FOR ALL...GREAT ARTS AND CULTURE IN WALTHAM FOREST GREAT ARTS AND CULTURE IN WALTHAM FOREST ARTS FOR ALL ARTS FOR …

ARTS FOR ALLGREAT ARTS AND CULTURE

IN WALTHAM FOREST

GREAT ARTS AND CULTURE IN WALTHAM FOREST GREAT ARTS AND CULTURE IN WALTHAM FOREST

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ARTS FOR ALL ARTS FOR ALL2 3

Arts and culture are at the heart of the work we are doing now and in the future to make Waltham Forest an even better place to live in the years to come. As a Council we believe that these are not just things that are nice to have, but are essential for bringing our communities together, raising aspirations and improving physical and mental wellbeing among our residents. This is why, despite the unprecedented funding cuts being imposed on local government, we will continue to invest in our arts and culture programme. This strategy sets out our cultural values and how we see the Council’s role in delivering an innovative, dynamic and engaging programme which makes positive changes to the lives of as many residents as possible and attracts visitors from across London and beyond. A thriving arts and culture sector will also bring prosperity to the borough, as well as helping Waltham Forest to secure its unique identity in and contribution to the London metropolis. The recommendations in the 2014 Growth Commission report acknowledge the borough’s history of creativity and innovation, and this reputation is being secured into the future through investment in high-quality arts and culture resources and fantastic events throughout the year. The jewel in our crown is the award-winning William Morris Gallery – a fantastic resource that the borough is hugely proud of and which built on the momentum of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. But it doesn’t end with the Gallery. Its success will be the catalyst for bringing even more great arts and culture to all those who live and work in Waltham Forest.

Foreword by Chris Robbins, Leader of Waltham Forest Council

Chris RobbinsLeader of Waltham Forest Council

November fireworks

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ARTS FOR ALL ARTS FOR ALL

‘The William Morris Gallery…a tremendous story of optimism, hope and vision

that equals Morris’s own vision of celebrating human

beings’ creativity. In the current climate it’s amazing

to see a local authority realise the power of art in regenerating a borough.’

Bob and Roberta Smith, Art Fund judge

‘What a great weekend of events, the events keep getting better and better! Well done!

Very proud that I live in Leyton! Leyton resident attending the Carnival and

Get Together event

‘Thank you once more for this lovely christmas event! I do hope they will continue every year as this is the only time a lot of us get out and meet other people and have a good meal with

lovely company.’Resident, who attended our Leyton Christmas dinner event for older residents

‘I love the Summer Reading Challenge because… my son

can’t wait to visit the library and he is so proud of his

achievements.’Parent of child, age 6, Chingford Library

WE WANT TO PROVIDE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY WITH A DYNAMIC AND

EXCITING PROGRAMME OF EVENTS WHICH HELPS TO BRING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER AND MAKES

POSITIVE CHANGES TO THE LIVES OF OUR RESIDENTS

Cllr Chris Robbins, Leader of Waltham Forest Council

‘Arts and culture are not a luxury; they are part of this city’s [..London’s ] DNA, its USP. It is why people want

to live and work here.’Greater London Authority (GLA)

Cultural Strategy 2014

‘The best thing to happen to this community…let’s

use it to make more productive changes.’

William Morris Gallery visitor book

‘Just keep it going. Communities need

space where everyone can feel welcome, and

feel like they fit in.’Resident feedback, for author event in

association with the Lesbian Reading group, North Chingford Library

‘THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SUCH AN AMAZING ANDTRUE TO LIFE AND REALISTIC EXHIBITION ABOUT WHATLIFE WAS REALLY LIKE FOR THOSE PIONEER MUSLIMS/ASIANS WHO CAME TO THE UK AND FOR ALLOWING

OTHERS TO SHARE OUR EXPERIENCES ALSO.’Resident visitor to Vestry House Museum

‘ENGAGING, FUNNY, MOTIVATING...

EXCELLENT BAND, VERY HIGH QUALITY.’

