Mini Holland 5-12-16

MINI HOLLAND

5000 against MH

London's Traffic the worst

NICE Recommendations


From Stella Creasy MP's Newsletter

BreathE17 Campaign: Anti-Idling Cars Council Workshop 

In the coming year tackling the quality of air in our local community is a key campaigning priority for both myself and the local council. One action the Council is seeking to address to improve the quality of air in our area is the habit of idling in stationary vehicles, often outside schools.  They have recently adopted anti-idling legislation and council officers will be issuing Fixed Penalty Notices to those who fail to comply. However, alongside enforcement action where necessary, they want to work with local residents to provide greater awareness of air quality issues and to influence a change in behaviours. They are therefore keen to engage the help of local volunteer residents to work on an anti-idling initiative that is being rolled out over the coming weeks.

The Council is planning to run a training workshop on Tuesday 6^th December at 7pm to brief volunteers in preparation for targeted action days in key areas outside of schools working alongside our neighbourhood officers. The workshop will take place in rooms 2/2A of the Town Hall. If you would like to be part of this work please RSVP to Cllr Clyde Loakes on  cllr.clyde.loakes@walthamforest.gov.uk. 

From LCRN:

Two-wheel Takeover: Bikes Outnumber Cars for the First Time in Copenhagen

Copenhagen has reached a milestone in its journey to become a cycling city – there are now more bikes than cars on the streets. Can other cities follow?  In 2015, 35,080 more bikes have joined the daily roll, bringing the total number to 265,700, compared with 252,600 cars.   In London, figures show the gap between bike and car use is getting narrower. Data from Transport for Londonsuggests the number of commuters travelling through the heart of the city during rush hour could soon exceed the number of vehicles on the streets.   The number of cars entering the city during the morning peak hours fell from 86,000 to 64,000 between 2004 and 2014, while bikes rose from 14,000 to 36,000. That’s two cars for every bike – and if trends continue, more people will be cycling than driving into central London during the morning rush hour in 2019. But London’s cycling infrastructure needs to catch up... read more from The Guardian

Delays in Walthamstow

The end is nigh!!

News from Nowhere Club

<roskane@btinternet.com>

News From Nowhere Club

invites you to our next meeting on

Saturday 10^th December 2016

 

MPs & Government Ministers!

How to Arm-Twist Them

Speaker: Ron Bailey

 

‘They may act like they're invincible, but they're not. They may think they can ignore you & do what they want willynilly, but you can stop them. They say politics is about power & it can be: NOT their power but the power YOU can have. Are all politicians the same? Well, they can be when they've got their arm twisted behind their back & held damn firmly by YOU.  I can tell you a few methods of doing this.  Things I‘ve done. Things that had one MP's wife on the phone to mine for half an hour begging her to get us to stop our campaign 'against her poor husband/MP.' Things that prevented another MP from referring to me without a hurl of abuse because I organised 50,000 leaflets to be put through every door in his constituency accusing him of actions that helped rape to happen - & most importantly, things that made them back down! Remember - they want you to get fed up & go away. Don't give them what they want!’ Ron is Head of Parliamentary Affairs, Sustainable Energy Association. He lived in Leytonstone many moons ago.

 

Venue: Epicentre, West Street E11 4LJ (Stratford or Leytonstone tube & 257 bus)

7.30pm Buffet

8.00pm Talk

All welcome / free, just turn up / enquiries 0208 555 5248

 

The News from Nowhere Club meets

on the second Saturday night of each month.

2017 programme available from roskane@btinternet.com

or 0208 555 5248

Bell Foundry to close

Bell Foundry to close

Bell Foundry

Burial space running out

Burial space running out

Battle over new school site

Battle over new school site

Save Lea Marshes

Metropolitan Open Land

Town Centre Roadworks

Walthamstow Town Centre traffic direction changes

I suppose this is the best time to change the traffic flows in the Town Centre just as the christmas rush is building up!

New Vision for Lea Bridge Road area

New Vision for Lea Bridge Road Area

AE17

WF Foundations Programme

Job Vacancies

Join Civic Voice

Perhaps you know someone who would appreciate a subscription to Civic Voice for their Christmas present.

