Editor

When Spencer Simmons inherited a leather travel case some 45 years ago, little did he realise it would lead to the writing and production of a play for the Edinburgh Fringe, with a preview at Redbridge Drama Centre 

The leather travel case in question came with the initials ‘MAC’ embossed on it. I was told the case belonged to an American named General Cohen, but I could find no information about it. My uncle, who I inherited it from, was the black sheep of the family, known as Spider (after the snooker cue rest), and who allegedly worked for two weeks, didn’t like it and spent the rest of his life earning a living in unconventional ways. I used the case as a period prop in many am-dram productions, but always wondered whose case it was.

Thirty years later, at a funeral, by sheer chance, I overheard a conversation about a relation, Two-Gun Cohen, and it clicked. MAC was Morris Abraham Cohen, otherwise known as Two-Gun Cohen, who incredibly started life as a babe in arms of an immigrant Jewish family in London’s East End and became a general in the Chinese army and aide-de-camp to Sun Yat-sen, one of the founding fathers of modern China and Taiwan.

Cohen was a wild child, a boxer and a pickpocket who, after being sent to Borstal aged 10, was sent away by his despairing parents aged 15 to work on a relative’s ranch in the wilds of Canada. There, he became a gambler, land salesman and fairground worker. He became involved with the Canadian Chinese community as a gambler, and after saving the life of a Chinese friend was inducted into a Tong, a Chinese secret society, and introduced to Sun Yat-sen. Cohen fought in the First World War, the Chinese civil war and the Sino-Japanese war, where he was captured, interrogated and brutally beaten by the Japanese.

With the idea of producing a play, I started researching Cohen’s incredible life, recounted by two biographies, three films based on his life, numerous internet articles, family recollections and even a tape from the Canadian Broadcasting Service of his appearance on a What’s My Line-style TV programme in the 1960s.

I still didn’t know exactly how I was related to Cohen, but after much research and a chance comment by my mother, it was found that Spider’s wife was Two-Gun’s cousin. 

In 2013, I was excited to produce and direct a full-length play for WP Drama (then known as Wanstead Players) on Cohen’s life at the Kenneth More Theatre, written with a cousin, with five in the cast, but I dreamed of putting it on in Edinburgh. Some 10 years later, it has now been rewritten as a two-man play set in a Japanese prison in 1941, with Jonathan Meyer reprising the title role he played a decade ago. 

How did Cohen come by the name Two-Gun Cohen? The play reveals all.

WP Drama will perform Two-Gun Cohen at Redbridge Drama Centre in South Woodford on 5 and 6 July (7.30pm; tickets: £11.50), and again at the Edinburgh Fringe in August. Visit twoguncohen.co.uk

Wells (All Saints) Pre-school is celebrating its 60th anniversary this July.

“The pre-school was opened in 1963 by a group of local mums at All Saints Church in Woodford Wells so they could get together and their children could play with their peers… We are celebrating with a party on 8 July at the church. It is open to anyone who has been part of the pre-school community, past and present! There will be food and drink and entertainment,” said a spokesperson.

The event runs from 12 noon to 3pm (book by 3 July).

Visit swvg.co.uk/was

The 17th annual cake sale and garden party at the home of a South Woodford resident has raised £10,166, enough to pay for a day of care at Haven House Children’s Hospice.

“I am totally amazed and overwhelmed by how successful another year has been. I am very, very lucky to have so many wonderful friends and family who have put up with my anxiety over the last few weeks and helped make this happen. It was an incredible team effort,” said Michelle Vanlint of Derby Road.

Donations are still welcome.

Visit swvg.co.uk/cakes23

George Lane was partially closed and transformed into a radiant hub of activity on 18 June as residents and visitors gathered for South Woodford’s second annual summer market.

“There was a wonderful atmosphere with plenty going on. There were two magic shows, musical performances, a popular face painter and an ecological crafting stall in the Galleria… The event was a testament to the remarkable contributions of residents, businesses, schools, charities and Redbridge Council, all of whom joined forces to make this day truly memorable,” said a spokesperson for the South Woodford Society, which organised the event.

