HARCA Life Winter 2017

WINTER 2017


Life

















































































2017 Highlights




CHRISPMAS PHOTOS

CONTENTS





USEFUL CONTACTS
Head Office: 167A East India Dock Road, E14 0EA 0800 035 1991 Office open weekdays 9am to 5pm.
Email: [email protected] From a mobile it may be cheaper to call 020 7510 0500.
Estate parking enquiries 0845 463 5050 If your vehicle has been ticketed or if a vehicle is parked in your bay.
Neighbourhood centres
Aberfeldy 020 7515 6794 St Pauls Way Centre 020 7510 5600
Bromley by Bow 020 8709 9700 Linc Centre 020 7538 5748
The Cabin 020 3069 7401 Teviot 020 7987 5764
Burcham Street 020 7093 3549 Trussler Hall 020 7510 9770
Hind Grove - please contact Teviot 020 7987 5764 Spotlight 020 3011 1333

ANTI SoCIAL BEHAvIoUR CoNTACTS
Poplar HARCA ASB team 0800 035 1991 Out of hours, please call the police on 101
9am - 5pm (Mon - Fri) Always call 999 in an emergency
Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs) http://content.met.police.uk/Borough/TowerHamlets/contact
Bow East 020 8721 2807
Bow West 020 8649 3521
Bromley-by-Bow 020 8721 2041
East India and Lansbury 020 8721 2806
Limehouse 020 8721 2852
Mile End East 020 8721 2848
Emergency services 999 In emergencies when a crime is happening, someone suspected of a
crime is nearby, or if someone is injured, being threatened or in danger.
Police 101 When situations do not require immediate response
[email protected] www.met.police.uk
NHS 111 When you need medical help, fast but it's not a 999 emergency
Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 Call anonymously with information about crime
Tower Hamlets Council contacts
General enquiries 020 7364 5020 @towerhamletsnow www.towerhamlets.gov.uk
Emergency out of hours 020 7364 7070
Adult social care 020 7364 5005 Information, advice and assessment for people with learning disabilities,
physical disabilities, older people and support for carers
Children’s services 020 7364 5006 Social services and education including child protection
Council Tax 020 7364 5002
Environmental Health 020 7364 5008 Information and advice regarding food safety, health & safety, animal wardens
Healthline 020 7364 5016 To find a GP and other health services
Bidding for advertised homes 0845 270 2400 www.thhs.org.uk
Housing Benefit 020 7364 5001

Housing Benefit fraud hotline 020 7364 7443 24 hour answer phone
Parking 020 7364 5003 Street parking, paying/appealing a fine, reporting abandoned
vehicle, permits and information on mobility services

Pest and noise nuisance 020 7364 5007 Pest control advice and get help with problems, complaints or enquiries
concerning residential and commercial noise.
Streetline 020 7364 5004 Commercial waste service, dumped rubbish, Enviro-Champions, fly-posting, graffiti, litter and
litter bins, pavements, potholes, recycling, rubbish collection, street cleaning and street lighting
UK Power Networks – for electricity power cuts 0300 3163105 0333 3232105 from a mobile
National Grid for Gas Emergencies or if you smell gas 0300 111999

@poplarharca Poplar HARCA Official




2

CONTENTS


























Merry Chrispmas 14 - 15





Editorial 4 Making space

News & Events 5 – 8 for overcrowded

ASB 9 families - 23

Community 10 – 16


2017 Highlights 17

Health & Wellbeing 18 – 19
Check out
Green 20
Bow Brew
Naturewatch 21
cafe - 12
Your Home 22 – 23


Get Involved 24 – 27



Resident editorial board


s the days get colder and shorter, please look out his piece on pages 10-11. And if he gets you
Aout for friends and neighbours. Neighbours in thinking, chill with a Bow Brew (page 12) and tap
Poplar are there for those who don’t have anyone a laptop response – we’d love some new writers
to celebrate Christmas with (page 6). in 2018.

Richard dusted-off his Santa suit for Chrispmas Fran has been braving the chill to keep an eye out
events this year – with local children excited to for Poplar’s wildlife – read about what she’s found
see the man in red in person. We also welcomed on page 21. She’s also been involved in ‘reclaim
some surprise Christmas characters, check them the streets’ to reduce Tower Hamlets’ air
out on pages 14-15. pollution. Read all about it on page 20.

