SLM Digest 5-2-16

To: yahoo group <saveleytonmarsh@yahoogroups.co.uk>

Save Lea Marshes is an open group of  local people concerned to keep the marshes and green spaces of the Lea Valley open and green for wildlife and local people.  For further information go to www.saveleamarshes.org.uk View this email in your browser SLM Weekly Digest Keep Our Marshes Open and Green! This week, spring has been in the air and anyone that has fancied a walk around Hackney Marshes would soon be aware of the green open spaces being marred by tyre tracks extending from the path edges and in places across the green. SLM has been in touch with Hackney Parks Dept. concerning increasing private car access and the deep tracks left by Council vehicles.  One of our correspondents received a reply to his complaint about lack of bollards on the path at the Hackney Marshes Centre leading to the marsh.  Tyre tracks are clearly swerving around on the grass to avoid the bollard in the middle of the path.  His complaint also included seeing an assumed private car driving around the perimeter path.  This, he was told was an employee going about his job in a private car. A second email with photos on similar issues address to the Parks Department was returned by Hackney’s email system, because it was too big.  As copies were sent to others who received it, it begs the question of how does the Council’s system cope with developers sending in planned document?  We are however, pleased to report that metal folding bollards have been placed on the path near Cow Bridge. HOT TOPICS THIS WEEK ICE RINK – SLM will continue to fight against significant development and no development on MoL and will be pursuing with the Lea Valley Regional Parks Authority whether it is possible to consider land which isn’t MoL.  We are also pushing for the LVRPA to hold a proper consultation and ensure that local people are aware of what’s involved by following up with our contacts and kindred organisations. NORTHERN AREA OLYMPIC FRINGE AREA ACTION PLAN – SLM are following up on the validity of this plan versus current proposed developments. LEA BRIDGE ROAD DEVELOPMENTS – 97 Lea Bridge Road is part of the current industrial area near Arygll Way.  300 are planned including 3 x 18 storey tower blocks that will be visable from Leyton Marsh.  Height and lift pollution are key issues and there is a Facebook Group that is actively discussing it.  Plans can be viewed onwww.walthamforest.gov.uk  and the Planning Application number is 158384. The viewpoint of an active local resident is available on our blog: www.saveleytonmarsh.wordpress.com Thames Water Site – SLM is writing Freedom of Information requests to the Department of Education and the London Borough of Waltham Forest to find out how the proposed Free School was given a green light... CRICKET SCREENS – SLM representatives have been in discussion with a representative from Stoke Newington Cricket Club regarding the storage of large cricket screens.  We will support the Cricket Club in getting the screens stored by Hackney Council in their depot when not in use, because the marsh should be open and accessible to all.  This is because the design of the Cricket Pavilion has not included appropriate space in the building to house them and the ECB, who contributed funding to the project are saying that having the screens is a requirement for league matches.  It is a great pity we didn’t know this at the time of the PINS Inquiry last year.  We predict that there will be further problems.... WALKING INTO HISTORY – SLM has received a request from a Waltham Forest local resident and PhD student from the Royal Holloway University and funded by a scholarship and an Arts Grant from LBWF, who is looking for volunteers to take a walk with her across Walthamstow Marshes to share their thoughts, memories and knowledge of the Marsh.  With respondent’s permission this will form part of her research and also be placed in the Archives of Vestry House in Walthamstow.  Anyone interested should contact Siobhan.ONeill.2014@live.rhul.ac.uk  IN THE PRESS – In Waltham Forest the recently established Waltham Forest Echo has its 11th issue out on line and is also being distributed around the borough for the first time.  Articles include a update on Walthamstow Wetlands plans.   We have missed the timing for the monthly editorial meeting when members of the public can pitch ideas to the editorial staff but the next deadline for copy is 18 February.  www.walthamforestecho.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Echo-11.pdf The W.F. Guardian has a report about the proposed Labour candidate for the London Assembly requesting the Civil Aviation Authority carry out a noise impact assessment for the changed flight path from London City Airport.  The new path is over Leyton, Leytonstone and Walthamstow. www.guardian-series.co.uk/news Over in Hackney, Private Eye has a story on p.21 about the condition of St. Mary’s Lodge in Lordship Road Hackney.  It was a handsome villa built around 1843 but was withdrawn from Auction and sold at lower than the market value and has since been resold.  In 2014, a petition to Save St Mary’s Lodge attracted the second highest number of signatures, alas to no avail.. www.private-eye.co.uk/nooksandcorners The Hackney Gazette has a front page story:  “Fury over scheme for killer junction” about the proposed Transport for London revamp for a deadly junction replacing traffic lights with a roundabout.  This follows the death of an elderly woman in 2011 and other accidents at the junction in Lower Clapton Road and Urswick Road.  (This is also the area near close to a planned Free School). www.hackneygazette.co.uk/news EVENTS There is a Lea Bridge Ward Councillors meeting with the public at 6.30pm in Leyton Library on Wednesday 10 February which will include discussions on latest planning issues and the following day, 11 February at 7pm in the St. John’s Ambulance Hall in Mildenhall Road, Hackney E5, in Hackney’s Lea Bridge Ward, there will be a forum discussing housing and rental issues and an update on policing by local officers.  Under A.O.B. a local SLM member will also talk about the effects of Waltham Forest’s plans could affect Hackney residents sharing the borough boundary. Open City (formerly Open House) has news of upcoming events, including a “Walking Tour of the Olypmic Park and beyond, which includes “Olympicoplis”, plans for large cultural institutions.  11.00 a.m. Saturday 20 February.  Cost £25.50.  www.open-city.org.uk  Next SLM meeting will be at the Princess of Wales pub in Lea Bridge Road on Monday 15 February at 7.30 p.m.  New people welcome. Share Tweet Forward Copyright © 2016 Save Lea Marshes, All rights reserved. You signed up for this email by contacting us directly or ticking a sign up sheet on a petition. Our mailing address is: Save Lea Marshes c/o The Hornbeam Centre 458 Hoe St Walthamstow, London E17 9AH United Kingdom

