The E List - February 2016

E list

ISSN 2058-2196

the

Your cultural life in and around Walthamstow No.35 • February 2016

T H I R D

A N N I V E R S A R Y

I S S U E

Fellowship is Life

O

K, we’re entering that period of rambling, over-emotional Oscar style acceptance speeches, so you might want to skip the next bit. Not that I’ve won an Oscar or am accepting any award, but it’s time to mark the 3rd anniversary of The E List so I’d like to recap and then tearfully thank some people.

Originally created to highlight, celebrate and support the creative and cultural life of Walthamstow, the magazine now embraces Leytonstone, Leyton, Highams Park and Chingford. Our very first issue in February 2013 stretched to a mere 8 pages and included just 70 listings, but following the launch of the website and app in June 2014 we’ve listed 16,000 community events and classes in print or online! That first issue had a staff of one, me, with photographer Paul Tucker as the cover artist and comedian Susan Murray as a thankfully willing guinea pig for the first Local Hero feature.

The second issue saw Paul Tucker return to begin the ongoing series of Local Hero portraits, 33 at the last count, all captured on real film (I know). By the close of 2013 Walthamstow Diary, The Magpie’s forerunner Spotted Walthamstow (thanks to X, you know who you are!) and Wilcumstowe Times had all joined the magazine. The first anniversary issue’s cover star was God’s Own Junkyard and included the E List’s first specially commissioned feature: the history of Walthamstow’s Ensign Camera Factory. Things were getting serious, I was hearing about more and more events and stories, the magazine was growing, pages added, ideas flowing, all too much work for one person.

Then a wonderful thing started to happen. Writers and photographers began to offer their services. I’d always intended the E List to be a good-looking and interesting read and now with so much amazing talent involved, hopefully it’s just that! Without them, plus the backing of Neil Collins and all our advertisers, the E List would still only be an 8 page pamphlet, if it still existed at all.

I’d like to thank everyone who has contributed so far, whether through advice and suggestions, features, listings or by supporting the E List by advertising.

I want to thank Danny for his constant support making sense of the listings, his proof reading duties (often at 1am) and for honing the logistics of the magazine’s growing distribution. Lack of space means I can’t thank everyone I need to but thanks to these special people – Neil Collins, John Norman, Annabel and Rupert Colley, Eleanor Levy and Penny Fielding – the E List is now a 3 year old toddler – and of course you for reading!

Paul Lindt, Editor editor@theelist.co.uk

@TheEList_e17

The E List

In Walthamstow Mall a poem by Emma Hammond A knighthood for Matthew Bourne A NEW exhibition – Transitional Experiences Fashion designer Anna Skodbo Restoration man – Alan Godier Static Legendary Thai chef Vatcherin Bhumitichr visits E17 NEW Illustration Series: A Spotter’s Guide to Local Streetlife Vestry House Museum Archive: Poppin’ down the shops NEW Series: House Doctor Wilcumstowe Times: A Migrant’s Tale Local Hero - Fitzroy Andrew, Forest Recycling Project Walthamstow Diary Magpie

11 12 13 14 16 18 20 21 22 25 27 28 30 31

For the latest listings including a link to download the app, a digital version of the E List and back issues

www.theelist.co.uk The E List is available for FREE at over a 100 venues across E17, E11, E10 and E4.

See www.theelist.co.uk for your nearest venue. As copies disappear quickly venues will be regularly restocked throughout the month so please keep trying.

If you would like your venue to be a distribution point email listings@theelist.co.uk

Cover

Feathers 2016, screen print on feathers

This page Top: Cat with wreath (British Museum Egyptian Cat) 2016, etching Bottom: Dove on Olive Branch 2016, etching Opposite On Hampstead Heath 2016, lino cut All photos © Paul Tucker www.paultucker.co.uk

COVER STAR Kirsten Schmidt Originally from Lübeck on Germany’s Baltic coast, Kirsten settled in Walthamstow almost 20 years ago. She’s loved living here ever since relishing the community and amazing network of creatives in the town.

Kirsten will be familiar to many locals as she and her business partner Elaine run the E17 Art House. They opened the first Art House six years ago after working together for a picture framers/gallery on the Portobello Road. Kirsten says “We’ve since expanded twice and now have the shop on Hoe Street, framing and selling gifts and art often from local artists”.

When not at the shop Kirsten also has a studio space in Mitre Studios working alongside four other artists. With a degree in 3D design and metalwork from Camberwell College of Art, she progressed from etching metal for surface decoration to etching for printmaking. Kirsten recalls “I became addicted to printmaking and now produce screenprints, linocuts, woodcuts and more. However my first love will always be drawing which I can then translate into prints.”

This month’s E List cover features work from Kirsten’s intriguing latest project.

She explains “It all started from drawing

anthropological artefacts in museums.

I’ve long been interested in how humans try to figure out their place in the world and how this is expressed visually. The feathers are inspired by African head dresses in the Horniman Museum.

These were believed to communicate with the community’s ancestors, asking them to protect the community for the coming year. I’ve taken this idea of being “watched over” and applied it to my own family, screen printing my ancestors directly onto found feathers.

I ultimately plan to create an artwork of some 100 feathers depicting ancestors of Walthamstow residents. I am interested in the idea of our community and what stands behind it.”

Finally Kirsten intends to utilise her metalworking skills to make a series of crowns and headdresses to display the feathers at an exhibition planned for later in the year in the E17 Art House.

For the latest news about the project and to see examples of Kirsten’s other work just visit the E17 Art House, 54-56 Hoe Street, E17. www.e17arthouse.com

@KirstenKschmidt www.etsy.com/uk/shop/KirstenSchmidt 1

ART

BOOKS

CRAFTS

This month in town

FEBRUARY

Exhibitions & weekly events Arts & Crafts 4-27 Feb NEW Transitional Experiences Pictorem Gallery, 383 Hoe Street E17 9AP See feature on page 13. Oscar Jon and Steve Yeates take you on a journey through a landscape of texture, surface and light. A celebration of the transition from ordinary to the extraordinary. A collaboration of ideas that complement and clash. Tues-Sun 9am-5.30pm. FREE 020 8520 0340 pictoremgallery@aol.com www.pictoremgallery.com.

6-28 Feb NEW Transformed Walthamstow Village Window Gallery, Village Square/47 Orford Road E17 9NJ Vintage photographs, writ large, showing the rural and urban landscape of Waltham Forest undergoing positive and negative change. Marshes transformed by flood water, roads transformed by the laying of tram tracks and houses transformed by WWII bombs. In collaboration with the Vestry House Museum’s photography archive. FREE. gallery@wvwg.co.uk www.wvwg.co.uk 13 Feb- 15 May NEW Local Life through a Lens: Victorian & Edwardian photographs by Alfred Wire (1839-1914) Vestry House Museum, Vestry Road E17 9NH Wire started taking photographs in the early 1860s, long before it became an accessible hobby. He captured local life in Leytonstone, Wanstead flats, Epping Forest, Southend-on-Sea and much more. Weds-Sun 10am-5pm. FREE. 020 8496 4391 vhm.enquiries@walthamforest.gov.uk www.walthamforest.gov.uk/vestry-house 20 Feb-29 May NEW Frank Brangwyn: Songs of a Wayfarer William Morris Gallery, Forest Road E17 4PP As a young man, Frank Brangwyn travelled throughout Southern Europe and South Africa, injecting his oil paintings with colour. A small display in the Brangwyn gallery looks at work inspired by these journeys. Weds-Sun 10am-5pm. FREE. 020 8496 4390 wmg.enquiries@walthamforest.gov.uk www.wmgallery.org.uk Events marked

kid friendly

20 Feb-29 May NEW Social Fabric: African Textiles Today William Morris Gallery, Forest Road E17 4PP Social Fabric explores how the printed and factory-woven textiles of eastern and southern Africa mirror the changing times, fashions and tastes of the region.

Includes work by leading contemporary artists. Weds-Sun 10am-5pm. FREE. 020 8496 4390 wmg.enquiries@walthamforest.gov.uk www.wmgallery.org.uk 25 Feb-3 March NEW Stories of FGM Survivors: The Exhibition Walthamstow Library, High Street E17 7JN Artist Emma Scutt’s portraits of three survivors of female genital mutilation (FGM) tell the powerful, individual stories of these women through images and words. Daily 9am-7pm. FREE 11 Feb-2 April NEW STEP UP The Mill, 7-11 Coppermill Lane E17 7HA Five artists took part in the STEP UP project. Working with over 60 local residents to produce a striking array of art work from 3D sculptures to new creative writing. Gloriously creative!

Tues-Thurs 10am-7pm, Fri-Sat 10am6pm, Sun 11am-2pm. FREE. Neesha Badhan 020 8521 3211 www.themill­coppermill.org Saturdays Creative Youth Club Gnome House, 7 Blackhorse Lane E17 6DS A weekly drop in session for 11-14 year olds with music, art, filmmaking, dance, games and more. Hang out with friends and make new ones. Refreshments provided. Regular participants will have the opportunity to take part in our Arts Award and Arts Ambassadors Schemes.

11.30am-3.30pm. FREE, just drop-in.

Thursdays Dare to Design – An Art and Craft Workshop for Parents!

The Paradox Community Centre, 3 Ching Way, Chingford E4 8YD Make friends, and get creative!

All classes are experimental and fun, allowing you to explore your creativity and share your creations and experiences with other parents.

Learn new techniques each week with different materials through painting, recycling, embroidery, decopatch etc.

Kids welcome! 9.30-11.30am. FREE. Elizabeth Salazar Guerra elizasal83@gmail.com

DANCE/FITNESS Until 6 Feb Young Creatives The Mill, 7-11 Coppermill Lane E17 7HA An exhibition of exuberant works by the Kids Art Club. Junior artists aged 3-11 years. An antidote to the winter blues.

Tues-Thurs 10am-7pm, Fri-Sat 10am6pm, Sun 11am-2pm. FREE. www.themill­coppermill.org

Shopping Extended until 28 Feb The Designer Studio Pop-up Shop Hoe Street Central, Unit 3 Central Parade, 137 Hoe Street E17 4RT The Designer Studio is back. Our team bring you the best unique pieces from our independent designers and a selection of the best independent local creative businesses too. Perfect gift ideas for that special loved one in your life. Open daily 10am-7pm. FREE. Ning 07961 848906 write2glow@gmail.com facebook.com/thecreativedesignerstudio

Theatre

FAMILY

FILM

Mondays Red Lion Quiz Night The Red Lion, 640 High Road, Leytonstone E11 3AA Creative challenges, general knowledge, mystery & bonus rounds. £50 cash prize and super rolling jackpot! 7.3011.30pm. www.theredlionleytonstone.com Tuesdays Quiz On Your Face The Northcote, 110 Grove Green Road E11 4EL Original, fun and quirky quiz with cash jackpot and free round of shots for the best team name. 8-10.30pm. £1 per person www.thenorthcotee11.com Tuesdays Quiz Night The Village Pub, 31 Orford Road E17 9NL Another of Neil’s Big Quiz nights. Can you beat the cards? Will you be lucky 7 or will you be taking home the spoon?

Cash and wine to be won! 8.30-11pm. £1.50 per person www.village-walthamstow.com

Sundays DRAG Out The Weekend The Northcote, 110 Grove Green Road E11 4EL Varied line-up of the very best and most debauched of London’s drag cabaret artists play this intimate venue on Sunday evenings. 6.30-10pm, bar until midnight. FREE. www.thenorthcotee11.com

Wednesdays Leyton Technical Quiz Night 265B High Road, Leyton E10 5QN Weekly general knowledge pub quiz with music and picture rounds. £50 cash 1st prize, bottle of wine for 2nd and other spot prizes. 8-10.30pm. £2. www.leytontechnical.com

Quizzes & Games

Wednesdays Priory Court Gardening Club Priory Court Community Centre, 11 Priory Court E17 5NB We have a sustainable food growing garden and want to encourage people of all ages to enjoy the benefits of growing their own food. Get involved and join our volunteers! Beginners welcome. 2.30-4.30pm 020 8531 9990

Sundays General Knowledge Quiz Night The Victoria, 188 Hoe Street E17 4QH Weekly quiz night, general knowledge and specialist rounds including an interval round. Cash Jackpot £50+.

8.30-11pm, £1.50 per person.

Karen at neilsbigquiz@gmail.com Mondays & Thursdays Waltham Forest Bridge Club Quaker Meeting House, 1a Jewel Road E17 4QU Duplicate Bridge for those looking for a club or a social player wanting to try club bridge? Host available on Mondays. 7.30-10pm. £5, members £4 (annual subscription £10) 07919 401409 cathy.macnaughton@yahoo.co.uk www.bridgewebs.com/walthamforest Thursdays Neil’s Music Quiz The Flowerpot, 128 Wood Street E17 3HX Hosted by Neil’s Big Quiz this weekly music quiz includes picture and table rounds. How many bonus points will you get for the Connection? Cash jackpot! 9-11pm. £1 per person.

Karen at neilsbigquiz@gmail.com www.flowerpotlivemusic.com

Gardening & Environment

Thursdays Young People’s Green Skills Sessions Lloyd Park, Forest Road E17 4PP For young people aged 18 to 24 who are looking to gain experience for a job in the environment sector or to get involved in local green spaces and learn new skills. Come along and learn something different, something new.

12-3pm. FREE. Gareth Chalmers 0208 533 8022 gg-waltham-forest@tcv.org.uk Thursdays Lloyd Park Volunteer Gardening Meet at Forest Road gate, William Morris Garden, Lloyd Park, Forest Road E17 4PP Help keep the William Morris Garden looking lovely with Lloyd Park’s Head Gardener. 10am-1pm 020 8496 3000 or email ellie.mortimer@walthamforest.gov.uk

2 The E List makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information it publishes, but cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from errors or omissions. Please confirm with the venue before setting out.

FOOD & DRINK

GARDENING

HISTORY

MUSIC

SHOPPING

COMEDY/THEATRE

Walthamstow Village Window Gallery 47 Orford Road Walthamstow E17 9NJ www.wvwg.co.uk @wvwg_e17

TRANSFORMED The rural and urban landscape of Waltham Forest undergoing change as seen through vintage photography

6-28 February 2016

Tues, Weds & Thurs Conservation Volunteers: Biodiversity Action Team Meet at 1a Connaught Close, Leyton, E10 7QS (opposite Lee Valley Riding Centre) Help us manage some of East London’s most vibrant sites for nature conservation.

