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We are on a search for people who attend Redbridge organised events and want to write something about the experience! Whether it’s a festival in the park, a workshop in Redbridge Museum or even a sports session at Fairlop Waters we would like to hear your opinion on the subject.

You don’t have to be a skilled writer to apply, but if you’ve got something to say we want to hear it! We will always discuss your writing before posting anything on our blog.

If you want an idea of the events we run, please download a copy of our Do More Guide (or pick one up in your local library!) If you think you’re ready to give blog writing a go then please fill out the form below and we will respond to you as soon as possible!

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Please note: Writing for our blog is voluntary. All blog posts will be checked and may be edited before posting. Credit will always be given to the author of the post.

Our Community Festival is here!

It is set to be a wonderful weekend with magnificent weather, which is the perfect opportunity to head out with the family and we have just the occasion for you.

Our Community festival is happening this Sunday and will be hosting to a range of fantastic family fun activities.

Britain’s biggest choral movement

The Rock Choir is coming to Redbridge! The Rock Choir are described as being the UK’s original, and the world’s largest contemporary choir. They sing all genres of music with their own unique spin, guaranteed to give your ears a treat!

Slam Dunk

Tommy Baker, basketball freestyle professional is joining in the festivities.  Based in the UK and travelling the world for 20 years performing his very own brand of basketball, performing tricks and freestyle moves that have pioneered four Guinness World Records. Tommy is bringing his passion and skill to the stage for the whole family, so don’t miss out on those tricks.

Dance like a professional

Our Community Festival will be host to D-Style Dance, a professional dance and fitness company based in Redbridge. These spectacular Bollywood dancers dance to inspire, so make sure that you come along and bring your dancing shoes!

Brilliant Balloons

Miss Fantwistic is bringing her ingenious balloon creations to the stage. She has the incredible ability to build and twist balloons into creative creatures and structures beyond your wildest imagination. Come down and see for yourself, her creativity is endless.

The Festival also has:

• Food and drink
• Sports
• Gaming
• Singing and dancing
• Arts and crafts
• Plus so much more!

Read more about it on our website and be sure to come down this weekend for a fantastic time.

Post Author: Priya Devandran

A week in the life of a work experience student

What a week… Last Monday was the day I finally started my work experience placement, in Valentines Park. I always dreaded work experience after my past experience and hearing stories about how I would just be sitting around waiting on staff and providing them with the occasional beverage; but how wrong I was.

Day 1

Day 1 began and I readied myself for a day sat inside a cramped office waiting on staff, with no real purpose or use. I was taken through the park with my work experience supervisor, and ended up at a mansion surrounded by the gardens of Valentines Park. We began to stop and I came to the realisation that this is where I would be spending some of my work experience placement time.

As I entered, the staff couldn’t have been more welcoming; offering me drinks and biscuits, I even received my own desk! So day 1 officially started and I began with general office work which was good as it enabled me to gain a feeling for what I might encounter if I was to enter a similar work place, of which I want to take part in after my A levels. Eleven o’clock came and I was told to go downstairs and help out with a school trip coming to view the mansion. This was great, as it enabled me to not only interact with the public but also learn some facts about the 300 year old mansion I was spending my time in. Time flew by and before I knew it I was back in the office attending to folders and organising work for the staff, I really felt like I was part of a team.

 

 

Day 2

Day 2 came around and I continued with office work, even being given the responsibility to count out the money before the start of the day. Tuesday was open day and so I got to help out with showing people around the mansion. It also allowed me to use my knowledge about the mansion and provide them with facts which they may not have found in the leaflets.

Day 3

Day 3 is where it changed. I explored the other side of the park and worked closer with my work experience guide, down in Wash Lodge. I carried out more office work and was even given the responsibility of work specifically for the manager in that team.

Day 4

Day 4 seemed to be another day, until my supervisor surprised me with a farm visit in one of the local parks which they help run and manage (Hainault Forest Country Park). This was great as it allowed me to relax from the office environment, whilst learning about one of the parks which they are looking to improve in the future. I was also able to see some animals which you wouldn’t normally expect to see so close by, for example the emus and meerkats; I’m surprised more people aren’t talking about this place!

Day 5

My final day of work experience came around so quickly but the fun wasn’t over yet. I went and worked with the final team (Parks operative team). This allowed a gentle end to the week whilst spending some time catching some sun.

I loved the variation which I was given whilst working there and I couldn’t have asked for a better team to work around. I know this will help me in any future jobs that I might have, and it’s nice to know that the people looking after our parks and open spaces care for what they are doing.

Guest Writer: Louis Machon

A day out at Fairlop Fair 2017

On Saturday we headed to Fairlop Waters County Park for their annual fair. This was our first time going to the fair but not our first visit to the park as it is one of our favourites and is opposite my daughter Chloe’s nursery.