SLM Digest 29-1-16

To: yahoo group <saveleytonmarsh@yahoogroups.co.uk>

 

Save Lea Marshes is an open group of  local people concerned to keep the marshes and green spaces of the Lea Valley open and green for wildlife and local people.  For further information go to www.saveleamarshes.org.uk   View this email in your browser SLM Weekly Digest Keep Our Marshes Open and Green! A PLANE STUPID JUDGEMENT -  a national news story this week with local implications - the 'Heathrow 13' who took direct action against climate change at Heathrow airport last July in opposition to the recommended expansion of Heathrow have been found guilty of aggravated trespass. The judge, whilst recognising their 'passion' and 'good character' proceeded to recommend immediate custodial sentences, which means each of the defendants face the prospect of three months in jail.  The Plane Stupid campaign are organising support, including donations to help cover costs. The group would like as many people as possible to attend Willesden Magistrates Court on 24th February when the sentences will be announced, for more information see: http://www.planestupid.com HYPER LOCAL – where to begin?  SLM organised a meeting with the Lea Valley Regional Park Authority on Monday to discuss the four local sites that will be assessed for the possible new Ice Rink.  We pressed heavily for early and extensive public consultation and for maximum preservation of the green space.  Interestingly, the LVRPA were vague about the London Borough of Waltham Forest’s future planning proposals and had only just found out about the Free School.  More information can be found our old blog, where we will shortly be adding the maps of the 4 proposed sites, all on protected Metropolitan Open Land: www.saveleytonmarsh.wordpress.com. IT'S JUST MORE CRICKET–  on-going discussion and a meeting planned with Stoke Newington Cricket Club to talk about the escalating problems of a cricket pavilion so well designed it can’t house essential club equipment such as sight screens and pitch covers, deemed essential to club cricket yet not mentioned at the 4 day public inquiry or included in any of the planning documents. We have also heard that a petition was taken to Hackney Council last week concerning creating a “proper” football ground (e.g. with a stadium, seating and car parking), somewhere in Hackney – the marshes and Millfields were mentioned. SLM, who are still in discussion with the Council about keeping East Marsh and other green areas as vehicle free as possible, will keep abreast of developments. IN THE MEDIA Winterwatch is back on BBC2 – this is great news for our cat (Assistant Editor), who watched the whole of it on Wednesday night, even the boring human bits... The latest Hackney Today 25 January , p.3 “Have Your say on Bishopsgate Goods Yard proposals”, extended for the next 21 days email your concerns tobishopsgate@london.gov.uk/bgy  “Calls for a re-think on Crossrail 2”, p.13 on the Dalston area to view the proposals go towww.bit.ly/crossrail_vents  “Grow local and shop local”, details of the latest Growing Communities project, which is looking for trainees to learn how to grow organically.  Applications close on 8 February, for more information visit www.growingcommunities.org  “Follow the porter’s path” on p.25, pictures and archive information on a path that use to run diagonally across from Walthamstow to Shoreditch via Clapton’s Millfields. In Waltham Forest, the Waltham Forest Guardian has another update on the re-opening of the Lea Bridge Station set for early Spring. Last Saturday’s Times of 23 January features Melissa Harrison’s Nature Notebook: “Starlings go hungry as bugs are wiped out” and more positively “Return of the native” (better news about Ash dieback disease and “Daffy weather”, about this winter’s challenging temperatures). PETITION OF THE WEEK Please sign Friends of the Earth's petition to make Waltham Forest 'fossil free' https://campaigns.gofossilfree.org/petitions/divest-waltham-forest EVENTS  Sunday 31 January, 2-3pm there is an RSPB Bird Watch at the Dalston Curve Garden, 13 Dalston Lane, includes spotting, counting and, from 2-5pm, the opportunity to make a bird feeder. Saturday 13 February – an event at Potters Field Park (next to the City Hall), with activities and guests including the writer Will Self, the aim is to draw attention to the loss of public open space to private control (e.g. this land is not your land).  It's called 'Space Probe Alpha' and you can join the event on Facebook Sunday 8 May 12-4pm, Whitehall, Sustainable Hackney are organising a backward walk to demonstrate the “going backwards on climate change of Government policy”. If you a member of Sustainable Hackney, you can RSVP here.  Monday 1 February, 7.30pm at the Princess of Wales pub, Lea Bridge Road, Hackney, the next SLM meeting.  Lots to discuss concerning threats to the marshes and local green space – so leave the sofa and come and get involved!       Share Tweet Forward Copyright © 2016 Save Lea Marshes, All rights reserved. You signed up for this email by contacting us directly or ticking a sign up sheet on a petition. Our mailing address is: Save Lea Marshes c/o The Hornbeam Centre 458 Hoe St Walthamstow, London E17 9AH United Kingdom