We have projects running weekly all year so plenty of opportunities to join in, meet people, learn skills and discover hidden places. 9am-5pm. FREE. Tom Nandi 07917 267573 t.nandi@tcv.org.uk Weds & Sats Open Garden Church Lane Community Garden, Harold Road, Leytonstone E11 4QX Transition Leytonstone’s award-winning community garden. Organic fruit and veg, plants to buy, tools to borrow, growing tips, workshops. Volunteering opportunities too. Open Weds 11am4pm & Sat 9am-3pm. FREE. Shannon 07450 474538 cg@transitionleytonstone.org.uk www.transitionleytonstone.org.uk

Events marked

Fridays WF Green Gym Lloyd Park, Forest Road E17 4PP Green Gym’s experienced Conservation Volunteer leaders guide you through a range of practical projects tackling physical jobs in the outdoors, improving your strength and stamina, boosting your practical skills and confidence and benefiting your local green spaces.

11am-2pm. FREE. Gareth 020 8533 8022 gg-waltham-forest@tcv.org.uk

Thursdays Art Tots Walthamstow Toy Library, 46 Ravenswood Road (behind Comely Bank Surgery) E17 9LY A weekly session for under 5s to explore Art History through messy activities and original games to engage little ones with famous masterpieces! Booking online essential. 3.30-4.30pm. £10 per family, conc available.

Susana 07547 879922 scortes@lemonartlab.com www.lemonartlab.com

Family

Saturdays (term time only) Dads R Us Walthamstow West Children’s Centre, 215 Queens Road E17 8PJ Give Mum a break and enjoy quality fun time with your child/ren. Choice of structured and unstructured play, indoors and outdoors, including music, arts and crafts, woodwork and more.

10.30am-12.30pm. £1 per family. No need to book, just drop in. sabine.elkhoury@sybourncc.org 07794 758864

Tuesdays & Thursdays Magic Box: Interactive Storytelling Sessions for 2-ish to 5-year olds Mothers’ Hub, 133 Wood Street E17 3LX What’s inside the Magic Box today?

Join a host of different characters, from Dahlia the Dinosaur to Captain Wonkynose, as they lead you on exciting and interactive storytelling adventures! Coffee and cake included.

10-11am. £5 each or £8 for 2 kids. magicboxe17@gmail.com www.magicboxstories.com

Monday-Friday, except Tuesdays (term-time only) Bongalong for under 5s St Gabriel’s Family Centre, Side Hall, Havant Road E17 3JF Fun, creative music, movement and make believe - a lively mix of singing, dancing, let’s pretend and fab percussion instruments. Mondays, Thursdays & Fridays 10am and 11am sessions plus 1.30pm on Mondays and 11am only on Wednesdays. £5.25 booked termly.

07811 460282 fiona.bongalong@gmail.com www.bongalong.co.uk Tuesdays Bongalong for under 5s Greenleaf Road Baptist Church, 4 Greenleaf Road E17 6QQ As above except different venue. 1.30pm.

Mon, Weds & Thurs Bongalong for under 1s St Gabriel’s Family Centre, Side Hall, Havant Road E17 3JF As above. Mondays 2.30pm, Wednesdays 10am and Thursdays 1.30 and 2.30pm.

kid friendly

To advertise your business contact ads@theelist.co.uk 3

ART

BOOKS

CRAFTS

Mondays (term time only) Acting Bugs St Johns Church Hall, High Road Leytonstone E11 1HH For 3-4 year olds. Interactive storybased drama sessions for preschool children and their grown ups. 1.502.35pm & 2.45-3.30pm. First class FREE then £6.75 each. 25% discount for siblings.

Samantha Seager 07903 459497 info@actingbugs.co.uk www.actingbugs.co.uk

Thursdays until 11 Feb. New 5-week class 25 Feb-24 March Kids’ Art Club The Mill, 7-11 Coppermill Lane E17 7HA 5 weekly sessions of themed creative activity for children 3 years and upwards. Must be accompanied. Can be messy! 3.30-5pm. £1 per child, per session Mo Gallaccio 020 8521 3211 info@themill-coppermill.org www.themill-coppermill.org

Fridays (term time only) Acting Bugs Peterhouse Centre, 122 Forest Rise/Upper Walthamstow Road E17 3PW As above except 9.30-10.15am & 11.15am-12.00pm.

Social & LGBT

Thursdays Tiny Tempo The Hornbeam Café, 458 Hoe Street E17 9AH A fun introduction to musical concepts-using singing, instrument playing, listening and dancing! With guitars, ukuleles, and a lot of energy, fun is had by all. 10-11am. £5 for one child, £8 for two children.

Events marked

kid friendly

Mondays Lloyd Park Walk for Women Meet outside the park cafe, Aveling Centre, Lloyd Park, Forest Road E17 4PP Friendly women-only walk. All abilities welcome. Wear sensible clothing and flat shoes. 10-10.45am. FREE. ellie.mortimer@walthamforest.gov.uk 0208 496 2822 or 07530 072216 Tuesdays Club Mellow Asylum Seeker and Refugee Support Group ELOP Centre, 56-60 Grove Road E17 9BN Weekly Club Mellow group for LGBT* Asylum Seekers and Refugees with a varied programme of activities and offers opportunity for peer support and self-help. 2.30-4.30pm. FREE. 020 8509 3898 or www.elop.org

M ARSH

DANCE/FITNESS Wednesdays Club Mellow Youth Group For LGBT* young people aged 13-21yrs who want to meet up with others in a friendly, supportive environment away from the scene. 6-9pm. £1.

Venue & contacts as above Thursdays Club Mellow LGBT Social Group An afternoon social support space for LGBT* people who want to meet up with others in a friendly, supportive environment. 2.30-4.30pm. £2.

Venue & contacts as above

Food Markets Saturdays Walthamstow Village Market Community Hub (former Asian Centre) Orford Road E17 9LN Popular weekly food and produce market selling bread, fish, meat, seasonal vegetables, baked goods plus spanish and italian cuisine and other tasty hot food traders. Dogs welcome!

10.30am-3pm. www.walthamstowvillagemarket.com

FAMILY

FILM

Saturdays OrganicLea Market Stall The Hornbeam Café, 458 Hoe Street E17 9AH Organic and local sustainably grown fruit, vegetables, homemade bread, jams and preserves. Healthy Start vouchers can be used. 10am-3pm. www.organiclea.org.uk/we-sell-food/ our-market-stall Saturdays Community Local Produce Market Stall with OrganicLea & Transition Leytonstone St John’s Church, Church Lane, Leytonstone E11 1HG As above. 10am-3pm.

RoseMary 020 8556 3090 www.transitionleytonstone.org.uk Sundays Farmers’ Market Town Square, Walthamstow E17 4HU Stalls offering a changing, seasonal selection of meat, game and poultry, cheese, eggs, fruit, vegetables, cider, baked goods, honey, plants and herbs, seafood, pies, quiches and cakes. Please note, some stalls may take a week off without notice. 10am-2pm.

STREET

Mortgage advice that’s right up your street Marsh Street provides comprehensive mortgage advice for everyone. We source from a wide range of lenders and access to the whole of the mortgage market.

We pride ourselves on offering a friendly and high quality bespoke service that ensures that you are treated fairly at all times. We have the experience and ability to see the whole market, to cut through the fine print and explain the pros and cons of each product to make life easier for our customers.

Marsh Street was the original name of Walthamstow High Street where a number of large manor houses were used as weekend or summer retreats. Samuel Pepys’ bosses had houses here, and after visiting one of them Pepys described how they had drunk wine from a local vineyard and “the whole company said they never drank better foreign wine [than this one] in their lives”.

Not only will we help you find the right mortgage, but we will use our knowledge and expertise to ensure your mortgage transaction is completed swiftly and effectively, so you can concentrate on the other parts of buying your dream home.

Traditional values and good advice

M ARSH enquiries@marshstreetmortgages.co.uk 0208 520 9300 40 Orford Road, Walthamstow, London E17 9NJ

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

There will be a fee for the advice given, the exact amount will depend upon your circumstances but we estimate it will be £495 or 1%.

4 The E List makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information it publishes, but cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from errors or omissions. Please confirm with the venue before setting out.

S

FOOD & DRINK

GARDENING

Sport & Fitness Saturdays NEW Walthamstow parkrun Peter May Sports Ground, Wadham Road E17 4HR A free, timed weekly 5km run around the park, for your own enjoyment.

Whatever your pace! Register online for your free race time barcode to print before your first race. 9-10.30am. FREE. Richard Parr 07866 616454 walthamstowoffice@parkrun.com www.parkrun.org.uk/walthamstow

Music & Karaoke Wednesdays until June Fuse It – Beatbox-Fusion Project The Soul Project, 245 Wood Street, Walthamstow E17 3NT #Fuse It – an exciting new youth music project at The Soul Project for 11-18 year olds. Get in touch to find out more!

Opportunities to do an Arts Award, and perform at a high profile venue as part of this Youth Music Funded project!

5-6.30pm. FREE. Vanessa 07958 523431 info@khyalarts.org.uk www.khyalarts.org.uk

HISTORY

Thursdays Acoustic Showcase at The Village The Village Pub, 31 Orford Road E17 9NL Talented London-based musicians play acoustic sets of original music and covers in the warm and friendly atmosphere of the Village Pub. Interested in performing? Please email Gabriel. 8-11pm. FREE. gabriel4music@gmail.com www.village-walthamstow.com Fridays CNN Karaoke The Victoria, 188 Hoe Street E17 4QH Old songs, new songs, rock n’ roll and blues songs. Something for everyone.

Join us, take the mic and become the star. 8.30pm-12. FREE. Karen at cnnkaraoke@gmail.com Saturdays CNN Karaoke The Dog and Duck, 222 Chingford Road E17 5AL Throw caution to the wind at the Dog & Duck’s karaoke night. Thousands of songs to choose from, something to suit all voices! 8.30pm-12. FREE. cnnkaraoke@gmail.com

Tuesdays East Side Jazz Club Leytonstone Ex-servicemens Club, 2 Harvey Rd, Leytonstone E11 3DB Weekly modern jazz club featuring the UK’s best jazz musicians in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere with plenty of seating. Check website for latest line-up. The Music Room has its own bar with real ale. First floor venue.

8.30-11pm. £6 on the door only, no membership required.

Clive Fenner 020 8989 7523 eastsidejazzclub@gmail.com www.eastsidejazzclub.blogspot.co.uk

Sundays Sunday Sessions Karaoke Night Lord Raglan, 199 Shernhall Street E17 9HX Beat the blues and come and have a cheeky Sunday session. Prima Donnas will be laughed at, all talent welcome!

8-11.30pm. FREE. Archie or Maureen 020 8520 2145 www.facebook.com/lordraglane17

Wednesdays Open Mic Luna Lounge, 7 Church Lane, Leytonstone E11 1HG Talent wanted for Luna Lounge’s weekly open mic night. Take the stage or meet new people with the same love for live music, poetry or storytelling.

8-11.30pm. FREE. www.lunalounge.info

Beans on Balconies: Evening Meeting The Soul Project, 245 Wood Street E17 3NT A friendly network of residents to encourage and support those living in flats who enjoy growing plants, eating, cooking, making things and meeting people. Share tips, seeds, skills and make local events happen. See website for participating neighbourhoods around Wood Street and Shernhall Street. 7-8pm. FREE. Morag or Debbie 020 8521 2155 events@artillery.org.uk www.artillery.org.uk

Thursdays Plug & Play: New & Unsigned The Northcote, 110 Grove Green Road E11 4EL Showcasing the best of east London’s new and unsigned acts. Each Thursday is different. Lots of indie, some jazz, angry flamenco, R&B and lots of moody acoustics. Bar until midnight.

7-10.30pm. FREE. www.thenorthcotee11.com

Events marked

kid friendly

Calendar of events Monday 1

Tuesday 2 Real Coffee Morning at The Mill The Mill, 7-11 Coppermill Lane E17 7HA A regular monthly coffee morning on the first Tuesday of every month.

Enjoy a freshly brewed coffee and FREE homemade Biscotti biscuit. 10am12pm. £1.

Natasha Mcfazdean 0208 521 3211 info@themill-coppermill.org www.themill-coppermill.org

MUSIC

SHOPPING

Leyton Tea Dance Leyton Great Hall, Adelaide Road E10 5NN Fancy a cup of tea and a twirl round the dance floor? Social dancing with music from DJ Malcolm ‘Mr Wonderful’ Fernandes. Doors open 1pm, dancing 1.30-4pm. £5 info@mrwonderfuldancing.com 01322 290 751

Wednesday 3 Pixie Presents Carry On Wednesday Cabaret The William Morris Bar, 807-811 Forest Rd E17 4JD This week we have three Drag queens to entertain you. Join Electric Blue, Roxx and Claudia F for a night of cabaret plus DJ. 7pm-12am. £5.

Pixie 07415 295176 pixiepresents@yahoo.co.uk The Alan Tyler Show What’s Cookin’, Leytonstone Ex-Servicemens Club, 2 Harvey Road, Leytonstone E11 Rockingbirds frontman Alan Tyler presents an evening of English country folk music and song. “One of the best songwriters of his genre and era” The Independent. 8.30-11pm. FREE with collection. www.whatscookin.co.uk Under 5s Nature Explorers Meet in Community Room, Aveling Centre, Lloyd Park, Forest Road E17 4PP Adventures and activities for the under 5s and their parents/carers. A fun ramble around the park searching for items around our monthly theme. Plus activities and story time until 12pm.

Hot drinks and healthy snacks available.

10am-1pm. FREE but donations welcome.

Rachel 07787 193981 r.hoyes@tcv.org.uk

Thursday 4 Creative Writing Workshop with Rob Auton Higham Hill Library, North Countess Road E17 5HS Ever fancied writing but don’t know where to start? Then come along to this fun, free workshop with poet and comedian Rob Auton. Suitable for beginners, no need to perform your work on the day! 10am-3pm. FREE but please book a ticket at www.wfculture. eventbrite.com or visit any Waltham Forest Library.

