Your free community magazine for East 17

Question time with local general election candidates

save our cinema latest on the EMD campaign

the stow interview with Walthamstow’s hottest band

Issue 01 March - April 2010

Issue 01 Mar-Apr 10

Editorial

Welcome to the first edition of Walthamstow Now, your new bi-monthly community magazine. With such a diverse range of people living in Walthamstow the magazine hopes to bring people of all backgrounds together and spread optimism by reporting inspiring stories and presenting those who are really making a difference from campaigners to local leaders, and anyone who has something to say. Walthamstow Now will also uncover the best restaurants, events and activities with tips on what’s happening in the area. We hope that you will share your ideas and thoughts with us and we look forward to hearing your opinions on our blog.

In issue 1 of Walthamstow Now you can find out about the contribution the Friends of Lloyd Park are making to your community, a local cashless barter scheme that’s growing every week, take a look at new band, The Stow, who are destined for big things in 2010 and discover how people really feel about the closure of the EMD cinema.

So sit back and enjoy and if you have anything to say visit our blog at www.walthamstownow.org.co.uk Or email us at wneditorial@socialspider.com

Audrey Indome. Editor

Welcome

Contents06

1008

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Question TimeWho wins? It’s up to you

Save Our CinemaHow to get involved

Making a DifferenceLETS get together

The StowWalthamstow’s hottest band

Your SayDo we need a cinema?

Editor: Audrey IndomeBusiness Manager: Zohaib KhanDesigners: David Warrington and Anna SelbyStaff Team: Mark Brown, David Floyd and Stephen Gardiner

Advertising: To advertise, please call 020 8521 7956, email advertising@walthamstownow.org.uk or download a media pack from www.walthamstownow.org.uk© Social Spider CIC, 2010. www.socialspider.com

Reports of a pungent smell emerging from water in Walthamstow are being investigated.

A community activist goes head-to-head with the three main parties in a bid to win the next local election.

Big funding for Waltham Forest£210,000 has been awarded to community projects in the Borough of Waltham Forest through the Big Lottery Fund. 25 community-based projects will benefit from the money after the Awards for All small grants scheme was established 18 months ago. Any local voluntary groups that are interested should get in touch at www.biglotteryfund.org.uk.

Community activist to run for electionA community activist has decided to go head-to-head with the three main parties in a bid to win the next local election. 64-year old Michael Gold has been a prominent force in campaign-ing for the William Morris Park and promises to back community-related campaigns such as saving the EMD cinema in Hoe Street.

Whipps Cross to reopenMost areas of Whipps Cross Hospital have reopened after being closed to visitors due to a Norovirus outbreak. After direction from the Health Pro-tection Agency Whipps Cross stayed closed to ensure that the had cleared. Visitors are being asked to follow hand hygiene procedures while at the hospital.

Walthamstow’s smelly water investigatedReports of a pungent smell emerg-ing from water in Walthamstow are being investigated after hundreds of complaints were made by residents. Thames Water has stopped using sources from the River Lea while the situation is being looked into. Tests have been conducted but so far noth-ing abnormal has been found.

What’s happening The latest news in Walthamstow

Whipps Cross Hospital is reopened after a Norovirus outbreak.

05Issue 01 Mar-Apr 10

news

Question time

Issue 01 Mar-Apr 10

feature

I came to Walthamstow as a young boy and grew up here. We need a local MP who will stand up for local people.

Why are you the right person to be the MP for Walthamstow?I have spent my whole life living, working and enjoying my social life in and around Walthamstow. Like the majority of Walthamstow residents, I wish to see the streets cleaner, safer and actually usable, which so many are not at present. I am working class and have had to contend with such horrible circumstances as redundancy, brought on by Labour’s horrible mismanagement of the British economy. I wish to see Walthamstow become a great place for us all to live, work and enjoy life.

What’s the best thing about Walthamstow?The people, who are, on the whole, friendly, hardworking and really do care about the area and people around them. Oh and the different types of food it is possible for me to eat!

What’s the worst thing about Walthamstow?The way it has been taken for granted by both Labour and Liberal Democrat Councils and MPs so that they have let things slowly get worse, instead of fighting to make things so much better.

Which three government policies would you change to make life better for people in Walthamstow?Giving parents and teachers more control over the running of THEIR schools. Harder and tougher sentences for anti-social behaviour so we can reclaim our streets.

