Blogs - Newsroom and Reader Blogs for Epping Forest, Waltham Forest, Wanstaed & Woodford

Janet Wright disagreed when council leader Clyde Loakes said Walthamstow needed "a kick up the backside". The kicks came thick and fast as the council slashed gallery and museum opening hours, closed a library, threw out qualified staff, sent books to the incinerator, condemned the one remaining theatre -- and threatened to stud the town with tower blocks. Janet Wright is a local author who wants Waltham Forest council to stop kicking Walthamstow. More to the point, Walthamstow is a wonderful town with an enviable character and community life, well worth defending, and is the star of this blog.

A BETTER WALTHAM FOREST IS POSSIBLE

Uninspired by the Tweedledum-and-Tweedledee party politics of Waltham Forest? Don’t boycott the election: one of the best ways to freshen up this borough’s stagnant political pond is to vote for an independent or small-party candidate. Read their manifestos and see if they speak for you.

VOTE FOR ST JAMES STREET LIBRARY

This week’s council elections offer a once-every-four-years chance to vote for the services you want to keep or get back. And in my part of Walthamstow, the one we miss most is St James Street Library.

Snow joke, skidding on ice

I’ve just discovered a form of exercise that makes you look good as well as feeling good: shovelling snow from in front of your house. It’s surprising how long the pavement stays clear once you’ve done it. And it promotes that elusive benefit, community spirit.

Going to the Dogs

Race off to Vestry House Museum this weekend, for your last chance to see Katherine Green’s photo exhibition about Walthamstow greyhound stadium. Our much-loved dog track is, like so many local treasures, standing sad and empty now. “Going to the Dogs” is a wonderfully evocative look at the closing days of a venue that defined Walthamstow for more than 70 years.

Independents for Waltham Forest!

If you’re sick of this council’s shenanigans and ready to vote for a change, come to a meeting this Sunday afternoon. Local residents have? been thinking about standing as independent candidates in next year’s council elections, and your views will count.

Chrisbo, get your notebook ready

Could the financial disasters of Waltham Forest council be about to make the big time? They’re really too fascinating to keep to ourselves.

Councillors, is it worth risking your seat?

Waltham Forest councillors, be warned: selling off St James Street Library could cost you your seat. More than 2,000 people signed a petition to get the library reopened, while no councillor in Waltham Forest got more than 1500 votes in the last election. And with a group of independents now looking at standing in next year’s elections, voters at last will have a real choice.

Art for the people, by the people

Waltham Forest, big on envirocrime

Waltham Forest council has discovered the environment, heaven be praised. Are they composting market waste, expanding the recycling service or even using the fleet of electric vehicles they bought years ago? No – they’re threatening to fine people who ‘damage’ trees by pinning up lost-pet adverts.

And the trumpet shall sound

Alleluia! Walthamstow has got our award-winning brass band back, just in time to celebrate its centenary – and a string of prestigious wins. East London Brass has had a terrific year, including a hat-trick of first prizes and a place in the national brass band finals. Now its chances of winning the big award rest on raising enough funds to take the band to Harrogate in September.