Newham Mag 48_Sect1 (Page 1)

CONTENTS
In this issue we see how
The Gate is celebrating its
first birthday with a wide
range of events. These
include visits from authors
– check out page 10/11
for an interview with one
of them.
Turn to page 8 to see how rewarding
fostering a child can be and how to
become a foster carer.
On page 12 we take a look at the way
Newham’s open spaces are being
improved in time for the (hopefully)
hot weather in the months to come.
Have a look at page 15 to see the
latest on the Olympics bid and turn
to page 17 to see what happened in
Newham during Vaisakhi.
I hope you enjoy the issue.
WHERE IN THE WORLD
This month, Rebekah
Lee of Forest Gate
was caught on camera
reading The Newham
Mag at the Cefn Lea
Park in Wales.
Have you taken a
picture of yourself or someone you know
reading the magazine outside of Newham?
Send your pictures to Newham Magazine,
Newham Town Hall, East Ham, E6 2RP or
email newham.mag@newham.gov.uk
and each printed photograph will win a
prize. Please remember to write your
name, address and location on the back
of the photo. We regret no pictures can
be returned.
Editor: Allan Hambly (020) 8430 4533
Reporter: Rachel Unsworth
Design: Stars Digital Ltd
Photography: Andrew Baker
Advertising: Sue Meiners (020) 8430 6337
Print/reprographics: Woodford Litho Ltd
By 2010, Newham will be a major
business location and a place where
people choose to live and work
FEATURES
08 SPECIAL FEATURE – Find out the
value of fostering
10 SPECIAL FEATURE – Celebrate a
birthday and meet an author
17 SPECIAL FEATURE – Have a look at
our picture spread of the Sikh festival
of Vaisakhi
20 SPECIAL FEATURE – Discover an
arts festival in the borough
NEWS
04 BOROUGH NEWS –Find out what’s
happening around Newham
22 COMMUNITY NEWS – Our
community reporters have scoured the
borough to find out what’s happening
in your area
Page 22
AND NEXT ISSUE…
• Find out about a charity fun run for
parents and children
• See the latest news from the police
Look out for the
next issue from
May 22
REGULARS
06 MAYOR ABOUT TOWN – See where
Sir Robin Wales has been in the last
few weeks
12 YOUR NEWHAM – Take a look at
the good work being done in Newham’s
parks
14 YOUR COUNCILLORS – Who are
your local councillors?
16 NEWHAM COLLEGE – Find out the
latest news from the college
18 KIDS’ CORNER – Take a look at the
latest artwork from Newham’s
youngsters
30 WHAT’S ON – See what’s happening
in Newham over the next few weeks
If you do not receive The Newham Mag at home, or know someone who
doesn’t, please call 020 8403 4533, write to Newham Magazine, Newham Town
Hall, East Ham, E6 2RP or email newham.mag@newham.gov.uk
The views expressed by individuals and organisations interviewed in the Newham Magazine are not necessarily representative of the views
of the London Borough of Newham. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the permission of the publisher.
Page 8
Page 17
Page 20
3

4
Civic salutes for worthy
citizens
Six of Newham’s good
citizens received glowing
accolades at the borough’s
Civic Awards ceremony.
Council Chief Executive Dave Burbage (third left), Civic Ambassador
Councillor Joy Laguda (centre) and Newham Recorder
editor Colin Grainger (fourth right) with Civic Award winners
BENDY BUSES ON ROUTE 25
It was the fourth year that
Newham has had an honours
scheme for local people with
the winners nominated by
local people. They were handed out by Civic Ambassador Councillor Joy
Laguda during a ball at West Ham United’s Boleyn Ground in Upton Park
attended by more than 200 people. The evening raised £4,500 for the Civic
Ambassador’s charities.
Six winners received glass trophies, sponsored by the Newham Recorder. The
recipients were:
Pritam Singh Bamrah for his work with young people, training and managing
football teams and setting up the Ramgarhia Dhol Academy.
Eileen Dorrington has spent her life working for children and people through
the Guide Association and war widows.
Bill Dunlop for his extensive work in the community. He also started
Newham Riding School for the Disabled.
Amran Hussain has helped pupils at Plaistow’s Lister Community School
achieve their potential. He has also helped deaf people.
Pat Sommerville has given her time to help with Rainbows, Brownies and Guides.
Chandra Vansadia has worked to recruit Asian people to donate bone marrow
for the Anthony Nolan Trust, has helped at an elders’ home and performed
community work.
Two winners unable to be present on the night were Brother Julian,who has
provided extensive help and support for homeless and needy people and Linda
Plumb,who has helped and supported elderly neighbours through shopping and
taking care of pets. Her kindness has ensured a good local community spirit.
Manor Park councillors are asking Transport for London (TfL) to rethink plans to use
controversial bendy buses on Route 25 through Newham.
The buses would travel through Stratford and Manor Park on the Romford Road.
Ward Councillor Christine Bowden says she recognises the environmental benefits
and extra capacity of the new-style buses but doesn’t think they are necessarily
suited to Route 25.
She said: “There are many things which need to be considered in Manor Park.
The size of the bus stops, the length of the buses and the size of the junctions on
Romford Road. Manor Park councillors would like TfL to investigate.”
IN BRIEF
Trainee teachers are up to
the test
Certificates have been awarded to
a group of pioneering Newham
teaching assistants, learning
mentors and nursery nurses who
have passed exams to bring them
a step closer to becoming fully
fledged teachers.
The 29 dedicated members of
staff began a brand new diploma
course in September 2000 run
by Canterbury Christ Church
University College.
At the Credon Centre in Kirton
Road, Plaistow, where their studying
took place, the group received
Honours degrees after passing their
examinations. So far 28 have
become trainee teachers and are
due to qualify in December.
Around 75 per cent of the teaching
on the diploma course was done
by council staff. A number of tutors
attended the presentation along
with lecturers from Canterbury.
Newham celebrates
International Day of
the Midwife
Newham midwives celebrated
International Day of the Midwife on
May 5 by hosting an information
stall at Newham General Hospital.
Information was on hand for people
interested in a career in midwifery
and there were opportunities to
pick up application packs for other
jobs in Women’s and Family Health.
Visitors also had the chance to put
questions to a Newham Healthcare
NHS Trust midwife.
Borough News
Square marks German twin town anniversary
Newham’s Mayor Sir Robin Wales (left) unveils Kaiserslautern Platz with Kaiserslautern’s Deputy Mayor
Gunther Remler
A square in front of East Ham
Leisure Centre has been named
Platz Kaiserslautern to mark
Newham Council’s 30th
anniversary of twinning with the
German city.
The naming ceremony was
performed by Newham’s Mayor
Sir Robin Wales and Kaiserslautern’s
Deputy Mayor Gunther Remler.
Together they unveiled a sign and
a plaque.
Sir Robin said: “Kaiserslautern
already has a street named after us
and we are delighted to be able to
return that honour. We are proud of
Sir Robin celebrates Ranelagh's 100th birthday with
schoolchildren, Chair of Governors Shirley Morgan
(back left) and headteacher Angela Tapscott (centre)
the partnerships we have built with
our German friends over the years
and it is great there is now a square
that recognises our friendship.”
Mr Remler said: “Coming to
Newham is coming to see old
friends. A partnership for 30 years
is something we should celebrate
and we must continue our good
works for future generations.
