Film and cinema

Love Your High Street Leytonstone Saturday 8 June

Love Your High StreetSaturday 8 June 2013 is Love Your High Street Day in Leytonstone organised by the London Borough of Waltham Forest and E11 BID.

There will be a day of activities in Leytonstone Town Centre including a pop up Hitchcock cinema, silent disco, open day at St John’s Church and regular activities like the E11 Market.

Don’t miss the opportunity too to visit the Stone Space’s Star Walls exhibition which closes on 9 June and Woodhouse Players’ The Oedipus Plays on Friday 7 and Saturday 8 June.

Waltham Forest residents will also get vouchers to spend in local shops.

Watch Jonathan Ross on Hitchcock tonight

Leytonstone tubeDon’t forget to watch ITV’s documentary tonight 10pm-11pm about Sir Alfred Hitchcock presented by Jonathan Ross. Both Hitchcock and Ross were born in Leytonstone, so this documentary promises to give a unique insight into Hitchcock, who is celebrated in Leytonstone with mosaics of his films at Leytonstone tube on the Central Line.

More information:

Ward Forums, film and charity fair

WardForumsThis week sees ward forums with local councillors for Leytonstone, Cann Hall and Cathall wards.

There’s also a screening of The Soloist at Leytonstone Library on Wednesday.

And don’t forget the charity market on Wednesday at O’Neill’s.
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New music venue opens this Saturday

The Plough and Harrow turns into a music venue this weekend with its Venue Launch Party on Saturday. There’s also live music at The Crown on Saturday evening and this Saturday is also due to see the opening of the E11 Market, outside Matalan.

Reside continues at the Stone Space and next Wednesday Leytonstone Film Club is screening the French film 36 Quai des Orfèvres.

Leytonstone doesn’t have a cinema, but the cinemas will be full from the end of this week with a new film about Sir Alfred Hitchcock, who was, of course, born in Leytonstone.

10 January–17 February 2013

Reside: at The Stone Space

The Stone SpaceOpen Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Check their website for eact times:

Saturday 2 February

E11 Market

Due to open for the first time Outside Matalan. Check their website for updates:

Saturday 2 February, 2.30pm

Heavy Metal, St John’s Church Bellringers

Website: St John’s Church

The Plough and Harrow

The Plough and Harrow

Saturday 2 February

Venue Launch Party

Plough and Harrow. Check their website and Facebook page for more details:

Wednesday 6 February

Screening of “36 Quai des Orfèvres”

Leytonstone LibraryDir: Olivier Marchal. (2004) France; 111 min (15).
Leytonstone Pop-Up Cinema, at Church Lane Library. Check their website for full details:
Website: www.leytonstonefilmclub.com

Looking ahead

Woodhouse Players

Book ahead for the next production from the Woodhouse Players, who are celebrating their 30th anniversary this year:

Triple Bill

  • Glengarry Glen Ross by David Mamet
  • A Separate Peace by Tom Stoppard
  • The Book Club of Little Witterington by Joan Greening

Fri 8 and Sat 9 March 2013
Fri 15 and Sat 16 March 2013
Welsh Church Hall
Website: www.woodhouseplayers.co.uk

History, raised beds, theatre and art

Some of the events happening in Leytonstone this weekend and beyond. Please check with each organisation’s website for more details and confirm with them directly, where necessary, for availability.

Saturday 10 November

Young Historians in Leyton Take to the Street!

Martin Spafford, inspirational history teacher, and young people

Former history students from George Mitchell School and their teacher talk about their award winning film. Check the News from Nowhere Club website for details.

Venue: Epicentre, West St, Leytonstone E11 4LJ

7 to 10 November

Fiesta Latina

A hot celebration of everything Latin!

Friday 9, and Saturday 10 November

Woodhouse Players — A voyage around my father

Welsh Church Hall, 879 Leytonstone High Road, E11 1HR

Transition Leytonstone Community Garden site

Church Lane Community Garden, Harold Road, E11 4QX

Sunday 11 November, 11am–3pm

Raised Beds Workshop (that’s vegetable or flower beds!)

Meet your neighbours and learn about building raised beds!

The entrance to the Community Garden is at the bottom of the foot-bridge over the A12, near where Harold Road meets Vernon Road.

On Sunday 2 December Transition Walthamstow is running a Draughtbusting Workshop which is also open to people from Leytonstone.

