Thank you Dee for keeping generations of children safe!
This month, we're celebrating 10 years of Enjoy Waltham Forest, our pioneering scheme to encourage more walking and cycling in the borough. The last decade has seen us implement a whole range of measures aimed at improving road safety and air quality and I'm proud to say we now have the highest levels of people walking, cycling and using public transport out of all the outer London boroughs. We know from the 2022 National Travel Survey that nearly half of Waltham Forest residents walk or cycle at least three times per week, an increase of 5 per cent compared to 2021.
We don't want to stop here. In 2019 we launched the Community Walking and Cycling Fund for local groups, encouraging people to become more active. After five successful rounds of projects, which have seen over 4,000 residents getting active across the borough, I’m pleased to say we have allocated this year’s funding to eight groups, who will all run projects over the next year to involve even more people from our community. Find out more about the groups and how you can get involved here.
Since Enjoy Waltham Forest launched, research by King's College London predicts that children born in the borough can now expect on average an extra six weeks' life expectancy because of the improvements.
Children like the pupils of Newport Primary School in Leyton, who we filmed this week with their amazing lollipop lady Dee Tocqueville. Dee is retiring soon after an incredible 50 years as a school crossing patrol officer. Watch a lovely tribute to her on Instagram.
Thank you Dee for keeping so many generations of children safe. Have a wonderful retirement!
Finally, exam season is upon us, so good luck to all our young people working so hard at this time and a huge thank you to all those parents, carers, teachers and others helping and supporting them.
Grace
Cllr Grace Williams, Leader of Waltham Forest Council
Please note, if your postcode is IG8, your nearest events will appear under E4. If you live in E7 or E15, check out E11. You can also find online events on our website.
 The amazing Dee Tocqueville has been working as a School Crossing Patrol Officer for 50 years. As she prepares to hang up her lollipop for good, we filmed her and some of the pupils she keeps safe at Newport School, Leyton – the same school she attended as a child. She has received an award for her long and outstanding service at the school, which will hold a special assembly before her last day. Well done Dee - thank you for your long and distinguished service!
 We're hosting a packed programme of activity for you to take part in for this year's Dementia Action Week.
On Monday 13 May you can join our Virtual Dementia Experience. Through a virtual reality headset, you will be provided with a simulation of dementia symptoms. Please book one of the sessions via the link below.
Other activities include a dementia friendly tour of the William Morris Gallery, gentle exercise sessions and a film screening.
 Artist’s impression of the proposed crematorium within the existing cemetery
Late last year, we held four drop-in engagement sessions with residents in Chingford about proposals to build a new crematorium within Chingford Mount Cemetery.
We are hosting a further drop-in session in Chingford for residents and businesses to find out more and give us your views.
Come along to meet the project team and ask questions at the Ridgeway Evangelical Church, 36 The Ridgeway, Chingford, E4 6PU on Saturday 18 May from 10am to 2pm.
The project team will also attend a Larkswood councillors drop-in session on Friday 17 May at St Anne's Church, E4 6NP, between 5pm and 7pm.
Chingford Mount Cemetery is Waltham Forest Council’s only operational cemetery, and it is anticipated that it will run out of available burial space within the next eight to 10 years. It is also a much-loved space for locals to visit, and a new crematorium would help secure its future for generations to come.
It's Hedgehog Awareness Week and we want to ensure that this very cute, but nationally threatened, species can thrive in Waltham Forest, as part of our commitment to supporting nature and tackling the climate crisis.
That's why we're delighted that our cemeteries team has been added to the Hedgehog Heroes Roll Of Honour.
It's recognition from the British Hedgehog Preservation Society that management and maintenance of our cemeteries, which are havens for urban wildlife, is carried out with hedgehogs in mind.
 Mornington Hall in Chingford will be 100 years old this year. To celebrate, local theatre group CADOS has commissioned a new musical, Beyond the Bricks, to celebrate this wonderful community venue and its rich history. With script and lyrics by local resident Theresa Rendle and music by Marcus Scroop, it's an opportunity to meet the many characters, real and imagined, who have trodden Mornington Hall's boards.
Date: Wednesday 15 May to Saturday 18 May, ticket prices start at £13.
 Our Digital Champions have helped residents use new laptops or phones, supported them with online shopping, and helped them set up new e-mail accounts so they can keep in touch with loved ones.
We are looking for more volunteers, particularly for Leytonstone Library and Walthamstow Library. You don’t need to be a digital expert, you just need to have patience, a willingness to help, and commit a minimum of only 2 hours (1 session) a month.
 On Wednesday 1 May, Tanya Ednan-Laperouse from the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation visited Waltham Forest Town Hall to speak to Waltham Forest (WF) Catering school cooks. Tanya is the mother of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, whose tragic death in 2016 made national news. The family's campaigning resulted in Natasha's Law, which requires all food outlets to provide ingredients lists and clear allergens labelling, and has changed the lives of people with food allergies for good.
Tanya gave an emotional and powerful presentation about Natasha’s story and praised the staff for creating allergen friendly menus in schools to make children with allergies feel safe and inclusive. WF Catering provides an allergen-friendly day twice a week, where all dishes are free from 14 declarable allergens.
The team launched its allergen friendly aprons at the event, which all staff will wear on the counter at service time on Mondays and Wednesdays to remind children that its allergen friendly day.
Art for all in Highams Park
The Highams Park Art Trail kicks off on Friday 10 May, featuring a series of events, workshops and exhibitions around the area until Monday 26 May.
Overnight closure of Walthamstow Central Bus Station
Walthamstow Central Bus Station will be closed between 10pm and 5am each night from 10pm on Monday 13 May to 5am on Friday 17 May for essential works.
Some routes will finish early and others bypass the station during this period. See full details of routes affected below.
Build a career in green construction
Our very first Green Construction Jobsfest is nearly here, taking place on Wednesday 15 May at the London Academy of Sustainable Construction in Hollydown Way, Leytonstone. Come along to see demos, hear talks, chat to employers and find out more about sustainable construction.
The Jobsfest is open to everyone, whether you’re just leaving school or you’re further on in your career. Places are free.
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.
You can find the latest Waltham Forest Council jobs online on our website, and check out our LinkedIn.
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