SLM Digest 16-1-16

Save Lea Marshes is an open group of  local people concerned to keep the marshes and green spaces of the Lea Valley open and green for wildlife and local people.  For further information go to www.saveleamarshes.org.uk View this email in your browser SLM Weekly Digest Keep Our Marshes Open and Green! This is the Weekly Digest of Save Lea Marshes up and running again in 2016.  We can only wish you a personal “Happy New Year” as the news is generally pretty shit!  Christmas has not been a quiet time without incident - internationally, nationally and locally much has been troubling.  Locally – a lot going on stealthily as you’ll see below.  Some good news though – the SLM calendar for 2016 is sold out and has boosted our funds for future action.  We are working on other new products.  Do keep an eye on our website www.saveleamarshes.org.uk and also get in touch and alert us to anything about the Lea Valley that concerns you. MINI-HOLLAND  - beginning to think of this as almost a swearing oath.  Take a walk along the Lea Bridge Road from the bridge at Hackney towards the Ice Rink, the Riding stables and beyond and witness the devastation so far.  The Monty Python-style Lumberjack squad have been out felling trees (not all of them look old and diseased), and putting down hard surface in preparation for?  Well, if you want to see the full extent of what is planned go to 'enjoy Waltham Forest' http://www.enjoywalthamforest.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/LBR-A-consultation.pdf  EAST MARSH – correspondence has been flying back and forth about the design and height of the gates at East Marsh between Hackney Parks, SLM and other local groups.  We’re currently not finished 'debating the gate', so will update everyone next week. CONSULTATIONS - a word that has becoming more chilling than originally intended, for lo what happens when it is uttered?  Usually, the opposite of the outcome you envisage.  Firstly, Hackney is consulting on the future of Hackney Road Recreation Ground – should it have a new name? See https://consultations.hackney.gov.uk/parks-greenspaces/hackney-road-recreation-ground-1/consult   covered in both the Hackney Gazette and the Hackney Today (p13) in more detail and  have your say on changing the fees on local markets (including Ridley Road – of which, more later..)  https://consultations.hackney.gov.uk/parking-services/fees-and-charges  More drop in sessions on the London Fields traffic calming measures see www.hackney.gov.uk/traffic-management.htm  plus coverage on page 2 of the Hackney Today. IN THE PRESS – first up and seemingly out of the blue – the Waltham Forest Guardian carries the story that a new secondary academy has been granted permission to have first temporary and then permanent space on currently Metropolitan Open Land opposite the Lee Valley Ice Rink, from September 2017 which most people thought locally would go to housing.  It is anticipated that some 1,400 pupils from Waltham Forest and surrounding boroughs will go to this school provided by the Lion Academy Trust.  (Another example of L.B.W.F. making decisions which affect edge of Hackney?) see http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/wfnews/14205538.Site_secured_for_news_secondary-school_which_will_offer_ Also in the W.F. Guardian  a story about the chair of the Epping Society being concerned about green belt land being at risk of future development http://www.guardian-series.co.uk./news/wfnews  Back in Hackney (or should we now refer to it as the edges of Waltham Forest?) we have the struggle to prevent the Grade II listed Old School House being turned into two flats by developers  p.2  www.hackneygazette.co.uk/news  and in the Hackney Citizen p.7 “Dalston’s ‘cultural quarter’ not up for sale, insists Town Hall, p.p7-8 www.hackneycitizen.co.uk/news  - two features about the impact that Crossrail 2 plans could have on Ridley Road Market, The Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, the Peace Mural and well, most things which make Dalston attractive..  