Editor

Julia Brett, who founded the Woodford Arts Group one year ago, looks at the group’s successes to date and their plans for the year ahead, and explains why the local area has always appealed to artists.

This time last year, the Woodford Arts Group consisted of a few local artists who had responded to a call-out on the Next Door app.  This was for Woodford-based artists who were interested in getting together for mutual support and the possibility of starting an art-exhibiting group.

Within five months, we had our first exhibition. We had no idea what to expect and I suppose neither did any of the 250 visitors who came along to Packfords Hotel to see what we were about. We had lots of local interest and sales and were constantly asked when the next event was going to happen. We quickly followed up with an autumn exhibition with a pop-up cafe, again at Packfords, thanks to Debra Packford’s support. This time we exhibited for a week and it was gratifying to see repeat visitors as well as new ones.

Of course, we are not setting any precedents; Woodford and its environs have attracted other artists over the years. So, what is so special about Woodford and how does it influence artists?

One thing is Woodford being part of the forest and another is its historical context. Tudor queens have lodged nearby and many famous and infamous artists have been captivated by its verdant scenery. Jacob Epstein falls into the latter category. He scandalised society by keeping his mistress nearby and painted many scenes here and here about. I came across one of Epstein’s immediately recognisable Epping Forest paintings at the recent Tate Modern Van Gogh influences exhibition. In the same exhibition, Pissarro also had a painting from the same area, and he rented a number of properties locally. Twentieth-century artists include Churchill, Morris and Pankhurst. One of the newest artistic endeavours is that of Marsha David and her partner Digby, who have just started life drawing classes on a Tuesday evening locally.

Members of Woodford Arts Group are equally as influenced. Each season brings its own beauty, which we interpret in different styles. Sometimes, my own work is representational, like Summer Shadows in Knighton Woods (main image above). Others are more abstract, like the winter pond reflections in Lords Bushes (top inset image).

Group member Darren Evans portrays Woodford in a more illustrative style, such as his Woodford montage (bottom inset image). He says he takes in the views while walking with his family and dog. He captures the elements of Woodford, especially the chestnut trees, which are so emblematic of the area.

Shelagh French lives opposite Knighton Woods and is captivated by it and it shows in her work, while Cheryl Gabriel photographs the forest and last year produced a calendar showing the community of dogs in Knighton Woods.

So, how to follow up on our 2019 successes? In spring 2020, we will be travelling the world! Well, Traveller’s Tales is going to be our theme. We will be doing this over a weekend and offering tiffin, tea and tapas. We also plan some plein air painting sessions to encourage people to come and meet our artists so the community can get involved with us.

The best thing about us as a group is that we’re very flexible and open to anything. So, we’ll see what the rest of the year holds for us and respond in a creative way.

Residents keen on beautifying the streets of South Woodford for the year ahead are urged not to miss the 2020 deadline for adopting a tree pit near their home.

“Planting bee-friendly flowers under a street tree will make your road look beautiful, reduce chemicals being sprayed and help local  wildlife,” said a spokesperson for South Woodford Gardeners, which is aiming to increase the number of street trees across the neighbourhood planted at their base to support pollinating insects by creating stepping-stone habitats between surrounding green spaces.

“Just email the council by 25 January to tell them the location of the tree you’re adopting and they’ll provide a label to stop it being sprayed. Plant the base with wild flowers, geraniums, herbs or any other small plants. They can be really successful, even if there isn’t much soil.”

Email cleansing.services@redbridge.gov.uk or click here for more information on what to plant and street gardening safety advice.

Members of the South Woodford Young Writers Club were enthralled by author Andrew Michaelides, who visited their group recently. Teacher Shameem Aziz was equally inspired.

At the South Woodford Young Writers Club recently we had the pleasure of hosting Andrew Michaelides, a self-published children’s author. Andrew (known as Mr Michic) has published a series of three books based on the adventures of Tramp, a talking dog.

Of course, we were delighted to have him, and his visit was informative in so many ways. The children had pre-prepared questions they wanted to ask him. What inspired him? Why did he become a writer? What were his stories based on? What advice would he give someone who wants to write? All answered with patience and understanding.

It is probably true to say of children’s authors that they have certain characteristics in common. They manage to retain a sense of the wonder of life and  of adventure that can so easily be eroded as one grows up. This was certainly clear to see from meeting Andrew.

The visit also debunked the belief that success as an author must be immediate. Andrew wrote his first book over 30 years ago. Having got on with the business of life, work and family, he went back to it, and after a few changes and selection of an illustrator, proceeded to publication. Interestingly, Andrew’s job in ‘real life’ had nothing to do with writing – he became an accountant.

The children were rapt throughout – we could hardly believe how much time had passed! Andrew took them on the story of his life and managed to achieve in person what a good book should do – the children were lost in their imagination and fascinated by his story.

There were bigger life lessons that I am sure they took away from their meeting – whether they decide to become authors or not – most important of which was this: whatever your goal or dream, don’t give up. You, or circumstance, may delay it, you may take detours, you may refine and revise the plan, you will meet doubters along the way, you may have a dip in confidence and self- belief, but always keep the dream alive – whatever that dream is – until your will, circumstance and time come together in perfect symmetry to make it real. Andrew was a manifestation of this philosophy, sitting in front of the young writers.

