Festive Fun this December

Jingle those bells, jump on your sleigh and make your way to Redbridge, because we’re inviting you to come and celebrate the magic of Christmas with us!

Christmas Writers Competition, 7-10 yrs

Monday 10 December- Saturday 5 January

Think you’ve got what it takes to show off your writing skills?

Get writing this December, and pick up a book and write yourvery own review. The book that you are reviewing doesn’t have to be Christmasthemed, but if you’re feeling extra creative this Christmas, why not give it atry! So put your pen to paper and fill out a review sheet.

One review will be accepted per child. This competition isrun in partnership with Thy English Academy.

Review sheets will be available at:

• Wanstead Library
• South Woodford Library & Gym
• Woodford Green Library

More details can be found on the Redbridge website.

 

A Christmas Carol, 5 yrs+

Get in the Christmas spirit with a classic.

We all know the classic tale of miserable ol’ Scrooge, but you won’t want to miss this unique take on the classic tale! The wonderfully silly and tenderly heart-wrenching spellbinding tale is brought to life in this fast-paced adventure comedy – featuring spooky spectres, audience interaction, and many a change of hat!

Redbridge Drama Centre
Tuesday 11-Thursday 13 December, 5pm

To book your tickets, visit the Redbridge Drama Centre box office.

 

Festive Rhymetimes, Under 5s

This December get your little ones in the mood for singing by joining our Santa filled sessions.

Come and meet Mr and Mrs Santa in our very special Rhymetime singing Christmas songs. Join in with the jolly fun, ideal for those little voices. This wonderful session is free, just turn up.

Gants Hill Library
Wednesday 12 December
10.30am-11am

Or if you prefer crafting to singing, then come along to our Christmas Rhymetime sessions at Redbridge Central Library, where you can join Santa for a festive story and Rhyme time followed by a fun free craft session, just turn up!

Redbridge Central Library
Tuesday 18 December & Thursday 20 December
10.30-11.30am

 

Cracker Crafts, 2-11 yrs

Are you ready for a special surprise?

Wanstead Library
Monday 17 December
10am-11am
£1.75 per child

Add a personal touch to your Christmas tree with your very own hand crafted decorations! But that’s not all – you’ll even make two personalised cards to share with your friends and family. Embrace the season of giving and come down to Wanstead Library for this festive workshop.

Christmas Holiday Fun Drop Ins, 4-12 yrs

Until Friday 28 December

Looking for a quick Christmassy session that will keep you in the festive mood?

Challenge yourself with some puzzles, sure to put your brain to the test. Or if puzzles aren’t your thing, embrace your inner artist and pick up those colouring pens and pencils and bring colouring pages to life with artistic flare, be sure to make them look extra special for Christmas! We have that, and many more different crafts to keep those little hands busy this December.

Redbridge Libraries are hosting a number of drop-in sessions at different locations, up until 28 December. Find a session that suits you and pop into a Redbridge Library!

For a list of sessions available and their locations visit our website.

 

Owls Christmas Party

The party doesn’t just have to be at home!

Friday 21 December, 5pm to 7pm
£10 per child
Book in advance, call 020 8500 9669

Make some magical memories with the family at Owls Christmas Party. Join in for unlimited play, snacks and access to Santa’s grotto which of course, means a special gift.

Owls are also offering an annual membership. Start the new year with this great offer’ unlimited use of Owls Play centre, no queuing and no time limit on the length of their visit for a whole year! Be sure to take advantage of this very special Christmas promotion.  

Interested? Visit our website for more.

 

TGI Film Nights Present: The Muppets Christmas Carol, All ages

Join us for this classic holiday tale, with a very special twist.

Friday 21 December
£3 per person or £20 for a family ticket

Kermit the Frog takes on the role of Bob Cratchit, in this festive film along with the rest of the muppet crew – Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Fozzie Bear and many more. This classic story is filled with laughs, touching moments and of course – lots of muppets! It’s a perfect Christmas story.