020 8496 3000 culture@walthamforest.gov.uk Plug & Play Live Acoustic Night The Northcote Arms Pub, 110 Grove Green Road E11 4EL Brinks Records presents seven original acts including folk, mod, rock and acoustic sounds. Followed by a friendly and inclusive jam session with pro musicians. Any level welcome to apply to play a short set. 7-11pm. FREE. 020 8518 7516 tuesday.northcotee11@yahoo.com www.thenorthcotee11.com

COMEDY/THEATRE

WMG Late: Illuminate William Morris Gallery, Forest Road E17 4PP Brighten up the long winter nights with a magical, musical evening of immersive illumination. Get your glow sticks ready to dance, plus winter cocktails and workshops that shine new light on William Morris. Curated by the Vine Collective. 6.30-10.30pm. FREE, no need to book.

020 8496 4390 wmg.enquiries@walthamforest.gov.uk www.wmgallery.org.uk Verbatim Monthly Comedy Club Luna Lounge, 7 Church Lane, Leytonstone E11 1HG Guest comedians and lots of laughs, guaranteed. 7-11pm. £5. www.lunalounge.info Crochet Catch-Up Significant Seams, 131 Wood St E17 3LX Monthly social for local crocheters to natter and problem solve any pattern issues with fellow crocheters!

7-8.30pm. £5 Fran Reeves 0208 5214244 outreach@significantseams.org.uk www.significantseams.org.uk Red Imp presents Shappi Khorsandi Ye Olde Rose & Crown Theatre Pub, 53 Hoe Street E17 4SA Shappi, star of Live At The Apollo, Mock The Week, 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Have I Got News For You, QI and Just a Minute, is joined by rising star Andrew McBurney and Karen Bayley. MC is Ninia Benjamin. 9-11pm. £10. www.wegottickets.com/event/346095 www.redimpcomedy.com

Friday 5 Horsemeat Sandwich Sinbin at The Plough & Harrow, 419 High Road, Leytonstone E11 4JU New alt-rock, post-punk and indie bands every month. This month Neighbourhood Cotch, 3 Chords & A Lie plus The Robes. 8pm-12. FREE. www.ploughe11.co.uk

Saturday 6 Ecological 16mm Filmmaking Workshop William Morris Gallery, Forest Road E17 4PP With Rosalind Fowler, artist in residence at The William Morris Gallery, and James Holcombe of No.w.here. This free filmmaking workshop is for ages 16+. No experience necessary but booking is essential. 10.30am-4.30pm.

FREE. 020 8496 4390 wmg.bookings@walthamforest.gov.uk www.wmgallery.org.uk The Acid Drops The Warrant Officer, 318 Higham Hill Road E17 5RG Psychedelic jazz/funk band The Acid Drops return to The WO with a howl of sax and guitar synth! 9-11pm. FREE with collection. www.the-wo.co.uk

FREE listings are available for events under £16, visit www.theelist.co.uk and select “List your event”. To advertise your business contact ads@theelist.co.uk 5

ART

BOOKS

Saturday 6 continued Blackhorse Market Blackhorse Workshop, 1-2 Sutherland Road Path E17 6BX We’ve opened up our yard to host a monthly street food and makers market. With crafts, coffee and food it promises a good start to any weekend.

11am-4pm. FREE. info@blackhorseworkshop.co.uk www.blackhorseworkshop.co.uk Waltham Forest Bilingual Group The Limes Community and Children’s Centre, 6 Somers Road E17 6RX A workshop with tips for parents raising their children with more than one language. Share experiences with other parents over coffee while the children have fun using the fantastic facilities of The Limes. 3.30-5.30pm. FREE. Claire Thomas 07770 860038 info@wfbilingual.org.uk www.wfbilingual.org.uk The Saturday Session Wild Card Brewery, Unit 7, Ravenswood Industrial Estate, Shernhall Street E17 9HQ Eastern Front Soundsystem and special guest DJs provide a Saturday night soundtrack of eclectic disco and more.

7pm-12am. FREE. twitter.com/easternfrontdjs Attila the Stockbroker The Wanstead Tap, Arch 352, Winchelsea Road E7 0AQ Veteran ranting punk poet and singer Attila the Stockbroker is joined by Walthamstow singalong folk punksters Steve White & The Protest Family and punchy poet Janine Booth. 7.4511.15pm. £8.

07976 787419 sales@thewansteadtap.co.uk www.thewansteadtap.com/buy-tickets/ attila-the-stockbroker Mixtape at The Chequers The Chequers, 145 High Street/Storey Road E17 7BX DJs play the soundtrack of the suburbs for John Hughes junkies, riot grrrls, b-boys, grunge kids and metalheads.

Free entry! 8pm-12am. FREE. facebook.com/group/mixtapee17 Closet Vinyl: Love for the B-Sides Northcote Arms, 110 Grove Green Road E11 4EL A wonderful evening of music and dancing to the songs YOU provide.

Record decks and tuition provided by us.

Find. Bring. Play. Dance. 8pm-12. FREE. Danny Magill 07717 851972 closetvinyl@gmail.com www.closetvinyl.com

Events marked

kid friendly

CRAFTS

Trent Miller & The Skeleton Jive / The Newstargazers What’s Cookin’, Leytonstone Ex-servicemens Club, 2 Harvey Road, Leytonstone E11 3DB Darkly underground mix of hangovers, anguished love, mournful blues and lonesome country from Trent Miller.

8.30-11.30pm. FREE with collection. www.whatscookin.co.uk

Sunday 7 The Sunday Cycle Meet at The Mill, 7-11 Coppermill Lane E17 7HA Meet at 11am, be back by 1pm. FREE. katjarosenberg@hotmail.com BARA Bike Ride Meet outside Carlton House, behind Natwest, Aylmer Road off High Road Leytonstone E11 3AD Meet at 10.30am. FREE. Lea Bridge Conservation Volunteers Meet at 1a Connaught Close, Leyton, E10 7QS (opposite Lee Valley Riding Centre) No experience required. Tools, training, coffee, tea & biscuits provided, home made cakes always welcome. Bring your own lunch. Wear suitable clothing & stout footwear. 9.45am-4.30pm. FREE. 07757 766950 info@lbcv.org.uk www.lbcv.org.uk Mindfulness Meditation Leyton Yoga, First Floor (above USSR), 691 High Road, Leyton E10 6RA Explore this simple yet transformative practice in these friendly and casual monthly guided meditation sessions.

5-6.30pm. £15. leytonyoga@gmail.com www.leytonyoga.com Charlie Hides at DRAG Out The Weekend Northcote Arms, 110 Grove Green Road E11 4EL We are honoured that this famous cabaret sensation returns to little old Leyton. Meet his newest character Lisa Q Jonz, as feisty as her cousin Laquisha.

Defining us as a true cabaret venue.

7-10pm. FREE. www.thenorthcotee11.com Walthamstow Folk: Leon Rosselson Ye Olde Rose & Crown Theatre Pub, 53 Hoe Street E17 4SA One of the most sophisticated and entertaining songwriters in folk music.

Songs full of power, passion and hard questions. As well as a few laughs along the way. 9.30-10.30pm. £7, £5 conc www.walthamstowfolk.co.uk

DANCE/FITNESS

FAMILY

FILM

Tuesday 9

Thursday 11

Creative Writing Workshop with Amy Mason Wood Street Library, Forest Road E17 4AA Ever fancied writing fiction? Don’t know where to start? Then come along to this fun, free workshop with novelist and playwright Amy Mason. Suitable for beginners. 10am-3pm. FREE but please book a ticket at www.wfculture. eventbrite.com or visit any Waltham Forest Library.

020 8496 3000 culture@walthamforest.gov.uk

Creative Kids: Chinese Year of the Monkey William Morris Gallery, Forest Road E17 4PP Make an animal mask to celebrate the Chinese New Year of the Monkey and explore William Morris’s love of Animals.

Organised by The William Morris Gallery and Lloyd Park Children Centre for children under 5. Two sessions: 10-11.30am & 1-2.30pm. FREE but booking essential.

020 8496 4390 wmg.bookings@walthamforest.gov.uk www.wmgallery.org.uk

Globetrotters: Concerts for Babies & Children St Mary’s Church, Walthamstow, 8 Church End/ Church Hill E17 9RJ Fun, interactive and informal concert of music from all around the world for parents, babies and children.

Performed by Ros Stephen (violin, ukulele, mandolin) and Julian Rowlands (bandoneon, accordion, piano). As seen on ZingZillas! 10.30-11.30am £10, up to two children FREE. Ros 07884 182600 concerts@globetrotters-music.com www.globetrotters-music.com/concerts Valentine’s Fright Sinbin at The Plough & Harrow, 419 High Road, Leytonstone E11 4JU Burlesque, comedy and all-round silliness. Monsters have needs too.

Come and find out what they are in our alternative take on Valentine’s.

8-11pm. £10 or £6 early bird tickets. neil@behindburlesque.co.uk www.behindburlesque.co.uk History of the English Seaside Spruce Hill Baptist Church Hall, Brookscroft Road E17 4JP Family history talk by Janet Seward about the history of the English seaside from the 18th century to the present day. Wheelchair accessible. 8-10pm.

FREE. Mark 020 8530 4755 mcarroll@waitrose.com www.wffhs.org.uk

Wednesday 10 Leyton & Leytonstone Home Brew The Northcote Arms Pub, 110 Grove Green Road E11 4EL A monthly excuse for local homebrewers to discuss beer and brewing and exchange home grown samples.

Or just come to chat about beer and brewing! 6.30-9.30pm. FREE. www.thenorthcotee11.com The Ragged Out String Band / Paul McClure What’s Cookin’, Leytonstone Ex-servicemens Club, 2 Harvey Road, Leytonstone E11 3DB Ragged Out possess high octane old time fiddle tunes with hard driving rhythm, American folk songs and Western Swing. 8.30-11pm. FREE with collection. www.whatscookin.co.uk

STEP UP: Grand Celebration The Mill, 7-11 Coppermill Lane E17 7HA Meet the five artists and local people who made the project such a great success. Includes 3D work to new creative writing, mosaic, cut outs and animations. Mill punch and nibbles!

6-8.30pm. FREE. Neesha Badhan 020 8521 3211 www.themill­coppermill.org

Friday 12 Transitional Experiences: Preview Pictorem Gallery, 383 Hoe Street E17 9AP Preview evening for the Oscar Jon and Steve Yeates exhibition, a journey through a landscape of texture, surfaces and light. 6.30-9.30pm. FREE www.pictoremgallery.com Gingo! Mother’s Ruin Gin Palace, Unit 18 Ravenswood Industrial Estate, Shernhall Street E17 9HQ It’s a thing! The Original Army ladies are back at The Palace, bringing off-beat bingo and strong Martinis together in the glorious cocktail that is Gingo! Clickety Click! 7-11pm.

07905 484711 www.mothersruin.net Lecture: Edward Lloyd William Morris Gallery, Forest Road E17 4PP Edward Lloyd and his family lived in the house which is now the William Morris Gallery. In this lecture, Dr Sarah Hill sheds light on the life of this extraordinary Victorian. Booking is essential. 7.30-9pm. FREE. 020 8496 4390 wmg.bookings@walthamforest.gov.uk www.wmgallery.org.uk

Saturday 13 London Children’s Book Swap William Morris Gallery, Forest Road E17 4PP Calling all book worms! Discover’s London Children’s Book Swap returns for the fifth year running. Bring your old books to the Gallery to trade for another person’s favourite read. 2-4pm. FREE, drop in any time www.wmgallery.org.uk

6 The E List makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information it publishes, but cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from errors or omissions. Please confirm with the venue before setting out.

FOOD & DRINK

GARDENING

Creative Writing Workshop with Amy Mason Walthamstow Library, High Street E17 7JN As Tues 9 Feb, except new venue Sonic Rebellion Sinbin at The Plough & Harrow, 419 High Road, Leytonstone E11 4JU Monthly club night with DJs spinning the best in rock and metal anthems.

FREE. lingriff@gmail.com facebook.com/sonicrebellionsinbin Pamdemonium The Northcote, 110 Grove Green Road E11 4EL Five hand-picked pro stand-up comedians for your laughing pleasure.

With the fabulous Pam Ford as your host. Cocktail happy hour. 7.309.30pm, bar until 1am. FREE. www.thenorthcotee11.com Martha D’Arthur The Victoria, 188 Hoe Street E17 4QH Presenting the wonderful drag queen Martha D’Arthur live on stage at midnight with DJ until 3am. 8pm3am. FREE before 11pm, £5 after.

07415 295176 pixiepresents@yahoo.co.uk

Events marked

HISTORY

Norell & The Dub Factory The Warrant Officer, 318 Higham Hill Road E17 5RG Thrilling and beguiling in equal measure, this brilliant band make a welcome return to The WO. Precision, passion and power - a heady mix from a must see act. 9-11pm. FREE with collection. www.the-wo.co.uk

Sunday 14 Walthamstow Family Bike Club Meet outside Ancient House, Orford Road/Church Lane junction, Walthamstow E17 A relaxed and sociable ride around open spaces and cafes in and around Waltham Forest. 1-5pm. FREE. 0208 520 0648 paul.gasson@gmail.com Leyton & Stone Designers Craft Market The Northcote, 110 Grove Green Road E11 4EL Lively Sunday market with local designer/makers selling their wares.

Bespoke paintings and prints, yummy handmade chocolates, ice cream sculptures, colourful clothing for adults and kids, scarves, jewellery and accessories. Child and dog friendly venue. 12-5pm. FREE admin@leytonandstonedesigners.co.uk www.leytonandstonedesigners.co.uk

kid friendly

MUSIC

SHOPPING

Made With Love Valentine’s Mansion & Gardens, Emerson Road IG1 4XA A special Valentine’s Day Fair, with great gifts for loved ones, celebrating all things made with love by hand. If you make a unique product by hand and would like to showcase it at our fair, contact Hardip on 020 8708 8100.