Plans are now underway to build on the success. “Looking ahead, our shared vision is to grow the summer market and Christmas lights switch-on event, transforming them into annual fixtures on our local community calendar.”

Visit swvg.co.uk/sws

Local councillors are continuing to push for a new Post Office in South Woodford.

“We remain in a positive dialogue with the Post Office. Matters are moving forward, and as soon as we are in a position to provide further details we will do so,” said Councillor Joe Hehir.

The George Lane Post Office closed in 2021, and the subsequent temporary Post Office in The Galleria closed the following year following a number of robberies.

South Woodford pianist, composer and sound designer Giusto Di Lallo invites you to join him for a local concert next month, when he will be performing the Piano Etudes by Philip Glass

Philip Glass (Baltimore, 1937) is widely known as one of the most celebrated, influential and prolific of the modern composers. He is frequently referred to as a minimalist, though he prefers to call himself a composer of “music with repetitive structures”. He has written many operas, symphonies, chamber music, musical theatre works and film scores.

The Piano Etudes were composed between 1991 and 2012,  largely in response to Glass’ need for repertoire of his solo piano concerts. They are therefore closely linked to Glass both as composer and performer. For almost two decades he was the only person who performed this music.

Glass himself remarked that this work had a twin objective, “to explore a variety of tempi, textures and piano techniques and at the same time to serve as a pedagogical tool by which I would improve my piano playing”.

The unique style and the quirks of Glass’s harmonic languages are instantly recognisable in each of the 20 Etudes; indeed, he has described them as self-portraits of sorts.

Since their publication in December 2014, the Etudes have been enthusiastically embraced by pianists around the world and they have taken their place as modern classics of the literature, bringing their unique soundworlds to new audiences.

I started my music studies at the age of four and from 1994 to 2012 I studied at the Conservatorio “Lorenzo Perosi” achieving the Master degree in Piano (2003) and the Master degree in Composition (2012).

My professional career started in 1996 and to date I have performed over 1,800 concerts, both as soloist and accompanist in various projects of different music styles, from classical to experimental music.

I also compose music for screen, ballet and theatre, direct multimedia shows and provide live soundtrack for art galleries and for audio-visual projects.

The performance will take place at St Mary’s Church in South Woodford on 2 July, from 3pm to 4.30pm.

Tickets: £12 (Early bird), £15 (Standard Ticket)

giustodilallo.eventbrite.co.uk

Residents are invited to celebrate Ukrainian culture at a concert in South Woodford this week

Following the weekend celebrating the Day of Kyiv in Ukraine (28 May), you are invited to a charitable concert offering a glimpse at the richness of the Ukrainian culture. Three incredibly gifted Ukrainian musicians – Iryna Rodionova (vocal, bandura), Luka Stepanyak (violin) and Nazar Voronov (piano) – will take the audience on an artistic journey and a musical walk through the country which is now fighting for its freedom.

In addition, with their performance, the musicians also wish to take an opportunity to express their gratitude to the British people for showing their overwhelming support and kindness to those in need of help and shelter. Two of the musicians have been recently displaced; they fled the war and are currently living in London.

The special programme will feature compositions by the jewels of the Ukrainian musical tradition including Bashtan, Starytsky, and Skoryk, as well as an iconic “My Kyiv” by Shamo and a 100 year old song “Chervona Kalyna” (The red viburnum) which is enjoying a renewed popularity in Ukraine especially since the Russian war broke out in 2014.

Kyiv Day, or officially the Day of Kyiv, is a holiday in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv that is usually celebrated in the last Sunday of May. Traditionally, the celebration features activities and festive events such as street and outdoor performances, cultural exhibitions, sporting activities, fashion shows, and music concerts. In peaceful times there used to be a firework show in the evening. Bandura Musical Instrument The bandura is the instrument that best embodies the voice and soul of Ukraine, and is considered by many to be the national instrument of Ukraine. From a musical perspective, the bandura unifies acoustic principles of both the lute and the harp. This produces a sound that is emphatic and gentle, resembling that of a harpsichord, but with a wide range of dynamics and tonal control. The bandura’s development closely reflects the history of the Ukrainian nation, dating back hundreds of centuries. Historically, the bandura was developed from kobza and played by blind minstrels who travelled from village to village singing epic ballads and historical songs, the singers were known as kobzars. It has 32-55 strings. Over centuries, the bandura has remained remarkably stable for the past 300 years both in its appearance and sound.