As someone who loves writing but has spent most of her working life in schools, there were many salutary lessons in the visit for me too. Chief of which was it is never too late to return to delayed dreams. You are fortunate indeed if you manage to marry your passion and purpose and manifest it into your working life, which I have done; blessed again if you manage to do it twice… watch this space.

A nationwide water refill scheme has been launched in South Woodford to help shoppers stay hydrated and to reduce the use of plastic bottles.

“South Woodford is now part of the network set up by Refill, and a number of local businesses have already signed up, including the recently relocated Tipi Coffee (117 George Lane), Atkins Physiotherapy (154 High Road) and Greggs (168 George Lane).  So now, whenever you are out and about in South Woodford, look for the refill droplet logo and you can ask for your water bottle to be refilled,” said Louise Burgess of the South Woodford Society.

By downloading the app, users can search for their nearest refill station wherever they are. “This makes it easy to reduce the number of plastic bottles you need to buy and join the increasing number of people whose individual action will have a global impact. According to the Environmental Audit Committee, seven billion plastic water bottles are used each year in the UK.”

Visit refill.org.uk

Volunteers are needed to take part in a World War Two community theatre project.

“The Hope and Glory project aims to explore what life was like in Redbridge during the Second World War through performance and research techniques. We are also looking for anyone who might have any family stories or memories of what life was like in Redbridge during the war,” said project leader Alfie James.

Participants will work towards creating a show to be performed at South Woodford’s Redbridge Drama Centre in April. “This will be a fun and enjoyable project, which will bring local history to life on stage… No previous acting experience is required.”

The project – which is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Redbridge Museum and Heritage Centre – will launch in January.

Call 07858 625 622

A meeting of the Woodford Festival Association (WFA) will take place this January to decide how to take the community event forward.

It follows an appeal in the previous issue of the South Woodford Village Gazette for volunteers to come forward and help organise the next festival, which may not go ahead in October as planned if the WFA decide the workload is too great for the current committee.

“The call for volunteers brought us two people who have expressed an interest in joining the committee, but in both cases will not be able to take a leading role. We will meet in early January to make a final decision as to whether to take the Woodford Festival forward in 2020. More volunteers are welcome in the meantime,” said WFA chairman Geoff Seeff.

Email geoffseeff@cix.co.uk

Redbridge Council is rolling out cycle hangars across the borough.

“The response from residents so far has been very positive, with the vast majority looking forward to having somewhere safe to put their bikes. In neighbouring boroughs, hangars have proved popular and helped foster a cycling culture – hopefully, the same will happen here,” said Councillor Paul Donovan.

“If you are interested in having a hangar close to you, please get in touch.”

Email jack.redman@redbridge.gov.uk

The South Woodford Society is urging as many people as possible to take part in Redbridge Council’s consultation on the group’s Neighbourhood Plan Area and Forum application.

“The boundary area for the plan has been based on the E18 postcode, with a slight overlap into parts of Wanstead, Snaresbrook and Woodford. It also includes the Tesco site next to Charlie Brown’s Roundabout, which has been included for the simple reason that the sheer size of that site, should it ever be developed into residential, would have a significant impact on resources in South Woodford,” said Pearl Arbenser-Simmonds.

The consultation – which is open until 6 January – asks residents if they think the proposed boundary is consistent with the South Woodford area. A decision on whether the area will be designated is expected by the end of February and is the first stage in producing a Neighbourhood Plan for the area.

Email dpd@redbridge.gov.uk or visit swvg.co.uk/nplan

Members of a local fitness club took part in a 1980s-themed mass workout at the end of 2019 in celebration their leader’s 25th anniversary in fitness and to raise funds for ELHAP, a special needs adventure playground in Woodford Bridge.

“This charity event was the climax of a fantastic year – my 25th anniversary of teaching fitness classes. We managed to find an original Felicity Kendal vinyl exercise LP from the 1980s and hook it up to a sound system… we all enjoyed stepping back in time for the aerobathon,” said South Woodford resident Karen Smith, who runs Fitgirlslim in Gants Hill, Chigwell, Woodford and Clayhall

“Thanks to the generosity of our club members, throughout the year, we have now raised over £5,000 for ELHAP and had a lot of fun along the way.”

Visit swvg.co.uk/fgs

Woodford Town FC officials have expressed their delight following Redbridge Council’s approval of a £1.6m revamp of Ashton Playing Fields in Woodford Green, which will enable the club – currently sharing a ground with Harlow FC – to return to the local area.

“This is a real step forward and it will be a fantastic reward for a lot of effort when the building work begins,” said a spokesperson.

The club, which competes in the Essex Senior League, are keen to build community ties, and have been working with local schools to create a time capsule that will be buried under the proposed 350-seater grandstand.

“It’s great the wheels are turning in our return home. There has been a lot of support in the local area for this. The future is looking very exciting!” added supporter Lloyd Duddridge.

Visit swvg.co.uk/wtfc

Henry Scott stood as an independent candidate for the Leyton and Wanstead constituency in December’s General Election. Having recently turned 18, he was the UK’s youngest candidate.

“The election has been brilliant, and it’s given me a lot of experience, but also educated me a lot on the issues in our area and in the country. From the homeless to business owners, everyone has problems that need to have a change in the way they are dealt with… I was surprised at some of the abuse myself and other parties received, but I’ve been told that’s just how politics works… I am definitely going to run for a councillor position next time. The campaign has spurred me on and built me up with enthusiasm,” said Henry, who received a 1% vote share with 427 votes.