September and there are plans for abeer festival before the end of the year.But throughout each week there are agrowing number of communitygroups and businesses using thebuilding for meetings, rehearsals andexhibitions.

“After all the planning andbuilding,” continues Martin, “GnomeHouse is now up and running, andhosting the life-enhancing creativeactivities we always hoped it would.”

To find out more or to hire space in Gnome House:

www.gnomehouse.org.uk bookings@gnomehouse.org.uk

Waltham Forest Echowww.walthamforestecho.co.uk | facebook.com/WalthamForestEcho | @WFEcho | WFEcho@socialspider.com

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NOMINATEDFOR AWARD

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HIGHAM'SPARK FESTIVAL

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July/August 2015

Classical Indian dancer Abirama Eswarperforming at the Gnome House launch

BRIGHTERFUTURE

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What’s happening at Gnome House?Mark Burton on Walthamstow’s newest communityand creative space

hoping this will be run by a local start-up venture,” explains volunteerDirector Martin Nash. “This fits withthe Gnome House ethos ofsupporting local people and localbusinesses.”

In the coming months GnomeHouse will be hosting events duringthe Stow Festival (a music event) in

could show very large pieces of work,”explained exhibiting artist Della Rees.“There is a state-of-the-art exhibitionhanging system and I’m really excitedto see how other artists will use thespace in the future.”

The next step for Gnome Housewill be opening the cafe which isexpected in late summer. “We’re

Alcock. Inky has been a lynchpin ofthe E17 art scene for many years andhas a track record of outreach,community engagement and workingwith people with disabilities. Annacurated the ‘Sunshine Bright’exhibition for E17 Art Trail which wasseen by hundreds of people eachweekend. “The high ceilings meant we

This time last year, Gnome House onBlackhorse Lane was a derelict andcrumbling former factory. Since thenit’s been transformed thanks to apartnership between local residentsand building developers MacDonaldEgan. Now Gnome House has beenre-opened as a community space witha cafe, meeting room and a largemulti-use space ideal for exhibitions,performances and workshops.

The Gnome House launch eventon May 2nd was attended by almost1000 people. There was food, drink,music, performances and a bouncycastle. “It was an amazing andenergising day,” explains Anna Alcock,one of Gnome House’s four volunteerdirectors, “a tidal-wave of peoplearrived and created a wonderfulatmosphere.”

Now things at Gnome House havesettled into a new weekly routine.Numerous local groups andbusinesses have begun hiring thespace for a wide range of differentactivities. As Chantelle Michaux,another volunteer Director explains,“Gnome House has rental rates forboth businesses and communitygroups ensuring the space is accessiblefor all. Since we’ve opened GnomeHouse has hosted dance workshopsfor local children, a photographyexhibition and a spoken-wordperformance by 160 young people.Already the quality and diversity ofthe creative activities that have takenplace in Gnome House has beenextraordinary.”

Supporting and enhancingGnome House’s creative endeavoursis flagship tenant Inky CuttlefishPrintmaking Studios run by Anna

Phot

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Pretty good yearFrom the editor of Waltham Forest Echo

News

Welcome to issue six of WalthamForest Echo. When we published ourfirst issue in July 2014 our main hopewas that we’d generate enough interestfrom readers, writers and advertisersto still be in business one year on.

As it is, not only have we done that,we’ve also managed to go fromquarterly to bi-monthly publicationand double our circulation from ourinitial 10,000 to the current 20,000.

Over the next year, we’re hoping we’llbe able to move to monthlypublication while increasing the sizeof the paper and continuing toimprove the content.

More generally, though, it’s a toughtime for voluntary and communitygroups in the borough. Over recentmonths, many local organisationshave participated in a VoluntarySector Review commissioned by

Waltham Forest Council. The reviewis (in theory) going to be publishedsoon and (like similar reviews in thenot too distant past) will look at thevoluntary sector’s role in supportinglocal people and the Council’s role insupporting the voluntary sector.

Waltham Forest is a borough witha high level of popular and successfulvolunteer-led community activism –ranging from campaign groups to arts

A new timetable for improving WalthamForest’s railway connections

train carriages didn’t meet itsstandards, and temporarily took themout of service. Capacity was reduced,with related problems soon following.

The talk among passengers in thefirst weeks of Tf L’s takeover thereforecentred on delays and cancellations. Amock Twitter account was even set upto lambast the poor service.

“Why not jump on a bus instead?Or better still, throw yourself underone?” asked @Tf LChingford, amongother sarcastic questions.

Boris was soon forced to defendthe service in his monthly question

time session at City Hall in June. Askedwhy Tf L’s takeover had resulted in moreissues instead of fewer, he said: “Youaren’t going to see miracles.

“I am confident in a couple of yearsyou will see the sort of improvementwe have seen on other parts of theOverground.

“Our objective is to invest in thesestations, invest in these services andinvest in new trains.”

The stations are being “thoroughlycleaned” and receiving new ticketmachines and signage, while the lineis due to get new walk-through trains

James Cracknell

After years of red signals,improvements to Waltham Forest’srailway connections are finally gettingthe green light.

New trains, a new station, andperhaps even a direct link to StanstedAirport are all on the horizon.

Progress began in May when fourof the borough’s train stations appearedon the Tube map for the first time.

Chingford, Highams Park, WoodStreet and St James Street are all nowstops along Transport for London’sever-growing London Overgroundnetwork, after the Chingford toLiverpool Street line transferred fromAbellio Greater Anglia.

The move reaffirmed Londonmayor Boris Johnson’s determinationto nationalise as much of the capital’srailway network as possible – a “nobrainer” as he described it, but curiouspolicy for a high-profile Torypolitician to pursue.

The publicly-owned LondonOverground has become one of theUK’s top performing rail servicessince it started in 2007, with highreliability and passenger satisfaction.

As the Chingford line was addedto this network, Tf L also boasted that80 percent of rail journeys wouldreduce in price.

But the transfer did not gosmoothly. Tf L discovered that several

from 2018. Another major improvement to

Waltham Forest’s railway services islikely to arrive much sooner, withwork starting this summer to build anew station close to the border withHackney.

Lea Bridge station is due to reopenin spring next year, after 30 years ofdormancy, and could provide theborough’s first direct rail service toStansted Airport.

Abellio Greater Anglia trains

running between Tottenham Hale andStratford already pass beneath LeaBridge Road, but no passenger serviceshave stopped there since 1985.

The old station opened in 1840and was one of the first examples inthe country of a station being built ona bridge. For many years it servednearby Lea Bridge Stadium, oncehome to Clapton (now Leyton)Orient FC and speedway racing. Butthe stadium was knocked down in the1970s, and the station soon followed.

Interest in reopening Lea Bridgewas revived in 2005, when railservices between Tottenham Haleand Stratford resumed.

