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ISSUE 9 | 2009

Welcome

Contents 4

Letters

Welcome to the ninth issue of the Star. Over the past few months we have been working tirelessly to bring you all the latest information on the Leytonstone Festival plus a guide to what’s on during the summer months.

Waltham Forest’s Business Board

News

2009 Leytonstone Festival

Our fashion pages bring you summer designer styles that won’t break the bank.

Continuing with our celebration of the arts theme we have a fantastic walking tour of Hitchcock’s Leytonstone and Joan Straw shares her early memories of sculptor Jacob Epstein.

Summer in the City - A round-up of festivals and special events taking place during the summer months.

Brian Hopson writes…

Star walks – a walking tour of Hitchcock’s Leytonstone

Scrumping in Leytsonstone

Tucker’s Law – breakdown of a relationship

Joan Straw on Jacob Epstein

EMD cinema update

St Andrew’s launches new community café

Star fashion – summer styling

Star dining

Dates for your diary

Competitions

Classiﬁeds

I’m delighted to welcome our community contributions see pages 15 and 21. We want more of our readers to be involved in contributing to the content and the continued success of the Star. Our magazine seeks not only to provide interesting, thought provoking and informative content but also to provide a forum for the exchange of informed views and to champion the work of our area. Lara Geary Editor The Star magazine 6 Gainsborough Road, London E11 1HT T 020 8558 4050 www.thestarmagazineuk.com Published by The Star magazine Editor Lara Geary lara@thestarmagazineuk.com Advertising Lesley Phillips 020 8558 4050 or email lesley@thestarmagazineuk.com Design, production The Lightside 020 8556 2776 www.thelightside.net | enquiry@thelightside.net Public Relations Holland Young Associates 020 8989 1244 | jholland@hollandyoung.idps.co.uk

Contributors Bill Hodgson Brian Hopson Jeanne Holland Joan Straw Sarah Innes Helen Gheorghiu Gould

Cover image: Andy Robinson: Photofarm

A big thank you to all of you who have contributed articles, photographs and advice.

Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is strictly prohibited. All dates and credits are accurate at time of going to press but are subject to change. The Star does not accept any responsibility for the content of advertisements supplied by external organisations. The views expressed within this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. The Star is printed on paper from environmentally sustainable sources using vegetable based inks.

When you have finished with this magazine please recycle it.

ISSUE 9 2009 THE STAR 3

Letters

Send your letters to: The Star magazine, 6 Gainsborough Road, Leytonstone, London E11 1HT

Email letters@thestarmagazineuk.com

Please supply your name and postal address. Please note that letters may be edited.

Dear editor, I was fascinated to read John Pridige’s article on the V2 rocket attacks on the borough, especially the devastating impact on Crownfield Road near the Thatched House, which claimed 25 lives. It is especially interesting to me because among the lives lost were my grandfather and five of his children, who if they had survived would have been my aunt and uncles, as well as two cousins who lived in an adjoining house. My grandmother, Uncle Ted and Aunt Rene were pulled from the rubble. My father was living with his aunt in Billericay at the time. By the time the Siggins family members who survived were out of hospital, the Borough of Leyton in a shared grave in the City of London Cemetery had buried the dead. My grandmother and survivors were rehoused in “Prefabs” on the forest around Whipp’s Cross. The grave subsequently fell into disrepair but was replaced a few years ago. The inscription reads, “Underneath this stone were laid to rest the bodies of twenty five residents of Leyton who lost their lives as a result of enemy air action during the World War 1935 1945. We will remember them”.

Reginald Clark 32 Ethel Setterfield 31 William Edwards 33 Henry Edwards 46 Edward Childs 37 Derek Carter 20 Florence Broughton 26 William Broughton 32 Walter Black 32 Anne McMonagle 86 Henry Hassell 70 Alan Bunt 15 Eric Bunt 17 William Norton 28 James Gorham 37 William Carrington 76 Joseph Smith 34 Mary Jones 84 William Berger 67 James William Siggins 16 months Stanley Frederick Siggins 7 weeks Leslie Derek Siggins 11 Peter John Siggins 6 Betty Anne Siggins 3 James Edward Siggins 40 A floral tribute to Joseph Smith appears every Remembrance Day, so someone else remembers them. I think that Alan and Eric Bunt were on a tram or bus hit by a bomb, but know nothing about the others. Do any Star readers know more? Dr Paul Siggins Chadwick Road, Leytonstone

LEYTONSTONE ARTS TRAIL

27th June – 19th July 2009

4 THE STAR ISSUE 9 2009

A HELPING HAND FOR LOCAL BUSINESS The Waltham Forest Business Board is the strategic body established to represent all businesses from across the borough. It liaises with the council and London Government to ensure Waltham Forest achieves its share of investment and is recognised as an area which welcomes and assists business. The Board is also lobbying to bring long-term benefits to the borough from initiatives such as the Thames Gateway project, the London-Stansted growth corridor and the 2012 Olympics.

The Board meets four times a year and all local businesses are invited to become involved. It can help with business start-up and the expansion of existing firms while helping to promote entrepreneurship and innovation. The Board also represents the views of local business on strategic regional matters including transport, communications and infrastructure. In addition, the Waltham Forest Business Support and Training Providers Forum aims to help businesses in the borough by providing free or subsidised advice and training, access to contracts, property information, environmental support, information about grants and loans as well as recruitment services. The latest Business Board news can be found at www.walthamforestbusinessboard.com

For further details email Michael Polledri is chairman of the organisation and a munawar.hussain@walthamforest.gov.uk or write to: representative of Lee Valley Estates. “The Waltham Forest Jennifer Pooran, North London Business, 1st Floor, Business Board is the voice of local businesses who the Heron House, Hale Wharf, Ferry Lane, London N17 9NF. local authority clearly listen to,” he said. central_estates_issue9:half_page 18/5/09 11:34 Page 1

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news Millions for forest improvements The Heritage Lottery Fund has allocated nearly £5m to a series of major improvement projects in Epping Forest. A new ‘Interpretation Centre’ will be created next door to Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge in Chingford. It will have a large exhibition area and a spacious community room to be used for school and adult learning as well as by local groups. The neighbouring Butler’s Retreat building will be refurbished and reopened as a campus for visitors to learn about the forest, the Tudor Hunting Lodge and the forest retreats of the Victorian era.

An extensive education programme called ‘Discovering Epping Forest’ will also take place in local schools to encourage children to appreciate the area’s history and importance. A number of ‘outdoor learning’ initiatives are currently being developed. “This funding will allow us to achieve many of the much-needed changes in a considerably shorter period of time than anticipated,” said Epping Forest committee chair, Wendy Mead. “It will also help us significantly improve open spaces access and learning for future generations at Epping Forest”. The City of London is organising a range of events in Epping Forest this summer to mark the accession of Henry VIII to the throne. Events will include a number

Arcade plans collapse again Plans to redevelop Walthamstow’s former Arcade site have gone back to the drawing board for a fourth time. Earlier this year Waltham Forest Council voted to borrow £35 million to press ahead with work at the site on the corner of Walthamstow’s Hoe Street and High Street. A range of options have been considered for the proposed development including a 20-storey tower block, swimming pool, hotel, library, multiplex cinema and shopping centre. The council had teamed up with property developer St. Modwen to deliver the scheme but the company walked away from the deal after deciding it was not viable in the current financial climate.

City of London

Three further visitor hubs will be remodelled and extended while new ‘Easy Access Trails’ will be established across the forest area. 15 apprentice arborists will be employed to improve tree management while animal grazing will be extended by a further 350 hectares. of daytime activities for children and various evening events aimed at adults. The Temple in Wanstead Park will play host to various photographic exhibitions throughout the summer months and an open air evening concert of 16th century madrigals is also planned. Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge in Chingford has signed up to the Europe-wide ‘Museums at Night’ initiative and will present a series of candlelit open evenings as part of the celebrations. A programme of evening concerts at the venue will be announced shortly. For further details visit www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/epping

However, the council’s plan to progress the scheme by borrowing public money breaches European procurement regulations and the entire tendering process will now need to begin again from scratch. “Getting developers to tender for the work isn’t just a legal duty but the only way to guarantee we get value for money,” said local resident Caramel Quin. “I just hope the council first carries out a feasibility study and proper public consultation. Some councillors seem hell-bent on rushing through these plans to get them approved before the local elections next spring”. Council estimates now suggest work on the site may commence in late 2010 with completion by 2012.

First local polyclinics unveiled

A snappy protest

East London’s ﬁrst two polyclinics are now open.

Dozens of local photographers besieged Walthamstow’s main bus terminal last month to protest about moves to curb photography in public places.

Polyclinics are a new London-wide initiative which combine GP services with hospital facilities at one convenient site with access seven days a week. They will offer outpatient appointments, minor surgery, blood tests, x-rays, a pharmacy and other support services. London’s first purpose-built polyclinic is now open at Loxford Road in Redbridge. Waltham Forest’s first polyclinic can be found at the Leyton Orient Football Ground in Oliver Road. The government hopes that a further 50 polyclinics will be introduced across London during the next year. “Polyclinics are designed to make it easier for people to receive better health and social care where and when they need it,” said project director Tom Coffey. “I believe the new polyclinics provide a major leap forward in the story of London’s healthcare. Polyclinics will continue to develop over time and will be constantly evaluated to ensure they meet the needs of local people”. For more information visit www.healthcareforlondon.nhs.uk 6 THE STAR ISSUE 9 2009

The ‘Take a Photo for Freedom’ demonstration was organised following a recent incident where an Italian tourist was stopped and searched at the bus garage after taking pictures. The tourist later alleged in a national newspaper that police officers had forced him to delete all his holiday snaps and demanded details of his passport number. It is believed the incident took place as a result of the government’s recent counter terrorism legislation. “The main idea was to protest about terrorist legislation being trivialised by being used in such a blanket and illiberal fashion,” said organiser David Hall. “We were also demonstrating against police exceeding their powers by asking for images to be deleted. They deny making such requests but that is what was reported”.

