Mar/Apr 2024

Contents
Features
Art, art, art 16–17
Fields of memories 20
SoWo blueprint24
On the case 26
Colourful past30–31
Welcome18 36
Restoring the Roding40–41
Making ill will 44
DD’s 64th Woodford Diary 46–47
Listen and learn 50
Puzzles & competitions
Sudoku22
Crossword competition32
Woodford anagram48
Every issue
Local news6–8 & 10–12
Community events 55–58 & 60
Community groups 62
Useful numbers64
Index of advertisers66
Contact Us
020 8819 0595
Welcome...
In a world often fraught with division,
art serves as a unifying force, bridging
differences and fostering empathy and
understanding. It invites us to see the
world through the eyes of others, to empathise
with their struggles and celebrate their triumphs.
Whether through painting, sculpture, music
or literature, art has the ability to transcend
boundaries and connect us in profound ways.
You’ll see these very same words opening the latest issue
of the Wanstead Village Directory. The people of Wanstead
and South Woodford reading the same lines… and all
wondering where those lines are leading. Like a motorist
speeding from one end of Hermon Hill to the other, the E18-E11
boundary is blurred. Like a (delayed) Tube from South Woodford
heading west, two locations are unified. And it is indeed art
which is that unifying force with an exhibition bringing together
artists from both Woodford and Wanstead (see pages 16–17);
bridging multiple groups that each proudly include their
location in their name; collaborating to bring more art to more
people; collectively offering a stimulating celebration of the
visual arts… and making my job easier by duplicating content
across two publications.
Making my job easier, however, is nothing new for this
community. Whether it be artists sharing their inspirations,
community groups sharing their initiatives, new residents
sharing their experiences or older residents sharing their
memories, I’m never at a loss for content, duplicated
or not. And any duplication is only a testament
to the strong – and historic – Woodford
and Wanstead connections. Long may
that continue. And, yes, you can
say that again.
Lee Marquis, Editor
Calling local residents...
The South Woodford Village Gazette proudly supports local
businesses and we encourage you to do the same. Help us
help these businesses by mentioning the South Woodford
Village Gazette when responding to adverts.
A note to businesses...
If you are a business based in South Woodford, or if you have
a presence in the local community, we can help you get your
message across to our readers. The deadline for inclusion in
the May/June 2024 edition is 19 April 2024.
info@swvg.co.uk
swvg.co.uk
swvg.co.uk/socials
South Woodford Village Gazette
PO Box 2491, Ilford, IG1 8JT
The South Woodford Village Gazette is
published every other month with a
circulation of 12,000 copies. Of these,
11,000 are delivered to homes and
businesses across the local area. The
remaining copies are available from local
shops. Postal subscriptions are available
from swvg.co.uk/subscribe
ISSN 2632-8224
Published by Marquis Print Ltd.
Founded in 1992 by Jack Lamport Mitchell.
Edited from 2004 to 2015 by Ken and Sue Lees.
Marquis Print Ltd cannot be held responsible for any
errors or omissions, or endorse companies or products
that appear in this magazine. The views expressed in
feature articles are those of the credited authors and do
not necessarily represent the views of the publisher.
©2024 Marquis Print Ltd All rights reserved. No part of this
publication may be reproduced without prior consent.
Printed by Premier Print Group, G02 Lock Studios,
7 Corsican Square, London, E3 3YD