With Clyde Loakes stepping down because he plans to run for MP in the next general election, our new council leader in Waltham Forest is Chis Robbins from Grove Green ward.

The ex-Woolworths in Leytonstone has been secured by The Leytonstone Arts Trail for use as a venue – the arts trail runs from 27th June till 19th July 2009.

As a matter of interest, presumably that means that the council have not yet found anyone to take over the store on a permanent basis. The Woolworths in Stratford is now a “99p Store”, the one in Wanstead is a Tesco Metro and South Woodford’s is some kind of “International Supermarket” (doesn’t seem particularly popular with the locals apparently, see this Guardian article for further info).

Are you an artist with work to show? Or a venue with space to offer?

Leytonstone Arts Trail is a great chance for local artists to show their work, and for residents to see the talent that’s on their doorstep.

The Trail runs from 27 June to 19 July and involves many different visual arts events, from photography to painting to sculpture to textiles. The aim is to get art into as many venues as possible, so that artists can show their work, and venues can benefit from added custom. More information at http://www.leytonstoneartstrail.org.