Resident, Leytonstone Library event




£3million Council investment in the restoration of the William Morris Gallery

46 ACE grants awarded to Waltham Forest organisations and residents in 2014

£522,953 ACE grants made to Waltham Forest in the financial year 2014-15

£9.3million invested in Waltham Forest from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) since 2010

£1.72million HLF funding for the Walthamstow St James project

£4.75million invested in Walthamstow Wetlands

Engagement and the Arts

75 Waltham Forest blue plaques marking significant heritage locations around the borough

More than 300 listed buildings in Waltham Forest

105 volunteers supporting the Council’s culture and heritage work

122,000 visited William Morris Gallery in 2014

170,000 people attended the Get Together events across the borough

4,300 people queued for BBC Antiques Roadshow 1,100 older people attended our Tea Dances

8 public libraries across the borough

2 community run libraries

513,405 books borrowed from our public libraries during 2014

8,887 families and young people attended programmes at the William Morris Gallery in the three years since reopening

57,154 children’s books are in our libraries 3,991 children took part in the Summer Reading Challenge 2014 to read six books

75 artists and teachers attended our Arts Awards training

ALFRED JOSEPH HITCHCOCK

WALTHAM FOREST HERITAGE

THE FAMOUS FILM DIRECTOR WAS BORN NEARTHIS SITE AT 517 HIGH ROAD LEYTONSTONE

ON AUGUST 13TH 1899. DIED APRIL 24TH 1980

ARTS CULTURE

WELCOME

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

HERITAGE AND CONSERVATION

VISITOR NUMBERS

VOLUNTEERS

INVESTMENT LIBRARIES

CHILDRENSBOOKS




The London borough of Waltham Forest is situated in north east London, and comprises four main neighbourhoods - Leyton, Leytonstone, Walthamstow and Chingford- and is celebrating fifty years since it was created. It is now on the cusp of major change as developers, businesses and potential residents take a greater interest in a location which has excellent transport links.

Arts and culture in the borough have changed dramatically over the past decade; their success and increasing profile is key to building a more coherent identity for the borough, and promoting its distinctive character. We are also developing our strategic partnerships to enable us to strengthen further our offer across the borough, working with organisations such as Barbican and Create London.

Growth and prosperity are core to the Council’s ambitions for Waltham Forest. It has long been acknowledged that culture enriches lives, benefitting individuals and communities. But its value is greater than a cultural experience; Local Government Association research has shown that every £1 invested in culture can generate £4 in the local economy.

We have achieved a lot over the past five years: transforming the William Morris Gallery and winning the Art Fund Prize for Museum of the Year in 2013, hosting the Antiques Roadshow, securing Heritage Lottery Fund grants for Walthamstow Wetlands and St James Street, organising tea dances, concerts, puppet shows and readings, supporting local arts groups, and recognising the contribution of artists and musicians such as David Bailey and Damon Albarn who come from Waltham Forest.

The purpose of this strategy is to clearly define our ambitions and outcomes for art and culture in Waltham Forest, and explain how these relate to the Council’s priorities. It is an opportunity to demonstrate to our residents, creative organisations, potential partners and funders the continuing commitment of Waltham Forest Council to arts and culture. It will support us in finding more innovative ways of drawing in investment to sustain an ambitious programme against a backdrop of continued pressures on budgets for both local government and the arts.

Developing our distinctive character

Developing this strategyIn 2010 we published Taking Our Place in London: Waltham Forest’s Cultural Strategy 2010 – 2030. This strategy explored residents’ awareness of the local arts, cultural and sports provision, how often they used these services and how happy they were with what was on offer, and barriers to participation and priorities for cultural provision.

It identified a need to enhance participation generally, to better communicate the offer and to create a draw for outside audiences to the borough.

We have updated our findings with feedback from our more recent programmes, consultation with residents and those engaged with the cultural and creative industries, Growth Commission research and worked with Waltham Forest Young Advisors and Youth Against Gangs Group.