10am-4pm. FREE. www.valentinesmansion.com Family Activity: Valentine Crafts Vestry House Museum, Vestry Road E17 9NH Inspired by the screen in Vestry’s Victorian Parlour, use traditional collage and découpé techniques to decorate colourful cards and presents for your loved ones, including picture frames and gift boxes. Free, drop-in event.

1.30-4pm. FREE. 020 8496 4391 vhm.enquiries@walthamforest.gov.uk www.walthamforest.gov.uk/vestry-house Walthamstow Folk: Kath Tait Ye Olde Rose & Crown Theatre Pub, 53 Hoe Street E17 4SA A singer/songwriter who takes her inspiration from the general chaos of modern life and her extensive employment and marital history involving many husbands and day jobs!

Doors 7.30-10.30pm. £7, £5 conc. www.walthamstowfolk.co.uk

COMEDY/THEATRE

St Barnabas Sunday Concerts present: Love, Actually St Barnabas Church, St Barnabas Road E17 8JZ From E17’s newest concert series comes a musical celebration of romance through the ages. Timeless love songs and duets from stage and screen with Soprano Gillian Keith and tenor Tom Randle. 4-5pm. FREE, but donations £5-£10 welcome. gilliankeithsoprano@yahoo.co.uk www.facebook.com/ StBarnabasSundayConcerts DRAG Out The Weekend does Blind Date Live The Northcote, 110 Grove Green Road E11 4EL Our Valentine’s Special. Hosted by the feisty and down right filthy Candy Slag in Drag. A chooser asks 3 contestants 3 questions and from the answers the audience will help them find true love! Applications welcome until 4th February. 8pm-1am. FREE but membership £5 per year.

Tuesday 020 8518 7516 tuesday.northcotee11@yahoo.com www.thenorthcotee11.com

RESTAURANT & BAR

WALTHAMSTOW

28-30 ORFORD ROAD WALTHAMSTOW LONDON E17 9NJ teLephoNe 020 8521 5279 e17reservations@eat17.co.uk eat17.co.uk

Live Jazz sunday nights!

New kitcheN opeNiNg hours MoNday-Friday 12-3pM 6-10pM saturday 10aM-3pM 5-10pM suNday 10aM-3.30pM 5.30-9pM

Prix Fixe menu 2 courses for £15 now available Monday - Friday

To advertise your business contact ads@theelist.co.uk 7

DICK SMITH 5-STRING BANJO

07745 052 525 www.banjosmith.co.uk info.banjosmith@gmail.com

Monday 15 Club Mellow Women’s Group ELOP Centre, 56-60 Grove Road E17 9BN An afternoon social support space for LGBT* people who want to meet up with others in a friendly, supportive environment. 7-9.30pm. £2. www.elop.org Leytonstone Green Drinks The Walnut Tree, 857-861 High Road Leytonstone E11 1HH A monthly friendly get-together for the green and eco-minded on 15th of each month. Newcomers always welcome.

8-11pm. FREE. www.transitionleytonstone.org.uk

Wednesday 17 Half Term Activities at Vestry House Museum Vestry House Museum, Vestry Road E17 9NH Explore the new photography exhibition and create your own Victorian street scene using collage.

Suitable for children 12 years and under. 2-4pm. FREE, drop in any time 020 8496 4391 vhm.enquiries@walthamforest.gov.uk www.walthamforest.gov.uk/vestry-house General Echo The Victoria, 188 Hoe Street E17 4QH Monthly reggae DJ night. Dub, dancehall, roots, rockers and other bass transmissions played on 2 turntables and a space echo. 8pm-12. FREE. www.generalechoes.tumblr.com

Thursday 18 Los Otros The Victoria, 188 Hoe Street E17 4QH Enjoy quiet conversation and the mellow sounds of jazz standards or get up and dance with Los Otros and their continually changing line-up of guests.

9-11pm. FREE. www.losotros.co.uk

Events marked

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www.banjosmith.co.uk Dick Smith: 07745 052 525 info.banjosmith@gmail.com

The Siege of Sidney Street, 1911: Edwardian Terrorism St Gabriel’s Family Centre, Large Hall, Havant Road E17 3JF Talk at Walthamstow Historical Society.

The siege is possibly best known for Home Secretary, Winston Churchill’s energetic ‘hands-on’ involvement. Jef Page tells us more about this incident in East London’s history. Tea and coffee served from 7.15pm. 7.30-9pm. £1.50 or FREE to society members.

07792 750017 walthamstowwalks@mz48.myzen.co.uk www.walthamstowhistoricalsociety.org.uk

Friday 19 E17 Baby Social The Trades Hall, 17 Hoe Street (entrance in Tower Hamlets Road) E17 4SB Grown up music, grown up chat. A monthly social for Walthamstow parents/carers of babies/toddlers.

2-4pm. £3. e17babysocial@gmail.com Half Term Activities at Vestry House Museum Vestry House Museum, Vestry Road E17 9NH As Weds 17

Saturday 20 The Bermondsey Joyriders / Black Doldrums What’s Cookin’, Leytonstone Ex-servicemens Club, 2 Harvey Road, Leytonstone E11 3DB Slide-guitar punk blues from Londonbased rock’n’roll trio. “See ‘em at all costs!” Vive Le Rock Magazine. 8.3011.30pm. FREE with collection. www.whatscookin.co.uk Sh!ver The Warrant Officer, 318 Higham Hill Road E17 5RG Fabulous band playing a heady mix of covers and originals. Raising the roof and bringing the house down! 9-11pm.

FREE with collection. www.the-wo.co.uk

Swedish

www.e17swedish.com

ts tar ss s a l rs c nne i g e wb Ne

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CRAFTS

Classes for adults in E17

BOOKS

UKULELE

ART

Individual & group tuition

FAMILY

FILM

Guitar Individual & group lessons All styles All ages

07958 471 083 chris@e17swedish.com @E17Swedish

Sunday 21 Rainbow Family Sundays Contact us for this month’s venue An opportunity for LGBT* parents and carers with children of all ages to meet, socialise and build support networks, offering older children the opportunity to meet other LGBT* families and develop a positive sense of self and identity. Adults £2, children £1.

020 8509 3898 or info@elop.org Walthamstow Folk: Katsha’nes: Cockney-Yiddish Music Hall Ye Olde Rose & Crown Theatre Pub, 53 Hoe Street E17 4SA Katsha’nes breathes irresistible life into songs written and performed in the heyday of Whitechapel’s music halls, where immigrant songwriters described their experiences in these humorous, moving, feisty, sexy and irreverent songs.

7.30-10.30pm. £7, £5 conc. www.walthamstowfolk.co.uk Short Films at the Gin Palace Mother’s Ruin Gin Palace, Unit 18 Ravenswood Industrial Estate, Shernhall Street E17 9HQ Screening of the top 12 films from last year’s Short Hot Flush Film Festival celebrating women over 50 in front of and behind the camera. 5-8pm. FREE but donations welcome. www.mothersuin.net twitter @WO50FF

Tuesday 23 Solstice with Brigitte Beraha at E17 Jazz Gnome House, 7 Blackhorse Lane E17 6DS The award winning E17 Jazz Collective presents concerts on the last Tuesday of each month featuring local musicians of national renown plus exciting guest stars in a relaxed jazz club setting. 8-11pm. £8, £5 conc, under 15s FREE. www.e17jazz.com/whatson www.wegottickets.com/event/345024

Waltham Forest Dyslexia Association Adults with Dyslexia Meet-up The Quaker House, 1a Jewel Road E17 4QU Monthly meet-up for those with dyslexia or interested to find out more about it. Come along to our friendly meetings. 6.30-8.30pm. FREE. www.wfda.org.uk Club Mellow LGBT Hate Crime Support Group ELOP Centre, 56-60 Grove Road, London E17 9BN A monthly group offering LGBT* people an opportunity to share experiences, learn how to report hate crime incidents, learn about the process of investigation, prosecution and your rights, and gain peer support. 5-7pm.

FREE. 020 8509 3898 or www.elop.org WF Cycling Campaign Meetup The Hornbeam Café, 458 Hoe Street E17 9AH Join us for a monthly discussion on cycling issues, opportunities, and upcoming events. Everyone is welcome and our meetings are a great opportunity to meet other cyclists in the borough. 8-9.15pm. FREE. wfcycling.wordpress.com Infinitease Sinbin at The Plough & Harrow, 419 High Road, Leytonstone E11 4JU The UKs best new burlesque performers take part in the 3rd season of this quest for new stars! 8-11pm £10, £6 early bird tickets. neil@behindburlesque.co.uk www.behindburlesque.co.uk

Wednesday 24 E17 Cook Book Club The Bell, 617 Forest Road/Chingford Road E17 4NE A foodie social evening, everyone brings a dish to share and their cook book inspiration. Theme this month: ‘Middle Eastern’. All welcome. Please join the the Facebook group E17 Cook Book Club for the latest information.

8.30-10.30pm. www.walthamstowfoodies.com

kid friendly

8 The E List makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information it publishes, but cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from errors or omissions. Please confirm with the venue before setting out.

FOOD & DRINK

GARDENING

HISTORY

MUSIC

SHOPPING

Sunday 28 Waltham Forest Cycling Campaign Monthly Ride Meet at Walthamstow Library, High Street E17 7JN Distance and destination decided by riders on the day, but usually maximum of 30 miles. Will include a snack stop.

10am-3pm. FREE. robert@wfcycling.org.uk

Evening Relaxation Guided Meditation The Mill, 7-11 Coppermill Lane E17 7HA Join Natalie France on the last Wednesday of the month for this non-religious meditation session which focuses on breathing, calming the mind and releasing any stress and tension from the body. 7-8pm. £11.50, online booking available 07585 309 109 info@natalie-france.com www.natalie-france.com/events

Family Day: Social Fabric William Morris Gallery, Forest Road E17 4PP Create your own Kanga garment using traditional block printing and find out about the messages printed upon them in The William Morris Gallery’s exhibition, Social Fabric. 1-4pm. FREE drop in event for families of all ages.

020 8496 4390 wmg.enquiries@walthamforest.gov.uk www.wmgallery.org.uk

More News From Nowhere The Victoria, 188 Hoe Street E17 4QH Night of interesting and experimental sounds featuring Sharon Gal and support. 8-11.30pm. £7, £5 in advance.

Tim Cowlishaw 07904 273331 tim@timcowlishaw.co.uk twitter.com/MNFN_E17

Alfred Wire: Lantern Slide Show Vestry House Museum, Vestry Road E17 9NH Join curator Gary Heales to view lantern slides of the local area, many previously unseen! 3-4pm. FREE, no need to book.

020 8496 4391 vhm.enquiries@walthamforest.gov.uk www.walthamforest.gov.uk/vestry-house

Legends of Country / Al Shields What’s Cookin’, Leytonstone Exservicemens Club, 2 Harvey Road, Leytonstone E11 3DB Anglicised but classic country sound with an honest and unmistakeable English indie-pop charm. 8.30-11pm.

FREE with collection. www.whatscookin.co.uk

The Chicken Shack Sinbin at The Plough & Harrow, 419 High Road, Leytonstone E11 4JU Monthly night of rock n’roll and rockabilly. Every even-numbered month features a live band too! £10 on live band nights, otherwise £5. malc@the-chicken-shack.com facebook.com/TheChickenShackRnR

Thursday 25

Oh So Funny! Comedy Club O’Neills, 762 High Road, Leytonstone E11 3AW Monthly comedy club where tonight’s special guest is TV headliner Funmbi Omatayo. Fabulously funny Ben Briggs and super talented Andrea Hubert provide support. All held together by MC Nigel Lovell. 8-11pm. £12.50 on the door, discounts for advance booking 07961 294 504 info@ohsofunny.co.uk www.ohsofunny.co.uk

Totally Tapped The Wanstead Tap, Arch 352, Winchelsea Road E7 0AQ A brilliant night of alternative comedy in a wonderful craft beer venue! With TV’s Patrick Monahan! Plus comedy magician Wayne the Weird, offbeat comic Ian Lane and your host and MC Nigel Lovell. 8-11pm. £10.

Dan 07976 787419 sales@thewansteadtap.co.uk www.thewansteadtap.com/

Saturday 27 Blackhorse Workshop’s 2nd Birthday! Blackhorse Workshop, 1-2 Sutherland Road Path E17 6BX Help us to mark our 2nd birthday.

Expect spectacle, music and revelry.

6.30-11pm. FREE. www.blackhorseworkshop.co.uk Events marked

kid friendly

Black*Scarr The Warrant Officer, 318 Higham Hill Road E17 5RG Country/folk songwriting of the highest order from Johnny Black and Emma Scarr. Funny, artful and hugely entertaining. 9-11pm. FREE with collection. www.the-wo.co.uk

Organiclea Open Day OrganicLea, 115 Hawkwood Crescent, Chingford E4 7UH Hawkwood Plant Nursery hosts family friendly Open Days on the last Sunday of every month. Take a tour, talk to the growers, have lunch, celebrate a seasonal vegetable, maybe help out with horticultural tasks. 12am-4pm.

020 8524 4994 www.organiclea.org.uk/whats-on

COMEDY/THEATRE

BeBop Baby: Reggae, Ska & Rocksteady The Trades Hall, 17 Hoe Street (entrance in Tower Hamlets Road) E17 4SB Be Bop Baby is a monthly family gig organised by a group of Walthamstow parents who want to have a good time with their kids. Buggy parking, baby changing, soft space, face painting and an all important bar. 1-4pm. £4, £3 booked in advance online.

07813 156140 bebopbabydance@gmail.com www.bebop-baby.co.uk Cool Sunday Afternoon Jazz The William Morris Bar, 807-811 Forest Rd E17 4JD Cool Blue Note era jazz from the Paul Kaufman quartet + guests. Enjoy great food, wines, ales and company while chilling out in this fabulous warm and stylish bar. 1.30-4.30pm. FREE.

RE:HAB Presents: Open Mic Wild Card Brewery, Unit 7, Ravenswood Industrial Estate, Shernhall Street E17 9HQ London’s premier open mic night. Free entry and free drink per performer. For more info find us on Twitter @rehabpresents or Facebook: RE:HAB. 5.30-9.30pm. FREE. rehabpresents@gmail.com

Walthamstow Folk: Mawkin Ye Olde Rose & Crown Theatre Pub, 53 Hoe Street E17 4SA It’s always a pleasure when our old mates Mawkin come to visit. The band have recently stepped it up with their superb new album ‘The Ties That Bind’.