As you may be aware we love a local day out and the fair is one of our favourite days. The fair started at 11am and we got their around 11.30am and by then it was already busy. I was amazed at the variety of activities they had.

Chloe had seen the rides on her way home from nursery on Friday so was already looking forward to going on them and had been saying all morning she wanted to go on the cars. I think Chloe and her cousin Lizzie would have stayed on them all day if we had allowed. The rides were all ticket based which you purchased from the ticket booth. It was £10 for 10 tickets and the rides were two tickets each.  I don’t know what it is with little ones but they get so much enjoyment going round, and round and round.

One of the first things to catch my eye as we entered was the Greggs sign and we soon made a beeline for this. They had a gingerbread decorating stall and the children got two gingerbread men to decorate, one was to be entered in to the competition and one was to be enjoyed now. Chloe didn’t want her one which meant I got to enjoy it. And the best thing was it was all FREE.

And what is any day at the fair without face painting? Chloe will always pick a Tiger. No matter what the event or time of the year she wants to be a tiger. The lady who did the face painting was so talented and Chloe sat really still and took the whole face painting very seriously. Lizzie was a disco cat! Oh to be 8 years old and get away with having a rainbow face.

Soon it was lunch time and we headed to the food area to see what there was, and we were not disappointed with the large choice available from jerk chicken, pizza, burgers and a cake stand with the best name ever – Cakey McCakeface! Chloe wanted chips so I headed to the jerk chicken stall and Lizzie and her mum Lisa had pizza. The pizza looked really nice and was all cooked fresh. The great thing with days like this is that it can be as cheap or expensive as you want and I saw plenty of people sitting having a picnic taking in all the surroundings.

After we had eaten we took a walk around the rest of the fair to see what was on offer. They had a beach area with deck chairs but by the time we got to this area it was so busy we didn’t manage to have a play, but it looked fab. Earlier in the day there was a performance put on in this area that looked like fun.

Also going on throughout the day was music and entertainment by the local drama clubs and even a salsa dancing lesson.

We finished the day with an ice cream on the top of the hill looking over the fair and listening to the music. We all went home happy, tired and with a full belly. We are already looking forward to returning next year!

Guest Writer: Mummy Em

If you’d like to read more from Mummy Em, visit her blog!

If you’d like to become a guest writer, fill in our simple form.

 

Redbridge Children’s Book Award 2017

On the last Thursday of June, Redbridge Town Hall was crowded with excited, enthusiastic readers and budding writers along with their school librarians and teachers to celebrate the 2017 Redbridge Children’s Book Awards.  A panel of five of the shortlisted authors – Peter Bunzl, Anne Cassidy, Christopher Edge, Kathryn Evans and Teri Terry – talked about their reading journeys and how authors, Neil Gaiman, Enid Blyton and Roald Dahl and books, Watership Down and Wuthering Heights inspired them to become writers. I won’t mention the author who skipped school to meet Neil Gaiman.  They also answered questions on topics ranging from where they like to write – which varied  from on the train, in a shed, any quiet space to thinking story plots while walking round Ilford shopping – to which character they would choose to be from their books.

Students from 17 secondary schools and 9 primary schools across Redbridge, Havering and Newham voted for their favourite children’s and teenage book published in 2016 and they eagerly awaited the results.

The Many Worlds by Albie Bright by Christopher Edge, won the Children’s category and Flawed by Cecilia Ahern won the Teenage category.   We were delighted that Christopher was able to attend to receive his award.  Cecilia sent a video acceptance speech.

It was also a chance for the winners of the writing and poetry competitions to be presented with their prizes.  The poetry competition was judged by David Fulton, lecturer in Creative Writing at Brunel University and the short story competition was judged by author and Head of Bancrofts Prep School, Joe Layburn.

Time by Amber Kwong from Woodford County High School won the junior poetry competition and I See a Lily on the Breeze by Naomi Blakely from Trinity Catholic High School won the teenage category.

The Astounding Story of Salt Bae by Theo Newton from Wanstead High School won the junior short story competition and No Going Back by Jessica Johnson from Wanstead High School won the teenage  category.  Winners were presented with a book token, a fiction book and a copy of this year’s anthology of all shortlisted poems and stories.

Guest Author: Nina Simon

Fun at the Fair

This weekend the annual Fairlop Fair is back and the whole family is invited. We are hosting a range of activities and there is definitely something for everyone, no matter how old or young you are – come and enjoy the fantastic fun and games!

Amazing Adventures

Owls Play Centre is an indoor play venue open for children up to the age of 12. There are dedicated playrooms for babies, toddlers and juniors. So prepare to put on those adventurer hats and jump straight into great activities.  

Creative Kids

We have an exciting Gingerbread Man Competition, where you can flex your creative muscles and customise your very own gingerbread man using sprinkles and icing. Be sure not to miss the prize giving ceremony at the end of the day!

