he stayed, Arthur fell and damaged the base of his brain, passing away a day later.

Another local site utilised during the war was Holy Trinity Church, whose hall served as a rest centre to provide accommodation for bombed-out families. The church itself received damage when its splendid east windows – donated in the 1890s by the Nutter sisters, well-known local philanthropists – were blown out. A replacement was designed by Hugh Easton and dedicated by Reverend Hugh Gough, the Bishop of Barking, on 22 April 1950. Two months earlier, a new electrical installation in the church had been dedicated to “the memory of the men and women who lost their lives during the Second World War,” as a plaque still visible on the interior west wall records. One of those men was David Scott Shearman Wilkerson, an RAF pilot who passed away in a crash at Tedsmore Hill, Shropshire, in September 1944. Prior to the war, Wilkerson had run the 17th Epping Forest scout troop based at Holy Trinity and when the church erected a scout hut to the south-west of their site around 1950, they named it the David Wilkerson Memorial Hall in his honour; it still stands today.

For more information on local VE Day anniversary events, visit swvg.co.uk/ve80

Calvin Bailey MP has launched a petition calling for step-free access to Snaresbrook station.

“Step-free access is so important for our disabled and elderly residents and families with young children. Currently, people with mobility challenges struggle to make quick, everyday journeys from here,” said the Leyton and Wanstead MP.

naresbrook station was used for over 1.8m journeys in 2024, whereas South Woodford station – which was made step-free in 2019 – facilitated over 4m journeys.

Visit swvg.co.uk/stepfree

South Woodford GP Dr Mary-Lou Hanley was honoured at the Redbridge Mayor’s Community Awards in March.

“Dr Hanley has been a GP for around 30 years. In that time she has always gone above and beyond for her patients, is always supportive and helpful to staff within the surgery, whilst also raising a family and caring for her husband. This recognition is for her outstanding contribution to South Woodford and for all the care and support she has given her patients, staff and friends,” said an event spokesperson.

Local community gardeners have been praised by the South Woodford Society for the colourful display of flowers across the area.

“Thanks so much to the South Woodford Gardeners, who look after all the flower beds in the centre of George Lane, in front of Regency Court and over the A406. Thanks also to the gardeners who are steadily working down Footpath 60 – between the High Road and Abbotsford Gardens – and to all those who maintain dazzling displays in tree pits and planters. And thanks to the volunteers who work hard on our regreening projects at Eastwood Green and our Community Orchard, by the viaduct. So many businesses are also doing a great job with colourful baskets and greenery,” said a spokesperson for the community group, who are keen for more volunteers to participate in local projects.

Visit sowosoc.org

South Woodford resident Aunty Shan, who launched her dog care business less than two years ago, has been nominated as finalist in the national Animal Star Awards

I am deeply honoured to have been named a finalist in the celebrated 2025 Animal Star Awards, a recognition that feels like a beautiful acknowledgment of the journey I’ve been on with every dog and owner who has trusted me.

This nomination celebrates my commitment to creating happier lives for our four-legged companions.

My story is one of passion finding its purpose. After 16 dedicated years in administrative roles, most recently as a school PA, I launched Aunty Shan’s Dog Care in August 2023, initially running the business part-time alongside my full-time job. By January 2024, I was able to embrace my lifelong love for animals full-time. Before making the leap, I dedicated every available moment to my calling – evenings, weekends and any free hour were spent either studying all aspects of dog care, working at a pug cafe or looking after dogs.

What truly shapes my approach to animal care is my journey of personal resilience. Having overcome significant life challenges, I bring a unique perspective. My experiences have deepened my empathy, which I now channel into enhancing the lives of the animals I care for.

I hope my story inspires others facing obstacles. Working with dogs has taught me that transformation is possible with patience and support. Animals show us that with gentle patience and unconditional acceptance, trust can be rebuilt, joy rediscovered and any challenge overcome, regardless of past experiences.

By bringing natural empathy and genuine understanding to each animal in my care, I strive to prioritise both the physical and emotional wellbeing of the dogs I look after.

The Southern Region Awards Ceremony will take place in May, and I hope the entire community will be cheering me on as I represent South Woodford as a finalist who has turned a passion into a force for good.

Judged by a panel of industry experts, the Animal Star Awards celebrate individuals and organisations that go above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of animals. 