... And its goodbye to him! Clyde Loakes, the sometimes controversial leader of Waltham Forest Council, has announced his resignation. Clyde Loakes, the sometimes controversial leader of Waltham Forest Council, has announced his resignation. The Leytonstone politician has quit his £50,000 post in order to contest a parliamentary seat in Northampton at the next general election. “I've had the opportunity to work with some truly fantastic people from all walks of life who care passionately about their local communities,” said Mr. Loakes. “I would not have missed this opportunity for the world”. The former leader is credited with achieving a range of targets set by central government and for establishing Waltham Forest as a 'four star' authority, the highest national performance rating. However, he has often been criticised for his abrasive style and for a number of perceived attacks on the area's arts and cultural heritage including the attempts to downgrade William Morris Gallery and Vestry House Museum, the U-turn over saving the EMD Cinema and the reduction of book stocks in local libraries. The former leader also became embroiled in arguments about the mismanagement of public funds allocated to the Better Neighbourhood Initiative. Councillor Chris Robbins has already been selected as his replacement. He was formerly the cabinet member responsible for children and young people. He has set out his immediate priorities as clearing up the Arcade development debacle and raising the borough's profile across London.

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Olympic views New webcams have been launched to give the public a front-row view of the construction of the Olympic Village. The three cameras will show updated images throughout the day and are accessible via the London 2012 website. The Olympic Village is situated next to the Olympic Park and Stratford City sites and will accommodate athletes during the 2012 games. It is hoped the Village will help create thousands of affordable new homes, parks, public squares and community facilities in the years ahead. “The Village will be one of the strongest legacies from the Games,” said Olympics chairman John Armitt. “As construction work accelerates on the site, these new webcams will keep the public up to speed on the progress we are making in the delivery of this essential project”. To view the webcam images visit www.london2012.com

Mayor launches new City Charter

Historic Redbridge house in the frame

Mayor Boris Johnson has launched the ﬁrst ever City Charter for London in an attempt to co-ordinate and streamline efforts to improve the capital.

A new exhibition examining the story of the historic Valentines Mansion in Redbridge will run throughout the summer.

The Charter commits the Mayor and London’s 33 local authorities to work together to improve the capital’s public services and deliver better value for money. The initiative is specifically designed to address the economic downturn, policing and youth crime, transport issues and climate change. “For too long relations between City Hall and the boroughs have been confrontational rather than constructive and this has hindered the development of our great city,” said Mr. Johnson. “In these times of huge challenges for the capital we cannot afford for that to continue. The Charter will lead to a far more productive relationship which will benefit millions of Londoners”. The Mayor hopes the initiative will help deliver 5,000 new apprenticeships while encouraging councils to appoint Borough Commanders and kickstart town centre regeneration projects in outer London. The Charter will also enable the Mayor and council leaders to present a united front in their demands for a fairer proportion of government finance to be allocated to London. For further details visit www.london.gov.uk

Redbridge approves £1.5m for country park revival Redbridge Council has approved a £1.5m plan to revive Fairlop Waters Country Park. The council won £400,000 funding from London Mayor Boris Johnson to help revive the site and has now secured a further £1m from the government’s Growth Area Fund to proceed with their plan. Fairlop Waters Country Park began life as a Royal hunting ground and was later developed as a 300 acre public amenity with a golf course and lakes. The new regeneration initiative will provide improvements to footpaths and cycleways as well as an ambitious range of new leisure and sports facilities. Redbridge Council hopes to promote the revitalised park as a major tourist attraction. It will remain open to the public throughout the two years of improvement works.

Opera for the masses Walthamstow’s controversial BBC Big Screen is teaming up with the Royal Opera House this summer to broadcast concerts directly to the Town Square. The BBC Big Screen was unveiled last summer to much local concern about noise pollution and fears that it would be used as a vehicle for council propaganda. The installation has since broadcast a decidedly non-controversial diet of news, sport and local interest films. The new initiative aims to entice opera lovers into the town centre for relaxed evenings of culture. Similar events will take place across the country at the BBC’s other 40 Big Screen sites. Local screenings will commence on Wednesday 15 July at 7.30pm with a live broadcast of the three-hour Italian comic opera ‘The Barber of Seville’ featuring Juan Diego Florez, Joyce DiDonato and Simon Keenleyside. For further details visit www.bbc.co.uk/big screens

The beautiful mansion and landscaped gardens were built in 1696 for the family of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The property’s last private tenant died in 1906 and the local authority acquired the site shortly afterwards. For many years the building served as a hospital and a council housing office. More recently, Redbridge Council has been keen to restore the mansion’s heritage and it was reopened to the public as a tourist attraction last year. Photographer Justin Coombes has documented the triumphant restoration for the last six months and his work will provide the centrepiece of the new exhibition. “Watching the transformation of Valentines Mansion from a derelict country house into a beautiful local treasure has been a fabulous experience,” he said. “I hope these images help further bring the aesthetic magnificence of the place to life”. The exhibition opens on 3 June. For more information visit www.valentinesmansion.com

New construction skills centre opens A new centre for the National Construction Skills Academy has opened at the Construction College in Newham. The new centre will help local residents develop skills to deliver the venues and infrastructure for various large-scale construction projects taking place in the area including Stratford City, Crossrail and the 2012 Olympics. An estimated £88bn of major construction projects are planned for the next three years. The campus at Thames House in Newham is the first of three planned construction training centres in east London. It will offer 2000 training places a year in trades including plant maintenance, concreting, steel fixing and highways maintenance. “East London is arguably the most exciting place to be at the moment in terms of the massive changes taking place throughout our areas,” said Newham mayor Robin Wales. “Supporting people into work and business growth has to be our priority. The 2012 Games and other developments will offer opportunities for residents now and in the future. We must equip people with the skills to find employment and industry with job-ready employees”. Training places are available now. For more details call 0344 994 4433 or visit www.nationalconstructioncollege.co.uk ISSUE 9 2009 THE STAR 7

It’s the hottest ticket in London – Festival Fever is back in Leytonstone and this year’s event is going to be bigger and better than ever!

Top, Night of South African Jazz, Pinise Saul ©Chris Sowe Bottom, Cornelius Cardew: ‘The Great Learning’

And it all happens here on our doorstep from Saturday 4 till Sunday 19 July 2009. Plus the Star’s special interview with David Roper – the ‘piano’ in 4 Poofs and a Piano Leytonstone Festival 2009 – celebrating community, music, art and culture – right on your doorstep. Now in its sixteenth year – Festival 2009 will be bigger and better than ever with an amazing series of events lined up featuring local talent as well as guest celebrity appearances. For two weeks Leytonstone becomes a heady mixture of activity, colour, energy and fun – in kaleidoscopic proportions. And in true community spirit – lots of the events are free! This is the biggest community event of the year, bringing people from all walks of life together through the language of art. This is a Festival of welcome which everyone is encouraged to join in and enjoy. The eclectic mix of performance means there’s something for every taste – music, art, dance, film, drama, poetry and history. And you’ll find lots more listed on the Festival web site. The Festival opens on Saturday 4 July at 2.30pm with a rousing New Orleans jazz band marching from Leytonstone tube station to St John’s Church for the official opening ceremony with local celebrity. From then on – it’s party all the way with a host of top acts performed by local groups or well known personalities from stage and screen. 8 THE STAR ISSUE 9 2009

We had a chat with David Roper, pianist and member of 4 Poofs and a Piano who make a triumphant return to Leytonstone on Friday 17 July at the Heathcote Arms. David talked about the group, how they met, and plans for this year and Leytonstone Festival. “I am the newest member of 4 Poofs, I’ve been with the group for three years. The others all met through singing in choirs and various cabaret work. Our relationship with Jonathan Ross came about when Jonathan’s agent spotted us at a gig in the Groucho Club. We were offered a feature slot on the first series – and the rest is history as they say. We’ve been part of the show for eight years now – which is fantastic and we enjoy every minute of it. We’ve just finished our first national tour, which involved 60 dates around the country. It was hectic but brilliant to meet so many people. The audiences everywhere were fantastic – we had packed houses at Richmond and Aberdeen – so it’s really heartening to get a great reception across the UK. Our audiences are normally an equal mix of men and women – but perhaps more women at some events. We had some lovely octogenarians at one of our gigs in Harlow – they came in their wheelchairs, determined not to miss the show! “I’ve been involved in show business for a long time, as have the other Poofs. I was a professional conductor and then pianist. I’ve worked with Helen Shapiro – remember her? “I’ve performed on the Lottery Show plus numerous other TV shows over the years. David Wickenden used to be a professional dancer at the Moulin Rouge – he’s still got all the moves! “We’re rehearsing hard at the moment on new pieces for the Edinburgh Festival coming up in August. Our Leytonstone gig will be a ‘preview’ of what we’ll be doing there so Leytonstone – you’ll see it first! We’re really pleased to be back for Festival 2009. Last year’s gig was packed out and we got a tremendous reception. The people are always so welcoming, so friendly and so enthusiastic about our work. We’re really looking forward to seeing everyone again on 17 July.”

Rush Hour Concert with Maud Hodson Wednesday 15 July, St John’s Church, 6.15pm – 7pm. Tickets free.

So what can we look forward to this year? There’s a fantastic mixture of music, drama, history, art and children’s events plus food from all your favourite Leytonstone restaurants. Here’s the Star’s round-up of some not to be missed events. MUSIC A night of South African Jazz Sunday 5 July, Stratford Circus 8pm – 10.30pm. Tickets £12 concessions £10. Your chance to experience some truly magnificent music from South Africa in one of London’s newest contemporary venues. Vocalist Pinise Saul, guitarist Lucky Ranku, keyboards/harmonica player Adam Glasser and percussionist Thebe Lipere first met in the 1980s touring Europe with Zila, the fiery South African jazz ensemble led by sax legend Dudu Pukwana. Tonight’s rare musical reunion will feature great melodies and danceable grooves from marabi to mbaqanga and classic SA township jazz. (www.stratford-circus.com) Cornelius Cardew: ‘The Great Learning’ Saturday 11 July, various venues 10.30am – 10pm. Tickets free. A unique opportunity to experience a rarely performed six-hour musical masterpiece in one day. Conventional music often requires a lot of training. In Cornelius Cardew’s piece ‘The Great Learning’, untrained performers take part in a far more unusual form of music making. Written in the late 60s by the avant-garde composer and Leytonstone resident until his early death, this mammoth six and a half hour work uses a diverse collection of sound sources including stones, whistles, cushions, organ and a chorus of massed voices chanting the philosophical writings of Confucius. The joy of ‘The Great Learning’ is that it encourages untrained performers to make their own music. (Performed in stages at various Leytonstone venues – check Festival web site for details.) There will also be a special Cornelius Cardew night of experimental music on Monday 13 July at O’Neill’s from 8pm – 11pm. Tickets £5 – featuring the great virtuoso clarinet player Theo Jorgensmann, making his first ever UK appearance

Popular classical cellist, Maud Hodson returns to the Festival with a programme of music for solo cello spanning more than 300 years. Her performance includes: Domenico Gabrielli’s ‘Ricercari’ 1689, Judith Weir’s ‘Unlocked’ 1999, Gyorgy Ligeti’s ‘Sonata’ and Ernest Bloch’s ‘Suite No 3’.