The Citizen also has ‘Continuous cruiser’ wins battle against eviction from canal home, p.4 also on the same page ‘Decision on Fish Island luxury flats delayed.  Plus in the Hackney Today, p.p.8-9 a bit of light relief from Hackney after dark there is a double page spread of pictures (including of the marshes), and information about a new book by photographer David George, published by Hoxton Mini Press, price £12.95 for more info or to order the book go to www.hoxtonminipress.com/   Am surprised he found it so dark given the amount of light from surrounding buildings and streets these days .. EVENTS – Apple Yowling is back at the Ferry Boat Inn, N17 NG this Sunday 17 January from 5.00 – 7.00 p.m. plus.  Come Wassailing with torch, something to make a noise with, and your voice to help carry on the tradition and also to remember Katy Andrews who died last year but will always be with us. South Ranger for Walthamstow Marshes, Eammon, has emailed us with details of the first Community Haystacks A.G.M., which will be held on 23 January from 2.00-3.00 p.m. at the Waterworks Centre, Lammas Road E10 7NL – this will also be to prepare for the annual Community Haystacks event with provisional dates for the 30th and 31st of July. Using the old methods is much better for the environment so to be encouraged.  Contact Kathrin on 0794169655 orkathrin@myvillages.org.uk  to say you will be coming and get more information. The Council for the Protection of Rural England, London, with Planning Aid, the London Forum of Amenity and Civic Societies are organising a  Hustings event – “Planning for London Control or Chaos?”, with the London Mayoral hopefuls on 22 March from 6.00-8.00 p.m. at 70 Cowcross Street, near Farringdon Station.  To book a free place seewww.cpre.org.uk and also view the latest January newsletter, well worth reading. The Tree Musketeers have details of their January programme on http://sustainablehackney.org./events  - one this Saturday 16 January at Hackney Downs – meet on the old Bowling Green with a fruit tree pruning workshop and pruning.  Also see Hackney Citizen p. 29 with an article on Hedgehogs and some comments from Russell Miller about their scarcity in Hackney. Next SLM meeting (last week’s was cancelled due to ill-health and other commitments),  Monday 18 January, at The Princess of Wales pub on Lea Bridge Road, at 7.30.  All welcome. Share Tweet Forward Copyright © 2016 Save Lea Marshes, All rights reserved. You signed up for this email by contacting us directly or ticking a sign up sheet on a petition. Our mailing address is: Save Lea Marshes c/o The Hornbeam Centre 458 Hoe St Walthamstow, London E17 9AH United Kingdom

Future of Ice Rink

Hi everyone

The LVRPA are asking our opinion on their plans for the ice rink. It’s very short notice, but hopefully you’ll be able to attend one of the drop-in sessions outlined below.

There isn’t enough time for us to meet before the drop-in sessions, but it would be great to see as many people as possible at the Save Lea Marshes meeting on Monday 14 December to discuss the feedback from the sessions and think about our collective response. It’s at 7.30 at the Princess of Wales pub.

Please share far and wide!

Abi

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Andrews, Pauline" <pandrews@leevalleypark.org.uk>

Subject: The Future of Ice Skating in the Lee Valley - Feasibility Study Information Session

Date: 3 December 2015 13:17:11 GMT

Lee Valley Regional Park Authority – the body which owns Lee Valley Ice Centre – is carrying out a feasibility study on the provision of ice activities in the Lee Valley.

