On Saturday 14 January at 7:30pm the Nowhere Club will present an evening devoted to The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). There will be a talk about the history of the most successful consumer campaign in Europe, followed by tastings of some locally brewed beers. Free entry – please bring something along for the buffet. At The Epicentre, West Street, Leytonstone, E11 4LJ.
The Walthamstow Family Wassail takes place on Saturday 14 January from 2.30pm - 5pm, to welcome in the New Year in an ancient English way. Traditional songs, lantern-making workshop and parade for all ages, starting at Vestry House Museum, ending at Wingfield Park. Entrance £2 for first child, £1 for additional children.
The following day will see the Wassail for adults – on Sunday 15 January from 4pm-8pm. Wassail around Walthamstow, starting at the Nags Head pub, Orford Rd, ending at the Folk Club at the Olde Rose and Crown pub, Hoe Street. Choose how you learn the songs: by ear at Vestry House Museum 11am-1pm, or from sheet music at the Nags Head 2pm-4pm. Suggested donation £2. Both organised by Scribble & Smudge.
On Thursday 19 January Screen17 cinema will be showing 'Bridesmaids' (Cert 15). Tickets are £8 (£6 OAP conc) and available on the door or online. Doors open 7.45pm, Film starts 8.30pm. This event will also include a Film Swap Shop – bring along the film(s) you have finished with and see what films you fancy from the other audience members. Doors open 7.45pm/ Film Swap Shop 8 -8.30pm/ Film 8.30/ Close 11pm.
On Saturday 21 January Screen17 cinema's Kids' Film Club will be screening Matilda (Cert PG). Doors open 10am/ Craft 10-10.30am/ Film 10.45am/ Close 12.30pm. Tickets £5.50 child, £4 adults, under 2s free, and available on the door or online.
Also on Saturday 21 January there will be a quiz night in Aid of the Mayor's Fund/ Haven House Children's Hospice will take place from 7pm at Holy Family College at 1 Shernhall Street. Tickets are £10 per person,with tables of 8 maximum, but fewer people will be seated and very welcome. Fish & chips or chicken & chips (Please state your preference when booking) will be provided. Please bring your own drink (alcohol allowed) and nibbles. To book please contact Steve at the Town Hall on 020 8496 4399.
On Sunday 22 January the Movement for Change are holding an introduction to community organising in Walthamstow. Labour supporters and members are invited to this interactive session where they can learn more about how to achieve change in our community. Find out what a local member thought of the training by reading this blog. The training will run from 11am to 1:30pm,please contact Kathryn for more information or to request a place.
Witch Hunt Exhibition at the Vestry House Museum
A new exhibition comes to Vestry House Museum exploring the East Anglian witch-hunt of 1645-47. With her broomstick, pointed hat and black cat, the witch is one of the most iconic and infamous characters from fairytale, folklore and fiction. Yet behind this image lies a true story of paranoia and persecution during the 16th and 17th centuries. This exhibition explains how and why this tragedy occurred. 14 January to 25 March, Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm.
Nominations for Love Your Borough Awards open
Waltham Forest Council is holding its third 'Love Your Borough' awards in 2012. This is a chance to reward and recognise the people who help put the spirit back into their area and promote pride in the borough. The ceremony will celebrate the efforts of local people, businesses and voluntary or charitable groups who make a difference in Waltham Forest.
Visit the Council's website for more information and to nominate. The closing date for nominations is 6 February.
Leaseholder Update
If you are a warner resident considering extending your lease, you may like to know the Warner Residents Action Group are looking at applying as a group to secure a discount on the costs. If this would be of interest to join, please get in touch and I will put you in touch with the Group.
Where to find me this week...
• Friday 13 January visiting the CLaSS adult education centre in Walthamstow and holding an appointment only surgery (please note this is fully booked).
• Saturday 14 January holding a drop in advice surgery for local residents in Walthamstow Mall between 12pm and 2pm, and then addressing the Labour Women's Network Training Weekend Conference
• Sunday 15 January attending a Ruach Ministry 'prayer for the nation' event in Greenleaf Road.
• Thursday 19 January meeting with the BBC to discuss concerns about the coverage of women in sport
• Friday 20 January leafleting against legal loan sharks in Walthamstow High Street between 1pm and 2pm (see below for more details)
• Sunday 22 January attending the Blackhorse Road Baptist Church
Defeating Debt in Walthamstow: Get Involved!
When I was elected I made a commitment to our community to tackle household debt in Walthamstow. I'm asking residents to help me to do this in a number of ways this month.
On Friday 20 January at 1pm I will be leafleting outside our local legal loan sharks in Walthamstow High Street to raise awareness about the damage these firms do to household finances and encourage residents who are short of cash following christmas to use our local credit union's services instead.
On Tuesday 24 January I am running a free training workshop for anyone who works with residents of Walthamstow in either a professional or voluntary capacity to help develop local understanding of what advice and services are available to residents to help them tackle their debts.
This training will last two hours and take place at the William Morris Community Centre on Greenleaf Road between 10am and 12pm. You don't have to have any background in welfare issues to attend and the training will be given by our local representatives of the Citizens Advice Bureau, Christians Against Poverty, Waltham Forest Community Credit Union and insolvency practitioners.
Finally, on Saturday 28 January I will be collecting food for local families as part of the 'heat or eat' scheme in Walthamstow town centre between 11.30am and 2pm.
If you would like to attend any of these activities simply reply to this email.
Appeal for photos of Walthamstow High Street – before and after the legal loan sharks
I'm looking for photos of the High Street which highlight the proliferation of legal loan sharking shops over the past few years. Any photos of the High Street locations before companies such as Oakam, The Moneyshop, Cash Generators, Cash Converters, Albermarle, Brighthouse or Fish Brothers arrived, and any in its current state, would be greatly appreciated.
Walthamstow Dogtrack Campaign Meeting
The campaign for the restoration of the Walthamstow Dog Track is holding a public meeting to discuss how to save the track. The meeting will be on Monday 23 January from 7-9pm at Rushcroft School near the track. It is a chance for residents to question the Council's planning officers about L&Q's plans for the greyhound stadium.
The campaigners are also looking for people to help deliver leaflets and raise awareness of the alternative proposal for the site - if you would like to help please contact them via their website.
Young Walthamstow film makers want your support
Untethered Films is a local collective of young film makers and actors who are in the process of establishing themselves as a registered company. They looking for legal advice, financial advice, and financial support. Find out more at their website or help them by supporting their fundraising drive.
Stella Creasy, Labour and Co-Operative MP for Walthamstow
23 Orford Road Walthamstow E17 9NL 020 8521 1223
www.workingforwalthamstow.org.uk
