A message from Cllr Grace Williams, Leader of Waltham Forest Council
Yesterday, I was honoured to be part of this year’s Windrush Day commemoration at Fellowship Square. The ceremony marked the 74th anniversary of the arrival of the HMT Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks in 1948 and the birth of the UK’s modern, multi-racial society.
Local schools joined the Afro Caribbean Elders Association and residents at last night’s flag raising ceremony, paying tribute to the rich contribution of the Windrush Generation and their descendants to life in Waltham Forest. Thank you to the 25,000-strong Afro-Caribbean community for helping make our borough the exciting and welcoming place it is today.
Don’t worry if you missed it - everyone is invited to have fun at the very first Waltham Forest Windrush Festival, taking place this Saturday 25 June, with a range of events and activities across the borough.
The festival is part of our free summer events programme, which also saw the return of the Tour de Waltham Forest last weekend, while we look forward to the launch of the North Chingford Heritage Trail, also on Saturday. These events and others over the summer are not only a chance to get together with friends and neighbours, but also celebrate the vibrant cultures right across Waltham Forest. Check out our website for more information.
Finally, I want to invite you to ask me directly about the issues that are most important to you. I’ll be holding my first Leader’s Surgery next Wednesday 6 July at Fellowship Square, with more to come soon. Read on for details of how to take part.
Grace
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Friday 24-Thursday 1 July 2022
Discover more Free Summer Starts Here events on our website
Wednesday 6 July 2022, 15:30 – 17:00, Waltham Forest Town Hall, Fellowship Square
Listening to the views of residents is important to every aspect of the council’s work.
As the Leader of Waltham Forest Council, Cllr Grace Williams will hold regular surgeries, creating a space for residents to speak to her directly about the issues that are important to them and the changes they want to see locally.
Whether you want to discuss the delivery of local services or the council’s long-term strategy – no question is too big or too small.
Strictly by appointment only.
To book your appointment, please select your preferred time slot and provide your personal details, contact phone number and your Waltham Forest postcode. We are only able to give appointments to people who live or work in the borough.
Unfortunately, we will not be able to offer any appointments for those without a confirmation of booking. The Leader and Cabinet Members will be holding regular surgeries over the coming months. For information on upcoming dates please email Leader@walthamforest.gov.uk.
We’re holding a free Green JobsFest where you can meet an array of employers advertising live opportunities. This will include entry level roles, apprenticeships, jobs and work placements to help you get your foot in the door. Find out about all the different skills and areas of work in the green sector, where and how you can get qualified to get started in a career that can take you around the world, or get a job local to you.
When: Wednesday 29 June 2022, 1pm to 5pm.
Where: CRATE St James Street, London E17 7FY.
Children in year 9 at school should have been offered the last of their childhood booster vaccinations. These protect against Diphtheria/Tetanus/Polio and Meningitis. Children in year 8 should have received their first dose of the HPV vaccine, which protects against several types of cancer.
It is still not too late for children to receive these important vaccinations. To arrange an appointment, parents with children in year 8 and 9 should get in touch with the school immunisation team on 0208 0174291 or by email at walthamforest@v-uk.co.uk. Alternatively, parents can bring their children along to one of our catch-up clinics which are taking place across the borough. Find out more about school vaccination catch-up clinics as well as general information on vaccinations.
Larry Goldstein, a Walthamstow Market trader for more than 30 years. Photo by Lloyd Ramos
Walthamstow Town Centre has launched its own large-scale outdoor photography exhibition. ‘Walthamstow Market Stories’ celebrates the historic market and the rich stories and characters of its traders, many of whom have families that have worked on the market for generations. The project, commissioned by London Borough of Waltham Forest, will feature a trail of trader and market photographs by Lloyd Ramos, a local photographer who grew up around the market. There’s an accompanying film by local filmmaker Ashton John, which documents the stories of the traders and can be downloaded through scanning the QR codes along the trail.
Meet the traders and find out more.
Photo: Katie Moum/Unsplash
It's Refugee Week, and this year's theme is ‘healing’. The experience for refugees can be traumatic, particularly for young people displaced from their homes. We have worked with a group of young people who we've welcomed to Waltham Forest to explore how writing about their experiences can support their journey and their healing.