Until 11 November

The Stone Space Tumbled House Exhibition

This exhibition continues until 11 November. Check the Stone Space website for opening days and times.

Friday, 16 November, 19:30 until 00:30

Lost Horrizons present All Things Considered

Upstairs at The Heathcote Arms 344 Grove Green Road Leytonstone E11

Supported by Louis Gilman Will O’Donoghue and Bob Munton

More details: Lost Horrizons on Facebook

Do you live in Leytonstone and have an interesting story to tell?

A photography student from Leytonstone who is studying at Westminster University is looking for people/events to photograph that demographically represent this area —dysfunctional families or anyone with an interesting story to tell. In exchange she will give you free prints. If you can spare an hour or two please get in touch with her.

St John's Tower looking West and towards the City

Fireworks, compost, music,theatre and film

The nights are darker but there’s plenty going on in Leytonstone to lighten the mood in the next week or so.

Leytonstone Wanstead Flats and Canary Wharf from St John's TowerThursday 1 November, 20:00 until 21:45

Live classical music and tower tour

St John’s Church, Church Lane Leytonstone, E11

The season of magnificent views from St John’s Church Tower is nearing an end with one more opportunity tonight and a special for bonfire night (see below).

In 360 degrees you can see the O2, Olympic Park, right across the City to the London Eye, the Shard and even Alexandra Palace as well as Epping Forest, Whipps Cross and Wanstead Flats. The evening starts off with live music and finishes with a warm drink.

If you don’t fancy going up the tower, there’s an invitation to attend the concert for free instead.

Friday 2 November (and 3, 9, and 10 November)

Woodhouse Players — A voyage around my father

Welsh Church Hall, 879 Leytonstone High Road, E11 1HR

Transition Leytonstone Community Garden siteSunday 4 November, 11am to 3pm

Transition Leytonstone Composting Workshop

Church Lane Community Garden, Harold Road, E11 4QX

Go along to the new Community Garden to meet the neighbours and learn all about building clean, effective compost containers and top composting technique. Take a packed lunch to eat and /or share!

The entrance to the Community Garden is at the bottom of the foot-bridge over the A12, near where Harold Road meets Vernon Road.

On Sunday 11 November there is also a Raised Beds Workshop (that’s vegetable or flower beds!)

On Sunday 2 December Transition Walthamstow is running a Draughtbusting Workshop which is also open to people from Leytonstone.

St John's Tower looking West and towards the City

Monday 5 November, 7pm (booking essential)

Live classical music and tower tour Bonfire Night Special

St John’s Church, Church Lane, Leytonstone

Live jazz will start the grand finale of this year’s tower tours: a bird’s eye view of Bonfire Night displays in Waltham Forest and all over Essex and London, with homemade gingerbread and hot chocolate or coffee at the top of the tower.

Reverend Raymond Draper, vicar of St John’s, says: “Our Sunset over London and London by Night tours started in June and have been a great success. The tours have helped towards the outstanding cost of the recent tower repairs and restoration, but more importantly visitors have discovered this beautiful church, enjoyed wonderful music, and had an inspiring experience of London. The special tours for the Olympic opening and closing ceremonies were a highlight, and we’re very much looking forward to more fireworks for our final tour of 2012 on November 5.”

Only 20 places available. Tickets for 5 November are £50. Sorry, no under-8s.

To book

5 November 2012, 5pm-10pm

Waltham Forest Council Bonfire Night Fantastic Fireworks Display

Chestnuts Field, Waltham Forest Town Hall Complex, Forest Road, Walthamstow, E17 4JF

This is a free event for all Waltham Forest residents. There will be fireworks, music, entertainment, fairground rides and a wide range of refreshments to snack on.

More details: Waltham Forest Council website

Wednesday 7 November, 7.45pm

Leytonstone Film Club

Alice (15). Dir: Marco Martins. (2005) Portugal; 102 min.

Leytonstone Library, Church Lane, E11 1HG

Thursday 8 November

Casino Fun Night

at the Star of India.

Until 11 November

The Stone Space Tumbled House Exhibition

This exhibition continues until 11 November. Check the Stone Space website for opening days and times.

