Nov/Dec 2021

November/December 2021 31
when the
future can’t
be taken for
granted,” was
Pam’s advice from
her position in the
queue at Woods Fish
Bar. Bernard, outside
Boots, introduced
himself as a lifelong
champion of natural
healing. Promoting
ways of monitoring our
stress levels.
“Breathe in
optimism and
enthusiasm.
Breathe out
negativity.”
© Evelyn Rowland
evelynrowland.co.uk
Four gorgeous girls, sixth formers from
Woodbridge High School, were enjoying
their lunch break together. What were their
dreams? Out they poured: “A long healthy life!
To be successful. For my parents to be proud
of me. To become financially independent. To
travel the world. I’ll be a fashion journalist. A
teacher. Something in senior management.
No more racism. No more prejudice. No more
homophobia. No more Islamophobia.”
It’s true, isn’t it? Some dreams have helped to
shape our town. John James Sainsbury and his
wife Mary Ann began with a small rented store
in Drury Lane in 1869. Michael Marks and Tom
Spencer started out in 1894 with a market stall
in Leeds. “Everything a penny.” But what about
our attractive local independent businesses?
Sue is the founder of Sid & Evie’s. What a feast
for the eyes is the interior of her little shop,
named after her children. “I’ve always been
in retail, but when I had
the children, I knew I
wanted to go in for
children’s clothes
and shoes and crafts
and wooden toys. I
wanted to source from
smaller companies,
making things that were
different and lovely but
affordable.”
Tim designed his Creative Biscuit Ceramic
Café. We could have talked all day: “I was
making corporate videos. Horrifically boring.
I was despondent. I saw this place. I dreamt
of something more community and familybased.
More fun and still creative. Work I can
really enjoy. Out of the rat race. We’re serving
several schools. Training the kids in potterymaking.
We’re at Haven House working
with the children there. Such genuinely
important stuff.”
I encountered the same sort of passion and
dedication from sisters Sez and Dila, who have
quickly established themselves at the Luna
café after only five months. “We’re outgoing
girls. We put a lot of thought into everything.
We want people to feel at home. Happy
vibes. Our top priority is quality of service.
Customers used not to come over the bridge.
Now, a new customer comes every day.” Why
South Woodford? “There is everything here:
the shopping, the cinema, beauty parlours,
cosmetics, a variety of restaurants. We love it.”
I can tell you there is something I have never
dreamt! That I would be writing this diary for
the 50th time. Thank you for reading it.
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