Bike Recycling Scheme
Volunteer at Waltham Forest Council’s bike recycling scheme. Refreshments are provided. Fridays 9am-4pm and Saturdays 11am-3pm.
There are workshops for members of the public to repair bikes with the help of a bike mechanic on Saturdays 11am-3pm (not the first Saturday of the month).
Recycled bikes are available to buy on the first Saturday of each month from 1pm-3pm.
Low Hall, South Access Road, E17.
Contact Gina Harkell on 020 8496 3000
Walking or recycling
Why not take up cycling? It’s cheap and healthy, and is good for the environment. You could join the Waltham Forest Cycling Campaign which organises local rides, and has regular monthly meetings – contact Robert Vaughan on 020 8520 8858 or visit the website at www.wfcycling.org.uk.
And if you’re worried about safety, why not take advantage of the Council’s Free Adult Cycle Training? and look in the recycling section for information on the Council’s bike recycling scheme.
Or you can walk yourself fit. In addition to the many guided walks shown on our calendar, the Council leads regular walks at the following venues:
- Langthorne Health Centre, Mondays at 2.30pm
- The Score Centre, Tuesdays at 1pm
- Higham Hill Rec, Tuesdays at 11am
- Langthorne Park, Wednesdays from 11am
- William Morris Gallery, Thursdays 6pm
Contact Steve Embleton on 020 8496 2607 for further details.
The Council’s Healthy Walking and Cycling in Waltham Forest leaflet is available. Please email Linda.webb@walthamforest.gov.uk and a copy will be posted to you.
Blooming Marvellous
The gardening club meets in the Epicentre, E11 for talks, visits and hands-on community activities at 7.30pm on the first Tuesday of the month.
Contact: Peter Wager on 020 8556 4689.
BTCV Nature Conservation Appetizers - Free
Anyone can come and help BTCV make a difference to Waltham Forest’s nature reserves and green spaces. All equipment and training supplied. Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Suitable for children if accompanied by an adult.
Meet at BTCV office, 1 Connaught Close, Leyton E10.
Public transport: Bus stop on Lea Bridge Road near Lee Valley Riding School.
Disabled access.
Contact Mered Jones on 020 8986 7173 or e-mail mered.jones@btcv.org.uk
Energy Efficiency Exhibition
Energy efficiency advice, free low energy light bulbs, home energy assessments and questionnaires.
Cashiers Office, Church Hill, Walthamstow, E17 3RU.
Contact 0800 458 7107 or 020 8521 3156
Epping Forest Conservation Volunteers
A varied programme of conservation work in Epping Forest, under the guidance of the City of London ecology staff. Wear sensible clothes, with strong boots or wellingtons, trainers are not suitable. Not suitable for under 12’s. Under 16’s must be accompanied by a responsible adult. No groups of young people.
Most Sundays, and one Tuesday each month. Meet at 9.30am for a 9.45am departure to the work site. Finish about 3-3.30pm (later in Summer). Bring your own food and drink.
Meet at the Epping Forest Headquarters at the Warren, off the Epping New Road between Rangers Road and the Robin Hood Roundabout.
Public transport: Bus stop at the bottom of Warren Hill, Loughton (routes 20 and 397) – about 10 minutes walk. Pick ups can be arranged from Chingford or Loughton stations.
Booking is free, but regular members are asked to pay £5 each year.
Contact Peter Lyons 020 8529 3060 or Kevin Mason 020 8529 9273, email efcv2@yahoo.com or visit website at http://efcv.uel.ac.uk/
Epping Forest Field Centre
This Centre runs its own programme of walks and talks, seminars on local flora and fauna, and Forest history. Many activities are specially targeted at children and young people. For further information on their programme contact The Epping Forest Field Centre (High Beach, Loughton, Essex IG10 HAF) on 020 8502 8500.
(Spaces are limited, so often have to be booked in advance)
Epping Forest Visitor Centre
Walks and talks throughout the year.
Opening times from 1 May – 30 September: Tuesday-Saturday 10am – 5pm, Sundays and Bank Holidays 11am – 5pm.
Opening times from 1 October – 30 April: Wednesday – Friday 11am – 3pm, Saturdays 10am – 4pm and Sundays 11am – 4pm.
Nursery Road, High Beach, Loughton, Essex IG10 4AF
Contact The Information Centre on 020 8508 0028 or email epping.forest@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Waltham Forest Fairtrade Campaign Group
Waltham Forest gained Fairtrade Borough Status in March 2007, which recognises that products carrying the Fairtrade mark, an independent consumer label, are widely available in local shops, cafes, restaurants, schools, faiths groups and businesses. WFFCG hosts a range of local activities, and you can find stalls at several community days and festivals.
Contact walthamforestfairtrade@hotmail.co.uk or see our Fairtrade web pages
Forest Recycling Project
Forest Recycling Project is a community recycling project which runs regular ‘Give or Take’ community waste exchange days. FRP is always looking for volunteers to help with collections, sorting and promoting waste minimisation.
Contact 020 8539 3856, info@frponline.org.uk or see www.frponline.org.uk
Friends of Ainslie and Larks Woods - Free
Conservation work carried out in both woods, including coppicing trees/shrubs, cutting back vegetation, pond management and picking up litter. Children are welcome if supervised by an adult.
Every second Sunday of each month, 11am - 2pm
Meet at Larkswood Playing Field (Normanshire Drive Entrance) at 11am.