Welsh Church Hall

This weekend in Leytonstone

Woodhouse Players present

“Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet)”

by Ann-Marie MacDonald

Welsh Church HallWelsh Church Hall 879 High Road Leytonstone E11 1HR

  • Fri 21 September 8pm
  • Sat 22 September 2.30 and 8pm
  • Fri 28 September 8pm
  • Sat 29 September 2.30 and 8pm

Tickets £8 (£5 concessions)
Book online: www.woodhouseplayers.co.uk
Phone reservations: 020 8504 3872

Transition Leytonstone

3rd Birthday Barn Dance

Transition Leytonstone are celebrating their third birthday with a barn dance on Saturday. from 7:30pm to 11:30pm, 603 High Road Leytonstone.

More details: Project Dirt website

Leytonstone Arts Trail

Not actually in Leytonstone, but a documentary shot mostly in Leytonstone with one of its celebrated artists, Patrick Brill:

Looking ahead

Saturday 29 September

St John’s Michaelmas Fair

St John's Church, Town CentreSt John’s will be hosting its annual fair with a bouncy castle, miniature railway, bell ringing demonstration, stall with homemade cakes, jams, books, plants, live music and lots more.

Admission is free and the fair is open to all members of the community.

Don’t forget St John’s also has a regular weekly programme of free lunchtime concerts on a Thursday lunchtime and Sunset Tours of The Tower on Thursday evenings for stunning views over London. The church also hosts a number of community clubs including Zumba Dance, Keep Fit, Tai Chi, Bellringing, ‘Cheeky Monkeys’ and ‘Acting Bugs’ Children’s Drama Group.

More details:

(Mostly) not the Olympics

Hollow pondsIf the Olympics is not your thing and you’ve chosen to stay in Leytonstone rather than risk sunburn and heat fatigue from somewhere abroad, here are a  few suggestions to keep yourself occupied.

Hire a boat on Hollow Ponds, pop into a Leytonstone pub or restaurant for a meal or …

Wandering Rocks exhibition

Stone Space

Check the Stone Space website for opening days and times. There’s also a new display in the Slate gallery window next door.

Now until 12 August

International Peace Quilts

The Stone Space Projects Gallery (outside Leytonstone tube)

The International Peace Quilt project will be on display in The Stone Space Projects Gallery, Station Forecourt, Leytonstone from July 28th to August 12th with a special viewing on August 3rd at 3.pm. Gary Hall jr winner of 10 Olympic Swimming medals and recently joining the U.S. hall of fame is to view the project during his time in London for the Games.

More information on Facebook

Thursday 2 August

Sunset Tours from the Tower

St John’s Church

The forecast for this Thursday is looking good at the moment, so if you’ve not yet seen the wonderful views from the top of St John’s Church Tower, this week must be a hot favourite for your diary while the Olympics is still on. You’re asked to book in advance: see St John’s Church website for details.

Thursday 2 August

William Morris Gallery reopening

It’s not in Leytonstone, but as it serves the whole borough including Leytonstone they deserve a mention. After a period of closure for refurbishment, the William Morris Gallery is reopening on Thursday 2 August.

When the gallery reopens there will be more of this unique collection on display, including new interactive displays.

The gallery will now be fully accessible and there will be a new special exhibition gallery, an improved shop and a tea room with wi-fi where you can admire the views over the newly-refurbished Lloyd Park.

3 August deadline

Voting for the Forest Film Fest

The final event in the Council’s Big 6 programme, is now open and residents are being asked to vote for the films they want to see on the big screen.

There are seven categories to vote in:

  1. Children’s Disney and Pixar
  2. Alfred Hitchcock and horror
  3. Sports related
  4. General and action
  5. Blockbuster
  6. Classics
  7. James Bond (probably not including any royalty …)

More information

Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 August

The 2012 Festival of Sport

The fifth of the Council’s Big 6 events programme, takes place at Waltham Forest Town Hall on Saturday and Sunday. Watch the Olympic Games on the giant screen, master a sport of your choice, speak to professionals for advice.

More information

Sunday 5 August

‘Godiva Awakes’

A 10 metre high puppet of Godiva, powered by cyclists, will travel through the borough, starting at Ridgeway Park in Chingford, through the Crooked Billet roundabout and onto Waltham Forest Town Hall as part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad.

More information

Friday 3 August

Raj against the machine

491 Gallery

491 Gallery
Blending the best in performance, music, live bands, art and dance… Raj Against the Machine will provide the audience with a spectacular experience.

More information: www.skiddle.com

Summer Daze schools summer fun

There are activities and events in over 50 schools across the borough this summer for children, young people and their families during the school summer holidays running from Monday 30 July to Friday 24 August. See the Council’s website for more information.