The concert will take place at St. Mary’s Church in South Woodford on 1 June from 7pm. Click here for tickets.

 ALL PROCEEDS TO BRITISH-UKRAINIAN AID 

Local resident Michelle Vanlint aims to raise £10k for Haven House at her annual cake sale and garden party this summer.

“Thank you to the overwhelming number of people that have offered to help me put this fabulous event on. Our aim is to raise enough money to pay for a day of care at the hospice, roughly £10k,” said Michelle.

The event – which will take place at 12 Derby Road on 16 June from 11am to 7pm – will be the 17th party Michelle has hosted at her home in aid of the Woodford Green charity.

Email msvanlint@yahoo.co.uk 

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

My cousin Paul rang me yesterday. He seems to enjoy my scribbles. “Look,” he said, “you don’t actually speak to all those people on George Lane, do you? I mean, surely you don’t just walk up and ask them straight out about their dogs or their grandchildren? Their home improvements? Even their hopes and ambitions?”

Did he think I just make it all up? That would be impossible. I admit that, time after time, I set out with my pad and pencil, feeling a little tentative at first, only to be treated to a wonderful variety of stories and experiences I could never have plucked out of the air: Audrey with an appointment to sit on her new toilet with the builder in attendance so she could indicate exactly the right placement for the loo-roll holder; Gordon’s tender description of the meticulous research involved in developing an ideal habitat for kingfishers right next door to the South Woodford Cricket Club; the woolly hatted Russian orthodox priest recalling his years working in a leper colony; Iby, encountered on the zebra crossing by Bressey Grove, a lovely 90-year-old Hungarian lady, concert pianist and holocaust survivor; beaming Arnold trundling around in his wheelchair announcing his memory had completely gone; the aged Knitter Natter group down at the library sharing their historic life stories; the elegant lady outside the International Supermarket with her handsome Pomeranian dog “rescued from a dustbin in Tenerife.” Such ‘copy’ as any diarist might dream of.

I daresay the couple of years I spent knocking on doors doing market research was a valuable preparation for these bimonthly scribbles. I don’t think I’ve told you much about that period in my life. I shed any shyness about approaching people (if I previously had any). I was invited into homes of every shape and size. Ease of access varied: some residences required you to speak into a remote grid in a wall while staring into an overhead camera with what you hoped was a trustworthy smile. Other homes sat without pretension on the pavement so you could see straight down the hall and into the kitchen. A single step and you were in. I’ll never forget the greeting of one Bethnal Green householder. She came to the door in her apron, curlers and carpet slippers, took one look at my clipboard and said: “You know what you are, don’t you! A bloody nuisance! Go in and get the kettle on! I’m off next door to borrow some tea bags.” I count it amongst the warmest of welcomes ever. 

It wasn’t much of a money-spinner, calling round to ask my ‘sample’ what they thought of cling film or washing powder or whatever. That didn’t take long. It was all the rest that took the time: the discussions about losing weight, keeping boyfriends, dealing with extravagant children, problems with breastfeeding, noisy neighbours. The topics people raised were as varied as my questionnaires. My daughter came with me on one sunny day during her university vacation. We separated and shared the allocated addresses. When I emerged from my ‘informant’, I couldn’t spot her but I could hear her laughter on the far side of a garden wall. There she was, stretched out on a sun-lounger, in merry conversation with her ‘customer’ (young and male, as it happens) and entering into the whole spirit of the exercise. (A chip off the old block?)