Waltham Forest Councilconfirmed in 2013 that a deal hadbeen struck with Network Rail and,after inevitable delays, work began tobuild the new £12million Lea Bridgestation earlier this year.

Journey times to Stratford orTottenham Hale will be just 12 minutes.

If Lea Bridge station provespopular, direct trains to Walthamstowand Chingford could be added infuture by reviving an old railwayjunction known as the Hall FarmCurve – something Network Rail haslisted as a possibility beyond 2020.

The timetable for improvingWaltham Forest’s railway connectionshas been published.

@JollyJourno

organisations – but, compared toneighbouring boroughs, relatively fewvoluntary sector organisations withpaid staff and even fewer with fivemembers of staff or more.

This historical situation is notsolely the responsibility of WalthamForest Council but, at a time whenthey have shrinking resourcesthemselves, the Council does need to find new, more successful ways of

supporting the voluntary sector tomeet local people’s needs. Let’s hopethis review helps them to do that.

Thanks to all our readers and to everyone who’s contributed,advertised and helped withdistribution – both for this issue and over the last year. Please get intouch to let us know what you thinkof the Echo and what else you’d like tosee us focus on.

July / August 2015 Issue 33News

Pimp Hall – getting back to nature inthe heart of Waltham ForestEd Swan

Pimp Hall Nature Reserve inChingford is the site of a newcommunity venue – The LearningLodge – will be a space where peoplefrom all of the borough can take partin events, community projects, or justenjoy the quiet seclusion and naturalbeauty of the location, which has been somewhat forgotten in recentyears. The use of the site as acommunity venue and reanimation of the nature reserve is a jointpartnership project between a groupof community organisations in theborough: Organiclea, HEET, theForest Recycling Project, theHornbeam Environment Centre andFriday Hill Tenant ManagementOrganisation. As part of the project,the venue will be used to deliver a lowcost living campaign, which will helpresidents who want to cut their billsand live more sustainably.

The nature reserve is on the site ofthe former Pimp Hall, a manor andestate which was established in the13th century, and is named afterReynold Pympe, who was lord of the manor around the 1500s.

Unfortunately the manor house is nolonger there, but the beautiful Tudordovecote remains in the naturereserve. The site continued to be usedas a working farm until 1934, when itwas bought by Chingford Counciland subsequently taken over byWaltham Forest, and the naturereserve now shares the site with a parkand allotments.

The Learning Lodge at Pimp Hallwill help local people to get the mostout of the site by being a focus pointfor visits, education, and regularactivities for adults and children. Thespace will also be available for hire asa venue for parties or workshops. Tocelebrate the new project the reserveheld a special open day in June,

Supporting grassroots sport since 1890

when more than 200 local residentscame to visit and get a taste of some of the activities which will be taking place including nature walks,herbalism, energy saving workshops,yoga and art activities. It was afantastic experience for visitors to beable to rediscover the nature reserve,find out about the new project andshare their views about how they wantthe venue to be used. Anyone whowants to take part in activities at thevenue or suggest new ones, getinvolved in volunteering at the site, or hire the space – contact Amy atamy@hornbeam.org.uk.

www.hornbeam.org.uk/learning-lodge

Teams from local football clubs Old Parmiterians FC and EgbertianFC took part in a five-a-sidetournament at Douglas Eyre SportsCentre in June to celebrate the 125thanniversary of London Playing FieldsFoundation, a charity that managessports fields across London.

Thirteen teams, including sevenfrom the charity’s two playing fields inRedbridge, took part in thetournament with Westhamians Bteam beating Old Parmiterians Ateam 2–0 in the final.

Local youth teams were alsoincluded in the anniversary eventincluding LOASS Football Club,established in 1997, through theplayer development schools at theLeyton Orient Community SportsProgramme.

Based in Waltham Forest, LOASSis primarily a youth club providing

football teams for boys and girls from5 to 18 years of age and also includesa successful disability footballprogramme, two senior male teamsand a veterans team. LOASS is a FA Charter Standard CommunityClub, one of only 8 clubs in Londonto hold this award and was voted theLondon FA Charter Standard Clubof the year in 2009 and 2013.

It is fitting that London PlayingFields Foundation (LPFF) held these anniversary tournaments inWaltham Forest as it has beensupporting grassroots sport in theborough since 1890 and currentlyowns two large playing fields: theDouglas Eyre Sports Centre onCoppermill Lane and the Peter MaySports Centre in Wadham Avenue.Between them, these two groundsreceive over 81,000 visits per yearfrom clubs, schools and universities.

LPFF Chief Executive Alex Welshsaid: “The London Playing FieldsFoundation is proud of its history ofsupporting grassroots sport in theborough and we were delighted that

Jo McKenzie on localclubs celebrating charity’s125th anniversary

so many local clubs were able to joinus for these celebratory events. Themain lesson that the last 125 years hastaught us is that once lost, a playingfield is lost forever and that is why it is

so important that the localcommunity makes full use of them.”

Website: www.lpff.org.ukTwitter: @TheLPFF

Great value venue hirein the heart of astunning nature reserve

This unique venue offers a relaxed, comfortable

environment set in the beautiful surrounds of

Pimp Hall Nature Reserve and is easily accessible

from Chingford overground station – 15min from

Liverpool Street Station. The lodge can

accommodate up to 40 people. Get in touch to

inquire about prices and availability:

amy@hornbeam.org.uk

Ideal for team away days, training days,workshops or children’s birthday parties

4Charity worker recognisedfor increasing awarenessof dementia

WAM to play at Walthamstow Garden Party

Dimitra Nikolakopoulou

Local music group WalthamstowAcoustic Massive (WAM) performfor the second consecutive year atWalthamstow Garden Party on 18thJuly at 2.30pm. WAM’s first concert as part of the BBC Music Day in Walthamstow was an absolutesuccess, performing to an enthusiasticand receptive audience.

After a successful first year withover 34,000 visitors, WalthamstowGarden Party returns. The Barbicanand Create join forces with WalthamForest Council to repeat thesuccessful two day festival. Withmusic events, theatre performances,

circus and film screenings, everyonewill find something to enjoy. Visitorswill also have the opportunity to meet local designers and makers,community organisations and tastefood from around the world.

WAM members are excited tohave the opportunity to perform infront of a large audience includinglocal residents and visitors from all across London. This concert isgoing to be a mixture of classic and contemporary songs adapted inWAM’s distinctive style and played bya unique blend of musical instrumentssuch as the violin, ukulele and banjo.We’d love for you sing along with us!

With the support of Arts CouncilEngland, Strung Out, in collaboration

with WAM, has commissionedJyotsna Srikanth to compose anoriginal piece of work, calledMohanaa Dance, to be premiered atWalthamstow Garden Party. Jyotsnais an experienced violinist andcomposer and Artistic Director ofDhruv Arts, a South-Asian artsorganisation based in East Londonand we delighted that some of herstudents will join us on stage toperform WAM in the debutperformance.

