Welcome!
Welcome to LARA, the Leytonstone Area Residents Association.
LARA was formed in October 2008 as several residents in Upper Leytonstone felt that a large number of roads were not covered by any existing associations. This meant that a good proportion of Leytonstone had no voice at important local Council and Safer Neighbourhood meetings.
The area covered by LARA includes about 25 roads within Leytonstone Ward. Utilising the boundary of the ward should enable us to engage more effectively with our relevant Councillors and Safer Neighbourhood Team.
Save Leyton Green Health Clinic
There’s a public meeting on Wednesday 2nd February 2011 at 7:30pm about the threat of closure hanging over Leyton Green Clinic (which has been serving the people of Leyton since 1932).
Speakers: John Cryer MP, plus Clinic users and health workers
Where: The Seddon Centre, 33 Clyde Place, Leyton E10 5AS
(off Capworth Street, Leyton take turning at the Lord Clyde Pub)
Transition Leytonstone – Winterfaith Festival
Transition Leytonstone’s next event…
The Green Winterfaith Festival
Saturday 5th February, 2.30 – 10 pm
Sunday 6th February, 3 – 8 pm
The Epicentre, West Street, E11
In partnership with Sacred Roots, an organisation working to foster understanding and co-operation between people of different faiths, we have an exciting and varied programme for this two-day event. We have combined Transition’s winter food event with a celebration of food from different cultures, and added music, poetry, story-telling, workshops, stalls and a film: A Farm for the Future.
We have some wonderful speakers, including Polly Higgins, known as ‘The Planet’s Lawyer’, and Jagdeesh Singh from the Sikh Environment Network. Anton Rosenfeld from Garden Organic will talk about growing ‘exotic’ vegetables in the UK. It’s not all carrots and parsnips!
There will be workshops for children and adults, seed-sowing for all, and a chance to learn about different food choices and traditions.
WI Quiz Night – 5th March 2011
Wanstead Women’s Institute are holding a quiz evening…
Where: St. Andrew’s Church Hall
When: Saturday 5th March 2011 at 7:30pm (doors open at 7:00pm)
ALL WELCOME!
Tickets £10 including a Curry Supper (please bring your own drinks).
To book tickets please email: Wanstead-WI@hotmail.co.uk
Fish Need a Home
A LARA member recently moved into Colworth Road and discovered they have three quite large fish (10-12 inches) in their pond. They intend to dispose of said pond, but wondered if any other member can provide a home for the fish? If you can, please let us know and we’ll pass the info on.
Photographic Competition 2010
We’re on the lookout for pictures of the 2010 Leytonstone Festival. With so many varied events this year, there were plenty of fantastic photo opportunites.
If you took a great picture of any of the festival events, please send them to us at events@leytonstoneresidents.org.uk.
In September we’ll put the best ones we receive to a vote, with prizes awarded to the winners.
Forthcoming events
Just to let everyone know about a few of the events we are planning for this year; first off in July we will be having a photographic competition so get your cameras out for the Leytonstone Festival (15th – 25th July) and get snapping.
If you’re green fingered and have a fantastic flowerbed, lush green lawn or magnificent magnolia then “L.A.R.A. in Bloom” is the event for you - our panel of judges will be looking for top floral displays and the perfect front garden.
In September we hope to have something for all the quiz addicts and a further historical walk is planned for October.
For those who want to keep fit and have fun we are hoping to organise a regular badminton night at Leytonstone School sports hall.
For more events and fuller details nearer the time keep checking out the website.
More Tesco Trolleys Abound
In recent weeks, I have seen more Tesco trolleys abandoned in our streets. Trolleys with wheel-locking mechanisms are supposed to prevent this problem but they can be overcome. Tesco have introduced a new batch which lacks even this basic feature – tempting people to take them out for those extra heavy loads.
LARA chair, Jenny, sent a complaint letter in February 2010 to Tesco Head Office outlining the problem and calling for action. Trolleys can be fitted with sensors that prevent them being taken outside the Tesco site – why haven’t these been procured?
Trendy Trolleys
OK, so “yesterday’s models have all the appeal of a Zimmer frame on wheels“, but newer ones offer some trend-setting looks and deserve a second look. Do Tesco need to sell shopping buggies at competitive prices to offer an alternative to ‘borrowing’ theirs?
Contact Tesco
Clearly, we need to show respect for our neighbours and not abandon trolleys on our pavements but Tesco also need to do their bit for the community. When you next spot a trolley, take the initiative to ask the local Tesco Leytonstone store to remove it by calling them on 0845 6779409. Ask for the new sensor system to be fitted. Contact the Head Office too (complaining to at least two different offices often gets the right answer – and ensures the local store doesn’t keep the problem in-house):
Customer Services
Tesco plc
New Tesco House
Delamere Road
Cheshunt
Herts. EN8 9SL
Tel: 01992 632 222
Email: terry.leahy@tesco.com
If the trolley is posing a safety hazard, call Waltham Forest Direct on 0208 496 3000 or submit a report via the council website.
Leytonstone One-Way System
Many Leytonstone residents put part of the blame for the High Road’s decline squarely on the shoulders of the one-way system which was implemented as part of the M11 extension works and subsequent Tesco development. In September 2009, Leyton and Wanstead Lib Dems posted this on their website…
Some time ago leytonstone FOCUS team, reported that an independent review of the much debated one-way system in Leytonstone was to be undertaken. Having seen no indication of the outcome, the Council was asked for an update on the position. It now appears that the Council could not fund either the survey or any proposed works. They are now in discussions with the developers of Stratford City with a view to them agreeing to fund the project under a Section 106 agreement of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. The Council is continuing discussions with Stratford City and FOCUS will let you have further news when available. In the meantime, the Council has confirmed that Transport for London (TfL) plans to review the co-ordination of all traffic signal installations around Leytonstone Town Centre. No timescale has been confirmed.
So, it looks like nothing is going to happen anytime soon unless Westfield decide to give us some money. Given the current economic climate, that seems unlikely!
Waltham Forest is calling for backup
From Waltham Forest Council…
We need your back-up
We are asking the whole community to support us in our call for a fair level of police resourcing in Waltham Forest.
Show your support by signing our online petition to help us secure 120 extra police officers for the borough.
An ambitious target has been set of 5,000 signatures to be collected for the back-up petition by November 2009.
As well as signing the online petition, residents can show their support by completing a postcard found at Council buildings and GP surgeries across the Borough, or at one of our roadshows.
The next roadshow taking place is at Leyton Mills on Friday 30 October from 10am – 3pm.
Heritage Walk
Our friends over at FORA have organised a Heritage Walk, details as follows…
Forest Residents Association (FORA) welcomes you to a complimentary ECO-Heritage Walkabout courtesy of (City of London/Open Spaces) Forest Keeper: Ian Greer.
When: Sunday 18th October, 2009 (rain, blow or shine)
Time: 11:00 am.
Duration: Approx 3hrs.
Meeting Point: Lower end of Forest Glade/Junction of Poppleton Rd, E11 1LU (Behind St. Andrew’s Church).
Open to all, including chidren accompanied by a responsible adult.
Please join us for whatever length of time you can spare!
Recommended Dress: Long-sleeved tops and trousers, and sturdy outdoor footwear, preferable walking boots.
A beverage and some light snack-picnic type food for personal sustenance will be useful.
Upcoming Events
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LARA Photos
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