Installation of Father Salvador, St Saviour's Church

I was delighted to share in Father Salvador's very special occasion at St Saviour's Church as he was installed as Priest in Charge.  Father Salvador gave a valuable service to St Barnabas Church previously and I am sure he will do the same in St Saviours.    As a member of another faith, it was an honour for me to attend the service and to celebrate the diversity of our borough.   I send my very best wishes to Father Salvador and his Ministry.

Launch of Pickpocket Awareness



PCSO Steve, PC Connie and myself

I met with Chief Inspector Cowie and The Safer Transport Team (STT) at Walthamstow Bus Station on 3^rd July.  The team have been working hard to raise community awareness of pick pocketing.  TFL kindly gave the team a double decker bus for the day and we used the bus to travel up and  down the borough, from Leyton to Chingford – stopping at every bus stop!!   The Police Community Support Officers (PCSO's) from the team gave out crime prevention advice on pickpocketing  and handed out all sorts of  goodies to members of public.   The younger kids were excited to meet with PCSO Steve and PC Connie, the cartoon characters.  I was lucky enough to have my photo taken with them!

It was a successful event as over 500 residents participated and approximately 500 leaflets were handed out.  So come on everybody, let’s all be vigilant and let’s not let pick pockets spoil our day!!  

WFHA Lunch at House of Commons with Rt Hon Iain Duncan Smith

I was really pleased to attend a special anniversary lunch which was hosted by Rt Hon Iain Duncan Smith at the House of Commons.   It was great to see John Cryer there too.  We were there to celebrate Waltham Forest Housing Association’s 50^th Anniversary. It was good to meet Linda Milton, the Chief Executive and I really enjoyed her welcome speech.   Iain Duncan Smith commented on what a remarkable organisation WFHA are and I certainly agree with what Iain says!  Congratulations to WFHA!! 

London Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival

What a brilliant time I had at the Dragon Boat Festival on Sunday!  I enjoyed watching the boat races on the river and the martial arts display.  The hospitality was fantastic and the food was amazing.  I found it really hard to avoid eating too much of it but I did my best because as everyone knows I am trying my best to lose weight!

Waltham Forest Tamil Sangam Sports Day

 On Sunday, I visited the Waltham Forest Tamil Sangam Sports Day with Cllr Chris Robbins, Cllr Clare Coghill and Cllr Raja Anwar.

It was a fabulous event - 200 children took part and marched past us carrying banners.  The weather was great and the children competed with great energy and commitment.    A fantastic event!



Me joining in with the Sports Day activities

 

Me with all the medals and trophies!





My Gym Induction at Walthamstow Leisure Centre

I received my gym induction at Walthamstow Leisure Centre (part of the Greenwich Leisure Centre - GLL) last Wednesday.  The induction lasted for an hour and I was given a health check and then introduced to all the fitness equipment.  Craig then put together a personalised programme for me to follow, so I am now well on my way to losing weight!  Craig really put me through my paces! 

Thanks to all the staff who turned my induction into - what I thought was going to be a physically painful experience -  into a fun and enjoyable experience!!  I am certainly going to make full use of the local leisure centre (as you will see from the photo - I now have my membership card to prove it) as I want to be fit and healthy throughout my mayoral year and beyond.

Finally, I would like to say that GLL celebrated its 20th birthday yesterday!!!  Congratulations!!

20 mph Sign Competition

The winning entry by Malak Hailbi

Last Wednesday, I attended Chingford Hall Primary School where I was asked to present a prize to the winner of a 20 mph sign competition.   The school’s aim is  to raise awareness in children of the importance in road safety.  The pupils listened to a talk given by Costas Jacovou of the Project Development Team at Waltham Forest Council.  In short, a reduction in speed would hopefully result in a reduction in injury accidents.  This would mean that it would be safer for children to walk to school or use their bicycles instead of getting mum and dad to use their car!

I was pleased to present Malak Halibi, a Year 5 pupil with a prize of a bicycle and helmet which was kindly donated by J B Riney.  As you will see her drawing is eye-catching with a very clear message.  Malak’s drawing will go underneath the 20 mph sign, which will be placed at each entrance to the20 mph zone.  Well done Malak and a big thank you to everybody involved in organising the event!