HARCA LIFE - SPRING 2017

SPRING 2017

Life

2017 EVENTS
Health & Wellbeing

LANSBURY MICRO MUSEUM

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 01992 764 520 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
Brownfield Community 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

Poplar HARCA ASB team ANTI SoCIAL BEHAvIoUR CoNTACTS
0800 035 1991 Out of hours, please call the police on 101
Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs) 9am - 5pm (Mon - Fri) Always call 999 in an emergency
Bow East http://content.met.police.uk/Borough/TowerHamlets/contact
Bow West 020 8721 2807
Bromley-by-Bow 020 8649 3521
East India and Lansbury 020 8721 2041
Limehouse 020 8721 2806
Mile End East 020 8721 2852
Emergency services 020 8721 2848
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
Crimestoppers 111 When you need medical help, fast but it's not a 999 emergency

General enquiries 0800 555 111 Call anonymously with information about crime
Emergency out of hours
Adult social care Tower Hamlets Council contacts

Children’s services 020 7364 5020 @towerhamletsnow www.towerhamlets.gov.uk
Council Tax
Environmental Health 020 7364 7070 Information, advice and assessment for people with learning disabilities,
Healthline 020 7364 5005 physical disabilities, older people and support for carers
Bidding for advertised homes
Housing Benefit 020 7364 5006 Social services and education including child protection

020 7364 5002

020 7364 5008 Information and advice regarding food safety, health & safety, animal wardens

020 7364 5016 To find a GP and other health services

0845 270 2400 www.thhs.org.uk

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
Pest and noise nuisance 020 7364 5007 vehicle, permits and information on mobility services
Streetline 020 7364 5004
UK Power Networks – for electricity power cuts 0300 3163105 Pest control advice and get help with problems, complaints or enquiries
concerning residential and commercial noise.

Commercial waste service, dumped rubbish, Enviro-Champions, fly-posting, graffiti, litter and
litter bins, pavements, potholes, recycling, rubbish collection, street cleaning and street lighting

0333 3232105 from a mobile

National Grid for Gas Emergencies or if you smell gas 0300 111999

@poplarharca

Poplar HARCA Official

2

CONTENTS

WHO DARES WINS-19

Editorial 4
News & Events
5 – 11 Swing East is back!

The Business 12 Turn to the back cover for details.

Community 13–19

Employment & Training 20

ASB 21

Good to know 22

Naturewatch 23

Get involved 24–27 Photo: Helen Rimmel

Resident editorial board

It’s spring, and we’re as busy as ever! hoping to scoop a UK Housing Award for what we call
rubbish, but what we hope the judges will decide is
Richard found out about the heartbreak behind the Outstanding Innovation of the Year.
Upper North Street Memorial event that takes place in
June. It marks 100 years since the WWI bombing of what It hasn’t all been rubbish for Fran. She’s been busy
is now Mayflower School. Read about it on page 14-15. prepping pots for butterflies and bees to visit as the
weather gets warmer. Catch-up with Naturewatch on
Richard is also excited that our local V&A Museum page 23.
outpost, the Lansbury Micro Museum, is back after a
winter break. There’s a new exhibition and an art project Check out our centre pages for this year’s events
you can get involved with over Easter (page 13). calendar. There’s something for just about everyone and
we can’t wait to see you all out and about enjoying
Meanwhile, Fran has been busy presenting our URSs Poplar.
(underground refuse system) to a panel of judges. Fran,
with Scott and Joao from the Estate Services team, are Fran and Richard

3

SPRING 2017 EDITORIAL

Life The inspirational Moses Adeyemi, pictured on our front cover, is
doing great things – not least helping me to get a bit fitter. His
2017 EVENTS training sessions are making me feel my age, but his enthusiasm,
Health & Wellbeing drive and outlook are infectious.

LANSBURY MICRO MUSEUM Moses grew up just down the road in East Ham. As some do, he fell in
with a wrong crowd. At 21 he was in jail, but while he was there he
Cover image: Moses Adeyemi discovered the gym – and a new purpose in life. Not doing anything by
By Rehan Jamil halves, Moses shot to fame in the Channel 4 series SAS Who Dares
Wins as the only contestant physically and psychologically strong
enough to pass the grueling challenges.

Moses now works with ex-offenders, and established The Silver Line
Project to help people with complex physical and mental challenges
turn their lives around with exercise, coaching and support. See what
an incredible difference he’s making here in Poplar on page 19.

If you feel motivated, Moses runs free sessions on Monday and
Wednesday evenings at The Teviot Centre for HARCA residents and
anyone else who wants to join in.

Also in this issue, you’ll read more about why we are selling a small
number of empty properties; and what we are using the money for.
We’ve also offered all our overcrowded families first refusal of new,
larger family homes on our Aberfeldy and Leopold Estates; and are
working with the Council to keep homeless families in the Borough and
out of B&Bs.

We take a look at how you are involved – from our fabulous Star in the
Community award winners (page 7) to property guardians who do so
much more than simply join the dots (page 9).

Flip over to the back cover for the low down on this year’s Swing East
festival which transports us back to the ‘50s – when Chrisp Street
Market was brand new, and formed the Living Architecture element of
the Festival of Britain.

Look forward to seeing you hopping and bopping and enjoying the
spring.