In his spare time (of which there isn’t much!) We’re enjoying the local Christmas festivities, and
Richard has been pondering cycling laws and why hope you’ll say hello if you spot us out and about.
they are so different to those for drivers. Check Fran and Richard


3

EDITORIAL




017 will be remembered for the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower. I
2have heard from many residents how grateful you were to
Poplar HARCA’s Estate Services, Technical and Housing Teams for
reassurance and information. We will continue to focus on your
safety throughout 2018.

2017 saw our Teams win 7 prestigious awards, including Housing
Excellence’s Social Landlord of the Year and UKHA’s Outstanding
Innovation of the year. Read about our most recent wins on page 5.

Our Community & Neighbourhood team continued to create
opportunity through training, volunteer placements and community
activities, and a new hub at Poplar Union which has hosted local
fun, arts and cultural experiences - including paddle boarding, sing-
a-longs, bingo and baby yoga.

A personal highlight was our St Paul’s Way and Burdett regeneration
schemes. 2018 will see the next stage of the Chrisp Street planning
application – we will be keeping you involved with its progress.

Christmas festivities began with our Lights Switch On and Santa’s
Grotto (photos on pages 14-15), and we were Rockin’ Around the
Chrispmas Tree care of our much-loved Swing East festival. There’s
lots more Chrispmas fun to come under those most festive magical
lights.
I’m looking forward to celebrating with family and friends over the
Christmas break. So here’s to a very Merry Christmas, and a Peaceful
New Year.
Best Christmas wishes






Steve Stride @stevestride_PH


WINTER 2017 Editor Design and production
Life Hannah Douse Syed Pasha

Mahbub Rahman



HARCA Life is published four times a year. The next issue is due out in March
2018. If you would like to contribute something, such as a story, poem, photo,
letter or recipe, please get in touch before 1st February 2018. Send submissions
to [email protected] or phone 020 7510 0848.



HARCA Life editorial group
Fran Jefcoate and Richard Caley
CHRISPMAS PHOTOS
2017 Highlights
HARCA Life is published by Poplar HARCA, 167A East India Dock Road, London E14 0EA
Cover image by Rehan Jamil
For large print, audio or braille phone 020 7510 0535
Haddaad Jeclaan lahayd akhbaar ku qoran Soomalli fadlan soo wac 020 7510 0535







4

NEWS & EVENTS





Christmas oplar HARCA’s offices close at
P2pm on Friday 22 Up in smoke
and New
December. We re-open 9am
Year Office Tuesday 2 January 2018. If
Closure there’s a repair emergency
call 0800 035 1991. To report
ASB call the Police on 101, or 999
if it’s an emergency. The usual
ways you contact us won’t be
monitored, and our Twitter and
Facebook elves will also be taking tay safe when you light-up that
a well-earned festive break. Scigarette, cigar or pipe:
And remember to pay your rent 1. Don’t smoke when sleepy or in bed. If
and service charges, so we get you’re dropping-off a dropped lit
2018 off to a good start. cigarette could start a fire.

2. A purpose-made ashtray won’t burn or
Total Recall tip over.
3. And before emptying your purpose-
Hotpoint fridge freezer made ashtray into a bin, make sure
Ahas been identified as everything has cooled down.
the initial source of the
tragic Grenfell Tower fire. 4. A Christmas tipple or medication can
affect your awareness. So be extra
If there is a problem with careful when lighting-up.
the safety of a product, its
manufacturer is 5. Fit smoke alarms and test them
responsible for making regularly. If it’s wired-in and not
arrangements for its repair, working, call us on 0800 035 1991. And
replacement or refund for for a free home safety check, call the
the owner. You can check if London Fire Brigade on 0800 028 4428.
any of your appliances If your New Year resolution is to give-up,
have been recalled here: there’s lots of help available from NHS
productrecall.campaign. SmokeFree National Helpline –
gov.uk 0300 123 1044 / www.nhs.uk/smokefree




IN IT TO WIN IT



t’s been a busy awards season, Director of Placemaking Paul
IAugarde won the Alan Cherry 'One to Watch' Placemaking Award
for Accents-inspiring opportunities, and HARCA bagged `Best
Sustainability Team’ at the SHIFT awards for work across teams. Tessa
Dugmore and Bree Sims were also shortlisted by Women in Housing for Best
Community Leader and Communications Professional of the Year.

