Saturday 30 May 2015

Mini Holland Update 30-5-15

MINI HOLLAND


Forest Road Perception Survey

Blackhorse Perception Survey results

How it is done in Bradford

Cycling in the Lea Valley

Anyone else bored with the continuous arguements?

Safer lorries

Pavement Parking

Alternative Lea Bridge Road view


Forest Road Perception Survey

Hello

We are very pleased to inform you that the first stage of engagement on making improvements to Forest Road has now started.

Businesses and residents in the local area will be asked to complete a “Perception Survey” (see link below); and comment on the current street environment and provide views on what they would like the Council to address to enhance the area.

Officers have now organised delivery of the Perception Survey to all addresses within the boundary (see link).  The survey will also be available online, which will be collated and analysed in tandem with the hard copy returns of the questionnaire.

At the same time officers will conduct a face to face survey with all businesses fronting and immediately adjacent to Forest Road for its entire length.  This will provide value information around business views of the Road and key information such as loading and parking data.
The results of the surveys will then be fed into the scheme proposals that will be taken to formal consultation later this year.  We will also feedback the results of the survey to everyone who took part.




Please get in touch with us if you would like to discuss the scheme

Grace, Stuart and Nadeem

What are the issues affecting women in WF?

Call to Action! What are the issues affecting Women in Waltham Forest?
Are you someone who is working to tackle issues that affect women in Waltham Forest?  Whether it's campaigning against FGM, forced marriage, abuse, harassment or other such problems - we would like to hear from you about what you are doing in the community and discuss how we could support this work in the borough.
To kick off this process, you are cordially invited to attend an event hosted by Waltham Forest Mayor, Cllr. Saima Mahmud on Saturday 20th June at 3pm in the Council Chamber at Waltham Forest Town Hall on Forest Road (next door to Waltham Forest College).


Cllr. Saima Mahmud
Mayor of the London Borough of Waltham Forest
Councillor for the Hoe Street Ward
Mobile: 07810 436 651
Twitter: @SaimaWorking4U

EMD Sold

There seems to be some confusion about who has bought the EMD. According to WFM Cllr Robbins informs us Antic has bought it but other sources said RMP Properties had. The reality is so much money is needed to purchase it from UCKG and to restore the listed building various companies will be involved.

The most important aspect is that English Heritage ensure the building is properly restored to a high standard and Waltham Forest Planning department make sure they keep a close eye on what is going on. Restoring the building will not need planning permission but redevelopment may well need a planning application. So far Antic seem to have been economical with the truth so the question has to be asked why have their plans not been made public yet? Presumably the millions of pounds committed to the development have not been done just from ideas on the back of a fag packet.

Soho Theatre Company is ready with plans to run the finished venue but are they being included in the plans? - apparently Antic will have it ready by Christmas - my bet is it will not be Christmas 2015!!


EMD Sold

WF Guardian

Save Walthamstow Cinema



Prudential Ride Cycling Event

Bear in mind the Victoria Line will be out of use for August so this could make life interesting!

Dear Mr Stannard,

This is advance notice that on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 August, as part of a weekend of Prudential RideLondon cycling events, certain roads in east, central and southwest London and Surrey will be closed to traffic.

On Saturday, the 8 mile ‘FreeCycle’ will take place in central London. On Sunday, the ‘Handcycle Classic’ and ‘Classic’ races, starting on The Mall, and the ‘100’, starting at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, will take place. These races will travel via central and west London, through Surrey Hills and return through west London, finishing on The Mall.

There will be bridge and road closures from early morning. Road users are advised to plan journeys well in advance. Many bus routes will be on diversion and stations along the route may get busy at certain times. More information will be on our website closer to the time.

For the most up to date information, visit tfl.gov.uk/prudentialridelondon

Yours sincerely,
Signature_________________Image not displayed
Vernon Everitt
Managing Director,
Customer Experience, Marketing and Communications


Whipps Cross Hospital's difficulties

An explanation of the problems at Whipps

London National Park - update

National Park update

Another planning eyesore

After battling for decades to get the Arcade site developed in a successful way the Scene has been worth waiting for. But what were the planners thinking of permitting this in Cleveland Park Avenue adjacent to the Scene!