Steve Stride

@stevestride_PH

Editor HARCA Life is published four times a year. The next issue is due out in June 2017.
Bree Sims If you would like to contribute something, such as a story, poem, photo, letter or
recipe, please get in touch before 1st May 2017. Send submissions to
Design and production [email protected] or phone 020 7510 0535.
Syed Pasha
Mahbub Rahman Printed on 100% recycled paper.

HARCA Life editorial group
Fran Jefcoate, Rouf Ahmed, Richard Caley

HARCA Life is published by Poplar HARCA, 167A East India Dock Road, London E14 0EA
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

Selling For every 10 ... we will buy 17
properties
hard-to-let affordable family

properties we sell... homes

at Auction Depending on the price, we can usually buy 17 new
affordable homes for every 10 we sell. We only sell
BACK IN FEBRUARY, we sold 39 properties at auction. empty properties that are expensive to repair and
Each was prohibitively expensive to repair (over less popular to let.
£10,000) and was less popular with tenants on the
housing list. They were mostly bedsits, one and two We are a registered housing provider and a charity.
bed properties that would not have helped our This means we have to prove to our regulators that
overcrowded families. selling the property is the right thing to do, that we
will get the best price for it, and what we will use
Poplar HARCA can buy affordable homes at less than the money for. There’s more details on our website
the open market price of property locally through www.poplarharca.co.uk
planning agreements that mean developers have to
build affordable homes.

Bigger Family Homes

OveRCROwding is A big issue for many of our families. Over 700 lack at least 1 bedroom,
over 100 lack 2 or 3 bedrooms. in February, we asked all 700 overcrowded families if
they were interested in brand new large family homes on our Aberfeldy and Leopold estates.
This is part of our overcrowding reduction strategy, and we have to do more of it! Building
and buying larger and affordable family homes is the only way we can do more – which is
why we know selling smaller properties that cost a lot to repair, and charging more rent for
other properties, is the right thing to do.

5

NEWS & EVENTS

HELPING

Homeless Families

YOU MAY HAVE seen the coverage in the media of homes have been provided through this
local authorities having to offer temporary partnership, with rents capped to within housing

accommodation many miles away, and the impact benefit rates.

it has particularly on children. Mark Coleman, Poplar HARCA’s Assistant Director

Poplar HARCA has been working with the of Housing told us ‘We know how big a deal it is

Council’s Housing Options Team to keep families for families struggling because they have lost the

that are homeless in the Borough while they wait roof over their head to then be told they have to

for an offer of a permanent home. To date, 99 move away from family and the area they know.

This is an important

CHRISP STREET partnership that not only
YOUR MARKET, YOUR SHOUT keeps local families local, but
also saves the Council a lot of

Remember we promised we'd keep you in the Chrisp Street loop...? money being spent on

A Planning Application was recently submitted. expensive private sector
It includes everything you told us you want: temporary accommodation.’
Old favourites and new shops

Cinema and restaurants

New homes - with all social rent homes replaced MyHARCA
Protection of Festival of Britain bits and the Clock Tower

The Planning Committee has suggested a few changes:

Materials on the outside of some of the buildings coming
Sight-lines from East India Dock Road

How pedestrians will use the North Side

soon

CHRISP STREET we’re adding he final
YOUR MARKET, YOUR SHOUT touches to our
brand new online resident
HAVE YOUR SAY portal. MyHARCA will give
you the opportunity to
WWW.CHRISPSTREET-YOURSHOUT.NATIONBUILDER.COM check your rent and service
charges, make payments
Chrisp Street Management Office, 19 Market Square, and report a repair without
Chrisp Street Market, London E14 6AQ the need to pick up a
phone or come into the
Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm (from Tuesday 4th April) offices.
Tuesday 4th April, 10am-7pm
Thursday 6th April, 10am-7pm We’ll be in touch again
Saturday 8th April, 10am-4pm once we have launched…so
keep watching this space
for chances to save money
and win prizes on sign up.

6

NEWS & EVENTS

STAR winners

wE’RE CHUFFED TO bits that three of our residents community events across Poplar. It’s also rumoured
were recognised at this year’s STAR in the he’s one of Santa’s `best friends’! His latest role is on
Community Awards. the HARCA Life editorial team. Check out his article
on pages 14–15.
Brownfield Estate Board Chair, Sandra Chalmers, was
shortlisted for the Bringing People Together Award. Abu Saeed Ahsan won the Young People’s Award.
The judges commended Sandra’s work securing He’s been a Police Cadet for 2½ years, and the Met
funding to run community events including a summer Police couldn’t be more proud of him! He’s promoted
festival, a Christmas fair and a panto! community safety, organised debates so young
people can have a say, and takes part in weapon
Richard Caley, Chair of the Lansbury West Estate sweeps and test purchases on HARCA estates.
Board, won the Inspirational Resident Award. You will
know Richard from these pages, and as ‘Chef’ at What a stellar line-up!

YOU MAY THINK it’s all rubbish – but our URSs (underground refuse systems)
are state-of-the-art. So much so that our Estate Services Team is up for
another award – the prestigious UK Housing Award for Outstanding

Awards Innovation of the Year.
Our Accents Team is also shortlisted in the Outstanding Approach to

Galore Regeneration category. Poplar HARCA’s approach has always been as
much about people as it has been homes and estates, and our Accents
Team is setting an example now being studied across the country.

…And we were finalists in the Housing Innovation Awards – Most
Innovative Housing Provider in January.

Culture with
your cuppa?