You can see how this job was shaping me for my role as DD in the South Woodford Village Gazette. It easily spilled over into chats quite unrelated to market research. Travelling around locally on my designated itinerary, I particularly recall an encounter at Wood Street station. I noticed the stationmaster stomping up and down outside the ticket office, red in the face and possibly on the verge of a heart attack. “Is something the matter?” I asked. (Straight in.) I expected to hear news of signal failures or unreliable drivers or even leaves on the line. “The matter? Yes, there certainly is something the matter. This new ticket collector they’ve sent me. He’s some kind of nutter! The sooner we get rid of him, the better! What does he think he’s doing between trains? Buries himself in his kiosk and reads the bleedin’ Bible! That’s what he does, doesn’t he!” “I see.” I didn’t, but withdrawal now would be difficult. “Are there other duties he should be performing between trains?” “Course not. That’s not the point, is it!” “So what is the point? Isn’t he allowed to read?” “Course he is. Only no one does. And anyway, reading the bleedin’ Bible. I ask yer!” By this time, I was beginning to warm to his pious new colleague. He sounded like someone worth standing up for. But I didn’t think it was the moment to ask the stationmaster if he’d read any good books lately. “Well, is he doing any actual harm? Being rude to the customers? Taking regular sickies?” I risked. Rather to my surprise, this didn’t trigger the expected fatal event. Instead, there was a gratifying diminuendo in his huffing and puffing and he rustled up an embarrassed laugh. “What? What? Oh, I daresay, if you’re into that kind of thing.” He headed off in the direction of his ‘Private Staff Only’ sanctuary. Probably had me down for a nutter, too. 

Occasionally, I was asked: “Were people rude and dismissive when you wanted to intrude on a bit of their day?” Sometimes, of course, folk are busy with no time or wish to stop and talk. And why not? That doesn’t make them ‘rude’. The vast majority of ‘respondents’, as we called them, were good-hearted, more than ready for a chat. I’ve long since discovered that the human race is definitely OK! I loved knocking on its front doors. As I have loved my forays into our community in South Woodford over the past 10 years. Thank you for all the stories you have shared so willingly. I would have been absolutely stumped without your help. So watch out. I’m not planning to give up any time soon.

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

The latest novel by Peter Chegwidden is a tale of love and tragedy which draws on memories of growing up in Wanstead and South Woodford in the 1950s and 1960s. Here, the author shares some of those memories

Ah, memories. And childhood memories, often the best. I was born in Wanstead in 1949, living in Chestnut Drive before moving in infancy to Malford Grove in South Woodford. I started my education at Churchfields (Mr Williams was the Head) and after a day’s schooling, there was nothing better than a visit to Downey’s for sweets on the way home!

Dad made us a wooden toboggan for use when the Hollow Ponds were frozen and the land covered by snow – our sledge went much faster than the bought ones. Us means me and my beloved sister Kathleen, who later attended Gowan Lea. Both sister and school are now sadly long gone. 

Ah, memories. The cows from the nearby forest wandering up Malford Grove to graze uninvited in our front garden! Going shopping with Mum at the Home and Colonial Stores near South Woodford station. Hearing the eerie sound of the air-raid siren being tested at Gates Corner every morning. The council thinking it was a good idea to give Malford Grove pink concrete verges. Aargh! Standing on Pulteney Road bridge, watching the trains go by, occasionally seeing a shunting engine working in the coal yards there. Mum and Dad taking us to the Plaza cinema on George Lane to see a comedy film. Dad taking us to the green in front of The Drive to throw sticks at the trees in the hope of bringing some conkers down. Mum taking us on the 101 from Wanstead, past the park and across the Flats to feed the swans near the City of London Cemetery. Or letting us play on the swings in the park surrounding Christ Church. Even to a small child, it gave a village feel to Wanstead. 

Dear memories. For his business, Dad had several lock-up garages at De Gruchy’s (I think it was) on New Wanstead, a large complex I found fascinating. There was my first girlfriend, Nola, who took my illustrated love letters to school where the teacher held them up for the class to see. Blush. We were both 10. It didn’t last. Later, I went to school in Loughton, often travelling on the Green Line 720 coaches. 

Cherished memories. For worship Sunday morning, it was communion wine at Holy Trinity on Hermon Hill, then over the road to the Fir Trees for beer! The then vicar, Father Angwin, joined us there once. And I was now out of my teens. But there had been a ‘guiding star’ for my future in my childhood.

Near Snaresbrook Station was a road sign to ‘Maidstone A20’ (no doubt via the Woolwich ferry), and at 23, that was where I moved when my firm relocated. And I’ve been in Kent ever since. But my memories of Wanstead and South Woodford have never left.

