Sophia Hub update

Ros Southern writes:

'Tomorrow at the Tuesday lunchtime enterprise club we have local business man Vic Norman of London Pub Tours and others, speaking on managing your business online. Vic is a business lecturer at Redbridge Institute. Come at 12.30 for prompt start at 12.45. More info here.

Our first Timebank community skills swap at the start-up cafe Flirt was a great success. The next one is Saturday morning 24 January 2015. This is a great opportunity to trade on the sharing economy by either giving or taking help from community members. A community event that can help your start-up. More info here.

Thanks to Aidan for the enterprise club session last week on the business canvas model. Info here.

Thanks to the Redbridge Chamber of Commerce for offering a year's free membership to start-ups. Find out about the breakfast networking events here. A great opportunity. Info here

Finally we want to establish a big team of people in business who can support start-ups through being on hand for advice at the enterprise club, helping us develop our services as well as taking on more formal mentoring roles. Know anyone? You're interested? Please make contact.'

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The Jam - Start.

Movers & Shakers (2)

'What is vitally important is that we do encourage a national strategy to get out and ride bikes. It is a great way to keep fit, a great way to have a good time. It is vital that the Government gives a lead for a national policy. I do intend to speak to the Secretary of State for Transport. It is vital to have a strategy to help cycling and actually to have resources to put things in place like this brilliant facility that we have in my constituency in the London Borough of Redbridge.You have my full support. I do intend coming back here. I hope that you go from strength to strength and that more and more people cycle in Redbridge.' Lee Scott MP, Ilford North

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Athlete - Vehicles & Animals.

Movers & Shakers

Lee Scott MP talking with other participants

On the start line for the 'Movers & Shakers' cycle ride

Chris Elliott (left) one of the LCC organisers

Councillor Keith Prince, Leader of Redbridge Council, speaking after the ride

Elwin Cockett, Archdeacon of West Ham

Yesterday I was at the new Redbridge Cycling Centre, with its stunning views across London and links with the London Olympic site for 'Movers and Shakers', an initiative by local branches of London Cycling Campaign in which people of influence within the community act as role models to demonstrate that cycling can be for everyone.

'Movers and Shakers' culminated in yesterday's public event at the RCC, on Forest Road, Ilford IG6 3, beside Hainault Lodge Nature Reserve. 'Movers and Shakers' present included, among others:

• Richard Allen, Head of Business Planning, Barnardo's Children's services;
• Ravi Bhanot, organiser of the Sewa Week (Hindu) Ilford Charity Bike Ride;
• Paul Canal, Chair of Wanstead & Snaresbrook Ward Conservatives;
• Chris Carter, Editor, 'Ilford Recorder';
• James Cleverly, Mayor's Ambassador for Young People, GLA member Bexley & Bromley;
• Revd. Elwin Cockett, Archdeacon of West Ham;
• Chief Inspector Paige Kimberley, Met. Police;
• Cllr. Keith Prince, Leader of Redbridge Council; and
• Lee Scott, MP Ilford North.

The 'Movers & Shakers' tried out the Upper and full tracks at the RCC as part of their cycle ride before speeches and a buffet lunch. Lee Scott MP spoke about national cycle policy, Roger Evans, GLA member, about the Mayor's cycle policy, Chief Inspector Paige Kimberley spoke about cycling safely and Cllr. Keith Prince, Leader of Redbridge Council, about encouraging cycling in Redbridge.

I managed three circuits of the Upper Track and one of the full track (just!), on top of cycling to and from the RCC. All of which was probably the most exercise I've had in a long time! But well worth it to play a part in encouraging others to cycle and in order to see the excellent facilities at the RCC.

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Pink Floyd - Bike.