The hugely popular Lee Valley Ice Centre on Lea Bridge Road is more than 30 years old and we need to look at the future.

The centre is open up to 19 hours a day, seven days a week and is a well-established and well-used community asset that draws around 370,000 visits from the local community, across London and further afield.

The study is looking at three main options:

1. Refurbish the current venue

2. Build a new venue at the current site on Lea Bridge Road

3. Build a new centre elsewhere in Lee Valley Regional Park

We’re looking at these options so that we can meet the growing demand for public skating, community and national programmes and have greater flexibility to host major events, including internationals. One possibility is

a venue with two ice rinks which would allow public skating sessions and events to take place simultaneously.

We’re holding two drop-in sessions to bring you up to speed and answer any questions you have.

Wednesday 9 December, 17:00 - 18:00 at Lee Valley Ice Centre

Saturday 12 December, 10:30 - 11:30 at WaterWorks Centre (across the road from  Lee Valley Ice Centre)

Please let us know if you’ll be attending by emailing pandrews@leevalleypark.org.uk

Pauline Andrews 

PA to Shaun Dawson Chief Executive

Tel: 01992 709 856 

 

Lee Valley Regional Park Authority

Myddelton House, Bulls Cross, Enfield, Middlesex EN2 9HG
Tel: 01992 717 711 Fax: 01992 719 937 Web: visitleevalley.org.uk

2016 Calendar

Save Lea Marshes is an open group of  local people concerned to keep the marshes and green spaces of the Lea Valley open and green for wildlife and local people.  For further information go to www.saveleamarshes.org.uk   View this email in your browser A Sneak Preview of Our Calendar! It's not long to go now until Christmas and we want to make sure that you've all had the chance to snap up a Save Lea Marshes calendar in time! Above are two beautiful images featured in the calendar, Mist Over the Marshes by Manal Massalha and Gold Trees by Emma Cameron. It is packed full of more lovely photos snapped by local people and submitted for the 'What I Love About the Marshes' photo competition that we ran in 2013. To get hold of a copy, make sure you order as soon as possible from our website  A number of local shops, including Pages of Hackney in Clapton and Londis in Stoke Newington are also stocking our calendar. We will be selling our calendar at our stall this coming weekend at the Abney Park Fun Day on Saturday 12th December between 11am-3pm. Share Tweet Forward Copyright © 2015 Save Lea Marshes, All rights reserved. You signed up for this email by contacting us directly or ticking a sign up sheet on a petition. Our mailing address is: Save Lea Marshes c/o The Hornbeam Centre 458 Hoe St Walthamstow, London E17 9AH United Kingdom

SLM Digest 11-12-15

To: yahoo group <saveleytonmarsh@yahoogroups.co.uk>

 