Doors 7.30-10.30pm. £10, £9 conc. www.walthamstowfolk.co.uk

Stow Kids’ Film Lounge: Minions Vestry House Museum, Vestry Road E17 9NH The Minions’ brightly coloured brand of gibberish-fuelled insanity stretches to feature length in their self-titled Despicable Me spin-off, with uneven but often hilarious results as they try to save Minionhood from oblivion. Doors open 11am, pre-film activity, Film 11.30, Close 1.30pm. £5.50 child (inc activity), £4 acc adult. Book online or in person at the Museum. www.stowfilmlounge.com

Walthamstow Gay Meetup The Bell, 617 Forest Road/Chingford Road E17 4NE Monthly, friendly, convivial evening of like-minded people having a great time around a drink or two with good conversations, fun and lots of laughter.

A no attitude, friendly meeting please bring your good humour, smile and laugh. 8-10pm. FREE but membership £5 per year.

Jean-Francois at jf@gpn.one meetup.com/Walthamstow-Gay-Meetup

Monday 29 Feb

Stow Film Lounge: Billy Liar (1963, cert PG) Vestry House Museum, Vestry Road E17 9NH A lazy, irresponsible young clerk in provincial Northern England lives in his own fantasy world and makes emotionally immature decisions as he alienates friends and family. Starring Tom Courtenay and Julie Christie.

Doors open 2pm, film 2.15pm, close 4.15pm. £5.50/£4.50 conc (senior citizens/under 12s, unwaged, students). Book online or in person at the Museum. www.stowfilmlounge.com

Looking ahead Thursday 3 March

OrganicLea Open Day: Making Nowhere Somewhere OrganicLea, 115 Hawkswood Crescent E4 7UH Celebrating the work of artist and filmmaker, Rosalind Fowler (artist in residence at the William Morris Gallery). Fowler has created work in response to OrganicLea, a community gardening project near Epping Forest. 12.30-5pm. FREE. See www.organiclea.org.uk for directions. www.wmgallery.org.uk

International Women’s Day Event Great Hall, Adelaide Road, Leyton E10 5NN A women-only event to celebrate International Women’s Day with workshops, stalls, entertainment and information. 12 noon-6pm. FREE. info.wfwn@gmail.com www.internationalwomensday.com

Red Imp presents Sean Hughes Ye Olde Rose & Crown Theatre Pub, 53 Hoe Street E17 4SA Perrier Winner, star of Buzzcocks and Sean’s Show comes back to the Stow for an extended 45min set. Support is Nick Revell, and MC is Susan Murray.

Over 18s only. 9-11pm. £13.50. www.wegottickets.com/event/346096 www.redimpcomedy.com

Saturday 5 March

FREE listings are available for events under £16, visit www.theelist.co.uk and select “List your event”. To advertise your business contact ads@theelist.co.uk 9

ART

BOOKS

CRAFTS

DANCE/FITNESS

FAMILY

FILM

GARDENING

HISTORY

MUSIC

FOOD

SHOPPING

THEATRE/COMEDY

Classes/Courses Arts & Crafts Alternate Sundays, 7 & 21 Feb Life Drawing Hornbeam Centre, 458 Hoe Street E17 9AH Create original art in front of a life model. All materials provided. Advance booking essential. 3-5pm. jonathan.ellis@mac.com or text 07980 713819 Mondays NEW Life Drawing Plough and Harrow, 419 High Road, Leytonstone E11 4JU Untutored, drop-in session, art materials provided, fun and sociable..

7.30-9.30pm. £7.

J_wolfmail@yahoo.com www.meet-up/life-drawing-in-leytonstone Wednesdays Mending Club Significant Seams, 131 Wood St E17 3LX Need help with mending your socks, a seam or hem that’s come undone or a pair of jeans that need shortening?

Fancy some company while you stitch or just fancy an excuse to socialise?

Drop-ins welcome. 1-3pm. £3 suggested donation outreach@significantseams.org.uk www.significantseams.org.uk Thursdays Neighbourly Stitch & Knit Significant Seams (as above) A befriending group like a book club, for people who make, want to make, or want to learn to make in the most informal of environments. Partner organisations refer people struggling with anxiety or depression and survivors of domestic and/or sexual violence but people’s backgrounds and personal challenges are their own business, for sharing only if they choose. Drop-ins welcome. 1-3pm. £3 suggested donation.

Family Saturdays (an 8 week course) Kathak Kids (Sessions for 4-7 years and 8-11 years) Vestry House Museum, Vestry Road E17 9NH This wonderful, magical and exciting class combines storytelling with classical Indian dance movement, structure and fun. Ankle bells enhance rhythmic play and expressiveness. Kathak Ankle bells provided. 4-7 year olds: 10.1010.40am. 8-11 year olds: 10.5011.30am. Drop-in £9.50 for first class only, otherwise £9 per class. £65 for whole course.

Vanessa 07958 523431 info@khyalarts.org.uk www.khyalarts.org.uk

Music & Singing Wednesdays until 10 Feb Mixed Choir for Men & Women Orford House Social Club, 73 Orford Road E17 9QR This fun, funky choir has sessions for adults of all abilities and all ages. Check website for more details. 7.30-9pm.

Six sessions £48.

Contacts as above Sundays (term-time only) Junior & Senior Senior Youth Choirs The Games Room, Orford House Social Club, 73 Orford Road E17 9QR This is a fun, funky choir. No experience required. 10-11am for ages 5-9, 11am-12pm for ages 11-21. Drop-in £6, £5 if paid termly.

Lizzy 07950 204338 naturalvoices@hotmail.co.uk www.naturalvoices.co.uk/book Wednesdays until 10 Feb Leyton: Mixed Choir for Men & Women The Northcote Arms Pub, 110 Grove Green Road E11 4EL Join our fun, funky pub choir. Beginners welcome. Grab a drink, make new friends and sing your heart out. 7.309pm. Six sessions £48.

Contacts as above Mondays Waltham Forest Community Choir St Mary’s Church, 8 Church End/ Church Hill E17 9RJ Open to all living or working in Waltham Forest. A friendly choir with a wideranging repertoire from Faure to Folk via Gospel, African and Pop Classics.

New members welcome anytime - no audition required. Actively recruiting tenors and basses. 7.30-9.30pm. £5 and termly subscription.

07954 740745 www.singwithus.net members@singwithus.net Thursdays The Singing Room Choir E17 Side Hall, St Gabriel’s Family Centre, Havant Road E17 3JF A community choir with no audition, everyone welcome. Singing four-part a capella including folk, world, pop, gospel and more. We perform locally and beyond supporting local charities and Water Aid. 7.30-9.15pm. £7, paid for in blocks of 10.

Anna Williams 07931 372996 annamusicmakers@gmail.com Thursdays Daytime Choir for Parents & Childminders St Michael & All Angels Church Hall, Northcote Road E17 6PQ A great way to start the day, come and sing with this friendly group, and bring your little ones, we have toys to entertain them! All abilities welcome.

10-11am. £5. east17singers@gmail.com

Mondays Warrant Officer Community Choir The Warrant Officer, 318 Higham Hill Road E17 5RG Join our community choir. ARaise your voice and lift your spirits as part of an adult choir where you call the tunes. bsolutely no auditions, all abilities welcome. 7.30-9pm. £7, £6 in advance and taster session FREE. Laura 07813 686980 singattheWO@gmail.com

Fitness, Dance & Yoga Saturdays Dynamic Hatha Yoga: Wake Up Class Quaker Meeting House, 1a Jewel Road E17 4QU Breathe life into your weekend with yoga. A creative and varied class each week with Ros, a highly qualified teacher. Intermediate level yogis only, just drop-in. 8-9am. £10.

Ros Griffiths yogaros@hotmail.com www.yogaros.co.uk Sundays Circular Flow Yoga Leyton Jubilee Park, Seymour Road/Marsh Lane, Leyton E10 7BL The practice links asana/postures together through breath and movement, finding strength and flexibility not to mention stillness in the mind. 10-11am. FREE but please book online. sherene@circularflowyoga.co.uk www.ourparks.org.uk Mondays Yogi J Yoga St Michael and All Angels Church Hall, Northcote Road E17 6PQ An open level class offering options for beginners and those with a developed practice. Focus is on body, breath and relaxation. James is an experienced Yoga Alliance qualified teacher and welcomes everyone. Bring a mat or buy one (please email). 7-8pm. £9 or block of 6 for £45. jjcassidy123@aol.com www.theyogij.com Mondays Donation Yoga Class Orford Road United Reformed Church, 58 Orford Road E17 9QL Join one of Walthamstow’s longest running classes! Inclusive community vinyasa Yoga in the heart of the Village, embodied movement, breath work and meditation with experienced teacher Hayley Johns. 7-8.15pm.

Donations only.

Hayley Johns 07842 149119 hayley@hayleyyoga.com www.hayleyyoga.com

Tuesdays Circular Flow Yoga Walthamstow Library, High Street E17 7JN The practice links asana/postures together through breath and movement, finding strength and flexibility not to mention stillness in the mind. 7-8pm. FREE but please book online. sherene@circularflowyoga.co.uk www.ourparks.org.uk Thursdays WalthamFitness Walthamstow School for Girls, Church Hill E17 9RZ Combining bodyweight exercises, plyometrics, HITT, circuits and core stability training to aid weight loss, muscle tone and flexibility; in a fun and friendly atmosphere. 8.15-9.15pm. £6, advance booking discounts.

Chloe 07903 629636 www.dancechloe.com Thursdays General Level Pilates Leyton Parish Church Hall, Lindley Road E10 5PY Improve strength, flexibility, balance, posture and relax in a class suitable for beginners to more advanced participants. Mats provided. Not for complete beginners. 7-8pm. £10.

07976 404783 www.abpilates.co.uk alison_bray@yaho.co.uk Thursdays Post Natal Yoga & Baby Yoga Quaker Meeting House Wanstead, Bush Road E11 3AU A fun, happy class for both you and your baby to enjoy. The first half focusses on yoga for new mums and then the babies get involved. Please bring a yoga mat if you have one. For babies 6 weeks-12 months. 10.45am12pm. £10.

07956 807675 www.helenyoga.co.uk Fridays Yoga for Seniors East of Eden, Studio 1, 14 Hatherley Mews E17 4QP Tailored towards the more mature student. Encouraging the maintenance of strength, mobility and flexibility.

Mats and all equipment provided.

2-3pm. £7 Abigail 0203 583 7530 info@edeneast.co.uk www.edeneast.co.uk

For lots more dance and fitness classes please visit www.theelist.co.uk

10 The E List makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information it publishes, but cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from errors or omissions. Please confirm with the venue before setting out.

Mobile Personal Training and Nutrition Coaching in Walthamstow Sustainable Weight Loss Coaching • Pre and Post Natal Training • Kettlebell and Functional Training • Movement and Posture Specialist

In Walthamstow Mall a poem by Emma Hammond To the determined mum, breast-feeding against buses, fuzz faced, lonesome in that way all new mothers areI love you. Outside A man cycles by with no hands.

Sam is a level 4 Personal Trainer, Precision Nutrition Coach and Crossfit Level 1 Coach who specialises in weight loss and functional training

sam@samgeorgefitness.com

www.samgeorgefitness.com THURSDAY EVENING PILATES MAT CLASSES in Leyton 7pm - 8pm General level – all welcome Absolute beginners, contact me for further info

Authentic Pilates taught by a highly qualified tutor with 14 years’ experience £10 drop-in. Limited spaces Leyton Parish Church Hall (St Mary’s) Lindley Road E10 5PY alison.bray@gmail.com abpilateslondon

www.abpilates.co.uk ABPilatesleyton

Thoughts as concrete, quiet full as milk.

Your baby is a lump of sugar, a ripped corner from the entire universe.

People drink coffee like nothing is happening.

You will go home to an unmade bed, the hum of the washing machineRich Tea. Sometimes you will feel as if you are made from glass, your tiny barnacle a hammer.

Seagulls, with bodies like bullets wheel happily in grey skies.

Some days you stare at the changeling, this thing from outer spacethe love in you hard and fierce as the outside, as difficult and wondrous and real.

Poet Emma Hammond writes a poem a day at The Mall Walthamstow in London E17. Creative study on people and place / anthropological experiment throughout 2016. Also: Fun

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Sir Matthew Bourne with students at the launch of The Matthew Bourne Theatre at Sir George Monoux Sixth Form College

Local boy does good!

Sir Matthew Bourne, a former pupil at Sir George Monoux Sixth Form College, has been awarded a knighthood in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours for his services to dance.

The internationally acclaimed dance and theatre choreographer, studied at Sir George Monoux Grammar School in Walthamstow, from 1974–1978. He went on to become the recipient of over 40 global awards, recognising his contributions to the world of theatre, musicals, opera and film, as well as creating the world’s longest running ballet production. He is now the Artistic Director of his company, New Adventures, famously known for spectacular productions such as Swan Lake, Edward Scissorhands and Sleeping Beauty.

After thirty-six years, Matthew recently returned to Sir George Monoux Sixth Form College, for a special ceremony to mark the re-naming of the College’s theatre to ‘The Matthew Bourne Theatre’. Since then, professional dancers from Matthew’s dance 12

company, New Adventures, have regularly held dance workshops with the College’s Creative & Performing Arts students.

Julie Search-Whittaker, Head of Faculty at Sir George Monoux Sixth Form College said, “Wow – congratulations to Sir Matthew on his knighthood; a tremendous achievement and a fantastic inspiration to us all and the world of contemporary dance. Matthew’s dancers regularly run workshops with our students and we are thrilled that we are able to learn from the very best! A thoroughly well-deserved recognition of a truly original and inspirational choreographer, who never fails to thrill with performances, which push all the boundaries.”

In response to the news of his knighthood, Sir Matthew Bourne said, “This news has

come as a great surprise to me, but I couldn’t be more thrilled and honoured to be recognised in this way. As Artistic Director of an independent contemporary dance company that started as a group of friends in the late eighties this comes as a very significant recognition of what that company has achieved in the last 28 years.