For further information, visit www.auntyshansdogcare.com

South Woodford resident John Smith finds his love of line drawing helps with his Parkinson’s tremors and is now looking to raise funds for charity by selling greetings cards featuring his artwork

My love of line drawings developed in my teenage years. I spent a lot of time doodling in the margin of my schoolbooks. Straight lines, hoops and curves became animals, dragons, insects and fish. Having been guided by my parents – who felt these drawings in the margin were affecting my education – I transferred from the margin to sketchbook. I produced many detailed drawings, which my father put into an art exhibition in the 1960s, mostly bought by family and friends.

I started a career in catering and attended Oxford Brookes, where I was able to use my artistic skills whilst learning about classical French cuisine. I then went to work at Claridge’s, in the pastry department, where I picked up many skills and a lot of bad language! Leaving there, I got married, and my wife and I continued working in catering, in pubs and restaurants. A bit later in life, with three children, I retrained, this time as a Human Resources Officer. Upon retiring from work, I was looking forward to travel and relaxation. Unfortunately, in 2015 I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s.

I have tried different mediums of art, acrylics, pastels and watercolours, but my interest was really in the line drawings.

My drawings, created with a fine liner, remain steadfastly in black and white. To ring the changes and give them more interest, the black and white drawings developed into coloured drawings using a simple paint programme. For amusement, I created a number of PowerPoint presentations, accompanying these with my son’s music. I then converted the presentations into videos to put on YouTube.

All this work was encouraged by my family and friends. Then the suggestion came that my drawings would look very good on greetings cards and I was asked by some to produce birthday cards and anniversary celebration cards. So, I looked for a printer who would be able to work with me. I found a company called Art4site and they proved to be very helpful and a good quality printer. I then looked for an outlet, but so far, have drawn a blank. The objective is to cover my printing costs, with any profit being donated to the charity Parkinson’s UK.

When I start a drawing, it is with no final image in mind. I can’t draw a specific scene; it is more about developing the patterns. This calms my tremors and is a form of mindfulness. There is no cure for Parkinson’s, and it is degenerative, so it will progress. Mine is a gentle progression, so whilst I am able, I am looking for an outlet or partner where I can sell these cards. If you are interested or if you would like to buy some, do get in touch.

For more information and to contact John, email jscards855@gmail.com

From the London Marathon in April to Warsaw Ironman in June, local runner Caroline Frith is taking on an incredible series of endurance challenges in aid of charity, and refusing to let cancer define her life

As a South Woodford resident for almost 20 years, I definitely call this part of London home. The sense of community and friends I have made are second to none – especially in hard times. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014 when I was only 36 with two young children. Despite gruelling treatment, the disease recurred in 2022 and is now stage 4 or incurable. However, I refuse to let this scary diagnosis stop me living life to the full.

I have been a runner for over 25 years and am a long-term member of East London Runners, a brilliant, friendly running club based in Wanstead. My only regret since moving to the area was not joining sooner! We meet twice a week for club runs and always welcome new members. Since my second diagnosis three years ago, I have run two marathons, completed the Ride London 100-mile cycle ride, swum two miles in the Serpentine and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro – all with the help of my running club family. 

This year, I am raising money for the Maggie’s cancer centre at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, a haven of tranquillity that provides support to all cancer patients and has been a godsend to me and my family over the years. They have given me a place in the London Marathon in April, but being the kind of person I am, I decided to add some more events to the challenge! The first event, in March, is the notorious Orion 15 by Orion Harriers, a 15-mile cross-country race through Epping Forest renowned for its mud and hills. This will be quickly followed by the Camino Gratitude 25, a 25km race from Broxbourne to Stratford along the River Lea. Then, in May, I’ll be doing the Hackney Half Marathon with my 16-year-old daughter. It will be her first half marathon. And the grand finale will take place in Poland with the Warsaw Ironman 70.3 in June. This comprises a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile cycle and a 13.1-mile run. I also recently became an ambassador for 5K Your Way, which is a support group with a difference. We meet on the last Saturday of every month at over 100 parkruns nationwide.

I am doing all this whilst on chemotherapy and targeted cancer treatment, which is not without considerable side effects. I strongly believe exercising helps me cope with these as well as helping with my mental wellbeing. Too many people diagnosed with cancer do not receive the necessary information to maintain an active lifestyle during treatment and beyond. The benefits of exercise to those impacted by cancer are many and include better outcomes, reduced anxiety and fatigue as well as building confidence.

I would be extremely grateful for the support of my wonderful South Woodford and Wanstead community so I can raise as much money as possible for Maggie’s – and if you see me pounding the pavements, do say hi.

