Fighting back against fly-tippers
I know how much you share my frustration with those who commit fly tipping. It shows a lack of respect for the neighbourhoods we call home, and the people who live in them. It’s also a public health nuisance. That’s why I’m pleased to say that we’ve been awarded extra funding to help catch those responsible.
We spent £7million cleaning the borough last year. Now, when we catch fly-tippers, the government has indicated that it intends to raise the level of Fixed Penalty Notices to £1,000, which is great news and will help pay for the costs we incur clearing up the mess fly-tippers leave behind. The 10 new cameras will be installed throughout Chingford, Leyton, Leytonstone and Walthamstow, adding to the 144 cameras we already use.
In 2022 we issued more than 8,000 fines for littering, fly tipping and waste-related offences – the most in London – and we do this because you tell us this is one of your top priorities. If you see someone fly-tipping or find your neighbourhood has been targeted, please report it on our website. Together we can protect our environment and keep Waltham Forest clean.
It was wonderful to be part of the Windrush celebrations at Fellowship Square last Saturday and I am looking forward to us all coming together again at a special family fun day for Eid Ul-Adha this Saturday.
Eid Mubarak.
Grace
Cllr Grace Williams, Leader of Waltham Forest Council
Click the postcode nearest you to find events coming up around the borough.
Join us on Saturday for a family fun day for Eid Ul-Adha
Our special Eid Ul-Adha Family Day takes place this weekend at Fellowship Square, in front of Waltham Forest Town Hall.
Join in the fun on Saturday 1 July from 11.30am to 6pm.
Find out more about the event.
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Cllr Loakes is shown one of the new anti fly-tipping cameras in Chingford
Deputy Leader and cabinet member for Climate and Air Quality, Cllr Clyde Loakes, was in Chingford on Wednesday, 28 June, for the installation of one of our new cameras, aimed at catching fly tippers in the borough.
He said: “We’ve secured a grant to make sure cameras using the latest technology are going up in key locations around the borough. The message is simple – if you fly-tip you will be caught. We will find you and fine you. We will also, where appropriate, name and shame those people found guilty of blighting our streets."
Watch Cllr Loakes talk about the new cameras on Facebook and find tips on how to get rid of your waste safely and legally.
One of our holiday activity sessions at Leytonstone School
Stuck for summer holiday ideas? Then look no further. The Waltham Forest Holiday Activity and Food programme starts on Monday 24 July, and runs all the way through to Friday 25 August. The programme caters for children and young people aged five to 16 who receive benefit-related free school meals.
Activities take place across the borough and include arts and crafts, drama and outdoor adventures. For example, The Hive is hosting Eco Adventure Week for eight- to 11-year-olds, with five days of nature-based activities in Epping Forest, while Project Zero is offering summer activities in Walthamstow for young people aged 8 to 16, from 9.30am to 3.30pm every day.
All activities are inclusive of children with SEN and/or disabilities. You can talk to organisers before so they can accommodate your child's needs. Follow the link below for contact details and to find out more.
Community Living Rooms are spaces across the borough where you can rest and relax, meet new people, access advice and information, or get creative. Find a list of spaces open near you on our dedicated map. More spaces are opening soon!
The Mayor of Waltham Forest, Cllr Roy Berg, and Cllr Rosalind Doré, Cabinet Commissioner for Destinations, meet some of the Project Zero team
Last week Waltham Forest commemorated the 75th anniversary of HMT Windrush’s arrival at the Port of Tilbury in 1948. The Afro-Caribbean community’s contribution to our society and the legacy of injustice suffered by the Windrush Generation where honoured in a flag-raising ceremony in Fellowship Square on Windrush Day, Thursday June 22. Alongside a wider programme of partner-led events and activities across the borough, this year’s celebrations culminated in the second-ever Waltham Forest Windrush Festival in Fellowship Square on Saturday June 24. We’d like to thank our incredible community partners for making this event such a success.
Revel Puck Circus are offering Waltham Forest residents £5 tickets for the preview nights, Thursday 13 and Friday 14 July only, using code LEYTONPUCK when you book online. You can also get 20 per cent off tickets on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 July, using code OPENINGPUCKS, which expires on Sunday 17 July.
Plus, you can also get 15 per cent off evening shows on Tuesdays to Thursdays throughout the run using promocode WEEKNIGHT.
The Leytonstone Arts Trail returns this weekend, bigger and better than ever. It runs from Saturday 1 July to Sunday 9 July at lots of locations across Leytonstone and Leyton, including Stone Mini Market, Good Shepherd Studios, The Farm Community Kitchen and Leytonstone and Lea Bridge libraries. Check out the website for participating venues and artists.
Did you know we have more than 20 youth spaces across the borough listed on our Youth Services directory? This includes our Space4All spaces, which offer young people somewhere safe to take part in activities they enjoy, or to just relax with friends. Please encourage any young people you know to visit.