Redbridge Drama Centre invites you and the whole family to join us for the screening of The Muppets Christmas Carol, as part of TGI Film Nights. Not only is there a screening, but there are also Christmas crafts and games beforehand, so be sure to come early for the full experience!

Visit our website for details on times, tickets and more.

 

Christmas Trail, All ages

Fancy a challenge? See if you can complete our Christmas trail!

Redbridge Museum
Friday 21 December-Saturday 5 January
FREE, drop in, no need to book
11am-3pm during normal opening hours

Follow our special Christmas trail around the museum and make some festive finger puppets or your very own Christmas badge (50p)! This mix of crafts and detective work is ideal for those who are looking for a challenge.

 

Enjoy these exciting Christmas activities and much more. For more great ideas to keep you and the family busy, take a look on our website.

‘Tis the season to be jolly!

Post Author: Priya Devandran

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

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Ladies light up the High Road in Ilford

Following on from the success of the Lumiere London Umbrella Project, I along with my fellow umbrella dancing troupe were asked back to perform at the opening of the magnificent public art installation O.T. 968 on the High Road outside Redbridge Town Hall last night (15 March).

We had a few new faces join us who had seen the performance advertised on Facebook and in total, 12 of us met up yesterday afternoon at Redbridge Central Library for a refresher/rehearsal for the evening performances. Leading the session and choreographing our moves once again was the lovely Caldi and Skippy from Cirque Bijou who made it easy for everyone to pick up the moves with their fun approach. Stage managing the performance and responsible for the slick running of the umbrella colour changes was technician Simon who followed us around with the music and the smoke machine creating a great atmosphere for us and everyone watching.

Our first performance was at around 6.15pm as we were waiting for dusk to get the best effect once our lights went on.  As with our London performance, the umbrellas attracted much attention from passers-by who stopped to take photos and many teenagers and young children wanting to get involved in the procession cheekily running in and out of our formation! It was great to see young people laughing and having fun alongside us. Waterstones was the starting point for us, as in our groups we went through our repertoire of moves, starting with the train which looked amazing, our umbrellas were the wheels and our group leaders were the engine as we glided along the High Road towards the art installation which is part of the Lab Central Arts Programme.

We danced around the artwork which was designed by award winning artist Stefan Reiss.  The glow from the LED lights in our umbrellas complemented the light projections and animations that were directed at the artwork perfectly and created an amazing spectacle.

As we headed back to the library darkness had fallen, perfect for our second performance which was timed to coincide with the end of the launch event for O.T. 968.  As we formed our lines outside the Central Library, all of the dignitaries and guests came out to watch our performance and join us on the walk from the library to the artwork. Once again young children excitedly joined in laughing, dancing and singing along with us as we performed the Catwalk – a move specifically designed to get the audience moving through the centre of the light show. Over at the artwork we paraded around the outside of the installation before all filing into the centre to light it from the inside out. The highlight of this performance came from the amazing Rebecca performing her Michael Jackson routine to Beat It which totally blew us all away – such a talented member of the troupe!

Our final performance was at 8pm, the streets had quietened a bit by then, but there were still people around who wanted to get involved, including a man with his trumpet who decided to play during our duets (in pairs we had devised our own moves which we performed in the middle of the light circle).  Whilst this was great to see him getting involved, we all had to laugh about it as he was asking us for money for his performance! Our finale was a party piece celebrating our team work and full of fun and laughter as we snaked along the High Road in a long line breaking into freestyle moves every now and again.  Exhilarated we finally headed back to the library for the last time around 8.40.

Thanks to Sam Goodey, Culture Team Leader at Vision Redbridge Culture & Leisure for commissioning the performance and bringing us all together again.  There is talk that we may be back for Light Night, so watch this space…

O.T. 968 is a spatial installation containing large wooden beams and boards with an all over video projection that will be on display in the High Road until Saturday 24 March.

