Beware burglars posing as locksmiths
The story I reported about locksmiths stickers being used by potential burglars has taken some twists and turns in the last few days.
The story was originally reported on the BBC website about a burglary in Wandsworth, but doubt has now been cast on whether this is just some form of advertising as the practice is clearly more widespread, including in Waltham Forest.
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Fire damage near Snaresbrook Court and the small pond
Undeterred by yesterday’s fire, the boats were back on Hollow Pond today and people were out enjoying themselves in the albeit cloudier weather, but the scenes of devastation made it clear that this was by far the worst fire to have hit this part of the forest for very many years.
Fire damage was not confined to one area but affected parts of the forest near Snaresbrook Road and the former lido, and a much larger area from the main pond past the small pond and down towards Snaresbrook Court (some media reports yesterday described this incorrectly as Wanstead Flats — slightly confusingly this part of the forest is formerly known as Leyton Flats due to it being historically part of the old Borough of Leyton and Leytonstone).
Leytonstone dancer Theo Oloyade, 22 who performs under the name ‘Godson’ is calling for support after getting through to the final of Sky1’s Got to Dance, according to a report in the Waltham Forest Guardian.
The final is at London Olympia on Sunday March 17 and includes judge Ashley Banjo, also from Leytonstone.
An interesting report in the Waltham Forest Guardian mentioning Walthamstow, Leytonstone and Leyton as the new creative hubs in London and particularly mentioning Leytonstone Arts Trail and The Stone Space (whose latest exhibition TEST presented by the Ribbon Machine Collective is on until 14 October):
Outside the station towards Church Lane
The last week or so has seen the finishing touches to the building work that has been going on the length of Leytonstone High Road, in the town centre and along Whipps Cross Road to give Leytonstone a new and brighter look ready for the Olympics.
I haven’t managed to get photos of everything, the weather has not been so kind, but I’ve added a collection of photos showing most of the work and I’ve summarised some of the other main changes that have happened in the last year or so on New Look Leytonstone.
A lot has happened, new pubs, a market, an art gallery and more and all against the backdrop of one of the most horrible recessions in living history.
So, if you know someone thinking of moving to Leytonstone, investing here, or who just has a view of the area which is second hand or out of date, please share on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, by email or however you can and send them to this page, it might just help!
Do you take photographs of old buildings? Make sculpture with layers built up over time? Paint people ‘passing the time’? Work in time-based media? Make collections over a period of time? Use art to measure time? Is your work ephemeral? Are you interested in history (local, world, Olympic or Jubilee). Concerned with decay? Do you like repetition, time after time?
Waltham Forest Arts Club Selected Exhibition as part of the Leytonstone Arts Trail would like to see your work for an exhibition about time.
There is no charge for entry. Deadline for submissions: 27 April.
Coincidentally, I stumbled on this article today which gives local memories about Nissen huts built temporarily along Whipps Cross Road for people made homeless during the Second World War. With all the temporary buildings going up for the Olympics, I thought it made interesting reading.
News |
It’s been quite a week in Waltham Forest.
The sun came out hitting temperatures that felt like summer, not March, and there’s no better image of summer in Leytonstone than seeing people rowing on Hollow Pond.
‘Hollow Pond’ is also one of the most popular searches on this site, so for anyone thinking of taking out a boat, it’s good news that the boats are back every afternoon, though they do sometimes close in bad weather.
The good weather held, too, for the Queen’s visit to Walthamstow Town Hall yesterday, where she and the Duke of Edinburgh attended a lunch for community leaders and was entertained by bands and choirs from local school pupils. Students from Waltham Forest College helped with the preparation and serving of the lunch.
Read more about the visit on Waltham Forest Guardian.
Are you organising a community event in Leytonstone for the Diamond Jubilee? You’re welcome to advertise it, or post photos after the event on this site. See the new Queen’s Jubilee page for more details.
Just some pictures to enjoy! Bravely … or foolishly … some people were walking on the ice on Hollow Pond. I hope they see the weather forecast, it’s due to warm up a bit and that ice will break!
Keep up with the local news from the Waltham Forest Guardian online. News feeds are now in the right hand column of this site.
Leytonstone London E11 