THERE’S A NEW café at ViewTube, run by The Common in
Bethnal Green. Great coffee, food and drink with a
community vibe. V22 is hosting artists’ workshops at the
ViewTube containers. Bike hire is available to work-off the
cake by peddling along the Greenway or through the
Olympic Park.

ViewTube, The Greenway, Marshgate Lane, London E15 2PJ

7

NEWS & EVENTS

Building Bookbridges

ARE YOUR KIDS’ books unloved, unread and making a mess? ‘Til July,
Trussler Hall is a collection centre for fiction and non-fiction (but
not text books) in reasonable nick for ages 5–teens.
The 2nd East London Scout Group collect, sort and package 45,000
books every year so Bookbridge can ship them to 19 learning centres
in Mongolia, Cambodia and Sri Lanka and support the education of
over 20,000 young people.

The rest Switch it up

is history Look swish in
switched clothes.
THE LEOPOLD AREA
Regeneration Team You know the drill:
(LART), a resident charity,
wants to hear from l Bring up to 10 items of clothing, shoes or accessories you don’t want
anyone interested in l Get tokens based on your donations
getting involved in a l Spend tokens on fantastic stuff other people didn’t want
history project focusing
on changes to the local The Men’s Cabin are on-hand with soup and hot drinks. And last month the
area since its World War swishers got craftier with a pom-pom workshop. Next events, all at the
2 bomb site days.
leopoldhistory@ BROWNFIELD CABIN
leopold.org.uk or Leopold
Area Facebook page 82 St. Leonard’s Road, E14 0QU

27 MAY 19 AUGUST 25 NOVEMBER

If you’re happy and you know it… Sing-Along

THE POPLAR SINGERS have been reaching the high notes. In just a
year a small group of local people who love to sing have
morphed into a fully fledged community choir.
Last year Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park and the Langdon Park
Festival hosted their tuneful selves, and they put on their own
concert. This year’s plans include performing at summer festivals
and hosting a fundraising dinner (watch this space for details).

Fancy tuning in?

Contact Hannah on 020 7510 0848 / [email protected]

Twitter: @poplarsingers u Facebook: Poplar Singers

8

NEWS & EVENTS

Going into space

OPEN POPLAR IS open for Space
business – identifying new for ideas
uses for underused spaces.
in East London
There are over 80 spaces for
start-ups, community groups, arts
organisations … and ideas not yet
thought of!

If it benefits Poplar and is backed
by a sound business plan, show
us what you’ve got at
OpenPoplar.com by 10 April

Got a question?
[email protected]

Guardian Angels

iT TAKES A long time to get from the idea properties – they volunteer thousands of hours to local
to the completion of a regenerated causes and charities.
block or estate. In the meantime, as In 3 months, from 8 HARCA homes, 18 guardians have:
residents move into new homes in the
area, it costs a lot to keep a property l volunteered 478 hours (worth about £6,600)
empty and secure, and we want those l saved Poplar HARCA’s tenants over £10,000 (by
waiting to move to stay feeling safe and
enjoy good neighbours. paying Council Tax and saving on security costs)
l kept neighbours feeling safer by being friendly
Poplar HARCA has
been working with faces in and around the block
property guardians
Dot Dot Dot for a few 9
years now. It works
for us and our
residents, and the
guardians get a home
for a short time but at
a lower cost.

Dot Dot Dot are very
different property
guardians. As well as
living in, paying for
and keeping safe
otherwise empty

NEWS & EVENTS

The Men’s
Cabin has
been busy
snapping Poplar’s
famous icons,
Poplar baths and
Chrisp street
Market.

inspired by
fabulous old
images from
Tower hamlets
Local history
Library – which
transported the
guys back to their
childhoods in the
‘30s and ‘40s - the
group wanted to
capture these sites
as they are today.

“We can see a
future. Things are
changing with the
new Chrisp street
and that’s great.
but it’s important
to preserve
something of the
past” said Men’s
Cabin’s Joe
hassan.

10

NEWS & EVENTS

The new pictures
are displayed in an
album alongside
the old. For Rex
smith, seeing the
finished album
was the best part
of the project.

Photography is a
new exciting
challenge for the
Men’s Cabin.
They are always
on the lookout for
new members,
and Joe told us: “it
might be a little
ambitious, but
that’s what it’s all
about. You’re
supposed to be
ambitious.”

Find out more
about the Men’s
Cabin and have a
flick through the
album, contact
Jayne on 020
3069 7401 or at
jayne.clavering@
poplarharca.co.uk

11

THE BUSINESS

POPLAR PAGES COMING SOON

Need a locksmith, a lunch spot, a plumber or a printer?

Answers coming soon.

EnterprisePPLR is an online business directory with listings for Poplar and Bow businesses.
If you own a business, you can upload details and use the site to promote what you do,
events and special offers.It launches in April – so get ready to go digital!

Sowing the Find your next job

Seeds Last year, 268 residents found jobs with help from
our Employment and Training (E&T) Team. The Team
Need advice about getting a brokers jobs, accreditation and qualifications in
job or starting a business? health, construction and hospitality.

Any Tuesday during term-time at the The ‘social impact’ of this is almost £4m – around £2m of
Aberfeldy Centre you’ll find Seeds that is savings to the government in benefit payments.
for Growth waiting to help.
Opportunities you missed out on if you’re not
[email protected] already connected with the team include learning
about being a street food trader and stock market
or 07770 752250 trader. You can still sign up for distance learning
courses, joining the NHS talent pool and loads more.
ABERFELdY CENTRE, Aberfeldy St. E14 0NU
10am – 12 noon There’s an E&T bit on HARCA’s website, or call
Tanzeem on 020 7510 9781 for the lowdown.

