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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

Since 2013, a seller is required to state whether Japanese knotweed is present on their property. Derek Inkpin from local solicitors Axiom DWFM looks at the legal implications of this invasive weed

Imagine you are in the process of buying a house, and on receiving a form from your solicitor entitled ‘Property Information Form’, which features in all residential conveyancing transactions, you read that Japanese knotweed has previously been found at the property but has been treated by a specialist firm with a guarantee. Do you cancel your purchase or still proceed, not least because you really like the house?

Everybody has heard about this pernicious weed, but it seems as if it is a distant menace. It may be the stuff of legal and financial nightmares, but if it has been treated, is that enough? Well, it has the potential to damage man-made and natural structures and has been estimated to be present in every 10 square kilometres of the British Isles.

Court cases involving knotweed are likely to increase as a result of a recent Court of Appeal decision in Davies vs Bridgend Council, which is regarded as a landmark ruling. These cases, however, have had a difficult recent history when in 2018 the Court of Appeal decided in Williams vs Network Rail Infrastructure (NRI) that Mr Williams could succeed in his appeal but not on the grounds of NRl’s land causing a private nuisance through encroaching knotweed to Mr Williams’ land. He succeeded because of the loss of what is called the amenity value and use of his property.

It is clear that once warned of the presence of knotweed, a landowner is under a duty to treat it and will be liable if there is a history of failure to do so. That will give rise to a court claim which in the Williams and Davies cases included a right to claim for the loss in value of their respective properties. In the Davies case, the significance of what was decided was that a landowner can recover compensation for the stigma attached to his house, even after successful treatment by a specialist contractor with a guarantee in place.

Thus, there is still the possibility of a value reduction of the property after treatment and buyers walking away from the purchase or offering less for the property. It might prevent mortgage lenders from lending on a property or prevent homeowners from carrying out improvements to landscaping or building works which would otherwise increase the value of their property.

As a seller, never be tempted in the form you complete to answer ‘no’ to the questions about knotweed which is sent to the buyer. Failure to report or deliberately conceal knotweed could lead to the seller being sued for misrepresentation and liable for compensation due to the stigma attached to their property, as well as treatment costs.

Axiom DWFM is located at 9–13 Cambridge Park, Wanstead, E11 2PU. For more information, call 020 8215 1000

A former builders’ yard, The Galleria site in South Woodford has been in Madeleine McCarthy’s family since 1963

Records show that in the 1920s, 180–182 George Lane was listed as ‘Land and Stables’. It later became a builders’ yard and was purchased by my father, Stanley Kimmings, in 1963 for his building business, WJ Kimmings & Son. He had worked in the business and inherited it upon my grandfather’s death.

The builder’s yard was accessed by a central walkway with an office and workshops on one side and a covered storage yard on the other. There were two shops fronting the pavement, one on either side of the entrance to the yard. The shop to the left was Dennis & Whitehead, an electrical repair shop, Ben Whitehead being my father’s brother-in-law. On the right was a card shop. To one side of the site was the Congregational Church, built in 1886 and demolished in 1982, and which is now M&S. On the other side was Abridge Engineering, then a VW garage, and which is now The Slug and Lettuce.

Dennis & Whitehead had a shop which would be very much in vogue today. In an era now where we are much more conscious of recycling and ‘make do and mend’, it offered a great service for the repair of small appliances such as toasters and kettles. One wall was covered with pigeon holes for dozens of different types of valves, which people often purchased in those days. Sadly, shops such as this went out of fashion with the advent of the throwaway society, and it closed for good in 2004.

I inherited the site from my father, who died in 1981, and later the property was redeveloped into The Galleria, a mall with a central walkway, comprising of 13 units, predominantly retail. It opened in 1992 while the country was going through a deep recession. Two of the shops have frontages onto George Lane, as before.

In 2004, I looked into the possibility of opening up the back of The Galleria to connect with the Sainsbury’s car park, but British Land own a thin strip of land between the two sites and nothing was progressed, but I plan to look into this again. 

After having gone through a challenging period during the pandemic, The Galleria is now undergoing a resurgence, with improvements to the building, a new management team and exciting new businesses moving in, as well as retaining some tenants who have been there for many years. Among the range of shops are a barbers, hair and beauty, flower shop, café (currently being refurbished under new ownership with an upgraded outside decking area), a cake shop, takeaway food outlet and an eco-friendly re-use and refill shop. So, take a wander through The Galleria and discover what is on offer in this hidden gem.

The Galleria is located at 180–182 George Lane, South Woodford, E18 1AY.

Four open-air evening performances will take place in Wanstead Park this summer.

Award-winning theatre company Illyria will begin the season on 30 May with Robin Hood, followed by performances of Twelfth Night (29 June) and Pride and Prejudice (28 July).

All-male theatre group The Lord Chamberlain’s Men will conclude the programme with a production of Romeo and Juliet on 27 August.

All shows take place in the Temple enclosure from 7pm, and attendees are encouraged to bring their own seating and a picnic.

Visit swvg.co.uk/wp23

Volunteering brings communities together, says Nurun Begum, Volunteer Centre Manager at Redbridge CVS, which provides information, training and support to organisations and residents

The Volunteer Centre Redbridge is based at Redbridge CVS (Redbridge Council for Voluntary Services) in Ilford and aims to make Redbridge a place which values volunteering and recognises the contribution volunteers make to the community. We support organisations in recruiting volunteers and, importantly, help guide volunteers towards the right organisation and roles for them.