The following pages set out what we will achieve, and how we will do this is set out on pages 20-21.

Jeremy Deller, English Magic We sit starving amidst our gold, painted by Stuart Sam Hughes at the William Morris Gallery. © Paul Tucker




Our visionWaltham Forest will be the leading borough for arts and culture in outer London, known for an ambitious and integrated arts and culture offer which involves local residents, attracts visitors from across the capital, and makes an exceptional contribution to London’s vibrant cultural scene.

We will do this by ensuring that arts and culture are focussed to achieve clear outcomes and integrated into the wider functions of the Council to contribute to the overall wellbeing, cohesion and prosperity of

Waltham Forest; we will maximise our efforts to create wide ranging partnerships, and attract funding to achieve these goals.

We recognise the strength of creativity and productivity which has developed in Walthamstow over recent years. We are now developing our approach, through grants for local organisations and our strategic partnerships, to grow the offer in our other neighbourhoods. We will have a greater focus on Leyton, Leytonstone and Chingford, to build on current success and contribute to the wider cultural ecology of London.

Get Together: Big WeekendersOur Get Together weekend festivals have developed a strong local following, demonstrating the excitement and interest generated amongst residents and the potential of culture to bring people together and foster cohesion.

The Chingford Get Together has a growing reputation for bringing well known headline acts to the borough and attracts thousands locally and from further afield to enjoy the music in the park. Billy Ocean was extremely well received when he appeared at Ridgeway Park.

A resident said: - ‘What a fab event; all the acts were great but Billy Ocean was just amazing! The atmosphere in the park was so good natured.’ The headline acts were joined by our local talent, who performed on the main stage in front of a packed house and added another dimension to the overall experience. We provide a range of quality refreshments at all of our events, and where possible work with local suppliers and stallholders

Leyton Get Together features a carnival procession, bringing many people out onto the streets to enjoy the parade activities. Leytonstone Get Together-Car Free Day sees the town centre closed to traffic to allow a family focussed music and food event. In 2014, the Walthamstow Garden Party was delivered in partnership with the Barbican and Create London, and attracted over 33,000 to Lloyd Park.

‘What a fab event; all the acts were great but Billy Ocean was just amazing! The atmosphere in the park was so good natured.’

New bridge to Leyton Jubilee Park Crowds enjoy the music at Chingford Big Weekender (top) Carnival procession at Leyton Big Weekender (bottom)




The Council is clear about the role it can and should play in creating great arts and culture in Waltham Forest.

We have developed significant experience and expertise in these areas which has been recognised by our partners and is delivering results.

Ambition and excellenceWe will deliver high quality cultural programming and strengthen the connection between our neighbourhoods and cultural offer.

Place shapingWe will develop and support arts that reflect our unique physical, community and built heritage to define our place in London.

CollaborationWe will work and co-produce with a range of public and private partners to deliver great arts and culture.

Funding and commissioningAs a funder we will target our resources to ensure that they have the maximum impact, use fair and transparent processes, and champion equality of opportunity.

Facilitation and brokerageWe will act as brokers to new partners and facilitate new opportunities for co-production with local creative organisations and individuals.

Arts and culture can have a hugely positive impact on people’s lives, and our arts and culture programme is a significant part of delivering the Council resident priorities.

Helping all of our residents enjoy a good quality of lifeWe will support an extensive arts and events programme for everyone; providing young and older residents with a range of activities to enable them to get involved, we will celebrate and promote our unique borough and its cultural and arts heritage.

Keeping your neighbourhood clean and safeWe will deliver our arts and culture programme to create opportunities for our communities to get together to share common experiences and help foster understanding and cohesion within our neighbourhoods.

Helping build a strong local economy and thriving town centresWe will create arts and cultural activity in town centres to support local business and shops, attract visitors to the borough and encourage local spend. We will develop programmes which support our schools and colleges to provide top quality education and training.

Supporting affordable housing for everyone’s needs. We will work to integrate culture and arts into housing developments to help to build and strengthen communities.