Join Civic Voice

Christmas at Vestry House Museum

Father Christmas, family Christmas crafting, unique gifts, festive food and more... View this email in your browser Vestry’s Victorian Family Christmas Tuesday 13 December Vestry House Museum Vestry Road, Walthamstow London E17 9NH 4pm - 7pm £3.50 per child to visit Father Christmas. Celebrate a traditional Victorian Christmas at Vestry House Museum. Visit Father Christmas in a magical grotto, receive a traditional Victorian gift and make Christmas crafts. Enjoy mulled wine, mince pies and special Christmas offers in the museum shop featuring the E17 Designers. Find out more on Facebook Copyright © 2016 Vestry House Museum, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you signed up to Vestry House Museum's mailing list. Our mailing address is: Vestry House Museum Vestry Road London, E17 9NH United Kingdom

StowXmas map

From Stella Creasy MP's Newsletter

We17 Post Brexit Community Support Project: 

StowXmas Business Map Launch 3 December  

STOW MAP

I'm delighted to announce that on the afternoon of the Saturday 3rd December we will be launching the StowXmas business map at the Tramworks in Central Walthamstow as part of Small Business Saturday. Walthamstow is full of great shops and traders who make fantastic gifts- this map has been created with the support of local designers and Wood Street Walls to showcase these businesses and encourage residents buy their festive gifts locally to support Walthamstow's economy. The map also doubles up as a poster to display to show your support for your local community and for this initiative. You can also access this resource online from 3 December too.

I'm grateful to East and Co, Tramworks and Parker Diaries who have kindly sponsored its production and to the milkmen who will be helping distribute it around Walthamstow in the coming days. This project was created by the We17 group to provide support for local businesses whose sales may be affected following the vote to leave the European Union - if you would like to be part of this group and attend the launch on the 3rd December as well as help distribute copies of this map around Walthamstow please do get in touch. 

Hi Adrian,

Can you help us spread the word about #StowXmas and so support our local small businesses this festive season?
#StowXmas is a map which has been produced to showcase many of our great traders in Walthamstow and to encourage residents to buy their gifts and treats locally.

It was created by We17 campaigners following the vote to leave the European Union, to help address concerns that our local economy and traders could suffer and can also be found online.
We are now asking local schools, faith organisations, community groups and stores to help us distribute this map locally. If you or your organisation would be willing to help – whether by handing out to pupils, displaying them in your premises or giving them to attendees at your group- please do reply to this email.
Furthermore, on Saturday 10^th December the We17 group are are holding a ‘StowStory’ social event.

This afternoon will bring together members of the many different communities who have found a home in our area to tell their story about how they come to Walthamstow. It is intended to help support community cohesion and all Walthamstow residents are welcome to attend- if you would like to join this social event please do let me know and I will send further details.
Thank you in advance for your support in helping Walthamstow at this uncertain time to stay strong and stay together,

Stella Creasy MP
Labour and Cooperative MP for Walthamstow 

p.s. Please do also share the #StowXmas map online via www.stowxmas.com on your social media

Art at St Mary's

Advent(Us) Calendar - Art's Project at St Mary's Church Seeks Volunteer

For the first 24 days of December, the St Mary’s Arts Collective at St Mary’s Church in Walthamstow Village has teamed up with experimental artist Gary Stewart to turn the South wall of the ancient church into a huge digital advent calendar. Each day, a new digital projection will be revealed, combining work from local artists alongside the words, pictures and dreams of the people of Walthamstow, united in their belief that, after a year of distressing news, another world is possible.

In addition to the huge projections on St. Mary’s church wall, Advent(us) will be brought to life by a series of music, art and cultural evening events in the church, which are all free and open to all comers of any age. This unique project is seeking volunteers, artists and sponsors to help make it happen - if you would be interested in taking part in this project you can register your interest by emailing stmarysartscollective@gmail.com

Higham Hill Library update

Hi all  

I'm just sending out some information about an event that we are organising this coming Sunday 4 December as part of the We Love Higham Hill Library campaign to save our much-loved community library.  This is to all non-Facebook friends!

It was opened on Sat 5 December 1931, so this weekend will be its 85th Birthday!

Join us to celebrate as follows - 

1.45pm  Meet outside the library for the presentation of a commemorative blue plaque

2 - 4pm  Celebrate with mulled wine, mince pies and cake at Priory Court Community Centre

We will meet and mingle - plus there will be children's activities, placard-making, speeches and we will have some UEL students with us who are doing a community project and hope to film anyone who would like to speak about the library.

Would love to see you there - please let your friends know about the event too.

Best wishes, Susan

Campaign information

We have an online petition - please sign and share.  You can access it from the FB page We Love Higham Hill Library or via this link https://www.change.org/p/save-our-libraries-we-love-higham-hill-library      

Please also share this widely throughout your friends and any of your networks.  

We have a website called  www.welovehighamhilllibrary.co.uk  and we are also on Twitter.

