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A South Woodford organisation which supports children who have experienced domestic violence has launched a fundraising campaign.

“Our ‘Children Are Victims Too’ campaign highlights the impact of domestic abuse on long-term mental health and well-being. We want every child affected to be supported, which is why we are raising funds for our ‘practitioner pot’ to help us provide more hours of therapeutic counselling sessions,” said a spokesperson for Free Your Mind CIC.

Visit swvg.co.uk/fym

Often too busy to visit his Woodford constituency, Churchill would send his wife in his place. Now, director Chris Jaeger is bringing the play Mrs Churchill – My Life With Winston to South Woodford this November

Winston Churchill is one of the most famous Englishmen that has ever lived. Several years ago, he was voted first in a top 100 Englishmen poll. He is often portrayed as a bulldog because of his tenacity as a politician and his toughness on the international stage.

He was an MP for 62 years but there were many other sides to him. He was a talented painter, he wrote many books, winning a Nobel Prize for literature; and, of course, nobody could forget his biting humour (eg. Nancy Astor: “If I were married to you, I’d put poison in your coffee.” Winston: “If I were married to you, I’d drink it.”)

They say that behind every great man, there is a great woman. Was this true in Churchill’s case? What of Clementine, his wife of 56 years? Did he bully her like he did so many other people? Was he as grumpy and irascible at home as he often was in the House of Commons? Given his strength and conviction, did Clem have any influence on him at all? Or was she ‘the little lady at home’? The clue lies in another of Winston’s quotes. He said: “My most brilliant achievement was my ability to be able to persuade my wife to marry me.”

Despite his bullish and aggressive reputation, when Clem first met him, he was a tongue-tied, stammering young man with few social graces. Yes, he was already a war hero. Yes, he was already an established politician. But these were men-dominated areas and he’d had little contact with women. Clem was very unimpressed with him and they did not meet again for four years. It was better the second time, and despite Winston treading on her feet several times while dancing, they talked and talked and found they had much in common. Within six months, they were married.

In truth, Clem was really the only person who could control him. It didn’t happen very often, but when she put her foot down, he rarely went against her. A prime example was the D-Day landings. Winston wanted to be in the lead boat, but the navy was very unhappy about that and talked to Clem. She told him he wasn’t going… and that was that.

In the play, not for the first time, Winston is too busy to attend his local Woodford constituency and is sending Clementine. She says: “Tomorrow, I shall thank the good people of Woodford for their loyalty and their kindness. You have taken us both to your hearts and I’m delighted we’ve been able to serve you for 30 years and more.”

But what of her children, her life and her grief at his death? All these questions will be answered, and many more, in Liz Grand’s superb, moving, funny, sensitive and informative portrayal of Clementine Churchill. This was one of the great love affairs of all time.

Mrs Churchill – My Life with Winston will be performed at Redbridge Drama Centre in South Woodford on 17 November (7.30pm; tickets: £16.50). Visit swvg.co.uk/mrsc

Services of remembrance will take place across Wanstead and South Woodford this November.

Two events will take place on Armistice Day. The first will be at the Woodford War Memorial, outside St Mary’s Church in South Woodford (arrive by 8.40am). This will be followed by a service at the Snaresbrook Garden of Remembrance, off Snaresbrook Road, opposite Eagle Pond (arrive by 10.45am).

A final gathering will take place at the Wanstead War Memorial on the High Street on 12 November (arrive by 12.15pm).

A safety walk for women and girls will take place in South Woodford on 14 November.

“It’s a chance for you to walk with local police officers, pointing out the areas you feel unsafe in and suggesting how they can be improved,” said Councillor Rosa Gomez, who is organising the event in conjunction with the Churchfields Ward Panel and the Safer Neighbourhoods Team.

The one-hour walk will begin at the corner of Grove Road and Buckingham Road, departing at 4pm (no booking required).

Email SNTJI-Churchfields@met.police.uk

Artists from South Woodford are among those who will be exhibiting handmade prints at the Epping Forest Visitor Centre in Chingford from 7 November to 3 December.

“The prints in this exhibition explore many aspects of Essex and particularly Epping Forest. We are a group of local artists who meet at Bedford House in Buckhurst Hill. We use a small rolling press and a book press to experiment with a wide range of printmaking processes, including lino and wood cutting and silk screening,” said tutor Anne Daniels.

Visit swvg.co.uk/essexprint

The South Woodford Business Forum will host a networking event for local businesses on 16 November.

“Join us at the Luna Café, 127 High Road, from 5pm to 7pm to find out more about our work to support shops and businesses in the area. We will have several presentations, including from an experienced business coach. It will also be a great opportunity to meet other local businesses and to promote yours,” said a spokesperson for the group.

The event is free, but booking is required.

Visit swvg.co.uk/biz

Residents have launched a petition calling for the urgent reopening of Broadmead Road.

Explaining the reasons, the petition states: “This closure has severely impacted our daily lives, causing immense inconvenience… While we understand initial tests have been conducted and inspections are scheduled, we strongly believe that expediting these processes is crucial for restoring normalcy to our community. We implore the authorities to prioritise this matter with utmost urgency.”

Visit swvg.co.uk/brdpet

Redbridge Council has issued an update on Broadmead Road, which was partially closed to traffic in July due to significant structural defects to the bridge section over the Central Line tracks.

“The council is working closely with TfL to speed up the survey work where possible. To reopen Broadmead Road will require extensive construction work and is expected to take a significant amount of time. At this stage, Redbridge Council is continuing survey work to establish what works are necessary to ensure the bridge is safe.”

The flower sculptures between George Lane and The Shrubberies were installed 20 years ago this autumn.

Now, the artist behind them is keen to hear from those who helped with the project. “I was very taken by how pretty the green strip was on my first site visit back in 2001. The project – completed in 2003 – involved children from Churchfields, Oakdale and Wells Primary School. I would love to hear from those who participated for an article about the project in the next issue,” said Nicola Burrell.

Email n.burrellartist@gmail.com

A small herd of English Longhorn cows returned to Wanstead Park in October to graze over the winter months.

“The cows will have an important job to do grazing the main acid grassland to remove course vegetation and young scrub, as well as reducing the vegetation on the Yellow Meadow Ant hills, which improves the biodiversity of this special area of Epping Forest,” said a spokesperson for the City of London Corporation.

Nominations for the Mayor of Redbridge’s annual community awards are now open.

“Do you know an unsung hero within your family, your street or anywhere within your community? Or a group or organisation that has made a positive and selfless contribution to the lives of Redbridge residents? If yes, please nominate them for an award!” said a spokesperson. Nominations close on 31 December.

Visit swvg.co.uk/ma2024