Lower taxes when it is sensible to, so that people can spend THEIR money enjoying their lives with their families and friends.

ConservativesAndy Hemsted Like the majority of

Walthamstow residents, I wish to see the streets cleaner, safer and actually usable

Liberal DemocratsFarid Ahmed

Why are you the right person to be the MP for Walthamstow?I came to Walthamstow as a young boy and grew up here. We need a local MP who will stand up for local people, has an office that’s open at least five days a week for local residents to come to and get help and stand up in parliament and

fight for local residents rather than tow the party line. These are all the things I want to do if local residents support my campaign to represent them in Parliament and these are the things I think all MPs should be doing.

What’s the best thing about Walthamstow?The diverse and vibrant community makes Walthamstow an amazing and interesting place to live.

What’s the worst thing about Walthamstow?Street cleaning; so much more needs to be done to give Walthamstow’s residents cleaner safer streets.

Which three government policies would you change to make life better for people in Walthamstow?Scrap ID cards and use the £1 billion saving to pay for 3,000 more police.

Introduce the Lib Dems ‘Fair Deal for Children’ policies to give children and young people a head start in life this would include scrapping University tuition fees.

Stop all NHS cuts that are reducing frontline services; while the government needs to make cuts to the budget it’s important the quality of patient care is not affected.

06

Walthamstow Now talks to the four main candidates for the upcoming general election

Issue 01 Mar-Apr 10

feature

It’s the people who make E17 so special. We’re proud you can buy a mountain of ba-nanas in the market for £1.

Why are you the right person to be the MP for Walthamstow?I believe I am the right person to be MP for Walthamstow because I have a real passion for a fairer society. I aim to be as transparent as possible and will remain accountable to the constituents of Walthamstow.

What’s the best thing about Walthamstow?The best thing about Walthamstow has got to be its diversity. It is awash with an eclectic mix of economic and cultural opportunities, such as Walthamstow Market, which provides us with the unique landscape that we all identify with.

What’s the worst thing about Walthamstow?The fact that people are living in unfair conditions, from poor housing to a low wage. Many people in Walthamstow still have to choose between heating and eating, which should not be the case in the 21st Century.

Which three government policies would you change to make life better for people in Walthamstow?Ending the privtisation of our health services and protecting the NHS as a service that is publicly accountable and free at the point of use.

Tackle rising unemployment levels and strengthening our local economy by a significant government investment to create jobs in Walthamstow in sectors including public transport, social care, house building and green industries.

A universal free-school meals service in our primary schools to ensure our children get a healthy nutritious lunch, reduce social stigmatism, and help with the cost of family life.

Green PartyDaniel Perrett

I believe I am the right person to be MP for Walthamstow because I have a real passion for a fairer society.

LabourStella Creasy

Why are you the right person to be the MP for Walthamstow? Walthamstow is home to me; I’ve been an active community campaigner. Whether fighting for the jobs and invest-ment we need, or lobbying for services for vulnerable people and to cut carbon emissions, my commitment is to act on the issues that matter.

What’s the best thing about Walthamstow? It’s the people who make E17 so spe-cial. We’re proud you can buy a moun-tain of bananas in the market for £1. Or how lovely it is to go for a walk in the Marshes and feel a million miles from the centre of town.

What’s the worst thing about Walthamstow? The worst thing is to see opportunities being missed. We have to confront gang culture and ensure our young people are given the support and direction they need in education and through youth services to achieve their potential.

Which three government policies would you change to make life better for people in Walthamstow? Building on the achievements of our Children’s Centres or introducing a Lon-don Living wage so everyone can earn a decent living.

We need to support local small busi-nesses and entrepreneurs. They will be key to ensuring our economy can thrive in future.

Here in Walthamstow we have all fought hard to protect our NHS and will continue to do so. We need to invest even more in the early detection and treatment of diseases such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease. This would improve and save the lives of many local people.

07

Walthamstow’s current MP, Neil Gerrard (Labour) is retiring at the election.

What’s the next best thing to come out of Walthamstow since, well, E17? Exciting new band The Stow. In their short time together they have established themselves on the new music scene and are set for big things in 2010.