For more information and to donate, visit swvg.co.uk/frith

The Renters’ Rights Bill will make several significant changes to the private rented sector, explains James Harrison from local solicitors Edwards Duthie Shamash

Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) – the most common type of tenancy – are soon to become extinct under the Renters’ Rights Bill in 2025. Upon commencement of the Act, all existing ASTs will become assured periodic tenancies, save for those that are already the subject of possession proceedings under section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.

Subject to compliance with various requirements, a landlord can currently terminate an AST by serving two months’ notice under section 21. This is known as the ‘no-fault’ ground for possession. The Renters’ Rights Bill provides for section 21 to be abolished. If by the time the Bill becomes law the landlord has served a section 21 notice and has commenced possession proceedings relying on that notice, the AST will continue, pending the conclusion of those proceedings. If not, the notice will be of no effect.

The Bill provides for several new grounds for possession and amends others. 

Ground 1 is available where the landlord or close family member wishes to move into the property. Ground 1A can be relied on where the landlord wishes to sell the property. In both cases, four months’ notice is required and the landlord cannot rely on these grounds during the first 12 months of a new tenancy. 

These are both mandatory grounds for possession, so the court must make a possession order if it is satisfied the grounds are proved. In order to discourage abuse of these grounds, a landlord cannot re-let a property within 12 months of serving notice, or commencing court proceedings, on these grounds. There is a fine of up to £7,000 for breach of this.

There is also Ground 4, which applies to a property let to full-time students, where the property is required for a new group of students in line with the academic year. Four months’ notice is still required. 

The mandatory rent arrears ground (Ground 8), has been amended in two respects. Firstly, four weeks’ notice rather than two is required. Secondly, the landlord must show that the tenant is three months in arrears (or 13 weeks in the case of a weekly or bi-weekly rent), both at the time the notice is served and at the time of the possession hearing, rather than two months (or eight weeks) as at present. 

There are other grounds for possession which are beyond the scope of this article. 

The Bill is currently being considered by the House of Lords and is unlikely to become law until the spring or summer of this year.

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

Recent changes to local bus routes have impacted the lives of many local residents, including 13-year-old Lola Bullman-Borg, who now finds her journey to and from school more stressful 

My name is Lola. I am 13 years old and go to Woodbridge High school. For those who live in the Wanstead or South Woodford area, TfL’s bus route changes have brought us students nothing but stress and anger.

Before the changes last September, I caught the 549 bus (that shockingly only ran every 90 minutes) from South Woodford to Loughton at 8am to get to school by 8.30am. I took the 549 as it was less busy than the W14, which had a similar route and annoyingly would come a few minutes later, rather than being more evenly spaced out. However, with the 549 being so infrequent, I always caught the W14 to go home, but being a single-decker, it was inevitably crammed full with schoolchildren.

TfL’s changes mean the W14 runs hourly, so even though it’s more direct and I don’t have to change buses, I use the W12, which is timetabled to run every 15 minutes. That timetable is meaningless though, because the W12 route has been extended and the bus goes down all the busy main roads, getting stuck in heavy traffic. I and my friends often wait an extra 20 minutes after school every day because the bus is running late and with sometimes two, or even three, buses arriving around the same time. 

There is no worse feeling than seeing the bus go past because it is not running as scheduled and being left to wait in freezing weather or rain for the next bus, that then arrives late. 

Many elderly people have also been affected as the W14 does not go into Whipps Cross Hospital and does not stop at places that they need, such as the shops on Wanstead High Street, the supermarkets on George Lane or Wanstead Tube station. 

I remember taking my bass guitar and having to walk it all the way to school because I missed the bus. I was sweating so much my hair was wet. I ran halfway because I couldn’t risk being late. 

These changes are standing in the way of my education. The buses are essential transportation that gets me to school and home. I feel unsafe standing on the street waiting for a bus; I have no idea when it will come.

I remember the confusion and chaos when the changes came on 7 September. We didn’t know about them and people didn’t know which bus to take. Many children were late for school. The new service is a mess and I hear stories every day of how others are also suffering with the buses in the area.

If you are affected by the local bus route changes, submit your experiences to the Save Our Local Bus Services campaign. Visit swvg.co.uk/busform. To view the campaign’s petition, visit swvg.co.uk/bus

A young filmmaker has created a documentary about TfL’s recent changes to the W12, W13 and W14 bus routes. 

“My film features interviews with campaigners, bus trips with affected members of the public and footage from the middle of the campaigning action. I’ve tried to give a full explanation of TfL’s route design flaws, as well as a hopeful message for the campaign group’s success,” said 14-year-old Riku Fryderyk.

A Bus Route Change Disaster is available to watch on Riku’s YouTube channel.