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Beating the Bounds 2015

FORTHCOMING EVENT!  6th June 2015

Beating the Bounds with a difference - instead of a Rogationtide perambulation of Leyton Marshes, this year to mark 50 years of Greater London the Walthamstow Historical Society is marking the anniversary as part of their own Centenary Year celebrations by Beating the Bounds of the former Essex Borough of Walthamstow - on foot and by bicycle!


This is taking place on the afternoon of Saturday (not Sunday, as usual) the 6th June.
The event is being organised jointly by the Walthamstow Historical Society and Waltham Forest Cycling Campaign.

All residents of Walthamstow - and the former neighbouring boroughs of Chingford, Woodford and Wanstead, Leyton, Hackney and Tottenham - are all cordially invited to join in as we rediscover the lost boundaries of Walthamstow and the abolished divisions with Chingford and Leyton - still marked today by boundary posts, rivers, ponds and trees along the way.

Gather from 2pm at the Eagle Pond, Snaresbrook Road E11 for a ceremony at the Old Birch Well, before moving off to Whipps Cross to begin Bicycling the Bounds or walking part of the boundary northwards through Epping Forest or southwards towards the Lea Valley Marshes.

The event is free, but you will need to bring or buy your own refreshments.  “Comford stops” are available at the “Rose and Crown” in Woodford Green, the “Larkshall” tavern in Chingford Hatch, Londis service station on the North Circular Road, the “Hare and Hounds” in Leyton, “High Bridge Cafe” at Springfield Marina, Clapton, and “Pistachios” cafe at Markfield Park, South Tottenham.

Everyone will meet up later at the “Ferry Boat Inn” on Forest Road N17, where we will mark the 100th anniversary of the bridge installed in 1915 to allow trams to link Walthamstow and Tottenham!

Souvenir route guides will be available.

Hope to see you all there!
Katy.



Job opportunity at Hornbeam

Hornbeam vacancies

Give and Take Day


-When: Saturday 27th June 2015 (12 pm to 3 pm)
-Where: The Asian Centre, Waltham Forest, 18A Orford Road, London, E17 9LN.

Donate the items you don’t want from 12 pm – 1.45 pm
Collect items you want for free, from 2.00 pm – 3.00 pm  (first come, first served basis)
 

Street Weed Killers

Are they safe:?

Wood Street Art

Wood Street Walls

Little Library Tour

Library Tour

Friday 22 May 2015

Mini Holland Update 22-5-15

High Court Action against Mini Holland

How they do it in Yorkshire

Mini Holland and Lloyd Park

Ban traffic for a month!!!

Bike Week


Mini Hollandising Ruckholt Road but is it really worth it?



Is this what we can expect once work starts on Lea Bridge Road?