DRAMA The Diary of Anne Frank Saturday 11 July and Saturday 18 July The Welsh Church Hall 3pm – 5pm and 8pm – 10pm. Tickets £7, concessions £4. The heartrending story of the teenage girl who lived in hiding with her family from the Nazis for two years in the sealed off upper rooms of a house in Amsterdam. The Woodhouse Players present a tender account of a typical adolescent’s life in extraordinary circumstances. Ashley Gunstock and Eddie McNamee present Mark Ryan’s PRIME EVIL Thursday 16 July, Leytonstone Library 8.15pm – 9.15pm. Tickets £9, concessions £6. This dark, Gothic play tells the fascinating, hilarious, yet terrifying story of the strange case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde as told to Carl Jung by an inmate of Broadmoor Asylum.

FILM Experimental Film Night Monday 6 July, O’Neill’s 8pm – 11pm. Tickets £3. A one off event celebrating the spirit of the avant-garde with performance, film and video screenings by new and established film makers. Leytonstone Film Club presents ‘Bronco Bullfrog’ Wednesday 8 July, Leytonstone Library 7.45pm – 10pm. Tickets £5, concessions £4. A rare chance to see a forgotten classic. Barney Platts-Mills’ debut feature stars an entirely non-professional cast of local teenagers from Stratford, East London. Shot in black and white against a backdrop of East End bombsites and the new brutalism of urban high-rise flats this film foreshadows the ‘no future’ ethos that characterised the Punk movement and became prevalent in British television dramas such as Mike Leigh’s ‘Meantime’.

HISTORY Eat, drink and be merry – a Tudor Celebration Wednesday 15 July St John’s Church Hall 7.30pm – 10pm. Tickets £4. Pat and Barbara Elliot present a talk and demonstration on Tudor Food with madrigals from Cantori Vocal Ensemble

CHILDREN The Children’s Film Club presents ‘Madagascar – Escape 2 Africa’ Saturday 4 July Harrow Green Library 10am – 12pm. Tickets free. The sequel to 2005 Madagascar in which New York zoo animals Alex the Lion and friends land in the wilderness of Africa. Plastic Fantastic Carnival Saturday 18 July Acacia Children’s Centre 11am – 2pm. Entrance free. Art from recycled materials. Workshops for children on costume making, headdresses for all age groups with carnival procession round the centre.

CABARET The 4 Poofs and a Piano Friday 17 July, The Heathcote Arms 8pm – 11pm. Tickets £10. Drop everything! The 4 Poofs and a Piano are in town! Hot on the heels of their smash hit UK tour, the fabulous 4 Poofs and a Piano are back with their unique brand of frisky footwork and musical madness. The Poofs have been delighting audiences up and down the country with their musicality and comedic performances and now invite you to join them as they take Leytonstone by storm. Fun, outrageous and rarely in the best possible taste, their show is not to be missed! And all this is only a taste of the fabulous events lined up over the Festival. There’s tap dance demonstrations, a special Pet Service at St John’s on Sunday 12 July – a warm welcome for all creatures great and small, Curry and Quiz evening at favourite Star of India on Thursday 16 July and lots more! To make sure you don’t miss any of these fabulous events check the Festival website for events, dates, times, venues and ticket prices. The Star will be out to capture the mood of the Festival – so watch out for the next issue – you might be on camera!

For more information on events, venues and times please visit the Leytonstone Festival Website: www.leytonstonefestival.org.uk Or call the Leytonstone Festival Press Office: 020 8989 124 ISSUE 9 2009 THE STAR 9

SUMMER IN THE CITY A round-up of festivals and special events taking place during the summer months. JUNE STORY OF LONDON FESTIVAL The biggest festival of the summer will be held at a multitude of venues across the capital throughout June and aims to highlight the city’s rich history. The Story of London Festival has been organised by the Mayor’s Office and will feature a lively mix of film, music, dance, theatre and heritage events. “There are so many stories to tell in so many different ways and the Story of London will be a kaleidoscopic exposition of the city’s past, present and future,” said London Mayor, Boris Johnson. “It will bring together some superb attractions for Londoners who will be able to revisit their city with fresh eyes”. Each week of June will also feature a themed ‘Big Weekend’ devoted to a particular subject, commencing on 6 June with a Walking Weekend featuring more than 120 activities. This will be followed by a Film Weekend, a Buildings Weekend and a Lectures Weekend. Some of the major events currently planned for the festival include the Museum of London’s ‘History of London in a Day’ where curators and experts will attempt to recount the capital’s history in 15 minute relays. The Museum of London will also offer guided tours of various hidden archaeological sites such as a Roman amphitheatre, the Billingsgate Villa and the Roman city walls. The BFI Southbank will screen 150 early London films at various sites around the city while an authentic Victorian Country Fair will be held in the grounds of Kenwood House on Hampstead Heath. There will be a river pageant at Hampton Court to commemorate the 500th anniversary of King Henry VIII’s coronation. Many of the city’s parks and museums will also play host to a range of special events. The Story of London Festival will visit Leytonstone on Saturday 27 10 THE STAR ISSUE 9 2009

June to celebrate the life and career of legendary film director Alfred Hitchcock. The new documentary ‘Alfred Hitchcock in East London’ will be shown for the first time alongside an 80th anniversary screening of Britain’s first talking picture ‘Blackmail’. For full details visit www.london.gov.uk/storyoflondon

CITY OF LONDON FESTIVAL From mid-June, the 47th annual City of London Festival will offer more than 100 free events featuring music, visual arts, film, walks and talks. The festival encompasses more than 50 City buildings and open spaces and is now firmly established as one of the UK’s leading arts events. The festival often boasts a strong jazz element and this year will feature the Michael Janisch Quintet, Ian Shaw, Martin Taylor, Martin Drew and the Spitz Jazz Collective performing live at Finsbury Circus Gardens. A series of free concerts will also take place at Liverpool Street Station while both the Bonachela Dance Company and the Central School of Ballet will perform live on the steps of St. Paul’s Cathedral. A series of free folk and salsa concerts will be held in the Great Hall of St. Bart’s Hospital and a string of classical recitals will take place at churches around the City. The musical celebrations will conclude with 800 saxophonists gathering at London Bridge to perform a new work by the renowned film and TV composer John Harle. Open air theatre and street performance events will also take place at a variety of sites including Paternoster Square, the Thames foreshore and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. For full details visit www.colf.org

PARADISE GARDENS FESTIVAL, VICTORIA PARK

of film screenings and spoken word events.

Hackney’s Victoria Park will be transformed into an enormous pleasure garden during the weekend of 19 June with a dazzling array of circuses, DJs, live music, stalls and street theatre.

The celebrations commence on Friday 17 July with an open air performance by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra which will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display. Other highlights of the festival week will include a performance by the English National Ballet, a 1920s tea dance, a literature marquee with special guests, a sports day and a dog show.

Highlights of the three-day extravaganza will include the UK premiere of ‘La Cucina dell’Arte’ by the world famous Circus Ronaldo, a celebration of Cuban music and a live performance by the Soothsayers. The festival will also feature a tea dance marquee, a steam fair and a traditional English village-style fete as well as a food and craft market. Additional live music will be provided by the Destroyers, Les Dynamiques and Orquestra Aragon. For full details visit www.paradisegardens.org.uk

JULY WALTHAMSTOW ARTS FESTIVAL The seventh annual Walthamstow Arts Festival will be held on Saturday 11 July in the town centre and gardens. Throughout the day several soundstages around the High Street will present musical performances reflecting the area’s rich cultural diversity. 10 new local acts will also get the opportunity to appear on the main stage. The Mall shopping centre will play host to a range of art events while the market area will be transformed into an arena for street theatre. Various stalls will also offer international cuisine and crafts. Top of the musical bill is a performance by the energetic and bawdy Canadian contemporary blues outfit Son of Dave. The festival will conclude with the annual return of the McGuffins Open Air Cinema and the opportunity to settle down under the summer stars of Walthamstow for a laidback evening of movie magic. For full details visit www.walthamstowfestival.com

SHOREDITCH FESTIVAL Mid-July sees the welcome return of the ever-expanding Shoreditch Festival. Held in Shoreditch Park, this year’s festival will benefit from the local council’s recent decision to build an amphitheatre on the site. This new structure will play host to a range

The Shoreditch Trust has also teamed up with the Barbican and the Guildhall School to present a ‘Young People’s Day’ on Wednesday 22 July which will feature live music, dance and a fashion show. For full details visit www.shoreditchfestival.org.uk

WALTHAM FOREST GREEN FAIR The annual Green Fair returns to Walthamstow’s Lloyd Park on Sunday 19 July from noon. The event will highlight a range of green and alternative technologies with experts on hand to explain the latest innovations. A wide variety of stalls will pitch up to sell a range of plants, herbs, books and handicrafts. Children will be entertained by various magicians, clowns and mime artists while a number of circus rides and sporting activities will be available on site. The event will also feature live music throughout the day, concluding with a performance by the legendary Men They Couldn’t Hang. For more details call 020 8496 3000.

AUGUST LONDON MELA 2009 This year’s London Mela will be held on Sunday 16 August at Gunnersbury Park in Acton. One of the biggest celebrations of Asian music and culture outside the Indian subcontinent, the London Mela 2008 attracted 55,000 visitors and organisers are promising an even bigger event this year. There will be seven festival ‘zones’ devoted to urban, classical and experimental music as well as DJs, circus, dance and visual arts. The festival will also feature a range of comedy events, a children’s fun fair and several hundred stalls selling food and handicrafts. For full details visit www.londonmela.org

Do unto others…… Brian Hopson writes... “Our forefathers prohibited ‘cruel and unusual punishment’ because that was how tyrants and despots ruled in the 1700s. They wanted an America that was better than that. Torture is illegal, immoral, dangerous and counterproductive” – Leon Panetta, President Obama’s Director of the CIA, writing in March 2008, when the Bush administration was still in office. In May 1640, apprentices, seamen and others attacked Lambeth Palace, the residence of William Laud, the Archbishop of Canterbury. They had various concerns, in particular that Laud and the bishops who ran the reformed church were moving closer and closer to the hated Popish forms of worship. These fears were exacerbated by the fact that King Charles himself was married to a Catholic. The attackers were also incensed at the King’s decision to dissolve the so-called Short Parliament, a Parliament Charles had called in order to ask for money to fund war on the Covenanters. These were Scottish Presbyterians who were not prepared to see the King remain head of the Church in Scotland and who indeed, were eager to impose their own brand of puritan Protestantism south of the border. The Short Parliament was the first Charles had called for 11 years. Over that time, many grievances had built up which members wanted to address. They therefore refused to fund the war unless the grievances were discussed. But Charles wanted money, not debate, and was prepared to do no more than make vague promises to recall Parliament at some time to consider members’ concerns. This wasn’t enough for the Parliamentarians and neither did it satisfy the rioters who marched on Lambeth Palace only to find Laud absent. They caused some minor damage and left, threatening to return. Charles’ response was to issue a Royal Proclamation declaring the rioters’ actions to be treasonable and demanding the arrest of the ringleaders. One of them, a man called Archer, was tortured by being placed on the rack in order to get him to reveal who was behind the so-called plot.