And we also look forward to
celebrating the Olympics when it
comes to Newham in 2012.”
Five VIPs from Germany spent
three days in Newham as guests of
the borough.
During their visit Mr Remler, his
wife Maria, Stefanie Merai from
the CDU Party, Prof Gerhard Konrad
from the SPD Party and Klaus
Orschiedt from the Protestant
Youth Organisation, saw West Ham
United play and attended the
borough’s Civic Ball at the Hammers’
Boleyn Ground.
They also visited Thames Barrier
Park in Silvertown, Green Street
shops and the Vaisakhi Sikh New
Year procession in Manor Park.
A display about Kaiserslautern was
displayed at Newham Town Hall
and the city’s flag was flying.
Sir Robin, Mr Remler and Newham’s
Civic Ambassador Councillor Joy
Laguda signed scrolls, one of which
will remain in Newham and one will
return to Kaiserslautern.
VIPs from Newham and Kaiserslautern
celebrate 30 years of town twinning
Mayor helps school celebrate centenary
Newham’s Mayor Sir Robin Wales helped celebrate 100 years of history at a
primary school in Stratford.
The Mayor visited Ranelagh School in Corporation Street to mark the very date it
was opened in 1904 by the Mayor of West Ham.
Sir Robin chatted to current day pupils and also met 80-year-old Esther Harris who
was at the school as a five-year-old in 1928. He saw a display of old photographs
and memorabilia and a specially designed collage containing faces of all the present
pupils drawn by the youngsters.
The school has 460 children aged from two to 11. It was opened on April 22 1904
and apart from when it suffered bomb damage during World War II and evacuated
to a local college, it has remained open ever since.
5

with Mayor Sir Robin Wales
6
POLICE RAIDS
I have absolutely no
doubt that the vast
majority of the people of
Newham are united in
their loathing of crime
and anti-social behaviour.
The lack of respect for
the law and decent
values shown by a small
number of people affects
Operation Montignac ready for the off
the well-being and
confidence of the rest of us, and I am determined to do
everything within my power to cut crime in the borough.
With this aim in mind, a huge police operation targeting
gun and drug crime took place last month. More than
800 officers were involved in raids on two evenings.
More than 40 arrests were made for serious offences
such as possession of firearms and robbery, and illegal
handguns and shotguns, as well as drugs, were seized.
An operation of this size inevitably caused some
disruption and alarm to local residents, but I had no
hesitation in giving my unconditional support to
Newham’s police officers in carrying out the crackdown.
I know that we are all prepared to put up with occasional
inconvenience if it means that life will be made more
difficult for the criminals.
Each fortnight Sir Robin
talks about the issues
and events that affect
residents and businesses
in the borough
(l-r) Supt David Anthony, Chief Insp Iain Dickson and police Borough
Commander Michael Johnson with weapons seized during one of the raids
Operation Montignac took three months of intelligence
gathering and meticulous planning by the police force,
working in partnership with the council, and I offer my
thanks and congratulations to the Metropolitan Police.
Exam time
As many teenagers and their families will know, exams are looming.
I have been helping my daughter Jessica revise for her GCSEs, which begin later this
month, so I know what an anxious time it can be.
Like any parent, I want my children to succeed and be happy, and I also care
passionately about the education and prospects of all our young people in Newham.
There is a fine line between encouragement and nagging, especially as far as
teenagers are concerned, but the next few weeks will have a major impact on their
future careers and lives.
And it’s not just GCSE's that will be causing headaches in the coming weeks
– A levels and many other examinations will be sat at schools and colleges
around Newham.
Let’s try to give our youngsters the positive support they need and remind them
that their hard work will be rewarded with a long summer break and good results
in August.
Good luck to everyone taking exams.
Free swims
There is great concern about the couch potato lifestyle of today’s youngsters, but a
visit to any of Newham’s four leisure centres over Easter told a very different story.
The pools were alive with the splashing and whooping as thousands of young
people took advantage of free swimming during the school holidays.
Swimming is a simple and fun way to keep fit, and with Newham leading the way
in the London 2012 Olympic bid, we could be nurturing some future medallists.
I introduced free holiday swimming last year, and am delighted that London Mayor
Ken Livingstone liked the idea so much that he extended it to the other four
Olympic boroughs, and provided funding for it.
I hope he will continue the scheme during the summer holidays and beyond.
Question Time
I recently heard some serious
concerns about uneven pavements
from residents from Plaistow and
Canning Town.
At a Question Time event at
Newham Sixth Form College in
Prince Regent Lane, Plaistow, an
elderly couple made the time and
effort to come along and report
a number of pavements in poor
condition which have caused a
number of their friends and
acquaintances to trip and fall.
I have promised to take urgent
action about this, and council
officers will inspect the pavements
and organise their repair.
A resident gets his point across at
Question Time
This might perhaps appear to be a
rather trivial issue, but I take very
seriously anything that is a danger
to our residents, and I am grateful
to the couple who brought it to
my attention.
Look out for my next Question
Time in June or July. Details will
be in The Newham Mag.
7

Special Feature Special Feature
There is a national shortage of foster carers and Newham Social Services is keen to recruit
local people to care for local children. No one with experience of working with looked after
youngsters would pretend that fostering is an easy challenge to accept, but many will testify
to the rewards that it can bring.
There are many different reasons why
youngsters need foster carers. A recent
case in Newham concerned a terminally
ill mother with three children under ten.
She had been given a year to live, and
during that time her children needed to
be looked after in such a way that she
could maintain contact with them for as
long as possible.
Another youngster who needed foster
care was a 14-year-old boy from the
north of England, who had been living
with his grandmother, as his mother
was a drug abuser.
When the grandmother died, the boy’s
uncle applied to be his guardian, but the
father, who lives in Newham, objected
to this. He brought his son to live with
him and his new family. Following
the death of the person he was
closest to, and the upheaval of coming
to live with a father he hardly knew
and a family who did not welcome
him, the boy’s behaviour became
difficult. The father brought him to
Social Services saying he could not
cope with him.
Most children in need of foster
homes have been neglected or
abused. Sometimes they may have
been barred from the family home
for becoming pregnant.
Many foster placements are handled by
agencies which charge a fee to local
authorities. The services are expensive,
and often results in youngsters being
sent to far-flung locations. Newham
Social Services wants to change this by
recruiting more local carers and dealing
with them directly.
“There are so many
people who have a
natural ability to get
alongside kids and make
them feel welcome.”
Hilary Bull, senior team manager with
Newham’s Placement Services, says
that keeping looked-after children near
their homes is a high priority. “Research
tells us that young people do better if
they are not uprooted,” she said. “We
want to recruit local carers so that
Newham children can keep their links
with their families and schools.”
Foster carers have many exceptional
qualities, but perhaps the most
significant one is that they do such
remarkable work while appearing to be
very ordinary. Like parenting, the skills
evolve with experience, and it can
sometimes seem a thankless task.
But fostering is also radically different
from bringing up your own children.
Some youngsters may never have
experienced any stability; they may have
been in and out of care all their lives
and they will probably have significant
emotional problems. It may not always
be easy to find them endearing.
But many foster carers find they receive
huge returns on the time and care that
they invest. Some describe the joy seeing
a smile on the face of a youngster who
arrived at their home apparently blank
and emotionless. Others speak of the
thrill they feel every time when a child is
due to be placed with them.