More information

Tuesday 14 August

Woodhouse Players: play choosing meeting

Looking ahead, The Woodhouse Players are meeting on the 14th to choose their Christmas Panto, if you want to take part, see their website for more details:

Leytonstone Festival, Arts Trail and the Olympic Torch

Leytonstone Arts Trail 2012Festival and Arts Trail

It’s the last weekend of Leytonstone Festival and Leytonstone Arts Trail and there’s still a packed programme of Festival events and art appearing all over the area, not just in the 16 venues taking part but also in people’s windows and gardens.

With the sun reckoned to make a much delayed appearance it promises to be a perfect weekend to enjoy these events.

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Some of the pictures at Norlington Road Studios — it’s worth a visit as there are many more to see. Entry is free.

Do look at the official programmes on the Leytonstone Festival and Leytonstone Arts Trail websites/Facebook pages, however, to check for any last minute updates to the programmes, in case I have missed anything or where you may have to book in advance or numbers may be limited. If you spot an error, please let me know.

The Stone Space is the headquarters for Leytonstone Arts Trail 2012 and is showing samples from over 70 artists. You can collect a Trail Guide from The Stone Space and find out about the venues taking part in this year’s Arts Trail.

London 2012 bannerOlympic torch

The Olympic torch arrives in Waltham Forest this Saturday. It’s not coming to Leytonstone, but will be going along parts of Leyton High Road.

Independent Retailer Month: support your local shops and businesses

Independent Retailer Month poster
July is also Independent Retailer Month, so while you’re out and about in Leytonstone, take the opportunity to support your local shops, cafés and restaurants!

Saturday 21 July

Carlton House Open Day

Aylmer Road

Saturday 21 July

I am Cann Hall, 1948-2012 photography exhibition

The Holly Tree

Saturday 21 July

A leisurely walk around Leytonstone Arts Trail

Meet at Leytonstone Underground (Church Lane side), 11.00am

Saturday 21 July

Leytonstone Calling, live music at The Red Lion

Hip-hop and street art and the London food and ale festival.

Saturday 21 July

The Hot House Quintet

The North Star

Saturday 21 July

Woodhouse Players

The Rivals by Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Welsh Church Hall

Saturday 21 July

Blackhorse and Standard Women’s Morris Dance

St John’s Churchyard

Saturday 21 July

Shaolin Gong Fu City Kung Fu and Tai Chi performances and workshops

The Salvation Army Hall

Sunday 22 July

A celebration of Irish culture, featuring the Jones Boys

The Plough and Harrow

Sunday 22 July

Oh So Funny Comedy Night, starring Mr Alan Davies

The Sheepwalk (ticketed event by email: ohsofunnycomedy@yahoo.co.uk, say how many tickets you want, if tickets are still available)

Sunday 22 July

Woodhouse Players

The Rivals by Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Welsh Church Hall

Sunday 22 July

I am Cann Hall, 1948-2012 photography exhibition

The Holly Tree

Sunday 22 July

What’s Cookin’ Fifth Annual Summer Picnic

The Birkbeck Tavern

Sunday 22 July

The Choice Standards Trio and Marnie

The North Star

Sunday 22 July

Songs of Praise

Cann Hall and Harrow Green Baptist Church

Further afield

The British Film Institute has a Hitchcock Season this summer

Hitchcock Gallery Leytonstone Tube 1

Check these pages for more information:

Leytonstone Festival and Arts Trail Mon 16-Fri 20 July

Leytonstone Arts Trail 2012 mapLeytonstone Festival and Leytonstone Arts Trail continue this week and into next weekend (21-22 July) with music, art, photography, theatre and much more.

Most of the local pubs have special events on and many events are free, or low cost.

