Historian and author Diane Atkinson – whose latest book has become the definitive history of the suffragettes – will be discussing some ‘remarkable lives’ at Wanstead Library this March I’m really looking forward to coming to Wanstead Library to talk about my latest book, Rise Up Women! The Remarkable Lives of the Suffragettes. It is a collective biography of 200 women – there were thousands more – who worked so hard and sacrificed so much for women’s suffrage. Women from all social class backgrounds, all ages, all parts of the United Kingdom and all life experiences ‘came out’ as suffragettes, many of them leaving their previous lives behind forever. For many years, the suffragettes were written out of the story of women getting the vote,...

The Zoological Society of London is on the lookout for citizen scientists to help prevent river pollution, with a training event in Woodford Green this March. Conservation biologist Phoebe Shaw Stewart reports Throughout March, intrepid urban explorers will be making their way along the banks of the River Roding in search of some unusual sightings. Local citizen scientists will be trained to search, not for lions or elephants, but for the telltale signs of polluting outfalls as part of conservation charity Zoological Society of London’s (ZSL) Outfall Safari programme. Despite the fact this doesn’t sound quite as exciting as searching for the African big five, heterogenous slime (sewage fungus), food waste, sanitary ‘rag’ or discolouration of water and foam are the slightly less glamorous ‘big...

From Hermon Hill to the High Road, Terry Townsend outlines where he likes to spend his money and why, in the first of a series of articles offering a resident’s view of shopping in South Woodford. Photography by Geoff Wilkinson There’s a lot that gives South Woodford its unique identity. Its people are diverse, community-minded and proud. There are good schools and always lots of kids around. Indeed, South Woodford is one of five recognised district town centres in Redbridge, alongside Wanstead High Street. One of our special features is the range of shopping and services available. All within walking distance. You can get your car repaired, drop off your dry cleaning, visit the post office and builders’ merchant and, of course, you can get...

Registration is now open for the Haven House Children’s Hospice Sparkle Walk 2020. The 10km route – which will start on Christchurch Green, Wanstead on 15 May at 7pm (entry fee: £16) – will encompass Epping Forest and South Woodford, with a halfway Sparkle Station at the Woodford Green hospice’s grounds. The charity walk will finish back in Wanstead at The Cuckfield pub. “In 2019, 300 local supporters turned the streets pink, and over £35,000 was raised towards our vital hospice care. We’re back for 2020 and bigger than ever before. Whether you want to remember someone special, have a great night out with friends, or get fit for your local children’s hospice, everyone is welcome to walk and #sparkleforhavenhouse,” said a spokesperson. Visit swvg.co.uk/sparkle20...

In celebration of International Women’s Day on 8 March, Redbridge Libraries will be working with local homeless organisations to supply their service users with some much-needed support. From 2 to 7 March, South Woodford Library will join the rest of the borough in becoming a donation point for items needed by the homeless community. Residents are encouraged to ‘fill a bag with kindness’ and bring in toothpaste, shower gel, soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, sanitary towels or tampons. Additional items such as tissues, plasters, lip balm, hairbrushes, nail clippers and socks are also welcome. “Bring your unwanted women’s jacket or coat in any size and it will be donated to the homeless,” added a library spokesperson. Visit swvg.co.uk/kindnessbag...

Woodford Town FC is keen to hear from more local people who would like to be involved with the club as they prepare to move from their current ground share with Harlow FC to Ashton Playing Fields in Woodford Bridge. At the forefront of creating a positive image behind the proposed move is their self-styled fan base known as The Cultras. “It’s not just singing and drumming that makes The Cultras stand out. They have a community ethos and proudly promote their local heritage… They have already designed and produced two kits inspired by local heroine Sylvia Pankhurst,” said a spokesperson. Following Redbridge Council’s approval of a £1.6m revamp of the club’s proposed new home, chairman Tony Scott has described a recent meeting with the...

The South Woodford Society’s AGM – to be held on 25 March at the Salvation Army hall on Daisy Road, South Woodford from 7pm – will have an environmental theme. “We will be discussing the next steps to be taken regarding the Neighbourhood Plan and also ways we can help the environment and tackle the climate challenges that are becoming more and more prevalent. Please make sure you are a member of the Society (by sending an email) if you want to be involved in any of our initiatives and if you have any questions you would like to put forward to our local councillors,” said a Society spokesperson. The South Woodford Society was founded in 2015 to ‘protect the local character of the neighbourhood...

There is still time to apply to compete in this year’s Redbridge’s Got Talent, which is being held to raise funds for the Redbridge Mayor’s Charity Appeal. “All ages and talents are welcome to apply. The show will be held at the Sir James Hawkey Hall in Woodford Green on 26 April from 5pm. All proceeds from the show will go to two brilliant local charities, Healthy Living Projects– which works with homeless people to get their lives back on track – and Imagine Independence – which works with people with mental health issues,” said a spokesperson for the event. There is no charge to enter the competition and the overall winner will receive a £500 prize. Call 07712 516 424 or email redbridgesgottalent@gmail.com by...

Youngsters interested in becoming a Royal Air Force cadet are invited to join a new recruit course at 241 (Wanstead & Woodford) Squadron, starting on 4 March. “On the night there will be a presentation on the opportunities that the squadron provides for cadets, a separate briefing for parents… and a tour of the premises… The cost of the course is £30, which is refundable if you do not join at the end of the course, which is eight Wednesdays long, and gives you a chance to see if you like the squadron,” said Squadron Leader Jerry Godden. Cadets can expect to take part in a wide range of activities, including flying, gliding and shooting. The cadet centre is located at the rear of 85–87...

An expert from the British Tinnitus Association (BTA) attended the February meeting of the Redbridge Tinnitus Support Group – which meets in Woodford Green – to answer questions and discuss the latest research into the condition. “Tinnitus can be an isolating condition, and we’re keen to spread the word that there are management techniques that can help a person lead the best life they can, and to reduce the burden of living with this problem,” said BTA volunteer Colette Bunker. Around one in eight people suffer from persistent tinnitus, which is defined as the experience of sounds with no external source, most commonly ringing or buzzing. The Redbridge Tinnitus Support Group meets on the last Monday of every month. Call 020 8551 7700...

The South Woodford Society’s proposed Neighbourhood Area and Forum – a body to organise the creation of a Neighbourhood Plan, which puts the planning of new developments in the hands of the community – has been approved by Redbridge Council. During a consultation, comments from the public suggested changes, including removing the Maybank area and the Woodford Trading Estate from the region covered by the plan and adding in Empress Avenue and the Laings Estate. “The Maybank Community Association covers a sizable area and intends to work on its own Neighbourhood Plan application later this year,” said a spokesperson. Councillor Beverly Brewer added: “This is excellent news for South Woodford. Thanks to the hard work of the South Woodford Society, local people now have a...

In the fourth of a series of articles looking at the redevelopment of Whipps Cross Hospital, Gordon Drakes is pleased to report that being environmentally friendly will be a key design principle in the new build Campaigners were informed last month that an environmentally friendly hospital and the lowest possible carbon footprint will be a key design principle in the new Whipps Cross Hospital, and that the redevelopment team want this to go further and enable the whole of the site to achieve a carbon neutral footprint. To cover additional costs, a 3% uplift to the capital bid for building the hospital is to be included. They are aiming to achieve the ‘Excellent’ level of BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method). Alastair Finney, the...