As Councillor Beverley Brewer (Labour, South Woodford) settles into her new political role, the local resident highlights some of her party’s environment-themed priorities Having lived in South Woodford for so many years, I am tremendously proud of our area and what makes it special.I am also very proud to have been elected by you as the first Labour councillor for the new South Woodford ward. As your councillor, I am committed to working hard for everyone in South Woodford. In particular, I will always stand up for the most vulnerable members of the community.Until 2014, Redbridge Council had never had a Labour majority, but this May, local people elected Labour members to 51 of the 63 seats on the council. During the election campaign, I helped deliver...

Dr Malik and his team from Improve Your Smile at Woodford House Dental Practice presented representatives from the Stroke Association with a cheque for £2,170 in August. It follows a charity coffee morning and raffles held at the practice earlier in the year, which is now set to become an annual event, raising awareness of the links between oral health and stroke risk. “I was overwhelmed by our patients’ kindness and also the multitude of amazing raffle prizes that were donated by local companies,” said Practice Manager Moona Malik. “A stroke can happen to anyone, but there are steps you can take to minimise your risk, including looking after your oral health.” A free blood pressure check event is also being planned for the autumn at the...

Local resident and author Anne Cassidy will be launching a new creative writing group at Woodford Green Library this October. “When I started writing I didn’t know a single other person who wrote. It was only when I joined a writers’ group that I found like-minded people,” said Anne, who has published over 40 novels for teenagers, most notably Looking for JJ, which was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal in 2005. The group, which will hold its first meeting on 2 October from 6pm to 7.30pm, will meet fortnightly and will be a chance for unpublished writers of various experiences to come together and work on their craft. “I am keen to give writers a reason to write,” added Anne, who became a full-time writer in 2000 following...

The recent hot weather has devastated the community flowerbeds on the bridge over the A406 in South Woodford. Despite the best efforts of the South Woodford Community Gardeners – who tend to these raised enclosures as well as the patches along George Lane – the heatwave has seen the loss of many plants. “Most of what we nurtured through the winter and spring has not survived. We would therefore welcome more contributions of plants,” said Jane Turner, who leads the group. More volunteer gardeners are also needed to help maintain the sites. “Although we were originally a U3A group (mainly retired people), we welcome anyone who would like to join us. No gardening experience is needed… We meet mainly on a Thursday or Friday morning.” Email gardeners@swvg.co.uk...

Repairs to the roof of Woodford Memorial Hall – which was built in 1902 – have taken place over the summer. The work follows a series of fundraising events held throughout the year and grants from the All Churches Trust, the Pilgrim Trust and the Veolia Environmental Trust. “The Trustees of the hall have been working hard over the last few years to ensure it continues to serve the Woodford community for another 100 years. In 2015 a new dance floor was installed in the front hall. In 2016 repairs were made to the roof at the east end and the ornamental flèche. This year, the north side of the roof over the back hall has been retiled, and work continues on the section of the roof...

Work on a long-awaited TfL improvement project at Charlie Brown’s Roundabout started this summer. New safety measures at what is one of Redbridge’s busiest junctions will include signal-controlled pedestrian and cycle crossings and wider footpaths. During the upgrade, temporary changes will be in place, including diversions and lane closures impacting the A406 and A1400. Bus routes will also be affected and some pedestrian crossings temporarily closed. “Our plans to install signalised crossings on all arms of the roundabout and widen the pavements will reduce road danger and contribute to the mayor’s vision zero target: nobody killed or seriously injured on London’s roads by 2041,” said a TfL spokesperson. The work will continue until the end of October. Visit swvg.co/cbr...

The South Woodford Society has nominated George Lane in the Great British High Street awards. The annual competition – run by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government – offers a £10,000 prize for a local community project. “As we all know, South Woodford is a wonderful place to live and work, and the residents enjoy the community and village atmosphere of the area, particularly our main shopping street, George Lane. The South Woodford Society wants to encourage individual shops and new eateries to allow our high street to thrive and to enhance and protect our local spaces, which is why we have nominated George Lane,” said Louise Burgess. A shortlist will be put to a public vote in October, with the winner announced in November....

Local soldiers who lost their lives during the First World War will be honoured at an event in South Woodford this October. “Using information researched by local resident Adrian Lee, a small number of soldiers will be given a voice through words, pictures and music. They will represent the many soldiers whose names are on memorial plaques throughout Woodford,” said Viveca Dutt, a trustee of the Woodford Memorial Hall, which is hosting the ‘There But Not There’ presentation. Young people from St Mary’s Church, local schools and cadet groups will provide the voices of these soldiers, many of whom will have been the same age when they enlisted and died. Most of Woodford’s casualties during the Great War were those who volunteered between 1914 and 1916 and...