and the impact on Markhouse Road



Saving Walthamstow Marshes

For a Kindle

Proposed Lloyd Park Conservation Area

Consultation

Barking - Gospel Oak Rail User Group

ENGINEERING WORKS
  • 16-17 May  LUL Victoria Line closed between Walthamstow Central & Seven Sisters. Replacement buses operate from Selborne Road bus stop 'W' and Forest Road bus stops at Blackhorse Road. Barking - Gospel Oak Line offers alternative route as Walthamstow Queen's Road station is short walk from Walthamstow Central by dedicated footpath and South Tottenham station is approx 300m along the High Road from Seven Sisters station.
  • 17 May North London Line blocked between Willesden Junction & Richmond.
  • 23-25 May District Line blocked between Aldgate East & Dagenham East also between Turnham Green & Richmond; Hammersmith & City Line closed between Barking & Moorgate; North London Line blocked between Willesden Junction & Richmond & on 24 May after 22:00 blocked between Gospel Oak & Stratford.
  • Threatened strike action by Network Rail staff 25-26 May As well as possible disruption to train services including London Overground, some planned engineering blockages could be cancelled.
  • 27-28 June Next closures on Barking - Gospel Oak Line. More details later
OTHER NEWS
  • BGORUG held its 2015 AGM on 29 April. There remain vacancies for Vice-chair and a Committee member. Members will be receiving a final renewal reminder soon. New members always welcome, £5.00 per annum. We hope to hold another meeting near Blackhorse Road in early July.
  • Several new posts on Have Your Say message board, why not take a look? @RidingtheGoblin now has over 275 followers!
  • BGORUG has written to the Office of Rail Regulation for clarification regarding their ability to ensure Barking - Gospel Oak electrification takes place by the quoted 'indicative' completion date of mid 2017
  • Caroline Pidgeon, Vice-Chair of London Assembly Transport Committee has asked the Mayor for details of failure rates of the Class 172 trains used by LOROL on the Barking - Gospel Oak service.
  • The Summer National Rail timetable starts on Sunday 17 May. New timetable booklets for existing London Overground services have been available for some weeks. They contain the London Overground network map that will apply from Sunday 31 May when London Overground takes over services between Liverpool Street and Cheshunt (via Seven Sisters)/Chingford & Enfield Town as well as the Romford - Upminster branch. Abellio Greater Anglia have produced  temporary timetable booklets until 31 May when London Overground will issue its own booklet. For a look at this just click on the 'timetable' button on our Introduction page. Crossrail trading as 'TfL Rail' also takes over the Liverpool Street - Shenfield stopping services on 31 May. No changes to services are expected until the December timetable change.

Jazz at the WMG

Blues at the WMG

LVRPA Draft Proposals for Area 1

me

Lea Valley Federation


Posted: 11 May 2015 11:19 PM PDT
Park Development Framework
Lee Valley Regional Park Act 1966 Section 14 Draft Area Proposals

Draft Proposals for Area 1 East India Dock Basin to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park: Update on Consultation


Dear Consultee

Further to the email last month the Agenda and papers for the Lower Lee Valley Regeneration and Planning Committee on the 14 May 2015 will shortly be available on the Park Development Framework website via the following dedicated link:  www.visitleevalley.org.uk/pdfareaproposal

The draft Area 1 Proposals will be considered by Members at the Committee at 11.00am.  You are welcome to attend the committee meeting which will be held at the WaterWorks Centre, located on Lammas Road (off Lea Bridge Road), Leyton, London E10 7QB, Tel: 020 8988 7566.

As previously mentioned if you wish to speak at the meeting you will need to give notice to the Committee Office at least 2 working days before the meeting is due to take place, i.e. by 11 May.  Guidelines for public speaking at committee meetings and the relevant contact details are all available on the PDF consultation webpage.

Following consideration of the draft Proposals at the Lower Lee Valley Committee and any further revisions it is intended that the final set of proposals will be presented to full Authority on the 9th July for adoption.



Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
Myddelton House, Bulls Cross, Enfield, Middlesex EN2 9HG 
Tel: 01992 717711      Fax: 01992 709922
Posted: 11 May 2015 11:17 PM PDT
SAVE LEA MARSHES WEEKLY DIGEST 7 MAY
This is the Weekly Digest of Save Lea Marshes.  We are an open group of people living in the Lea Valley area who strongly believe that the marshes and other local green spaces need to be saved and maintained for local people and nature.  Find out more about our work on our website

This week is a “bumper” issue – as I am not able to do the digest next week.

Well it’s the big Election Day – but for some in Hackney – as many of you will have already heard – there was a mess up with potentially thousands of people left without a vote, but thanks to hard work at the last minute, this has been reduced to about 50.  See full story p1 in the current Hackney Gazette www.hackneygazette.co.uk
 Other local Hackney stories in the Hackney Gazette this week on p.9 “Frustrations over edible park delay” – more on the delay in starting the “all-weather” pitches and edible park on Mabley Green.  A council spokesperson attributes the delay to further soil testing of the former site of Blitz contamination.  This is the sort of contamination found on Leyton Marsh and North Marsh, Hackney (where Hackney Council wants to build a new sports pavilion).  More, on this topic below.  On p.15 there is a full page feature on the 175 Years of Abney Park.  Our fingers are crossed that future generations will be able to celebrate this too, without it being overshadowed by development.
NOT SO FAR PAVILION- In addition to going to the Planning Inspectorate in June (further details in the next digest), a slightly revised application for planning permission will be going to a future Hackney Planning Committee.  Plans (Application Number 2014/2582 for perusal should be displayed at the Ground Floor Reception Area, Hackney Service Centre, 1 Hillman Street E8 1DY (between 9 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. on Mondays to Fridays) or alternatively via Planning online www.hackney.gov.uk/planning-applications   Responses need to be received by 12 May – so hurry! SLM’s opposition is that the pavilion should be built on the existing site of the Old Changing Rooms and not right in the centre of common land as proposed.