The Stow

Most great bands end up together by accident and this was no different for The Stow.The Stow are Haydn 27, Shi

24, Will 24, Dave 21 and Matt22 and after win-ning MEmusic and Nissan QASHQAI’s Online and Ontour competition, the

band were given the opportunity to tour with fellow home grown talent, VV Brown. What’s different about The Stow? They have a style that cannot be categorised drawing from a range of musical influences, their sound is unique and is bound to get people talking British talent. Rapper and songwriter Haydn tells Walthamstow Now about the band and what fans can expect.Each member has a musical back-

ground but how did they come together to form the band? Haydn says, “I started

off as a solo artist and I’ve always loved live music, so I made a mix tape album and my drummer, Will played on it. Then we put out a few ads and Bob’s your uncle. We auditioned people and at first Will didn’t want to be part of the band, but then he came around to the idea. Matt was the only person I approached personally and I asked him to join us and Shi was originally our backing singer”.Most great bands end up together

by accident and this was no different for The Stow. Having set up an audition process to select potential members Haydn didn’t have a specific idea of what he was looking for but it all man-aged to fall into place and ended up creating a sound that worked and The Stow was born. “It all just happened, originally we wanted a keyboard player

Issue 01 Mar-Apr 1008

Issue 01 Mar-Apr 10

feature

“Matt is our sex symbol the girls go crazy for him, espe-cially when he plays guitar solos.”

but we realised that we liked the sound we made without one”.The band have only been together

a year but prove that it’s all about the quality of the music you make. They pro-duce music which will have you thinking they’ve been around for years. For all five members music is their number one love. As Haydn explains, it is what eve-ryone has always wanted to do: “Every one of us has wanted to do this all our lives”. With each member of the group coming from a solo background trying to forge individual careers, do egos ever get out of control? “No not at all, with us we have been so lucky that everyone gets on so well. When we did the tour that was the test to see if we could get on, so for two weeks we were together constantly. Shi’s the only girl and she

relates to us guys just fine. Matt is our sex symbol; the girls go crazy for him, especially when he plays his guitar so-los”.So what does the future hold for The

Stow and what are the aspirations for the band? “Whatever happens we’ve got a very busy year ahead and we’re fully booked up until July. Apart from that we just hope that our fans enjoy what we’re doing, and look forward to making music and doing what we all love”.To find out more check their MySpace: www.myspace.com/thestow. Or see The Stow live on the following dates:19 March 2010 at Barfly in Camden 25 March 2010 at The Cooler31 March 2010 at The Metro Wrap party Vinyl Factory

09

The Local Exchange Trad-ing Systems (LETS) allows its members to exchange goods, skills and services without using cash. Mem-

bers offer each other anything from cat-feeding and lawn-mowing to DIY, music lessons or yoga. When these services are used by other members the provider gets an agreed sum - in a fictional currency. Waltham Forest’s LETS currency is the ‘Beam’, named after the Hornbeam environmental centre where the scheme was started in the 1990s. They then use this credit, recorded on the LETS online trading system, to employ other members to provide services for them.The system is tax free, almost cost

free and, unlike the real economy, not prone to collapsing under a mountain of bad debt. All that’s required is a certain amount of spare time.Waltham Forest LETS has a renewed

vigour since its re-launch last year which doubled its numbers overnight. Since then, recruitment has increased stead-ily and the scheme now has around 170 members many, of whom trade regu-larly. Sue Wheat has been a member of

Waltham Forest LETS for two years as a regular trader and is now the group’s Chair. “I think of LETS now before I buy al-most anything, now we have everyone’s ‘offers’ and ‘wants’ online, it’s easy to check if someone can provide you with something you need. So I have about six people on my mobile I can ring when I need a lift. I have had lots of picture frames made by a picture framer who lives just over the road from me. I’m get-ting regular DIY help in my house from an ex-builder. And I am getting piano lessons, which I am really excited about.”

As Sue has recently been made re-dundant, having the option of buying things with Beams instead of pounds is a

big bonus. “There’s no way I would have piano lessons, for instance, at the mo-ment as I just don’t have the spare cash.”In return she offers members a cop-

ywriting service, sewing, and rental of tools, books and DVDs.The value of one Beam is roughly

equal to £1 (although they cannot be exchanged for sterling), and there is a general understanding that everyone’s time is valued at the same rate, which is 10 Beams per hour. There is room for negotiation though. “If someone came and dug your allotment for several hours they might want to charge more than if they just came and fed your cat while you were on holiday,” explains Ms Wheat. “So it’s up to the buyer and seller to negotiate between them.“We marketed the scheme in Waltham

Forest as a way to beat the credit crunch, but a lot of people join saying they want to use it to get to know people locally too, which is great,” she adds. “People become great friends and the scheme is as much about building the community as anything.”

