Editor

The co-founder of the Women’s Football Association (WFA) will be giving a talk about her life in sport at the Woodford Memorial Hall on 2 June.

“I was born in 1947 and grew up watching men’s football, particularly Tottenham Hotspur, but was quickly discontented by the lack of women’s representation, so I decided to take action,” said Patricia Gregory, who established women’s team White Ribbon FC in 1967. However, a 1921 FA ban denied women the chance to officially play under FA rules, and so Patricia was forced to search the country for youth men’s teams to play against. She met Arthur Hobbs, who was running women’s tournaments, and together they went on to establish the WFA in 1969, which merged with the FA in 1993.

Patricia was awarded an MBE in 2024 for services to the sport. “I have continued to push for better representation and opportunities for women in football.”

The presentation is part of an ongoing series of talks hosted by the Wanstead & Woodford U3A group (10.30am; visitors welcome; first visit free).

Visit u3a-ww.uk

Residents are invited to join a community litter-picking session at Eagle Pond in Snaresbrook on 9 May.

“This is a simple yet powerful way to give back and make a tangible difference… Dress for the weather and wear sturdy footwear. Gloves, litter pickers and bags will be supplied,” said a City of London Corporation spokesperson. The session will run from 10am to 1pm, focusing on clearing rubbish from the water as well as the surrounding forest. Meet at Snaresbrook Road car park.

Visit swvg.co.uk/9may26

The April South Woodford Repair Café saved 205kg of waste from landfill by repairing 59 items, which prevented the equivalent of 1,252kg of CO2 emissions.

“It was a huge success with over 100 people attending and all sorts of repairs undertaken, including a dress mended in time for an evening party. We were also pleased to welcome St John’s Ambulance, who helped people practice vital CPR,” said a spokesperson. The next event will take place on 25 July from 10am to 1pm at the Woodford Memorial Hall.

Email swrepairers@gmail.com

Local council elections in all 32 London boroughs will be held on 7 May. In Redbridge, 63 members of the council will be selected, contested across 22 wards.

The South Woodford Village Gazette presents statements from the candidates standing in the two wards covered by this publication. South Woodford ward has 14 nominated candidates, while Churchfields ward has 15 candidates. Both wards were created ahead of the 2018 elections following a boundary review and are each represented by three councillors.

Polling stations open at 7am on 7 May and close at 10pm. Voters will need to show photo ID (passport, photocard driving licence and a range of travel passes are accepted) at the polling stations and can cast as many votes as there are councillors to be elected in their ward. The results will be announced the following day.

Churchfields ward candidates

• Nicola Cuthbert REF
• Lloyd Duddridge LAB
• Judith Garfield LAB
• Jillian Ghose IND
• Chrissie Gorman CON
• Zohair Hassan CON
• Heather Liddle LD
• John Long REF
• Rita Mahli IND
• Guy Mansfield Williams LAB
• Samantha Quaresma-Cabral CON
• Martin Rosner LD
• Michael Teahan LD
• Helen Watson IND
• Alex Wilson REF

South Woodford ward candidates

• Crispin Acton LD
• Beverley Brewer LAB
• Paul Canal CON
• Sam Chapman REF not supplied
• Robert Cole CON
• Kallan Greybe GRN
• Joe Hehir LAB
• Jaya Narinesingh GRN
• Robert Newman LAB
• Suzanne Nolan CON
• Monika Patel GRN
• Jonathan Santaub REF
• Scott Wilding LD
• Sam Windle REF not supplied

Conservative Party candidates (Churchfields) promoted by Stephen Adams on behalf of Churchfields Conservatives all at 105C Station Rd, London, E4 7BU.

Conservative Party candidates (South Woodford) promoted by Paul Canal on behalf of Leyton and Wanstead Conservatives at Sevenways Parade, IG2 6XH.

Green Party candidates promoted by Rosemary Warrington on behalf of Redbridge Green Party at PO Box 78066, London, SE16 9GQ.

Labour Party candidates promoted by Thomas Morton on behalf of Redbridge Labour both at 12a Highview Parade, Woodford Ave, Ilford, IG4 5EP.