Walthamstow Acoustic Massive(WAM) performs at Walthamstow

Garden Party on 18th July at2.30pm

Waltham Forest EchoFeatures

Howard Keil

Alzheimer’s Society servicesmanager Alli Anthony has beennominated for a top national awardin recognition of her work makinglife better for people with dementiain Waltham Forest.

Alli manages the delivery of arange of services supporting peopleliving with dementia in the LondonBorough of Waltham Forest andhas trained more than 780 peopleas Dementia Friends – people wholearn about what it’s like to live withdementia and then turn theirknowledge into practical actionthrough campaigning orvolunteering.

She has been put forward for theBevan Foundation 2015 BevanPrize presented to both anindividual and an organisation thathave made an outstandingcontribution to health and wellbeing in the UK.

Alzheimer’s Society research shows that this year 850,000 people in the UK will be living with a form of dementia. This is predicted to rise to 2 millionby 2051.

Alli, whose mother was a retired GP living with dementia when she died in2011, has organised Dementia Friends sessions for any number from threepeople at a time up to 100, helping to increase understanding of the disease.

Alli’s successes also include working with GPs to increase diagnosis rates ofdementia in the borough over the past year from 54per cent to more than 70 per cent – one of the biggestimprovements in the country.

She worked to establish the Waltham ForestDementia Action Alliance, which draws together 35businesses and organisations ranging from theMetropolitan Police through to Leyton Orient FCand the William Morris Galley. Each organisationpledged to complete three actions to make WalthamForest a better place for people living with dementia.

Alli explains: “All of the things we are achieving insupporting people with dementia are the result of lotsof people working together and I’m honoured by thenomination which is recognition for the whole team.”

Alzheimers Society estimates that dementia coststhe UK economy over £26 billion per year – theequivalent of more than £30,000 per person withdementia. Given the scale of the challenge, Alli’s workis strongly supported by Waltham Forest Council.

Senel Arkut, divisional director of adult social care,said: “Alli works tirelessly to increase awareness ofdementia in the London Borough of Waltham Forest.Within the last year she has made a significantdifference in improving the knowledge andunderstanding of how dementia impacts on lives andhow the community can support people to live aquality life with dementia.

She adds: “With her unique style Alli has engagedgroups from the very young to professionals, to takeinterest in the topic, create a strong collective voice forour residents and become Dementia Friends. I amproud to say that, thanks to Alli and her determination,LBWF is now a dementia friendly place where ourolder people and those with early onset dementia aretreated with respect and dignity.”

To find out more about becoming a DementiaFriend go to: www.dementiafriends.org.uk

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Issue One – Summer 2014 55FeaturesJuly / August 2015 Issue

Fitzroy Andrew

Imagine how different our worldwould be if everyone was passionateand knowledgeable about livingsustainably. And if not the world, howabout the difference that could bemade in Waltham Forest?

In 1989, people active in theborough’s green movement createdForest Recycling Project (FRP) – oneof the borough’s first socialenterprises. Nearly twenty-six yearson, FRP remains alive and well, andready to play its part in realising thatvision of sustainable living.

Today, FRP is home to the largestpaint reselling operation in the UK .Through our flagship project ThePaint Place, we distributed nearly80,000 litres of paint last year, mainlycollected from Council re-use andrecycling centres in Waltham Forest.We resell our paint at an average priceof £1 per litre, around £5 per litre lessthan standard retail; that’s anestimated local saving of around£400,000 last year. Worth having,though a drop in the ocean comparedto the value of an estimated 50 millionlitres of surplus paint in the UK in any

given year sitting around unused,destined for landfill sites. Alongsidethe paint business, we run a GreenOffice service offering waste papercollection and sale of recycled paperfor small businesses; and we resellused scaffold boards, either uncut ormade into small items of gardenfurniture.

This year, a partnership with theBest Before Project got us intorunning a food waste ‘pop-up shop’ inthe old police station on KirkdaleRoad in Leytonstone. Food waste is

an even bigger deal than surplus paint,with 5,300,000 tonnes of edible foodbeing thrown away every year. Just dothe maths there... So, our shop offeredfood that had passed its ‘best before’date collected from shops andwholesalers, and provided to the localcommunity on a ‘pay what you feel’basis. The shop proved extremelypopular, run by an amazing anddedicated team of volunteers, withcustomers flooding in daily. We’relooking to revive the shop in theBakers Arms area in the very near

future, so keep an eye on our socialmedia spaces for news.

We’re working hard to makesustainable, low-cost living a reality,and in reading this piece we havemaybe prompted you to think aboutwhat you can do. One option is toconsider volunteering with us –volunteers have been FRP’s backbonefrom the very beginning. We havesome specific voluntary roles inwarehousing and retail, though we’re always happy to hear fromanyone with creative and innovative

ideas around reducing waste.As a small business there are only

so many volunteers we canaccommodate, so what else can youdo? Two key words to keep in mind:reuse and recycle. If you need paint tobrighten up that spare room, come andsee us at our outlets in Walthamstowand Leytonstone, rather than buyingnew and possibly adding to the pool ofsurplus paint. As importantly, if you’reinvolved in a community project – oryou have friends or associates who are– and you have a building that needsfreshening up, give us a call – in theright circumstances, you might well beable to get the paint you need for free!

With food, paper, wood, and paint,there’s a mountain of usable ‘rubbish’out there to be moved and reclaimedas something useful for the localcommunity. We’d love to hear fromyou with ideas about how we can do that!

Reach FRP by phone on 020 85393856; by email at

info@frponline.org.uk; on the webat www.frponline.org.uk, Twitter@FRPonline, Facebook @FRP

Climbing the mountain of usable ‘rubbish’

Abdullah Mahmood

Waltham Forest female volleyballteam secured their place at the BalfourBeatty London Youth Games volleyballfinals after an exciting day’s play atSCORE Centre in June. The BalfourBeatty London Youth Games involve all33 London Boroughs in 85 competitionsand 30 sports, are open to all Londonersaged 7–18 and are Europe’s largest annualyouth sports event.

Waltham Forest, who lastmedalled in 2013 with bronze,produced some fine form throughoutthe day to book their place at finals.Their toughest match of the day camein their group game againstHounslow which proved to be a 26-24 thriller. In their quarter-final theytook on Brent and after establishing anearly lead they were pegged backbefore displaying calm heads to runout 25-19 winners.

Team manager Jan Carne said: “Wehoped that we would get through andwe came under pressure a couple oftimes so I’m really pleased that wemanaged to get through to the finals.”She now hopes to get in a lot of trainingtime with the team ahead of finals.

