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Transport for London is due to carry out repair work on Woodford Bridge Green following damage made in September 2019, when toilet facilities for bus drivers were installed nearby.

“We apologise to local residents for any disruption and are working closely with Redbridge Council to prevent rainwater collecting on the green. We will be levelling out small dips in the ground and planting new grass to resolve the issue,” said a spokesperson for TfL.

The work is set to take place ‘at some point’ in the new year.

A 15-year-old student from Woodford County High School was victorious in Jack Petchey’s “Speak Out” Challenge in December – the largest youth speaking competition in the world, with nearly 20,000 people taking part. Maddeline Balogun spoke about generational differences.

“I’ve noticed a gap, and it’s made of generational differences paved with judgement and filled with 100 different shades of ignorance,” said Maddeline, who won £2,000, plus £3,000 for her school.

Watch Maddeline’s speech at swvg.co.uk/gap

Redbridge Council has approved the creation of two Low Emission Neighbourhoods, covering Wanstead and the Oakdale area of South Woodford.

The initiative will involve measures to reduce vehicle emissions and promote sustainable living, including the implementation of segregated cycle lanes,  lighting upgrades and enhanced green landscaping. Traffic is also set to be banned from travelling past a number of schools at certain times. Consultations will launch in January.

More information and links to consultations will be published here when available.

The Friends of Wanstead Parklands and Heritage of London Trust have announced some good news in relation to the park’s historic boathouse Grotto.

The Trust has offered a grant of £10,000 to restore the iconic building’s landing stage, with work planned to start later this year.

“We are thrilled to have this support from the Heritage of London Trust and also pleased to report the City of London has adopted a Conservation Management Plan to secure the Grotto’s future,” said Richard Arnopp.

Visit swvg.co.uk/fwp

South Woodford’s Community Gardeners have started a new project improving the tree pits along George Lane.

“One of the gardeners counted up to 80 sad-looking tree pits along George Lane, including both sides of South Woodford Station. So we decided to start on South Woodford’s tree pits as our next challenge! Recent weather has been kind to us gardeners, as the soil is soft. So, we are digging and planting, and already it looks more cheerful! Thank you for all your plants and encouragement,” said Judy Noble.

Woodford Town FC’s long-awaited return to the borough has been delayed until the new year after an FA inspection of the new ground at Ashton Playing Fields found a number of issues to be dealt with in order to gain the necessary grading for senior football.

The club is confident the work will be completed by early January, after twice having to reschedule ‘welcome home’ matches.

“Although frustrating, this is normal practice for facilities new to senior football, and will be worth the wait as a new grandstand, clubhouse, changing rooms and improved floodlighting have all been installed as part of a £1.6m project. We have battled against Covid and the weather to complete the work to return home, but I’m sure the fans will say the wait was worth it come the first game!” said club spokesman Neil Day.

Visit swvg.co.uk/wt

The ‘things that make for human wellbeing in building design’ was the focus of a recent campaign meeting about the plans for the new Whipps Cross Hospital.

“Why daylight and views in our workplace help us sleep, how access to greenery in hospital grounds lets staff de-stress, that air pollution makes London children’s lungs on average 10% smaller. Of course, the new designs presented were the big focus,” said a spokesperson for the Sustainability Action for Whipps campaign group.

Watch a recording at swvg.co.uk/wx

Redbridge Council is seeking feedback to help shape its Green Urban Landscape policy, which will create a plan for improving council greenery across the borough.

“This policy will update the old tree policy from 1996 and seeks to unify our approach to greenery… This policy is just one step on a journey to improving the environment within Redbridge,” said a spokesperson.

The survey closes on 15 January.

Visit swvg.co.uk/grn

A number of local school PTAs joined forces in December to organise a visit from Santa and his elves, who followed a trail across Wanstead and South Woodford.

“We all pulled together to sprinkle some Christmas magic into children’s lives during a time when we had to cancel a lot of our usual Christmas activities. Huge thanks to Parker Dairies, North London Loft Rooms and Terry Tew Sound and Light for supporting this event,” said organiser Amy Moore.

Donations can still be made to support projects at the schools.

Visit swvg.co.uk/santa

South Woodford Indian restaurant Grand Trunk Road has been named London’s ‘best fine dining Indian restaurant’ for 2020 in the Asian Curry Awards.

Now in its 10th year, the award ceremony – organised by the Asian Catering Federation – was broadcast live from Edinburgh in early December.

“We are so pleased and we want to thank all those who nominated us. Your support has made this possible,” said owner Rajesh Suri, who opened the restaurant in collaboration with chef Dayashankar Sharma in 2016.

Haven House Children’s Hospice in Woodford Green is joining hospices up and down the country to take part in a Christmas tree recycling scheme.

“We are planning to collect and recycle 500 real Christmas trees to raise money for our vital services. On 9 and 10 January, volunteers will be out collecting trees from households in IG7, IG8, IG9, IG10, E18 and E4. We hope the scheme will help to raise more than £5,000, after what has been a particularly tough year,” said a spokesperson.

Visit swvg.co.uk/recycletree