EDGELANDS – for those of you who didn’t hear the piece on Radio 4’s “Today” programme about “edge-lands” – the kind of land that exists in the space between developed and rural land, like much of the Olympic area –  featuring Rob Cowan on a site in Yorkshire.  Rob has written a book about Edge-lands  - something to look out for.
LEE VALLEY REGIONAL PARK NEWS – three items to report this week.  Firstly, there is a meeting at
11 a.m. on 14 May at the Waterworks Centre, Lammas Road (off Lea Bridge Road), E10 7QB to discuss the Lee Valley Regional Park Act 1966, Section 14 Draft Area Proposal on East India Dock and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park area.  If you would like to attend, please ring the LVRPA on
0208 898 at least two days in advance, or email via the website.  Secondly, there is the launch of the new newsletter “Musings from the Marsh” covering the Leyton and Walthamstow Marshes area it has some interesting articles on what has been spotted on the marshes, LVRPA news and events.  Thirdly, the next Workshop meeting which will be discussing (a )ideas for the art project and (b) Essex Wharf at 1-3 on 6 June at the Waterworks Centre (as above)
GLYPHOSATE – so good, the U.S. have been spraying it over Columbia to kill off the Coca crops (and any other crop in the way), for over two decades.. Story in The Guardian, p.24 www.guardian.co.uk  about how the Colombian Government are now saying “No More”, following the findings of the World Health Organisation (as covered recently in the SLM Weekly Digest).  Following, reports of anything from skin rashes and respiratory problems, to diarrhoea and miscarriages,  the Health Minister and member of the Colombian National Narcotics Council which sets out drug policy says:  “It would be unacceptable, even from an ethical standpoint, to have this evidence on the table and not accept it”.  Of course there is the other view from the US Assistant Secretary of State for Counter-Narcotics and a former Ambassador to Colombia:  “There is not one single example of a person who has suffered damage from Glyphosate in Colombia in the past 20 or 21 years”.  Probably, because no systematic study has taken place..
EVENTS
Hedge Herbs are as active as ever – amongst on-going events are: 9 May 10-3 p.m. at the Hornbeam Cafe Veggie area, 458 Hoe Street E17 9AH there will be a plant sale; on 16 May from 10-1.00 p.m. there will be a session on Practical Pharmacy at Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park (booking is required for this).  Contact Rasheeqa at HedgeHerbs.
Forage London also has a new edition of its newsletter out with details of walks and courses, go to
A reminder, that the Vitality Run will be in Hackney on Sunday 10 May – if you don’t want to see it and keep out of the way, you might need to know that between 7 a.m. and 2.00 p.m. the following roads will be closed: Clapton; Homerton and Victoria Park.  Some bus services may also be affected.
PLEASE NOTE: SLM’s regular fortnightly meeting in the Princess of Wales, will not be a open event next Monday as planned.  There is some urgent work we need to do and it is likely (at time of going to press) that it will take place at a private address.  Normal service will be resumed for the following meeting.

And finally,  it has been a while since we’ve mentioned the “Assistant Editor” – my cat and desk accessory – this week she excelled herself by walking across my keyboard and coming up with a link to “50 Shades of Grey”...the  computer skills of cats are unfathomable.  