Do look at the official programmes on the Leytonstone Festival and Leytonstone Arts Trail websites/Facebook pages, however, to check for any last minute updates to the programmes, in case I have missed anything or where you may have to book in advance or numbers may be limited. If you spot an error, please let me know. Highlights of the coming week include:

Leytonstone Arts Trail 2012

Leytonstone Arts Trail Map Exhibition launches at The Stone Space

The Stone Space is the headquarters for Leytonstone Arts Trail 2012 and is showing samples from over 70 artists. You can collect a Trail Guide from The Stone Space, which is open every day this week, and find out about the venues taking part in this year’s Arts Trail including:

  • Stone Space Projects, Leytonstone’s new pop up gallery situated just outside the tube station
  • As Time Goes By exhibition featuring 17 artists
  • The Red Lion’s group of exhibitions
  • Norlington Road Studios ‘When The Walls Come Down’
  • The Sir Alfred Hitchcock Hotel
  • Leytonstone Social Club’s Shadwell Printers exhibition
  • Leytonstone Library
  • Davies Lane Primary School
  • Electroset Studio, Davies Lane
  • Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Centre
  • Eatery 7, Church Lane
  • Meze Patisserie, High Road Leytonstone
  • 491 Gallery, Grove Green Road
  • Café de Montmartre, Church Lane

and many more.

 Mon 16 July

Don’t forget: Olympic Controlled Parking Zone period starts today!

Leytonstone Museum photosMonday 16 July

Leytonstone Museum at The Red Lion

Created this year as an online museum of photographs of people and places in Leytonstone, these sessions will give you an opportunity to see printed copies of the photos.

Monday 16 July (and every day)

I am Cann Hall, 1948-2012 photography exhibition

The Holly Tree

Monday 16 July

Heavy Metal 2: Bell ringing at St John’s Church

Monday 16 July

Hitchcock Retrospective

O’Neills, Green Man roundabout

Monday 16 July

Mr Nightingale’s Diary by Charles Dickens and Mark Lemon

Leytonstone Library Playreading Group
Leytonstone Library

Tuesday 17 July

Leytonstone Museum at The Red Lion

See Monday 16 July for more details.

Tuesday 17 July

I am Cann Hall, 1948-2012 photography exhibition

The Holly Tree
The Star of India

Tuesday 17 July

Maddona at the Star

The Star of India

Wednesday 18 July

The Art and Architecture of St Margaret’s

St Margaret’s Woodhouse Road

Wednesday 18 July

Leytonstone Museum at The Red Lion

See Monday 16 July for more details.

Wednesday 18 July

I am Cann Hall, 1948-2012 photography exhibition

The Holly Tree
Golden Curry

Wednesday 18 July

Leytonstone Film Club’s Curry and Quiz Night

The Golden Curry

Wednesday 18 July

Norman Jacobs talks on Gilbert and Sullivan

Leyton and Leytonstone Historical Society
St John’s Church Hall

Wednesday 18 July

Pandora’s Box—an hour of Comedy Cabaret

O’Neills, Green Man roundabout

The Welsh Church

Wednesday 18 July

Woodhouse Players

The Rivals by Richard Brinsley Sheridan
The Welsh Church Hall

Wednesday 18 July

What’s Cookin’ presents Eric Brace and Peter Cooper

The Birkbeck Tavern

Thursday 19 July

Leytonstone Museum at The Red Lion

See Monday 16 July for more details.

Thursday 19 July

I am Cann Hall, 1948-2012 photography exhibition

The Holly Tree
St John's Church, Town Centre

Thursday 19 July

Lunchtime concert at St John’s

Thursday 19 July

London Sunset Tower Tour

Music, a drink a a tour of the tower with stunning views over London.

Thursday 19 July

An evening of spoken Word, Storytelling and Music

Leytonstone Library

Luna Lounge

Thursday 19 July

Stand Up Musical Comedy Night

The Luna Lounge

Heathcote Arms

Thursday 19 July

The George Simmonds Septet

The Heathcote

O'Neills 'The Green Man'

Thursday 19 July

Pandora’s Box—an hour of Comedy Cabaret

O’Neills

Friday 20 July

I am Cann Hall, 1948-2012 photography exhibition

The Holly Tree

Fri 20 July

Woodhouse Players

The Rivals by Richard Brinsley Sheridan
The Welsh Church Hall

The Birkbeck Tavern, Leytonstone

Fri 20 July

Lost Horizons presents Ewan McClellan

The Birkbeck Tavern

Fri 20 July

The Legendary Mr Will Gaines with Jacqueline Pert and Bret Jones

Leytonstone Social Club

Further afield

The British Film Institute has a Hitchcock Season this summer.

Hitchcock Gallery Leytonstone Tube 1


… and more events on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 July

Check these pages for more information:

Independent Retailer Month poster

July is also Independent Retailer Month, so while you’re out and about in Leytonstone, take the opportunity to support your local shops, cafés and restaurants!