“Well hopefully lots of training.Unfortunately some of the players aregoing to be away the next couple ofweeks so just trying to keep training

and just keep focused and keep doingthe things we’ve been doing.Consistency is the key.”

Volleyball is one of 33 sports in the 2015 Balfour Beatty LondonYouth Games. The London YouthGames is Europe’s largest annualyouth sports event and is driving thelegacy for increased participation incompetitive sport and volunteeringfor young Londoners. 126,897 youngLondoners took part in the record-breaking 2014 Balfour Beatty LondonYouth Games, taking the event to over1 million participants since it firstlaunched in 1977. The youth gameshelps organisations and projects thatwill grow and sustain participation

in grassroots sport and createopportunities for people to excel attheir chosen sport.

The volleyball finals take place atthe Crystal Palace National SportsCentre on Saturday 4 July – check theresults on the website below.

To find out more about thecompeting or volunteering at, visit

www.londonyouthgames.org orfollow @ldnyouthgames on Twitter.

Maggie Alphonsi, Patron of 2015 Balfour Beatty

London Youth Gameswww.youtube.com/watch?v=

K1mBajXapCY

Waltham Forest off to volleyball finals

Waltham Forest Echo

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Waltham Forest Echo6 Features

Savvy Savers – a pop-in forfree eco tips

Jeanne Holland

ItDoesTheJob.com, Leytonstone’sexperts in ‘sustainable living’ now opentheir doors their regular free ‘FirstFriday’ sessions in order to do their bitto spread the ‘energy-saving’ word.The launch of the pop-in Fridays wason ‘World Environment Day’ in June– a people’s day for doing somethingpositive for the environment. Thisyear’s theme for Environment Daywas ‘Consume with Care’ and visitorsto ItDoesTheJob.com’s headquartersin Leytonstone were treated to awhole range of energy and moneysaving tips over a cup of tea andhomemade biscuits and cakes – allwith the compliments of Dee Wood,Managing Director.

Dee, who is only 25, is passionateabout sustainable living and wants toencourage everyone to take a fewsmall steps towards a lower energylifestyle: “why wouldn’t anyone wantto look at ways to save money on theirhousehold or office bills. I want toshow that it’s not a complicated

process – just a few simple changescan make a big difference.”

ItDoesTheJob.com’s office is inCarlton House, built in 1735, wasoriginally part of a terrace of threehouses, just off Leytonstone HighRoad. It is designated Grade II listedbecause if its’ historic architecturalfeatures and range of original interiorfittings. Since moving into theproperty 20 year ago,ItDoesTheJob.com have undertakena skilful transformation of CarltonHouse, whereby the original fabric ofthe building and interior fittings havebeen expertly preserved – whilstenergy-saving applications have beenfitted throughout the house andexterior areas. The project is livingtestament to adaptability and hownew ideas and initiatives work inharmony with history andpreservation. The result is a beautifullyrestored Georgian House that isenergy-efficient and costs a lot less torun.

The vibrant e-commerce businessis dedicated to providing lifestyleproducts that save money and energy.Their philosophy is to provide

practical solutions to help reduceenergy consumption at work and athome – and their aim is todemonstrate how natural andmanageable it is for consumers to ‘re-think’ their utility aesthetics – andsave money!

‘First Fridays’ take place on the firstFriday of every month at CarltonHouse and are free drop in sessionsbetween 10am and 12pm withrefreshments. Dee takes visitorsthrough a range of tips, ideas,suggestions and advice followed by aQ&A session.

There is no need to book to attenda session – just turn up. There’s plentyof room for bike parking.

For more information on ‘FirstFridays’ check the website:

http://itdoesthejob.com/first-fridays-free-drop-in-at-hq.htmlCarlton House, Aylmer Road,

Leytonstone, London E11 3AD.For more information on

ItDoesTheJob.com and how youcan save money – check the

website: www.itdoesthejob.com

Almost magical, a tinytea room transportingcustomers to another eraBill Foster

The last couple of weeks have beenpretty hectic at work, so we decidedto treat ourselves to afternoon tea atHillman’s Tea Room on Wood Street– the perfect place to spend a Saturdayafternoon. The tea room is housed inthe Georgian Village, a smallcollection of shops and pop upmarket stalls at 100 Wood Street. Iwould describe the Georgian Villageas a 1970’s re-imagining of theShambles in York, a narrow alley waylined with doors that open up intoeven narrower shops. The outside ofthe tea room, and its ordinary woodendoor give no indication of thesplendour that is found within.

The shop is divided in to tworooms, and is real feast for the eyes.Tables draped in embroidered tablecloths and set with the finest bonechina. Chandeliers hang from theceiling, shelves groan under theweight of giant china tea pots, and asmall black and white TV silentlyplays old movies in the back room. Ifyou had to draw a picture of what a tearoom should look like, it would looklike Hillman’s. It evoked memories ofbeing in Scarborough, visiting tearooms with my gran that had beenlovingly cared for by the same ownerfor years. Jason, the owner, seems to fitthe tea room – he is immaculatelyturned out with polished shoes andequally polished manners.

We took our seats, picked ourloose leaf tea and watched as Jasonand his assistant, Alice, set to workcreating our afternoon tea – loading a

tiered cake stand with sandwicheslining the bottom, a collection ofcakes on the middle tier and sconessat on the top. All three of us struggledto resist the urge to drool as wewatched the cake stand fill up.Actually I don’t think the dog resistedthe urge at all, he sat rooted to the spotwatching every move, willing a cake tofall to the floor. Before long a servingtrolley was bought over and the cakestand and teapots placed on top, it wastruly a site to behold. The afternoontea costs £16.00 per person, and isworth every single penny.

The sandwiches includedcucumber, egg and cress and smokedsalmon and we started with those first.We then worked our way through thecakes, filling our plates with slices ofbattenberg, chocolate cake andraspberry tart. Sipping tea from thesmall china cups as we ate, we finishedwith the scones, the cream and jamserved in two small china cups. Themusic of times gone by filled the tearoom, the voice of Vera Lyn singingabout the white cliffs of Dover, and agentle version of roll out the barrelwere amongst the songs we heardwhilst enjoying our food. Jasontopped up our tea pots with hot water,and we lost our selves in theatmosphere of the tea room. Hillman’sis almost magical, a tiny two roomshop full of china and china cabinetsthat transports customers to anotherera. It’s lovely, that’s the word I woulduse to describe it, simply lovely.

July / August 2015 Issue 77

Waltham Forest Echo8

July / August 2015 Issue 99

Waltham Forest Echo10

Xylonite Arts was set up by LiliSpain, a local artist and curator tomeet the demand for an arts space inthe area. The space hosts temporaryexhibitions, arts and crafts events andsells vintage and mid-century itemsand crafts created by local makers.Although the group’s originaltemporary space on Winchester Roadclosed recently, they are due to opena new, permanent space in HighamsPark later this year. The name wasinspired by the former Halex Factory,owned by The British XyloniteCompany, which was situated inHighams Park until 1971. In its earlydays the factory produced faketortoise shell and ivory, in its lateryears made ping pong balls.