Rest and Relaxation

There’s a little bit of everything; from a mini beach and family bar, serving mocktails so you can enjoy the great weather in style – to sports and taster classes so you can find the right sport for you.

Incredible Entertainment

We have special guests such Nigel Clarke! You may know him from presenting some of your favourite channels and shows on CBBC, Disney Channel and Nickelodeon.

But wait – there’s more!

The Fairlop Fair has everything, including musicians, singers and breath-taking dance performances guaranteed to get those feet tapping.

Don’t worry, you can get your own vocal chords warmed up by joining in with our Moana performance and singalong, where your favourite Disney character will be performing hit songs from the movie. – You’re welcome!

Want to find out more about the fair and our events?

Visit: https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/redbridge-events/fairlop-fair/

Make sure you don’t miss out on a day of entertainment and fun for all, come down to the Fairlop Fair tomorrow, from 11am to 6pm.

Post Author: Priya Devandran

Drive for Show Putt for the Dough

For the first time in its history, Fairlop Waters Golf Club entered the Essex County Youth Shield tournament, where junior teams from Golf Clubs all over Essex play a round robin style league in order to qualify for the finals. The Fairlop Academy enlisted 10 players age 11 to 17 years for the squad guaranteeing every player will get a match.

In their first match, Fairlop Waters were drawn against Romford Golf Club, a traditional members club designed by the famous golfer and architect James Braid around 100 years ago. But that didn’t intimidate the Fairlop Waters team, who emerged victorious.

The second match of the series was hosted on the home course, where Fairlop Waters were drawn against Hainault Golf Club; a team with a long tradition of producing a number of fine young players that have even advanced to County level standards, with a number turning professional and turning their passion and talent at golf into a career.

On a cold and overcast Saturday the first group Tee’d off at 2pm with 5 matches to decide the winners. The strong wind was making judgement of club choice very difficult. Luckily the overnight rain had softened the ground allowing for some very aggressive play to pay dividends. The deciding factor was putting and the old saying of ‘Drive for Show Putt for the Dough’ was ringing loud.

One of the many highlights of the day was when John Lindsay from Hainault made a magnificent hole in “1” at the 137yrd par 3, 12^th hole, a slam dunk of a shot straight in without touching the sides. His father was very proud celebrating with traditionally buying a round of drinks for all players and parents.

At 6pm Fairlop Waters GC were declared winners as they had won the first 3 games with the final result 3 points to Fairlop and 2 points to Hainault. The Golf played by both teams was to a very high standard and in the heat of battle, the spirit and etiquette that golf is famous for prevailed with fantastic sportsmanship throughout. It was a great pleasure to host the Hainault players and officials with many compliments expressed by parent’s officials and players.  Special mention for Bal Singh the Junior Organiser for Hainault who gives his time voluntary to promote junior golf.

A very big thanks go to the match sponsors of the second event; Vision providing courtesy green fees and club house drinks, The Fiscado Greek Restaurant for the wonderful food, the senior golfers of Fairlop provided the halfway house refreshments, and all the parents/guardians for their wonderful support. A huge thank you and congrats to the Fairlop Juniors and best wishes for more success in the future.

Fairlop Waters Golf Club Team: Tom Gunning, Louie Dorrell, Conor Buckley, Teddy Godleman, Umar Yunis Guerra, Ryan Robinson

Hainault GC Team: Thomas Paris, Jordan Thompson, John Lindsay, Sean O’ Reagan, Daniel Campy, Spencer

Stay tuned to our blog for further updates on how the team are progressing in the tournament.

Guest author: Jimmy Burns

The Cat in the Hat family fun!

On Saturday we headed to a reading of The Cat in the Hat by the world famous Dr Suess at Barkingside (Fullwell Cross) library.

The event was held outside and benches were lined up in front of the steps ready for the performance. Prior to the show starting people from the event were making balloon animals up and down the high street.

The performance was put on by The Discovery Centre who are based in Stratford in partnership with the Vision Redbridge Culture Team. If you haven’t been to The Discovery Centre yet I cannot recommend it highly enough, the 2 people performing  were really good and interacted well with the parents and children and really brought the story to life.

There was even a surprise visit at the end by The Cat in the Hat himself!

Once the performance was over with there was a chance to have your photo taken with the cat and his car, obviously I jumped at the chance of this.

We then headed inside the library to take a look at the arts and crafts that included face painting for £1.50 and making items from the story including  a hat like the cat’s, these were all free.

It was a great way to spend a few hours locally and not spend any money!

To see what other events are on take a look at Vision’s Do More guide.

Maybe I’ll get to see you and say hello at an event!

Guest Writer: Mummy Em

If you’d like to read more from Mummy Em, visit her blog!

If you’d like to become a guest writer, fill in our simple form.