Walthamstow Garden Party

Barbican Garden Party


Escape to Artillery Island' - Walthamstow Garden Party

Artillery are curating the moated island in Lloyd Park as part of the Walthamstow Garden Party produced by Create and Barbican. We will be continuing this year's Art Trail theme of Storytelling across to the Walthamstow Garden Party so do let us know is this fits with your work. We will announce opportunities to trade at this event in early spring - so pop these dates in your diary 18 & 19 July 2015.

Friday 8 May 2015

Urgent message from Stella Creasy MP

Working for Walthamstow: Thank you - and update on how to raise your concerns about English Defence League Protest in Walthamstow Saturday 9 May 2015                   


Hello!

I’m writing to thank the people of Walthamstow for my re-election yesterday as your MP - it has been a privilege to serve as your elected representative since 2010 and I am honoured that you have chosen me again to speak up for our community and our causes, both here in Walthamstow and in Westminster. Sadly the first thing I have to do after being re-elected is to update you on the events taking place in Walthamstow on Saturday 9 May involving the English Defence League and how to raise your concerns about this visit with the police using the details below.

The EDL have no following in our diverse and peaceful community here. Those organising this ’protest’ are not residents, and their literature and online social media make clear their intent is to disrupt the good community relations that we have here and that we value. This is their fourth such attempt to organise a protest in Walthamstow. Each time they have announced plans to come it has raised community tension here, with residents of all faith and none offended and aggrieved by their harassment.

This current proposal has been explicitly linked by the EDL to an earlier incident in 2012 when they marched in Walthamstow. Those who participated in their action on that day were drunk and violent, shouting abusive and religiously insensitive comments as they walked through the area. The counter protest opposing the EDL managed to disrupt their route, and the situation subsequently degenerated into fighting and public disorder. Arrests were made and local residents suffered as their cars and homes were attacked and they felt threatened by the presence of this group in our area.  In their online media about this latest proposed event, members of the EDL have encouraged those who oppose them to ‘again bring bricks and bats’ and they have used pictures of weapons, body armour, broken windows and rioting. I have already provided evidence to the police of these postings. 

It is clear from talking to residents and the online communications that I have had that their visit will again heighten local tension and the possibility of public disorder. Already counter protests involving large numbers have been planned, raising the prospect of a high volume of people on our streets which will further impact on the ability of the police to manage any such event. It is likely the cost of policing for this event will also be considerable.

Currently the police have imposed conditions on the EDL which mean that their march will pass through residential and business area. Their proposal is to assemble at Blackhorse Road tube station for 12pm until 1pm, then to march to a meeting point nearby Waltham Forest Town Hall on the corner of Forest Road, Farnan Avenue and Hurst Road) to meet there for upto 60 minutes and return to Blackhorse Road tube station by 4pm. I understand that the UAF/We are Waltham Forest counter protest is intending to meet at 11am at Waltham Forest Town Hall. The police then tell me this group has conditions on its own march which require it to process from Forest Road to the Wood Street Plaza and disperse by 3.30pm. Whilst I have had no notice from them on this matter or any other representations about the visit by the EDL, I understand that the Council has imposed traffice restrictions on Forest Road and Wood Street from 11.30am until 6.30pm on Saturday to prevent traffic on these roads.

I have put forward as strong a case as I can to both the police and Home Secretary that given the link made by the EDL to their previous visit to Walthamstow and their current social media activity on this event, there is no change in the risk this group pose to our community. I have therefore argued that to prevent violent disorder and harassment of residents their march should be moved to an alternative location outside of our area using the Public Order Act provisions.  The Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has also written to the Metropolitan Police Commissioner to explicitly support this view – at present I have had no response from the Home Secretary to these concerns. The Metropolitan Police tell me that they consider the conditions they have already imposed on this event to ‘strike the balance between the right to peaceful assembly and peaceful protest and their duty to prevent crime and disorder’.