Find out more about O.T. 968 and the Lab Central Arts Programme

More on the Lumiere London Umbrella Project

Check out part of the performance below:

Post Author: Cathy Pace

 

My Journey… FA Level 1 Coaching Football

As a youngster I used to play football with the children around the area. I used to go home after school grab a snack and meet outside and play football on the streets until it got dark. At the age of 14 my parents didn’t think it was it right for me to be playing football with boys it was a combination of religious and cultural reasons. It was not normal for an Asian girl at my age playing football and especially with only boys. I respected my parents’ decision as I was up against stigma myself from some of my relatives and thought it was time to stop playing. I missed playing so much that I looked to see if there were only female clubs where I could play, I did manage to find one but the coach was male so I was unable to join. There were too many religious and cultural barriers I was facing I decided to accept that I was not going to continue playing football.

As the years went by I missed playing football. I have three children and always have a kick about with them in the park. One day as I was browsing through my Facebook a suggested paged popped up, it was MSA (Muslimah Sports Association) I opened the page and the first post was FA LEVEL 1 course 3 spaces available. I thought to myself is this meant to be, like a sign, I contacted them and registered. This was a chance for me to do something I am passionate about, it was also my opportunity to break down the cultural barriers’ and inspire women and girls to play football.

The FA level 1 course was tailored well. It took place once a week on Saturday mornings. As a mother of three at first, I was unsure about taking up my Saturdays as it was the only day my children didn’t have anything happening so family time with them would be affected. But the course started at 9.30 and finished at 2pm so I still had most of the day to spend with them and after 3 consecutive Saturdays we had one Saturday off which was good. The course took place in Al Medina Mosque and our tutor took a break around the prayer time and allowed those who wanted to pray to do so.

After I got my coaching qualification, the following week I volunteered with the MSA. I coach alongside another coach on Fridays with females 12 years and over. I have been coaching every Friday since October, this has given me confidence and I have been able to pick up new things and improve as a coach.

Yashmin from MSA messaged everyone who did the level 1 course and told us there was a paid coaching job available at Frenford club. I was interested so I contacted them and I was given the role. I started on 13 January and I will be coaching under 8’s until May and then a few days in June. For my first two sessions I was supported by another coach. This Saturday will be my 3^rd week and I will be running the whole session on my own with my own games and drills. The coach who is helping me said they will support me on my journey, and if I would like to progress they will put me on the FA level 2 course. The FA have also been very supportive and are helping me to progress as much as possible.

The FA Level 1 course has been the best decision I have made. I am passionate about football and I want to see more girls and women, especially within the BAME, coaching and playing football. Hopefully I can inspire women and tackle the low levels of sporting participation among female minority ethnic groups, I hope my story empowers women to push the boundaries and break down the barriers that we have to face.

For more information visit London Sport or the Essex FA

Read our blog post on the FA level 1 coaching award in Redbridge

Guest author: Yasmin Hussain

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

Fabulous February: Top 5 General events for you and the family this half term

It’s time to make the most of your holidays, February is the perfect time to get active and prepare yourself for the summer. We’ve got a wide range of activities available to help you to get out and get active, or sit back and enjoy one of our shows, the choice is yours!

This is just a small selection of our February events, if you would like to see more please visit our website.

Water Sports Camp: Monday 12 February to Friday 16 February at Fairlop Outdoor Activity Centre

Ever thought about becoming a sea adventurer? Well, first you’ll need to learn the basics and that involves all the skills you’ll need on the water.  At our Watersports camp held at Fairlop Outdoor Activity centre, now is your chance to have fun while you learn how to sail, canoe, kayak and much more!

This camp will give those with some water sport experience the chance to complete their proficiency awards. Wetsuits and waterproofs are provided to help keep the cold at bay. All coaching is delivered by RYA and BC qualified instructors. All you need to bring is a packed lunch, plenty of fluids and a change of clothes.

