Norlington School Awards

Norlington Schools held its fourth celebration event at Waltham Forest town hall on 3^rd October.  I was very pleased to attend and to hand out much deserved awards to students.  Not only did the event recognise the outstanding successes of the school in the previous year but it reaffirms the aspirations of the school for the future.  Thank you not only to Juan Hernandez, Head teacher, for making the evening such a memorable one, but also to the proud parents and carers.



Tapas & Music Evening - Fundraising event, Mayor of Redbridge

On 15 October I attended a fund raising event organised by the Mayor’s Office at London Borough of Redbridge together with Cllr Paul Canal.  The event took place at a local Spanish restaurant and Mayors from Medway and Hillingdon joined the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Redbridge.  We all had fun trying out the Tapas (although I had a specially prepared Halal alternative!) and thoroughly  enjoyed the entertainment provided by local musicians.  All monies raised went to the Mayor of Redbridge’s charity, Hopes and Dreams.



Afro-Caribbean Elders Meeting

Earlier this week I attended the Annual Afro-Caribbean Elders evening at the William Morris Community centre in Greenleaf Road. I was pleased to be joined by well over 100 members of the Group.  I enjoyed mingling and chatting with everybody and it was an enjoyable evening.   

 



Laurie Cunningham Memorial Day

I was extremely honoured to be asked to attend a memorial day for Laurie Cunningham, the late Leyton Orient and Real Madrid footballer who became one of England's first black players.  The ceremony took place at Leyton Orient football club and a Blue Memorial plaque was unveiled by the Cunningham family members.  Also present were previous team mates - speeches were given by former West Bromwich Albion stars, Breton Batson and Cyril Regis.   I was very touched to be able to say a few words too.  The plaque is situated in Brisbane Road and I am sure will be visited by many people for years to come.



 

Tour of Whipps Cross Hospital

Last week, in support of my fundraising cause, I attended Whipps Cross Hospital and visited the Chest and Respiratory Centre.   I was brave enough to allow myself to be the subject of an Oxygenated Blood and pulse rate test.  This was done to test out  the use of the equipment.  I then visited two wards where I spent time chatting to the patients.  The staff at the Hospital are all amazing.  They are as ever caring and compassionate and they all do a fantastic job.  Thanks to all involved in organising the tour of Whipps Cross Hospital.

 

Percy Wilding - 100th Birthday

I was very privileged to attend Mr Percy Wilding’s 100^th birthday party on 12^th October.  Percy was a keen cyclist and so members of his cycling club were on hand and prepared a guard of honour with their cycles held high.  Percy arrived at his party in a wheelchair decorated by Shopmobility where he was met by members of his family, the local  community and his vicar. Congratulations to you Percy!

 



Yasar

The Mayor of the London Borough of Waltham Forest

Councillor Nadeem Ali

Invites you to join him at a Turkish Dining Out Experience

In aid of his Charity Appeal

Date: Tuesday 12 November 2013 – 7.30pm

Venue:

Yasar Kebab& Steak House

8 Blackhorse Lane

Walthamstow E17 6HJ

£25.00 per head – at the door

£20.00 per head – payment in advance*
Included in the charge is a Starter and Main
(menu details to follow – Vegetarian option is available)
Cash Bar
*Cheques should be made payable to the

Mayor’s Charity Appeal and sent to
The Mayor’s Office, Room 108, Town Hall,
Forest Road, Walthamstow E17 4JF

or call 020 8496 4399 (mob: 07808 653956)

susan.yamansef@walthamforest.gov.uk

All proceeds from the evening will go towards two causes - The William Morris Gallery “Young People’s Programme” where monies raised will provide a range of IT and audio visual equipment and the Gastroenterology and Respiratory Unit at Whipps Cross Hospital to ensure that people have access to the right equipment and receive the right treatment as quickly as possible.



A Week In The Life…

Thursday Tots - Rhymes and Story Telling



The wonderful staff of Walthamstow Library



Thursday of last week (17 October) was Local Government Day and we put together a programme of visits in Waltham Forest to highlight the sort of things that council officers are doing every day to help the life of the borough run smoothly. I’ll tell you about that in a moment, but before then, I want to share a couple of other engagements I went to. Monday saw me going to Brent to the Pearl Education Foundation Awards. The Foundation started in 2006 to enable British Muslim women to develop their leadership qualities, talents, skills and knowledge to achieve better economic integration. More than 6,000 students have been involved and the organization now teaches men and women from many backgrounds. As a result, people can better understand and support their children’s schooling, earn an independent income and assist in the integration of their families into British society.