Visit swvg.co.uk/rfyt

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

You’ll be reading this in March or April, but I’m writing it in January. The Christmas decorations are packed away. The New Year has arrived. I’ve been searching for a theme. I did wonder if New Year’s resolutions would prove thought-provoking, but the first person I spoke to (I often do a test run) made me think again. “I never make New Year’s resolutions because I never keep them!” A thoroughly honest response, I thought, and not entirely surprising.

Strangely enough, though, it soon became apparent that January was, in a more general sense, a month when people found it appropriate to consider priorities, perhaps even to identify or revise their personal ‘motto for living’. I was amazed and often moved by how readily you were not just willing, but eager to share your thoughts. Essentially your philosophy. 

Sheila was on her way to a doctor’s appointment and admitted she was “in rather poor health. But I do want to help people when I can. When I see people begging in the street, I wish I could help but I don’t really understand how. I do know that giving to others can be a source of happiness.”

Sajiv was something of an orator: “Live life to the full. Live in the moment. Face challenges. They are part of life. Sometimes, there may be dark days, dark weeks, months, years even. But human resilience gets you through it all.” John was considering what to order for lunch at the Wood Oven. Lamb chops or chicken shish? “Look, I’m 88. I realise as I get older that there are certain things I used to be able to do but now can’t. I try to avoid dwelling on those things. Much better to focus on the things I can still do, and find ways of doing them better. I’m sure that keeps you young at heart.” 

I guessed Lucy was speaking from experience. “Stay away from negative people. They drain your energy. It seems that lots of very rich people go off the rails, take drugs. That doesn’t make them happy beyond a quick pick-up. Money alone doesn’t make you happy.” After a pause, she added a small confession: “I admit I smoke but I do want to give it up.” Asa had similar thoughts: “A positive outlook is vital. It can be easy to slip into negative attitudes, perhaps generalise about whole groups of society. Reading the papers can be depressing but it’s important to remember that journalists always look for stories that are ‘News’, with a capital N. In other words, stories that are not the norm. I’m certain the vast majority of people in every nation want to live at peace with their neighbours.” 

Dominic told me he was a paramedic. “I’m trying to be more productive, to waste less time on screens. I try to be honest. I want to be true to myself. I’m getting married this year and we plan to go back to Australia. Meanwhile, I want to use my free time more usefully, cook better food, continue learning other languages. I have some Spanish but I want to learn Japanese. We are going to Japan for our honeymoon. And we hope to start a family next year.”

Gino was from Turkey, a barber by trade. “I love working in this salon on George Lane but I’m set on becoming more independent, having my own salon, taking more control of my work-life balance.” Peter was looking at properties in Stow Brothers’ window. “Yes, January does tend to firm up your mind on new directions. We are challenged by the need to downsize as we are planning to move nearer to our children. That’s why I’m house-hunting.”

Helen was studying her shopping list but was unfazed by my interruption and quickly changed tack. “Right. Well, I’d say: live one day at a time. Be kind to yourself. Don’t feel guilty about enjoying little treats! Never mind if the weather is grim: we have a roof over our heads!” Ed was equally clear about his views: “Keep in touch with friends. That’s my top priority these days. Make the effort to keep old friendships alive.”

Sue leant on her trolley in M&S and launched into her response with enthusiasm: “Use the natural environment much more. Paddle your own canoe. Shop locally. Go to a museum, perhaps. Enjoy the simple things in life. You needn’t be ‘online’ all the time. You don’t have to produce a password or a QR code to walk in the park! You needn’t submit wholesale to being governed by the demands of our electronic age.”

Esther was with her partner, David. “My motto for living? Take life as it comes. Acceptance is an important attribute. Learn to accept what life brings. When things are going well, we don’t ask why they are going well. We must try to approach difficult times in the same spirit. Find joy in life.” David joined in: “I agree with that witty quote I’ve seen on the Tube: don’t look back. You’re not going in that direction”. 

David’s view was reinforced in my final, delightful encounter, which was with two teenage friends: Leon came straight out with a New Year’s resolution. “I want to be a better person and stop being so grumpy and aggressive.” “Is he grumpy and aggressive?” I asked his friend Leo. “Well, yes, he is a bit. But about your theme, I’d say you’ve got to keep looking forward, not back”. Leon rejoined the debate with no hard feelings: “Actually,” he said, “only yesterday I was writing on this topic in my GCSE English exam. The question read: ‘The past is in your head. The future is in your hands. Discuss.’” (Forgive me, Leo and Leon, if I’ve muddled up which of you said what. I am getting on a bit. It was terrific to meet you both. Thanks for being happy to chat.)

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