And we were especially proud of winning a European Corporate Social
Responsibility award for `Driving Sustainability in Poplar’ based on a project
saving residents energy and money. Nick Martin and Ana Mae Ramirez have
been LEAPing ever since - read more about it on page 20. Congratulations to
everyone – and to colleagues and partners supporting all our work.



5

NEWS & EVENTS





















































Neighbours



in Poplar


eighbours in Poplar are asking
Nall of us to keep eyes out for
isolated older or disabled neighbours
– especially over the coming weeks
as colder weather arrives.
Neighbours in Poplar began in 1969
when concerned people organised a
Christmas Party for older Poplar
residents. Last year, NiP volunteers about to eat his ‘Christmas dinner’ when we arrived! He were
delivered hot, festive meals with all very happy to swap his dinner for a hot Christmas platter. We
the seasonal trimmings to over 100 don't assume everyone is OK. Sometimes, we have to try more
older Poplar residents. than once before people will trust and open the door. So we

Sister Christine told us: ‘I remember keep on trying.’
one old gent who lived alone in a If you know anyone who will be alone over the two holiday
tower block. I won’t forget him weekends, or who would benefit from a visit, or would like to
because he was sitting on the side of do some volunteering, call NiP by calling 0207 987 0257 or
his bed with a tin of cold beans just emailing [email protected].



6

NEWS & EVENTS


































































































7

NEWS & EVENTS




Poplar Union’s Love Season




What’s Love Got To Do With It?




Saturday 17 FebruarySSaSatSatuSaturSaturdSaturdaSaturdaySaturday Saturday 1Saturday 17Saturday 17 Saturday 17 FSaturday 17 FeSaturday 17 FebSaturday 17 FebrSaturday 17 FebruSaturday 17 FebruaSaturday 17 FebruarSaturday 17 February
Swin Eas

Valentine Ba

Time: 8pm-11pm
Tickets: £10
Suitable for ages 18+
Come shake-a-leg and get in
the mood with dance classes,
choice DJ selections and
killer sets from Natty
Congeroo and the Flames of Saturday 10 FebruarySSaSatSatuSaturSaturdSaturdaSaturdaySaturday Saturday 1Saturday 10Saturday 10 Saturday 10 FSaturday 10 FeSaturday 10 FebSaturday 10 FebrSaturday 10 FebruSaturday 10 FebruaSaturday 10 FebruarSaturday 10 February
Rhythm.
Sof Subjec

Tuesday 13 FebruaryTTuTueTuesTuesdTuesdaTuesdayTuesday Tuesday 1Tuesday 13Tuesday 13 Tuesday 13 FTuesday 13 FeTuesday 13 FebTuesday 13 FebrTuesday 13 FebruTuesday 13 FebruaTuesday 13 FebruarTuesday 13 February Time: 7pm-9pm
Tickets: £7 / £5 conc.
Th Breakup Monologue Suitable for ages 14+
Chris Woodley's autobiographical
Time: 8pm-10pm solo show invites you back into the
Tickets: £8 / £6 conc. classroom to learn about love,
Suitable for ages 16+ heartbreak, loss and The Little
Award-winning comedian, author Mermaid.
and Radio 4 regular Rosie Wilby ««"A lovely testament to family"
hosts this valentines themed Lyn Gardner
comedy storytelling night with  'A Masterpiece' Gay Times
special guests Pippa Evans, Sarah
Bennetto and Paula Varjack.



Friday 9 FebruaryFFrFriFridFridaFridayFriday Friday 9Friday 9 Friday 9 FFriday 9 FeFriday 9 FebFriday 9 FebrFriday 9 FebruFriday 9 FebruaFriday 9 FebruarFriday 9 February
Live in the Library presents:
Brea Up Blue
with Th Alic Ph el Trio

