The latest novel by Peter Chegwidden is a tale of love and tragedy which draws on memories of growing up in Wanstead and South Woodford in the 1950s and 1960s. Here, the author shares some of those memories

In the second of a series of articles featuring the images of local photographers who document the wildlife of Wanstead Park and the surrounding area, Diane Dalli presents her shot of a female ring-necked parakeet

Lots of exciting activities have been taking place since we last wrote for the Gazette, says Stephanie Woodley of the 52nd Epping Forest South Scout Group, including preparing for a once-in-a-lifetime jamboree

Since 2013, a seller is required to state whether Japanese knotweed is present on their property. Derek Inkpin from local solicitors Axiom DWFM looks at the legal implications of this invasive weed

A former builders’ yard, The Galleria site in South Woodford has been in Madeleine McCarthy’s family since 1963

Four open-air evening performances will take place in Wanstead Park this summer

Volunteering brings communities together, says Nurun Begum, Volunteer Centre Manager at Redbridge CVS, which provides information, training and support to organisations and residents

Shakespeare’s Macbeth will be performed at the open-air Greek Theatre

Over the last 10 years, Redbridge Council has increasingly excluded residents from the planning process, argues Paul Canal, who laments the decision to approve the Snaresbrook Station car park development We used to have up to 50 meetings a year attended by local people. The abolition of the Area Planning Committees, which met up to 33 times a year, was followed by the removal of residents’ – or indeed councillors’ – rights to call in applications for public discussion. For an astounding 10 months, we didn’t have a single public planning meeting – and that was not as a result of covid! In their place, behind closed doors, a planning chair sits with an officer and they alone decide what should and should not be discussed...

Memento mori workshops will take place at Creative Biscuit Ceramics Café this June

A former police dog is receiving treatment for a rare skin condition at Goddard Veterinary Group’s South Woodford practice

The South Woodford Society is planning a return of the expanded summer market on George Lane