Hilary Bull says she is constantly
amazed at the generous-spirited nature
of foster carers. “There are so many
people who have a natural ability to get
alongside kids and make them feel
welcome,” she said. “Obviously, foster
carers need to really like children or
teenagers. They need a good sense of
humour, large reserves of patience and
tolerance, and lots of energy.
“We have some wonderful people who
make a huge difference to youngsters
who have had such difficult lives, but
we desperately need more.”
INTERESTED IN FOSTERING?
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN
FOSTERING IN NEWHAM,
CALL FREE ON 0800 0130393.
A social worker will talk to you and
complete an initial interest form
over the telephone. You will be
asked for basic information about
yourself and your family, and you
will be able to discuss why you are
interested in fostering.
You may then be invited to an
information evening, where you
can talk to other people with
experience of looked after children.
The next stage is a visit to your
home from a social worker, who
will talk to you in more depth. If
they and you agree to proceed, you
will be asked to go on a four-day
preparation programme. This will
give you more information about
what fostering involves, including
legal matters, behavioural problems,
working with Social Services, and
how fostering can affect families.
You will be allocated a social
worker who will need to ask you for
much more detailed information,
such as your childhood experiences
and how you deal with anger.
Checks will be made on your
background, and you will be asked
to supply references.
You may think that you have
personal circumstances which would
mean you are not suitable to be a
foster carer. But Social Services look
carefully at the individual aspects of
every applicant and there are few
hard and fast rules. The most
important thing is to be completely
honest about everything.
Your application will then be
put to the Fostering Panel, whose
members include representatives
from Social Services, education
specialists and other foster
carers. The application takes less
than an hour, and you would be
encouraged to attend.
If the panel recommend you to
be a foster carer, the final decision
will be taken by a senior officer
from Social Services. You would
have the right to appeal if you
were not approved.
If you are approved, you will be
allocated a supervising Social
Worker and invited to join support
groups and go on a short training
course. You will receive guidance
about how to settle a youngster
into your home, establishing the
ground rules on subjects such as
homework and going out, and how
to help them maintain contact with
their birth family.
The entire process, from making
the first telephone call to
welcoming a young person to your
home, should take between six
months and a year.
It may sound complex and drawn
out, but it can be fun and
challenging. It is also absolutely
essential, in order to safeguard
the welfare of you, your family and
the looked after child.
8 9

Special Feature
The Gate’s
1st Birthday
One year on and The Gate’s opening
a little bit wider…
In a fortnight of events,
The Gate is celebrating its
first anniversary by opening
its doors on a Sunday for
the first time.
There will also be a range of free
events and activities for all ages during
the fortnight. So why not join in and
take advantage of the extra hours?
An evening with Cass Pennant
May 18 6.30-8pm
Larger than life local boy Cass Pennant,
author of Terrace Legends and
Congratulations, you have just met the
ICF, will be sharing the remarkable
things he’s seen and done and how he
came to be a writer. There’ll be a
chance to question Cass about his life
and work and an opportunity for book
signings and photos.
Places limited to 30. See booking details.
How to write a novel with a pack
of cards, a kitchen timer and a piece
of string. With Alison Joseph
May 20 6.30-8pm
Highly popular author Alison Joseph
will let you into the secret of novel
writing. If you have ever wanted to
write a story but you’re not quite sure
how to bring it all together, then this
is the chance you’ve been waiting for!
Learn how to structure a narrative and
create and use characters in this
thoroughly enjoyable interactive session.
Places limited to 25. See booking details.
Under 5s storytelling session
May 21 11am-12 noon
Visiting story builder Kwame, from the
Discover Centre in Stratford, will be at
The Gate to lead an interactive
storytelling session. Followed by an
10
interactive wooden spoon puppet
making activity, children are invited to
set their imaginations free.
No need to book, just drop in.
Asian Poetry event
May 22 2.30-5pm
A multilingual event featuring
published poets Roohi Majid, Lakshmi
Holmstrom, Ketaki Kushari Dyson,
Divya Mathur and Shanta Acharya,
presenting their work in Urdu, Tamil,
Bengali, Hindi and English respectively.
Places limited to 30. See booking
details.
Sunday Service
May 23 all day – 1-5pm
Celebrate The Gate’s new Sunday
opening hours. The first 100 children
under 13 to loan an item from the
library will receive a free book token
courtesy of FaulknerBrowns, builders
of The Gate.
Murder Mystery Evening
May 24 6.30-9pm
Travel back in time to a fourteenth
century inn for an evening of medieval
mayhem. Set within The Canterbury
Tales, this evening sees a group of
strangers meeting up to eat, drink,
become acquainted and, in a spinechilling
twist… murder! No one can be
trusted and it’s up to you to discover
whodunnit…
Places limited to 30 (18 years and
over). See booking details.
An evening with Anthony Cartwright
May 25 6.30-8pm
Newham schoolteacher Anthony
Cartwright will be reading from his
recently published debut novel,
The Afterglow.Considered by author
Allan Sillitoe to be “an excellent read,
told with style and pace”, this is the
latest offering from exciting independent
publisher Tindal Street Press.
Places limited to 35. See booking
details.
Storytelling for under 5s
May 28 11am-12 noon
Let your child discover a world of
make-believe and adventure in the
library. Run in partnership with SureStart,
sessions are lead by trained playworkers
who bring the written word to life.
Face painting and balloon modelling
for all ages will also be available.
No need to book, just drop in.
Click On sessions
May 28 10am-2pm and 2-4pm
The first of ten sessions around the
borough, Click On gives over 50s the
chance to learn about computers and
how to use them – including the
internet. The easiest way for absolute
beginners to get started.
Places limited. See booking details.
Booking
All events are free, however it is
advisable to book in advance to
reserve your place. Telephone Maarya
Rehman on 020 8430 3994 or email
maarya.rehman@newham.gov.uk
Venue
The Gate, 4-20 Woodgrange Road,
Forest Gate, E7 0QH
Newham teacher
Anthony Cartwright
set himself some
hefty holiday
homework when
he decided to
follow in the
footsteps of his
literary heroes and
pen his first novel.
The Afterglow is the story of a working class, Black Country
family told in authentic Dudley dialect. It has been described
as “one of those rare novels which gives us the real thing”
(author Alan Sillitoe) and “painfully honest and accomplished”
(author Philip Callow). So how did Anthony find the time to
write to such acclaim?
“Afterglow was written over two summer holidays. It was very
intense. I spent a lot of time alone, just writing, a complete
contrast to teaching.
“Once I had written the first chunk, I approached Tindal Street
Press (a Birmingham-based publisher with a reputation for
publishing regional voices) who took me on. I was lucky to work
with an editor early on and it was great to be working with a
publisher at such an exciting time. (Fellow Tindal Street Press
author, Clare Morrall, was shortlisted for the 2003 Man
Booker Prize for her book, Astonishing Splashes of Colour.)
“Writing was an enjoyable but long process. When I saw the
book in print I felt relief more than anything. Now it’s out
there though the nerves have kicked in!”
But Anthony needn’t worry. Feedback from readers and
reviewers has been very positive – even his kids at school are
“very keen on it”.