I am particularly proud to be, I believe, the first dance Knight outside of the National Ballet companies and would like to thank all of my colleagues in New Adventures and Re:Bourne, my friends in the wider dance and theatre communities and the loyal audiences throughout the UK, without whom, I would not still be here.”

www.george-monoux.ac.uk

Deep in the forest by Oscar Jon Fergusson

A matter of words by Steve Yeates

Transitional Experiences With their joint show opening this month at Walthamstow’s Pictorem Gallery artists Oscar Jon and Steve Yeates promise an intriguing journey through a landscape of texture, surfaces and light.

The exhibition Transitional Experiences explores the transformative effect of sculpture, where the integral meaning is influenced by surface and form, both of which shape the audience’s personal experience. The materials used by both artists are creatively applied to the surfaces of the installations, changing the effect and context of the art. Oscar’s work takes ordinary day-to-day materials and creates illusions of light and colour. Steve’s dynamic sculptural forms are created from recycled materials and represent the “transition from waste to art” that completes the process.

Oscar Jon Oscar worked as a Haute Couture designer for over twenty years creating beautiful structured garments, often using some of the world’s most luxurious fabrics. When Oscar discovered the material alu mesh he was inspired to return to art. His inspiration was an idyllic childhood spent on a farm

surrounded by mountains and valleys. It was here that he became fascinated by the topography of the landscape and the natural shapes and the forever changing shadows created by natural light. Alu mesh allows him to translate forms such as these as it is hand moulded and textured to create a 3D effect. It can be sprayed in an array of colours and then the colours altered again with natural and artificial light.

For further info including commissions: www.oscarjon.com

Steve Yeates Steve, originally an advertising photographer took a BA Fine Art majoring in sculpture from St Martins in 2002. He has been a full time artist ever since.

Simon Patrick, the art journalist said of Steve’s work in 2014. “The renaissance of figurative art has a new protagonist in Steve Yeates. He explodes the concept of the traditional aesthetic by his

innovative use of socially inherent recycled materials… Creating reflections of the human body from shattered vandalised bus shelters is just one of the many ways this innovative, figurative artist uses the concept of deconstruct to evolve destructive forces into new constructive aesthetic realities.

If the re-genesis of traditional art is proving awkward, its maturation is surely blossoming with this incisive exploration of the human soul. It is no wonder that an artist such as Steve Yeates is enjoying such critical appreciation.”

For further info including commissions: www.steveyeates.co.uk

Transitional Experiences 4-27 February Tues-Sat 9am-5.30pm Private View 12 February 6.30pm to 9.30pm The Pictorem Gallery 383 Hoe Street, Walthamstow E17 9AP www.pictoremgallery.com

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Fashion for those who don’t do shiny Anna Skodbo’s edgy fashion line Phannatiq has been making waves in the fashion industry and is putting Walthamstow on the sartorial map… Here Anna talks to Karen Dunn.

From the giant mural on the side of her home, as you approach Anna Skodbo’s studio, you can immediately tell that it isn’t just another Walthamstow terraced house. From a small workshop in her back garden, Anna creates clothes that have not only graced Vogue UK and the catwalks of London and Paris, but have been worn by celebrities from Little Mix to our very own MP, Stella Creasy.

Since starting her own fashion label – Phannatiq - five years ago Anna has broken the fashion industry’s rules. From

using ‘normal’ people to model her clothes to creating a truly unisex range, worn by everyone from students to grandparents, Anna’s designs stand out from the crowd.

The E List met up with Anna, 31, to find out why she runs her fashion empire from her home, how she keeps her brand ethical and why she gets her best inspiration down the pub…

How did your label Phannatiq come about?

When I graduated with a first class degree in fashion in 2010 I quickly realised that

there wasn’t any paid work for graduates for at least the first two years, so I thought if I was going to be poor I may as well be poor doing my own thing. I began working on my designs in May 2010 and officially launched at London Fashion Week the following February.

How would you describe the label to someone who hasn’t heard of it before?

Our tag line is clothing for those who don’t do shiny. I like elegance and style, but I’ve always been a bit of a rebel and I like to subvert things. I’ll make a beautiful dress, but the print will be the back of Hackney Wick train station or a pile of hypodermic needles on a street in Oslo. Most of our clothing is unisex and we have men, women and people in between aged from 18 to 70 as customers. Lawyers, crime writers, make-up artists and students are just some of the people who have worn my clothes and they all wear them differently.

Anna Skodbo photographed by Rachel Manns 14

Why did you decide to base your business in Walthamstow?

I grew up in Edinburgh and spent four years living in Norway before I moved to London to study fashion. For the first nine months of the label I had a studio in Homerton. When my husband and I were looking for a house

to buy, we came across this place, which had a two storey workshop with its own electricity in the garden. It was shabby, but perfect. The building has been here since 1927 and was used by a slate mason and as a print works. I make all my samples and patterns here. Most of the people who work with me are local and I try and use local businesses to work with to keep my carbon footprint as small as possible. It’s important to me to keep the brand ethical.

You launched a crowdfunding campaign to help fund Phannatiq, what made you go down that route?

I needed to bring down my production costs and create an e-commerce site so I could sell direct to customers without relying on wholesale. I decided to do a Kickstarter campaign in 2013 because raising funds for a fashion business isn’t easy. It took over my life for a month and a half, which was tough, especially as I was making two wedding dresses at the same time – including my own. The stress was worth it though as I raised just over £30,000.

World concert, which was amazing. Little Mix and Charlie XCX have also worn my clothes and lots of up and coming artists have used them in their videos. Most recently I loaned Stella Creasy a dress for the Elle Style Awards. It was a floaty one that was still a bit rock and roll. She teamed it with biker boots, which looked amazing.

What inspires you about the area?

It’s easier to say what I don’t like than what I do, because I think there’s so much to love about Walthamstow.

The minute I moved here I felt like I’d come home. I used to work in the Rose & Crown and loved that I met so many different people. The pubs of

Walthamstow inspire me a lot and I love going to them even though I don’t drink alcohol or caffeine any more. They are real community hubs and so many local initiatives originate from them like the Art Trail and Stow Fest. I love the atmosphere in The Bell and The Duke’s Head. I’ve shot two of my collections in The Chequers and Wildcard Brewery and I’m looking at doing my next one in Mirth, Marvel and Maud.

For more about Phannatiq visit www.phannatiq.com or follow Anna on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook at @phannatiq

You’re one of the only fashion brands which doesn’t use conventional models.

What made you decide to do this?

I was never comfortable with using models, but it took me a while to get the confidence up to say, “This doesn’t work for me”. I began by street casting for my shoots, then using people who had another skill such as free runners, gymnasts and dancers. I decided I wanted to take it a step further, so for my Autumn/Winter 2015 collection I put a call out on social media to find people in Walthamstow - no matter what age or size – who wanted to model for me. I was amazed at the response and what a diverse bunch it was. It was hard to choose, but I got a real range of ages, backgrounds, sizes and personal style. I had all sorts of people from an A&E doctor to council workers and they all looked fantastic.

How did you feel when Vogue UK started featuring Phannatiq?

I actually approached them by email with the pictures of my collection, but they didn’t reply so I thought nothing more of it. A couple of weeks later I was at Paris Fashion Week when a friend contacted me saying, “Did you know you’re on Vogue. co.uk?” I had no idea! It was really cool and amazing exposure.

Which celebrities have worn your clothes?

The first was the singer Kate Nash who wore one of my dresses at Women Of The

Season Spring Summer 2016. Photographed at Wildcard Brewery by Stephen Berkeley White.

Hair by Oscar Alexander @OscarAlexanderL. Make-up by Lauren Baker @ImPettyRaw

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Let the music play on The E List meets Alan Godier whose rare skills often resurrect the precise sounds and melodies of a time long before recorded sound. Words by Jonathan Elliott. Photos by Paula Smith.

The approach to the world of Alan Godier is not auspicious: there’s the room number of his workshop for a start. Room 101. It conjures thoughts of one’s worst nightmares. Once inside, it’s pleasant enough, small and functional - it could be the sort of place where someone tinkers with mobile phones or computers. Utilitarian lighting, bare walls, a couple of workbenches and tools abound.

Nothing, however, can prepare you for what Alan’s world is dedicated to. And only when the music starts do you get an inkling of what makes it so special.

The music box was the world’s first portable recorded music system, and only for the rich 16

in the early 19thC. It was a plaything of aristocrats. But to hear one play is to hear exactly what they heard - no scratchy tenors on old shellac disks from the 1920s, these are the exact notes the grand ladies and young wags played to each other in the salons of Paris and Vienna when the Napoleonic wars were still rumbling on. The spring is released, the spinning ‘governor’ with its delicate brass wings on a spindle whizz into life and the brass barrel starts to turn.

Quite suddenly, the air is filled with a miraculous sound as the teeth of a steel comb are plucked by combinations of minute metal pins on the

turning barrel. Interesting as this is, to see a music box working is no more remarkable than watching the pendulum of a grandfather clock, to hear it, however, is to be transported.

From each of the tiny teeth, each smaller than a toothpick, a note of extraordinary bell-like clarity rings out. In the model Alan first shows me, there is not just one tooth, but six - each resonating for one of over 20 notes. The effect fills the room with an intense and delicate sound of extraordinary beauty.

All from a space smaller than a shoebox. A waltz, a Haydn sonata, or in this case, the Casta Diva from Bellini’s opera Norma - every time the barrel

turns, the music is as perfectly reproduced in January 2016 as January 1816 - melodies frozen for posterity over two hundred years ago.

Well, almost. From all over the world, the boxes that come in to Alan’s workshop invariably can’t make that claim. Rusted combs, barrels with missing pins, mechanical work broken.

Somewhere in there the information to make the brilliant music play again is stored but bringing it to life looks like an impossible job. It needs the patience of a watchmaker, the ear of a talented musician and knowledge that went out with the Ark. Skills not often found together.

“I learned to play the piano fortunately” Alan says modestly, as if that’s the only qualification for this work. And then he takes me through the meticulous forensics that extract the secrets from the broken boxes. Assisted only by an electronic guitar tuner, Alan tunes the combs of his new arrivals using hand drawn charts he’s developed over his forty year career. It is not just a matter of making the teeth play the right note, between each note there are a hundred gradations, and only a handful are correct. Each tooth has to be filed or weighted to match. By hand. Alan says he might take ‘a few days’ to put a badly damaged comb right.

To my eye, it looks like months of work.

Then there are the toothplucking pins on the barrel to restore. They look more like bristles on a badly shaved beard – wire-thin pegs spaced across the brass surface seemingly at random. Of course each has to be positioned accurate to fractions of a millimetre to ensure the correct timing of notes as the barrel turns. To perform a flawless acciaccatura prestissimo, the little whiskers have to come in bang on time.

Invariably many are missing and Kapellmeister Alan has to restore them to their proper place, one by one. We seem to be heading into 19thC nanotechnology territory here. “It’s a tedious job” – that modesty again – “I do it at the beginning of the day to get it over with.”

It begs the question of how anyone could get into this kind of world. “It was through clocks. I was always interested in clocks. I got interested as a child and repaired them at home, got books out of the adult library when I was in junior school, nothing in the children’s library of course.” It turned into a profession, after a formal training as a clock and watchmaker at Hackney

technical college, Alan went on to work at a jewellers in the 1970s, “they did wristwatches and pocket watches - it was all before the days of batteries”.

One day the jewellers were asked to tackle a musical box. Alan’s passion for horology and music suddenly found a natural outlet – more boxes came. He became the in-house specialist and set up on his own in 1981.

I ask how many he has repaired since, expecting him to say he’s lost count, but, of course, a man of precision keeps careful records and can tell me with confidence it’s over 2000. One has been back to him three times, with different owners each time over a period of forty years.

The desire to repair is almost compulsive, there is, after all, nothing sadder than a mute musical box, “it’s like a clock on the wall that doesn’t work, it’s worse than useless” he says, as a pendulum clock next to us chimes the hour.

He shows me a particular treasure, a miniature box the size of an iphone - it has the year of its manufacture stamped on the spring: 1817. It’s a contemporary of Jane Austen, John Constable and George III. From a comb smaller than a little finger, it plays the overture from the Magic Flute with perfection, we hold our breaths and time seems to stop.

The music box - along with its descendants, the player piano and a host of other mechanical music devices - was killed overnight by the phonograph, but enough remain to keep Alan busy for a while yet. After all, once you own one, you have to keep it playing, if only to enjoy that magical, room filling sound the aristocrats enjoyed two centuries ago.

To find out more about Alan and his work alan.godier@gmail.com 020 8503 7894

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Press play, fast forward Did you know Walthamstow is home to one of the hottest urban art collectives of the moment? It is Game On for STATIC. The E List cover stars from April last year continue to go from strength to strength. Here they talk to Matilda Battersby about making their mark on the art scene. Photographs by Travis Hodges.

Look up as you walk past the newsagents on the corner of Fulbourne Road and Victoria Road and you won’t see the usual peeling advertisements or uncared for wall but instead a black background with a series of brightly coloured repeated hearts, stars and Game Boy-style symbols.

The artwork, titled Game On, is by East London artists STATIC, a pair of local lads in their early 30s called Tom Jackson and Craig Evans, who have been helping to transform Walthamstow into a street art hub via the Wood Street Walls project. They have used this particular piece of street art (which appeared in E17 about a year ago) as a starting point for a brand new exhibition at the Lawrence Alkin gallery in London’s West End called Press Play.

This year marks a decade since the duo began collaborating and if the art industry whispers are to be believed they are increasingly becoming ones to watch.

Their work has been snapped up by a mixture of important collectors, the super rich and famous and even Saudi Arabian royalty. They’ve exhibited around the world and this London show is their 12th solo exhibition.

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Using a mixture of screen printing and spray paint on a range of materials from layered glass to metal, perspex and brickwork, STATIC is known for their bold, repeated designs using graphic tropes and taking inspiration from retro gaming imagery. You might also recognise their work from the Ravenswood Estate, Wynwood Cafe and the outside of The Bell pub.

