Editor

Chess has come a long way recently but there is still a missing piece, says 18-year-old Jay Demetriou, whose membership of Wanstead and Woodford Chess Club has helped him connect with the community

With social media providing us all with quick-fix entertainment with little need for thought, it could have been assumed that thought-provoking pastimes like chess would fade into irrelevance. Instead, chess is more popular than ever before; chess.com now has more than 4.5 million active UK users. Many of these new players come from the younger generation, and at Wanstead High, I’ve watched this phenomenon first-hand.

More and more young people are playing chess! Chess has flourished, not because it is so different from other activities, but because it has moved with the times and adapted for the modern world. Chess can be played online, like a video game. The game-mode Bullet Chess (where each player has one minute to make moves) has proved particularly popular in an entertainment landscape which prioritises quick dopamine hits. Streaming series like The Queen’s Gambit have also breathed new life into the game. The boom is great for chess, turning what was once seen as unfashionable into a game for everyone.

This online integration, however, leads to the exact problems we always hear about social media and video games: a loss of a feeling of community; a loss of true connection. While this is frequently used as a way of attacking young people, it is rarely followed by a solution. This is why local chess clubs are important, and why the social atmosphere of Wanstead and Woodford Chess Club is so valuable for us; a way to bridge the gap between the internet and true community.

Our chess club creates this atmosphere through its location, the welcoming Wanstead House, and the accessible nature of chess as a mental sport. A game for all ages. There are two sections of the club: the junior section, which runs every Tuesday from 5pm to 7pm, and the broader club session which runs from 7.30pm to 10pm. The bar is a key reason for the lively feel! From here, teas will be brought to the players during their games. When matches are over, players will often return to the bar to chat. It’s also a meet-up point for a trip to the pub for some!

For juniors, whose first experience of chess may have been from behind a phone screen, playing games over the board with their friends – learning and improving together – allows them to maintain their love for the game. The social aspect of chess should not be overlooked.

While chess is alive and well, it could be livelier if more people were to join clubs and enjoy the social aspect. Providing an answer, though not the answer, to the broader 21st-century problem of a lack of community. So, next time you think of a night-in, why not think of a knight out?

Wanstead & Woodford Chess Club meets at Wanstead House, 21 The Green. For more information, visit wnstd.com/chess

A South Woodford family is inviting people to their home on 28 September for a coffee afternoon in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

“This is our sixth year of hosting a Macmillan coffee event. In previous years, we’ve always been pleased by how generous visitors have been, which helps make a difference for people living with cancer. We look forward to sharing some of our lovely home-baked goods with you,” said Fiona Grant.

The event will take place at 83 Cowslip Road from 2pm to 5pm (£5 minimum donation).

Remember Chris Tomkins of Kistrucks Bakery on George Lane or Colin Bent of Albion Clocks on Grove Hill? At the Woodford Historical Society’s October meeting, Mike Edwards will be discussing Shelf Life E11:E4:E18, a self-published book featuring photos and stories of these and other local business owners

The idea for the book came about during a photography course I was attending at City Lit in 2008, which covered environmental portraiture, that is photos of people set in their working environment. I started by asking some shopkeepers in Wanstead to ‘pose’ for me, and found most people happily agreed.

While they were posing for their portrait, conversations began to reveal their past and how they became involved in the local community. I found the longer they had been plying their trade or vocation, the more interesting their stories became. Some thought they had nothing of interest to say, but without fail, that was never the case. Some had come from unprivileged backgrounds and made a good life for themselves. Others led intriguing lives and made the most of opportunities that came their way.

I have always been passionate about local history and appreciating the roles that people play in their communities, and decided I had to make a record of their experiences, accompanied by the photos. The idea to create a book began in 2008, and was finally published as a permanent record of 41 subjects in 2014.

For my Woodford Historical Society talk in October, I will be concentrating on the Woodford section of the book, which reveals some fascinating stories. Some highlights include: WD Chapman Butchers in Woodford Green, who traced their family business back three generations to at least 1890; Chrystalls Pharmacy in Woodford Green, whose former owner, Vic Irvine, is descended from a Native American orphan; Kistrucks Bakery in South Woodford (closed in 2017), where until as recently as the late 1950s, 26 horse-drawn carts would leave the bakery in George Lane to supply the East End; and Colin Bent the horologist, who worked from his shop Albion Clocks on Grove Hill (Colin passed away in 2013, just before the book was published).

I regard this work as a celebration of those who have dedicated a large part of their lives to their trade or vocation, invariably with passion, pride and modesty.

Mike’s presentation will take place at All Saints Church hall in Woodford Wells on 9 October from 2.30pm (visitors: £5). For more information, visit swvg.co.uk/9oct

To view more stories in Shelf Life E11:E4:E18, visit swvg.co.uk/shelflife

The Woodford and District branch of the National Trust has announced its new season of talks.

The programme begins on 24 September with a presentation about the wildlife of Epping Forest by retired biologist and photographer Peter Warne.

Future talks will include a look at the art of John Constable (15 October), the history of Walthamstow (12 November) and the restoration of Waltham Abbey Church (3 December). Events take place at All Saints’ Church hall in Woodford Wells from 2.30pm (visitors: £3).

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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.