This is the Weekly Digest of Save Lea Marshes. We are an open group of people living in the Lea Valley Area concerned to keep unnecessary building development off of the marshes and other local green spaces and keep the Lea Valley for nature, for people for the future.  Please check our website for more information and to visit our Shop page before our beautiful calendars with photos taken by local photographers run out:  www.saveleamarshes.org.uk   View this email in your browser SLM Weekly Digest Keep Our Marshes Open and Green! ICE WARNING – yesterday I attended the first “Drop-in” session held at the Ice Rink concerning the first stage of consultations about the future of the current rink on Leyton Marsh/Lea Bridge Road.  The first thing I have to say is that there was a lack of a notice on the board in front of the ice rink and a lot of the 15 or so people in the room seemed to have been fetched from the rink...The second is that like the Lee Valley Regional Park “workshops” this was more of a Powerpoint presentation with the opportunity to ask questions.  We heard the usual buzzwords such as “strategic” but a few new ones like any new centre must be “Ice-focused” – which means the priority is ice activities first, with less multi-purpose facilities and other types of regular events such as concerts – although the occasional one would not be ruled out.  CEO Shaun Dawson and his wing man from the new Trust – Alan (who sat silently), explained the three stage process – first, research (although they have been working on it for at least two years); take a report to the Board and then if the board approves do the feasibility study and liaise with other bodies e.g. L.B.W.F. and see if the funding can be gained as well as further public consultation... After outlining the options – refurb the current one as is; add on another rink; complete rebuild on site or move it to another part of the Lea Valley e.g. Hertfordshire or near Eaton Manor.  The rink would not be mega Olympic size or quality but would likely be of a standard the next stage down.  Being surrounded by a roomful of the ice skating fraternity I waited whilst other people asked questions such as “Wouldn’t it be better to site it in Stratford for transport reasons?”  Mr Dawson said that the opening of the Lea Bridge Station next year might improve matters if the Ice Rink was to stay at its current location; “What would happen to the current centre whilst the new one was built if it was on the same site?”  (“Good question” said Mr. Dawson – indicating perhaps he hadn’t thought about it).  In all, people wanted a good, reasonably priced centre that would accommodate a range of skating sports and the general public to pootle about on and were most concerned about the transport and particularly the traffic on the Lea Bridge Road.  So, having heard not a thing approximating the word “environment” I asked what was the thinking on environmental considerations, including powering and insulating the building.  “Good question”, said Mr. Dawson again.  We will, of course be involving the planners in the physical location at an early stage..”  I was looking for some sort of clue as to what Mr. Dawson favoured, when someone asked him that directly and he said he would favour a twin pad (2 ice rinks to you and me), but apart from his remark about the new Overground station did not elaborate further.  The timetable if the report is agreed would be a feasibility study to be completed (by one of two consultancy firms) by summer next year and the process of building, including an approximated 18 months of building time could take a few years.  There is another opportunity to attend a “drop-in” session on Saturday at the Waterworks in Lea Bridge Road from 10.30-11.30.  (Note, if you are coming from the Waltham Forest direction you won’t have to pass by the garish Xmas Tree World next to the Ice Rink, lucky you!) SLM is holding some of its own “drop-in” sessions at the usual meeting space the Princess of Wales pub (we’ve booked a table at the back on the road side of the pub) from 7.30pm on Monday 14 December – for anyone who wants to come along and talk about this issue – in addition to a regular agenda. MINI HOLLAND – almost a regular feature in the digest... Waltham Forest Scrutiny Committee were supposedly scrutinizing  the £15m Lea Bridge Road part of the £27m (does m stand for “misery” perhaps?) Mini Holland Scheme.  There are 30,000 vehicles and 1,500 cyclists using the road per day but, as raised at the Neighbourhood Scrutiny Committee, no-one has thought about motorcycles.  (Though I thought Boris had given the go-ahead to use cycle lanes in London, but I may be wrong).  Crucially they are recommending a 20 m.p.h. speed limit along the road.  (Are they having a larf?  It is mostly 2 m.p.h. at the moment!).  Responses to the consultation only resulted in 1,300 people and 175 businesses, which is much less than the daily vehicle total above.  Full story on the Waltham Forest Guardian website http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/wfnews/ MARSH MASH-UP -  an SLM member was walking by Marsh Lane Nature reserve on Monday and to his horror found that there was no access to the nature reserve and it was being dug up for “essential works”,  putting in new surfaced paths and not on the periphery either, right on the reserve.  SLM members are also concerned about any imported soil here.  Am sure we’ll come back to this one. EAST MARSH GATES – correspondence is still going on about putting in new scaled down gates to replace the Stalag ones currently there.  