Chris Connelly of TASK writes:
The winter arrived soon after our festive tree this year, adding a distinctly seasonal, and decidedly slippery, feel to our local streetscape.
The situation has improved significantly over the last 24 hours, though, and we hope we can proceed with our final streetscene walkabout of the year this coming Friday, December 10th, starting on the pedestrian island outside Seven Kings railway station at 0900.
The walkabout, started by TASK and now widely used across the borough, does just what it says and involves council staff, police and local residents walking the area and picking up on dumping, graffiti, poor paving, out of order lighting, abandoned cars and all the other things that can make life difficult and miserable for local citizens. In many cases, the walkabout allows for immediate action so do come along and be part of a really positive morning. It only lasts a couple of hours and makes a big difference.
On the same day, the purveyors of local live music, the music lounge, return to the Ilford Sports Club on Cricklefields, High Road, Ilford with an evening of live entertainment including Cheesecloth + Dread Fury playing from 8 - 11.30pm.
Cheesecloth are an early 70's covers band with a difference celebrating some refreshing tracks from that great era of rock music, tracks that remain classics but that are less frequently heard these days, from the likes of McGuiness-Flint, Badfinger, Family and loads more great bands. Totally accessible music whether you know the originals or not! Dread Fury features the talents of Graeme Browne, compelling soulful vocalist, creative songwriter and guitarist, augmented with bass and tabla drums. Dread Fury has recently completed his new 5-track EP entitled 'The Dread Furious EP'. It costs just £4 admission and runs at Ilford Sports Club, The Pavilion, Cricklefield Stadium, 486 High Road, Ilford, IG1 1UE.
The week after, on Tuesday December 14th, we will be holding our final TASK supporters gathering of the year, between 7-8pm when we will look back at our achievements and share some festive food and drink. We are hoping to hold the session in the new Seven Kings Library, the campaign for the return of which was initiated by TASK and supported by politicians of all persuasions including our three local ward councillors.
As we write, issues of local crime and policing attract attention, with some concerns expressed about the visibility of our local police team and the return of regular, hardcore public drinking - and possibly drug taking- outside the railway station. Further concerns relate to the unavailability of the Safer Neighbourhood Team over a number of weekends. TASK will be pursuing these matters as a matter of urgency with local police managers, on the basis we are strong supporters of the police and effective police; and that concerns are best shared and resolved to avoid simmering discontent. Keep reading. We are also pursuing an interest in joining our local police panel from a number of supporters via the Rev Jonathan Evens.
Finally, for now, TASK recently attended the annual assembly of The East London Community Organisation, part of Citizens UK, Britain's largest community alliance. The group is currently hoping to work with local groups in Redbridge, to bring on new community leaders and develop the power of community politics in the borough, and certainly, first impressions from the huge, 600 strong meeting in Walthamstow were enormously positive, with a diverse range of groupings from four boroughs coming together to demonstrate
the strength of collective 'people power'.
For those interested, here is a short summary I wrote the day after:
"On a dark autumn evening, with an icy chill in the air, the magnificent backdrop of Walthamstow Assembly Hall played host to one of the largest public gatherings I can remember in years as east enders of all ages, backgrounds and faiths made their way singly, or as part of larger groups, and by bus, train, bike or on foot into the warmth of the hall for an evening of unique community politics courtesy of London Citizens.
The two hour live event, involving over 600 people, combined music, laughter, pageant , praise, affirmation, spectacle and anger in a uniquely uplifting demonstration of people power in one place, somehow colliding the spirit of a big old revivalist public meeting with elements of a game show, peoples jury and talent contest in the weirdest club mix , albeit one which- and this is the key point- had the power to inspire, anger, excite, and ultimately organise us on the basis that working together we are stronger than just operating in our own smaller, separate worlds.
And there were plenty of big, real stories to prove the point, from the presence of UEL bosses, on the same shared stage as cleaners, students and teachers, having literally just signed up to the living wage; through to the live quizzing of top Olympic officials and government representatives. Let’s be honest, this organisation can bend the ear of the powerful and has clout. Which totally matters if we are to realise the promise of 2012.
And to prove the point, and to show that there all our battles are not won, we were left with a challenge. To ensure that the Olympic marathon happens here on our streets leading in to the Olympic site, rather than through the sanitised, west end tourist route proposed.
So, there’s the hook. Your heard it here first. Watch this space for more on what has the potential to become a massive crossover campaign for 2011.
Meanwhile, I just feel pleased to have been part of something big, something positive and something real. Like so many of the attendees last night, coming for a repeat visit, I’ll be back."
Enough for now. Hope to see you on the walkabout and at the supporters meeting.
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Show of Hands - Arrogance Ignorance And Greed.
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