Residents are invited to reminisce about Woodford at a heritage coffee morning organised by Vision RCL at South Woodford Library on 3 December. “Do you remember South Woodford when shops had half-day closing and shut at 5.30pm? Today, shops come and go, but in the past, many remained for a long time. You may remember Hedges the drapers, which first opened in the 1890s and eventually closed in the mid-1970s, or Warnes, the school outfitters at 128 George Lane. Woolworths, Freeman Hardy Willis, Posners and the LEB have all long gone… Perhaps you remember the Plaza Cinema or the Congregational Church, which were replaced respectively by Sainsbury’s and Bejam, the freezer shop, in the 1970s and 1980s? Bejam became Iceland and then M&S. Do you...

Councillor Beverley Brewer (Labour, South Woodford) explains why she thinks South Woodford resident Omar Salem was right when he confronted Boris Johnson at Whipps Cross Hospital in September South Woodford resident Omar Salem was in the news recently when he confronted Boris Johnson at Whipps Cross Hospital. Omar was absolutely justified to complain about understaffing. I was delighted to hear that the government has finally relented and agreed to fund new buildings at Whipps. All credit to those who have tenaciously campaigned for this, not least the hospital’s constituency MP John Cryer. But I am concerned this will do nothing to address the urgent need for increased funding for the hospital’s day to day running costs. Accident and emergency waiting times have been unacceptable for...

Councillor Suzanne Nolan (Conservative, South Woodford) talks about her caseload, her work to get policies changed and her battle against the ‘black hole’ that is the council website We are living in interesting times, with many long-standing issues continuing to dominate nationally. However, despite these discussions, life here in South Woodford continues, with residents getting on with their lives, dealing with the important issues that affect their daily activities. We have continued our work doing walkabouts with officers around South Woodford, knocking on doors, talking to residents, and holding our regular stall in George Lane, discussing local issues with all those who come and talk to us, and replying to the many emails and telephone calls we receive. There are some common themes continually being raised...

In the first of two articles by former South Woodford resident David Williams, the journalist-turned-tour guide and lecturer explains why he often returns to the area to give talks to local groups Whether I am talking to a genealogy group or local history enthusiasts, I know that at some stage there will be a discussion with someone who wants to tell me how far back they have traced their ancestors. The common factor here is their enthusiasm. I suppose we have to thank the TV programme Who Do You Think You Are? for encouraging family history research and I can only imagine how long people spend trawling through census forms, parochial documents, workhouse records and the Old Bailey online. Without access to the mass of...

Two Christmas-themed markets will provide South Woodford residents with additional gift-buying opportunities this festive season. The Woodford Craft Market will return to Woodford Memorial Hall on 30 November (10am to 4pm; free entry), with 30 talented designer-makers offering handcrafted goods, including jewellery, decorations, clothes and homeware. “With so many local makers showcasing their artisan gifts, it’s the perfect place to do a spot of Christmas shopping,” said organiser Ghene Snowdon. And as Christmas gets closer, George Lane’s monthly farmers’ market will be complemented by seasonal products on 15 December (10am to 3pm). “We’re hoping this event will bring a real Christmassy community spirit to South Woodford. The monthly farmers’ markets are still relatively new here but are quickly becoming a great addition to South Woodford...

In the second of a series of articles by members of the Woodford and Wanstead Photographic Society, Robert Gibbons tells the story behind this image taken on the South Bank A few years ago, I had booked to see The Wizard of Oz at the Festival Hall on the South Bank and had arrived early for the afternoon matinee, which was due to start at 2.30pm. I always carry a small compact camera with me and decided to kill time by wandering around on the off-chance of seeing any photos worth taking. Squeals of laughter drew my attention to an area where multiple jets of water were squirting from the ground at random intervals with children running in and out, trying to guess the right...

The popular South Woodford Farmers’ Market has been running since the summer and December’s Christmas event is set to be the best yet, says Louise Burgess of the South Woodford Society as she updates us on the group’s hopes and plans for the local area Whether you’re looking for festive food, classic decorations, arts and crafts or that last-minute gift, you can find all you want for Christmas at the South Woodford Christmas market – and at all our other local businesses, of course!   We are hoping to regale you with traditional seasonal tunes and jazz, mulled wine, jolly bangers from the Giggly Pig and scrumptious cakes, pies and cheeses. Come along from 10am to 3pm on 15 December and join in the festive fun. And do get...

Supporters of Woodford Town Football Club have been left frustrated by the delay in moving into their new ground on Ashton Playing Fields. “It is disheartening, but it will be worth the wait to see a first-class athletic and football stadium developed on the site off Chigwell Road,” said a spokesperson for the club, which continues to share a ground with Harlow FC. “The move has passed the planning stage, but there is little sign of progress at the site despite extensive liaison between those involved… It will be hard to galvanise the local support until we return home.” Woodford Town FC currently holds a mid-table position in the Essex Senior League and have built up a very ‘noisy and inclusive’ following despite being based...

A Year 5 Avon House Preparatory School pupil has become an international karate champion. Nine-year-old Aaron Johnson-Campbell travelled to Scotland in September to compete in the 2019 British Karate Federation’s International Open Championships. “After four extremely competitive matches, with amazing competitors, Aaron came through successfully to be crowned champion in the boys kumite category (seven to nine years; over 25kg). This was a well-deserved win for Aaron after all the intense training that he put in and we cannot wait to see the fantastic achievements he will accomplish in the future. Well done Aaron!” said a spokesperson for the Woodford Green school. Kumite literally means ‘grappling hands’ and is one of the three main sections of karate teaching. Visit swvg.co.uk/bkf...

Powers to tackle and reduce anti-social behaviour in the west of the borough have been extended after residents overwhelmingly supported Redbridge Council’s proposals to update a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for the area. Police and council officers previously had powers to combat street drinking in Bridge, Monkhams, Churchfields, South Woodford, Wanstead Village and Wanstead Park wards. Now, the updated PSPO is enforcing additional restrictions, including begging, public urination, loitering and spitting. “Public concern prompted a consultation with residents, which received 1,693 responses with an overwhelming majority in favour of all the restrictions,” said a spokesperson. Breaches of the order can result in a fine of £100 or, in serious cases, prosecution....

Sir Winston Churchill was a world leader, statesman and local MP. Ahead of a talk at Wanstead Library about the iconic politician, Jef Page, president of the Ilford Historical Society, reviews the life of a man he believes was the ‘greatest Briton of all’ Winston Spencer Churchill (1874–1965) was a larger-than-life character, lucky to be born in Blenheim Palace with a massive silver spoon in his mouth, son of the beautiful American heiress Jennie Jerome (he worshipped her) and Lord Randolph Churchill. Winston attracted both tragedy and attention – hardly surprising as he liked smoking massive seven-inch long Cuban Havana cigars and stuck up a V-sign second to none. From being reviled in Tonypandy, South Wales where, as Liberal Home Secretary, he sent troops onto...

Are you sitting comfortably? Former teacher and Woodford Green resident Jessica Norrie has a story to tell. Her novel – The Magic Carpet – was inspired by her experiences of teaching and living locally I’ve lived since 1988 in Walthamstow or Woodford, and taught Redbridge pupils and adults until 2016. Teaching’s a two-way process; we learn from students while they learn from us. I liked and celebrated them, but by retirement, my head was crowded with three decades of lives brought into my classrooms. Thousands passed through, from all income levels, speaking over 50 languages, practising at least 10 religions or none, with single parents, step-parents, carers…    It’s a teacher’s job to help pupils organise their thoughts by telling or writing news or stories...