Tom lives in Walthamstow while Craig lives in nearby Hackney Wick. The pair, who met during their art foundation in Scarborough but went on to study at different universities (Craig did graphic design at Liverpool and Tom fine art at Edinburgh), first set up a studio in a derelict building in Scarborough after they both struggled to scrape a living in the year after graduation.

“We kept in touch [while we were studying] and would talk to each other about what we were working on and would help each other out with ideas or little extras which we thought each other could add to our work,”

Craig said in their interview with the E List.

“Then after university we spent a year doing what most graduates do, trying to find work, not really finding it in the sort of areas we wanted to be in. But getting through the year. I was in London at that time doing freelance work and Tom was in Teeside doing a bit of tutoring. But after that we decided that we would set up a little studio back in Scarborough where Tom’s parents had some derelict flats that were totally empty, a little bit unsafe, but with a lick of paint and a few home made tables, chairs and drying racks we set up a studio in there and started doing some printing and design work and T-shirts and things.”

They soon got involved with local galleries and one in Newcastle before a businessman who ran an organic fruit and veg business with an online art gallery as a sideline invited them to come and work in a warehouse he owned in London.

They’re not strictly speaking ‘street artists’ as they’ve always produced the majority of their work in a studio but STATIC began making a name for themselves while still working from Scarborough by travelling down to the British capital at weekends and leaving their mark across the city.

“Tom and I would quite often come down here at weekends and what we started off doing was, instead of going out and being conventional graffiti artists and tagging our name everywhere, we used a symbol of a chinook helicopter carrying a chandelier,” Craig says.

“So we would go out and stencil that or we made these little wooden pieces that we’d screen print and then spray paint and we’d go around giving each other a little boost up or climbing up to hard-to-reach places – at least we thought they were hard to reach – and sticking them there.”

However, they soon discovered the pitfalls of public art. “The symbols all seemed to disappear rather more quickly than we expected. It was either the council or other people spotting them and taking them home. I dunno how many we did, we must

have done something like 500 of these in the space of four years and there’s only one left now at the entrance at the Truman Brewery. At least it was there last time we checked,” Craig adds, laughing.

He is upfront about seeing the work STATIC do on the street as a bit of useful self-promotion as much as it is a free contribution to the community. It has been a long time since such artworks have been viewed as vandalism and a nuisance and with the trail blazed by Banksy, Ben Eine and other big names it is now more than ever being seen as a means of transforming an otherwise unloved or boring urban aesthetic — something with which the Wood Street Walls project can be credited with doing for parts of Walthamstow.

“When you’re outside and you’re doing a wall you just have to see them as selfpromotion really and an advert for the work that you’ll do for a gallery or personally,” Craig says.

The artists are nevertheless still very much plugged into the locality. The whole point of Wood Street Walls is to eventually set up studio spaces with affordable rents for

artists on the proviso that they run monthly free workshops in the locality to allow the whole borough to benefit from a creative hub. STATIC recently went into a Hackney primary school and painted a space man mural in the playground (“That was incredibly timely as it was just before we heard about British astronaut Tim Peake”) and they are planning to work with the Frederick Bremer School (yes, the one from Educating East London) which is just across the road from their Game On mural.

“The wall we did Game On on is just up the road from Tom’s house so we were really keen to get [permission to use it],” Craig reveals. “It took a little bit of persuading from the shop owner. I think he thought that we just wanted to paint some sort of advert at first and he was really unsure. But then we showed him the designs and told him a bit more about the project and by the time we finished he was trying to get us to go around the front of the shop and do that side of the building as well.”

Game On is at the Lawrence Alkin Gallery until 13 February www.lawrencealkingallery.com

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have moved back to Thailand and that is my permanent home so all my business is based there now. I own and manage two resorts with their own restaurants and cookery schools one in Koh Samui and another in Chiang Mai The one near Chiang Mai is an artist’s retreat. Vatcherin: Yes, La Bhu Salah. It was always a dream of mine to have a place where artists could meet and learn new skills, printmaking etc.

From left to right: Moy Choudhury, Bunchoo Lamdara (head chef in E17), Vatcherin Bhumichitr, Atique Choudhury

A Grand Master comes to town Often regarded as Thailand’s answer to Gordon Ramsey, legendary chef and cookery writer Vatcherin Bhumitichr recently visited Walthamstow’s Yum Yum Thai Restaurant. Dominic Mandrell went to meet him to discuss his cookery writing and career in Thai food and hospitality.

Vatcherin is a man who has run three of London’s most successful thai restaurants and written countless books on thai cuisine.

He now lives in Thailand where he oversees the two resorts he owns. Last December on his visit to Wathamstow he caught up with his old friend, collaborator and Yum Yum founder Atique Choudhury for lunch and saw Yum Yum E17 as it prepared to launch.

Dominic spoke to him and Atique.

You and Vatcherin go way back don’t you?

When was it you first met? Atique: Yes, way back in 1992 prior to the opening of Yum Yum in Stoke Newington. Before opening any new business I always do my research so before I started Yum Yum I asked myself who is the best Thai chef in London? The one who stood out for me, who had experience introducing thai flavours to the British public was Vatcherin. He had studied in England – in London specifically – and in his early days he had a thai shop.

Yes the Thai shop was quite a significant game changer wasn’t it? It turned you into 20

a bit of an industry leader.Vatcherin: Yes, when I first came to London in 1976 most of the thai chefs here were cooking with dry herbs and pastes which don’t taste the same, so I set up one of the first shops in London to import fresh ingredients.

That’s like the difference between colour and black and white. The freshness of the herbs and spices is everything in thai cuisine Vatcherin: That’s right. But there was so much waste. In those days refrigeration wasn’t great and lots of my supplies went off really quickly. I realised I would have to find ways to use them so I started cooking dishes myself and supplying shops.

And the next logical step was to think of opening a restaurant. Vatcherin: Yes, My first was in Earl’s Court, London, then in 1982 I opened the Chiang Mai Restaurant in Soho which became one of the best known Thai restaurants in England.

Are any of the restaurants you manage in England still operational? Not any more. I

You’re background was in the arts to start off with wasn’t it? Didn’t you originally train as a graphic designer? Vatcherin: That’s right I studied at the London College of Print. My first English teacher was an old retired tutor from the LCP. He was the one that made me aware that it was best for graphics. It was far more vocational and hands on than other courses - we worked with bookbinders and we had to work together as a team so you saw all sides of the job.

So how did you make that transition from studying graphics into running a restaurant? Vatcherin: Well I first learned to cook from my mother. Helping her in the kitchen was like play. As a student in London I had to cook my own food so I learned more and more and ended up cooking for all my friends. Also I wasn’t earning enough as a part time book designer. So I got to thinking what could I sell in England that made use of my Thai background. That’s when I realized there was a gap in the market for someone who could supply fresh Thai ingredients.

Which is when you met Atique – you went on to cement your friendship by starting the Thai Restaurants’ Association in 1995. Atique: Yes we were determined to raise the profile of Thai food in the UK. Well you certainly seem to have achieved that between you. I read somewhere that 25 years ago there were only 4 Thai restaurants in the UK now there are over 400! So Vatcherin, tell us about your recent cookbook. The recipes are ones I have perfected in the various restaurants I have run over the years. It’s called Stylish Thai in minutes and is available from Amazon.

Great to speak to both of you.

Vatcherin’s resorts: www.hoteldecharm.net/labhusalah www.cinnamonsamui.com www.yumyume17.co.uk www.facebook.com/yumyume17

A SPOTTER’s Guide to LOCAL streetLIFE 6 of 12 seasonal recipes

for Waltham Forest’s people watchers.

satay chicken & satay king prawns This dish is fantastic as a starter or as a light lunch coupled with the zingy and fiery green papaya salad we gave you the recipe for back in July.

PER PERSON: Skinless chicken breast fillet bashed with a tenderiser or rolling pin to flatten slightly, then cut lengthways into three or four strips or 3-4 jumbo prawns peeled and de-veined.

FOR THE MARINADE: The quantities given below are sufficient for four chicken breasts or a dozen jumbo prawns.

• • • • • • • • • • •

I tablespoon palm sugar/jaggery dissolved into a syrup.

2 teaspoons medium curry powder.

2 teaspoons turmeric.

2 teaspoons sea salt.

2 teaspoons ground white pepper.

1 tablespoon thick oyster sauce.

1 tin coconut milk - 1/4 tin for the marinade and the remainder for basting during cooking.

4 kaffir lime leaves thinly sliced.

8 sweet basil leaves shredded or torn.

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil.

18cm bamboo skewers, previously soaked in water to prevent burning

1. Place marinade ingredients in a large bowl and stir throughly.

2. Add the chicken strips/prawns making sure they are well coated.

From a series by Walthamstow resident, illustrator Tom Gaul. instagram account tomgaul_doodles

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3. Cover the bowl and leave to rest in the fridge for 1-2 hours.

4. Using tongs thread the strips of chicken/prawns onto the skewers shaking off any excess marinade. When complete the rest of the marinade can then be discarded.

5. Whilst threading pre-heat grill/griddle or barbecue to medium hot.

6. Cook the chicken or prawns for 2minutes, turn over and brush with coconut milk. Repeat until each skewer has been cooked for a total of 8 minutes cooking time.

7. Serve as above with garnish and peanut satay dipping sauce Recipe for the latter can be found on our Facebook page.

PREPARE THIS RECIPE, TAKE A PIC AND SHARE IT ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE - BEST PIC WINS A MEAL FOR TWO AT YUM YUMS E17! Check T&C’s on our FB page yumyume17

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C. Jones Family Butchers Shop on Wood Street, Walthamstow, 1932.

Pretty much unchanged since the 18th Century this listed weatherboarded building is still there and is now home to the organic fruit and vegetable and health food shop Second Nature.

W. Isaac Tobacconist on 195 High Street, Walthamstow, c1920

Poppin’ down the shops These photos are from the collection of Vestry House Museum. Browse more photographs from the Museum’s archive and order prints online: http://boroughphotos.org/walthamforest/.

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Photos © Vestry House Museum, London Borough of Waltham Forest

W. A. Smith, a stationery shop, on High Road Leyton, Leyton, c1900

Penny Bazaar Company on the corner of High Street and Pretoria Avenue, Walthamstow. Before it was bought out by Marks and Spencer in 1914. There was a Marks and Spencer at the bottom of the High Street until the early 1990’s.

Kempster Store, Saddler and Harness Maker at 170 High Street, Walthamstow, 1910.

Milk delivery barrow in Crownfield Road Leyton, belonging to R.W. Pettit and Son of High Street, Walthamstow, c1917

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Any window covering acts as a form of insulation (as glass convects the outside temperature), so the old fashioned net curtain helped to keep the house warm as well as give daytime seclusion. The Italians use beautiful cotton lace on the bottom half of the window hung on a sprung net-pole, allowing the daylight through the top half. A thicker curtain is then drawn over the whole window in the evening. Plantation shutters and venetian blinds are much favoured and do the whole job with minimum effort. Though lovely, these are a more expensive option.

Why not flip convention around and have a daytime curtain as the main drape and an opaque roller blind over the windowpane during darkness? Shark’s Tooth Gauze (a theatrical fabric used for front lit painted back drops) used as the main curtain, hung in the usual way on a rail all the way to the floor, will let in lots of daylight but give complete privacy at the same time. This appears solid when front lit (daytime street side), but lets in light and can be seen through during the day from inside. In the evening with the light on, it becomes transparent so hence the need for the roller blind. It’s quite cheap (about £25 pm), comes in wide widths (around 1m), has a nice weight, hangs well, and is available in black, white (which can easily be dyed) and grey.

The curtains covering the window in the daytime help to keep out the cold, whilst not concealing the features of the window frame. The opaque blinds provide nighttime privacy.

The blinds will be visible through the closed curtains creating an interesting layered effect.

Do you have a particular niggle about your home? If so email editor@theelist with the problem and it may be answered in a future issue.

To enquire about a personal session with the House Doctor please email penfielding@gmail.com To advertise your business contact ads@theelist.co.uk 25

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Architectural historian, Karen Averby uncovers curiosities and stories from Walthamstow’s rich and varied past

A migrant’s tale The final owners of Sky Peals Estate in Hale End came from humble beginnings first of many children was born when Harris was aged just seventeen. The family moved to England c.1886, firstly renting premises at Coke Street in the German and Polish area of Mile End Old Town, before moving to the predominantly Jewish Wentworth Street, Whitechapel, the site of Petticoat Lane Market.

Harris Ruda’s naturalisation certificate

The Ruda tenure lasted some twenty years, but when Harris Ruda died in 1920 the estate was sold and from 1922 a council housing estate was developed on the land.

Here Harris Ruda Sky Peals House reportedly Harris and Polly Ruda c1890 established and built up a fell into ruin and after a highly successful family-run fish business devastating fire in 1932, it was finally with the assistance of his nine sons. Such demolished in 1935. was their success, that when Harris decided The eldest Ruda son, Simon had moved to to retire to the countryside leaving his nearby Hale End Road, settling at No. 374 sons in charge, he and Polly were able with his wife and children, although he later to purchase a large residence of their moved to Tooting, where he established choosing, which in the words of their greata fish catering business; he also opened a granddaughter Ruth was “unusual…for an renowned fish restaurant in Putney High East End Jewish immigrant family.”

Street. His sister Eva married David Stitcher, The extensive rural setting of Sky Peals brother of Barney Stitcher, owner of a string House and estate provided a stark contrast of grocery stores begun in Bakers Arms. Eva to the crowded East End, and was a rural and David moved to The Avenue, Highams idyll for their family-centric life, with Harris Park, where they were joined by the elderly and Polly surrounded by their many children Polly until her death in 1935. She left effects and grandchildren. The Rudas built a private totalling an impressive £4472 9s 10d, a synagogue and there were also fishponds fantastic amount considering the family’s and a large apple orchard where the local humble beginnings. children would scrump fruit. The estate www.archangelheritage.co.uk hosted countless parties and the house

Much of 19th and 20th century Walthamstow was built upon land formerly occupied by grand and extensive estates, many owned by wealthy city merchants and businessmen. One of the last to be developed was the wonderfully named Sky Peals Estate at the edge of Epping Forest in Hale End, whose final owners came from perhaps unexpectedly The Ruda family appears on the 1911 Census humble beginnings.