A large group shaping the area’sgrowing community involvement isthe Highams Park Planning Group

1111July / August 2015 Issue Features

A greener, brighter future for young peopleMartin Lofty

In the summer of 2013 Organiclea, acommunity food-growing projectbased in the Lea Valley, launched awork scheme for young people inpartnership with Waltham ForestCouncil – Food Works. The programoffers residents of Waltham Forest thechance to gain work experience in thehorticulture sector with on-goingmentoring and support. Now in its thirdsuccessful year the program it hashelped many young people improvetheir confidence, find employment andaspire to a greener, brighter future.

“For us, building aspiration issomething we want to start from theword go and that’s about developinga different concept of how work canbe something that you enjoy, but also,something that you feel is making an impact.” Clare Joy, TrainingCoordinator Organiclea explains.

Brandon O’Reilly, 20, took part inthe program in 2014. After asuccessful period of work experienceand a paid work placement, Brandonnow helps to manage a new food-growing site alongside fellow Food

Works graduate Michael-AntonyHenry. With ongoing support fromOrganiclea, Brandon and Michaelhave transformed an unused plot ofland and are now producing 4kg ofsustainably grown salad a week.

“I am happy with what I am doing,I want to continue it and develop it.Food Works has helped give me achance to do something I aminterested in and enjoy” says Brandon.

Progression through the programis encouraged and Organiclea iscommitted to long-term mentoringand support for people whoparticipate in the program. WilliamBarrett, 21, started his Food Worksjourney in 2014 and is currently on apaid work placement withOrganiclea's distribution arm. As partof his work placement, Williamdelivers freshly harvested organicvegetables by bike trailer twice a weekall over the borough.

“It is very enjoyable and satisfyingwork, I’m learning a lot and see this asthe start of a career. In the future Iwant to work on more farms here andabroad.” says William.

Targeted at 16–25-year-olds whoare not in employment or education,

the program begins with accreditedwork experience and is designed to re-engage young people with trainingand introduce them to theopportunities available in thehorticultural industry.

Brandon and Clare in the Entrance Fieldat Hawkwood Plant Nursery

Ru Litherland, Grower atOrganiclea explains: “It’s aboutsupporting people to go on a journeywith us, together we can create ahealthy and sustainable food system”.

For more information about theFood Works program call Clare orMartin on 020 8524 4994. To find

out more about Organiclea visitwww.organiclea.org.uk

“Community spirit isat an all time high”

Staff writer

The first ever Highams Park Festival istaking place from 9–26 July. There areover 50 exhibitions and eventsplanned to celebrate creativity in thearea. Highlights include: arts, poetryand jumble trails, herb and heritagewalks plus pop up restaurants, a classicand retro car boot sale, and a windquintet concert. All this takes placealongside the already establishedHighams Park Day – the village fete,on 11 July.

There is a large and growing creativecommunity in Highams Park. Variousgroups and committees are workingtirelessly for the betterment of the area.“Community spirit is at an all timehigh” says Lili Spain from one of thegroups, Xylonite Arts.

made up of over 700 local people. Thegroup was designated by WalthamForest Council to create aCommunity Plan (‘The HighamsPark Plan’) for the Highams ParkNeighbourhood Area. There are eighttopic working groups working in areassuch as Green Space, Heritage,Community Facilities and Transport.“People who wouldn’t ordinarilyengage, are getting involved as theycan see the difference it is making.”says Gordon Turpin, the chair of the group.

The Highams Park Festival, 9–26 July 2015

www.highamsparkfestival.cominfo@xylonitearts.com

Facebook: Highams Park FestivalTwitter: @Xylonart #HPFest

Photograph: Vibol Moeung

Waltham Forest Echo12 Advert isement

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providing empowerment to people so that they can make

informed choices that provide more rights,

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Valid – We need donations to continue much needed

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to get support elsewhere.

We need your help to continue helping.

Please donate to LDX.

Our Vision is of a world in which people with learning disabilities experiencetheir basic human right to be fully empowered and included in society.

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£15.00 and over willgo towards: AdvocacyServices or an AdvocacyWorker to support anindividual with a learningdisability in crisis.

PLEASE HELP US TO HELP THEMPLEASE DONATE

WE NEED YOUR DONATION !

July / August 2015 Issue 1313Poetry

EditorialThis month, we handed over to the young, inviting submissions from writers under the age of 16.

In response, we received rap battles between geometric shapes, metaphysical whirligigs, andlove songs to imagined futures, as well as poems dealing in perennial themes of alienation andheartache. We’ve read poems that are confessional or playful, and poems making use ofmisdirection and mischief. In short, we’ve been greatly impressed – and entertained – by theyoung poets of Waltham Forest. Well done, guys – you’ve done us proud.

As a bonus, we’ve also included a stormy poem by Eithne Cullen, a member of the ForestPoets group, which was originally intended for our wetlands-themed issue – a poem to makeyou feel thankful that summer has arrived at last.

Next issue we’ll be printing… even more poems by young poets! The truth is, we receivedso many we liked this time round that we’ve decided to split them over two issues. See you inSeptember!

Abigail Parry and Jon Stone, editors

Questions, Answers. Confusing.by George Mangal, 12

The stars that shine upon us,With their heavenly glow. They’re high, high above us,While we are down below.

Travelling, travelling, through the dark we explore,The light is our only core, to discover more!Questions will be answered, more questions will be posedBecause endless discovery is at the tip of our nose. We are forever travelling through time and space,It takes time and effort, discovery is not a race. But when discovery comes, it shines extremely bright,It’s explosive, mysterious, full of surprise. Yes! It is such a sight, It’s magnificent. In other words it is a big source of light.

But why do we seek answers when they pose questions,And answers only pose more questions?We do this to seek this- to seek the truth which, is far away. I would say, to be sure of the truth is a questionable thing. Questions, questions, answers, answers – they are both the same.Is life all a game?Yes, yes, yes! Life is still the same.

I’ve been told…by Anna West, Year 9

I’ve been told to be myself,But being myself is not enough.There’s always someone that is better,I can’t fix the times that are rough.

I’ve been told to never shed a tear,Even in the situations that are most dire.People step into my life and abruptly leave,Being myself has only left me in flames of fire.

I’ve been told to be polite,I thought that I had been alright.I have too many flaws to be myself,My soul has left no light.

I’ve been told not to lie,They don’t realize lies keep me alive.I don’t even remember who I am,Will the real me never arrive?

I’ve been told to be sincere,They say it’s easy to be kind.I don’t understand what kindness is,All the time, it’s been messing up my mind.

