Now we have a big screen in the town square for the Olympics I think it's really important that we residents speak up for what we want to watch. The Council have started doing some consultation about this and already people are talking about this new addition to our square. However, I know I find it hard to picture what it will be like to watch without it being switched on but I am sure once we have seen it in action during the 2008 Olympics people will have even more to say. That's why I've put together a short survey about the screen which you can complete on-line here. I hope too local filmmakers and groups who could provide content will use the survey to register their interest. Please note the planning application which agrees the hours of use for the screen will be heard on the 5 August. I will send the details of responses so far to the committee on that issue for them to consider but I will also keep the survey open for responses until the end of September so that you can comment after you've seen the screen live during the Olympics!
Can't wait for the screen to be on to watch films in Walthamstow? The Walthamstow Film Cafe will be showing a series of short films this Friday 1 August at the Rose and Crown Theatre Pub on Hoe Street starting at 8pm. Details of the programme can be found here.
I know funding is always an issue for local voluntary groups. As a new trustee of Voluntary Action Waltham Forest I hope to help ensure they get the support they need to access the resources available to them. With that in mind I wanted to pass on details of some non-local funds that have come to my attention recently to which groups in Walthamstow would be eligible.
- Comic Relief's Disadvantaged Communities Fund is for grassroots organisations in areas affected by poverty. It tends to fund projects that are small in scale i.e. estate wide rather than borough wide, and those working with groups who are user or volunteer led that have a constitution.
- B&Q Better Neighbourhoods Scheme is available to help get a community project up and running. The scheme provides £50 to £500 (at retail cost) of B&Q materials, for example, pond liners, plants or peat-free compost for projects such as a pond/wildlife garden. Schools, community groups and charitable organisations can apply to their local B&Q store for funding to support a local community project.
- The Co-operative Community Fund is eligible for groups within Walthamstow because we have co-operative retail shops here. Groups can apply for small grants of £100 to £5000 for charitable purposes that are in line with co-operative values.
If you're a group working in a local park or green space you might also find the following website a useful resource of information on funding sources for your activities.
Neil Gerrard, a long-time member of the APPGG said: "Walthamstow has been synonymous with greyhound racing for as long as anyone can remember. It really puts us on the map and is one of the iconic images associated with East London. Of course the land is valuable for development but in this economic climate and with the recent slow down in housing I am concerned that we may end up with the area left abandoned for years. I hope there is a chance for a reprieve for the sport in Walthamstow, even a temporary one, and I am willing to help in brokering any deal to save racing there. If that is not possible then I want to ensure that the future of the greyhounds is secured- either to be racing at other stadia or retired into homes as pets."
A letter co-signed by APPG joint chairman Andrew Rosindell (MP for Romford) and Lord Bilston (formerly MP Dennis Turner and a supporter of his local Monmore Stadium), calls for a meeting with Walthamstow Chairman of Directors Charles Chandler and Managing Director, Jack Chandler. It includes: "Considering the high welfare standards that the track has been proud of, including supporting both the local rehoming organisations for many years, members were extremely disappointed by the level of compensation reported to us that has been offered to secure the future of the greyhounds from the Walthamstow racing strength or in the local retired kennels.
"Members would also like to discuss the short-term lease of the land for the continuance of racing. Walthamstow MP Neil Gerrard has been approached by a party considering that possibility and we would hope that this is an area that would not be blocked unnecessarily by the Chandler family."
If you want to be kept upto date with any developments following on from Neil's intervention and the APPG get in touch.
Whatever the weather there will be plenty of activities for local children of all ages including facepainting and adventure play as well as free refreshments for all ages! The afternoon is an informal opportunity for local families and those who work with them to come together, have fun and have their say about what help and support children, parents and grandparents need to succeed in Walthamstow. There are many changes taking place locally and nationally that will affect families- from the new parental leave rights, to changes in tax credits and benefits as well as the new surestart and childrens centre services - and I want those in power to hear first hand from people in Walthamstow what they think of these changes and what our priorities for our locality are. I'm keen too that those who work with families participate so that they can bring their experience to our discussion and also get to know each other too.I hope you'll be able to join me, Neil and James for some lovely cake and a great opportunity to make sure those in Westminster hear the voices of those in Walthamstow. This event is sponsored by UNISON and has been organised by Walthamstow Labour Party.
Anyone who would like to hold a stall on the day or know more about the event is welcome to get in touch.
Post Office Ltd revealed last month that it would be rethinking its decision to close the branches in Forest Road, Chingford Road and Orford Road, in the light of local opposition. However, we've learned this week that they still intend to close the Chingford Road and Orford Road branches. The Forest Road post office will remain. Neil Gerrard and I have been working closely with local residents on these issues and we've put out a press statement that I've reproduced here in full for information.
Neil Gerrard, MP for Walthamstow, and Stella Creasy, local community campaigner, today welcomed the news that the Forest Road Post Office is to be kept open but expressed their anger and dismay at the decision that two Post Office branches in Walthamstow are to close. "We are pleased that the Forest Road Branch has been reprieved and that the Post office listened to the concerns we and others raised" said Neil and Stella "but we cannot understand the logic of the decisions on the other two branches. The arguments that appear to have been accepted as justifying keeping this branch open, such as the needs of elderly people living nearby, apply with equal force to the other branches. The result of these decisions will be that many local people will find it much more difficult to access Post Office services. The High Street Post Office is already inadequate to handle the number of people using it, and these closures will make that situation worse. When the review of the original closure proposals was announced Postwatch specifically asked that action should be taken to improve the queuing times at the High Street main Post Office. This was in recognition of the fact that more people will go there if other Branches are closed. This has been totally ignored by the Post Office. For many people who now use the Orford Road and Chingford Road branches it will be very inconvenient to have to travel to the High Street or other branches. We are particularly disappointed that the Post Office have ignored the strongly held views of local people and have simply failed to answer the clear and strong case that was put forward for keeping all three branches open. We want to thank those local residents who supported the campaign to keep the Post Offices open. We will now be seeking an urgent meeting with the Post Office about these decisions and will be asking what plans they have to improve the services provided at the High Street Crown Post Office.
highway or in other public places to which a Dog Control Order applies and carries a £75 fine. You can find out more about which areas are subject to a Dog Control Order (including our local parks) here. One of the difficulties in dealing with this is enforcement; put simply catching irresponsible dog owners in the act of failing to clean up after their animals. If this is something that concerns you, you can help by reporting back to police and council officers if you do see someone behaving in this way so they can monitor the situation. If you wish to know the
direct contact details for your local ward police team for non-emergency issues please get in touch.
Neil Gerrard recently met with London Underground which has taken over the upgrading of the Victoria Line. He wanted me to share with readers of this site the outcomes of his meeting and the details of the ongoing engineering works. LU stated that, originally, the whole project was scheduled to be completed by 2013, but they are now aiming for a late 2011 finish. The upgrade will include 47 new trains, new signalling, renewed track, and a new control centre. This will result in an increase in capacity, and improved journey times.
The current early closures have allowed the work to be speeded up and LU are aiming to have the bulk of the engineering finished by the middle of next year. Closures should become fewer over time, and probably the current period of early evening closures will not be repeated. There are still some uncertainties, arising from the fact that LU have taken over this project from Metronet, and so still have to satisfy themselves that everything is going to keep to schedule. The key point however seems to be that although the whole project still has 3 years or more to run, the latter part of that is the bringing in of the new trains rather than continued major engineering works. I hope this is of interest and I'll keep updating this site if I get any further information on these works.