Being THERE’S A GRoWING network of entrepreneurs and small businesses at the
Branson Chrisp Street Exchange next to Iceland on vesey Path. The co-working
space offers desk and meetings space, free courses and advice. The London
Small Business Centre is offering a trial week at £20. Want in? Call Lucy on
020 7538 9469 or check out smallbusinesscentre.org.uk

12

COMMUNITY

It’s Back!

AFTER A WINTER break, the Lansbury Micro Cultivaters (www.cultivaters.com), this new audio
Museum is open again: Fridays and Saturdays piece brings personal histories into the Micro
10am-4pm. Check out the new website: Museum.
LansburyMicroMuseum.com
A major focus of the exhibition is the role of
We caught up with the V&A gang to find out more industry in the area. The docklands were an
about what they’re up to: integral source of employment for the first
Lansbury residents, with many working at the Port
“The exhibition New Horizons 1950s-1980s of London or in trades connected to the docks.
considers the changing nature of Lansbury over New Horizons 1950s-1980s illustrates how
four tumultuous East End
decades, addressing the influences not foreseen
impacts of industrial by the architects
modernisation, declining impacted on the
docklands and the economic capacity of the
strategic relocation to New Estate and the success of
Towns outside of London. the neighbourhood they
planned.”
The first exhibition at our
Poplar Micro Museum Come and explore at the
focused on the origins of Lansbury Micro Museum,
the Lansbury Estate and at the base of the Chrisp
the role it played as a Street Market Clocktower.
`model’ neighbourhood
during the 1951 Festival of Britain. It revealed the And don’t miss designing
original aspirations of planners in the aftermath of and producing a large-scale artwork for the
the Second World War and began to explore the Lansbury Estate:
ongoing significance of the Estate as a microcosm
of planning ideas for London. Walls On Walls Easter
Holiday Workshops
The new exhibition investigates the dramatic
changes in local industry, population and 10.30am-6pm
transport links that have shaped the
neighbourhood in the decades since the Festival Monday 3 April - Sunday 9 April
ended. It reveals how the fortunes of the local
community have been influenced by complex FREE
political and planning ideologies - reaching
beyond estate’s boundaries. At the Lansbury Micro Museum and 11 Market Way

Alongside archival photographs, drawings and Help artists Laurie Nouchka and Tullis Rennie
original artefacts, the exhibition features an audio create a new focal point for and about the
soundtrack of community insights and stories, neighbourhood at Chrisp Street Market.
past and present. This builds upon the radio Find out more at wallsonwalls.co.uk
archive of The Decorators
(www.chrispstreetonair.com), which encouraged Laurie and Tullis will also be at the Micro
reflection on the importance of Chrisp Street Museum on 31st March and 1st April,
Market as the neighbourhood’s civic heart.
Recorded and produced by Lucia Scazzocchio of 11am - 3pm providing information about
the project and how to get involved.

13

COMMUNITY

The Angel
of Poplar byRichardCaley

The following prose is written in memory of everyone affected by,
and those who lost their lives in the WW1 bombing of a Poplar
School in 1917. This has not been written as an historical record –
this has been done far better by others than I ever could. Instead
I have tried to imagine, be it possible, how it might have been.

I hope that in taking this approach I have not offended the
memory of these lost souls and their descendants.

The Day Our World Stood Still was very formidable. Our
Head Teacher, Mr Denner
13th June 1917 - It was just like any other day. was very strict, but liked a
Dad had left the house early to work down the lot by most of us. My
docks. Since the Great War had begun, life had sister said that her Head
become much harder for everyone. Many Teacher, Miss Eastland was lovely and everyone
Dockers had left to join the War effort, my Father liked her a lot. Once we reached the playground I
had to stay behind working all the hours he could said goodbye to my sister; girls were taught on
to help keep the docks working. “It’s how we will the top floor of the school and I had to go to the
win the War!” he used to say to me. middle floor. All the young’uns were taught on
the ground floor.
Me and my sister had finished our morning
chores and were getting ready for school. Like she We had been working hard all morning (apart
did every morning, Mum gave us our bread and from when I had been told off for daydreaming
jam for lunch, tidied my hair and shooed us out of and looking out of the window). I was looking
the house. “off to school with you” she would say, forward to lunchtime and getting into the
“make sure you learn something and don’t get playground – it was football today!
into any trouble!”, “don’t be late home, I love you
both”. Little was she to know, like so many other It was then I heard a faint humming noise in the
Mums and Dads that day, these were the last distance. Risking a further telling off I turned to
words she would ever say to us. the window to see where the noise was coming
from. At first I could see nothing, then suddenly
It was a beautiful early summer’s day, not “blazing as I looked toward the heavens I saw what looked
June” but a warm day with beautiful clear blue like a flock of geese moving toward us, only these
skies. Just a few white fluffy clouds drifted lazily weren’t geese! As the noise got louder I was
around. transfixed. The geese got closer and closer.
Interest turned to horror as these `flying birds’
Our school, a council school in Upper North turned into massive double-winged roaring
Street in Poplar near the docks in East London, monsters.