POP-Corn Presents:
Time: 7pm-10pm
Tickets: £2 Th Lov Seaso
Suitable for ages 16+
Sat 3 Feb:
Sat 3 Feb:
Sat 3 Feb:
Sat 3 Feb:
Sat 3 Feb:
Sat 3 Feb:
Sat 3 Feb:
Sat 3
Sat
Sat
Sat 3 Feb:
Sat 3 Feb:
S Sa
Sat 3 Feb: Wall-E
Sat 3 Feb:
Sat 3 Fe
Sat 3
Sat 3 Feb
Sat 3 Feb:
Sat 3 Feb:
Sat 3 Feb:
Come drown your sorrows with Sat 3 F (Cert: U)
Wed 7 Feb:
Wed 7 Fe
Wed 7
Wed 7 Feb:
W We
Wed
Wed 7 Feb
Wed 7 Feb: Brokeback Mountain
Wed 7 F
Wed
special break-up sets from this Wed 7
accomplished trio, inspired by the (Cert: 15) Wed 14 Feb: Romeo and
great love-lost songs of the Juliet (Cert: 12) Time: from 7pm Free
American South. Admission
Get in the spirit this Valentines with
some classics that will make your
heart melt.
www.poplarunion.com Box O ce
FTI / @poplarunion
[email protected]
2 Cotall Street, Poplar, Box Office: 020 3039 3330
London, E14 6TL
8

ASB





‘Fess-up, give-up and we’ll offer amnesty




e’Re CONtINuINg tO find and prosecute tenants

Willegally subletting Poplar HARCA social homes.
We have already recovered 40 illegally occupied
properties, saving over £5.5m and re-housing an
additional 40 families.

But, between 1 January – 28 February 2018, if you’re

sub-letting you can give-up your tenancy and hand
back the keys, no questions asked.

From 1 March 2018, though, we’ll use the evidence

we’ve got to ask the Court for the maximum
sentence – which could mean two years in prison
and a £50,000 fine.

You’ve been lucky up to now, why not give-up while

the going is good!

Suspect a neighbour is sub-letting?

Bag yourself £1,000 for information leading to the
recovery of a property.

Who do I contact?

Call Avril on 0800 035 991 or report online at
www.poplarharca.co.uk or email
[email protected]





Remember Remember...




id you know when you pay your rent we use it to
Dclean your estate, repair your home, and support
vulnerable neighbours? It also pays for your Housing
Team, your Neighbourhood Centres and supporting

people back into work and training. It also pays for
grass cutting, your Anti-Social Behaviour Team and

summer and Easter fun for local young people. It
also pays for repairs to your block, helps fund
building new affordable homes and lots more…
We do a lot with your rent – so as Christmas gets

hectic, remember to pay.




9

COMMUNITY




ON YOUR






BIKE!



By Richard Caley
Editorial board member
aving had a bit of a giggle in
the last edition of HARCA Life
Hat the expense of some of
the weird and wonderful laws we
have in this country, we are
returning in this edition to the very
serious issue of death and injury on
our roads involving cyclists.
Everyone is aware that there has
been an explosion in the number of
cyclists on our roads, indeed
successive London Mayors have
championed the two wheeled
revolution, introducing widespread
"Boris" bike hire and the ever argue that cyclists have a raw deal. It would be
growing network of Cycle Super Highways. The interesting to hear your own views on this emotive
NHS, amongst others, endorses the benefits of subject, but here are some of the thoughts I have
pedal power as part of our overall health regime. collated on my travels:

But all this is coming at a cost - we are witnessing a l Why is it that you are not allowed to use our
significant increase in serious injury and deaths highways unless you have passed the
involving cyclists. However, it must also be appropriate Road Test and have a license, but
recognised that a great number of these incidents there is nothing to stop a complete novice
are as a direct result of the cyclist themselves, from jumping on a bike and wobbling their way
either through inexperience or negligence. These around London's roads, putting both
are the sort of comments I'm getting from cyclists themselves and others in danger. I'm glad to
themselves worried about the future of cycling in see that schools have reintroduced a road
London. awareness programme for young cyclists, but

For a long time now cyclists have been complaining how do we make sure that all cyclists have the
that they are getting a raw deal and are demanding appropriate skills to keep them and others safe.
parity to all other road users. They seem to want l It’s illegal to use your mobile phone whilst
parity (or dare I say, priority) everywhere; roads, driving, but how often have you witnessed a
pavements, canal paths, riverside walkways. In cyclist laden down with shopping bags on one
short they seem to want privileged treatment but handle bar and texting or talking on the mobile
see themselves as universal victims. Having with their other hand. What are the laws on
researched this subject and spoken to a number of this? Can the Police prosecute? If so what is
seasoned pedal pushers, I have to say that I the punishment - they have no license to
wholeheartedly agree with the movement endorse after all.
demanding road equality.
l One of my personal gripes actually relates to
Ironically though, I'm not siding with those that Tower Hamlets’ introduction of the 20 mph