 

  

Simone Abani - Receptionist at Town Hall



Waiting at Sycamore House to see Enviro-crime unit.



Back in the Borough, I went to Walthamstow School for Girls for the launch of their in-house banking scheme ‘Mybnk’. ‘Mybnk’ helps young people learn about things like saving and budgeting, moving into independent living and survival money management. It also gives access to interest-free loans to set up their own enterprise in their local community. Managing money is such an important skill, so I was delighted to see the work that the school and the students have been doing.

Back to Local Government Day, I enjoyed a varied tour around different departments of the Council. In the library at Walthamstow there were stories for our young residents and, with Age UK, IT lessons for the young at heart. The enviro-crime and planning enforcement teams told me about their work and I was also shown the impressive and reassuring CCTV control centre. At the Registrars’ Office I met the teams looking after weddings and civil partnerships, and citizenship. More importantly, I met a very happy couple who were getting married – how lovely to share even a little of their special day.



My next stop was the Learning Centre in Queens Road where the staff and students all impressed me with their hard work. Finally, I met with some of the staff in our Highways Department down at our Low Hall Depot. A very busy day, but one which brilliantly illustrated just how much is going on every day in every corner of the borough. Take a look at the tweets that were put out during the day.



The wonderful staff of Walthamstow Library

London Mayors’ Association Civic Service

On Sunday 20 October, I proudly took my place at the LMA Civic Service in Westminster Abbey.  With all the London boroughs’ mayors and civic heads all robed up and accompanied by their mace-bearers, it was a fantastic sight for guests and tourists alike.  And being in the Abbey made it an extra special occasion for all of us.  It will certainly go down as one of my civic highlights during my year as Mayor.



Safe Drive Stay Alive 2013 - Invitation to Mayor and Portfolio holders

On 2 October I visited Chingford Assembly Hall to watch the ‘Safe Drive Stay Alive’ theatre education event, which this year has been seen by nearly 1000 16 -17 year olds from colleges in Waltham Forest and is being hosted by boroughs across London. This powerful and hard hitting event is aimed at reducing deaths and serious injuries among new and young drivers by taking them through a film of a car crash, and with real life emergency service workers, crash survivors and family members coming on stage to recall their experiences. The students were reminded of the impact of speed, drink/drug driving, not wearing a seatbelt, peer pressure and causing distraction to the driver. Every year up to 35 people in cars are killed or seriously injured on Waltham Forest roads, many of whom are between  the ages of 17 -25. Events like Safe Drive are a stark reminder to young people of the responsibilities they have as a new driver.

 

Topping Out Ceremony - Essex Wharf

At the beginning of the month I took off my mayoral robes and proudly put on my hard had, my hi viz jacket and steel boots and joined Essex Wharf Homes LLP and contractor Mulalley to celebrate the topping out of a brand new riverside development ‘Essex Wharf’ on the banks of the River Lea. 

I was honoured to be asked to cement in the top of the roof deck to mark the completion of the development’s concrete structure!    It was a fantastic event and  I would like to pay credit to the developers Sherrygreen Homes Limited and A2 Dominion Group, as well as the contractors Mulalley for what they have achieved.  I look forward to returning next year to see the completed homes!

Onam

On 28 September, I had a fantastic time when I attended Onam, the harvest festival for the Malayali CommunityMalayali community.  It was wonderful to see people having such a good time and sharing such a rich cultural heritage.  The afternoon was a real success and testament to the hard work of everyone involved in  organising this spectacular event.  

Al-Mustafa Trust Charity Dinner

Last month I attended a charity dinner which was hosted by Al-Mustafa Trust, a very worthy charity which manages 13 medical centres, providing free medical treatment, medicine and transport to needy communities in the developing world. Thank you to the Chairman, Mr Malik, Syed Munawar Hussain Gilani, Mr Haroon Sattar and the Directors of the Trust for inviting me to their event.

Another varied week

I’ve had another busy week, with a variety of different events to attend and enjoy. Last Friday saw me at the Almustafa Trust Charity Dinner. The trust is currently managing 13 medical centres that provides free consultation, medicines and transport to poor and needy patients. It was a great opportunity to meet the chairman and directors and learn about their work.

Sunday was a non-Mayoral day but I have to mention it as my cousin got married in a lovely ceremony at Alexandra Palace. My very best wishes to him and his beautiful bride.
On Thursday evening I shared in the success of pupils from Norlington School for Boys as they staged their awards night at Walthamstow Assembly Hall. It's great to see the levels of success that our pupils attain and I was very proud of their achievements.