14

COMMUNITY

Unable to speak I watched these beasts, which I desires. Not only that, a total of 168 of us;
knew from my father’s descriptions were German children, adults, parents, teachers, workers, and
Gotha G5 planes. We had never seen these the like, perished in that one single moment.
during the day before. Others survived,but carried this memory as a
lifetime burden... a burden too great for some of
As they passed overhead everyone started to our teachers to bear in the following years.
scream. But that wasn’t the only screaming I
heard. All around explosions and fires were Amidst the weeping grievers, Parents buried their
breaking out as the Gothas dropped their deadly children. It was the biggest State funeral outside
cargo. of Royalty that we had ever seen.

That is when it happened. The moment our world Now, one hundred years on, it’s time for me to
stood still. say goodbye.

Everything seemed to happen in slow motion. It Who am I you ask… just an innocent soul lost in
started with an almighty crash, with the sound of the blink of an eye on a warm summer’s day; just
splintering wood as the roof rafters crumbled and praying that never again does anyone else have to
gave way. As I looked up, the top floor was just tell their story like me.
blown away, my sister!

Lest we forget:

Louise Acampora aged 5 Grace Jones aged 5
aged 10
Alfred Batt aged 5 Rose Martin aged 6
aged12
Leonard Barford aged 5 George Morris aged 5
aged 5
John Brennan aged 5 Edwin Powell aged 5
aged 5
William Challen aged 5 Robert Stimson aged 5

Vera Clayson aged 5 Elizabeth Taylor

Alice Cross aged 5 Rose Tuffin

William Hollis aged 5 Florence Wood

George Hyde aged 5 Frank Wingfield

The bomb didn’t discriminate; the boys’ floor was on the 13th June 2017 there will be a
ripped apart as the device plummeted toward the commemorative event to mark the 100th
ground devastating everything in its path. The anniversary of the tragic day. A multi faith
heat and noise as it exploded cannot be service at All Saints Church starts at 10 am,
described and I don’t wish to linger on this followed by a short procession to Poplar
thought any more. Recreation Park. There will be 2 minutes silence
at 11:40am to mark the moment the children
As the dust started to clear the signs of carnage, lost their lives. Followed by a number of
and the smell of death and despair was all remembrance events and festivities for children
around. and adults alike.

Why? Why target a school? What have we kids For more information about the event and the
done to deserve this? Do they actually know what tragic history behind it, please email Stan Kaye at
they have done? [email protected]

Eighteen of us school children died that day,
young lives not allowed to fulfil any ambitions or

15

COMMUNITY EVENTS

POPLAR UNION FAMILY EASTER PARTIES GOLDEN YEARS
FUN DAY TEA PARTY
“Music Jelly” / Cafe / Book Free tickets at
Crafts / Games Linc/Teviot Centres from 30 March Poplar Union
1pm–4pm
Poplar Union Grand Egg Hunt ! Games and Entertainers !
12 noon–8pm Limited numbers....book soon! 3 May

1 April Linc Centre Teviot Centre
12 noon–4pm 12 noon –4pm

12 April 19 April

LIMBOROUGH COMMUNITY ANGEL OF ST PAUL’S WAY
KITCHEN LAUNCH & POPLAR FESTIVAL
WEN  SUMMER GATHERING CENTENARY
St Paul’s Way School,
Entry via: Leaders in Community (LiC) Poplar E3 4FT
25a Limborough House, E14 7AW  Recreation 11am–4pm
Ground,
Tel. 020 7987 8796 E14 0BP 1 July

11am–4pm 11am–3pm

24 May 13 June

REGISTRATION LANGDON SUMMER HOLIDAY
DAY - JUNIOR PARK FESTIVAL SCHEME
SUMMER SCHEME
Langdon Park FOR POPLAR & BOW CHILDREN
See box for E14 0RZ 8–12 YRS OLD
more info! 11am–4pm SWIMMING, SPORTS, DANCING,
CRAFTS, FUN TRIPS OUT AND MUCH
Poplar Union 15 July MORE…COME AND JOIN US!

8am–6pm 24 July–18 August
Poplar Union and the Teviot Centre
5 July 10am–4pm daily

SWING EAST £1 per day, £2.50 per trip
Swing Dance and Bands

Chrisp St Market, STOP PRESS !
E14 6AQ To secure a place for Summer Scheme, Parents
12 noon–7pm MUST register their children in-person any time
between 8am–6pm on 5 July, 2017 at Poplar Union,
16 July 2 Cotall Street, E14 6TL

ANNUAL COMMUNITY EVENTS
TIMETABLE 2017

Whilst every effort is made to stick to these dates, EVENT
DETAILS MAY CHANGE – please check closer to the time.
Tel. 020 7510 0500 or email [email protected]

16

COMMUNITY EVENTS

WELLONE WEEK JUNIOR JUNIOR JUNIOR
Everything Healthy SUMMER SCHEME SUMMER SCHEME SUMMER SCHEME
- Mind & Body WEEK 1 WEEK 2 WEEK 3
Extravaganza See box for
See box for See box for more info!
Check Poplar Harca more info! more info!
website for details 7–11 August
poplarharca.co.uk 24–28 July 31 July–
4 August JUNIOR
24–28 July SUMMER SCHEME
WEEK 4
SPOTLIGHT EVENTS See box for
more info!
FREE FOR 11–19 YEAR OLDS WHO ARE REGISTERED MEMBERS
14–18 August
THEATRE, VISUAL ARTS, DANCE, MUSIC
AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE CHRISTMAS
LIGHTS
SPOTLIGHT SPOTLIGHT #SPOTLIGHTSUP SWITCH ON
EASTER SUMMER DANCE EVENT
PROGRAMME PROGRAMME Chrisp Street Market
Lansbury Spotlight 3.30pm–6pm
Lansbury Spotlight, Lansbury Spotlight
30 Hay Currie Street, 2 June 1 December
E14 6GN 31 July–25 August
Times TBC Teviot Centre
3–7 April and 10–13 3.30pm–5pm
April, 10am–8pm
12 & 14
And also 10–13 April December
Mile End, Poplar
& Bromley North
Spotlight hubs
12 noon–4pm