Hackney Officers believe Planning Inspectorate permission is not needed – SLM disagrees... WETLANDS TWEET –  a bit of light relief – “Wetlands Steve” tweeted “a kingfisher film #walthamstow wetlands on 4 December @wildwalthamstow TIP OF THE WEEK – Hackney Herbs @hackneyherbal have tweeted some tips from @permacultureMag about how to look after herbs in the winter months http://www.permaculture.co.uk/readers-solutions/how-grow-and-look-after-winter-herbs PETITION OF THE WEEK – the Council for the Protection of Rural England alerted us to a petition which closes at time of writing about the Government’s proposals that will effect environmental justice but we are in time to another of their calls for action:  Hounslow Heath – there are plans to X12 the size of the current car park to 600 vehicles and block-off large areas for private events – if you don’t like that idea you should emaileamon.cassidy@hounslow.gov.uk   What happens in Hounslow today..  I wonder if anyone has thought about the impact of water run-off, particularly in the light of the current floods up North? IN THE PRESS – masses this week.  Hackney-ites should just go out and buy a Gazette or look at it on line www.hackneygazette.co.uk – there’s front page news on the London Fields road plan debacle; page 2 on the Bishopsgate Goods Yard (Boris looms large like the proposed buildings) and the profit Hackney is making in car parking fees that funds the Freedom Pass scheme; Zen and the art of reducing air pollution on page 7; letters on page 16 feature Crossrail and plans for Fish Island down the River Lea and on page 18 the story of Clyde the rescued cat. Private Eye -  11 December page 36 also has an alarming story on:  “Canals and rivers run by the Environmental Agency are so neglected that boating on them is becoming unsafe”, says the Inland Waterways Association.  Adding, that they are seriously under-funded.  Meanwhile, the largest canal body the Canals and River Trust who are responsible for the River Lea are busy selling off assets – including a 1.1m. strip of water space from the eastern side of the River Lea (at the side of a large property development) – I think we need to establish from the Trust, where this is exactly before we get to thinking it might be Essex Wharf. Tuesday’s Guardian has a few stories reflecting the current newsworthiness of the Climate Change Conference but a story on page 11 caught my eye:  “Tall but not too loud: the City’s riposte to the Shard revealed” with a quote from Eric Parry in his book Context:  Architecture and the Genius of Place, “An orgy of tall buildings will transform and overwhelm London” (sounds like Bishopsgate). www.guardian.co.uk/national EVENTS -  our friends at Mabley Green will be planting Rowan, Holly and Hazel trees onMabley Green on Saturday 19 December – meet at the Wally Foster Centre, Homerton Road, E9 at 12.00 and yomp across the road (dress for gardening), the idea is to create a source of food and a protection from the noise and pollution of the A12.  Were told that their plans are progressing on the Orchard and that they have teamed up with other Urban Orchard experts: http://mableygreen.org/ The Mill continues to go from strength to strength – this month’s news is that there is an on line guide called “Grow your Idea” about the Mill’s development progress and this is also available as a £1 (Secret Santa Present?) from the reception.  For other present ideas there is on offer 10 copies of an elephant illustration made at The Mill by Janet Cheeseman at a cost of £15.00.  There is also a Kids Arts Club Exhibition launching at 5.00-6.30 p.m. on 10 December, but continuing until 6 February.  If you would like to become a member and support The Mill the fees range from £10 for unwaged to £32 for family groups to £100 for corporates per year.  Further details: www.themill@coppermilllane.org.uk Sat 12th December - Tree Planting at Abney Park Nature Reserve: Tree Musketeers and volunteers will be planting two native black poplars to provide continuity of habitat and an oak tree:10am -12pm Sat. Meet 10am at the main gates on Stoke Newington High Street. Sunday 20th December - Tree Planting on South Millfields. Tree Musketeers will be planting about 12 trees in and around the south Millfields arboretum. 10.30am - 2pm Sat. Find them in the park. MAP Monday 21st December - Tree Musketeers Solstice Gathering: Meet the musketeers at the lovely Hackney Community Tree Nursery. Bring food & drink to share by the bonfire. 6-9pm MAP Tuesday 29th December – Formative Pruning Workshop –Stoke Newington Common: Help TM and Stoke Newington Common Users' Group manage wildlife hedges and prune young trees. 10am-2pm. MAP New Years' Day Guided Tree Walk in Abney Park Nature Reserve. Join the Tree Musketeers for the annual New Years' Day guided tree walk around the amazing Abney Park Cemetery Nature Reserve. 1st January 2016, 2-4pm. Meet 2pm at the main Stoke Newington High Street Gates. MAP   And to end this seasonal and long edition of this week’s Digest – we’ll be taking a rest over the festive season and start up again in the New Year.  However, if anything urgent comes up we’ll let you know.   Don’t forget to come and visit our stall at the Abney Park Winter Fair on Saturday 11am-3 p.m. and pick up a copy of our gorgeous calendar; come along on Monday to the drop-in and meeting on Monday 14 December at the Princess of Wales at 7.30and be vigilant if you are out on the marshes over the Xmas period.  It looks like 2016 will be a busy year but from all at SLM we wish you a happy festive season, whatever that may mean to you. Share Tweet Forward Copyright © 2015 Save Lea Marshes, All rights reserved. You signed up for this email by contacting us directly or ticking a sign up sheet on a petition. Our mailing address is: Save Lea Marshes c/o The Hornbeam Centre 458 Hoe St Walthamstow, London E17 9AH United Kingdom