Delivering the Council’s prioritiesOur cultural role

‘Pass the Parcel’ celebrating 50 years of Waltham Forest in Leyton Residents from Chingford enjoy their Christmas dinner




‘The Birds’ mural on Leytonstone High Road

‘North by North West’, outdoor screening at the Waterworks Nature Reserve, part of Hitchcock’s East End

14 15

Alfred Hitchcock (1899 -1980) was born above a greengrocer’s shop in Leytonstone, and his experiences in early life impacted on his career as a Hollywood film director. His influence has been remembered in many ways in Waltham Forest.

‘Hitchcock’s East End’, a season of film and unique events that celebrated and explored Alfred Hitchcock’s connection to Waltham Forest was delivered in partnership with Create London and Barbican Film.

With screenings staged in a selection of unexpected locations, the audience was invited to explore and re-imagine the suburban landscape of Hitchcock’s childhood, places which may have unconsciously inspired and influenced his works.

Vertigo was shown in St Margaret’s of Antioch in Leytonstone, preceded by a performance art trail of ‘blondes’ leading to the church, drawing on the main character of the film. North by North West was shown outdoors on the Lea Valley marshes, and The Birds in Vestry House Museum.

In 2014, a mural of Hitchcock’s film The Birds was completed to mark the place of his birth on Leytonstone High Road.

Celebrating our heritage: Alfred Hitchcock




M2K carnival group working on costumes

Community mural on shops in Chingford Hatch

16 17

Investing in art and communities: Our grant programmes

Waltham Forest is a hub of creativity. It is a place which has attracted artists and small creative and cultural businesses; many of our residents work in the creative industries across London.

We have funded arts commissions and awarded arts development and community ward forum grants to engage with our creative communities, enable them to deliver activities and contribute to our overall arts and culture programme in Waltham Forest.

We also work with local partners to facilitate arts participation through our libraries, museum and gallery. The E17 Art Trail has been supported by Waltham Forest Council for the last five years; in 2015 it attracted over 4000 contributions. Community ward forum funding supported delivery of a Saturday Art Club for Cann Hall and Cathall wards, bringing a range of arts and crafts to local families in the south of the borough.

Local residents were keen to see improvements to their local parade of shops in Chingford Hatch; a community ward forum grant was awarded for a mural on the wall of one of the shops, inspired by the works of William Morris.




William Morris Gallery

William Morris, the leader of the Arts and Crafts movement, was born in Walthamstow in 1834, and his former home is now the William Morris Gallery, the only gallery dedicated to his life and works.

The reopening of the William Morris Gallery in 2012 was a catalyst for renewed pride in the borough and a new appreciation of and confidence in the transformational capability of arts and culture. With investment from the Waltham Forest Council and generous grants from funders including the Heritage Lottery Fund, the gallery underwent major refurbishment, and was awarded ‘The Art Fund Prize for Museum of the Year 2013’ and shortlisted for European Museum of the Year. Over 300,000 people have visited since it reopened.

‘This truly is the Museum of the Year. Its extraordinary collections, beautifully presented, draw the visitor engagingly through Morris’s life and work and through the building itself. Setting the highest standards of curatorship, reaching out impressively to its local community.’ - Art Fund judges

‘A wonderful museum with a real community feel. It’s so nice to have something really beautiful in the area.’ - Gallery visitor

‘I loved the fact you could touch objects and see them up close. One of the best I have been to. Lots of children too.’- Local Resident

The Gallery in Lloyd ParkThe Gallery tells the fascinating story of William Morris, his complex personal life and highly productive arts and commercial pursuits, through its internationally recognised collection of historic artefacts. A series of high profile ambitious contemporary exhibitions including shows by Grayson Perry, Jeremy Deller and Yinke Shonibare has highlighted his influence and modern day legacy, and brought cutting edge art to local residents. In recognition of ‘an outstanding track record for artistic excellence’, the Gallery has become one of Arts Council England’s 663 National Portfolio Organisations.