Tel. 020 30 111 333 for more details

ELDERS CHRISPMAS SANTA’S GROTTO
CHRISTMAS
LUNCH Chrisp Street Market St Paul’s Way Centre
Book tickets at your 11am–4pm 3.30pm–5pm
local centre from 13
November 9 December 5&7
December
Poplar Union

7 December

CONTACTS FOR MORE INFORMATION

ABERFELDY CENTRE SPOTLIGHT ST PAUL’S WAY CENTRE www.poplarharca.co.uk
Aberfeldy Street, E14 0NU 30 Hay Currie Street, E14 6GN 83 St Paul’s Way, E3 4AJ
Tel. 020 7515 6794 Tel. 020 30 111 333 Tel. 020 7510 5600 17

LINC CENTRE TEVIOT CENTRE POPLAR UNION
70 Fern Street, E3 3PR Wyvis Street, E14 6QD 2 Cotall Street, E14 6TL
Tel. 020 7538 5748 Tel. 020 7987 5764 Tel. 020 3039 3333

COMMUNITY

THIS SUMMER, WE’RE launching “Well One”. It’s a new partnership
bringing together all the health and wellbeing stuff in Poplar.
There’s loads going on at Neighbourhood Centres so watch this
space!
want to get started now?
Tower Hamlets Sports and Physical Activity Team told us: “We have
launched activities including Boxfit, chair-based exercise, and
walking football sessions. We’d love to see residents come along
and give it a go."

Say WAT?

wOMEN ASCENDING TOGETHER (WAT) was the Linc Centre and got space to meet, exercise,
founded by mother and daughter Sandra share healthy recipes and discuss mental health
Lebeau and Chantelle Small who have lived in and wellbeing. They set goals for themselves and
Poplar all their lives. They haven’t had it easy as everyone is supporting everyone else to keep on
both have suffered with depression, mood swings track. They’ve also recently welcomed their first
and not always been into healthy eating. motivational speaker and are now on the look out
for others.
Sandra and Chantelle decided to try exercise to
get them out of the rut. They also wanted to help Recent Success with WAT:
other women do the same. And so WAT was
created. Sandra and Chantelle want to support women
from all walks of life, not only through exercise
Short on resources, they started exercising in but also building a network of resilience.
Chantelle’s living room, with an exercise DVD,
water and lots of enthusiasm! “Our vision is to help ourselves and others, to
embark on a journey to unlock our full potential.
As the group grew, they needed more space for We have lost 34lb between the two of us, and
their big plans. Sandra and Chantelle approached have gone on to start our own businesses”

Check the group out on Facebook, just search (w.A.T) women Ascending Together
18

COMMUNITY Wins

Who dares

MOses AdeYeMi – our cover star – eAsT Ham boy,
winner of Channel 4’s “sAs: who dares
wins” and founder of The silver Line Project – is
proof of what hard work and determination can
achieve.

Moses runs free boot camp sessions, thanks to
funding from Social Ark, 5.30pm-6.30pm Mondays
and Wednesdays at our Teviot Centre. You don’t
need to book – just turn up!

The Silver Line Project has been working with
Poplar residents with complex needs. The 12-week
programme supports people with complex needs.

Moses knows how hard it can be. He spent two
years in jail when he was just 21. Inside, he
discovered the gym and decided to turn his life
around. He’s now supporting others to do the
same. Silver Line accepts self-referrals and works
with partners including the probation service,
social services, GPs and community organisations
like Poplar HARCA.

Rabia and Debra are a quarter of the way through
Moses’ programme. Here’s what they told us:

Rabia (pictured right): ‘To me what was brought to
light was that we needn't limit ourselves or our
pursuits, that anything is possible, the attainment

of my dream is actually possible with the right
mind-set and right support. I realised this when I
heard of Moses' story. He dared and he won – and
for him to go on to help others through the trials
and tribulations of life is amazing.

This may sound like fan mail, but in only 3 sessions I
have been given something I'd lacked, something I
desperately needed at this particular time in my life:
hope.’

Debra (pictured left) added: "This course has
enhanced my mental and physical wellbeing and
given me the confidence to pursue one of my goals:
to be an over 50s fitness coach”

To find out more about boot camps or mentoring,
contact Vicky Coakley on: 0207 9875764

19

EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING voLUNTEERING

FROM SPOTLIGHT AT Langdon Park, to new venues in Poplar, Bow and Mile End,
volunteering is a great way to get involved, do something fun and learn new
skills. Latest opportunities are on the Poplar HARCA website.

Tom Cowling volunteers with Spotlight, our creative youth space designed to
inspire. He answered some of our questions:

What inspired you to get involved?

It was a new challenge I’ve not experienced before. I wanted to do football
coaching. Youth work is a different experience, I wanted to take-on the challenge
with both hands. It’s an opportunity well worth taking.

What’s it like volunteering at Spotlight?

