Ice Age 5 features the Ilford Mammoth!

Image of Steppe Mammoth Plaque

Located in Ilford the BPCA is proud of the Paleontological history of our town, noted for the only complete Mammoth Skull and largest deposits of Mammoth remains ever found in Britain.

The complete skull is still one of the highlights of the various exhibitions in the Natural History Museum London and is termed "Ilford Mammoth"

On Sunday 22nd July 2012 we will be installing a plaque to highlight the major Steppe Mammoth archaeological finds.  A former plaque that had been installed during the Festival of Britain was stolen in January.

BPCA will in tandem hold a community fun day with a free barbecue and music day, at which we invite you to come and get your free "Mammoth Burgers".  There will also be some face-painting, Nail art and Henna painting activities which be charged for - all proceeds go to the victims of recent Pakistani floods.  The event will also celebrate the Olympic Torch relay that will pass by on Ilford Lane, straight after the plaque unveiling - a first for Ilford and a monumental day for Britain!

Event Details:

Date:                                              Sunday 22nd July 2012

Time:                                              08:00 - 16:00

Location:                                        Car Park of Ilford Methodist Church corner of Britannia Road and                                                                                

                                                       Ilford Lane.  

Activities:                                        Unveiling of Mammoth plaque, musical entertainment, free barbecue, 

                                                       face-pinting, henna tattoos, Nail art and games for Children.                                   

  

We are proud of the senior guest speakers at our event which will include:

• Professor Adrian Lister - Paleontological department at the Natural History Museum London - World expert on Mammoths.
• William George - Former Professional Archivist and Geologist - Member of GeoEssex
• Terry Quirk a retired university lecture and leader of "Ilford Mammoth Project

Our thanks to contributors to the design and text for the monument including

• Peter Collins - Member of London GeoDiversity Partnership
• Ian Dowling - Local Historian for Ilford Central Library
• Natural History Museum Pictures Department and Paleontology Department

Many local people from Ilford will have watched Ice Age 4 without realising that only a few metres away Mammoths such as those depicted in the Warner movie, once walked our ancient lands.  Come to our barbecue and learn more about the Pleistocene Steppe Mammoths that once roamed free in Ilford - incidentally during the 5th Ice Age.  Perhaps Warner Studios will reflect this within future sequels...

Further details on the Redbridge Olympic torch relay can be sourced here:

http://www2.redbridge.gov.uk/cms/leisure_and_libraries/leisure_and_culture/london_2012_games/london_2012_and_redbridge/torch_relay_and_other_events/torch_relay.aspx

Brave-hearted performers beat the rain at school fete!

Redbridge School of Gymnastics entertained the biggest crowd during the sunniest part of the day!

Shin Cobra got everyone dancing!

The local Catholic School simply got Punjabified!

A dance competition resulted in a clear winner!

Shin Cobra wowed everyone!

Live singing during a sunny spell -it was awesome!

Go for it Shin!

Despite reports of poor weather SS Peter's and Paul's School at Gordon Road, Ilford, decided to proceed with a pre-planned summer fete Saturday 7th July 2012.  Early signs looked ominous with the build up of grey clouds the most visible blight on an otherwise exciting day.  It seemed like the weather forecasters had got it wrong, when a short rain spell at 11:30 stopped after 5 minutes and the sun sprang out intent on bringing joyous heat and light to the fortunate event.

Disaster struck at 12:30 just as the event started as a heavy downpour clearly limited the number of visitors - who numbered barely fifty and forced early performers into the school hall - this included Sally's Dance Academy from Ilford Lane and a crystal ball juggler dressed as Tinkerbell.  The only positive was that by this time over 100 visitors had arrived to the event, creating a rather cramped space in the hall however.  

Stall holders were sure it was going to be a poor result for them until the rain stopped at 14:00.   Encouraged by this I cajoled Stephanie Thomas instructor for Redbridge School of Gymnastics to drag the mats she had set up inside the hall to drag them outside for a performance.  As if by magic the sun shone gloriously and their enthralling performance was watched by a huge crowd in excess of 100 people.  

As they dragged the mats back inside for a set of free workshops for children, the rain started again.  Then Shin Cobra arrived.  He was worried about the rain as were the following performers Maguir O' Sheas Irish Dance Academy, but there was no need to fear as soon he started people started dancing and the rhythmic convulsions had people in a trance.  Whether the song and moves that Shin was teaching were some Punjabi sun dance or simply had a hypnotic power that lifted people out of the rain - his efforts worked.  Quite simply, the event was hotter in every sense of the word and life just seemed wonderful!

We capped things off at the stage area with an awesome performance by Maguire O'Sheas of international fame.  

The event also benefitted from a free Basketball Workshop by Spartans Basketball Club, A Football game, Bash the Rat, Henna Painting stall, Facepainting stall, Tombolas, bring and buy stalls, penalty shoot out and a whole raft of international food and raffle stalls.