Liberal Democrat candidates promoted by Crispin Acton on behalf of Redbridge Liberal Democrats, all at 45 Wellington Road, London, E11 2AS.

Reform Party candidates promoted by Stuart Shulton on behalf of Reform UK at Millbank Tower, 21-24 Millbank, London SW1P 4QP.

Independent candidates promoted Alistair Smailes on behalf of Jillian Ghose, Rita Mahli & Helen Watson, all at 110 Beech Hall Road, London, E4 9NX.

I was chair of the Wanstead Society from 2009 until it closed in 2025. A dedicated community activist, I helped establish bi-monthly litter picks around Wanstead in 2016 and am a keen community gardener. I received a Redbridge Mayor’s Community Award in 2025 for environmental stewardship and community enhancement. A public sector worker, I spent 12 years working for Redbridge Council and, if elected, am ready to use my wealth of experience to protect and promote the community in South Woodford.

Promoted by Crispin Acton on behalf of Redbridge Liberal Democrats, all at 45 Wellington Road, London, E11 2AS

As a Redbridge resident for nearly 60 years and South Woodford for over 23, I’ve seen many issues: dirty streets, scarce bins, parking problems, heavy traffic, road closures, rising crime levels without a local police station and inadequate public services despite residents’ contributions, all while the north of the borough continually funds the south. As a former chair of governors at one of our local schools, I’m standing to ensure the council is held accountable, cuts waste and delivers real change for all residents of South Woodford.

Promoted by Stuart Shulton on behalf of Reform UK at Millbank Tower, 21-24 Millbank, London SW1P 4QP.

We all deserve to be proud of our local area, from our natural spaces and high streets to our schools and bus routes. This is why I’m standing to be your councillor. I’m a former physics teacher and now work in the charity sector. Throughout my career I’ve developed the skills to listen with empathy, communicate clearly and work with others to create change. South Woodford needs councillors who aren’t afraid of hard work and getting things done. I’m ready to work hard for you and for South Woodford.

Promoted by Rosemary Warrington on behalf of Redbridge Green Party at PO Box 78066, London, SE16 9GQ.

As your candidate for South Woodford, I will stand up for residents and make sure your voices are heard. Our area deserves cleaner streets, safer neighbourhoods and services we can rely on. I will support local businesses, protect our green spaces and hold the council to account when it falls short. Too often, concerns are ignored; I will listen, act and deliver. My focus is simple: fairness, accountability, and real results for South Woodford. On 7 May, please use all three of your votes for your Conservative candidates.

Promoted by Paul Canal on behalf of Leyton and Wanstead Conservatives at Sevenways Parade, IG2 6XH.

I was born and raised in East London and have lived in South Woodford for 21 years with my wife and two children, who both attend local schools. I have pushed for improved children’s safety around our schools via School Streets. I have also successfully campaigned for the re-opening of the Post Office and the local library, which is due to return this summer! I want to continue to work with my local community in South Woodford and achieve more for our area. Let’s not let the Conservatives back into South Woodford.

Promoted by Thomas Morton on behalf of Redbridge Labour both at 12a Highview Parade, Woodford Ave, Ilford, IG4 5EP.

I have lived in South Woodford with my husband and four children since 2002. I care passionately about our area and have helped hundreds of local people with their concerns in my time as your South Woodford councillor. Among many local campaigns, I worked hard to secure extra funding for our local GP surgeries. My career was in health and social care and I was as an inspector for the Care Quality Commission for many years. It has also been my privilege during the last year to serve as our borough’s Mayor.

Promoted by Thomas Morton on behalf of Redbridge Labour both at 12a Highview Parade, Woodford Ave, Ilford, IG4 5EP.

I am proud to be standing as a Labour candidate for South Woodford at this election, the place I call home and a community I love. I have been a school governor and a trustee of a refugee charity. I have also run my own small business. I’ve seen the difference a Labour council makes and we are the only party with a fully costed plan for Woodford and the rest of our borough. That’s why we need your support on 7 May. So, use all three of your votes for your South Woodford Labour candidates.

Promoted by Thomas Morton on behalf of Redbridge Labour both at 12a Highview Parade, Woodford Ave, Ilford, IG4 5EP.