10

COMMUNITY




limit. A scheme designed to make our And let's not forget the tragic
roads safer for pedestrians and cyclists
alike. But how many times have you been death of Kim Briggs.
"over/undertaken" by a swarm of cyclists
weaving in and out of cars sticking to the lease don't get me wrong, I am a fan of
speed limit. I'm wondering what the bicycles and regularly ride one myself. the
statistics are for accidents and road rage Pobservations I'm highlighting are actually
around this sort of event. How do speed those that are angering, amongst others, the
cameras record and "trap" speeding responsible bike rider. We don't want to live in a
cyclists? nanny state, but we do all need to co-exist in a
frighteningly busy and fast moving City.
l How can I write a piece on road parity
without mentioning the curse of the But what can we do to initiate change and what
"Red Lighter". According to a large changes do we need to make? And most
number of cyclists, traffic lights are only importantly - where do we start?
there to manage the flow of cars and tower Hamlets has published its own Cycling
pedestrians.They do not apply to them Strategy paper which is definitely worthy of a read
and they seem astonished when a (you can find it on their website - just type in
vehicle travelling in the other direction cycling strategy). What I found to be particularly
narrowly manages to avoid them. And interesting was that they had identified the
don't get me started on the number of likelihood of major growth in this mode of
the number of times I've watched as old transport and indeed the need to find a way to
ladies using a zebra crossing nearly get accommodate more cycle traffic. But the one
splattered by lycra clad wanna be road thing I found was that whilst it really tries to deal
racers. with the infrastructural needs of the future and
making tower Hamlets a safer and healthier place,
l Why is it that now we have a great Cycle
Super Highway network? Cyclists believe it seems to overlook completely the practicalities
it is their right to not only have this and Management of the individuals for whom
bespoke lane just for them, but to be they are providing these amazing networks.
able to invade the reduced spaces being Perhaps it's beyond their reach. Perhaps this is
made available for cars, taxis and buses? something that only be changed nationally by
Surely, where a Super Highway exists, Parliament?
cyclists should be banned from the But surely it's got to start somewhere! Perhaps
roads! I know, controversial! there is something we can do in our local
community to make a difference. Maybe a
l We live in an increasingly litigious society,
so it seems somewhat incredulous that campaign for the introduction of mandatory HiVis
whilst it is a mandatory legal requirement jackets for all road using cyclists and crash
to have vehicle insurance covering you helmets. Or perhaps arranging some road safety
for any eventuality on the roads, the campaigns with the help of our very own Housing
same is not even considered for cyclists. Association.
What happens if a cyclist crashes into a For anyone looking to start riding a bike, or indeed
car and damages it? The car driver has to getting back in the saddle for the first time in
fork out to get the car fixed! If a car years, there are groups and clubs out there to help
driver injures someone else they may you on your way. Why not go to your local Idea
have to pay for injury and damages, Store for signposting, or perhaps our very own
normally covered by insurance. But how Poplar Peddlers Club? Oh! And don't forget, there
does a cyclist deal with this situation? is always the vanguard that is the Highway Code.
How does the injured party get "justice" It would be great to hear your views or
from a cyclist? If two cyclists collide, who experiences. Drop us an email at HARCA on
is to blame and who pays?
[email protected].



11

COMMUNITY





































Time for a





(Bow)Brew All the way from Chile, Cristian




loves hanging out at Bow Brew

‘I'm from Chile and my wife is from Sweden. I
Coffee, free Wi-Fi and laptops recently discovered Poplar HARCA and Bow Brew
to borrow. What’s not to like? Cafe and there’s now no going back.

Bow Brew Café at the St Paul’s Way Centre I love the atmosphere, the kind and always
is hosting all sorts of everyone in search of smiling and vibrant team who make you feel at
a cuppa and cake. home, and the good spirit I always get to
experience when I come here.
The space boasts loads of activities. Shake
your thang at Zumba for a quid (bargain!), For the past month, I have come almost every
or catch up with friends old and new at day to work on different things and after one or
Friday coffee mornings where you can turn two coffees, I sit down and start having a
your hand to crafts or needlework. Kids are productive day. Today I’m working on research
always welcome – with toys and books and and mostly personal projects that require a lot of
a play-safe garden to keep them time in front of my laptop.
entertained. Santa and Goldilocks will be As a resident of the area, it’s really important for
serving-up seasonal goodies in the run-up me to have access to great spaces like this one. I
to Christmas. have been to at least 10 libraries, co-working
Fancy a Brew? Bow Brew Café is open spaces and coffee shops but they are no match.
weekdays 8am – 3:30pm. It's not just about a good internet connection,
having a safe place, a good atmosphere or a big
What’s on: www.bowbrewcafe.org or desk to work on - for me, the most important
02075105600.
thing about this space is the sense of belonging
we always get once we come here.’