I’ve been told to be careful,That one precaution I took.Stopped talking to people and shut myself out,My thoughts compiled into a single book.

I’ve been told that I am wrong,Now I realize they were right.I didn’t see the magic of friendship,I always put up a fight.

I’ve been told I’ll never win,But that’s one thing they were wrong about.Because I’ll always have my family and friends,They will always be there with no doubt.

Damaged Partsby Atifa Pathan, 13

There are so many people in the worldYou don’t know them allBut strangers turn into friendsAnd soon you start to lendBits of your heartSometimes they get returned in piecesYou tell yourself it’ll never happen againBut once the cycle restartsYou end up with more damaged parts

Wetlandsby Eithne Cullen

Thunderclouds gather in the darkening sky,a chill descends, there is a rush of wind.Wetland waders and stately swans stand still.A little egret strolls the golf course.

People hurrying, knowing the storm will catch them,drench them when the skies open. Then it begins,first with huge gouts of rain beating the pavement,falling like blood drops from a warrior’s wounds.

The water falls faster, soaking my legs, shoulders.Around me, people dash for shelter. Powerlessly,umbrellas heave and founder, ships tossed at sea,playthings of the raging wind, clutched in vain.

I close my eyes, imagine what it would feel liketo be stranded in a desert, dry and dust-scoured; to be parched like broken earth in a drought; to feel sun soak through me, as the rain does now.

It is no good. I am in England, tights stuck to my legs,trembling by an image on a shop window screen,where frozen folks flee their homes in canoes,the wettest month since we chatted about the weather.

Lightning flares, a harbinger, eliciting gasps.We wait for the thunderclap, pause, then splash on home.

NEXT ISSUE: For the next Issue .... – WFEchopoetry@socialspider.com

Waltham Forest Echo14 Features

Waltham Forest – a centre of cultureand creativity on a global stage

residents around Boundary Road wasa great buzz – with our help, Malarkywill now be painting the portacabins

at the Thomas Gamuel school inWalthamstow this summer, with theaddition of our first set of workshops.”

Milli Richards

Since the first piece of street art waserected in Ravenswood IndustrialEstate last October, the Wood StreetWalls (WSW) team have been hard at work putting up artwork for local residents and visitors ofWaltham Forest to enjoy. Local andinternational artists have displayedtheir work across the borough in areassuch as Wood Street, Walthamstow &Leytonstone, culminating in thecreation of an ever-expanding streetart map for the recent E17 Art Trail.

“We were delighted to be part ofthe E17 Art Trail this year – I don’tknow of another event like it inLondon or even in the UK that hassuch a diverse range of art andcreativity.” says founder Mark Clack.“Becoming a silver sponsor was agreat honour for us, teaming up withthe Little Free Library and artistMalarky to produce a custom paintedlibrary for the school children and

Wood Street Walls are nowmoving into the next phase of theirproject: Obtaining and establishingaffordable studio space whichWaltham Forest is in need of tofurther grow its arts community andpromote the borough as a centre ofculture and creativity on a global stage.

Co-Founder of WSW and one half of artist duo Static, Walthamstowresident Tom Jackson comments,“now we have demonstrated ourcommitment to the area, our keyfocus is securing studio space. Projectslike ours are great initiatives to engagethe public with art but without artistspace to operate and hone our skillsmany artists like myself are unable todo so within the borough.” He goes onto explain, “according to records thereare only 78 artist workspaces in theborough. Hackney has just under1200. With a creative heritage such asWaltham Forest, that’s not nearlyenough.”

“With our project we hope to pushthe local authority that bit more andsay ‘If you want public art to grow, weneed a base to make it sustainable.’With seed investment for studio fitout we can deliver projects like theseon a consistent basis and link to locallybased artists.”

The group also want to ensure allthe artwork they have helped facilitatein Waltham Forest is seen globally.Tom Jackson tells us, “We have beenin discussions with The GoogleCultural Institute who have invited usto become part of the Google StreetArt project. We hope this will start toput Waltham Forest on the map andbecome a destination for urban andcontemporary art.”

Through a further strand of work,WSW hopes to help stop the declineof student participation in creativesubjects in schools. According to the Warwick Commission Report,between 2003 and 2013 there was a50% drop in GCSE numbers fordesign and technology, 23% fordrama and 25% for other craft-relatedsubjects. In return for the affordablespace, the resident artists will host freeworkshops which will encourage thenext generation of artists withinWaltham Forest.

Wood Street Walls is crowdfundingfor affordable studio space in

Waltham Forest on civiccrowdfunding platform Spacehive.

To show your support you candonate via

www.woodstreetstudios.co.uk

Photographs: Joe O’M

alley

ListingsJazz at the Star of India / 12July, Star of India, 875 HighRd Leytonstone

Star of India regular David isorganising this charity fundraiserfor the Cygnus Trust. Tickets £12includes our all-you-can-eat buffet.“Dixieland-cum-mainstream jazz(or, for the hipsters, ‘Chicagostyle’). Pete Skiv (Alex WelshBand, “The best small band of itskind in the world”) and ‘the chaps’have played with Earl Hines,Rosemary Clooney, Ruby Braff,Wild Bill Davison and many more.Great music and great fun, this isthe band’s third year running atthe Festival.”

Church Lane Market / 11 July11am–4pm, Church LaneLeytonstone

A new monthly street market inLeytonstone featuring originalhandmade arts & crafts, delicioushomemade foods, novelty goodsand more. Located on ChurchLane right in the heart of the busytown centre. This month we arepart of ‘Leytonstone Arts Trail’ socome celebrate with us! Only £10per table for stall holders. Fordetails 07930 694 005www.churchlanemarket.weebly.com

Table Top Sale / 11 July, 2–5pmSt. John’s Church HallLeytonstone

Friendly, community-spirited TableTop Sale of good quality Children’sPre-Loved Toys, Clothes, Booksand Stuff on Sat. Free Entrance /

parent you’re welcome to bringyour baby. Spaces are limited soplease register your interest asapby emailing sonalidb@gmail.comor online www.sonaliwrites.com.

The Sensible Dresser – ElsieDiamond – Edinburgh premier/ 1 Aug, 7.30pm, HornbeamCafe, 458 Hoe St.

Elsie Diamond internationalburlesque bombshell and singerpresents this one-woman show,inspired by her day job: dresserto the stars in the unpredictableworld of costume. A comic, sexyand heartfelt piece told throughcomic song and striptease. Withher vintage looks, a voice from abygone era and exquisitecostumes, Elsie tells tales fromher own and friends’ costumecareers. With some artisticlicense… These stories can’tpossibly be true, can they?