Wilson Chowdhry who helped organise the performances said; "The PTA did a remarkable job in organizing this event the Chair Therese Cater deserves great praise for her efforts with a small team. The local community came out despite the rain and made the event a huge success. We raised lots of money for the school and lightened up what would otherwise have been a dreary day.  I would like to say a big thank you to all the performers who brought a carnival atmosphere to the school"    

Stolen history restored by the BPCA - Ilford Mammoth!

Image of proposed plaque.

The British Pakistani Christian Association (located in Ilford) will restore a community plaque that was stolen from Ilford Methodist Church, Ilford Lane.  The original 1951 plaque was installed by Redbridge Council during the Festival of Britain and commemorated Pleistocene Mammoth finds collected during an excavation of the former Uphall Brick Pit site by Sir Antonio Brady in 1936. 

Image of original plaque

To date the most remarkable find was the only full mammoth skull ever to have been found in Britain.  This "Ilford Mammoth" skull along with many other remains are being preserved by the Natural History Museum.  Currently the revamped Ilford Central Library is displaying a real mammoth bone in the Historical section of their adult library and the BPCA are encouraging local people to visit both the plaque and library to celebrate our paleontological heritage  

Wilson Chowdhry Chairman of the British Pakistani Christian Association said;

"When we heard of the loss of this important historical plaque our group decided to replace it.  Our intention was to preserve our local history, whilst increasing awareness of the existence of our minority community.  Few people in this country and our Borough are aware of the significant Mammoth finds excavated in Ilford - even fewer realise Pakistani Christians exist. We originally hoped to unveil the plaque during the Queens Jubilee celebrations we held in Ilford Town Centre 4th - 5th June, unfortunately circumstances delayed the installation.  We have now sent the first draft to local historians, the Natural History Museum and the Methodist church for approval and hope to install the plaque next week."  

Further  details on the history of the Ilford Mammoth can be found on the "Geology of Essex" website:

http://www.essexwt.org.uk/geology/mammoth.htm

An in-depth paleontological study of Mammoths can be viewed on the Natural History Museums website at:

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/research-curation/departments/palaeontology/research/vertebrates/quaternary-mammals/mammoth-evolution/index.html

Cranium and tusks of the Pleistocene Steppe Mammoth found in Ilford - the only complete Mammoth skull found in Britain.

Model of the Woolly mammoth found in Ilford 

Redbridge Mayor thanks EIBP and BPCA for holding successful Queens Jubilee Celebrations!

Redbridge Mayor and Queens Jubilee Party organizers share a toast to the borough!

Dorah Mayah (BPCA Treasurer) and Juliet Chowdhry (Co-Chairperson for the BPCA) with Redbridge Mayor Cllr Javed.

Juliet Chowdhry, Sania Satwat,Chairperson for the (East Ilford Betterment Partnership), Lubna Mahmood (EIBP volunteer) and Dorah Mayah recieved thanks for their commitment to the Borough.

Last night the Mayor of Redbridge Cllr Javed invited Queens Jubilee street party organizers from across our borough to a private lunch.   The event was a thank you to the valuable contributions to the Redbridge Community that these groups had made.

The Mayor described the huge diversity and scale of the parties as terrific.  Food and drink was provided to the attendees who had a chance to share stories and ideas with one another on future projects.  

Wilson Chowdhry Co-Chairman of the BPCA said; 

"It was such a privilege to be invited to receive thanks from the Mayor of Redbridge.   We organised this years Carnival event for our first time and had to bring it four months forward.  We also brought it to the pedestrian area in Ilford Town Centre which has never been done before.  We felt that holding the event during the Queens Jubilee was important and were grateful to Awards for All who funded the majority of the associated costs.  We are simply glad that our hard work resulted in a very successful event that drew 1000's to the town centre in a spirit of unity and friendship. Without a doubt, the contributions made by the various street party holders in the Borough made Redbridge a very colourful place to be!"

In total over 15,000 people attended this years Queens Jubilee festival and parade, which was the largest celebration for the Jubilee in Redbridge.  Live Punjabi music from former lead vocalist for Cobra who were a massively popular London band in the 80's, Albanian dancing by Shpresa, Gymnastics displays and workshops by Redbridge School of Gymnastics and a similar provision by Spartans Basketball club made the day very entertaining - amongst a total of 56 different acts!  The event also had spray paint workshops, clay workshops, henna tattoos, face-painting, the fire service, Army vehicles and much more.  It was the biggest Carnival event in the Borough since the 1960's and was great opportunity to highlight the existence of Pakistani Christians in our Borough.  Our partner group "Redbridge Carnival Association" were delighted with the event and have agreed to work with us for next years event too.

Sania Satwat Chairperson for the East Ilford Betterment Partnership said;

"Our Street party on the 2nd June was the first in the borough attended by the Mayor of Ilford.  Over 3000 visitors enjoyed sports music and great food.  Our thanks go to the Area 6 Committee who funded £400 towards our event and Redbridge Highways team for applying for a traffic management order free of charge.  Our community really enjoyed this years event and plans are already afoot for a similar event next year. This invite is just the icing on the cake for those who participated in the planning."