Surgery, Canvass then Forest Walk

Busy day. Cycled down to my Newham Council advice surgery in Stratford Library then joined Forest Gate North ward colleagues for a local door knock. Which went well, I experienced a mostly very positive approach to Labour, which I think is down to the excellent local Councillors, Rachel and Liz. It was nice to get back campaigning after a couple of weeks off due to Conference and annual leave. The cleaning and communal repair standards of the housing blocks we visited was mostly good. 

Afterwards, since it was such a pleasant, warm and sunny day, Gill and I walked from home to Chingford through Epping Forest. We took the train back home and then had delicious pub grub at the nearby Holly Tree, where we came across other Labour folk including the very quiet and retiring, Cllr Alan Griffiths. 

A good day. 

"Exploring the Elizabeth Line" - Walk 20 Shenfield to Brentwood via Ingrave & Thorndon Country Park

 

Gill and I were lucky today to have a perfect warm, sunny spring Sunday to complete this 7.5 mile walk from Shenfield station to Brentwood Station. This was courtesy of this book "Exploring the Elizabeth Line", which has 23 walks starting (and mostly finishing) from the new London Crossrail line. 

Just around the corner from Shenfield station, we stopped of at petrol station with M&S food store, for picnic supplies (I had to eat, there and then, their hot sausage roll - super delicious). 

The first part of the walk is through the "Hutton Mount" estates, which I had assumed beforehand was a Council estate but turned out to be hundreds of mostly gated luxury homes with  private security security patrols. Incredible - I have never seen the like outside central London. None of whom had Labour Party posters up (see end of walk). I note that some homes cost more than £4 million. Which to me, to be honest, pretty sickening, that some have so much while so many others have so little.  

Wikipedia however, describes the wider village of Hutton, as being where the first Essex Policeman was murdered on duty in 1850 and were in 1905, the Chair of Poplar Board of Guardians (East London workhouses) George Lansbury (famous for going to prison over the Poplar rate rebellion and becoming the  leader of the Labour Party), built a training school for destitute children. I use to manage the social housing block called "George Lansbury House" in Tower Hamlets. 

Thorndon Hall was also an impressive building to view. A former stately home (top left) now converted into luxury private flats. I doubt "very much" it contains any social housing.

It was surprisingly quiet and even isolated in most part but there were a fair number of walkers, cyclists and runners enjoying the countryside. Due to recent rain it was very green and lush. The bird song was marvellous, lots of squirrels and occasional dragon flies. There was also lots of shade and lovely dappled sunshine paths. 

No stiles or obstructions to climb over (on the day). 

Instructions in book pretty clear but best to have a gps backup on your phone such as Detailed maps & routes to explore across the UK | OS Maps

Just before we finished in Brentwood, we came across a large "Vote Labour" placard (bottom left) on the balcony of a flat in a small tower block, which I am not sure if it was private or social housing but I am sure it did not cost £4 million. 

Afterwards stopped off at the Holly Tree in Forest Gate, where I enjoyed a pint of Spitfire in the crowded pub garden (but in plastic cup). 

A Day in the Life of a Labour Movement Activist

A busy but satisfying Saturday. Started off with being a UNISON delegate to the virtual TUC London and South East Regional Council AGM. 

During which we were reminded that today was the 8th anniversary of when the Rana Plaza factory building in Dhaka, Bangladesh collapsed. This tragedy took the lives of 1,138 people, mostly young women, and injured around 2,500, making it the fourth largest industrial disaster in history. #WhoMadeMyClothes

Then Labour telephone canvassing for my UNISON colleague, Lola Oyewusi, who is standing to be the next Crime and Police commissioner for Kent. More people answered the phone than in similar East London session and I had a number of very interesting conversations with voters. 

Next was a physical stall in Forest Gate on the Newham Mayoral Referendum, which is also taking place on May 6. I am supporting the change from an Executive Mayor system to the more democratic and accountable Committee model. Again, I had more interest and interaction with local residents with this stall than I have ever had in the past with Labour Party stalls (in the same spot next to the Co-op). No one I spoke to was fully in favour of continuing with the Mayoral model and many passionately against it.

We then went to support a community event in Central Park, East Ham for the "Walk with Dabirul Chachav". Dabirul Islam Choudhury MBE, aged 101,  was inspired by Captain Sir Tom Moore,  has raised more than £420,000 for charity by walking laps in his garden in Bow. 

At home I did some local telephone canvassing for Labour in my West Ham ward then went off and delivered leaflets to postal voters in Forest Gate North. 

Finished the day with outdoors fish n chips & mushy peas, in the local pub, The Holly Tree.