On Friday 9 December Jerome Anderson will be hosting swing, Jive and R and B music from the 40's,50's and beyond at the 'It's a Swing Thing! Christmas Ball'. 8pm 'till late, £8 in advance £12 on the door. At Ye Olde Rose & Crown Pub, 53-55 Hoe Street, E17 4SA. For tickets and information contact Jerome on 07931 507760.
On Saturday 10 December Dr Carl Levy will be giving a talk on the encounters between William Morris and Italian anarchist Errico Malatesta. The talk will be held at The Epicentre, West Street, Leytonstone, E11 4LJ; and begins at 8pm with a buffet served from 7:30pm. Free entry.
On Saturday 10 December 'Punk For The Homeless' is a benefit gig that will see five bands including E17's inimitable Steve White and Protest Family headlining. It's free but it is a fundraiser so donations welcome. From 7pm at The Bell, Forest Road (at the junction with Chingford Road), E17.
On Sunday 11 December the first of two Bakers Arms Christmas Bazaars will be hosted by the Hornbeam Centre and Forest Recycling Project. 11am - 3pm inside the Forest Recycling Project and Hornbeam Café, 458 Hoe Street, E17 9AH.
On Sunday 11 December there will be an Antique & Collectors Fair Christmas Special from 11am to 430pm at Walthamstow Cricket Club, 48a Greenway Avenue, E17 3QN. It's just behind Wood Street Overground Station. Free Parking.
On Sunday 11 December Walthamstow Family Bike Club's last ride of the year will be a great opportunity to burn off a few calories and make a bit of room for some overindulgence during the festive season. Meet at 1pm at Orford Road/Church Lane; they aim to get back no later than 5pm. Join the Club's distribution list by emailing.
On Tuesday 13, Thursday 15 and Friday 16 December Walthamstow Toy Library's Christmas Party Will take place during session time (10am-12pm). Age group 0-5 years. Age group 0-5 years. Admission by ticket only.
Email or phone 020 8509 3401 for tickets. Member ticket price: One child £5, family ticket £8. Non-members: One child £8, family ticket £10. At Comely Bank Community Clinic, 46 Ravenswood Road, E17 9LY.
On Tuesday 13 December WVRA will be carol singing around the Village Christmas tree. Join us on at 7pm for mulled wine and mince pies outside East London Sausage Co (the butcher's) on Orford Road. Carols will start at 7.30 round the tree on the Village Square on the corner of Orford and Eden Roads.
On Tuesday 13 December the Royal British Legion will host a Christmas Quiz at the Warrant Officer PH, Higham Hill Road. Starting at 8pm. Buffet provided, please RSVP by email, anyone dressed as Santa will have free entry.
On Thursday 15 December the final Red Drinks of 2012 will be from 7.30pm at Ye Olde Rose and Crown, 53 Hoe Street, E17 4SA. Red Drinks is for Labour and Labour-minded people, everyone is welcome whether you're a Party member or not. It's a chance to talk about local, national and international politics and anything else that interests you.
On Thursday 15 December Screen17 cinema will be screening 'Miracle on 34th Street' (Dir George Seaton, 1947, U). Festive refreshments will be available with a licensed bar until 11pm. Tickets are £8 (£6 OAP conc) and available on the door or online. Doors open 7.45pm, Film starts 8.30pm.
On Saturday 17 December Screen17 cinema's Kids' Film Club will be screening 'The Wizard of Oz' (Dir Victor Fleming, 1939, U). Suitable for 11 years and under. Doors open 10am. Scribble and Smudge film related craft session 10am - 10.30am. Film starts 10.45am. Tickets £5.50 child, £4 adults, under 2s free, and available on the door or online.
On Saturday 17 December local residents in Wood Street are holding a festive gathering in Wood Street Plaza on from 4pm - 6pm. There will be carol singing, music, a 'best dressed festive dog' competition and free mulled wine (non-alcoholic) and cakes. Indoor space is available in case of bad weather.
Local Youth Opportunity: Olympic Legacy Company recruits 2012 Youth Panel
The Olympic Park Legacy Company is recruiting for the 2012 Legacy Youth Panel to help shape and develop the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The Legacy Youth Panel is made up of 30 young people from the host boroughs who have the unique opportunity to contribute to the long term planning and future of the Park. Young people aged between 14 and 19 years old from Waltham Forest can apply.
