In and around Walthamstow

Wood Street Market

Indoor market in Wood Street Walthamstow get a make over, with an infusion of a new, younger, more stylish type of trader.

Seven for a Secret

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jPvxc0nCwQ

Urban foxes are a reasonably common sight but hardly anyone has ever seen a dozen of them in one place. Up to 18 of them have been known to gather at this secret location and they seem not to mind being videoed, probably because there is a stout fence between them and the passers by who stop to wonder at such an amazing gathering.

Jesus Christ It's Christmas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80Ls_AQsmBg

The commercialisation of Christmas provides a wonderful subject for the acid tongue of Walthamstow Comedy Diva Other Theresa.

Hell hath No Fury

Walthamstow's comedy diva Other Theresa takes a wry look at marital breakdown.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72yeH4CbPyw

Walthamstow Festival in 2003

Walthamstow Festival in 2003 organised by Continental Drifts with The Forest Choir, Billy Chong Blues Revue, Paka and the fire breathing mechanical horse, Mario and the beer stand, Shazia Mirza and Mark Steel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGKHYm_44PE

Walthamstow Memories 2011

Walthamstow Memories visits the mayor of Waltham Forest and presents him a hand written commemorative scroll in June 2011.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFrjy5XxwFI

PEP Talks

PEP Talks, an hour long video celebration of the life of Peter Perry, was first shown at a guerilla cinema near Hoe Street in 2008. Peter, who was 87 years old, was there but died a few months later.

Mr Perry, who was born in Leyton, was a charmer who was well known in the Wood Street area of Walthamstow, where he used to live, though in recent years he had been living in Brookscroft Road, Walthamstow.

He spent most of the Second World War serving in the RAF alongside the desert rats in north Africa. When he was in his 80s he got the chance to go back to Africa as part of the Government's Heroes Return programme. "I told them I wasn't a hero but they said I could go anyway," said Peter modestly.

A volunteer, he worked with ground crew maintaining aircraft but even so he narrowly escaped death on more than one occasion. He also suffered from skin problems as a result of working long hours in the desert sun for several years.

A weight lifter in his youth, he won several medals and eventually became the civil service champion. He also displayed his weight lifting skills at the Festival of Britain.

A life long communist and a leading light in the Walthamstow Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, he was passionate about fine literature and had read extremely widely. He also had an allotment and supported Orient Football Club.

Many will remember seeing him cycling up Wood Street or chaining his bike outside one of the shops or pubs.

A determined correspondent his letters were published in a variety of newspapers including the Waltham Forest Guardian and the Morning Star.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-W30q7g9ZQ

Gold At The Anchor & Hope

Les Heath ran the Anchor & Hope, probably the most famous pub on the Lea towpath, for 50 years. This video catches him at the celebration held at the pub when he completed that incredible feat in 2003. The Anchor & hope was then and is now (2011) a Fullers pub, a rarity in North East London and regarded as a beer oasis in the early days of CAMRA when there were few great real ale pubs in Hackney or adjoining boroughs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnMM_WxI79A

College Pool

The swimming pool at Waltham Forest College in Forest Road, Walthamstow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3c8QHeg5vU

Dogs Gone

The Stow, Walthamstow Greyhound Stadium, was the best in the world, but it closed in August 2008 after 75 years of giving people a lot of happiness. When it shut, a way of life also died.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajEd8RuXHqU

Coppermill

Mostly bikes in Coppermill Lane, Walthamstow, London, E17. Each working day dozens of people use this urban country road as a main bike highway, with cycle traffic far out numbering other types of vehicles.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvzFD_OZTC4

Horse & Hound

Horse rider receives unwelcome attention from small dog. At Walthamstow Marsh in North East London.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH1G5EdSBxg

Walthamstow Market

Walthamstow High Street is said to be the second longest street market in Europe. Goodness only knows which one is first! For much of its century and more existence trade has been good and there were long waits to get a stall. Not any more. Changing tastes and retailing styles have hit the traders hard and some of those in this video made in 2003, don't go to Walthamstow any more.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdUFENBGMQ0

Henry & Lou and The Greyhound

Many years ago there was a pub in Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, London E10 called Th Greyhound. It shut because of a complex legal battle involving a local authority and a property speculator. Non ending court battles, heavies who have attempted to occupy the premises, bailiffs, court orders and the efforts of local officials have all resulted in deadlock.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdUFENBGMQ0

Henry and Katy talking about The Greyhound, a pub in Lea Bridge Road, Leyton.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAq4sIDCSb4

Snow scene. (19/Dec/2010)

Lea Marsh, next to the Lea Bridge Road, Leyton and Walthamstow. Music by Asteriks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qDDXe-5EtU