Torture has never been recognised or allowed under common law in England, which places this country in a unique and honourable position in the world. But in the 1600s there was a get-out clause. Torture was permitted if a special licence were issued by the monarch or by some body, such as the Star Chamber, whose authority took precedence over the common law. The authority for poor Archer’s torture was written out personally by King Charles and was the last instance of judicial torture in England. The get-out clause disappeared with the Star Chamber, but torture itself hasn’t gone away. Rather, it’s been redefined, primarily as punishment – for instance, the burning of “witches”, flogging and various appalling forms of execution which lasted long after the 17th century. Perhaps the best recent example of redefinition took place across the Atlantic. President Bush and his staff determined soon after the attack on the twin towers that in order to get information from their enemies, special measures were needed.

Our forefathers prohibited ‘cruel and unusual punishment

They therefore decided that waterboarding, sensory deprivation, beatings, electrocutions, the threatening of naked and shackled prisoners with dogs and humiliations of all kinds did not constitute torture (which is of course now outlawed internationally). They specifically authorised CIA interrogators to use these methods (interestingly, the FBI decided they wanted no part of what was going on and pulled out). The Bush administration then went even further: as well as redefining words, they redefined democracy. The President signed an Act outlawing torture in 2006, possibly as a defence against accusations that were emerging at the time. In addition, however, he also quietly published a “signing statement” which was placed on the White House website but not signposted or publicised. This statement reserved the President’s right to ignore the Act if he chose to do so. To his credit, on taking office, President Obama re-established the limits of proper interrogation and the standards to be expected in the treatment of prisoners in an Executive Order dated 22 January 2009 entitled “Ensuring Lawful Interrogations”. However, he has yet to agree that those responsible for the mistreatment of prisoners, or those responsible for telling them to do so, should be prosecuted. Throughout the period of the so-called War on Terror, the UK has been working closely with the USA. There are strong allegations that our Government knew about, and was complicit in, the transfer of prisoners to countries where they would be tortured (In the common sense definition of the word). It is alleged that members of our security services provided questions to be asked of prisoners they must have known were undergoing torture. It is even alleged that UK security service personnel were present during illegal interrogation sessions. Until recently, we could look at the world and be proud that we had moved on since 1640. We knew what was right and what was wrong and that was how we lived. At least, that’s what we thought. ISSUE 9 2009 THE STAR 11

Star walks – a walking tour of Hitchcock’s Leytonstone To coincide with the Mayor’s Story of London Festival, Bill Hodgson revisits the Leytonstone sites which helped mould the capital’s most successful film director. Alfred Hitchcock was born in Leytonstone on August 13, 1899. He would go on to become the most famous film director of the 20th century during a career which began in London’s silent film studios and later won him international acclaim in Hollywood. Hitchcock’s childhood interests and obsessions would be revisited throughout his films and many have their origins in his early Leytonstone life. Hitchcock lived in the area until he was eight years old when his family moved to Limehouse. Recent research has confirmed the teenage Alfred and his mother returned to Leytonstone around the time of the First World War when the Dockside areas became a major enemy target.

12 THE STAR ISSUE 9 2009

1. 517 Leytonstone High Road, E11. The silver screen’s master of suspense Alfred Hitchcock was born in the modest flat above his family’s grocery store at this site. While much of Leytonstone High Road remains largely unchanged since Hitchcock’s childhood, this small section was demolished to make way for a petrol station. A heritage plaque commemorating his birthplace was unveiled in 1994 by Barry Foster, star of Hitchcock’s penultimate film ‘Frenzy’. Hitchcock paid homage to his birthplace by reconstructing the immediate area as a setting for the film ‘Sabotage’. Many of Hitchcock's relatives are buried in a nearby cemetery. 2. Mayville Road, E11. Mayville Road was where Hitchcock and his sister Nellie attended school. Although no trace can be found in official records, Hitchcock often spoke of attending school behind the family shop. Mayville Road was badly damaged by bombing during the First World War and Hitchcock later recalled his mother clumsily dressing and hiding under their kitchen table to escape the nearby bombardments! This incident later inspired a humorous preamble to the film ‘Murder’. Although a school can still be found on Mayville Road, this part of Leytonstone has been extensively remodelled since Hitchcock’s days.

7. Wanstead Flats, via Ferndale Road, E11. The forest land around Wanstead Flats was Alfred Hitchcock’s boyhood playground and he was an enthusiastic visitor to the travelling circuses and fairgrounds which regularly visited the area. Circus imagery became firmly embedded in Hitchcock’s psyche and would feature prominently in films such as ‘Strangers on a Train’, ‘The Ring’ and ‘Saboteur’. More than a century later, fairgrounds still occasionally pitch up at the site.

3. The Academy Cinema, 362 Leytonstone High Road, E11. The elegant Academy Cinema was where the teenage Hitchcock spent many happy hours immersed in the world of silent film. Originally opened as a 650 seat venue, it proved so popular that it was expanded to cater for audiences in excess of 1000. The building was later absorbed into the Granada chain and remodelled as the Century Cinema in 1955. At the height of his Hollywood career, Hitchcock would fondly reminisce about his visits to the Academy. The building was demolished in the early 1980s and the site is now home to a housing development called Paramount House.

8. Leytonstone Tube Station, Church Lane, E11. At the beginning of the 21st century, Alfred Hitchcock finally received a worthwhile memorial in Leytonstone when a series of colourful mosaics were unveiled at the local underground station. The mosaics depict many of his famous film scenes as well as the Hitchcock grocery store and the original Green Man public house where his family were regular customers. The mosaics attract tourists from around the world who can often be found enthusiastically taking photographs in the station’s dimly lit tunnel.

4. Fire Station, 458 Leytonstone High Road, E11. This distinctive fire station opened during Hitchcock’s early teenage years to great local excitement. As Leytonstone was then suffering from wartime bombings, the fire station provided much reassurance to nearby residents and quickly became a local landmark. Despite being considered for listing by English Heritage, Waltham Forest Council has scheduled the building for demolition later this year.

The opening of the original Leytonstone station in the 19th century led to the area’s transformation from a sleepy rural settlement to a busy London suburb. Hitchcock’s childhood obsession with railways would later be expressed in films including ‘The 39 Steps’, ‘The Lady Vanishes’, ‘Number 17’ and ‘North by Northwest’. A 500seat cinema called the Gaiety was located a few steps away from the station during Hitchcock’s teenage years.

5. Premier Electric Theatre, 615 Leytonstone High Road, E11. The Premier Electric Theatre was part of a small chain of cinemas operated by London Picture Theatres Ltd. and another regular haunt of the young Alfred Hitchcock. The Premier Electric chain employed their own in-house orchestras to perform during silent film screenings. This Leytonstone cinema opened in 1910 and had a seating capacity for around 700. In the 1960s it was renamed the State Cinema and became a venue for films of an ‘adult’ nature. This is the only Leytonstone cinema building which still exists. It is now a banqueting venue called Ivory Mansion. No photos are known to exist of the original Premier Electric Theatre. 6. Police Station, 470 Leytonstone High Road, E11. As a very young boy, Alfred Hitchcock was found guilty of misbehaviour at home and his family elected to punish him in a somewhat unorthodox manner. His father wrote a letter which he ordered his son to deliver to the nearby police station. The officer on duty read the note and promptly locked the bemused boy in a cell where he was left to contemplate his fate. After five long minutes the policeman returned and freed the young Hitchcock, informing him “that’s what we do to naughty boys”.

Photographs courtesy of Vestry House Museum and Stan Osbourne.

10. Worldwide Film Company, 696 Leytonstone High Road, E11. During Hitchcock’s teenage years this site was home to the Worldwide Film Company, a store which supplied cameras and other equipment to the numerous professional filmmakers working around the area at the time. No photographs are known to exist of the original store. 11. Whipps Cross Road, E11. Whipps Cross Hospital was still under construction when Alfred Hitchcock was born but the adjacent forest land was regularly used as a film location during his childhood. The ambitious 1913 silent film ‘The Battle of Waterloo’ was shot locally with the forest standing in for the battlefields of Belgium. A number of early film companies were located nearby including the Precision Film Company, Fitz Films, Broadwest Films, the British and Colonial Kinematograph Company and Tiger Films. These studios were responsible for the production of around 400 early British films before the gruelling years of war prompted their gradual decline. Screenwriter Eliot Stannard worked on numerous scripts for these local film studios and would become Hitchcock’s long-term collaborator during the following decade. The Sir Alfred Hitchcock Hotel can now be found at 147 Whipps Cross Road. The new documentary ‘Alfred Hitchcock in East London’ will premiere as part of the Mayor’s Story of London Festival. It will be screened on Saturday 27 June at the Heathcote Music Venue, 344 Grove Green Road, E11. For further details visit www.london.gov.uk/storyoflondon

Stan Osbourne

The incident would ignite a lifelong terror of police officers and any kind of enforced confinement. Hitchcock often described the event as the pivotal experience of his life and referred back to it many times in his films. Leytonstone Police Station has recently closed and now stands empty.

9. The Rink Picture Palace, 829 Leytonstone High Road, E11. Located next to St. John’s Church, the Rink Picture Palace opened in the summer of 1911 with a capacity of 1000. In the 1920s the cinema was renamed the Rialto and extensively refurbished by the legendary Russian theatre designer Theodore Komisarjevsky (who would create Walthamstow’s Granada-EMD Cinema shortly afterwards). In later years the cinema was further adapted to cater for nearly 2000 people as cinemagoing continued to thrive. The venue was used as a film location for the 1963 movie musical ‘What A Crazy World’ which starred Joe Brown, Marty Wilde, Freddie and The Dreamers and Harry H. Corbett. The cinema has since been demolished and the site is now home to a Matalan store.

