This Is Local London

Flash Bristow is a self-employed web designer living in the Leytonstone
area for over 10 years. She is interested in music, electricity pylons
and human rights.

A good year for Leytonstone

2011 has been a tough year for many people as the recession bit, but in Leytonstone there were some signs of hope and a couple of fantastic additions to the area.

Power cuts bring the community together

My part of Leytonstone has been subject to power cuts recently. The first happened at dusk, as people were drawing curtains and putting on room lights. Suddenly, we were opening the curtains again.

Waltham Forest - sending our families to live in Luton

Next year changes to housing benefit will come into force capping the maximum amount that can be paid, meaning that many households have to find a way to fund the rest of their rent.

Does Wanstead Flats really need saving?

There is currently a lot of controversy about the Metropolitan Police’s proposal to use part of Wanstead Flats for a briefing centre during the 2012 Olympics. I quite understand that the land should not be damaged, nor permanently built upon, but is the uproar for this one-off event really necessary?

Absent friends

You don’t know who you will miss until they are gone. In my case, it’s the street cleaner. She’s gone on holiday, and although I miss her friendly chats, I’m also bothered by the rapidly mounting piles of dog mess in my road.

Disability’s on the agenda in Waltham Forest

Over the last few weeks the needs of older and disabled people has really moved up the agenda in Waltham Forest with several campaigns taking off.

Faith Hope and Charity

With Easter just past and spring setting in, I have been looking for signs of optimism on the High Street – and been left wanting.

Argos Envy?

After a year of waiting the vacant Leytonstone Woolworths has a new tenant. It’s Argos. And would you believe many of my friends are jealous?

What do you foresee for Waltham Forest in 2026?

The council have released their Preferred Options Core Strategy, a public consultation which runs until 19 February.

Fancy some art and architecture?

For the next two weekends, there are plenty of free events and activities in Waltham Forest.

What happened to our tree wardens?

I was sad to read that Waltham Forest is felling trees instead of maintaining them.

Confined by Swine Flu

On Saturday evening I was at a party celebrating the Arts Trail – on Sunday morning I woke up with a raging sore throat, aching allO over. I was immediately concerned that I had swine flu.