SWVG-JAN-FEB-2026-hseWoodford Hall – demolished in 1900 – now the site of Woodford Memorial Hall (built 1902)
Features

Street stories

merq© Aqua Studios
News

Merfolk to gather for Snaresbrook convention

Mermaid lovers and members of the UK mer-community will gather at Sylvestrian Leisure Centre in Snaresbrook on 18 April for Merfolk UK’s fourth annual convention (11am to 5pm; tickets: from £20). “The event is the only one of its kind in the UK and was created to allow the growing community of mermaids and mermen from all over the country to get together,” said organiser Jessica Pennington. Attendees will be able to browse stalls of mer-related memorabilia before attaching a tail and taking to the pool, with swimming sessions for adults and children aged 10 and over. “This is an amazing opportunity to swim in a pool with mer-friends! Don’t worry if you don’t have your own mermaid tail, tail hire will be available… We...

ichstag-berlin-2©Anila Hussain
Features

Photo Story: Anila Hussain

In the fourth of a series of articles by members of the Woodford and Wanstead Photographic Society, Anila Hussain tells the story behind this image of the Reichstag staircase Architecture was one of the first things I photographed. It opened another door called perspectives. Every angle, every viewpoint; the structure looked so different to me. I challenge myself to see how I can photograph one building but use every angle possible, giving it a completely different view. Great light also plays havoc with the shadows. I find it exciting. I never look at anything head-on. I still photograph everything, but for some unknown reason, architecture pulls me in more and more. In any city I visit, I will always look for architecture and perspectives. Apart...