Public Transport: buses to Chingford Mount or New Road
Contact Pam Sable 020 8524 5794
Friends of Jubilee Pond
Come and help to keep the Flats special with litter picks, flower walks and pond dips. Walks are led by Fred Wanless who has published surveys of flora on the Wanstead Flats. You will be amazed at the variety found in a relatively small area! All events take place around the Jubilee Pond, Dames Road on Wanstead Flats. All welcome, suitable for children if accompanied by an adult. If you have not been before please contact the secretary beforehand.
Meet at the Lakehouse Road car park, Dames Road, E11, or by the pond for late arrivals. All events last approximately one hour. Please note that start times are 11.30am normally but may start earlier at 10.30am during the summer.
Public transport: buses 308 and 58.
Contact David Salt on 020 8555 0268 or david-salt@ntlworld.com
Green Spaces walks
The Council’s Greenspace department leads regular walks in the borough.
Contact 020 8496 3000
Groundwork East London
Friends of Parks Groups
Groundwork East London are supporting and developing Friends of Parks Groups in Waltham Forest. Get involved in park gardening projects, bird and bat box building, history walks, and Green Gyms – exercise whilst helping your local environment.
Contact Sam Alexander at Groundwork on 020 8985 1755
Gardening Group
New Gardening Group of St Mary’s Churchyard, Church Road, Leyton, E10. Working to maintain the wildlife and heritage of a landmark historic site. All tools provided. Everybody welcome. Every Sunday 12.30 – 2.30pm.
Contact Sam Alexander at Groundwork East London on 020 8985 1755, Carmela at Active Environments CIC on 07814 475 191 or Rachel Fairbairn at Team Leyton on 020 8556 9710
Higham Hill Allotment Association
The Association has planned a full calendar of weekend events, open to all, and including gardening events for older people.
Contact Colin Bowen on 020 8527 0958
Hornbeam Environmental Centre
Friday Club - Free
Music, refreshments, knitting group (beginners welcome!), energy saving information and advice and free low energy lights bulbs. Every Friday 2pm to 4pm.
Organic Market Stall and community café
Market selling fresh organic and local fruit and vegetables, bread and preserves, with advice on growing and cooking. Café serving vegetarian snacks and lunches, with fresh juice, locally baked cakes and a space to relax, meet others and find out about local social and environmental activities. Every Saturday 10am to 3pm (market), 4pm (café).
458 Hoe Street, E17 (corner of Bakers Arms)
Contact 020 8558 6880 or info@hornbeam.org.uk
LBCV (Lea Bridge Conservation Volunteer) Days - Free
Join the Lea Bridge Conservation Volunteers to help maintain the diversity and attractiveness of the borough with practical and enjoyable conservation activities. New volunteers are advised to ring first to confirm attendance. No experience necessary, all training provided as well as tools, gloves and refreshments. Transport to site provided. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
First Sunday of every month. Meet at 9.30am for a 10am departure to the work site.
Meet at 1 Connaught Close, off Lea Bridge Road, E10 7QS
Public transport: buses 48, 55 and 56 – alight at the Lee Valley Riding Centre.
Contact 07757 766 950, email info@lbcv.co.uk or see www.lbcv.co.uk
Lee Valley Park Activities
The Park Authority runs a varied programme of leisure and environmental activities on the borough’s doorstep.
Contact The Information Centre on 01992 702 200 or www.leevalleypark.org.uk
Organiclea Work Days - Free
Volunteers of all abilities are welcome to help maintain and develop community garden. Volunteers receive produce for their labour.
Hawkwood Allotments, Drysdale Avenue, Chingford E4.
Public transport: buses 313 and 379 stop at Drysdale Avenue.
Contact Clare Joy or Ru Litherland on 07786 657 713 or see www.organiclea.org.uk
Suntrap Forest Education Centre
Suntrap specialises in environmental education and runs an extensive range of courses and holiday events. The centre’s camping facilities are available to hire at weekends.
Contact 020 8508 6011, email suntrap.centre@walthamforest.gov.uk or see http://www.lgfl.net/lgfl/leas/waltham-forest/schools/suntrap/
Waltham Forest Cycling Campaign leisure cycle rides - Free
Cycle rides to places of interest in and around London, usually starting from Walthamstow Central Library.
Contact Hornbeam Environmental Centre on 020 8558 6880 or see www.wfcycling.org.uk
Waltham Forest Civic Society
The Civic Society campaigns to “preserve the best and improve the rest” of the borough’s environment. It holds regular meetings and events throughout the year.
Contact David Boote on 0845 009 0073 or david-boote@yahoo.com
The Waste Hut
The Waste Hut at Kings Road, E4 aims to help schools, groups and individuals to find out more about recycling and how to cut down on waste. The centre holds exhibitions and events on all aspects of waste and recycling. Regular events are held on Crafts from Waste Materials, suitable for 5 – 10 year olds.
Contact Anita Starling to book on 020 8496 3000
The Waterworks Centre
This nature reserve and interpretation centre at the Essex Filter Beds off Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, E10 includes a free interactive exhibition, café, shop and rooms for hire.
Contact 020 8988 7566
Contact us
Green Space Service
Environment and Regeneration
Low
Hall
Argall Avenue
London
E10 7AS
Tel 020 8496 3000
Email wfdirect@walthamforest.gov.uk
