Free thoughts about Waltham Forest : “Anythin’ Can Happen”.

Big hooha in E17.  There was a plan by Waltham Forest Council to allow a big camp site over Olympics time down Low Hall Lane, E17.  Course the world objected and last night the deal fell through. W F.Council was relying on the money, the revenue from all of this , to pay Alexandra Burke on March 19th at “Party On The Pitch” allegedly. I said previously that anything can happen. The only positive thing was that businesses, you know the ones that collapse overnight in their own mire, would benefit from campers. Wrong, the campsite, like all holiday ones, would have had its own toilet- roll shop and Westfield (remember not E15 but E20) was a Dagenham Brook bus ride away! Actually I never heard any business say they were positive. Too busy keeping thieves at bay. That was another thing. I was offended that objectors said there would be more crime because of a camp- site being erected. Jeez.  Welcoming or what?!
Dvorak’s “New World Symphony” playing on BBC Radio 3 in the background as I type. Neat.
Now where will the Olympics lot go to put a massive campsite where maybe some of their out -of- town GamesMakers were supposed to lodge? Blow that for a lark! I am so over the Olympics now esp. as McDonalds has brought out its healthy eating nonsense and giving away pedometers instead of toys to kiddies. I agree we should all embark on and sustain  healthiness but Maccas! Where is our govt now? Swamped by Maccas and Cadburys.
Cadburys cleverly promoting itself by doing loads of offers in shops. Check the Co-op.
The nasty thing about the campsite was that the council signed a deal in secret allegedly to the camp organisers! The revenue was to pay for The Big 6, the series of events put on by Waltham Forest Council. We all wondered how WF suddenly woke up and began advertising major celebrity-led events.
WF only woke up last November. Before that they didn’t do anything for the people re: Olympics . Their Greeters programme fell flat. Their “It’s Happening Here in Waltham Forest” stickers faded two years ago.They are currently advertising for street cleaners to  sweep and at the same time become street guides. Bogoff.
Since Day 1 Newham was streets ahead…art music etc etc , and Hackney! Yes, Newham had the money. But didn’t Waltham Forest have its hand out? On the BBC London 2012 website dj SilverJay representing some of the youth of Waltham Forest was succinct in saying that the London Borough of Waltham Forest looks a disgrace with the London 2012 on the horizon. Since last November it looks as though every pavement has been dug up and every shop fascia done over. There are red and white barricades everywhere and abysmal traffic queues. Well, go into the side streets and see what’s what. Like any ticket-holders will come this way anyway. I’m sure their own what’s -on  websites will have fed them reports of knives and guns.
I have been in the know myself since Day 1 what with Up Your Street and my fervent interest in the coming of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.  Fooled I was greatly.
 

Waltham Forest, Newham and their residents.

Today I spent over an hour in the good old fashioned orderly queue along two blocks of Oliver Road, Leyton to collect my 6 free tickets from Leyton Orient Football Ground ticket booths. These are the tickets we bid for on the Waltham Forest website so that we residents could be part of the joy that is the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012. Waltham Forest must be on tenter hooks as Alexandra Burke is the headline act for “Party on the Pitch”and as Wycliffe says “Anything can happen”. It will be a good warm noisy evening in mid-May.

Today the wind was up and what a stench as we queued. There’s a rubbish -dump behind The Score in Oliver Road. That’s the landing pad for the sea-gulls who swoop and yell up Lea Bridge Road like they’re looking for the Lea. Nah. I could even smell their droppings.

The traffic was abysmal as ever across Bakers’ Arms and the Olympics haven’t yet started.

It’s time to collect your 5 free tickets to celebrate Vaisakhi in Walthamstow Assembly Hall on April 27th. The tickets are held in libraries but you have to show a council tax bill or similar to claim your invitations. Well worth it for a fabulous evening: Dancing, singing, picnic, raffles, a nice family event. Everyone welcome of course. Dress to party!

Newham is giving away, through ballot,  free tickets for their residents to enjoy one of two events on May 5th at the Olympic and Paralympic Games Park. You need to apply via email.