Editor

Organisers of the Haven House Christmas Cake appeal are seeking local volunteer bakers to take part in the festive fundraiser.

“Every year, a group of volunteers whip, mix and bake their hearts out to raise funds for the children’s hospice… If you can spare the time to bake one or more traditional fruit cakes, or if you would like to order a cake (or two) for the festive season, please get in touch. Last year’s cakes were a sell-out success in Wanstead and Woodford, let’s do it again!” said Paul Canal.

Email havenhousexmasbakers@gmail.com

Local residents told a public meeting how TfL’s careless bus reorganisation is wrecking lives in South Woodford and Wanstead and needs urgent action. Donna Mizzi and Millicent Brown report

On one of the hottest days of the year, about 60 local residents packed a meeting, called at short notice, to speak of the dreadful effects the area’s bus changes have had on their lives, livelihoods, health and education.

Caroline Russell, deputy chair of the London Assembly’s Transport Committee, explained she called July’s meeting at Wanstead House to understand why there was a continuing outcry about the changes imposed in September 2024. The London Assembly holds the Mayor and TfL chairman Sadiq Khan to account. Her eyes widened as, over 90 minutes, she heard emotional accounts of ongoing impact – particularly about the W14, which has created major hardships at every level. “Children can’t get to school and adults can’t get to work.” “Patients can’t reach the hospital.” “The whole thing is a disgrace. We can’t wait for a bus that doesn’t come,” said residents from South Woodford, Snaresbrook and Wanstead. The W12 and W13 buses have also been problematic for many.

Residents told Caroline the infrequency and unpredictability of the ‘hourly’ W14 services, where there is no alternative public transport, has left elderly and disabled people isolated and lonely – common causes of depression. Meanwhile, carers have had trouble reaching residents. The W14 also avoids the most useful sections of South Woodford’s and Wanstead’s shopping streets, before terminating at Whipps Cross interchange, half a mile from the Outpatients and A&E departments.

Lucille Grant (86) was confined to her Nightingale Estate home on a number of days last winter, forcing her to sell up and move to a more convenient location. “Now, I worry about the elderly and disabled people I’ve left behind,” she said. Elderly residents have gone out and not been able to get a bus back home.

Actor and Green Party member Ashley Gunstock said: “TfL is either grossly inept, thoughtless or callous.” Caroline suggested there might have been some planning oversights; the response was a shaking of heads. A resident said it appeared TfL was taking a “sneaky wrecking ball” to the W14 as it hasn’t been as profitable as other routes.

A local elderly woman apologised for arriving late after a one-and-a-half-hour journey. Caroline said she understood because it had taken her that same length of time to reach the meeting, involving Tube replacement buses. Immediately, several people chorused: “But this woman hasn’t travelled from Islington!” The exhausted, apologetic resident had just come from the nearby Nightingale Estate, but her bus didn’t turn up.

Caroline is a Green Party member. Fellow London Assembly member Keith Prince, Conservative member for Redbridge and Havering, also attended the meeting. He mentioned the local Labour MP Calvin Bailey has been involved, presenting a parliamentary petition in January. Meeting organiser Syed Siddiqi said the seriousness of the issues meant parties needed to work together to bring about the necessary bus changes. Keith said he is also arranging to get the Deputy Mayor down to the area and to the badly affected Woodbridge High School in September. Later, he explained he has also visited badly impacted retired residents in Eagle Lodge, Snaresbrook, and has arranged a meeting with the Director of Buses and to ride the W-buses with residents. He has raised direct questions with the London Mayor and says he is having ongoing meetings.

South Woodford and Wanstead’s Labour councillors have also been raising the issues at Redbridge’s External Committee meetings. Save Our Local Bus Services campaigners say they will be meeting Deputy Mayor Seb Dance soon, and they were urged to work together with councillors and officers. But then a TfL officer spent much time telling the committee how difficult it was for TfL to make any changes. Councillors responded saying their own objections had been ignored in the first place.

Other residents have been drawing attention to the lack of essential bus information at local stops, even though the extensive changes took place a year ago. A TfL officer just apologised, unchallenged, and said renewed details should appear by September.

Many people, including vulnerable and elderly residents, don’t possess a smartphone. Local people who do use them complained the TfL apps were frequently useless. Director of Wanstead Mental Health Clinic, David Sleet, said: “You’re told to check an app for information. If you are a vulnerable person, you are already a target, and TfL is making them do something which makes them even more vulnerable.”

To share your W-bus stories, email donnamizzi@btinternet.com

Tickets for this year’s Wanstead Beer Festival are on sale.

The event – now in its third year – will be taking place in the halls of Christ Church from 1pm on 4 October. “There will be more than 50 beers from across the country, including many local breweries, plus cider, gin, wine and food. Over 700 people attended last year and we hope for even more this year, so come along and share a beer with friends and neighbours,” said organiser Paul Donovan.

The £10 admission fee includes a unique Wanstead Beer Festival glass.