Why not judge for yourself? Anthony will be reading from his
debut novel at The Gate on May 25. See opposite for details.
Q: How long have you worked in Newham?
About five years all together.
My Newham
Q: What are the two best things about working
in Newham?
The people and the atmosphere. I have never experienced
the positive feeling I get in Newham anywhere else.
Q: What is your favourite Newham building and why?
The school where I work (Royal Docks Community School)
really reflects the area and all the good things that are
happening.
Q: If you could make one change to Newham what
would it be?
Make sure resources are allocated to frontline services.
Q: What is your vision of Newham in the year 2010?
It is quite an exciting time and Newham will become a
very different place. It’s important that local people are
made aware of the opportunities that are opening up for
them, rather than outsiders moving in.
Q: How do you relax in Newham?
I enjoy the after school football clubs that I’m involved
with. I’ve been to see West Ham play a few times too,
although strictly I’m an Aston Villa fan.
Q: Tell us one thing about Newham that you hope
will never change.
The down to earth nature of its people.
11

Your Newham Your Newham
12
London is envied
throughout the
world for the number
of parks and open
spaces the city
has to offer.
Newham is part
of that picture
having no less than
23 parks and many
other green open
spaces throughout
the borough.
Newham Council recognises how vital
well-managed green spaces are not only
to the physical environment but also to
the health and well-being of residents.
It has signed up with the Governmentfunded
Commission for Architecture
and the Built Environment Space
manifesto which champions excellence
in the design and management of parks
and open spaces in towns and cities.
In the spirit of the manifesto Newham is
near to completing a major programme
of works to renovate, refurbish and
improve eight of the borough’s most
popular spots. The project has been
funded by Your Newham 2010 Local
Strategic Partnership, with money
allocated from the Neighbourhood
Renewal Fund.
Park makeovers
Eight areas have had, or are having,
thorough makeovers in time for the
summer. They are:
• Barking Road Recreation Ground,
East Ham – following consultation
with disabled users of the park
Forest Lane Park has scooped the Green Flag
Award for the fourth consecutive year
re-landscaping work has included drop
kerbs for wheelchair users. There is a
completely new play area, a floodlit
multi-use games area and a trim trail
for joggers to incorporate exercises in
their running regimes.
• Cundy Park, Canning Town –
improvement works are still in progress.
• Little Ilford Park, Manor Park –
a revamped new play and
re-landscaped jungle area together with
a trim trail are close to completion.
• Keir Hardie Recreation Ground,
Custom House – two refurbished
football pitches and changing rooms
plus a new children's play area are
opening soon.
• Canning Town Recreation Ground –
work is under way on tree planting,
new landscaping, a children’s play
area and hard sports area. Nearby
Ashburton Terrace, a former old
school ground, is being developed as
community woodland.
• Stratford Park – the park will soon
feature new play equipment
accessible to children with disabilities,
picnic benches for adults and children,
a refurbished paddling pool and
new landscaping.
• Royal Victoria Gardens, Custom
House – the riverside park has been
refurbished with new play equipment.
• Plashet Park, Forest Gate – work on a
new play and multi-use games area is
nearly finished.
Plashet Park
Green Flag Award Scheme
Forest Lane Park in Forest Gate has been
awarded the Green Flag Award for the
fourth consecutive year and Newham
Council is determined that more of the
borough’s parks will receive this
national gold standard.
The Green Flag Award is given to
welcoming parks that put emphasis on
health, safety and security. They have
to be well maintained and clean
and demonstrate a commitment to
sustainability, for example using less
pesticides and maximising compost use.
Conservation and protection of heritage,
such as protecting original railings or
monuments, should also be a priority.
Parks are fun!
Looking after parks and open spaces is
the job of the Newham Parks and Open
Spaces team and they take their jobs
seriously. But the job of Newham
residents is to have fun in them and
enjoy the parks whether its playing,
picnicing, running, paddling, strolling,
smelling the roses or watching the
leaves tumble from the trees.
The council’s Do More In Newham
campaign is encouraging young people
to be more active and get involved in
activities in the borough. Football,
tennis and basketball are just some of
the sports that are played in the parks
and during the summer there will be
open air music events. Check out
www.domoreinnewham.org and look
out for information in future issues of
The Newham Mag.
Community groups, people with
disabilities and groups of elderly people
also use the parks for organised walks,
activities or just quiet relaxation.
Other parks in Newham
The Corporation of London owns West
Ham Park, which is one of the biggest
parks in the borough. It has good play
areas for children and sporting facilities
as well as the national collection of
sweet gum trees and the oldest ginkgo
biloba tree in the country. To find out
more visit www.cityoflondon.gov.uk
The riverside Thames Barrier Park is run
by the London Development Agency.
Designed by a French architect there is
a Gallic flavour to this stylish, awardwinning
park. For more information
visit www.thamesbarrierpark.org.uk
Grow your own on an allotment
Like the idea of TV’s The Good Life but
live in a flat, or have a garden the size
of a postage stamp? Newham Parks can
offer a solution by way of the seven
allotment sites in the borough. You can
rent a patch to grow fruit, veg and
flowers and even go organic, choosing
your own fertilisers and pesticides.
As an added bonus all that fresh air and
exercise should make you feel better in
body and spirit. And by growing your
own produce you will cut down on
shopping bills.
Allotments are not expensive to rent
and cost between £25 and £60 a year,
depending on location and facilities. If
you receive a State pension or benefits
you would be entitled to a concession.
Visit www.newham.gov.uk for more
information.
As an added bonus all that
fresh air and exercise
should make you feel better
in body and spirit.
If you are interested in renting an
allotment contact The Allotment Officer,
292 Barking Road, East Ham, E6 3BA or
telephone 020 8430 2455/3606.
Parks information
Newham’s Parks are open 365 days a
year – Monday to Saturday from 7am
until dusk and on Sundays from 8am.
As well as the parks the council manages
two nature reserves, East Ham Nature
Reserve and Newham City Farm, Beckton.
To find out more about facilities,
opening times and directions to
Newham’s parks visit
http://www.newham.gov.uk/content/
Leisure/parks_newham.jsp
Royal Victoria Gardens
13

Header
Ever found yourself in need of some advice and support and not sure who to turn to?
Maybe you’ve got incredibly noisy neighbours or you’d like to
campaign for a new facility in your area.
Newham’s councillors can help. Every day, every week, 60
Members – elected by you to represent your best interests
– take an active role in helping people living and working
in the borough.
Councillor Ayesha
Chowdhury
Councillor
Maureen Jones
Councillor
John Saunders
Councillor
Akbar Chaudhary
14
Councillor
Khalil Kazi
Councillor
Vic Turner
Councillor
Alec Kellaway
Councillor
Alan Taylor
Councillor
Mahmood Ahmad
Councillor
Alan Griffiths
Councillor
Amarjit Singh
Councillor
Judith Garfield
Councillor
Chris Seddon
Councillor
Pat Holland
Councillor
Lyn Brown
Councillor
Winston Vaughan
Councillor
Joy Laguda
Councillor
David Griffin
Councillor
Sardar Ali
Councillor
Conor McAuley
Councillor
Abdul Shakoor
Councillor Abdul
Karim Sheikh
Councillor
Riaz Ahmed Mirza
Councillor
Anthony McAlmont
Councillor
Joseph Ejiofor
Councillor
Ron Manley
Councillor
Ian Corbett
Councillor
Rustam Talati
Councillor
Regina Williams
Councillor Omana
Gangadharan
Councillors know the local issues close to people’s hearts
and can help tackle them with people who matter like the
police, council and health services.