SLM Digest 29-11-15

This is the Weekly Digest of Save Lea Marshes – an open group of people living in the Lea Valley area who come together to discuss and respond to issues concerning the preservation of green spaces for wildlife and people under threat from unnecessary development.  Our website is

http://www.saveleamarshes.org.uk

This week we can announce that our fabulous 2016 Calendar, featuring more photographs from our “What I love About the Marshes” photo competition in 2014.  We had so many beautiful photographs that we wanted to have a means of showing them; demonstrating what a beautiful place the Marshes are and helping to raise funds for SLM.  The calendar is available on our website above and thanks to our friends in the Tree Musketeers, it will be stocked in local shops too.  Tree Musketeers produce their own beautiful calendars every two years, so we will produce ours in opposite years from now on. Order yours from: www.saveleamarshes.org.uk/Shop.html

On line conversation has been dominated this week by Mini Holland and the changes to the Lea Bridge Road and especially the lack of information and confused information about consultation in both Waltham Forest and Hackney.  Before going into the why’s and wherefores I would mention first that this Saturday evening a crane will be lifting a bridge into place, where the strange “ziggurat” steps have been erected near the underpass tunnel leading to the marshes – therefore traffic will be diverted to the usual diversion route in Hackney, up Chatsworth Road, to Homerton Road and Eastway plus some side streets (and in reverse).  This means hell, particularly if the work runs on into Sunday, when the Chatsworth Road Market is in process.  More hell is expected when a second bridge is to be installed by the reopened Lea Bridge Station, now expected to be in May 2016.  No mention of this work is given in the on-line TFL alert that I receive weekly.

Now, the confusion about the consultation processes.   Firstly, whether or not Hackney Council has been consulted regarding the works affecting Hackney residents.  Hackney Lea Bridge Councillor Ian Rathbone, thinks not and is on the case.  Meanwhile, a Waltham Forest resident on the W.F. Mini Holland Stakeholder’s Group recalls that the issue was raised some time ago re. the Hackney/W.F. Lea Bridge first section.  W.F. officers say that Hackney officers had submitted correspondence to W.F. officers.  This representative also pointed out that the cycle lanes on the northern side of the Lea Bridge Road/LVRP frontage are taking place on Highway Authority land.  The original plan was to widen the road. 

Secondly, there is the issue whether or not Section A of the Lea Bridge Road (Hackney Boundary to Lammas Road, was open to residents of Hackney.  This area also affects residents of Waltham Forest who are also concerned about the effects on them.  Transport for London has only recently contacted certain residents over the plans.  One part of their consultation process has already closed and the next area (which particularly affects Hackney residents, closes on 2 December.  Local residents have been writing to Cllr. Loakes, the councillor with responsibility for the scheme in Waltham Forest and have also written to Jeanette Arnold.  They are also urging and inviting others to campaign to get the TFL consultations left open until 31 December.

I hope this is a reasonable summary of what is going on to date and is a story to be continued...

OLYMPIC OPPOSITION FILM – as most of you know, SLM was formed when the Olympic’s came to Leyton Marsh and built a £5m, barely used “temporary” basket ball training facility – which has left  still visible scars on the land as well as in the hearts and minds of local people.  Back in June, we had discussions with a representative from a group in Chicago, opposing the Olympics and thankfully that bid did not come to pass.  But lo, now there is another bid for Hamburg to be a future Olympic host and Marlene, a filmmaker from Hamburg, came hotfoot a couple of months ago to talk to representatives of SLM again.  This film can now be seen on:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v+hc4OotsA3zs  or on http://vimeo.com/146084667

Stars are born...

STOP MESSIN’ ABOUT WITH THE THAMES – The Council for the Protection of Rural England has launched a call for all the Mayoral Candidates for London to “stop selling off the historic Arcadian Thames”, which they say is under threat as a result of the Government’s new liberal national planning policy and are requesting that candidates make sure planning policies are aimed at protecting London’s historic and green assets.  To view the report  go to:

http://www.cprelondon.org.uk/resources/item/2297-the-arcadian-thames-planning-policy-ignored

There is also a press release on the website.

EVENTS

The main event this week is today's People’s March for Climate Change, Justice and Jobs on Sunday.  Sustainable Hackney are meeting at Down Street, W1 at 12.30pm if you would like to join them there.  SLM will also be represented at the march with our new banner.  The march has been organised to be fun and family friendly.  Let’s hope that the important and linked issues are truly supported by lots of people particularly ahead of the Conference in Paris and at a time our Parliament discusses stepping up the war.

Next meeting of SLM  is at 7.30pm on Monday 30 November at the Princess of Wales pub, in Lea Bridge Road – all welcome.  Also come and see our stall on Saturday 12 December from 11.00am to 3.00 p.m. when we will be selling our 2016 calendar and other merchandise...  Our stall will be supporting Abney Park and to cover SLM basic costs.

P.S. FORGET “BLACK FRIDAY” – make it green instead ... 

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