The great thing is there’s different things on offer – football to basketball and
fashion to working in the games room. It also offers opportunities to work or
volunteer in other centres. Not many organisations can offer opportunities like
that to a young person like me. It’s great development for whatever I do in the
future.

How has volunteering helped you?

It’s helped me develop personally, and it’s great for
my career. It’s opened-up so many opportunities.
On a personal level, I have gained more confidence
and belief in myself. When a new opportunity
comes along I have more self-belief and, no matter
what the challenge, I feel I can overcome it. On a
career level, it has boosted me when I go into
coaching work as I have real experience and come-
up with new ideas.

Tell us about a memorable volunteering
moment

My first day! Everyone welcomed with
me with open arms and made me feel
part of something special, which
surprised and encouraged me, and
kept me coming back. Every time I
walk into the place everyone is
friendly and welcoming which
motivates me. But I’ll never forget
that first day.

What one piece of advice would you
offer anyone thinking about
volunteering?

Consider volunteering because it can lead
to great opportunities along the way. Even
though you might not have experience, it’s
great practise for now and the future.

20

ASB

ASB NoISY NEIGHBoURS?
OTHER PEOPLE’S NOISE can be awful. But not all Council’s noise team to find out if the noise is loud
noise is a nuisance that Poplar HARCA can do enough, often enough or significant enough for us
something about. to take enforcement action.

If you report noise to us, the first thing we’ll usually Contact us Monday to Friday 9am-5pm on
do is talk to your neighbour. Often they won’t be 0800 035 1991 or report online on our website.
aware how much their noise is affecting other
people. We will also talk to both households about 8pm to 3.30am Thursday to Sunday call Tower
mediation which can help each understand the Hamlets Environmental Health Team on
issues for the other. 020 7364 5007.

We can install equipment and work with the Find out more at environmentlaw.org.uk

Criminal conviction for Sub-letting

KIBRIA AHMED, EVICTED from Donne Poplar HARCA is actively tackling OWL keeps communities
House on the Lansbury West tenancy fraud working with safe, helps reduce crime
Estate, got sentenced to 12 Thurrock Council, which, because and keeps people informed
months imprisonment, suspended it is a local authority, can carry out of what's going on locally.
for 24 months, for illegally sub- criminal prosecutions. It's a shared, secure
letting his Poplar HARCA tenancy. platform for the public and
If you suspect someone is sub- local authorities to
Mr Ahmed pleaded guilty to two letting a Poplar HARCA property, maximise the potential of
counts of fraud and was sentenced call 0800 035 1991 or email Neighbourhood Watch,
by Basildon Crown Court. He has [email protected]. Business Watch and dozens
to do 120 hours unpaid work; and of other schemes. Check it
rehabilitation to understand the You can stay anonymous – or get out at owl.co.uk
impact his offending has had on £500 for the call or email if it leads
the community. to the property being recovered.

Fires in communal areas

CIGARETTE BUTTS HAVE caused recent london-fire.gov.uk or call 0800 028
fires on balconies and in shared 4428. If wired-in alarms aren’t
areas. That’s scary for neighbours and, working call us on 0800 035 1991.
potentially, could kill someone. Smoking in a lobby or stairwell is
You must keep shared areas and against the law. Because of the risk,
balconies clear of obstructions, rubbish we’ll take enforcement action against
and anything that could burn (e.g. soft anyone found smoking inside our
furnishings, rubbish and recycling blocks – and against the person they
awaiting disposal). live with or are visiting because their
leases and tenancy agreements make
You can increase safety by them responsible.
installing and testing smoke
alarms. The London Fire And if you want help to give-up
smoking check out nhs.uk/smokefree
Brigade will do a home fire
safety visit – details at

21

GOOD TO KNOW

Taking a LEAP forward

LEAP IS A LOCAL Energy Advice gave them warmer clothing and and then – fitting radiator
Programme provided by a draft prevention kit, and panels and draft-proofing, and
HARCA’s Housing Team and a talked them through energy re-setting boiler controls. They
‘Green Doctor’ from bills. The couple were on a key can also refer to Income Max
Groundwork to help residents meter, paying far more than for extra financial advice and
save energy and money. those on a contract. Moving to support.
a different supplier saved
On a recent visit, the LEAP around £260 a year. Contact the Housing Team on
Team met a couple battling ill- 0800 035 1991 for your energy
health. Green Doctor Hannah Green doctors do things there healthcheck.

BREATHE THE A12 PRODUCES serious amounts of pollution. We’ve got together with
EASY University College London to run a pilot study and are keen to work with
anyone interested in developing ways to reduce the impacts on residents’
health and wellbeing.
Want to get involved? Nick Martin: [email protected].