12

COMMUNITY










































With a little help



from my friends


very year hundreds of volunteers give their time
eto help us with all our community work. We
couldn’t achieve all we do without them. So to say
thank you, we threw them all a party at Bow Brew
Café in the St Paul’s Way Centre. Partyers enjoyed
delicious food cooked by our staff, followed by music
and dancing. Big thanks to all our amazing volunteers
from 2017!



On the booze





efore you start on that
BChristmas tipple, help the LBTH
Community Alcohol Partnership by
filling out their survey. They’re
gathering info from drinkers to
help reduce alcohol fuelled ASB in
the borough. Vincent Fajilagmago
(on the left) is driving the award
winning project. Survey here:
www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/cap.





13

COMMUNITY












































undreds flocked to the market on
H1st December for the big Chrisp
Street Lights Switch on. Children from
five local primary schools and
community choir Poplar Singers
wowed the crowd with festive tunes,
whilst surprise Christmas guests and a
giant snow globe kept everyone
entertained. Children showed off
homemade lanterns in a parade led by
the Asian British Music Christmas
Band. A big thanks to Santa (who
headed to Poplar for the occasion) and
Jim Fitzpatrick for pulling the switch.




























14

COMMUNITY
















































anta also found time
Sto pop over to
Chrisp Street on 9th
December. With his
elves and reindeer in
tow, children visited his
magical grotto to ask
what they wanted for
Christmas - and were
given an early Christmas
present if they’d been
good this year!


























15

COMMUNITY



































HIND GROVE












Gateway Tots is a sessional playgroup
providing high quality preschool education for
children aged 2 – 4, where they can access a rich, stimulating
programme of activities that are carefully designed and planned
around their individual needs and interests.


Our aim is to provide children with excellent early
learning opportunities that will provide a foundation to a bright future. Our
focus is school readiness, and we work in close partnership with parents and
carers to equip and enable children with the skills and con dence they need to
become successful learners.
We also offer a wide range of family activities,
including fun days, trips, Stay & Play sessions for
children under 2, advice and guidance and
individual support for parents.

Register
If you would like to visit the
playgroup or receive more NOW
information please contact us on:

Gateway
0203 145 0703 for a place at
[email protected]
citygateway.org.uk Tots
Hind Grove Community Hall
Off Stainsby Road
London E14 6JP


16

2017 HIGHLIGHTS



































H










































17

HEALTH & WELLBEING




Bow Men Target Health






he Men’s Health Network is passionate about
t(yes, you’ve guessed it!) men’s health.

Since April, they’ve conjured-up feel-good events
and workshops, run fundraising projects and
brainstormed ideas.
Keen to find out what it is about men’s health
that matters to locals, they chatted to 142
people in Roman Road Market, the Idea Store
and at healthy breakfasts. ‘Let’s Start Talking’ is
the result. Men find it difficult to talk about
health to friends and family, let alone visit a
doctor. With students from Queen Mary
University, Let’s Start Talking is getting people
chatting all things men’s health. Everyone is
welcome to join in – so Start Talking to Naomi
Mead to find out more:
[email protected] / 020 8709 9845.



























ellOne want to help us up our fitness,
Wand get into better shape. They know
how difficult it can be to find the right class –
and how easy it is to give up. The handy
WellOne website now includes all available
classes and events in Poplar helping you to
serve up at tennis, strike a pose at yoga or
paddle on down to Moo Canoes!

There’s information about when, where and
what time, what age, what facilities and if
there’s childcare. Enough with the excuses -
what are you waiting for? wellone.co.uk





18

HEALTH & WELLB
COMMUNITYEING


Join the




Line at




Linc




e-ha…they’re all lined-up for line
Ydancing at the Linc Centre. The
class has been heel digging and
grapevining for a whopping 15 years.