The Newham Magazine features a different ward in most issues,
helping you to get to know your councillors and find out how to
contact them. Look out for your ward coming soon.
Councillor
June Leitch
Councillor
Lester Hudson
Councillor
Unmesh Desai
Councillor Harvinder
Singh Virdee
Councillor
Bryan Collier
Councillor
Paul Sathianesan
Councillor
Marie Collier
Councillor Sukhdev
Singh Marway
Councillor
Mary Skyers
Councillor
Andrew Baikie
Councillor
Graham Lane
Councillor
Ted Sparrowhawk
Councillor
Clive Furness
Councillor
Pat Sheekey
Councillor
Kevin Jenkins
Councillor
Jo Corbett
Councillor
Neil Wilson
Councillor
Megan Harris
Councillor
Paul Schafer
Councillor
Shama Ahmad
Councillor
Quintin Peppiatt
Councillor
Richard Crawford
Councillor
Mike Law
Councillor
Oliver Inverary
Councillor
Alan Craig
Councillor
Paul Brickell
Councillor
Pearson Shillingford
Councillor
Christine Bowden
Councillor
Sarah Ruiz
Councillor
John Whitworth
To find out who your local councillor is call 020 8430 2000 or visit www.newham.gov.uk/yourcouncillor
This is the fourth in a series
of question and answer
sessions with Barbara
Cassani, Chair of the
London 2012 Olympic bid.
Over the coming
weeks Barbara
will outline
the benefits
of the bid for
Newham’s
people, environment
and
infrastructure.
In this instalment she talks about
the short and long-term benefits
of the Olympic Games.
How will local businesses and residents
benefit from the Games, before and
after they have taken place?
Stratford is being developed as a new
business hub of London. Its links to
the rest of the UK and Europe through
the transport network already in place
and the new Channel Tunnel Rail Link
will go a long way to creating the right
infrastructure required by business.
The Games will provide a sport and
leisure offering that will be transforming
East London. Redevelopment of
the Lower Lea Valley has started
already. If we can win the Games for
London, the regeneration would be
quicker and on a far larger scale.
London would also have one of the
largest new urban parks that Europe
has seen for two centuries
incorporating many revitalised canals
and rivers.
A project of this scale requires a range
of skills and experience pre-Games
and during the Games. Skills such as
building, project management,
languages, hospitality, sports
management and volunteering, along
with many other services, will be vital
to the area for many years to come.
Businesses also will benefit from
thousands of opportunities during the
phases of development and after-
Games management. The opportunities
will cover almost every industry.
Olympic Update – Newham Host Borough
(l-r) David Grant, 12, Lord Coe OBE, Vice Chairman of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Bid, Sara Chandran,
12, Newham’s Mayor Sir Robin Wales, Cumberland head teacher Jane Noble and Sharon Higgins,
Cumberland’s chair of Governors launch Cumberland School as an officially designated Specialist Sports College
Newham’s Mayor Sir Robin Wales helped
Olympic champion Sebastian Coe
deliver a major boost to the borough’s
sporting youngsters.
Lord Coe OBE, Vice Chairman of
the London 2012 Olympic and
Paralympic Bid, launched Cumberland
School in Barking Road, Canning Town,
as an officially designated Specialist
Sports College.
The award recognises the school’s work in
raising the profile of sport and physical
education among its pupils, in neighbouring
schools and in the local community.
It follows a successful bid to the
Government in which it had to show
access to a wide range of sporting
facilities, a good track record of attainment
in physical education and sports
plus a strong, well-qualified physical
education department.
As a result of winning the bid, the school
gets extra money per pupil. It has also
received funding for a new state-of-theart
sports hall, which is due to open in
January 2005.
Lord Coe, who won medals at the
Moscow and Los Angeles Olympics,
toured the school and saw
Cumberland pupils and others from
visiting primary schools, display their
sporting prowess.
Sir Robin said: “I congratulate
Cumberland for achieiving specialist
Sports College status. It is well
deserved. I am sure Lord Coe, as one
the of the country's great sporting role
models and a passionate advocate of
sport for all, was impressed with the
determination of the staff and pupils
to promote sporting excellence and
community participation.
“We are keen to encourage everyone to
try their best in sport. That is one of the
reasons why we are so excited about
Newham being one of the host
boroughs for the London Olympic bid.
“Participation in sport is important. It
can keep you fit and healthy and it is
proven to increase attendance,
behaviour and attainment among
children. And, of course, it is fun.”
15

College
EMA (Educational Maintenance
Allowance) pays up to £30 a week
directly into your bank account if you
decide to stay on in education at
school or college after your GCSEs.
Available from September 2004, for
any academic or vocational course
which involves at least 12 hours of
guided learning per week, the cash can
cover items such as travel costs, books
or equipment.
It’s your money – so you decide how
to spend it. If you’re entitled, you’ll
receive your EMA payment every week
of your course as long as you turn up
to your classes.
Most young people will be able to
get EMA for two to three years
depending on how long they need to
finish their studies.
And you could also get a bonus of
£100 in January and July – and again
in October if you come back for a
second year. Bonuses depend on the
progress you make with your course.
That’s £500 potential extra money
over the two years.
So, not only could you get more cash in
your pocket right now, but you’re also
going to earn yourself a brighter future
with better job prospects when you’ve
finished your studies.
16
A £100 bonus
is available for
students aged
16-19 studying at
Newham College.
Think you might
qualify? Read on.
Weekly payments
You can get £10, £20 or £30 a week
depending on your household income.
Overall, your household income has to be
under £30,000 to qualify for EMA. If it
is, check out what’s due to you below:
If your household income is: up to
£19,630 per year you get £30 per week
£19,631-£24,030 per year you get £20
per week £24,031-£30,000 per year
you get £10 per week
If you’re entitled,
you’ll receive your EMA
payment every week of
your course as long as you
turn up to your classes.
Who is entitled to EMA?
Around half of all 16-year-olds studying
in England are going to be able to get
EMA. See if you fit the bill below:
• your household income has to be under
£30,000 per year. You will need to check
this with your parent or carer; and
• you’re 16 between September 1 2003
and August 31 2004; and
• you’re a UK national; or
• you’ve been granted indefinite leave
to remain or refugee status; or
• you’re from a European Union or
European Economic Area country and
satisfy the Home Student criteria –
check out www.homeoffice.gov.uk for
more info;
• you’re doing, or applying to do, at
least 12 hours of guided learning on
further education courses in school
sixth forms, sixth form colleges and
further education colleges. This
includes a wide range of courses up to
and including level 3, such as AS/A2,
GCSEs, GNVQs, NVQs and other
vocational qualifications;
• you’re aged 17 and over and live in
the 56 areas of the country that have
already piloted EMA. If you’re not sure
this applies to you, you can find out
what areas were included in the pilot
by contacting the admissions unit on
020 8257 4446.
And remember...