The Gallery’s programmes and exhibitions are created to continue Morris’ principles of Art for All. Programmes are developed to engage with everyone - those who are regular visitors to the gallery, and those who may have not engaged with cultural programmes before. The gallery makes all visitors feel welcome. Schools from all over our borough, and beyond, are also regular visitors to the gallery, to explore the collections, learn about Morris and work with local artists to try some of the craft techniques that he perfected.

The gallery has also been successful in generating income to contribute to its on-going sustainability. It has created its own branded range of merchandise and recently launched an on-line shop; it has licensed a number of images of the collection for use by high profile retailers and fashion designers and generates income through venue hire.

The William Morris Gallery in Lloyd Park. copyright © Paul Tucker

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Arts for All: Our core principles

PRINCIPLE 1 Get together

PRINCIPLE 2 A creative destination

PRINCIPLE 3 Enterprise

OBJECTIVE 1 Waltham Forest will be a vibrant place where everyone has access to diverse range of arts and culture across the borough. We will:

• increase and broaden participation in our arts and culture programme,

• integrate and embed culture into every aspect of life and Council service delivery through people, place and neighbourhoods,

• understand our cultural landscape better to enable us to shape our cultural programme and maximise its impact,

• enable and encourage high quality meaningful public art.

OBJECTIVE 3 Waltham Forest will benefit from an enterprising arts and cultural sector that thrives and contributes to the local economy.

We will:

• create and support high quality activities for our town centres where people want to spend their leisure time,

• create local employment opportunities for work, training and development of local people,

• help build a strong but independent local cultural sector,

• use our community spaces for culture and arts e.g. libraries,

• maximise inward investment for culture and arts.

ACTION 1• broaden participation of local artists and residents

by involving them in the shaping and delivery of the Get Together events programme,

• work with our regeneration team to bring public art into new developments and initiatives, eg Mini Holland,

• strengthen the arts and culture offer in central Walthamstow with GLA funding, with new creative space and market,

• develop our programme of tea dances in Chingford and Leyton.

ACTION 3• Deliver the Eat Drink Waltham Forest Food Festival

as part of the Get Together programme and develop the opportunities offered at the Winns Gallery and artists’ studios in Lloyd Park,

• deliver an engaging programme for schools across the borough to support the educational development of our young people and actively support Arts Award programmes, as part of our commitment and dedication to artists, young people and emerging young artists.

• facilitate arts practitioners forums in each of our four neighbourhoods to improve our links and networks of artist and creative practitioners,

• work in partnership and apply for funding to support delivery of our programme.

OBJECTIVE 2 Waltham Forest will be the leading cultural borough in outer London and will attract and retain creative people and organisations. We will:

• support and develop an extensive, bold and ambitious cultural and arts in locations across Waltham Forest,

• promote our offer to attract more residents, new visitors and new businesses,

• celebrate our local heritage, with a focus on craft, design, film and our historic buildings,

• shape our offer to define our place in London.

ACTION 2• bring ‘The Streets‘ programme of high quality street art to

Leyton, supported by Arts Council England (ACE) funding,

• promote our culture and arts offer to households across the borough through printed materials and increased use of social media,

• attract external funding to enable us to maximise the opportunities offered by our heritage buildings, eg Leyton Cricket Ground,

• promote the Waltham Forest heritage blue plaque scheme and encourage resident suggestions,

• create a lasting memorial to Jack Cornwell, born in Leyton and awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross having died aged 16 at the Battle of Jutland, 1915.

Leytonstone-born David Bailey with his photographic exhibition at the William Morris Gallery Enjoying the sunshine at Leyton carnival




Gnome House workshop Gnome House is an inspiring community and creative space in Walthamstow. Its vision is to transform the local community by offering high quality cultural programming that is accessible, relevant and engaging.