We spoke to teacher Lynn Hill, who So dust off those cowboy boots, shine-up those spurs and
told us: “It’s a great way to exercise, come on down to join the line! Ye-ha!
and the memorisation of steps and
sequences has been proven to slow those all important details
down the onset of diseases such as Friday afternoons, 1pm-2:30pm at Linc Centre.
Alzheimer’s and Dementia.” The
dancers are a social gang – with a No experience – just turn up and have fun.
cuppa and a chit-chat after class, and Contact Joanne Rowlands on 020 7538 5748 or
even planning trips to go on. [email protected]



Winter Warmer 4. Whizz the soup with a stick blender or in a
food processor until smooth (or leave it
his carrot and lentil soup is not only a perfect chunky if you prefer).
twarmer for frosty weather, it’s also bursting 5. Add the oil.
with delicious vitamin goodness. No guilt here! 6. Season to taste
Carrot and Lentil Soup (serves 4) 7. Add the chopped coriander and sesame

INGREDIENTS seeds.
600g carrots, washed and coarsely grated (no
need to peel if fresh)
2 onions finely chopped
140g split red lentils
125ml milk
1 vegetable stock cube
2 tsp cumin seeds + sesame seeds
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp chilli flakes
½ harissa powder/paste
Fresh coriander leaves
To serve: baguette/rustic bread/naan bread
THE HoW
1. Bring to boil the carrots, lentils, onion and
the stock cube.
2. Simmer for 15-20 mins until the lentils have
swollen and softened.
3. Add the milk.



19

GREEN


































HARCA’s Ibeen helping residents stay warm at home and save cash with smart energy
n 2016, LEAP (Local Energy Advice Programme) was launched. Ever since, it has

LEAP hacks. 280 have leapt at getting expert advice on how to be more energy savvy.
In just this year, £20k has been saved from energy bills – almost £8k from changing

year to energy-saving lightbulbs!
Leaping up and down to get some of these savings? Call LEAP on 0800 060 7567



Take a leaf out of



Limborough’s book














Clearing the air…


ower Hamlets is one of the most air-
tpolluted areas in London. So with
he Limborough gardeners have been getting their residents and volunteer groups, we’re
Thands dirty, creating natural compost from fallen campaigning to ‘reclaim the streets’ from
Autumn leaves and planting bulbs and seeds ready to polluting traffic by pedestrianizing local
bloom early next year. And they’re not just green-fingered,
they’re pretty good at DIY too. The group recently built a roads. The campaign is part of a wider
planter from scratch using a recycled pallet, which will be project greening, cleaning and making
used to grow fresh herbs in the Live Well Kitchen. They’ve Poplar more healthy.
had some help along the way from The St Paul’s Way Contact Nick Martin to find out more 020
Medical Centre Health Champions’ group who’ve been 7005 7661, and follow @PoplarHARCA
getting stuck in with volunteering at the garden. for regular updates.



20

NATUREWATCH






















































don’t think that Winter is many peeled for birds flitting through the two
Ipeople’s favourite season because of skeletal branches of trees or low in the
the long nights and chilly days, but as a bushes where there is still some cover
wise person once said: “There’s no such for them. Birdsong sounds clearer on a
thing as bad weather, just inappropriate Winter’s day, there are longtail blue and
clothing”. I’ve had some magical great tits and various other small birds
encounters with nature on a cold peeping and chattering away, and robins
Winter’s day, you never know what calling from branches to remind us that

By Fran Jefcoate might be around the next corner to it’s the festive season. A healthy, fun
editorial delight you. Along with our resident walk in any of our local green spaces is a
board member species there are sometimes passing wonderful way to burn off some of that
visitors such as waxwings and fieldfares, Christmas dinner. Maybe we’ll even
both spotted locally in record years. It’s have snow this year, it’s great fun to try
a thrill to spot something you’ve never to identify small footprints in the fresh
noticed before. snow.
There’s nothing quite like a walk on a Whatever you are doing this Winter,
cold, crisp Winter’s morning with the celebration or not, have a safe and
bright sun low in a clear sky wrapped up happy Winter and a wonderful New
snuggly with a scarf, hat and gloves, Year and if you can, please wrap up
footsteps crunching on the frosty warm and get out there to enjoy our
ground and your breath coming out in beautiful parks in all their wintry glory
little white puffs, keeping your eyes and experience the joys for yourselves.