National Fraud Initiative
POPLAR HARCA IS required to protect the public Minister for the Cabinet Office for matching for
funds it administers. It may share information each exercise, as detailed at
provided to it with other bodies responsible for; gov.uk/government/collections/national-fraud-
auditing, or administering public funds, or where initiative.
undertaking a public function, in order to prevent
and detect fraud. The use of data by the Cabinet Office in a data
matching exercise is carried out with statutory
The Cabinet Office is responsible for carrying out authority under Part 6 of the Local Audit and
data matching exercises. Accountability Act 2014. It does not require the
consent of the individuals concerned under the
Data matching involves comparing computer Data Protection Act 1998.
records held by one body against other computer
records held by the same or another body to see Data matching by the Cabinet Office is subject to
how far they match. This is usually personal a cade of practice available at
information. Computerised data matching allows gov.uk/government/publications/code-of-data-
potentially fraudulent claims and payments to be matching-practice-for-national-fraud-initiative.
identified. Where a match is found it may indicate
that there is an inconsistency which requires View further information on the Cabinet Office’s
further investigation. No assumption can be made legal powers and the reasons why it matches
as to whether there is fraud, error or other particular information at
explanation until an investigation is carried out. gov.uk/government/publications/fair-processing-
national-fraud-initiative/fair-processing-level-3-
We participate in the Cabinet Office’s National full-text. For further information on data
Fraud Initiative: a data matching exercise to assist matching at Poplar HARCA contact Head of
in the prevention and detection of fraud. We are Business Support, Nazmul Ahmed, on 0800
required to provide particular sets of data to the 0351991 or at [email protected].

22

NATUREWATCH

By Fran Jefcoate APART FROM A couple of cold snaps we’ve had another mild winter in London. I
spotted blossom on a few trees and the daffodil bulbs planted across our estates
starting to push green spears through the ground at the end of January.

There are snowdrops in the Cemetery Park and, in Mile End Park, small birds are
already looking for nest sites. I’ve heard male blackbirds singing their beautiful song
and coots are nesting along our canals.

There are signs of spring everywhere. I’m eager to know the wonders in store in the
coming months.

With so much traffic and construction going on, it’s hard to believe that we have such
a wealth of wildlife right on our doorsteps. We are blessed with beautiful green
spaces, canals and, of course, the Lea and Thames Rivers which bring us unexpected
wild visitors.

It can be such a thrill to spot something knowing that the people around you have
missed a magic moment. Slow down a bit, take a good look around and you’ll spot it.

We can all do our bit to encourage nature, and spring is the time to start. If you don’t
have a garden, there are insect-friendly plants that are quite happy in a window box
or flowerpot. If you plant for butterflies and bees, it will encourage birds to visit too.
It’s important for our wellbeing to take time to get in touch with nature and keep our
surroundings green and natural in our ever-growing city. And best of all - take the
time to enjoy it.

23

We are now delivering youth services
at four di erent centres in Tower Hamlets

SPOTLIGHT
HAS GROWN!

A11 Bow Church

Mile End Bow Road

Morris Rd A12
St. Leonards Rd
Devons Rd

Langdon Park Bow Common Lane

Chrisp St Burdett Rd

East India Dock Rd B140
All Saints
Mile End Spotlight
Lansbury Spotlight St Paul’s Way Community Centre,
Langdon Park, 83 St Paul’s Way, E3 4AJ
30 Hay Currie St, E14 6GN

Mon 4–9pm Thu 4–9pm Mon 3.30–8pm Fri 3.30–7pm
Tue 4–9pm Fri 4–9pm Wed 3.30–8pm Sun 3–6pm
Wed 4–9pm Sat 12–4pm Thu 3.30–7pm

24

Spotlight is a creative youth service
designed to inspire, and it’s all free!

Find out more at: wearespotlight.com

A11 A1261 East India Dock Rd

Bow Church A12 All Saints
Devons Rd
Bow Road

Westferry Poplar High St

Bromley By Bow Poplar

Devas St West India Quay

Devons Rd

Canary Wharf

Canary Wharf

Heron’s Quays

Bromley North Spotlight Poplar Spotlight
Ian Mikardo, 60 William Guy The Workhouse,
Gardens, Talwin St, E3 3LF Poplar High Street, E14 0AF

Tue 6–9pm Fri 6–9pm Mon 5–8pm Sat 12–3pm
Wed 4–7pm Sat 2–5pm Wed 5–8pm Sun 4–7pm
Thu 6–9pm Fri 5–8pm

020 30 111 333 open
[email protected] to
wearespotlight.com inspire:

@weare_spotlight
#wearespotlight

25

GET INVOLVED

Here is another chance for under 7s to have fun and colour in this picture. Please send to HARCA
Life colouring competition, 167a East India Dock Road, E14 0EA by 1st MAY 2017. The prize is a
£20 voucher for the Early Learning Centre. Please let us know if you want your entry returned.
The winner of the Autumn competition was Maci Aram. Well done!

Name: Age: Phone (parent/carer)
Address:

26

GET INVOLVED

Find 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 with your circled answers no later than 1st MAY 2017.
HARCA Life word search competition; C/O Communications Team, 167a East India Dock Road, London E14 0EA

Find and circle the following hidden words in the grid above

Bud Easter Nest
Bunny Eggs Rain
Chicks Kits Rainbow
Crocus Ladybird Seeds
Daffodil Lamb

Name: Phone:
Address: Postcode:

27

SUN1D2 ANOYO1N6-7TPHMJULY

12-12.30PM DJ NEL RAISER
DANCE CLASS
12.30-1.30PM SHAG PILE DANCE ORCHESTRA
1.30-2.30PM PALACE AVENUE
2.30-3.30PM DJ TOMCAT
3.30-4.30PM JACKSON SLOAN AND THE RHYTHMTONES
4.30-5.30PM DJ NEL RAISER

5.30-6.30PM THE BIG SIX

VINCTAHGKREILIFLSAERIPRDGISOLLUTENRRDETRHEFIRDTRIEL,LSESP, EVWOINIETPTHANLGLAIETVREMRM,AYRUL!KSOIECT,N, DFOADONODCIN&NGD,REIN1K4!