During World War One the powerful ‘Gnome’ fighter engine was manufactured on the site, and the name Gnome House reflects the building’s heritage. The Council has supported the creation of Gnome House as part of its objectives in the Blackhorse Lane Area Action plan, to make it a ‘place for creative and green industries’.

It offers a printmaking studio, cafe and community/creative space to accommodate performances, rehearsals, workshops, exhibitions and meetings. Gnome House is being run by volunteer directors who live and work in and around Blackhorse Lane and have many years’ experience delivering community and creative projects locally.

Blackhorse Workshop Opened in February 2014, Blackhorse Workshop provides space and equipment for the local community to learn and use skills such as carpentry and metalwork, as well as providing workspace for small businesses engaged in craft and construction.

The workshop operates a membership scheme, meaning that individuals, small businesses and startups can use the workshop, whether paying on a drop-in basis to use the benches and tools for a few hours or through a longer term membership.

The project was commissioned by Waltham Forest Council, with additional funding from the GLA’s Outer London Fund and Create London. The building itself is owned by the Council and is being provided at a ‘peppercorn’ rent as a way of promoting this type of creative and community venture as part of the regeneration of the area.

Supporting creative enterprise: Supporting creative enterprise:

Gnome House, a new artist-run community and creative space in Walthamstow

Blackhorse Workshop, a new public space dedicated to making and mending




Investing in art and communties: Libraries

Libraries have never been more relevant in opening up possibilities and opportunities for our residents, helping them improve their wellbeing by pursuing their interests, aspirations and potential and tackling the problems of social isolation, inequality, and disadvantage.

Children who read well by 11 do better at school, get better exam results and do better in the workplace.

However, books are only part of our library story-all our libraries provide free internet access, opening up the world of digital technology to aid self-improvement and advancement, support for those seeking new skills and employment, and providing access to local services.

That’s why we are investing £5 million in refurbishing our four ‘Library Plus’ libraries, and integrating arts and culture into the offer. Leyton Library Plus was the first library to be transformed through this programme in 2014.

In 2015, Leytonstone Library Plus reopened after £1.5million investment. The Grade II* listed building has been sensitively refurbished to enhance its beautiful listed features. The library also offers 36 state of the art PCs with free internet access, wifi connection and space for workshops and events for families and young people, in the restored theatre hall.

Ambition and excellence: Art and culture in our parks

Now in its second year, the Leyton Mid Summers festival takes place in the beautiful surroundings of Leyton Jubilee Park.

This programme attracted thousands from the Leyton area, with many families who were originally from Eastern Europe enjoying the traditional music performances celebrating their home cultures, and taking refreshments in the Dasha tea tent.

Leytonstone Library, refurbished 2015

Cllr Chris Robbins browses through the new library books Residents join in the Dasha tea tent at the Mid Summers festival in Leyton Jubilee Park




The main stage at Walthamstow Garden Party

Collaboration and PartnershipWe have developed strong partnerships to deliver a high quality and ambitious events programme.

Leytonstone Library has developed a strong partnership with their local children’s centre and registrars service, with funding from Arts Council England. All our under-5s activities at Leytonstone Library are run by the children’s centre. When parents come to register the birth of their baby, they are signed up for library membership and given a free Bookstart bag, with some first books to read to their child and signed up for membership of the children’s centre which offers a whole variety of support to parents including advice and training.

In Highams Park, the Friends of Hale End Library have successfully obtained grants from their local community ward forum to deliver a range of events for adults and children, including silver surfer ICT sessions. There’s also a successful film club ‘Film as Cultural Capital’ at the library, which screens a range of films to meet a variety of interests.

Working with locally commissioned arts organisations including the renowned Masquerade carnival group, local schools create stunning costumes in preparation for the carnival procession at the Leyton Get Together.

Watched by friends, family and local residents who line the streets, the colourful parade winds through the local area to the sound of Caribbean music.

The parade finishes at the historic Leyton Cricket Ground, with a family fun day of music, children’s entertainment and activities for all ages.

