SPOTLIGHT ON WOODFORD GREEN: "Village" atmosphere of area praised (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

SPOTLIGHT ON WOODFORD GREEN: "Village" atmosphere of area praised

4:43pm Wednesday 10th March 2010 in

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WHAT makes Woodford Green special? Reporter CLAIRE HACK finds out as the Guardian shines the spotlight on the area.

THE best things about Woodford Green are its small independent shops and friendly people, which give it its “villagey” atmosphere, shoppers and residents say.

Linda Franco, 65, of Charter Road, Woodford Green said: “I do like the area. I've been here for 35 years.

“It's very quiet and it's on the borders of Highams Park, so we've got the park and trees.

“It's not too crowded but it's still quite close to central London – I go there several times a week.”

Brett Bluck, 47, of Hawthorne Road, Buckhurst Hill, who walks his dog in the area, added: “It's a quiet, friendly area.

“You never get any trouble down here.”

Gustav Deysel, 31, of Ingatestone Road, Woodford Green, added people are always polite to each other in the street.

He said: “It's a nice neighbourhood – everyone greets each other.

“You don't have to know someone to greet them and get a response.”

Jennifer Hawes, 38, of Elmfield Road, Chingford, is to start work in Barclay's bank next week and said her first impression was that it was an upper class area – but it does have its downsides.

She said: “There's nowhere to park – I had to drive round and round and that's put me off.”

Maria Martins, 64, of Sinclair Road, Chingford, who comes to Woodford Green to do her banking, said: “There are a good few little shops. I come to the bank here and then I'll go to the post office as well.”

Anna Smith, 22, of Larkshall Road, Chingford, commented on how tranquil the area is.

She said: “It's a pretty nice area. You've got good schools so there aren't many problems with kids.

“It's peaceful here.”