In 1900 the estate and large 19th century house was purchased by Polishborn Orthodox Jews, Harris and Polly Ruda, who moved there with many of their children and grandchildren.

Fishmonger Harris Ruda was born in 1856 in , eastern Poland. He and Polly married young, and the

became a retreat of sorts for Jewish families from Wentworth Street and Brick Lane, who would visit at the weekends.

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LOCAL HERO

Fitzroy Andrew

Are you local? I was born in the old Hackney Hospital in October 1960, the third eldest of (eventually) eight siblings. We moved to the Bakers Arms area in 1968, and then again off Grove Green Road in 1970, so all bar the first couple of years of my schooling was in Waltham Forest.

What sort of kid were you? If there’s one thing that got me through school it’s the belief that I could learn pretty much anything I chose to. I was generally pretty good academically and also had the aptitude for sport, so that was a good way of gaining respect amongst peers.

How did the ‘O’levels go? Did OK, though probably would have been better had I not discovered the east London and Essex soul club music scene. There were loads of places playing the latest imported American soul and funk, and people travelled from all over London to drop dance serious moves. Magical places, but not good for the grades!

Your passion continues with a weekly soul show on East London Radio. Indeed, got the record buying bug back due to the early clubbing, and have always had a liking for new music…there’s a lot of modern stuff around that is clearly influenced by the music I grew up listening to but it’s generally not easy to find or hear, so my show (Soulfulized, 4-5pm on Saturday afternoons) gives that music a platform.

What’s your professional background?

Varied - a mix of public, private and voluntary sector as well as self-employment. These days my interest is in charities and social enterprises, and I expect that’s where I’ll stay.

Hence the Forest Recycling Project (FRP).

I saw the job advertised in August 2014, applied, was interviewed, and got it! I’d just moved back to Leytonstone and was keen to get into the local voluntary sector given my roots in the area.

28

What is the idea behind FRP? It was set up in 1989 as one of Waltham Forest’s first social enterprises, and very much came out of local ‘green’ activism promoting reuse and recycling. The original idea was collecting used newspapers and aluminium cans from households – basically a precursor to the kind of recycling collection that is now commonplace these days. The current model, with recycled paint at the forefront along with paper, wood, and other projects – has developed over the last seven or eight years.

Anyone who visits FRP, immediately behind the Hornbeam Centre in Walthamstow, will see shelves and shelves of paint to buy.

What’s the story? Well, most households have tins of paint sitting around unused. Sooner or later you decide to get rid of it. What’s worth knowing is that 99% of waste paint gets buried (at landfill sites) or burned. Both are pretty good ways of releasing dodgy chemicals into the environment.

One alternative to that is taking your surplus paint to household waste and recycling centres.

They can choose to give that paint to people like us (it’s generally cheaper than paying landfill taxes). As most waste paint is perfectly usable, we can then put it on sale at a fraction of the price of brand new paint – so if you’re on a low income or don’t need loads of paint for a

particular job, you can save a lot of money and help to sustain a viable social enterprise.

I’ve also seen a pile of scaffolding boards.

What other recycling projects does the project get involved in? We have a supplier of used scaffold boards which we resell to people who use it to make stuff like shelving or garden furniture. We also have a confidential waste paper collection service for local businesses and organisations.

I notice you also have a good quantity of couscous out the back too. We’ve been part of a couple of local initiatives aimed at redistributing surplus food, so we have a ‘freeshop’ space where anyone can come along and take the food we have available for free. It’s an alternative to the food bank model as anyone can come. There’s greater awareness of the huge amount of food that goes to waste that doesn’t need to, so it’s an important cause to address.

An important part of FRP is the symbiotic relationship it has with its volunteers.

Volunteers have been central to FRP since the very beginning, and our day-to-day services couldn’t run without them. There has always been a focus on working with people who benefit from the experience because it helps them re-engage with the world of work or with society as a whole, and

Photo © Paul Tucker www.paultucker.co.uk

The work of the Forest Recycling Project (FRP) not only saves thousands of gallons of perfectly usable paint from going to landfill or being burnt and polluting the environment but it also uses the income generated from the paint’s resale to support endless other projects. Here Paul Lindt talks to Fitz, FRP’s director.

we believe strongly that volunteering is good for overall well-being.

FRP also encourages aspiring social entrepreneurs. I think this will be a really important area of growth in the future – partly because changing patterns of work show a trend towards what some would call ‘portfolio working’ where people might have two or more strands of activity from which they earn instead of one main job.

Increasingly, people will look to setting up micro-enterprises as part of their mix, and environmental sustainability is a field that very much lends itself to that . We hope to be able to offer space and expertise to people who are interested in setting up environmental micro-enterprises.

How is the project funded? The income we get from paint helps to meet our running costs as a business.

What are your ambitions for the coming year for FRP. As a social enterprise and charity, earning enough to keep ourselves going is the key challenge. We want to maximise trading income whilst also maintaining our support for volunteers - more easily done through grants and donations. That market is tough and becoming more so, so we’ve got to work at it.

Locally you are also involved in Voluntary Action Waltham Forest. Voluntary Action is the body that acts as a support hub for local charities who need advice, training and guidance on a wide range of day-today matters. I used to run the equivalent organisation in Haringey, so I work with Voluntary Action’s board as they have an increasingly important role to play in supporting local groups.

You see the roles of groups like Voluntary Action and FRP as becoming more and more important to the community in the coming years. Local charities make a vital contribution to the quality of life in neighbourhoods, in all sorts of unseen ways. Traditionally, councils have been an important source of support, not least through funding; these days councils have less money (typically around 30% less than three years ago), which means they can do a lot less in terms of services. In practice charities are being expected to fill the gaps being left by councils. So there is a ‘perfect storm’ of higher demand for the services that charities provide, but less money available to support charities doing that work.

Do you think there is an overriding theme to all the projects you’re involved in? I think there are two big challenges in the world today … how do we find ways of living together peaceably across boundaries, especially between those who have plenty compared with those who have less … and how do we do that in ways that keep the planet hospitable and sustainable. At the moment my work encompasses both of those, and I feel privileged to be able to make a contribution.

Thanks for your time Fitz.

Forest Recycling Project 2c Bakers Avenue, Walthamstow E17 9AW 020 8539 3856 www.frponline.org.uk Buying surplus paint will save you on average £4-5 a litre compared to purchasing new paint.

The environmental impact can also be felt with a reduction of 2.4kg of C02 emissions per litre used.

Surplus paint is available from the above address – from £1 per litre (suggested donation): Open: Tuesday to Friday 10am to 4pm, Saturday 10am to 2pm Closed: Monday and Sunday.

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Walthamstow Diary Between forest and marsh lies the glorious Stow.

These are the tales and meanderings of a proud resident of E17 It’s easy to take things for granted isn’t it?

Sometimes you get so used to something that you simply forget how special it is. Manze’s pie and mash shop on the High Street is one of these places. I’d lived in Walthamstow for a fair while before I eventually went in to the grand old shop. I had presumed that everything came with eels, so I avoided it for a few years. My other half assured me that eels and liquor were entirely optional and dragged me in one lunch time on a day off, I fell in love with it straight away, but between visits I always forget just how stunning it is inside.

My latest visit was a couple of Saturdays ago. We’d popped in to the Chequers the night before for a quick pint, a visit that turned in to anything but. We bumped in to a few friends and as if by magic the quick pint turned in to a night out, we left sometime after eleven, the world was looking a little fuzzy around the edges and we relied on the sober dog to get us home safely. Feeling a bit rough the next day, we opted for pie and mash for lunch. As soon as I walked in through the front doors of Manze’s I was slapped around the chops by the magnificence of this amazing shop.

The interior which dates from 1929 has hardly changed since the day it was built. The little shop with its ornate tiled and mirrored walls and pew like benches is like a time capsule.

It transports those who enter back to the 1920’s, furnishes them with its no nonsense but delicious food, and surrounds them with history.

When I’m in there I can’t help but look around, wide eyed and amazed at the beauty of the shop, marvelling that not only did Manze’s survive, it survived as a pie and mash shop.

We are incredibly lucky to have Manze’s on our high street, and we should cherish and support it to ensure it survives for years to come. www.walthamstowdiary.com

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The Magpie’s beady eyes are on the look-out for the shiniest, funniest remarks, witty retorts and bizarre sightings to steal from the borough’s social media channels.

Thanks this month to Twitter and Walthamstow Life, Greater Leyton Tourism Board, Walthamstow (unofficial) Tourist Board & the recently defunct Walthamstow Whine Focebook groups

Macklin Community Festival* @MrMoth: *doffs cap in memory of our fallen leader* @zedwina: We must pull together as a community. I knew Macklin for only a short time but it’s what he would have wanted @rlonguk: Is there a petition yet to bring him back? @zedwina: Now I lay me down 2 sleep, I pray to Macklin my soul 2 keep. If I should die before I wake, please play my face on loop, on the big screen for 2 week Twitter

@GreavsieE17: *Two weeks* now poor Dr David Macklin of @YorksAmbulance has been stuck on the E17 big screen. Poor chap @YorksAmbulance: Our very own Dr David Macklin became quite a star this Christmas in E17 due to a frozen screen #FameAtLast #OurHero @GreavsieE17: Big news E17! Poor David Macklin is frozen on the big screen no more.

Well done @wfcouncil, only took 2wks to fix. @lucyhharrison: I don’t know about you, but I’m going to really miss him @GreavsieE17: Me too, and @nickbason said the same like a @YorksAmbulance protector looking down on us. We’ll miss him for sure @YorksAmbulance: Thanks for the fabulous tweets. Hope you don’t miss him too much we need him here in #Yorkshire @thestowfestival: I wonder if he’s in a band? He could play Stowfest! @benbrignell: We should have an annual Macklin day (which is 2 weeks long) @zedwina: Everyone can switch their TV to the Macklin channel, & children will make Macklin masks & parade to the town square @zedwina: And for two weeks we shall become Macklinstow. @GreavsieE17: Stowfest, panto & turning on the Christmas lights- he’s going to be busy! @lucyhharrison: At the very least, @ TheEList_e17 could do a ‘local hero’ feature @benbrignell: I MISS HIM SO MUCH @zedwina: *Quietly tears up plans for E17

We are working with the Food Standards Agency to bring in a more granular scale so restaurants serving the Leytonstone delicacies of Cold Fried Chicken and Warm Kebab can be recognised for scoring a 1.2, 1.65 or 1.9 out of 5 instead of simply a 1.

Greater Leyton Tourism Board

Mattress photo by Michael Holmes

Town Square screen photo by Martin Greaves

Poor geezer on Walthamstow big screen *still* frozen with same pained expression.

11 days now.

Nothing to see here, just a mattress going for a quick dip #NothingReallyMattress W(U)TB: Either that or he’s very sad he didn’t make it into this year’s mattress calendar.

MC: I hope it’s wearing a mattress protector JS: Is it a still from an Attenborough documentary. Has it stopped and left the herd for a drink. Is it going to be attacked by a fridge. Eek I can’t look!

LC: He is clearly suicidal and someone photographs him for likes. Bad times.

JR: Divan intervention needed Walthamstow (unofficial) Tourist Board

As this is Walthamstow, what is the collective noun for abandoned mattresses?

RF: A rent increase of mattresses?

SJ: Club mattress?

ML: Bed Bug Lasagna?

TB: A breeding RC: A dormitory FM: Plural = matri and those that photograph said matri are known as the matterazzi. The collective noun may be a “fly tip” of matri AS: A homelessness.

LN: A Stuntman’s Landing LN: An arson’s delight AM: A spring SB: A stain BR: A mank of mattresses KT: If present in sufficient quantity, surely a Billet?

AS: An ‘orgy’ of mattresses.

GA: I do like the idea of a mank of mattri.

We ought to get it into the OED. GA: A clunge of mattri?

TB: An eviction SM: A slump.

MW: Bouncy castle PR: At Christmas it should be a Silentnight of mattresses LC: Matri-moan-y of mattri KM: A loaf of mattresses NL: A flop of mattresses JD: A sleepover?

GD: Mattrosity CD: A slumber.

GD: Matropolis MS: Lost dreams sandwich.

PH: A dirge.

LT: A Stow of Mattresses Walthamstow Life The Victoria Line Nose Snorting Choir is holding an impromptu performance on my journey this morning. How delightful!

If you’re lucky you might catch their deep slurpy harmonies in your carriage. @Walthamstow Whine 31

Third Avenue E17 Offers in Excess of ÂŁ450,000

A Wonderful Victorian Flat With Tremendous Character This stunning flat has been decorated to a high standard, retaining original features, high ceilings and wooden floors. Situated just a moments walk from the cafes, pubs and restaurants of Walthamstow Village and numerous transport links.

The expansive lounge/diner has a wooden floor, cast iron fireplace and plenty of space to relax and enjoy, with light flooding in from the large bay window. Along the corridor you find the stylish bathroom and modern kitchen. There are two double bedrooms, one adjacent to the lounge and the second at the rear of the flat, both with room for storage. A perfect flat for any first time buyer or professional couple.

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5. Shernhall Street E17 2 bed terrace house for sale Offers in region of £560,000

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6. Forest Road E17 3 bed end terrace house for sale Offers in excess of £550,000 7. Melville Road E17 2 bed flat to rent £358 pw : £1,550 pcm 8. Eden Road E17 1 bed flat for sale Offers in excess of £350,000

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February’s gallery

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3. Parnell Road, Bow E3 1 bed flat to rent £300 pw : £1,300 pcm 4. Boundary Road E17 1 bed flat for sale Offers in excess of £250,000

1 4 1. St. Stephens Avenue E17 3 bed terraced house for sale Offers in excess of £750,000 2. Beulah Road E17 3 bed flat to rent £369 pw : £1,600 pcm

Walthamstow’s Estate Agent

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020 8520 9300 estates17.co.uk 40 Orford Road E17

“it’s a

Walthamstow thing”...

0208 520 9300 • www.estates17.co.uk • 40 Orford Road E17 9NJ

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