In 2015 the Walthamstow Garden Party brought together over 30,000 residents and visitors to the borough to experience and enjoy a fantastic programme of music, food, arts activity and crafts market, delivered by Waltham Forest Council with a range of partners including Barbican, Create London, Artillery and the E17 Designers Market with support from Arts Council England.

We are now building on this partnership to bring in external funding to recreate this offer in other parts of the borough.

“The partnership has enabled us to utilise the programming expertise of a world class arts and learning institution to develop a large-scale cultural event in the community.

It has deepened existing relationships with local arts organisations, providing us with further insight relating to the needs and interests of local communities, whilst helping to further build capacity in those organisations to develop and expand upon existing cultural provision in the area”.

- Feedback from the Barbican.




Animating Our High StreetsThe Waltham Forest Growth Commission report, published in February 2014, highlights the importance of a mixed offer to ensure our high streets are sustainable.

A number of successful shop front projects have been completed across Waltham Forest, where architects and designers have been engaged to not only improve the shop signs, but also to help to creatively redisplay the shop windows.

This helps to make shops more attractive, and encourage people to ‘Shop Local’.

Volunteering for Waltham ForestIn 2012, a group of local residents volunteered to help with the events delivered as part of the Olympic year.

These form the core of the Waltham Forest Welcomers volunteers, who continue to help at a chosen number of festivals and events each year across the borough, including the Tour de France, when the Grand Départ went through Waltham Forest in 2014. We would not be able to achieve the same level of satisfaction and community engagement without their continued support.

Volunteers also helped at our annual Christmas Dinners for older people, and at the William Morris Gallery and Vestry House Museum, supporting the team with work on the priceless collections, or working front of house to enhance the visitor experience. Some volunteers stay to develop their skills further; others go on to successfully seek employment locally.

A local resident volunteers as the Tour de France passes through the borough.Launch of ‘The Streets’, funded by ACE, on Leyton High Road




Our Built Heritage Waltham Forest blue plaques have been used across the borough to mark a range of noteworthy places, events and people, including Damon Albarn, David Bailey and the late Johnny Dankworth.

Leytonstone Library has been designated as a Grade II* listed building, putting it in the top ten percent of nationally listed buildings. The Walthamstow Greyhound stadium, Manzies Pie and Mash shop and all the war memorials in the borough have been listed in the last five years.

Leyton town centre has recently been designated as a conservation area, with further planned for Lloyd Park and the Bakers Arms.

How will we know that we have been successful?• Waltham Forest will be recognised as the lead outer London borough for arts and culture

• Many more residents and visitors will participate and enjoy the arts and culture offer in Waltham Forest

• Residents of all ages in Leyton, Leytonstone, Chingford and Walthamstow will tell us they know more about, and have the opportunity to participate in arts, heritage and culture in their local neighbourhood

• We will enable local creative organisations and individuals to work in partnership to deliver great arts and culture offer across the borough; they will have better capacity and expertise to deliver a high quality offer, and be more proficient in attracting external funding and support our arts

• We will have brought in more external funding to support out arts, heritage and culture programme

• Local businesses will have benefitted from our arts and culture programme

We will measure this through:• The number of people attending our events

• Surveys across all our events and cultural programme to gain feedback from residents and visitors, and to find out more about who attends our cultural programme

• Feedback from our creative community of artists and practitioners to demonstrate that we are working together more effectively and efficiently

• The level of external funding and partnership support attracted to support delivery of our art, culture and heritage programmes

• Number of local businesses involved with our programmes

• The level of press coverage for our programmes

• More blue plaques to mark heritage sites in the borough

• More investment in arts heritage and culture through our regeneration projects

Damon Albarn with the blue plaque on his former home in Leytonstone

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USEFUL AND BEAUTIFUL32

‘I DO NOT WANT ART FOR A FEW ANY MORE THAN

EDUCATION FOR A FEW OR FREEDOM FOR A FEW.’

William Morris b. Walthamstow 1834

W W W . WA L T H A M F O R E S T . G O V . U K

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