A reminder about the sterling work the guys at the Leytonstone Film Club are doing. Given that there isn’t a single cinema in the whole of Waltham Forest, the film club is a much needed resource in our area. They tend to show the type of films that aren’t readily accessible in mainstream cinemas too, such as high quality foreign films or critically acclaimed films which may have only been given a limited release.

Screenings are held on the first Wednesday of every month. All screenings take place at Leytonstone Library, Church Lane, E11 1HG (just off Leytonstone Tube Station).

The film club will only survive if local people support it, so if you can, please go along.

Upcoming screenings:

3rd February, 2010 – Let The Right One In

Directed by Tomas Alfredson. Duration 1hr 54 mins, Rated 15.

Let The Right One In

Oskar is a 12-year-old outcast who is frequently picked on by his classmates. He dreams of getting his revenge, but he never stands up to the boys. With the arrival of his new next door neighbour, 12-year-old Eli, Oskar may finally have found a friend, ally, and first love. But Eli is no ordinary girl: she must keep her pale skin out of the sunlight, she can perform many inhuman physical feats, and she has a thirst for blood.

Read more…

Having visited a few Christmas markets in Vienna last year, I was kind of (unrealistically) expecting the outside of St. John’s Church to look something like this today…

Christmas Market

But not a stall in sight, seems it was all happening inside the church. So, as I was a bit short for time (and wheeling a toddler along), I missed out. Anyone venture inside? How was it?

Couple of great pics showing the fireworks over Waltham Forest Town Hall on November 5th, 2009.

Copyright © Rupert Hitchcox.

There are plenty of things happening in E11 over the Christmas period…

Leytonstone Christmas Lights Switch On

When: Thursday 26th November, 3:30pm – 6:00pm.
Where: Leytonstone Town Centre.

Christmas Market

When: Saturday 5th December.
Where: St. John’s Church, Leytonstone.

Town Centre Christmas Decoration Window Display Competition

When: Friday 18th December.
Where: Leytonstone Town Centre.

Wanstead Christmas Lights Switch On

Residents can take part in a fun treasure hunt from by picking up a map from local retailers along Wanstead High Street.

Carol singers will also be on hand to provide plenty of Christmas cheers and the annual lights display will be switched on.

All shops, cafes and restaurants participating in the event will also exhibit art by pupils from Our Lady of Lourdes RC Primary School on Chestnut Drive.

The event is being organised by Living Streets, which represents pedestrians and aims to make roads safer for people moving around on foot.

The participating retailers are: Bike Trax, One Deko, Rio, Nice Croissant, The Orange Tree, Picture Perfect Gallery, The Larder, Blush Temples, Heads N Tails, Wanstead Domestic Appliances, Horsfall & Wright, Knock Down Ginger and Lillies of Wanstead.

When: Friday 27th November, 3:30pm – 6:00pm.
Where: Wanstead High Street.

Firework Displays

Start planning your night and catch some impressive fireworks this year and see in Bonfire Night with a bang. There are two organised firework displays being staged close to E11 this year:

Waltham Forest

The 2009 Waltham Forest Firework Display will take place at:

Chestnut Field (behind the Town Hall),
Forest Road,
Walthamstow
E17 4JF

on Thursday 5th November.

Gates open at 6pm and the display begins at 8pm. There will be a funfair with rides for all the family and hot snacks and drinks on sale. The funfair will end at 9:30pm.

Walthamstow Town Hall can be reached by buses 123 and 275 along Forest Road or by tube from Walthamstow Central or train from Wood Street Station.

Entry prices

Adults: £4
Under 16’s: £3
Under 5’s: FREE
Senior citizens: £3

Newham (Wanstead Flats)

The free display will once again be held at:

Wanstead Flats,
Centre Road,
Forest Gate E7

on Friday 6th November.

Gates open at 6:15pm and the display begins at 7:30pm. There will be hot snacks and drinks on sale.

The display is taking place at Wanstead Flats by kind permission of The Corporation of London, conservators of Epping Forest.

Wanstead Flats can be reached by buses 58, 101, 104, 308, 330, 474, W19 or by train to Manor Park, Forest Gate or Wanstead Park station. Or for us in E11, simpler to just walk!

Wanstead Rugby Club

Support Wanstead Rugby Club on Bonfire Night.

Roding Lane North,
Woodford Green,
Essex
IG8 8JY

on Thursday 5th November.

Gates open at 7:00pm and the display begins at 7:30pm.

Entry prices

Per person: £3

Please do not bring glass bottles or sharp items. People may be searched as a condition of entry.

People are asked not to bring their dogs.

Please use public transport where possible – there may be limited parking at some of the events.