Newham Link

Here are pictures from the recent Local Involvement Network meeting for Newham. LINK is the national programme of patient forums that will provide a "link" between service providers to the NHS, The NHS itself and patients. The idea is that by encouraging wider participation with better representation of all groups a more tailored service provision will develop. I am asking some posing questions in the picture - always sceptical!


At the event I met with Signature the group that came second in "Britains Got Talent 2008". I am trying to encourage them to attend our Redbridge Carnival Event on the 5th and 6th September 2009. Watch this post! In the picture is my best friend Rachael, and My daughter Hannah with me and the boys!

If you would like to join with or learn more about this new Government initiative, that gives local communities the opportunity to influence their health and social care services - follow this "link" ha ha.

In October, RedbridgeCVS officially took on the role of host organisation for the new Redbridge Local Involvement Network (LINk). RedbridgeLINk has been set up to make sure that local people get the health and social services they need and want, and to address health and social care inequalities.

Free or extremly low cost local events to Redbridge!

Summer Gall Walk Saturday 11 July
Venue: Hainault Forest Country ParkMeeting point Visitor Centre
Time: 11 am to 1 pm
Event: Take a stroll around the forest looking for Plant Galls. What are galls? Come and find out – they are everywhere. Identification sheet available and opportunity to collect specimens.
Price: Free
Enquiries: For more information call Hainault Forest Country Park

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------St Pauls summer fete Saturday 11 July
Venue: St Pauls Church community centreBarley LaneGoodmayesIG3 8XE (view on map)
Time: 2 pm to 4 pm
Event: Summer fete at St Pauls Church community centre. Lots of fun and activities including:
Afternoon teas, hot dogs, raffles, bric-a-brac, books, hand-knits, plants, cakes and more
Price: Adult/OAP: 40pChildren under 12: Free
Contact: For more information please call Wendy Hill on 020 8590 0517 or email wendyhillsmail@gmail.com.

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Table top car boot sale and coffee morning Saturday 11 July
Venue: Shern Hall Methodist Churchcorner of Shernhall Street and Oliver RoadWalthamstowE17 9HX (view on map)
Time: 11 am to 1pm
Event: Table top sale/Car Boot Sale and coffee morning, featuring lots of stalls which include:
bric-a-brac, jewellery, cards, toys, cakes, books, Fair Trade items & lots more.
A great place to find a bargain, special gift or just pop in for a coffee. ot and cold food and refreshments available. Please come and support the church.
Price: Free admission
Booking and Information: For further information and booking please contact Susie at dotcomsusie@gmail.com.

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Craft and Antique fair Saturday 11 July
Venue: St Michael and All Angels ChurchNorthcote RoadWalthamstowE17 6PQ (view on map)
Time: From 11.30 am to 4.30 pm
Details: Craft and antique fair, buy from stock some unique designs including:
plaques, cards, antiques, home made preserves, cakes.
Refreshments available on the day.
Price: Adult: 50pChild/OAP: Free
Enquiries: For further information please call Viv or Jillian on 07960 019 610 or 07940 414 348 or email vivpryce@btinternet.com.

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Optics day Sunday 12 July
Venue: Ray Park visitor centreoff Snakes Lane East
Time: 10 am to 2 pm
Event: Join us to try out a range of binoculars and microscopes available for wildlife watching. Help is on hand to answer all your questions and there will be an opportunity for you to purchase equipment on the day.
Price: Free
Enquiries: For further information call the Nature Conservation Team

Find - Find themselves Flooded!

Families Information Direct (FIND) is currently closed due to flooding in the office on Wednesday 8 July. they are doing everything they can to get the service up and running as soon as possible. You can contact them on the following numbers 020 8514 9897 or 020 8514 9891 (Monday to Friday from 9.30 am to 5 pm) or email them at find@redbridge.gov.uk. Alternatively, please click on the link below to be taken to the Family Services Directory (FSD) where you will be able to find lots of information.

FIND Website

For those of you who dont know:

FIND aims to provide information on all services in Redbridge for children, young people and families. The information they have relates to council services as well as those in the private and voluntary sector. They aim to provide a comprehensive guide to local services, as well as introducing you to national sources of advice and guidance.

Messy business!

Good news! The Dog Litter bins ordered for Fields Park Crescent are due to arrive next week. Hopefully the installations will reduce the significant residual waste left by our friendly local dog walkers. Residents will now be empowered by being able to ask any contravening animal keepers to use the newly installed bins...perhaps they will find more ingenious responses now rather that saying "where do I pit it?" I just hope more of the walkers comply with the law and dispose of their mess correctly.

Here is a quote from our lead Streetscene (they are doing an excellent job!) officer:

"Dog bins scheduled for delivery next week. As soon as they come in I will install as promised."

The image on this post is quite ingenious...what do you think?

More Road works??!!

I write to remind your that road works at the end of the High Road leading to Cranbrook Road will continue until September. The works are their to create a new right hand bus lane to reduce the need to travel the Ilford Hill Loop -this is good news for Redbridge Carnival as it will be ready for use by us for our procession on the 6th September 2009.

There is also some gas works being undertaken along Cranbrook Road opposite the entrance to York Road. This work should be completed within a week. Do try and avoid this route to reduce travel delay.

Save Our Streets!

I was invited to the News of the World road show at which the London street crime was discussed and debated by leading Police, Doctors, victims and their families, MP's and the general public.

The event proved to be very polarised and people came with serious concerns, hoping that their input might effect some change to the diabolical nature of existing street culture and poor community quality of life.


TV Actress Linda Robson (formerly with Birds of a Feather) spoke openly about her son's traumatic experince, being the last person to cradle Ben Kinsella as he died. Linda has stated that if she is not booked, she would be willing to talk on the futility of knife crime at our Redbridge Carnival event on the 5th and 6th September 2009.
At the event I spoke about the Redbridge Peace Monument project I am championing, to commemorate the victims of violent crime in Redbridge while providing a poignant reminder of the consequences of knife and gun use. I also spoke to press officers afterwards and stated that I beleive that the MP's Victims and their families and leading police and doctors involved in the aftermath of such crime should be funded to speak to young children within our schools, as an early intervention measure. In tandem thay should also be encouraged to talk to the perpetrators of such crime, ian an effort to open their minds to the real hurt and pain their actions have caused. Having spoken to the 3 mothers who have lost teenagers to knife crime in Redbridge, I am well aware of the impact their words can have.

Truly Remarkable!

I have received confirmation by email that the dog litter bins will be introduced to Fields park Crescent shortly and that renovation and bush trimming will be introduced to the rogue property on Park Lane. Here is an email from the lead officer:

"From the photograph provided, we should be able to arrange for the vegetation to be cut back and the fencing painted. Dog bins scheduled for delivery next week. As soon as they come in I will install as promised."

I hope residents are pleased with this result?