£150 for the week.
Perfect for ages 8-16.
Drop off at 8.45am and collect by 5pm.
Bookings now being taken! Grab your place by calling: 020 8500 1468 or visit the website

Storytelling with John Kirk: Monday 12 February at Valentines Mansion

Chinese New Year is round the corner, and with it there are plenty of stories revolving around this celebration! Storyteller John Kirk is coming to Valentines Mansion to present a series of stories inspired by the Chinese Zodiac, from classics to tales from all around the world. This zodiac storytelling session is bound to have something for everybody, so put on your best costumes and head down for an exciting afternoon.

Join us on this adventurous journey. Ideal for ages 5 yrs+
Choose from two sessions (see website)
£5 per child, pre-booking essential.
For more information visit the box office.

Multi-Sports: Monday 12 to Friday 16 February at Wanstead Leisure Centre

Keeping in shape is important, and the holidays are no time to become lazy! So get up and get ready for some multi-sports.  This fun, engaging club offers a wide range of activities including basketball, football and hockey, as well as fun games like Dodgeball. You will learn skills such as versatility, agility and much more to help you be the best you can be. If that wasn’t enough, to get your competitive spirit going we also run small tournaments where the winner will get the glory!

Don’t miss out on a fun day at Wanstead Leisure Centre.

9am-3pm
£10 per day
For more information or to book contact us on 020 8989 1172 or visit the website

Marvellous Magic: Wednesday 14 February at Valentines Mansion

Magic has been around for centuries, perplexing people for years in the form of different tricks that have changed throughout time. Now it is your turn to be utterly astounded.

Prepare to be mystified by some marvellous magic tricks as Mrs Back to Front arrives at Valentines Mansion. But that isn’t all! This is also your chance to learn magical fun and secrets that will amaze your friends too as she passes on her special tricks to you!

Don’t miss out on a day of entertainment, fun and mystery. What more could you ask for?
Perfect for ages 5 yrs+

Choose from two sessions:
11.30-12.30pm (magic show & magic workshop)
1pm-2pm (magic show & balloon workshop)
£10 per child, pre-booking essential.
For more information visit the box office.

TGI Film Night – Tangled: Friday 16 February, 3pm at Redbridge Drama Centre

Stolen from her parents’ castle as a baby, Princess Rapunzel is locked in a hidden tower longing for an adventure. Now an imaginative and determined teenager, she takes off on hilarious hair-raising escapades with the help of a dashing bandit.

Join us for heart, humour, and hair… Lots of hair.

Redbridge Drama Centre presents Tangled as part of our TGI Film Night; this modern Disney twist on the classic German fairy tale “Rapunzel” from the collection of folk tales published by the brothers Grimm has captivated audiences all over the world. It is Disney’s 50^th animated film, and has been nominated for a number of awards such as Best Animated Feature Film in the 68^th Golden Globe Awards. As well as winning the best Animation award in the National Movie awards and Best Song (‘I See the Light’) from the Las Vegas Film Critics Society.

Be sure not to miss out on this cinematic experience perfect for you and the rest of the family.

Book your tickets now

Look for our blog post on top things to do in libraries this Feb half term.. coming soon.

Post Author: Priya Devandran

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

Could more women Bend it like Beckham? 15 inspirational Asian women achieve FA level 1 coaching award

Women’s football in Redbridge and surrounding boroughs should shortly start reaping the benefits of having fifteen newly qualified Asian women coaches in the borough.

In a bid to help tackle low levels of sporting participation among female minority ethnic groups in the London Borough of Redbridge, 2017 saw Vision Redbridge Culture & Leisure work with a coalition of leading sports bodies and partners and in collaboration with Muslimah Sports Association (MSA) to successfully support 15 Asian women through a 6-month project resulting in them achieving their level 1 FA coaching award.

Yashmin Harun, Chair of MSA, attributes the success of the project to the commitment of all the partners involved who were able to create a tailored course providing targeted support to this group of women enabling them to develop their specialist football coaching skills.

The MSA were proud to be involved with such a pioneering project which has resulted in more ethnic minority female coaches for London. It is hoped that as a result of this course, Asian women will feel empowered to push the boundaries and try football and other sports.