Carer Information and SupportProgramme (CRISP) Sept andOct, Waltham Forest

Alzheimer’s Society WalthamForest are running two CRISP(Carer Information and SupportProgramme) training programmesin September and October 2015.The courses are for people whocare for a family member orfriend with dementia and are alsoavailable to NELFT staff who arefamily carers. For moreinformation please contact:Stephanie Kitchener – T: 0208556 8171 / 077 252 160 29S.Kitchener@alzheimers.org.uk

OngoingThe Mill Radio Group / 2ndWednesday of the month2–5pm, The Mill, CoppermillLane Walthamstow

We meet in the Mill Garden Roomor (weather permitting) the Millgarden. Anyone who would like tocontribute to our programme iswelcome. As well as local issues,we welcome individual stories,people who are involved in projectseg: the Art Trail, Storytelling groups,as well as topics of general interest.Our programmes are recorded inpodcast form and put onto theinternet (after appropriate editing)or are available in CD format fromMill reception. So come along fora cup of tea and a chat.www.MillRadio.com

50+ Tai Chi for Health /Saturday Mornings,Walthamstow Academy, BilletRoad, Walthamstow

A relaxed class aimed at the over50s, focusing on improvinghealth. Beginners welcome. Classcost just £5 per week for a 1.5hour class. Must be booked in 5week blocks in advance. Furtherdetails from Age UK WalthamForest on 0208 558 5512 ore.tozer@ageukwalthamforest.org.uk

Refreshments and delicious Home-Baked Goodies. Come and grab abargain! For info & to book a tablecont: Liz/Helen on 07855549740leytonstonetabletopsale@gmail.comwww.facebook.com/leytonstonetabletopsale

Highams Park Festival / 9–26July, Highams Park

The first ever Highams Park Festivalfeatures an incredible 50+exhibitions and events HP wide.Highlights of which are an ArtsTrail, our second Jumble Trail,Herb Walk, pop up restaurants,Highams Park Live, Classic andRetro Car Boot Sale, a WindQuintet Concert and by no meansleast, the already establishedHighams Park Day: our villagefete, on 11 July, organised by theHighams Park Society.www.highamsparkfestival.com

Carefree Kids presentsCarefree Grooves / 15 July,7pm, Ye Olde Rose & Crown,Hoe Street, Walthamstow

This is a concert to fund-raise forthe vital work we do supportinglocal children & families. This willbe a vibrant evening of West-Africanmusic, Afro-Beat and Reggae,Folk & Poetry, feat. a host of localmusicians & artists donating theirtime & skill to celebrate our work.We need your support – pleasecome and join us. £10 in advancefrom Carefree Kids office (or ifbooked through Eventbrite £1.25charge) www.carefreekids.org or£12 at the door. For more info.cont: Carefree Kids on 0208 5587799 or cfk@carefreekids.co.uk

music, theatre, dance, circus,film, spoken word, crafts & familyfun. Feat. four stages, stalls fromlocal designer-makers and anextraordinary range of street food,this year’s event will build on thesuccess of 2014 and even better,this event is completely free. Therewill also be a E17 CommunityMarquee: an inclusive space forall visitors to have conversationswith community organisations andgroups in Walthamstow.walthamstowgardenparty.com

Ebay Basics – workshop forpeople aged 50+ / 23 July10.30am–12.30pm, WalthamForest Resource Hub (North),58 Hall Lane, Chingford

Want learn about buying or sellingon eBay? Learn the basics, suchas creating an account; listing anitem; eBay fees; getting paid;shipping & feedback. Cost: £5Details from Age UK WalthamForest on 0208 558 5512 ore.tozer@ageukwalthamforest.org.uk

Understanding Your iPad –workshop for people aged 50+/ 27 July 10.30am–12.30pm,Waltham Forest Resource Hub(North), 58 Hall Lane, Chingford

Enhance your use and overallexperience with your iPad. Wouldyou like to be able to use youriPad better? Do you have questionsabout your iPad? Bring your ipadto this session and learn how toget the most out of your device.Cost: £5. Details from Age UKWaltham Forest: 0208 558 5512/e.tozer@ageukwalthamforest.org.uk

More Tips, Tricks andFavourite Apps – workshop forpeople aged 50+ / 30 July,10.30am–12.30pm, WalthamForest Resource Hub (North),58 Hall Lane, Chingford

What are Apps and what are thedifferent apps used for (Spotify,Playstore etc). Multi-touch tricksand shortcuts. You can also bringyour questions with you fordiscussion. Cost: £5. Furtherdetails from Age UK WalthamForest on 0208 558 5512 ore.tozer@ageukwalthamforest.org.uk

Sharp Pencils Writers’ Workshop/ 28 July, 10.30–12.30, for 5weeks, The Mill, CoppermillLane, Walthamstow

Would you like to write, but don’tthink you have time? Would youlike help developing your writing?Or are you a writer who would liketo spend time with other creativepeople in a relaxed and informalsetting? Join experiencedscreenwriter and playwrightSonali Bhattacharyya for 5sessions. Each session will focuson a particular area of writing(e.g. character, structure,dialogue), with exercises andadvice and support. Free andeveryone welcome! Refreshmentsprovided, and if you’re a new

Hornbeam Cafe – NormanLoves Fundraiser Event / 16July, 7pm onwards, HornbeamCafe, 458 Hoe Street

The Hornbeam Cafe serve foodthat’s vegetarian using local, organic& fairly traded ingredients as muchas they can and use fresh fruit andveg from East Anglian farmers, thesame produce which is also for saleat the Saturday market stall & inthe box scheme on Wednesdays.The cafe also sells home-bakedsourdough bread, refills forenvironmentally friendly householdcleaning & washing liquids and isa space for community groups tomeet. Come along to the fundraiser!

A to Z of Values: how do welive well with others? / 13–31July, Leyton Library

Art project collaboration with artistShiraz Bayjoo & Year 4 studentsfrom Newport & Dawlish PrimarySchools. Who decides the valueswe live by? Are some values sharedby all communities? Why does thecurrent National Curriculum requirethat students learn about fourcore values – liberty, tolerance,democracy and respect for law?These are the kinds of questionsYear 4 pupils at Newport andDawlish Primary Schools inLeyton have been investigatingunder a new programme co-led byNewport, A Space and InivaCreative Learning called ‘Art Lab’.

Walthamstow Garden Party /18–19 July, 12noon–9.30pm,Lloyd Park, Walthamstow

Get together in Walthamstow’sLloyd Park for a lively weekend of

July / August 2015 Issue 1515Listings

July/August 2015Waltham Forest Echo is a bi-monthly community newspaper for the London Borough of Waltham Forest

20,000 copies of each issue are distributed via shops, community spaces and door to door

Editor: David Floyd Deputy Editor: Amy CroomeOnline Editor: Amina Ahmed Production Editor: Martin Parker

Writers: Thank you to all our writers

Advertising: If your organisation is interested in advertising in Waltham Forest Echo call 020 8521 7956 orWFEcho@socialspider.com or see guidelines on page 6

Waltham Forest Echo is published by Social Spider CIC on behalf of WFWellComm CIC, a social enterpriseformed by charities and social enterprises based in the borough.