21

Poplar HARCA






Part-Buy






If you’re a HARCA tenant and want to own your home,
but buying outright is out of reach, Part-Buy is an

opportunity to buy as little as a 10% share, and buy

more shares over time until you own 100%.




Get your

Own your foot on the An affordable
home housing way to own

ladder






Buying a home is a big obligation, so check out
poplarharca.co.uk/part-buy for the small print

YOUR HOME





MAKING SPACE for




overcrowded





families





e understand the difficulties of
Wliving in overcrowded conditions
because we speak with the many
tenants waiting to move to a larger
home. Sadly, most wait a very long
time to move, but we’re trying to help
through our overcrowding reduction
initiative which prioritises our tenants
for new build family sized homes.
In 2017 we built 69 new social rent
homes, and half of these are now
home to our tenants who were
overcrowded. We spoke with Intisar
and Zakariya Mohammed who, with
their four children, recently moved to
Baler Court. They waited over ten
years, bidding every week. We asked
them what it felt like to have finally
received an offer.

Intisar told us: “I’m over the moon to
be living here. There is so much space
the kids are always running around,
never sitting still. They love it. In the
old flat they were always sick. It was
stressful for the kids and for us. We
love this neighbourhood. Meeting the
neighbours and seeing new faces;
everyone is so happy. We’re always
smiling.”

Baler Court is 100% social rent. Like all
our new homes it is built to a lifetime
standard so it will continue to feel like,
well, home!






23

S
Spotlight is a creative youth service for 11-19
year olds designed to inspire. We oer a range of 6
programmes for young people. From hip hop dance 8
to boxing, we’ve got it all, and it’s all completely free!
To nd out more drop into one of our centres to pick
up a programme, or check out our website.

MUSIC, FILM, AND RADIO THEATRE
Want to be the next big grime artist, or out Love taking centre stage? Spotlight has
there making cutting-edge documentaries a stunning multi-purpose performance
and podcasts? At Spotlight we oer state space, used to workshop and showcase
of the art recording studios and technical ground-breaking theatre created in
equipment, plus a range of classes designed partnership with some of London’s most
to get you creating and producing your own talented theatre companies.
work. We even have our own record label!















Less into performance and creativity, and more into endurance and
teamwork? Spotlight oers a variety of regular top-of-the-range sports
sessions at all of our centres. From boxing to basketball, we really do
have it all. Check out our website for more details.














Spotlight doesn’t only oer sports and creative workshops. We also oer plenty
of opportunities to engage in your local community. Get involved in our youth
volunteering programmes to enhance your CV, make new friends, and get your
voices heard on current issues aecting you and the world. To hear more about
our youth volunteering opportunities, contact: [email protected]














LANSBURY MILE END BROMLEY NORTH POPLAR
SPOTLIGHT SPOTLIGHT SPOTLIGHT SPOTLIGHT
Langdon Park, St Paul’s Way Ian Mikardo, The Workhouse,
30 Hay Currie St, Community Centre, 60 William Guy Gardens, Poplar High Street,
E14 6GN 83 St Paul’s Way, E3 4AJ Talwin St, E3 3LF E14 0AF
020 30 111 333 07814 174 720 07957 346 273 020 7510 7799


Find out more at wearespotlight.com
@weare_spotlight

GET INVOLVED




ere is another chance for under 7s to have fun and colour in this picture. Please send to HARCA
Life word search competition; C/O Communications Team, 167a East India Dock Road, London
HE14 0EA, or take a photo and attach in a Twitter message to us (@PoplarHARCA), by 1st February
2018. The prize is a £20 voucher for the Early Learning Centre. Please let us know if you want your entry
returned.














































































Name: Age: Phone (parent/carer)

Address:


26

GET INVOLVED




ind the words in our grid below to win £25 worth of Love2Shop high street vouchers which can be
spent at 85 leading retailers. Send this page to the address below, or take a photo and attach in a
FTwitter message to us (@PoplarHARCA), with your circled answers no later than 1st February
2018.HARCA Life word search competition; C/O Communications Team, 167a East India Dock Road,
London E14 0EA. The winner of the autumn competition was Ramesh Subramaium. Well done!






























































Find and circle the following hidden words in the grid above


CHRISTMAS HOLLY WINTER
STOCKING SNOWMAN CAROLS
SANTA ICICLE PRESENTS
REINDEER RUDOLPH MINCE PIES





Name: Phone:

Address: Postcode:


27

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