Oppositive page, right to left, top row Alfred Hitchcock blue plaque. Mayville School. Academy Cinema Harrow Green. Middle row Leytonstone Fire Station. Leytonstone Premier Electric Cinema. Leytonstone Police Station. Bottom row, Wanstead Flats. Rink Picture Palace. Rialto Cinema Leytonstone. ISSUE 9 2009 THE STAR 13

Diabetes week June 15-20 Afzal Akram, Chair of NHS Waltham W altham Forest advises you to get tested

une 1 une 15-20 5-20 iiss N National ational D Diabetes iabetes W Week, eek, a get about cchance hance tto og et iimportant mportant iinformation nformation a bout att rrisk and tthe he ccondition ondition across across tto o tthose hose most most a isk a nd encourage people get by GP. tto oe ncourage p eople tto og et ttested ested b y ttheir heir G P. Diabetes where amount off D iabetes iiss a ccondition ondition w here tthe he a mount o glucose blood high because g lucose iin n tthe he b lood iiss ttoo oo h igh b ecause tthe he body use properly. b ody ccannot annot u se iitt p roperly. People with diabetes are P eople w ith d iabetes a re ttwo wo tto o tthree hree ttimes imes more heart disease m ore llikely ikely tto o ssuffer uffer ffrom rom ccoronary oronary h eart d isease essential know are att rrisk sso o iitt iiss e ssential tthat hat yyou ou k now iiff yyou ou a re a isk and what do about Afroa nd w hat yyou ou sshould hould d oa bout iit. t. A froCaribbean orr SSouth Asian people who here C aribbean o outh A sian p eople w ho llive ive h ere are five more have diabetes a re fi ve ttimes imes m ore llikely ikely tto oh ave d iabetes tthan han white population. tthe he w hite p opulation. “In Waltham we have growing problem “ In W altham FForest, orest, w eh ave a g rowing p roblem with obesity,” Afzal Akram, Chair off N NHS w ith o besity,” ssays ays A fzal A kram, C hair o HS Waltham “Add diverse ethnic W altham FForest. orest. “ Add tto o tthis his tthe he d iverse e thnic make up off o our and no m ake u po ur ccommunity ommunity a nd iit’s t’s n o ssurprise urprise we have higher off d diabetes tthat hat w eh ave a h igher rrate ate o iabetes llocally ocally and England general. tthan han iin n LLondon ondon a nd E ngland iin ng eneral. “You’re att rrisk off d diabetes over 40 orr “ You’re a isk o iabetes iiff yyou’re ou’re o ver 4 0o over 25 and black, Asian orr ffrom yyou’re ou’re o ver 2 5a nd b lack, A sian o rom a minority ethnic group. The older get m inority e thnic g roup. T he o lder yyou ou g et tthe he more att rrisk are, but more are being m ore a isk yyou ou a re, b ut m ore cchildren hildren a re b eing diagnosed with now.” d iagnosed w ith tthe he ccondition ondition n ow.”

The T he risk risk factors factors •

A close member of your family has Type 2 diabetes (parent or brother or sister).

•

You’re overweight or if your waist is 31.5 inches or over for women; 35inches or over for Asian men and 37 inches or over for white and black men.

•

You have high blood pressure or you’ve had a heart attack or a stroke.

•

You’re a woman with polycystic ovary syndrome and you are overweight.

•

You’ve been told you have impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glycaemia.

•

If you’re a woman and you’ve had gestational diabetes.

•

You have severe mental health problems.

For more information about diabetes go to the Diabetes UK website at

www.diabetes.org.uk w ww.diabetes.org.uk

Scrumping and much more for all in Leytonstone, Sarah Innes explores… If you walk or drive in Leytonstone you may just see it as roads, pavements and houses. I got the shock of my life when I looked at a map of E11 viewed from the air. There are so many green spaces in Leytonstone. Gardens, allotments, open spaces – not to mention Epping Forest. Unfortunately many of these spaces are too expensive to maintain. The new verges between Chadwick, Preston and Fladgate Roads and the realigned Whipps Cross Road are already being overtaken by coarse grass and gorse. Many other green spaces are also becoming rapidly overgrown. Maintenance staff do their best but there isn’t the money to employ the amount of labour required to look after these spaces as currently designed. There is lots of goodwill from local residents but no-one wants to end up being part of a very small group responsible for it all. That would become a chore and certainly not fun.

By timing the crops you plant, you can grow carrots (deep down) onions (shallow) lettuce (surface), apples or cherries (small tree) all in the same space. These simple principles of permaculture can be applied to any green space. We can create spaces for kids to play, forest gardens for food or flowers, havens for wild life and places to sit and enjoy.

Is there an answer? Yes... permaculture!

In Chadwick Road and the surrounding streets we’ve now started a group to look at how we can transform our local green spaces. We want to keep the attractive plantings which already exist – oaks, hawthorns, broom etc. – but transform the edges into meadow areas and perhaps create a forest garden and play areas for kids. There are around a dozen open spaces that we know about nearby and there must be many more around Leytonstone.

The great news about permaculture is that 95% of the effort lies in the initial design with plantings which get the best out of existing soil, sunlight, light and water. Permaculture encourages natural weed and pest eaters such as frogs and birds as well as bees and other natural pollinators.

We’re now planning an event to kick-start this initiative - a fun day with food and entertainment where we can make a start on

The local authority has various schemes such as “Adopt a Flower Bed” and “Orphan Spaces” which we intend to investigate. We also want to build up a register of local skills and trades and link up with groups which already organise related activities such as those who harvest unwanted apples and fruit to sell at community festivals. In other words, start with what we have then work by design and partnership towards a Leytonstone which has a variety of green spaces with different uses that are easy to maintain and a focus for the community.

Our fun day will take place on Saturday 11 July. If you want to help or would like more information contact Sarah Innes at info.on.laragreenspaces@googlemail.com Read about our progress in the next edition of the Star.

For example, if you want to use open space to grow food then instead of growing just one crop in one space, grow several.

There is a lot of help and information around – the challenge is to apply it skilfully to any one piece of ground in order to create green spaces which are productive, fun to use, easy to look after and cheap to maintain.

one open space and share information and ideas. We already have a fledgling Leytonstone Residents Association (LARA) which is just getting off the ground with many people interested in better maintained open spaces and creating a local community spirit.

ISSUE 9 2009 THE STAR 15

Email your legal questions to

Tucker’s law

editor@thestarmagazineuk.com

My name is Lorraine Collier, and I am a solicitor with Kennard Wells. I practise mainly in family and housing law, and until his untimely death in January of this year, I had the privilege of working alongside Simon Tucker for six years. I have been asked to write this column for this edition which is frankly rather terrifying. Writing an article for “Tucker’s Law” in memory of the late Simon Tucker has been very difﬁcult and he will be a tough act to follow. I thought that it may be helpful if I could focus on another problem area in family law which is that of ﬁnancial division following the breakdown of a relationship. This is an extremely complicated area of law and one upon which specialist advice should always be sought. However below are some frequently asked questions.

The former matrimonial home is in my husband’s name only – am I entitled to a share? Since you and your husband are married, even though the house is in his name only, you, as his spouse, would almost certainly be entitled to a share of the property. Your interest can be protected by a Home Rights Notice being lodged with Land Registry. The effect of this would be that if your husband did try to sell the house, you would have to be notified and any potential buyer would have notice of your interest. This protection would be in place until the finalisation of the divorce proceedings and it is also possible to make an application to the Court under the Family Law Act 1996 for this protection to be extended. We are getting divorced. I’ve heard that I’m automatically entitled to 50% of everything.

Kennard Wells Solicitors, 718 High Road, London E11 3AJ T

020 8539 8258

16 THE STAR ISSUE 9 2009

Not strictly correct. The starting point is 50:50 but this is subject to the factors which are set down in the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973. The first thing the Court will take into account is always the children of the marriage. The Court needs to be satisfied that children have somewhere to live, somebody to look after them, and enough money for them to be taken care of. There are a number of other factors, such as the age of the parties, the length of the marriage, the earnings capacity of both parties including anything such as extra training, which could be undertaken so that either party could earn more money. It must be borne in mind however that the needs of the children will always come first.

Before my partner and I split up, the house we lived in was in our joint names but she never paid anything towards it. Is she entitled to anything? Following a case in 2007 the presumption with jointly owned property is that each person is entitled to an equal share of the property unless there is an overwhelmingly good reason why the Court should depart from this. The facts would have to be very unusual before the Court would make a finding that one party was entitled to a greater share than 50% and one party was entitled to less than 50%. We were divorced abroad but we have a property in this country which needs to be divided. What can I do? With transport improving all the time and people being very much more “mobile” than they were, this is becoming more and more common. It would be possible in these circumstances to bring proceedings under the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984 for financial orders where there is property in England but where the divorce was obtained abroad. I would say again that financial arrangements following divorce or breakdown of a relationship is a very complicated area of law and one upon which specialist legal advice should be sought. Obviously the more that you and your “ex” can decide and agree between you, the better. You may also like to consider using a mediator to help with reaching an agreement at what is a very stressful and emotional time for all concerned.

THE STAR LOUNGE The Star Lounge is the Star of India’s new contemporary space to enjoy a relaxing drink or an Indian ‘Tapas’. The Star Lounge offers a comfortable meeting place, perfect for pre-dinner drinks, or a ‘quick bite’. The Star Lounge also benefits from an outdoor garden area, offering an alfresco dining experience, perfect for those summer evenings.

“” Famed for its quality, attention to detail and service, the Star of India also has a sumptuous lounge for diners to relax in whilst waiting for their table – something different and attractive to make the experience enjoyable for everyone.

Danny Cheesewright, iN Magazine 2009

T 020 8989 4028 E info@starofindiauk.com www.starofindiauk.com Opening hours: 5.00pm to 11.30pm 875–877 Leytonstone High Road, London E11 1HR

Joan Straw – Memories Of Jacob Epstein – painter and pioneer sculptor and his creative years in Loughton Epstein the painter and pioneer sculptor was born in New York in 1880 to Polish Jewish refugee parents. As a child he suffered from frequent bouts of pleurisy which gave rise to his interest in drawing during these long periods of illness. As an art student in New York he worked in a bronze foundry by day to earn money and studied drawing and sculptural modelling at night. His ﬁrst major art commission gave him enough money to move to Europe where he studied at the École des Beaux Arts and the Académie Julian. In 1905, Epstein moved to London and became a British citizen after his ﬁrst marriage.