The 2011 Legacy Youth Panel will present and share their experiences at PARK LIFE, a celebration and recruitment event on Saturday 10 December between 5.30pm and 8.30pm at the Rich Mix Centre, 35 - 47 Bethnal Green Road, Bethnal Green, E1 6LA. To register for a free place at the event either email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or text 07961 001 513. Please provide your full name, age, email address and the borough of your home or studies.
Where to find me this week...
• Friday 9 December popping into the Over 60s Christmas lunch at Walthamstow Assembly Hall
• Saturday 10 December attending the Lea Bridge library Christmas Fun Day
• Monday 12 December at the Home Office Question Time in parliament
• Wednesday 14 December attending the LSE conference on the summer riots
• Thursday 15 December attending George Monoux College for the launch of the Helios Solar Power Project
• Friday 16 December campaigning to tackle legal loan sharks in Walthamstow with Ken Livingstone (details below) and then attending the Over 60s Christmas Party at the Town Hall
Local jobs: Vacancies at Walthamstow Toy Library
The Walthamstow Toy Library at Comely Bank clinie are recruiting for two positions
• A Toy Librarian/ Play Worker (12 hrs/wk, £7.15 p/h) requiring a candidate with an NVQ Level 2 in Early Years Care and Education, CRB check, and at least 3 years working with the under 5s.
• A Family Support Volunteer (6 hrs/wk, Unpaid Voluntary Work) to welcome families into the centre.
Please email Carla for full job descriptions and application form.
Steam train to run through Walthamstow tomorrow
Barking – Gospel Oak Line Users Group (BGOLUG) have announced that only the second steam train since the 1960s will be travelling through Walthamstow on Saturday 10 December. The Cathedrals Express should be passing through between 10:30am and 10:45am on the Barking -Gospel Oak Line, and returning at approximately 9pm. Though the train is fully booked residents should be able to see the train as it passes through. BGOLUG represents the line's passengers and campaign for improved services and station facilities, and also for the electrification of the only non-electrified railway in North East London.
Debt on our Doorstep: Legal Loan Sharks, Ken Visit and Heat or Eat Collection
This week new research was published revealing 3.5 million Brits are at risk of requiring a payday loan to make ends meet given their fragile financial status. The research also shows a third of those who do take out these loans do so to pay off previous payday loans, as many get caught in a spiral of debt because the interest rates on these loans are so high. I've been calling on the government to cap the costs these companies can charge for such loans - if you haven't already please sign the petition.
I want these legal loan sharks tackled because I see the debts they cause here in our area. I'm delighted that Ken Livingstone will be joining me next Friday 16 December at lunchtime in our high street in Walthamstow. We will be outside the payday loan shops in Walthamstow leafleting to raise awareness of the problems their unregulated industry causes and of our local credit union as an affordable alternative source of funds. If you like to join us in this campaign please do get in touch.
So too I'm also supporting an initiative from one of our local Surestart Centres. Sybourn Children's Centre is trying to help families who are unable to afford their food and utility bills. They are asking for donations of food which should be long life and not fresh, as well as children's toys. They will then identify our families in most need and ask if they would like to receive a food parcel. Donations should be dropped off at the Sybourn Children's Centre, 2A Perth Road, E10 7PB. If you would like to make a substantial donation and they will try to arrange a collection. For more information call 020 3405 2370.
Supporting Young People through Sport: Debate
On Tuesday I spoke on behalf of the opposition in a Westminster Hall debate on whether sport could help reduce youth crime. During this speech I talked about many of our local groups as well as the value of sport to our area. You can read the speech here.
Grow Your Own Theatre come to E17
For just £70, 11-14yrs and 15-18yrs can become a member of Walthamstow's brand new Youth Theatre. Involving drama, music and dance, the theatre starts on 9 January at Harmony Hall, Truro Road. Furthermore, on 22 December children can take part in Make a Sparkly Mini-show at The Mill, Coppermill Lane (St James Street)– and take home a DVD of their mini (5 mins) creation. Lots of sparkly lights, costumes and tinsel guaranteed! More details and booking online.
Stella Creasy, Labour and Co-Operative MP for Walthamstow
23 Orford Road Walthamstow E17 9NL 020 8521 1223
www.workingforwalthamstow.org.uk