Mini Holland 25-11-16

MINI HOLLAND

Here are some updates on construction work which is in progress:

Lea Bridge Road    

Wood Street junction: Works starting January 2017 to Spring 2017
We are starting some minor works in early January at the Wood Street junction with Lea Bridge Road to widen the pavement and begin constructing the cycle track. This will take place off road so will not impact on traffic.


Hoe Street and Wood Street 

Markhouse Road

Leytonstone

Vallentin Road

Car Wash refused permission

The car wash built beside the Ice Centre has been refused Planning Permission.

Car Wash refused Planning Permission

Protest has been successful

Around the World on Christams Day

Dear Waltham Forest Our Community,

On behalf of Door Ajar Theatre, I'd love to invite you to the Press Night performance of Around the World on Christmas Day.

The show is on Friday 9th December, from 7 - 8pm, at a brand new performance venue, Mirth, Marvel & Maud, 186 Hoe St, Walthamstow, E17 4QH. The nearest station is Walthamstow Central.

Around the World on Christmas Day is a brand new off-beat comedy celebrating Christmas tales and traditions from all over the globe. Directed by Tim Bell and written by Sam Sutherland, the show mixes comedy, theatre, live music, elves, and a variety of festive goats, with merriment and songs performed live by a cast of actor-musicians.

The venue is a recently renovated and re-opened cinema space in the heart of Walthamstow. The building has a history dating back to 1887, hosting The Beatles , The Who, The Rolling Stones and more. Now open as a stunning pub, restaurant, and performance venue, Mirth, Marvel & Maud is well worth a trip in itself.

If you'd like to attend we'd be delighted to welcome you and can offer you a complimentary ticket for you and a guest. Please RSVP to this email to reserve.

If you have any questions please do feel free to get in touch, either by email or call me on 07841 505 421. We hope to see you there!

Kind regards,

Jared Ashe

Producer

Door Ajar Theatre

Friends of Manual Instruction Centre

Planting

Creative Hub

Hackney Singers

Christmas Concert

Advent Calendar

Advent(Us) Calendar - Art's Project at St Mary's Church Seeks Volunteer

For the first 24 days of December, the St Mary’s Arts Collective at St Mary’s Church in Walthamstow Village has teamed up with experimental artist Gary Stewart to turn the South wall of the ancient church into a huge digital advent calendar. Each day, a new digital projection will be revealed, combining work from local artists alongside the words, pictures and dreams of the people of Walthamstow, united in their belief that, after a year of distressing news, another world is possible.

In addition to the huge projections on St. Mary’s church wall, Advent(us) will be brought to life by a series of music, art and cultural evening events in the church, which are all free and open to all comers of any age. This unique project is seeking volunteers, artists and sponsors to help make it happen - if you would be interested in taking part in this project you can register your interest by emailing stmarysartscollective@gmail.com

Love the Lea

Love the Lea

Greatest Street in the UK

Wood Street of course!

An International Award

And the winner of the Great Street Award goes to...Wood Street

Last night our very own Wood Street in Walthamstow was awarded the Great Street Award, beating off strong compeition from streets in Liverpool and Banbridge to receive the National Award from the Academy of Urbanism. The Academy praised the London street for its diversity of retail and social enterprise as well as the sense of discovery from hidden avenues that make the street inviting and refreshing. The Academy also praised the collaboration between an engaged community and strong local political support. Well done to all involved!

Mini Holland 18-11-16

MINI HOLLAND

Village residents the MH winners

Church Hill residents the losers

At last a safe crossing in Shernhall Street

How to create gridlock - close Shernhall Street and have emergency water works in Wood Street at the same time!

The consequences of MH

Hackney dreams of MH

Facts about MH

MH in Kingston

5 Tests for Sadiq

Is this how to manage 21st century life?

Christmas Pop Up shop

Pop Up shop

Forest Philharmonic

Forest Philharmonic Concert

Library Campaign update

Complete the Library Survey



Highams Park Library

Higham Hill Library

Wood Street Library

At last week's Wood Street Ward Forum residents expressed anger at the move of the library to a new site in the Marlowe Road development. The council was unable to give any details except the existing building needs over £1m spent on it. 

It makes no sense to empty an iconic building like the Wood Street library building without having another use for it. The reality is the council's property department has been wanting to sell the site for housing for many years. They refused to hand over the adjacent redundant housing offices site to Woodside school as they would make more money selling it on the open market. Now that site has become a nondescript block of flats with the curious name of Foundery Mews.

Hopefully the community will be inspired by the Mill and takeover the building and use it as a community asset.