If you wish to make further representations about the decision to enable the EDL to march in Walthamstow please write to the Met Police using this email and copy me in as your local MP so that my office may ensure your concerns are acknowledged. Furthermore please do share with the police on this email any social media posts you may see regarding this matter that concern the explicit possibility of violence, vandalism, harassment or public disorder so that they are aware of the way in which this organisation is interacting with local residents. Whilst I am extremely disappointed that this march has not been moved outside of Walthamstow despite the evidence of the risk to the local community, tomorrow I will also be seeking to update the police and public agencies on any concerns of local residents about the impact of this event on Walthamstow whilst out observing how public order is being managed,  so please use social media to update me should you have further concerns, as I will be checking this regularly and sharing what information I am given with the police on the day.

The EDL wish to see the lives of residents in Walthamstow disrupted by their vile hatred- let us show them by our refusal to be frightened or provoked that Walthamstow is a peaceful community, confident in its diversity and intolerant only of their bigotry. 

I hope this information is useful to residents ahead of tomorrow,



Labour and Cooperative MP for Walthamstow

p.s. Thank you once again for re-electing me and you can find the full election results for Walthamstow here-  my normal weekly e-newsletter service will be resumed next week!

This e-newsletter is produced and promoted by Stella Creasy and James Hedges, both at 23 Orford Road E17 9NL. Please note information gathered as part of producing this e-newsletter may also be used by the Labour Party for campaigning purposes.

Love Parks


Love Parks

Lloyd Park on Bank Holiday Monday



Learn basic DIY

Learn DIY

B&Q to close stores

10 reasons to live in Awesomstow

10 reasons to live in Awesomstow

Mini Holland update 8-5-15

Cycle friendly cities

Village ahead of schedule


Waltham Forest Green Homes

Waltham Forest Green Homes

Come and visit and learn about energy saving  - next weekend 16/17 May.

Friday 1 May 2015

Mini Holland Update - 1-5-15

Mini Holland

Work is progressing in Selborne Road with a large paved area on the opposite side of the street to the current pavement. How this will work when it reaches the traffic lights will be interesting as there is only enough room for 2 lanes and no pavement!



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Edward Lloyd Centenary

   26 May Edward Lloy– Book making
To mark the centenary of publisher Edward Lloyd, of Lloyd Park, come and learn about him and make your own book or even a “penny dreadful”. 11am-2pm, in the Aveling Centre Community Room.

May Fair and Dog Show

Lloyd Park May Day





 
 
May Fair special
 
 
 Details of May Fair & Dog Show
 Fun freebies for Friends
 
 
 
Join us on Monday 4 May for our marvellous May Fair
 
 

Freebies for all our members
All members can get a free glass of Pimms or juice at the Friends' tent.

What's on? 
Our usual mix of maypole dancing, food & drink, stalls, family activities (including face painting and a huge bouncy castle shaped like a shoe), and not forgetting the dog show (read our blog for details of categories and how to enter).

Star Wars fans will want to come in costume and there will be 'best dressed' prizes for adults, kids and dogs!

We look forward to seeing you on Monday - cross your fingers for sunshine!

The Friends of Lloyd Park
 
 
 

Stow-a-Thon

From Sunday May 3rd to Monday May 4th the Rose and Crown pub on Hoe Street will play host to the second-ever ‘Stow-a-Thon’, 24 hours of free live music to raise money and awareness for local charity ‘The Limes’ – a local community children’s centre for disabled children. Music will be performed by acts of all ages and types who are all musicians are drawn from around Walthamstow. If you would like to participate please emailadamtaylor100@gmail.com . For more information visit stowfestival.com or thelimes.org.uk

Queens Road Boundary Jumble Trail

Jumble trail

London National Park Consultation

London National Park Consultation

Campaign

Waltham Forest Walks

Dear local walker
 
Please find attached and on the website www.walthamforestwalks.info a programme of walks for May and June.  Because the daylight is at its longest I have given an evening option to most of the walks.  The reaction to a walk on a Bank Holiday has been mixed but for most people it makes no difference.
 
Do please let me know of any mistakes, any aspect of the programme you think might have been improved, and any suggestions you have.  I do know that you are busy people and will have commitments that prevent you from joining walks.  The idea is to make joining the walks as easy as possible (and also to make you feel free to leave a walk whenever you wish).
 
Regards
 
David Boote
Walking Free in Waltham Forest

077 69 665 447 (for use on the day of a walk)