In the mid-twenties Epstein rented a house in Loughton at number 49 Baldwin’s Hill and in 1933 he moved to number 50 ‘Deerhurst’ where he lived until the 1950’s and where many of his works were sculpted. This is where I had my first ‘encounter’ with the great artist and one of his muses!

expensive for our family to even think about having tea there. We assumed that the model was part of the household. We now know that Epstein’s first wife Margaret allowed his models and lovers to live in the family home in true ‘Bohemian’ fashion – something very new to Loughton!

In the days when children stayed out and played all day and only came home to eat and sleep, I was no exception. With my four brothers I spent many happy days wandering and playing in Epping Forest. I remember I was particularly keen on wild orchids and there was a great ‘orchid spot’ behind a house called ‘Deerhurst’, which was built on a steep slope leading to the forest allowing great privacy for whoever lived there. We all knew as children that someone vaguely famous lived in the house – but none of us were too sure what he did.

It was at Loughton that Epstein produced many of his portrait bronzes and his passion for landscape painting led to nearly 100 watercolours and gouaches of Epping Forest including “Monkwood Autumn” and “Pool, Epping Forest” which date from 1944 – 45. His paintings were often exhibited at the Leicester Galleries in London.

On one of our happy days out in the forest, we decided to clamber up a tree that overlooked the secluded garden belonging to ‘Deerhurst’. We weren’t particularly interested at that point in what went on there but when we all reached the top and perched ourselves on branches we couldn’t believe our eyes. There was a black female model completely naked lying in the garden with Epstein busily creating his sculpture. You can imagine our surprise – we had rarely seen a black person in those days – and to see this model completely naked was amazing! You can imagine the sight of five children sitting at the top of a tree, eyes and mouths wide open witnessing the ‘birth’ of a great masterpiece. Needless to say, this became our secret and we would enjoy several tree top excursions to follow the progress of art! What was more extraordinary to us children is that we would see Epstein, his wife and the black model in Loughton doing their shopping and having tea in a smart tea shop opposite the Crown Pub. We were very impressed with this as it was far too

18 THE STAR ISSUE 9 2009

In London, Epstein was very involved with the bohemian and artistic crowd, where his avant-garde style was naturally at home. He was a pioneer of modern sculpture but during his lifetime his work was deemed by the general public as controversial and harsh and his studies of the nude form condemned as obscene. Today his works are said to ‘communicate thought and understanding’.* I remember Epstein as a short, stocky man and very insular. He lived a private life with his wife and various models and it’s amazing to see how creatively productive he was during his time in Loughton. When we children eventually confessed to mum and dad what we had seen in the tree, I will always remember my father’s words. He was a solid working class man with exceptionally strong principles: “always respect people – especially people who are a bit different – and don’t go spreading rumours about them”. I’ve never forgotten that. Epstein left Loughton in 1950 moving to Hyde Park Gate. In 1953 the Arts Council organised a retrospective exhibition of Epstein’s work at the Tate Gallery and in 1954 he received a knighthood. * Source - Wikipedia

Left, Jacob Epstein by George Charles Beresford 1924 Right, Epstein’s St Michael’s victory over the Devil, Coventry Cathedral

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The owner of Britain’s most successful independent cinema is calling on Waltham Forest Council to save the EMD cinema.

James Hannaway is the man who transformed the dilapidated Rex Cinema in Berkhamsted into what is widely recognised as the country's most brilliant cinema resurrection of recent years. “The stunning EMD could readily work in the same way,” said Mr. Hannaway. “The special interest of the building could be protected as was the Rex. Local cultural and social interests would be reflected in the programming”. He contacted campaign group the McGuffin Film Society after hearing about the latest plan to convert the historic EMD into a church by the Brazilian religious outfit UCKG. Lyn Goleby, the managing director of the Picturehouse Cinemas chain, has also issued a statement confirming their interest in the EMD. “Our previous work has shown clearly that the redevelopment of historic cinema buildings such as the former EMD can act as an organic catalyst for wider regeneration,” she said. Tyrone Walker-Hebborn, the businessman who created the popular Genesis Cinema in Mile End, recently confirmed he has already attempted to buy the EMD and remains interested in doing so. “It would be entirely possible to bring the cinema back to life,” he said. “We regenerated and reopened the Genesis after it had been closed and left derelict for 10 years and proved that a successful business can rise from the ashes of an old one. I see the Walthamstow cinema as a similar project and there is no apparent reason why it couldn’t work”. Walthamstow businessman Guy Davies was another bidder for the cinema in 2006 but his offer was also rejected. Mr. Davies is a local entrepreneur who was responsible for the transformation of Hatherley Mews into the Hiltongrove Business Centre which is now a hub for the area’s creative industries. More recently he has helped revive the decaying former Leyton Town Hall as the Legacy E10 Business Centre. “I have always believed and continue to maintain that the EMD can be revived as a viable cinema,” he said.

20 THE STAR ISSUE 9 2009

Walthamstow's Liberal Democrat councillors have now declared their support for saving the historic cinema if an appropriate buyer can be found. Councillor's James O’Rourke and Johar Khan said in a joint statement: “UCKG recently stated they would consider moving if an offer was made. If there is a viable proposal we are willing to consider it. Our door is open.”

Community Cafe and Creative Centre to open this summer at St Andrew’s Church St Andrew’s Church, in Colworth Road, Leytonstone is launching a new creative centre and community café in June 2009. Café Refresh is expected to open on June 20. The church’s creative programme, Reflect, will launch as part of the Leytonstone Festival and Leytonstone Arts Trail on July 5. If dispensing arts and coffee seems a strange role for a church, St Andrew’s feels it is an important way of building community relations and increasing access to its Grade II listed building. St Andrew’s vision is to be an open, welcoming and thriving church serving all the community and caring for people’s spiritual, social and physical wellbeing. But to achieve that, people have to feel a closer connection to the church –see it as a space where everyone in our community can find peace and nourishment beyond the buzz and bustle of everyday life and work. “Refresh Café and the Reflect creative centre are a way of bringing all members of our community together and offering people a haven for relaxation, refreshment and reflection in our beautiful building,” said Fr Duncan Dalais, Priest of St Andrews. St Andrew’s has already started experimenting with arts workshops. It held a children’s creative workshop – Fruit Burst – during the February half term. Leytonstone children decorated banners and artwork for the café and made fruit cocktails and juices as well as

Kim Holman helps young artists with their canvases ©Sophie Anastasiou

enjoying stories with Waltham Forest Deanery Children’s Worker, Jean Elliot, who helped plan and organise the event. St Andrew’s also held a Young Writer’s Workshop with local author, Echo Freer, in partnership with Leytonstone Business and Enterprise School, where budding young authors were taught how to develop their stories and characters in preparation for publishing. Church authorities have greeted refresh and Reflect enthusiastically and the church has secured grants from Chelmsford Diocese Mission Opportunities Fund, the Church of England’s Church and Community Fund and local church grantmaker, London Over the Border Council. St Andrew’s has also secured grants of £160,000 from English Heritage, the London Borough of Waltham Forest and local trusts to repair the roof and gutters this year. Helen Gheorghiu Gould Development Worker, E refresh@standrewschurch.org.uk T 07866 451744

Catch the catwalk this summer with star style

Debenhams Butterﬂy by Matthew Williamson - peacock plume swimsuit £30 Red Herring white bag £30 Red Herring white framed sunglasses £18

This issue we’re hot on the heels of summer and Star Style has been out and about researching the ‘best for less’ on the high street.

Zandra Rhodes for M&S Trumpet sleeve top £49.50

We’re thinking holiday – and whether you’re going for broke with an exotic getaway or planning some home-grown fun – we’ve got some sensational new looks that will perk up your summer wardrobe and please all Star fashionistas on a budget. We’ve taken our inspiration from the catwalk and translated the key looks into accessible, affordable pieces that you can get from high street and local fashion retailers.

22 THE STAR ISSUE 9 2009

What’s hot Sheer and see through fabrics Go as bare as you dare! See through and sheer fabrics are big news for summer. But don’t’ worry you don’t have to reveal all – just a transparent hem, sleeve or over-layer will do. The idea is to create a soft and feminine look that’s ultra cool. Fringing Flapper style is back! Fringed dresses are ‘to-buy for’ this summer. You can opt for slinky, feminine or showgirl styles. Go for fringing on bags, shoes and boots too. And if you’re brave enough have your hair fringed à la Keira Knightly! Grecian Goddess The Graeco-Roman look gives us classically inspired style. This sophisticated look takes the current one shoulder approach but dresses it up with clasps, belts and drapes. A great look for summer parties. Choose the maxi-style or get the mini version to show off those tanned legs!

Primark Oversized blouse £10 Boyfriend slouch roll up jeans £11 Plaited tribal wedge shoe £13 Wood statement necklace £3 Zebra print wood bangle £2

Off the shoulder Asymmetric shoulder-lines stay for summer. One shoulder dresses are a high street hit – but now you get can them in tops, swimsuits and bikinis.

Exotic and ethnic Go for sumptuous and adventurous styling. Tribal-infused prints, animal turbans, flowing kaftans, scarves and drapes create a wonderfully free-flowing look. Leopard prints in acid bright colours are a new addition. Cool blues This is the colour for summer. You’ll find blue in every shade under the sun – from cool aqua to jazzy electric blue. Dresses, tops, skirts and of course denim take on the blue hue. Jean Genie Denim remains a perennial favourite. Ring the changes this summer with ripped styles both full length and short styles. Boyfriend styles are also big again – buy a larger pair – or just borrow his – roll them up – and you’re hot to trot! The new monokini

New Look Cut-out swimsuit £39

The one shoulder look takes to the beach with the sensational new monokini. Choose a one shouldered swimwear piece or go for bikini style. Either way this is a big must for the holiday suitcase. Cut-away styles are also hot news and there are plenty to choose from – cut away sides, two piece ‘boob’ tubes, bandeau bra and halter neck styles. And don’t forget to check out the new fringed cut away swimsuit. Big and bold accessories The bigger and bolder - the better. Go for big bangles, necklaces and earrings and the new butterfly motif. Big sunglasses are also back – brightly coloured frames are this season’s look. And for shoes - high heels, straps and beading are where it’s at. ISSUE 9 2009 THE STAR 23

George at ASDA Butterﬂy print dress

£16

Next Suede fringe waistcoat

£35

of the best Star style tips

Blue’s the colour Monokini is the big beach story Fashion with the fringe on top Off the shoulder for summer goddesses Sheer indulgence – see through layers Bling the changes – big and bold accessories, high heels and butterﬂies

Matalan Black bow front shoes

£12

24 THE STAR ISSUE 9 2009

George at ASDA Heart sunglasses

£4

River Island White tribal studded fringe satchel

£84.99

Matalan Et Vous rufﬂe one shoulder dress

£25

Dorothy Perkins Silver jersey drapped dress

£30

River Island White perforated fringe ankle boots

£59.99

ISSUE 9 2009 THE STAR 25

Star dining Discover the best places to eat. The Artisan

S U N R IS E C A R S Telephone 020 8558 3734 020 8556 7729 Freephone 0800 917 2404

24 hour radio controlled service All drivers fully insured Airport service

Bar & Grill at South Chingford

The Eatery & Luna Lounge

Try a brand new dining concept at The Artisan. Introducing the Black RockGrill – cooking on hot volcanic rock.