EMA will not affect any other benefits
your family might get. It's paid on top
of any other support provided by the
Government, or any earnings from
your part-time job. To enrol on our wide
range of courses for 16-19 year olds,
why not drop in at our Stratford or
East Ham Campus customer service
points. You can contact the college at
admissions@newham.ac.uk or call
020 8257 4446 for help and guidance
on obtaining an EMA award.
More than 7,000 people poured
on to Newham’s streets to mark the
Sikh ceremony of Vaisakhi.
The spectacular day, which celebrates
the anniversary of the birth of Sikhism,
saw many people dress in bright orange.
The crowd played traditional musical
instruments and sang as they left the
Gurdwara Dasmesh Darbar temple in
Rosebery Avenue, Manor Park. The
procession travelled for three hours
from Manor Park to East Ham via
Forest Gate and Upton Park. Following
the procession, a service was held at
the temple.
Councillor Harvinder Singh Virdee, who
represents Green Street West Ward,
was delighted with the day. He said:
“It was fantastic, and great to see so
many people despite the poor weather.
“It was also good to see some guests
from Germany who were in Newham for
a town twinning event the day after.”
Special Feature
A Sikh man carries The Guru Granth Sahib out of the temple as worshippers celebrate
Crowds gather to celebrate Vaisakhi
Councillor Harvinder Singh Virdee, Klaus Orschiedt of the Protestant Youth Party in Kaiserslautern, Councillor
Sukhdev Singh Marway, Steven Timms MP, Councillor Christine Bowden, Kaiserslautern’s Deputy Mayor Gunther
Remler and Stefanie Merai of the CDU Party in Germany
17

Kids’ Corner Kids’ Corner
Poem by Farid, 11
A LITTLE BIRD’S SONG
Sometimes I’ve seen,
Sometimes I’ve heard,
Up in the tree,
A little bird,
Singing a song,
A song to me,
A little brown bird,
Up in the tree.
Sometimes he stays,
Sometimes he sings,
Then to the wind,
He spreads his wings,
Flying away, away from me,
A little brown bird,
Up in the tree.
18
Food
Crossword
ACROSS
1. Sweet stuff on the top of eclairs (9)
7. Old-fashioned word for beer (3)
8. Dried grapes (7)
9. The sense which is most important when we’re eating (5)
10. Food that we eat between meals (6)
12. Some people shake this onto chips (4)
15. It an be fried, poached or hard-boiled (3)
16. Special day when people have a cake with candles (8)
17. Cook something in fat or oil (3)
DOWN
1. There are many different kinds of these on offer in
Indian restaurants (7)
2. Small, green or black fruit from the Mediterranean region (5)
3. Vegetables with edible bulbs (6)
4. Country where people are supposed to have lots of barbecues
and call their food ‘tucker’ (9)
5. Consumes food (4)
6. The number of dwarfs Snow White had to prepare meals for (5)
11. Too much of this food will have a bad effect on your teeth (5)
13. Continent of Indian and Chinese food (4)
14. Small drinks ... or small children (4)
SPONSORED BY:
Canning Town
Please send in
pictures, jokes
and poems to
Kids’ Corner,
Newham Town
Hall, East Ham
E6 2RP. Each
entry featured
will win Kwik
Save vouchers
to spend on
anything in store!
Jokes by Vishal Chawda, 12
Q: Why did the boy blush
when he opened the
fridge?
A: He saw the salad dressing!
Q: What did the cow say to
the other cow?
A: Let’s go to the moovies!
Down
1. Curries
2. Olive
3. Onions
4. Australia
5. Eats
6. Seven
11. Sugar
13. Asia
14. Tots
ANSWERS:
Across
1. Chocolate
7. Ale
8. Raisins
9. Taste
10. Snacks
12. Salt
15. Egg
16. Birthday
17. Fry
the
Gallery
Mohammed Ali Mohammed, 12
Tahmeena Rahman, 11
Nicole Butcher
Saba Butt, 8
Rekha Modhwadia, 7
Muhammed Adnan, 9
Star winner is...
Tahmeena Rahman
Gemma Hoyte, 12
Abenaa Ansah, 8
19

Special Feature
it’s your right
It's your right is brought to you by Newham
Council's Social Regeneration Unit
Have you been overpaid
Tax Credits?
The Inland Revenue is checking
that claimants have been paid the
right amount of Tax Credits and
some people could be asked to
repay an overpayment.
Q. My Tax Credits have been
reduced to recover an
overpayment. Can I appeal?
You cannot appeal against the
decision to recover an overpayment,
but if you think the Inland
Revenue’s overpayment calculation
is wrong you can ask them to
review it. You can do this in writing,
by phone, or by visiting any Inland
Revenue office.
The Inland Revenue may agree to
recover the overpayment more
slowly with smaller deductions,
especially if you are suffering
hardship because of the
overpayment recovery. If an Inland
Revenue mistake caused the
overpayment they should only
recover it if you should have known
you were being overpaid.
You can appeal against the reduced
amount of your new award. A
leaflet called “How to appeal
against a Tax Credit decision or
award” is available from the Inland
Revenue, or any Newham Council
Local Service Centre.
Q. Will my other benefits increase
because of the reduction of my
Tax Credits?
You cannot get more Income
Support or Jobseeker's Allowance to
make up the difference, but if you
get Housing Benefit or Council Tax
Benefit these will increase.
For help and advice about Tax Credits:
Phone 020 8430 3495 for an appointment
with an adviser from the Citizens
Advice Bureau at any Newham
Council Local Service Centre.
Phone the Inland Revenue helpline
on 0845 300 3900 or text-phone
0845 300 3909 from 8am to 8pm
or visit their website at
www.taxcredits.inlandrevenue.gov.uk
20
Artwork from pupils at Godwin Primary School in Forest Gate
Schoolchildren from across the borough will be taking to the stage and
showing off their creative skills in June and July.
Pupils from almost every school will be showing off artwork, getting up on stage for
dance and drama performances and playing music in Our Shout: Celebrating creative
arts in Newham schools.
The festival will be launched on June 17 at Stratford Circus with a dance event
performed by pupils from Brampton Manor, Curwen, Gainsborough, Gallions, Keir
Hardie, Langdon, Manor, St Luke’s, St James, Southern Road and Star schools.
Other scheduled events include:
• a music performance will be held at The Barbican in the City of London on June 21;
• drama will be performed at Stratford Circus on June 30;
• an art exhibition will be on display at the University of East London’s Docklands
Campus in the Royal Docks from July 5-16;
The exhibition will then be transferred to Central Park in East Ham for the
Townshow on July 17 and 18.
For a full list of events around Newham check out the council website at
www.newham.gov.uk/schoolartsfestival and look out for posters going up
around the borough from this week.

Community News
in association with
These pages are full of local news
about your area, brought to you by the
ten community forums in Newham.
The forums put you in the driving
seat, gathering your views,
suggestions and ideas on how to
improve your area. This is one way
you can influence what happens in
your neighbourhood.
Join your community forum to
have your say – call freephone
0800 5194015.
The ten community forums are
Beckton, Custom House and Canning
Town, East Ham, Forest Gate, Green
Street, Manor Park, North Woolwich
and Silvertown, Plaistow, Stratford and
West Ham.
22
WHAT’S NEW FOR YOU?
Are you someone with
your finger on the pulse of
what is happening in your
neighbourhood? If so the
Newham Magazine would
like to hear from you.