Volunteering not only contributes towards social cohesion, bringing local communities together to achieve a common goal, but improves mental well-being, builds confidence and tackles isolation and loneliness. It can also provide a helpful pathway to employment, particularly for younger people or those returning to work. This is evident from the positive feedback from volunteers and organisations we work with, such as Age UK, who are currently recruiting for a kitchen aide in Wanstead. One of their amazing volunteers, a 66-year-old who regularly helps in this role, said: “I am sure some people may feel nervous about making the decision to volunteer. Perhaps it takes them out of their comfort zone. But I can wholeheartedly recommend it.”

I am always awestruck when I meet the many incredible people who show such dedication and compassion in their volunteering roles and give up their free time for worthy causes. And it is great to see the launch of the national campaign for volunteering, The Big Help Out, to promote volunteering to a wider audience. The initiative kick-starts with a national day of volunteering on the Coronation bank holiday, encouraging people to pledge their time, whether a single day or regularly.

I am passionate about breaking down barriers which deter and hinder people’s volunteering experience, and keen to continually source volunteering opportunities which are as diverse as the communities we live in. My team and I will be hosting our annual Volunteer’s Fair at the Town Hall in Ilford on 6 June (11am to 2pm) and hope to meet lots of prospective volunteers. Plus, we hold monthly workshops open to anyone who’d like to find out more about volunteering in the borough. We also offer a one-to-one, confidential, drop-in service for anyone who’d like to discuss opportunities individually. We strive to ensure people have a positive volunteering experience that is both meaningful and mutually beneficial to individuals, organisations and the community.

If this has inspired you to volunteer, take a look at our website to view the current opportunities and register your interest for the roles. We can often get people started on their volunteering journey almost immediately.

For more information on Redbridge CVS, email volunteering@redbridgecvs.net. To view current local volunteering opportunities, visit swvg.co.uk/volunteer

Shakespeare’s Macbeth will be performed at the open-air Greek Theatre in the grounds of Woodford County High School this summer.

“With 10 actors in period costume, this promises to be a summer’s evening full of magic and drama. And for those studying the play for GCSE, it will reinforce understanding and a love for Shakespeare,” said a spokesperson for the Drama Impact Theatre Company. The performance will take place on 30 June.

Readers can use code ‘SWVG’ for a 10% discount.

Visit swvg.co.uk/macbeth

Over the last 10 years, Redbridge Council has increasingly excluded residents from the planning process, argues Paul Canal, who laments the decision to approve the Snaresbrook Station car park development

We used to have up to 50 meetings a year attended by local people. The abolition of the Area Planning Committees, which met up to 33 times a year, was followed by the removal of residents’ – or indeed councillors’ – rights to call in applications for public discussion. For an astounding 10 months, we didn’t have a single public planning meeting – and that was not as a result of covid!

In their place, behind closed doors, a planning chair sits with an officer and they alone decide what should and should not be discussed in public. There is no right of appeal. Every other decision is made by an officer, unchallenged and unchallengeable. It appears as though the views of the public are neither sought nor considered important. Yet, even where we have the rare meeting, the odds are stacked against residents. Developers have (and pay handsomely for) access to officers for several years to discuss and refine their plans. Residents get barely five weeks’ notice and only two minutes to advance their views, and that is if a meeting is held at all! Petitions signed by hundreds are counted as only one objection – a democratic outrage. The committee then invariably waves the application through, albeit with the occasional crocodile tears and expression of “regret”.

Which is how we now have the Snaresbrook monstrosity, an overbearing building plonked in a car park. Whilst the borough is crying out for family homes, Redbridge Council have not only approved the 70-plus one-bedroom flats, but flats up to 30% smaller than planning standards normally allow. Simply astonishing, but ideal if you are a slim Hobbit.

The local plan, a statutory document, determines land use. If a former car park is quietly reallocated as development land, the die is cast. There are no legal grounds to object. All you can do is mitigate the impact by working to have a development acceptable to the community. Except, in reality, the community have no say. We get to the party when all the food has been eaten and the music has stopped. In our two minutes, we can appeal and implore and they can ignore. Which they invariably do.

I recognise we need more homes and I am not against the building of homes on car parks by stations per se, (though I note that no thought or provision has been given to those who drive to the station, car drivers being as popular as Ebola in Redbridge). I am, though, viscerally opposed to this lumpen carbuncle with the grace of a tub of lard and the profile of a battleship. It is simply too tall, flies in the face of planning guidelines regarding scale and mass, and should never have got to planning, let alone be passed. And it is the neighbouring residents who will suffer the most. I am genuinely sorry for them. They have not just been failed, they have been royally shafted.

Paul Canal is a Wanstead resident and Conservative councillor for Bridge ward. 

Memento mori workshops will take place at Creative Biscuit Ceramics Café this June.

“Memento mori is Latin for ‘remember you will die’. It is a reminder of our own mortality. On 23 June, we will explore what this means to you and help you create a memento mori cup, bowl or plate. On 30 June, this object will help you explore your feelings about death,” said Debbie Young from North East London Death Cafe, who will be running the workshops with local artist Hannah Crosson (tickets: £60 or £45 if booked by 15 May).

Visit swvg.co.uk/mm