If you like curry with a difference, then the Eatery & Luna Lounge is for you.

Choose from a selection of fresh, high quality meats and seafood and watch it cook exactly how you like it. No fats or oils are added, the meat and fish cook in thermion juices to make this the ultimate tasty and healthy experience. Relax with a drink in our contemporary lounge area and enjoy live music every Friday and Saturday evening.

The Eatery is a warm welcoming family run restaurant with friendly long-term staff. Great background music on our first floor, adds to the buzzing vibrant and unique atmosphere. You will find a variety of spicy dishes here to tantalize your taste buds and…

The Artisan, 11 Hall Lane, South Chingford, London E4 8HH

If you want to enhance your evening, you can grab a drink downstairs at the Luna lounge and listen to some high quality, live Jazz, rhythm and blues, also funk, depending on which day of the week you visit.

T 020 8524 4355 www.theartisanchingford.com

We would love to see you and entertain you – so check us out soon.

Average price: £25

The Eatery and Luna Lounge 7 Church Lane, Leytonstone, London E11 1HG T 020 8518 7463

26 THE STAR ISSUE 9 2009

Prices range from: £10 – £15

The Hare & Hounds

Forest Tandoori

A Traditional Pub since 1861

Restaurant

“Gorgeous Indian food off the beaten track” Sam Adams

The Hare and Hounds is a large traditional Victorian pub established since 1861 retaining it’s original ornate ceiling décor pleasing to the eye, maintaining it’s good old fashioned pub feel and a warm friendly atmosphere, offering a little bit of everything for everyone. Although a pub at heart offering a range of beers, real ales, cider, wines, spirits and minerals, our pub kitchen offers homemade British pub classics from light bites to main meals, sizzling platters and traditional Sunday lunches. Authentic curries are also a speciality along with daily House Specials offering a selection of meals from around the continents. Try our homemade steak pie, mash and liquor, beer battered cod and chips with mushy peas, chorizo burger,lamb masala with pilau rice and naan bread or simply a chip butty with salt and vinegar. Teas, coffee and delicious sweets are also on the menu along with a large beer garden and a warm welcome from our friendly team.

Private functions also catered for. The Hare and Hounds 278 Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, London E10 7LD T 020 8558 8282

Prices range from: £5 – £15

Tucked away in one of Walthamstow’s quieter shopping districts the Forest Tandoori is a little off the beaten track, but its remarkable charm and superb cuisine make it an unmissable port of call for discerning curry fanatics. Five minutes walk from the nearest train station and flanked by busy pubs the restaurant, in Wood Street, is perfectly placed to turn the heads of hungry passers-by, but has as yet remained relatively undiscovered. Fully licensed and airconditioned.

Discount available for party bookings call for details. Why not try our home delivery service. Forest Tandoori Restaurant 102 Wood Street Walthamstow London E17 3HX T 020 8520 6085 / 020 8520 8080 www.foresttandoori.co.uk

Average Price: £15 ISSUE 9 2009 THE STAR 27

Diary

‘The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band Changed My Life’

Blues Jam

Friday 19 June at 7.30pm A musical play about the sixties legends. The Space, West Ferry Road, E14 Entry £10 T 020 7515 7799

An evening of raucous blues. Musicians and singers welcome. The Loaded Dog pub, 485 High Road, E11 Entry Free T 020 8556 6695

Sandra Bee: ‘A Night To Remember’

Haven House Summer Fayre

Friday 19 June at 7.45pm

Sunday 5 July at 11am

Sandra Bee presents a musical drama about two women leading parallel lives. Rich Mix, 35 Bethnal Green Road, E1 Entry £12.50 www.richmix.org.uk

Stalls, entertainment and refreshments in the grounds of Haven House Children’s Hospice. The White House, Mallinson Park, Woodford Green Entry Free T 020 8506 3630

Sunday 7 June at 7.30pm.

London In Film

Sutton House Guided Tour

A new regular evening of contemporary acoustic music. Stratford Picturehouse, Salway Road, E15 T 0871 704 2066

Sunday 21 June at 2pm

Sunday 5 July at 3pm

An afternoon of vintage films exploring life in the capital. Museum in Docklands, West India Quay, E14 Entry Free www.museumindocklands.org.uk

A guided tour of one of East London’s oldest houses. Sutton House, 2 Homerton High Street, E9 Entry £2.90 T 020 8986 2264

The Forest Philharmonic

Village Acoustic Session

Sunday 21 June from 6.30pm

Sunday 5 July at 7pm

The acclaimed orchestra return to Waltham Forest for an evening of Brahms and Verdi. Walthamstow Assembly Hall, Forest Road, E17 Entry £8 - £14 T 01279 814 931

Regular showcase event for local musicians. Performers welcome. Queen’s Arms, Orford Road, E17 Entry Free E thevas@hotmail.co.uk

The East of London Family History Society (Newham & Redbridge branch)

Courtney Pine

Wednesday 24 June, doors open at 7 pm for a 7.30 start

British modern jazz star in concert. Chingford Assembly Hall, Station Road, E4 Entry £21 T 020 8496 3000

JUNE Variety Lives! Friday 5 June from 8pm An evening of comedy and music featuring Nina Conti, Barbara Nice and ‘Spitting Image’ luminary Steve Nallon. Entry £12.50 Stratford Circus, Gerry Raffles Square, E15 www.stratford-circus.com

Sunday Soundtrack

Josh Kemp Quartet Sunday 7 June at 7pm Live jazz Luna Lounge, 7 Church Lane, E11 Entry £3 www.jazzleytonstone.com

Songwriter’s Showcase Tuesday 9 June at 8pm Open mic night for local singer-songwriters of all musical genres. Railway Tavern, Angel Lane, E15 Entry Free www.bosspromo.com

An evening of virtuoso jazz-funk. East Side Jazz Club at the Lord Rookwood, Cann Hall Road, E11 Entry £4 T 020 8989 8129

They're not there – using Census Indexes. Speaker: Jeanne Bunting. Bookstall, help corner and refreshments. Visitors welcome. Wanstead Library, Spratt Hall Road, E11 2RQ Free car park; two minutes walk Wanstead tube T 020 8530 4514 E membership.secretary@eolfhs.org.uk www.eolfhs.org.uk

Walthamstow Marshes Wildflower Walk

Edinburgh Previews

Sunday 14 June at 6pm

Thursday 25 June at 8pm

Two hour guided walk. Not suitable for children. Lea Valley Ice Rink, Lea Bridge Road, E10 Entry Free T 020 8988 7566

Comedians Russell Kane, Tom Bell and Ray Peacock present previews of their forthcoming Edinburgh Festival shows. Broadway Theatre, Barking Entry £7.50 T 020 8507 5607

Dennis Rollins Tuesday 9 June at 8.30pm

Jeff Hooper Swing Band Sunday 14 June at 7.30pm The BBC Big Band stalwart performs with his own six-piece swing ensemble. Kenneth More Theatre, Oakfield Road, Ilford Entry £12.50 T 020 8553 4466

Indian Strings and Dance Sunday 14 June at 11am A celebration of Indian dance and film. Valentine’s Mansion, Emerson Road, Ilford Entry Free www.redbridge.gov.uk

Woodford’s Family Fun Day 28 June 2009, 11am – 4pm Inflatables; arts & craft stalls; plant stall; hot food and drinks; BBQ; wine, beer & Pimms tent; children’s activities; music & dance display; live DJ; grand prize, and lots more... Woodford County High School, High Road, Woodford Green, Essex, East London IG8 9LA Entry Adults £1, children and concession 50p E pfwchs@yahoo.co.uk

JULY

T. Rexstasy

E17 Jazz

Friday 19 June at 8.30pm

Thursday 2 July at 9pm

Popular tribute to the King of Glam Rock. Royal Standard, 1 Blackhorse Lane, E17 Entry £7 T 020 8527 1966

A live performance by the new local jazz collective plus guests. Rose and Crown, 55 Hoe Street, E17 Entry £5 T 020 8509 3880

28 THE STAR ISSUE 9 2009

Thursday 2 July at 9pm

Friday 10 July at 8.30pm

McGuffins Open Air Cinema 2009 Saturday 11 July at 8pm A relaxed evening of movie magic with “The Girl Can’t Help It” under the stars of Walthamstow. Annual outdoor film screening. Walthamstow Town Square and Gardens, E17 Entry Free www.mcguffin.info

Woodhouse players in partnership with the Leytonstone Festival presents...... THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK Friday 10 and Saturday 11 July Friday 17 and Saturday 18 July Nightly at 8.00pm Saturday matinees at 3.00pm “I don’t want to have lived in vain like most people. I want to be useful or bring enjoyment to people, even those I’ve never met. I want to go on living even after my death!” First performed in 1956, this play was winner of the Pulitzer Prize for drama and Tony award for best play. The play is a stage adaptation of the published version of 13 year-old Anne’s diary, The Diary of a Young Girl. It opens with Otto Frank returning to the annexe to find Anne’s diary, before going back in time to the family first entering the annexe and beginning their two years in hiding. The entire play is set within the secret annexe where the Franks, along with the Van Daans and Mr Dussel, hid from the Nazis for two years, relying on help from two non-Jewish friends. In what would have been Anne’s 80th year, the Woodhouse Players present a very tender account of a typical

Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of these listings.