Peter’s novel, The Valour of the Heart, is available from Amazon (Kindle: £2.99; paperback: £6.99). Visit swvg.co.uk/valour

In the second of a series of articles featuring the images of local photographers who document the wildlife of Wanstead Park and the surrounding area, Diane Dalli presents her shot of a female ring-necked parakeet

I have been visiting Wanstead Park and Wanstead Flats to photograph the wildlife there for the past three years. It is a haven for a variety of birds and there is always something to spot, from birds of prey like little owls and kestrels to smaller species like stonechats and white throats.

The swifts and swallows that arrive in late spring are challenging to photograph and I will be attempting to get a sharp picture of them flying this year. They fly at up to 70mph, so they live up to their name!

Skylarks have been given their own territory on the Flats, fenced off to prevent disturbance during the nesting season, and can often be seen soaring over the flats, singing sweetly. Another challenging photo opportunity.

And then there is the large flock of ring-necked parakeets, which are present all year round and are very active, squawking as they fly by. The female parakeet pictured here was with her mate, checking out the hole in the tree as a possible nesting spot, so I will be returning later in the year to see if I can see any fledglings. While this colourful bird is named the ring-necked parakeet, only the males develop the telltale ring.

In the summer months, I also enjoy photographing the many varieties of colourful butterflies found locally, some quite rare, like the green hairstreak and the clouded yellow. 

There are many different habitats around here, including several lakes and ponds with a large variety of waterbirds. Dragonflies can also be seen, skimming across the water on a hot summer’s day. The ponds suffered last summer in the drought but are now looking ready to support this year’s breeding pairs of swans, egrets, ducks and grebes.

Wanstead Park is a peaceful place to spend a few hours away from city life and I will keep coming back with my camera.

To view more of Diane’s wildlife photos, visit swvg.co.uk/dalli

Lots of exciting activities have been taking place since we last wrote for the Gazette, says Stephanie Woodley of the 52nd Epping Forest South Scout Group, including preparing for a once-in-a-lifetime jamboree

Our Group Scout Leader has been keen to explore different opportunities for our young people to enjoy and had been hoping to sign the group up for Kander 100. Unfortunately, he was not initially successful, so we were placed on the waiting list. Then, in January, we were contacted by the organisers to see if we were still keen to attend. Planning has since begun in earnest to get 15 members of our troop and five leaders across to Switzerland in the summer.

Kander 100 is a once-in-a-lifetime jamboree for young people from around the world and is the highlight of the Kander International Scouting Centre Centenary celebrations; a jamboree bringing together Scouts and Guides from 100 countries for 10 days of adventure and international friendship in the heart of the Swiss Alps (we’re representing the United Kingdom). 

Patrol leader Danyaal said: “I’m really looking forward to Kander as I will be able to meet lots of new people from around the world and gain a brilliant experience representing the borough of Redbridge and the UK.”

To make the cost of the trip more affordable, and so the Scouts understand the cost of attending, they have all been asked to commit to fundraise at least £350. The group are also holding fundraising activities to support them in achieving this. 

Fundraising events were kicked off with a fantastic contribution by South Woodford Waitrose, who very generously donated £1,000 to the group, which will help with the transport costs. We were really pleased to collect this amazing donation in person from the team at Waitrose.

Following on from the success of our previous family bingo evening, we held another one in January, raising a further £390. Further fundraising activities completed to date have been cake sales at the hut (£40), one at Churchfields Junior School (£140) and another at Walthamstow Football Club.

Future events will include a race night on 3 June (please get in touch for further details regarding ticket prices and sponsorship opportunities), and hopefully, a tombola stall at the monthly South Woodford Market, so please do come along and support us.

Our sections run on two evenings each week: Beavers (six- to eight-year-olds) meet on a Monday followed by the Scouts (10-and-a-half- to 14-year-olds), with the Cubs (eight- to 10-and-a-half-year-olds) meeting on a Tuesday. If you’re interested in getting involved in the group or finding out more, please do get in touch.

The 52nd Epping Forest South Scout Group meets in the Scout Hut behind South Woodford Library. For more information and to get involved, email chairperson.52ndefs@gmail.com