Update on new schools on MOL

Updates

1. Waltham Forest Cycle Campaign have proposed the following conditions for the building of the schools:

• "The school should develop an ambitious active travel plan to maximise the opportunities of its location, and maximise the number of staff and students walking or cycling to school. This might include walking/cycling ‘buses’ for students, recommended routes from feeder areas and cycle proficiency training for all students.
• The school’s travel plans should also include restriction of vehicle access to the site, with minimal parking on-site and parking controls in the surrounding area. It could go so far as to copy trials currently ongoing in Edinburgh – where cars are banned from driving into and parking in streets around the schools at pickup/dropoff times (with obvious exceptions for blue badge holders etc.).
• All staff who use motor vehicles to travel to/from the site to have regular training in the dangers they pose to people on bikes, and how to minimise risks of collision at the site. We recommend that any dropping off points should not involve vehicles crossing the Cycle Superhighway*.
• All provision for cycling should be designed inclusively to accessible for staff or students who are disabled or with restricted mobility. In addition, the plans must enable parents to bring their children to school using cargo bikes or trailers – a method which is increasing in popularity within Waltham Forest. All routes for bikes should be designed to enable tricycles and cargo bikes to access the schools, and not just ‘conventional’ bikes.
• The school should provide high quality and aspirational amounts of secure covered cycle parking for staff and students, including spaces for non-standard bicycles."

* note that the Cycle Superhighway is not yet complete and there will be another lane built on the south side of Lea Bridge Road.

In my haste to review the Cycle Campaign's letter on Facebook I wrongly thought that they were in favour of the school, and I probably lambasted them too much. In subsequent discussion however, it still turned out that they place little value on the building over of Metropolitan Open Land. Their restriction proposals on dropping-off and picking-up by vehicles near the school make sense in terms of preventing traffic build-up on Lea Bridge Road, but unless the majority of pupils and staff using the schools were to be cyclists or pedestrians then it's difficult to see how that would work. Maybe the Ice Centre will try to do a car-parking deal?

2. Very useful progress has been made by one of this group:

"Good news… The Athena Primary Academy is getting it’s knuckles rapped from the ASA* for its advert. It’s feels like an effective way to show them that we have muscles we can flex!

And, I have subsequently found out that it isn’t just the postcode that was wrong. The Thames Water Depot does have an address, which was on a previous planning application. It’s:

Thames Water Lea Bridge Road Depot

150A Lea Bridge Road

E10"

*Advertising Standards Authority

Hopefully one or two people will inform the newspapers carrying the ad, including Waltham Forest News, that the school should have stated "Subject to Planning Permission" when it advertised to parents.

3. The Athena Academy (proposed Primary school) has a page on Facebook. Several of our group have posted questions on the page and so far, answers are being given. This question elicited a very telling answer:

"Questioner to the school: Will your curriculum include valuing the natural environment? How will that square with the school itself being on Metropolitan Open Land, which is supposed to be protected from development?

Athena Primary Academy Hello I value the natural environment and we will teach the children to do the same. At the moment the land is predominantly concrete and old buildings. After development, it will be more than 60% green space, with all the trees around the perimeter being kept.

Questioner's response: The promise was that the land would be returned to open space completely when Clancy Docwra moved out. There are number of reasons for opposition to the building of the schools on that land and one of them is that promises given when planning is agreed should be honoured".

Brilliant response, I thought.

4. One of the group has received this response from Mayor of London to an enquiry about MOL status and planning.

"With regard to the Thames Water Depot, a planning application does not appear to have been submitted for the construction of schools. Given the MOL designation of the site, any proposal to provide over 1,000 sq.m. of floorspace would be referable to the Mayor under the Mayor of London Order 2008. In accordance with the Order and once the application is made and referred, the Mayor will provide the Council with a statement setting out whether he considers that the application complies with the London, and his reasons for taking that view. The Mayor may also provide other comments."

Hopefuly people will monitor the planning applications to Waltham Forest and let us know when anything for the site comes up. Bear in mind there may be applications for the temporary buildings, or for either of the two separately-owned schools.


Thanks again for your interest. Please contact me with any other news to be circulated to this group of 60 email addresses (all of whom are real individuals known to me).

Claire

Welcome Centre to be redeveloped

Help Rehouse The Walthamstow Village Preschool! 

The Village Preschool, currently situated in the Welcome Centre of St Mary’s Church, is looking for new premises for when the church redevelop their site. Set up 25 years ago by the community, for the community and run by volunteers, the preschool aims to provide quality affordable childcare for 2, 3 and 4 year olds.  They are very keen to stay as local as possible to carry on serving the families for which the preschool was created. Anyone with or who knows of a space that might currently be underused in the daytime and could be suitable should get in touch with them via info@thevillageplaygroup.org. They are already used to packing everything away at the end of the day to leave the building ready for other users.