Send your local news,
ideas and articles to:
communitynews@newham.gov.uk
or post them to the Editor,
Newham Town Hall, Barking
Road, East Ham, E6 2RP.
Community Forum
Meetings
North Woolwich and Silvertown
Date: Thursday May 20, 7pm
Venue: ASTA Community Centre,
14A Camel Road,
Silvertown, E16
Anna Voang runs the Beckton Globe Cafe following help from Street Cred
Beckton Newham-wide
Anna’s in business thanks to Street Cred
Self-employment can be a way to make some money while keeping up with other
responsibilities such as family. Starting a business from home can also provide
flexibility especially for women.
Anna Voang manages the Beckton Globe Café where she sells Chinese and English
foods to eat in or take away. She was helped by Street Cred, a project of Quaker
Social Action, which works with women to provide group support, friendly advice
and a start-up loan. Women in East London with an idea for an enterprise who are
on benefits or a low income can join.
Some of the businesses that have been helped include catering, dressmaking,
manufacturing, photography and childcare.
Anna said: “Street Cred helped me turn a dream into a reality.”
If you want to find out more contact Street Cred on 020 7729 9267,
email streetcred@dial.pipex.com or visit www.quakersocialaction.com
Visit Anna and enjoy some of her tasty food at1 Kingsford Way, next to Beckton
Globe Library.
Beckton
Respect comes to Kingsford
In partnership with the Respect campaign, Kingsford Community School played host
to more than 10 local organisations for an information day about youth activities in
the Beckton area.
Year eight students were told about activities ranging from sports and leisure
activities to community projects, plus given practical information from Victim
Support and Newham Emergency Services.
The Respect Rappers performed anti-violence and sociable behaviour tracks to
the students.
Councillor Anthony McAlmont (pictured), Cabinet member for
Teenagers and Young Adults, said: “This information day provided
the schoolchildren with alternatives to hanging out on the streets
and valuable information to keep both the body and mind of young
people active.”
Respect is a partnership campaign involving Newham Council, police, fire brigade,
community organisations, schools and businesses to fight crime and anti-social
behaviour in the borough.
Boxer Tony Cesay with a member of
East London Gymnastics Club
Local stars join ELG
prize winners
Beckton international boxer Tony Cesay
joined more than 150 pupils, parents
and teachers at the East London Gymnastics
Club to celebrate student success.
Schoolchildren had completed a ten-week
programme organised by ELG Interface
which covered literacy, numeracy and
information communication technology.
Pupils’ work, including films they had
made, was shown. Entertainment was
provided with a display of gymnastics.
Other stars attending the prize-giving
included stunt artist Talila Craig who
worked on Love Actually, and Ricky
Norwood and Djan Hammit from
Theatre Royal, Stratford East.
The courses are run as part of the
Government’s Playing For Success
initiative which aims to get children interested
in attending study support centres
by locating them at sporting venues.
For more information contact Anna
Chapman on 020 7511 4433.
Newham-wide
Debden House is situated on the edge of Epping Forest on 50
acres of land – a tranquil setting where you can unwind and
enjoy the summer season.
The campsite has special discounted rates for Newham
residents. It can be a magical, memorable experience sitting
round the open fire enjoying the sights and sounds of one of
Britain’s oldest forests. People can bring caravans and day
visitors are also welcome.
London Somali Community Alliance
(Somali Elderly Project) has just been
awarded a three-year grant by the
Community Fund, one of the National
Lottery distributors, to help them.
Carolyn McDermott, centre manager, said: “Debden House is
primarily here for the residents of Newham and we would like
There are an estimated 25,000 Somali
people living in East London. Many of
them are older people who are isolated
because of language barriers and
cultural differences.
Community News
Men wanted to help support young people in care
Leading children's charity NCH is asking
men living in Newham over the age of
18 a simple question: Can you spare
some time to support a child or young
person in care?
NCH wants to hear from men from all
walks of life who can spend a few hours
a month to befriend and support a
young person who has no contact with
their birth family.
Matthias Lionel has been matched
with three young people during his
involvement with NCH. He feels that
Magical camp for Newham residents
Somali elders to receive help
the scheme offers a great deal for
both parties.
He said: “All three of my young people
have come from different countries
and this is a great opportunity to learn
about other cultures at the same time
as giving something back. I wouldn't
hesitate to recommend the project
to others.”
For more information
telephone 020 7254 9408,
email Lnhivp@mail.nch.org.uk or visit
www.nch.org.uk/independentvisitor
The project will work with Somali
elders to increase their independence
and act as a link for social providers.
There will also be an emphasis on
health to assist them in keeping fit and
well. Volunteers will be recruited and
trained so they can help more clients.
The project will be based in Newham
but is also serving Redbridge, Tower
Hamlets and Waltham Forest.
to encourage more people to visit us.” A recent development
has seen the establishment of an International Garden.
The aim is to make the gardens at Debden reflect the countries
represented by the people of Newham.
Carolyn would welcome suggestions from residents about
indigenous plants from their home countries and volunteers
who would like to get involved.
For more information about Debden House please call
020 8508 3008.
23

Community News
in association with
24
Manor Park
New website for
Start Right
Start Right, the business support
programme which offers free
advice to residents and businesses
in Manor Park, has just launched
its website.
The stylish site will allow people
to find out about the programme
and register their interest in
becoming self-employed. Start
Right is delivered by East London’s
award-winning company the
Satsuma Consultancy.
It runs a five-week programme of
workshops, one-to-one support
and seminars covering all aspects
of planning, setting up and running
a business.
Working in small groups, people
receive training, advice and guidance
from a range of experienced
professionals who will try to help
turn their business idea into a
reality. All this support is free to
people living in Manor Park.
Existing businesses looking to raise
finance to support expansion are
also encouraged to get in touch.
Start Right is part-funded by the
Single Regeneration Budget Access
to Excellence programme.
To find out more visit
www.startrightbusiness.co.uk,
call 020 7366 6326 or email
godwin@satsumaconsultancy.co.uk
Stratford
Newham-wide
(l-r) NewCred Manager Rick Plewa, Councillor Neil Wilson,
David Pack, Jim Fitzpatrick MP and Michelle Benoit
Michelle Benoit, from Stratford, received a share certificate for £100 to mark her
entry into NewCred, which makes financial services accessible to all.
The financial co-operative, based in Water Lane, Stratford, opened last July. Since
then, people who live and work in the borough have been able to save and
subsequently obtain loans at a reasonable cost and have the opportunity to receive
good dividends on their savings. Like all credit unions, it is a financial co-operative
owned and controlled by its members.
Councillor Neil Wilson (pictured) is a NewCred director and Newham
Council’s Mayoral Advisor on Equalities and Social Inclusion.
He said: “People with financial difficulties who have a record for nonpayment
of debt are likely to be denied access to bank accounts and
other financial services, and are then vulnerable to loan sharks
charging extortionate interest rates.
“NewCred is playing a crucial role by giving all residents access to genuine and
sensible financial services.”
NewCred has been set up through the Your Newham 2010 Local Strategic
Partnership using monies from the Government's Neighbourhood Renewal Fund.
Stratford Places and Faces
A unique record of the community around Sure
Start Newtown and Park is on show at Stratford
Children's Library.
Supported by the Community Fund, parents from Sure
Start worked with local creative arts organisation Shed
22. The Custom House-based organisation uses new
technologies to help people develop their skills.