Visit www.wflets.org. Email info@wflets.org Phone 0844 561 0545

LETS make a difference

Issue 01 Mar-Apr 10

feature

Waltham Forest is, like many neighbourhoods around the world, fighting off the deepening gloom in the real economy. How? By developing an alternative local economy which is easy, builds the community and saves its members a lot of cash money.

If someone came and dug your allotment for several hours they might want tocharge more than if they just came and fed your cat while you were on holiday.

10

Friends of Lloyd Park

Issue 01 Mar-Apr 10

great campaigners of Walthamstow

Over a million people visit Lloyd and Aveling Park every year. Now with a £3.48 million cash boost from the Heritage Lottery Fund, The Friends of Lloyd Park want to make the Parks an even more rewarding experience.

Within the local commu-nity there are those who are passionate and de-termined to advocate

change in Walthamstow - committed individuals who dedicate their spare time to issues affecting the area. One such group is Friends of Lloyd

Park, local residents who have taken it upon themselves to be the voice of Lloyd and Aveling Park, one of the borough’s greatest attributes and visited by over a million people a year. Formed in 2004, the voluntary group also ensure the organisation and progress of the park making sure that it is fully available to park users.Not only do they work hard to as-

sure the smooth running of anything concerning the park but they have also managed to obtain a 3.48 mil-lion cash boost from Heritage lottery to improve the park and its facilities including a new cafe, skate park, and play area.Friends of Lloyd Park chairman,

Adrian Stannard says: “After five years of working closely with the council’s Greenspaces department it is great  news that the lottery  has decided Lloyd Park should be one of

The skaters will have a state of the art Skate Park. The cafe will be a centre of learning excellence for students.

the successful national projects to benefit from lottery funding.Lloyd Park can now upgrade its

facilities making them environ-mentally friendly and creating an exciting experience for park visi-tors. The skaters will have a state of the art skate park, the cafe will be a centre of learning excellence for students from Waltham Forest College and a range of exhibi-tions will be mounted in the new gallery. The new club hut for the Walthamstow Bowling Club will be available for community use and the children will have a great play space. 

“Congratulations must be given to all the council officers who have worked so hard toEnsure this successful outcome

and we look forward to using the new facilities in2010.”Councillor Geraldine Reardon,

Waltham Forest Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure, Arts and Cul-ture, said: “We are absolutely de-lighted with the announcement. This success is a real testament to the hard work and ambition of everyone involved in the bid, which included council officers, the Friends of Lloyd Park, park organisations and volun-teers. They all put in an enormous amount of time and effort to make sure our bid was as good as it could possibly be.”“Lloyd and Aveling Park provides a

great place for rest, relaxation and recreation for Waltham Forest resi-dents, and we will be making some impressive changes to ensure it is an even more popular destination for generations to come.”

If anyone is interested in joining visit www.friendsoflloydpark.org.uk

Bottom right: the Friends of Lloyd Park, hard at work. Top: people enjoy the snow in Lloyd and Aveling Park. Bottom left: William Morris Gallery.

11

Save our cinema

Issue 01 Mar-Apr 10

feature

For seven years The McGuffin film society and residents of Waltham Forest have put on a united front with one aim to Save Walthamstow Cinema.

Who would have thought that after the closure of Waltham-stow’s EMD cinema in 2003

it would still be standing unused and neglected? The derelict venue was once home to one of London’s most historic cinemas, a place where Al-fred Hitchcock watched films and the entertainment world’s elite took to the stage including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Jayne Mansfield.The exquisite building closed in

2003 after a controversial purchase by Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG) for more than twice the market value, the organisation was refused planning permission and bought the building even though it was not for sale. This sparked out-rage within the community and it was clear that UCKG had a fight on their hands.It seemed that UCKG made an offer

that could not be refused and had plans to turn the cinema into a place of worship. The McGuffin film society began in 2001 and has been com-mitted to ensuring that the EMD re-mained a historic part of Waltham-stow and have been prominent campaigners in the fight to keep the

“The EMD is probably the most loved building in the area and people were quick to rally ot its defence.”

