by Flash Bristow I was proud to be elected chair of FARA in 2013 for a fourth year. We continued with our regular activities – such as the discount scheme and newsletters, and also offered a range of events. As well as last year’s summer picnic, there was a bluebell walk earlier this year, and…

Wanstead Flats has the only breeding population of skylarks in Inner London. But as ground-nesting birds they are very vulnerable to disturbance by people and dogs during their breeding season, which is from the beginning of March through to late August. Therefore, we are politely requested to stick to the main paths and keep dogs…

By Bill Nisbet, Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator With the Christmas holiday season almost upon us, now is a good time to remind ourselves to take steps to make sure our Christmas isn’t spoiled by criminals. Criminals take the opportunities afforded them by the extra shopping that we do, the hustle and bustle of town centres, as…

Plans are in progress for improvements to the playground opposite the tower blocks in Montague Road. Local parents have been consulted in deciding what should be done – including members of the FARA committee. The playground has been sadly under-used of late, possibly because much of the original equipment was broken or missing. So this is a…

These pictures are reproduced from the plans submitted by CBHA for their proposed block of flats on the former Lincolns site. Click the picture to view (use the ‘full screen’ option to see them larger). Plans for Lincolns site September 2013

FARA has seen a planning application for changes to ‘Panther House’ in Leytonstone High Road, which has the TFC supermarket on the ground floor. The plans are for general improvements to the building, including new signage and opening up the ground floor windows which are currently blocked. We have commented on the application because although…

This review was presented by our Chair, Flash Bristow, at the annual meeting on 21 May 2013. FARA review of the year I was proud to be elected chair of FARA in 2012 for a third year. We continued with our regular activities – for example the discount scheme continued to offer a good deal…

The Met Police have asked us to pass on this information about cannabis farms. Cannabis farms grow more than just drugs. Is there one near you?  Cannabis farms grow violence and organised crime Cannabis isn’t the harmless drug people often think it is. Organised crime gangs that grow it can bring crime, violence and intimidation…

See the Courier Fraud Poster The Met Police’s Safer Neighbourhoods Teams (SNTs) across Waltham Forest are urging residents to avoid falling foul of con artists who use courier firms to help defraud victims of their life savings. Please make sure your friends and neighbours are aware, particularly if they are elderly. What is courier fraud?…

An intrepid band of ten volunteers turned out in showery weather for today’s FARA litter pick, done as part of the Council-organised Spring Clean of the borough. We focused mainly on Wanstead Flats, where we found a plethora of beer cans (perhaps we should apply for sponsorship from Stella Artois next time), and lots of water/Lucozade and other…