Parents used hands-on digital experience to create
portrait photography and a snapshot of their families
and the local neighbourhood.
Sure Start Newtown and Park provides a range of services for local families
including speech and language support, nutritional and general health advice, carer
and toddler groups and leisure sessions.
For more information about Sure Start call 020 8430 2174. For more
information about Shed 22 call 020 7474 8597 or visit www.shed22.org.uk
Stratford
New centre tackles
childcare problem
London’s first-ever centre dedicated to
creating hundreds of new childcare
workers has been launched in Stratford.
The London Development Agency (LDA)
has given £4m to the East London Childcare
Institute, which was opened by
LDA Board member, Dame Sally Powell.
The East London Childcare Institute
(ELCI) aims to create around 1,000
qualified childcare workers over the
next five years by running childcare
courses from introductory to degree
level. It will also provide careers advice
for existing childcare workers and extra
support for people wanting to set up a
childcare business.
ELCI has been established to tackle the
high cost of childcare in London. An
estimated 200,000 families in the
capital cannot afford childcare because
no adult in the household is working.
As a result, parents are unable to take
job and training opportunities meaning
their families often remain unemployed
or on low incomes.
For more information call Steve Clare
at ELCI on 020 8519 5843.
Support for lone parents seeking work
A new Government drive is helping Newham parents bringing up children alone to
find suitable work.
“We’re offering this new, enhanced service to all 10,800 single parents in
Newham, 62 per cent of whom are unemployed,” said Chris Melvin, managing
director of Reed in Partnership, which has been asked by the Government to
run the scheme.
“We know from surveys that the majority of single parents would like to be
able to work and enjoy the extra income and freedom this gives but can’t get
over the hurdles they face, like finding a job which is flexible enough,
finding childcare, or gaining new skills or renewed confidence.”
The service is entirely free and open to every single parent living in Newham who
wants a job – full-time or part-time. The aim is to help 200 local single parents
back to work every year for the next five years. Advice will be given on childcare,
benefits, CVs and interviews. Some financial help will also be available.
To find out more visit the local Jobcentre or call free on 0800 2585215.
Community News
Credit Union signs up its 1,000th member Heavy magazine
A credit union set up in Newham to help put a stop to loan sharks that prey on
Dame Sally Powell meets children at the East London Childcare Institute
vulnerable people has signed up its 1,000th member.
seeks volunteers
Parents celebrate their work at
Sure Start Newtown and Park
Newham-wide
Stratford Newham-wide
Heavy magazine is now looking for more volunteers
Heavy, a magazine for young people
by young people, is spreading its net
beyond Stratford to recruit more
newshounds and snappers.
Created by the Stratford Youth Information
Project, the team is looking for
new volunteers throughout the borough.
The group meet on Tuesdays at Stratford
Advice Arcade, The Grove, from 5-7pm.
The project also has an interactive website
www.heavyontheweb.co.uk, which
includes information about what’s going
on and a forum where young people can
exchange views on local issues.
For more information about the
magazine and website, or to become
a volunteer, contact Julie Creffield
on 020 8221 1995.
Copies of the magazine can be found
in libraries, Connexions Youth Information
Shop, Stratford Advice Arcade and
Stratford Local Service Centre.
25

This is one of a series of adverts detailing essential services in the Borough. The English version is on Page 29.

Do More in Newham
Local History Walks in Stratford
and West Ham
To celebrate Local History Month in
Newham, Newham Libraries and Newham
Heritage Services have organised local
history walks.
Each walk lasts about 90 minutes. Please
wear comfortable shoes. The walks are free
of charge. Numbers on each walk are
limited. Please book in advance to avoid
disappointment by telephoning Archives
and Local Studies on 020 8430 6881 or
emailing Richard.Durack@newham.gov.uk
Stratford
With qualified guide Michael Harper
Monday May 10, 2.30pm
Thursday May 27, 6.30pm
Meet at Archives and Local Studies,
1st floor, Stratford Library,
The Grove, Stratford
West Ham
With historian Kathy Chater
Thursday May 20, 7.30pm
Sunday May 23, 2.30pm
Meet at West Ham Church, Church Street,
off West Ham Lane. Bring £1 or your bus
pass for the return journey to Stratford.
For more information about
other Do More activities log on to
www.domore.co.uk
Libraries
Beckton Globe,
1 Kingsford Way, E6 5JQ
020 8430 4063
Canning Town,
Barking Road, E16 4HQ
020 7476 2696
Custom House,
Prince Regent Lane, E16 3JJ
020 7476 1565
East Ham,
High Street South, E6 6EL
020 8430 3648
The Gate,
4-20 Woodgrange Road, Forest Gate,
E7 0QH
020 8430 3838
Green Street,
337-341 Green Street, E13 9AR
020 8472 4101
30
Manor Park,
Romford Road, E12 5JY
020 8478 1177
North Woolwich,
Storey School, Woodman Street, E16 2LS
020 7511 2387
Plaistow,
North Street, E13 9HL
020 8472 0420
Stratford,
The Grove, E15 1EL
020 8430 6890
Owl Clubs
For 5-12 year olds. Free, but limited
places. For more information call Jacky
Appleton on 020 8430 3993.
Stratford, May 10, 6-7pm
Under 4s story and rhyme sessions
Free session led by trained member
of staff.
Beckton Globe May 14, 21, 10-11am
Custom House May 11, 18, 25,
10.15-11.15am
The Gate May 14, 21, 11am-12 noon
Green Street May 13, 20, 10.30-11.30am
Manor Park May 13, 20, 10-11am
Plaistow May 11, 18, 25, 11am-12 noon
Stratford May 11, 18, 25, 11am-12 noon
Reading Groups
East Ham May 19, 10.30am-12 noon
Stratford May 10, 6-7pm
Homework Clubs
For 8-14yrs: resources, help and advice.
Beckton Globe
May 11, 18, 25, 4-6pm
Canning Town
May 8, 15, 22, 10am-12 noon
Custom House
May 8, 15, 22, 10am-12 noon
East Ham
May 10, 17, 4-6pm
Manor Park
May 8, 15, 22, 10am-12 noon
North Woolwich
May 13, 20, 4-6pm
Plaistow
May 13, 20, 4-6pm
The Gate
May 13, 20, 4-6pm
Stratford
May 10, 17, 4-6pm
Essential Council Information
For specific information and advice
about all council services call:
020 8430 2000 or visit your council
Local Service Centre
For general information log on to:
www.newham.gov.uk
Councillor surgeries:
To find out who your councillor is
and surgery dates call:
020 8430 2000, or log on to:
www.newham.gov.uk/yourcouncillor
Council Meetings
All meetings are at Newham Town
Hall, Barking Road, East Ham unless
otherwise stated.
For more details call 020 8430 2000.
MAY
10 – Scrutiny Commission, 7pm
12 – Licensing Sub-committee, 7pm
13 – Council Annual Meeting, 7pm
17 – Scrutiny Commission, 7pm
17 – Scrutiny Commission, 7pm
19 – Development Control and Licensing
Committee, 7pm
20 – Cabinet, 4pm
For more information on Scrutiny
Commissions call Kuldip Dhaliwal on
020 8430 2000.
Or log on to
www.newham.gov.uk/yourcouncillor