Pictured: Yashmin Harun, Chair of Muslimah Sports Association and
Mark Healy, Vision Redbridge Culture & Leisure

Special thanks go to London Sport and the Essex FA for championing the project and to the FA and the Black, Asian Coaches Association for their support.

London Sport’s Specialist Advisor for Workforce, Dean Nevill was delighted with the success of the project and said that he hoped this can now be adapted as a model to support more people across the whole of London to become community champions of physical activity, and contribute to a more active London now, and in the future.

Andrew Crowl, Coaching Development Officer from the Essex FA was looking forward to supporting these ladies on their continuing coaching journey, whilst Cindi Chatha, Equality & Inclusion Officer felt that the ladies were not only inspiring to others within their community, but are role models to the next generation of females from a BAME background.  She hopes that reading about this will inspire others to actively participate within football.

Watch this space to find out how our newly qualified coaches are faring as they take their first steps into sport coaching!

For more information visit London Sport or the Essex FA

Post Author: Mark Healy, Vision Redbridge Culture & Leisure

 

 

 

Redbridge Library News: Summer Radio Workshop

Last summer, children aged 9 to 11 years old had the opportunity to take part in a three day workshop at Redbridge Central Library. This Summer Radio Workshop was run by Lab Central and delivered by East London Radio, where participants were able to create their own radio show! The workshop garnered a lot of interest and was run twice, the first at the beginning of August 2017 with the second workshop running two weeks later.

Sumayyah, a participant from the first workshop, joined us again for the second workshop, this time to help produce a news bulletin video. The video aims to give audiences an insight into what went on in the Lab Central workshop, to find out how much the children participating enjoyed it and to get feedback from participants parents. Sumayyah also speaks to the tutor of the workshop, East London Radio director Ian Chambers.

Check out how the radio workshop went in the video below.

To listen to the radio programmes produced by the two groups, visit the Lab Central Soundcloud.

Post Author: Nida Hussain

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

Hainault Forest Country Park is in the early stages of a £6m restoration project which will see it undergo a programme of work focusing on four key areas – investment in biodiversity, landscape and buildings, works to re-focus the popular children’s zoo and to improve the range of activities on offer for visitors.

On 9 December 2017 a group joined Francis Castro, Senior Ranger and Project Manager at Vision Redbridge Culture & Leisure, for a guided winter stroll around Hainault Forest. In beautiful winter sunshine, over the course of two hours, they learned about the flora and fauna, as well as the restoration plans.

In January 2017, the HLF announced support of £4.5m, including development funding of £218,800, for Hainault Forest Country Park’s “Hainault Ancient Forest – a Landscape for the Future” project. The Council will also contribute £1.25m to the project with a further £250,000 from Vision Redbridge Culture & Leisure. This brings total investment to £6m. When the project is complete, it is envisaged that Hainault Forest Country Park will be enabled to become financially self-sufficient, and the current Council subsidy will end.

Covering a total of 800 acres, Hainault Forest includes 250 acres of greenbelt, ancient woodland and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It is the last fragment of a medieval Royal hunting forest established by Henry I that included Hatfield and Epping.

The forest is also pivotal for local and regional wildlife. To date, 158 species of bird have been recorded in the forest including turtle doves, bullfinches, and three species of woodpecker. There are also more than 940 species of invertebrates such as butterflies and dragonflies, 79 of which are nationally scarce.

Friends of Wanstead Parklands member Richard Arnopp, who went on the walk, said –

“Hainault Forest is important both as a haven for wildlife and a much-needed recreational space for Redbridge’s growing population. It is also a historic landscape with ancient trees, including many pollards, which bear witness to its long management as wood-pasture”.

Richard continued –

“Francis Castro (Vision RCL), the London Borough of Redbridge and the HLF are to be congratulated for this initiative. We hope that the “Hainault Ancient Forest” project will guarantee the future of this special place for many years to come”.

Hainault Forest Country Park is managed by Vision Redbridge Culture & Leisure on behalf of the London Borough of Redbridge.