Visit swvg.co.uk/beer

Celebrating sustainability, creativity and community spirit, the South Woodford Society will join the Mayor’s Community Weekend this September with free events for all ages. Louise Burgess reports

Taking place over the weekend of Friday 12 September to Sunday 14 September 2025, the Mayor’s Community Weekend encourages Londoners and communities to come together to celebrate the city and our local groups and spaces. The South Woodford Society will be holding a number of events over this weekend to showcase our local initiatives, particularly related to the greening and sustainability of our area.

The South Woodford Society is one of several organisations in Redbridge to receive a grant from The National Lottery Community Fund to enable us to host free workshops over the weekend. The last Mayor’s Community Weekend took place in 2023, with 184 organisations receiving £250,000 of grants between them. This year, £385,000 was made available to voluntary or community groups, each being awarded up to £2,000 to host activities that celebrate and support building strong community relationships.

Our events begin on Saturday 13 September at the South Woodford Community Orchard (on the corner of Primrose Road and Mulberry Way), when we will be running two free workshops to create mosaic stepping stones to use in your garden. You will achieve a splash of colour and a playful mix of patterns, insects, birds or animals, which will energise your garden space. There will be two sessions, from 10am to 12 noon and then from 1pm to 3pm. We can only accommodate 10 people per session, so please make sure you book early.

On Sunday 14 September, you can spend more time in the orchard and help us tidy up after our dry summer. We will also be checking our fruit trees and picking any ripe apples. We aim for low-maintenance planting and follow the forest garden philosophy of permaculture, attempting to create a space where visitors can enjoy time in nature and harvest the fruits of their labours.

We’ll also be running one of our regular litter picks, a strangely addictive activity, which children are particularly good at!

Both of Sunday’s events will be running from 11am, and all equipment will be provided, but if you have your own gardening gloves or favourite tools, please bring them along. All ages are welcome, and even our four-legged friends, but children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Other local events happening as part of the Mayor’s Community Weekend include a cricket tournament and BBQ at South Woodford Cricket Club and nature-inspired activities at ELHAP adventure playground in Woodford Bridge.

For more information on the Mayor’s Community Weekend events, visit swvg.co.uk/mcw25

For more information on South Woodford Society events, visit sowosoc.org

Permission has been granted for a new development on Holy Trinity Church land, off Hermon Hill.

Under the plans – named Project Arclight – the church’s 100-year-old Trinity Hall will be replaced by a new community hall with flexible spaces, a play area and café. A four-storey apartment block and nine townhouses will also be built on the site.

“This project will see church land developed to better support the needs of the church and the community for generations to come,” said Rev Abi Todd.

Construction is expected to begin in late 2026.

Redbridge Council has issued an update on South Woodford Library, which closed in September 2024 following the discovery of RAAC concrete.

“We’re in the final stages of negotiation and anticipate the appointed contractor will begin work this autumn. In the meantime, our structural engineers have been assessing the building and providing recommendations. As part of this preparatory phase, we’ve had to prop up the roof structure and install security hoardings… A reopening date will be announced in due course.”

Woodford Pantomime received an award for the best production of a traditional pantomime at the NODA London Awards, held in June.

The honour was in recognition of the amateur company’s January production of Sleeping Beauty, with preparations now underway for their next show. “Rehearsals have begun and excitement is building as we prepare to bring the tale of Dick Whittington to life in 2026,” said a spokesperson. The panto will take place at Sir James Hawkey Hall from 1 to 11 January.

isit swvg.co.uk/wpanto

The head chef of Namak Indian restaurant in South Woodford has been named National Curry Chef of the Year at the UK Curry Championships 2025.

“Cooking is my passion and this award encourages me even more,” said Ravindra Singh, who joined the restaurant eight months ago. Rajesh Suri, director of operations at Namak, said: “Ravindra made a lot of changes to the kitchen, focussing on locally sourced ingredients. He has green beliefs and likes zero waste.”

Namak is located at 219 High Road.

Visit swvg.co.uk/namak

Redbridge Council has approved plans for the introduction of permanent market stalls in South Woodford and Wanstead.

Applications are now open for two pitches on the High Road near Pizza Express and nine pitches along Wanstead High Street.

Wanstead residents have called a public meeting to discuss the proposals.

The new pitches are listed in the council’s recently approved Street Trading Policy 2025.

Redbridge Council is moving forward with plans to demolish and rebuild Broadmead Road bridge, which has been closed to traffic since July 2023 due to structural defects.

he decision follows a detailed options appraisal, which identified full replacement as the most effective long-term solution. The new bridge will cost £24m to construct, with a further £56m required to cover associated costs. The council plans to apply for support from the government’s recently announced £1bn infrastructure fund.

Visit swvg.co.uk/brb

A new edition of Village Vouchers has been jointly published by the South Woodford Village Gazette and Wanstead Village Directory.

“Next time you head to the high street, make sure you have Village Vouchers in your pocket. There are over £500 of savings available at local shops, salons, cafés, pubs and restaurants. Plus, every copy sold includes a donation to Tin in a Bin,” said editor Lee Marquis.

Valid until June 2026, the booklets can be ordered online (£5) and collected from George Lane.

Visit swvg.co.uk/vouchers