The member organisations of WFWellComm CIC are: Age UK Waltham Forest, Community TransportWaltham Forest, HEET, Learning Disability Experience, Social Spider CIC, Streetlife Radio CIC

WFWellComm CIC Management Board: David Floyd (Social Spider CIC), Stanton Lafoucade (StreetlifeRadio CIC), Tom Ruxton (HEET), Helen Tredoux (Community Transport Waltham Forest),

Ann Weekes (Learning Disability Experience)

All articles and many more are can be read on our website

Waltham Forest Echo, Social Spider CIC, The Mill, 7–11 Coppermill Lane, Walthamstow, London E17 7HA WFEcho@socialspider.com www.walthamforestecho.co.uk

Waltham Forest Echo

16 FeaturesMaking the most ofbrilliant blackberries!Have you noticed that Waltham Forest is rife with blackberry bushes? You canspot them growing on quieter roads near countryside, the marshes, naturereserves, Hollow Ponds and all the different areas of Epping forest. They arenormally ripe and ready for picking from early to mid August. Lucky us! Last yearme and the kids made blackberry jam – it was our first attempt and it turned outgreat. See the recipe below.

Alternatively, leftover blackberries can be frozen in freezer bags then whizzedin a food processor with apple juice and a banana to make an instant smoothie,or the mixture can be poured in to ice lolly moulds to have later. Frozenblackberries can also be whizzed with some yoghurt and honey to make quickice cream.

Check out www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/blackberry for lotsmore blackberry recipe ideas, including cakes, crumbles and drinks!

Blackberry Jammakes 2–3 jars

This jam is really straightforward to make and tastes delicious! Youcan recycle old glass jam jars to store it in. It’s great on toast andswirled through porridge or yoghurt. For an instant cheesecake,top digestive biscuits with soft cheese mixed with sugar, and adollop of blackberry jam!

800g blackberriesJuice of 1 lemon500g jam sugar with pectin (readily available)

Finely chop half the blackberries and mash the rest in to a pulp.Mix together then add the lemon juice and sugar. Mix again thenleave to stand for 1 hour to draw out the juices.

Put in a saucepan and boil on a high bubbling heat for 8 minutes,skimming any foam off the surface.

Meanwhile, sterilise your jam jars by washing them then putting thejars and lids in the oven at 140 degrees/gas mark 1 for 10 minutes(or a dishwasher cycle).

Leave the jam to cool for 10 minutes then fill the jam jars (the jamwill thicken as it continues to cool). Stored in a cool, dark placefor up to one year. Once opened refrigerate and use within 3weeks.................................

Visit my blog www.katielovescooking.com for lots more recipeswww.facebook.com/katielovescooking @ktlovescooking.

And if you have any comments, ideas or tips about food in Waltham Forest, I would love to hear from you!katielovescookingE17@gmail.com

Dont’ write off local newspapersjust yetReporter JamesCracknell on howthe regional press isreturning to its rootsBy reading this, you are in a minority.A survey by watchdog Ofcom lastyear showed that only 49 percent ofadults in the UK still read a localnewspaper.

Interestingly, however, morepeople who read local newspapersrate them as an important source ofnews than users of any other type ofmedia.

A lot of people have been readingthe last rites for the regional press inrecent years. It’s true that local papershave been in decline since the early1980s, and that the rate of declinehas hastened since the dawn of theinternet age.

An estimated 47 local newspaperswere closed between 2012 and 2015,while nearly all those that survivehave rapidly shed staff.

But the same research onclosures, conducted by industrypublication Press Gazette, alsohighlighted another telling statistic -since 2012, 39 new local papers havelaunched.

The Waltham Forest Echo is one ofthose newspapers, having first goneto press last summer. July 2015 is theEcho’s first birthday.

Having worked as a reportermyself for the past eight years, I can

attest that local journalism iscurrently at its lowest ebb.

One of the papers I used to workfor printed its final copy last year. Thepaper I was most recently employedat shed two-thirds of its reportingstaff in the first six months of this year.

But papers like the Echo provethat there is some life left in the localpress. More than that, I believe theEcho and other newspapers that havesprung up around London show anentirely new model of localjournalism is not only possible, butcan supersede the old corporate-owned model that is currentlylimping toward oblivion.

The Echo is a not-for-profitnewspaper, set up by a communityinterest company comprised ofcharities and social enterprises basedin the borough of Waltham Forest. Ittherefore has a direct link to the

community that it serves.Most local newspapers started off

as family-owned businesses in the19th century, quickly becomingtrusted and respected sources ofinformation in their towns or cities.

It was only in the latter half of the20th century that the dominance ofthe corporate media began to be feltat a regional level, with paper afterpaper gradually being subsumed intothe same organisations that publishthe Daily Mail, the Daily Mirror, oreven USA Today.

A handful of huge mediaconglomerates now own the vastmajority of our local media. The resultis that these newspapers oftenbecome detached, with offices shutdown and reporters relocated toregional “hubs” sometimes a long wayaway from the areas they actually write about.

We can debate the reasons behindthe decline in local journalism,whether it has roots incorporatisation, the internet, or both.But it remains important – vital,even – to local democracy.

And the desire for people to knowwhat is going in their borough, theirneighbourhood, and their street, willnever diminish.

Social media and the internet have reduced the scope for localnewspapers to provide thisinformation, but they have noteliminated it entirely. If they had, theEcho wouldn’t exist.

Groups of people are clubbingtogether to establish new local papersall over the country, in direct responseto the decline of corporate-ownedlocal media that they can no longerrely on.

In that sense, the regional press hasgone full circle. We are heading backto where we were at the start – locallyowned, locally written.

This is good news, but there is stilla long way to go. The Waltham ForestEcho will only thrive for as long asthere are people in the borough whoread it, support it, and contribute to it.I am confident that you will.@JollyJourno

Special Treatment LicencesNotice is given that Aisha Khan has applied tothe London Borough of Waltham Forest for aSpecial Treatment Licence for Facials,Waxing, Padicure and Manicure.

Licence for 32 Hoe Street E17 4PH BellissaHair And Beauty.

Anyone wishing to oppose the application mustgive notice in writing to the LICENSINGOFFICER, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH &TRADING STANDARDS, SYCAMORE HOUSE,TOWNHALL COMPLEX, WALTHAMSTOW E174JF WITHIN 21 DAYS OF PUBLICATIONspecifying the grounds of opposition.

Persons objecting to the grant of a licence mustbe prepared to attend in person before aCommittee of Council.