Read more about their experiences through the great work and the powerful writing that the team and the young people have produced.
For World Refill Day last week we visited Stone Mini Market in Leytonstone, an ethical, zero waste shop that is helping its customers reduce their plastic waste.
In this interview on our Facebook page, owner Adrienne explains why she has built a business with her husband Okan over the past 11 years that helps people in Leytonstone reduce their packaging and choose ethical produce.
Tour de Waltham Forest returned over the weekend as hundreds of riders cycled through the borough’s green spaces and quiet residential streets.
785 cyclists explored seven routes, starting from either Jubilee Park or Fellowship Square and ranging from 7km to 20km.
Riders also took part in pedal-powered activities including smoothie bikes and a juke box, as well as receiving a £10 voucher to redeem in local bike shops.
Modern slavery is a very real issue locally and across the UK. We want to make sure our residents know how to spot the signs and how to get in touch if you think someone is at risk. There are different types of modern slavery, including labour, sexual and criminal exploitation. Some of the signs are:
- Unexplained injuries
- Controlled or always watched by another person
- Limited contact with family
- Living and working in the same place
If you’re concerned for an adult who might be at risk or suffering from modern slavery, you can call 0208 496 3000 or email the team WFDliaison@walthamforest.gov.uk.
Learn more about the signs and types of modern slavery.
This year’s Waltham Forest Tree Giveaway will see every resident in the borough offered the chance to plant their very own tree as Waltham Forest Council responds to the climate and ecological emergency.
We visited Mission Grove School to ask children why they think trees are important. This year, they and everyone in the borough, will have the choice of the following trees; Bird Cherry, Wild Cherry, Crab Apple, Rowan, Holly, Hazel, Blackthorn, and Hawthorn.
Thousands of these trees are expected to be planted across Waltham Forest by local people in private and communal gardens and green spaces (with permission), giving all residents the chance to plant a young tree.
If you're visiting Fellowship Square, pop into Fellowship Foods, where you can get 50 per cent off any pastry when you buy a coffee until the end of June. Mention promocode Square4 at the till. The cafe is open weekdays 8am-5pm and weekends 9am-5pm.
You can also get 50 per cent off a pastry or cake of your choice when you buy a coffee at Vestry House Museum cafe (from Wed-Fri only). Mention promocode Garden3 at the till. Check out the menu on Facebook @vestrygarden and find out more about the cafe on the Vestry House Museum website.
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Fellowship Square update
Please note that the fountain shows in Fellowship Square will not take place for three days, from Monday 28 to Wednesday 30 June 2022, due to essential maintenance.
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Get your vaccine at the Windrush Festival
If you haven't had your first, second or booster dose yet, you can get jabbed on our Covid-19 vaccine bus while you enjoy the Windrush Festival this Saturday 25 June at Fellowship Square. For everyone aged 18+, just hop on or book online.
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Free energy awareness sessions
Morgan Sindall Property Services (MSPS), repairs and maintenance contractor, runs free advice sessions for residents on energy awareness.
The sessions can be over the phone, virtually, or face to face and occur on the first Wednesday of each month from 11am-12:30pm.
Subjects covered include:
- What to do if you’re struggling to pay energy bills
- Making sure your home is energy efficient
- Keeping your home free from condensation and mould growth
- Grants and benefits to help you pay your energy bills
If you would like to sign up to a session, please contact CSRbox@morgansindall.com.
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Support if you're struggling financially
We have information and advice about issues relating to the cost of living crisis on our website.
Are you interested in running a café?
We’re looking for businesses with a strong track record of providing a fresh, seasonal and imaginative offer, to develop the reputation of the café at William Morris Gallery and make it a destination in its own right. We’re keen to speak to entrepreneurial providers who are committed to engaging with local residents, are switched on to the needs of families and have a strong environmental policy. Express interest by 14 July 2022. If you have any questions, email wmg.enquiries@walthamforest.gov.uk.
Current council vacancies and other local jobs
We regularly update the vacancies and local jobs listing on our Adult Learning website. Explore available job opportunities and apply for roles that suit you.
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