Come along to the world premiere of Songs of the Forest: the Waltham Forest Song Cycle, on Tuesday 4 July at Fellowship Square. The suite of songs have been composed by primary school children from across the borough, with composer Kate Stilitz working with Waltham Forest Music Service. Inspired by Waltham Forest's natural environments, the songs are a musical journey through our wild spaces and parks, which we hope will inspire our young people to explore and enjoy our outdoor spaces.
Schools will perform at 11.30am to 12pm and 2.30pm to 3pm.
The East London Shakespeare Festival
As well as our Eid Ul-Adha Family Day on Saturday 1 July, check out these events in Fellowship Square this week.
Shakespeare on the Square
The East London Shakespeare Festival comes to the Square next week with its riotous modern day take on Romeo and Juliet. Performances take place from Wednesday 5 July to Sunday 9 July. Follow the link below for ticket prices and options.
The company will be back in the borough at the Highams Park from Monday 21 to Wednesday 23 July. More info and book tickets for the Highams Park performances here.
Buck Moon Yoga
Join us for a communal yoga and gong bath session to mark the buck moon on Monday 3 July 2023, from 7.30pm to 9pm. Tickets for this event cost £3.
Go East Vintage Market
Sunday 2 July, from 10am to 5pm. Free entry.
The finest vintage traders offer the best of mid-century furniture, lighting, homeware, clothing, accessories and vinyl. You'll also find a bar, street food vendors, music, and entertainment for the whole family.
A one-day celebration of sound system culture, with an outdoor exhibition, talks, interviews, music, food and drink, taking place on International Reggae Day.
Sound System Exhibition and Dance Showcase is part of the Make It Happen Grants Programme 2023.
When: Saturday 1 July, from 2pm to 11pm
Where: The Conference Centre, 60 Uplands Business Park, Blackhorse Lane, E17 5QN
Image: Yomex Owo / Unsplash
Have you witnessed a traumatic event?
If you have witnessed a violent incident or been the victim of one, and are finding it hard to cope, or want someone to talk to about it, please do contact Victim Support. It’s an independent charity dedicated to supporting victims of crime and traumatic incidents. Visit the website or call them on 08 08 16 89 111.
Proposed lido latest
Thanks to everyone who shared your feedback during the first stage of public engagement about a proposed new lido and improvements at Low Hall Sports Ground. We received an unprecedented response and we’re busy reviewing your feedback.
This will inform our next steps, including creating a business case to put before the council's Cabinet in the autumn, updating them on what's happened so far and asking for funding for the next stages of the project. In the meantime, why not sign up to our lido newsletter for the latest info when it’s available.
Make maths fun for adults
Earlier this month, we hosted a fantastic family event for over 1,600 people in Fellowship Square which was all about maths. It formed part of our Multiply project to improve the numeracy skills of adults across the borough. Find out more about the Multiply programme including upcoming events, trips and workshops on our website or email amber.derosa@walthamforest.gov.uk.
Play area closed temporarily for painting
The play area at Walthamstow town centre near the 17&Central shopping mall will be closed for a few days from Monday 3 July to paint the play equipment. It's hoped work will be completed by Saturday 8 July, subject to weather conditions. The nearest alternative play areas while work takes place are:
- Wingfield Park, Grosvenor Park Road
- Coppermill Park, Coppermill Lane
- Greenleaf Road Play Area, Greenleaf Road
Sorry for any inconvenience.
University of Portsmouth London applications are open!
In April, the University of Portsmouth and the Council announced the opening of its London campus in Waltham Forest next year. The great news is that you can now apply to study at the new campus. The university will open in Juniper House, opposite Walthamstow Central Station for post-graduate study in January 2024, with undergraduate courses following in September. Or you can learn while you earn with one of a number of work-based learning options. Find full details of available courses and how to apply on the UoP London website. And why not drop into the Admissions and Recruitment Centre (ARC) in Walthamstow Library on Wednesday afternoons between 2pm and 6pm and have a chat with campus staff.
Green Careers Showcase
Love nature? Aged 16-25? The Green Careers Showcase is packed with inspiring talks from young leaders, career advice, hands-on workshops, and lots of organisations offering training and job opportunities. Meet employers including ZSL, Forestry Commission, Environment Agency and Royal Horticultural Society and hear from inspiring young leaders City Girl In Nature, Black Girls Hike and Sustainably Muslim.
When: 4pm to 7.30pm, 6 July 2023
Where: Walthamstow Wetlands, 2 Forest Rd, London N17 9NH
Free Eco-Action course for young people
Climate Leaders: Eco-Action Week at The Hive Forest Centre is a four-day course for young people aged 16-25 living or learning in Waltham Forest who are interested in learning more about the climate and ecological emergency alongside other young people.
Current council vacancies and other local jobs
We regularly update the vacancies and local jobs listing on our Waltham Forest Jobs website. Explore available job opportunities and apply for roles that suit you.
And you can find the latest Waltham Forest Council jobs online on our website. And check out our LinkedIn.
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