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."

Give and Take Day a huge success despite rain!

A slow start caused by abysmal spells of rain.

The local community gathered together to enjoy food and fellowship with one another!

Hot burgers and hot dogs Halal and Non-Halal made a lovely treat.

The Swap Shop had its largest attendance of any previous event.

Punjabi music got the crowd dancing.

Stirling above engaged young children in football activities.

Music of all varieties catered for everyone.

Eastern European Communities the new migrants to Redbridge enjoyed opportunity for better integration.

The sun came out!

It was hard work but the caterers really enjoyed themselves.

All food was consumed by the end of the day.

Clementswood Ward celebrated Redbridge Recycling Week in style 24th June 2012.  A fun packed day on the Car Park of the Prince of Wales pub from 11:30 - 17:30.  A Give and Take Swap Shop was the busiest of the week, with over 200 visitors and numerous exchanges.  This was recycling in a manner never before seen in our area and local residents were pleased to be part of an event that could help them through the current economy whilst preserving local resources.  

At least 600 people came to the fun day that involved a free barbecue, Football penalty competition and face painting.  Music was played throughout the duration of the event and revellers could be seen dancing till the end of the event.  

Sania Satwat Chair of the East Ilford Betterment Partnership (EIBP) said;

"It was good to see so many people of different cultures coming together and enjoying fellowship with one another. In particular groups of the newest migrants of Eastern European backround joined us and helped with the set-up and de-construct - a real sense of community in partnership was fostered."

Wilson Chowdhry secretary of the EIBP said;

"We have held several street barbecues before and attendance seems to be growing. When Habiba from Enterprise Group - contracted to Redbridge Council, contacted us to assist with their swap shop at our community centre, I suggested an outdoor event instead hoping to benefit form the recent good weather.  When rain was predicted I thought the worst, however the level of attendance despite the rain proves people are becoming more interested in getting to know their local neighbours.  I simply cannot wait till the next event."

Give and Take Day - Community Swap Shop!

Take Something home for free!

The East Ilford Betterment Partnership and the Prince of Wales Pub have collaborated with Redbridge Recycling to bring a Give and Take day to Clementswood Ward.   

A Give and Take event facilitates an opportunity to exchange old unwanted goods in good condition for something more needed.  Moreover their is no charge for the exchange.  Events such as these have become very popular and in a society with diminishing resources permits local people to held preserve our way of living by reducing waste.

Please bring along in safe working order:

CDs, DVDs, books, sports gear, bric-a-brac, clean clothes, kitchenware, homeware, toys and games.   We cannot accept any electrical items.

Date:             Sunday 24th June 2012

Time:            11:30 - 18:00

Venue:          Prince of Wales Car Park

Location:      63 Green Lane, Ilford, IG1 1XJ

We will be playing live music, holding a community barbecue and face painting Henna Stall.  A free Basketball workshop for children will be provided by Spartans Basketball.

Gordon Road Queens Jubilee Street Party

The East Ilford Business Partnership have applied for a traffic management order to close Gordon Road from numbers 1-23 and 2-54 (the first block from Green Lane to Winchester Road).

Date:  2nd June 2012
Time:  12:00 - 18:00
Venue:  Gordon Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 1SP
Activities:  Street disco, bouncy castle, face painting, barbecue, resident food stalls, Live Punjabi singing, traditional British games e.g. sack race, hoops, egg and spoon race, short runs, and much more...
Attendance:  All welcome - Free entry!

Planning meetings have been held for the last two weeks at 19:30 on Tuesdays at Clementswood Community Centre, 14a Connaught Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 1RN.  Please feel free to join future
meetings.

Real live Pumas in Ilford!

Hundreds attend Ilford Territorial Army Centre open day to admire the Puma Helicopters.  The helicopters will provide air support during the Olympics and the site was being used for a trial run.

Wing Commander Anderson with Hannah and Sophia Chowdhry

Staff at the Territorial Army Centre made visitors feel very welcome.

Puma Helicopters can carry 16 airmen we were told.

Airmen allowed visitors to try on their specialised safety helmets.

Over 90 extra military personnel will be deployed at Ilford TAC during the Olympics.

Local Squadrons joined the Airman in making the day a special one for visitors.

Ilford is only 7 miles away form Stratford, making it the most important strategic site and nearest response base.

The helicopters make a large noise on lift-off, but rise quickly to avoid excessive noise pollution.

Airmen described the use of the helicopter whilst sharing time with local residents.

Children and adults experienced the reality of the cramped space in war helicopters.

Few luxuries are provided within the Puma's.

Many families from neighbour SS Peter's and Paul's School visited the base.

Children struggled with the steps to the helicopter but enjoyed the adventure nevertheless.

Around 90 Airstaff will be deployed at the base during the Olympics.  Parents dropping or picking children to/from school are advised to park further away to avoid congestion on the road.

Children and young people got to hear first hand what life in the military was like.

There is always time for fun and frolics!

This driver seems a little young...

The fuel carrier bonnet is higher that the rather tall Airman before it, illustrating how large the vehicle is.  The tyres were over 1m high.

In a war zone a gunner would be standing in the ceiling cavity.

Again the internal furniture is sparse, military vehicles are made with practical design philosophy.

Looks like I ma taking the picture form a small hill ay...