cinema in its original state and have it re opened to the public. Bill Hodgson of the McGuf-

fin film society says “The church originally applied for planning approval to convert the cinema for religious use before they even bought the venue, the council voted to refuse permission but UCKG went ahead and purchased the building anyway, paying the previous owner more than twice the market value to gain control of the site. It was an aggressive move and it succeeded in totally alienating local opinion”.Waltham Forest has a popula-

tion of 225,000 people one of the

largest in London and with no cin-ema the closure of EMD caused up-roar with the local community. Even with the huge public backlash and the government’s refusal to use the building for religious purposes. UCKG still refused to sell the building and as it stands the stunning art deco inspired cinema remains empty.One thing is for certain the on-

going concern revolving around the cinema has brought the commu-nity together and in a united front over 400 people protested outside the venue opposing the idea on the 5 year anniversary of the cinema’s closure. “The outpouring of support for the cinema was overwhelming, says Hodgson. The EMD is probably the most loved building in the area and people were quick to rally to its defence. It is an architectural mas-terpiece and the last substantial en-tertainment venue left in this part of London”. As it stands The EMD cinema is still awaiting a result about its future. The decision will be made by the council and UCKG and a ver-dict will be reached in May 2010. For further details visit www.mcguffin.info

Top: residents gather in support, and clockwise: behind the boarded up windows, the cinema is as spectacular as ever.

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Issue 01 Mar-Apr 10

your say

Walthamstow definitely needs a cinema. I travel to Wood Green and I live in Chingford.

Alexaivdro Ionat

Having a cinema means that you don’t have to travel far away to watch a film. Travelling is inconvenient and I often have to go all the way to Stratford of Wood Green.

Cristina Avadanei

Walthamstow absolutely needs a cinema. The EMD was beautiful and local to me. Now I have to travel if I want to watch a film and with terrible weekend travel it’s a nuisance.

Helen McAtamaney

We definitely need a cinema. The nearest for me is Woodford or Stratford and that is way too far.

Randy Semanhya

We should have a cinema. There is a large Asian community and we have to travel all the way to Ilford to watch a film. Having a cinema in Walthamstow is an investment and leisure in the area is important. The one thing we’re missing is a cinema.

Mehmood Ghamznawi

We used to do our shopping and go to the cinema in the afternoon for a matinee. We used to really look forward to it. We didn’t care what we watched. The old buildings been allowed to run down and it’s sad.

Helena Roberts

Your Say

Your thoughts on the closure of the EMD cinema.

13

Issue 01 Mar-Apr 10

What’s On

Family Play DaySaturday 27 March, 12 Noon - 4pmVenue: Kitchener Road Park, Kitchener Road, Walthamstow, E17.

Waltham Forest Council in partnership with the Big Lottery presents a Family Play Day.Come along for FREE entertain-ment. Including art and craft workshops, bouncy castles and face painting. Join in the fun that the whole family can enjoy.

Tea DanceAfro-Caribbean Elders AssociationEvery third Wednesday of the month, 2pm-4pm The William Morris Com-munity Centre, Greenleaf Road, Walthamstow, E17 6Q

You can listen and enjoy or dance to your old time favourite music Carib-bean Style. Refreshments are provid-ed. Come and have two hours of fun.

ImprovzoneWednesday 31 March The Plough, 173 Wood Street, Walthamstow, E17 3NU

An electronic ambient chill out live instrumental music evening that has been running in London since Febru-ary 2007. Improvizone use effects technology and increasingly their own software to create an evening of beautiful and totally unusual mu-sic. For further information contact Andrew Booker at contact@improvi-zone.com

Past and Present Antiques and Crafts Fair Saturday 20 March, 10am-4.30pm Christchurch Hall, Wanstead Place, E11 2SWJewellery, collectables, antiques, vintage clothes and other items, perfumes and handbags, house-hold items, plants, greeting cards, and lots more. For further details contact Susie on 07958695801 or by email at dotcomIsusie@gmail.com

What’s On

Upcoming events and activities

near you.

We Need YouAre you interested in getting your opinion heard, got a lot to say and passionate about what’s happening in Walthamstow? Then we need you. Walthamstow Now is not only a magazine but a platform for members of the community to express opinions and have their say.

Are you a writer or photographer? Do you want to showcase your work and get it published? Well, if you’re interested in contributing to Walthamstow Now please email any letters or ideas you have to wneditorial@socialspider.com, post to Walthamstow Now, 5 Hatherley Mews, Walthamstow, E17 4QP or call 020 8521 5495

14

If you have an event to promote send details to wneditorial@socialspider.com

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