adolescent in extraordinary circumstances. Welsh Church Hall, Leytonstone High Road, E11 Entry £7.00 / £4.00 (concs) T 020 8504 3872 E tickets@woodhouseplayers.co.uk for tickets www.woodhouseplayers.co.uk

Music in Wanstead Park

Victorians at the Seaside until Friday 24 July An exhibition of late 19th century photographs depicting holidaymakers in Victorian England. Museum of Childhood, Cambridge Heath Road, E2 Entry Free www.vam.ac.uk/moc

Saturday 11 July at 2pm

Saturday Club

An afternoon of rock, jazz and bhangra music plus pony rides, stilt walkers and community stalls. Wanstead Park, Northumberland Avenue, E12 Entry Free www.redbridge.gov.uk

Saturday 25 July from 8pm

Scrumping or more in Leytonstone’s green spaces

AUGUST

Saturday 11 July 2009

Victoria Park Field Day

10.00am onwards

Saturday 1 August from 11am

Like a space for kids to play - or a haven for wild life - or to grow food or trees - that only takes a day or two a year to maintain? Come along to a day to launch local projects and find out how to transform your local eyesore - or garden or allotment that takes too much of your time. Current plans for the day: BBQ, displays on permaculture, join in creating a “wild meadow”, share a garden, adopt an open space. E info.on.laragreenspaces@googlemail.com

Live bands and DJs plus stalls and activities throughout the day. Victoria Park, E3 Entry Free www.fielddayfestivals.com

Crossroad Blues: The Legend of Robert Johnson Thursday 16 July at 7.30pm A dramatic recreation of a great American musical myth. Hackney Empire, Mare Street, E8 Entry £14.40 T 020 8985 2424

Chas and Dave Sunday 19 July at 4pm An afternoon of hits with the evergreen Cockney tunesmiths. Dagenham Town Show, Central Park, Dagenham Entry Free www.lbbd.gov.uk

The East of London Family History Society (Newham & Redbridge branch) Wednesday 22 July 2009 doors open at 7 pm for a 7.30 start More Lesser Known Sources for Family History Speaker: Eric Probert. Bookstall, help corner and refreshments. Visitors welcome. Wanstead Library, Spratt Hall Road, E11 2RQ Free car park; two minutes walk Wanstead tube T 020 8530 4514 E membership.secretary@eolfhs.org.uk www.eolfhs.org.uk

The Leytonstone library playreading group We are keen for young men and women with a passion for theatre and a desire for acting to join us and take part. Our group performs a different play (comedies; thrillers; classics and dramas) each Monday evening at 7.30pm for 38 weeks a year at Leytonstone library. So come along, sit in the audience and check us out, or contact Sheila Collings on 020 8556 3684 for further information.

An evening of dance, theatre, circus, music and spoken word performance. Stratford Circus, Gerry Raffles Square, E15 Entry £10 www.stratford-circus.com

Jazz in the Gardens Sunday 2 August from 8pm A relaxed evening of jazz in the open air. Bring a bottle. Myddelton House Gardens, Enfield Entry £7.50 T 08456 770 600

Pond and Meadow Madness Wednesday 5 August from 10am A day for volunteers to help clear the summer growth of Walthamstow Marshes. Meet: Lea Valley Ice Centre car park, Lea Bridge Road, E10 Entry Free www.leevalleypark.org.uk

REGULAR EVENTS Belly Dancing at the Nags Head Tuesday evenings at 7pm Introductory classes in belly dancing including root movements, locomotions and transitions. The Nags Head, Orford Road, E17 T 07930 988 020

Bakers’ Arms Book Group Last Fri of the month, 7.30 - 9.30pm. May book; Blindness by Jose Seramago Jun book; Cannery Row by John Steinbeck Jul book; The Piano Teacher by Elfriede Jelinek We are a friendly and informal group. Coffee and wine available. New members welcome. The Hornbeam Centre, corner of Bakers’ Ave and Hoe St, E17 Tickets Free T 0208 521 3696

Casino night at The Star Thursday 18 June from 7.30pm till late. A just for fun casino evening at The Star of India, enjoy delicious Indian cuisine, wine tasting and raffle. £20 per person, call or email to book your tickets. All proceeds from the evening will be donated The Leytonstone Festival. T 020 8989 4028 (after 5pm) E info@starofindiauk.com 875 Leytonstone High Road, London E11

The Nightingale Pub Quiz Every Tuesday 8.30pm Probably the best, definitely the friendliest pub quiz in East London. Purely for fun, a prize for the winning team. Regular charity quiz nights The Nightingale, 51 Nightingale Lane, Wanstead, E11 2EY Entry Free

The Soundtrack Club Saturday evenings from 8pm Weekly night of electro and alternative rock with guest DJs. Celsius Bar, 166 Hoe Street, E17 Entry Free E soundtrackclub@hotmail.co.uk

Word 4 Word Poetry Night Sunday evenings from 7.30pm Poetry readings by established writers and open mic slots for new talent. Theatre Royal Bar, Gerry Raffles Square, E15 Entry Free www.stratfordeast.com

CineVideo Club Thursday evenings from 8pm Local amateur filmmakers’ group with regular screenings. Stafford Hall, St. Barnabas Road, E17 Entry Free T 020 8527 8580

McGuffins Film and TV Quiz Night

Coach and Horses Blues Night

First Saturday of each month at 8.30pm

Wednesday evenings at 8.15pm

Test your knowledge of the film and TV greats at this lively quiz. £75 cash prizes plus cinema tickets, DVDs and movie memorabilia to be won. Featured in the Londonpaper’s ‘Top Five London Quiz Nights’. Rose and Crown, 55 Hoe Street, E17 Entry £1 www.mcguffin.info

Weekly blues club with resident band and guest players. Coach and Horses, 391 Leyton High Road, E10 Entry £2 T 020 8502 0351

ISSUE 9 2009 THE STAR 29

Computer Bits

Join the ROYAL BRITISH LEGION

4Spares, repairs and upgrades 4New PCs built to order 4Used systems in stock 4Laptops

You do not have to be Ex-Service to join the Royal British Legion. You can enrol as an Associate Member. We are based at: 31 Dunton Road. Leyton near the Bakers Arms

Our newly re-furbished function hall, houses a well stocked Bar at very moderate prices.

Tel: ROY 07958 146 759

Visit us at:

Give us a look in on Monday evenings for Line Dancing for beginners and intermediates,

42 Service Bay, The Stow, Harlow, Essex CM20 3AB

Wednesday Night is Bingo Night, Friday evenings is for Drinks and a Chat, Darts and Pool.

Tel: 01279 - 420400

Tai Chi class on Saturday

Saturday evening is Entertainment Night.

www.computerbits.zytrix.biz Email: computerbits@tesco.net

Word search, win a meal for two worth ÂŁ30 Hidden in the grid are 12 words relating to festivals. Find all the words to be in with a chance of winning a meal for two, courtesy of the Star of India restaurant. Good luck!

Congratulations to last issueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s winner Mr H. C. Bohr, Leytonstone (see below for solution).

Send your completed word search by 20 July 2009, to: The Star magazine, 6 Gainsborough Road, Leytonstone, London E11 1HT

Name ........................................................

Address

........................................................

Answers from issue eight: baking, biscuits, butter, cake, cocoa, creamy, dough, eggs, flour, icing, milk, sugar

30 THE STAR ISSUE 9 2009

........................................................

ENTERPRISE HOUSE

Leytonstone School Community Sports Centre

A Retirement Way of Life Adjoining Epping Forest

(entrance on James Lane)

020 8988 7474 Opening Times Monday – Friday 6pm – 10pm Saturday – Sunday 10am – 4pm G G G

Fitness Suite outside five a-side pitch four court sports indoor hall

G G

aerobics sports clubs party packages.

Competitive memberships rates available.

WOODSIDE LONDON LIMITED

G G G G

Pharmacy Perfumes

Passport and ID photographs

Free prescription collection and delivery service and much, much more…

Tel 020 8556 2502

Opening hours Mon – Fri 9.00am – 7.00pm Saturday 9.00am – 6.00pm

Enterprise House, standing in three acres of landscaped gardens, is a fully serviced apartment block forming a community of retired people enjoying the many facilities of this complex, including a shop, restaurant, club bar and a full calendar of social events. Self contained studio flats are available from £363 pm and one-bedroom flats from £535 pm including services plus a refundable Loan Stock.

Applicants should be between 60 and 75 years young. Apply: The Housing Manager Housing and Community Association Enterprise House, Kings Head Hill Chingford E4 7NB

851 High Road, Leytonstone, London E11

Tel: 020 8524 0318

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Opening Hours:

M-F: 9.00am - 5.00pm Sat: 9.00am - 4.00pm

Want to advertise your business here? Call the Star sales team to discuss your advert on 020 8558 4050 or email lesley@thestarmagazineuk.com

1st Quote Paving Greyhounds make great pets Contact us for details on adopting a greyhound www.wsretiredgreyhounds.co.uk

Joy 01992 890 540 www.whittinghamretiredgreyhounds.co.uk

Johanna 020 8444 9649

Specialist in Block paving, Driveways, Patios and Brick porches - Crazy Paving - Concrete Drives Gravel - Fencing - Landscapes Free Estimates

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J.S.B TREE SURGERY Tree care specialist Felling, Pruning, hedge cutting. Site/garden clearance. Free estimates Logs for sale

0800 44 88 733 07951 113 478 www.jsbtreesurgery.co.uk ISSUE 9 2009 THE STAR 31

Waltham Forest

Oliver Road Polyclinic Offering a wide range of healthcare services at extended hours to everyone who lives in, works in, studies in or visits Waltham Forest. Polyclinic services will include: • A new GP service the Orient Practice Open from 8am till 8pm, 7 days a week including bank holidays, open to all. You do not have to register with the practice – just turn up, or call to book an appointment. If you use the Orient Practice you can remain on your current GP's register. You can choose to register with the Orient Practice if you wish.

• Leyton Healthcare Medical Practice – Dr D Kapoor and Partners

• Pharmacy services available to 10.30pm every night • Sexual Health and Community Gynaecology Service Including Drop-in clinics for sexual health and contraceptive advice.

•

A wide range of community services

Including blood testing, community dermatology, counselling services and services for people with diabetes and heart problems (Available by GP referral only).

Oliver Road Polyclinic 75 Oliver Road, Leyton E10 5LG tel: 020 8430 8310 To find out more call PALS on 020 8539 3939 or visit www.walthamforest.nhs.uk