This is the most comprehensive list of local websites and blogs in Waltham Forest at this moment. Our intention is to help residents of WF easily find cultural information and art related communities. We aim to continuously improve this list and for this we ask for your help. A strong community is a community who shares.

→ Quick navigation: Blogs, Websites, Places, Directory.

Blogs

• Walthamstow Dad – A local 3D designer who’s tweeting, blogging and sharing stuff about Walthamstow on his FB page. Good PR to come as a dad
• Martin Greaves – New blog in E17, or as he describes himself on Twitter, “Sharpies and Post-its addict. Uber scuba instructor. BBC Techie. E17er”.
• Lost and Found in E17 – A local blogger blogging his/her way in.
• Truth will Out – Keeping an eye on those in, and those who aspire to, public office in Waltham Forest. We hope it’s not a political tactic to attack one of the parties.
• Padmayogini Blog – see Websites section for his works/shop website.
• Bryn’s so called life – The diary of a youngish doctor living in Walthamstow.
• A girl in Walthamstow – The culinary, literary and artistic adventures of a young woman in E17.
• Save our Stow – A campaign in a blog to save Walthamstow Dogs Stadium.
• Walthamstow Birding – This is a multi-author blog for birders who watch Walthamstow Reservoirs and Marshes. The site contains the latest sightings and collected ramblings from the area.
• Weird Walthamstow – This blog intends to cover anything is Walthamstow that it off the mainstream, underground, cool or just plain weird.
• Fight the Height – Opposition group to the tower block planned for the “Arcade” site (on the corner of High Street and Hoe Street) and to the many other tower blocks planned for Walthamstow.
• St. James’s Street Library Campaign – Campaign started by local people in response to Waltham Forest Council’s closure of St James’ Street Library.
• Walthamstow Scene – A blog about music, culture and community issues in and around Walthamstow, London. The blog started in November 2010 and is written and edited by Nick Bason.
• A Grim North – Musings from a northerner living in the deep south.
• Waltham Forest Cycling Campaign – We work to promote the interests of cyclists in the borough. We also organise rides and other social events, cycle maintenance classes and other events.
• Just a normal girl in London – I’m a Londoner, mother, lover, blogger and have two litle kitties. I once got a big smacker from Jimmy Hill.
• Stella Creasy – Labour and Co-operative MP for Walthamstow. Plenty of useful information about the local life and people. I try to support a range of groups to work with local public services as well as each other for the benefit of our area

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Websites

• McGuffin Film Society – The McGuffin Film & Television Society is a non profit-making fully independent community organisation run by volunteers with a membership of around 1000 local people. The Society is concerned with the promotion of quality film and TV and the preservation of Waltham Forest’s EMD Cinema as an important historical, architectural and cultural landmark.
• E17 ArtTrail – The E17 Art Trail is an artist led project which provides a framework for E17′s and Waltham Forest’s artists and makers to exhibit and promote their work and art practice. Follow their news to find out what’s next.
• Artillery – Artillery is an emerging arts development organisation based in Walthamstow, North East London, established by the creative team behind the E17 Art Trail.
• ArtEast – Creative living from Walthamstow to Whitechapel. Although the worst website in ‘stow they could grow up to have a good community to support them. They do have a blog to save them.
• E17 Designers – Great gifts at reasonable prices-what more could you ask for in our department store of designers, artists and craftspeople… An E17 Designers event is often a social gathering with some live music, cakes (of course), the chance to win a goody bag, and a great way to bag presents for all the family.
• All Star Productions – (nasty flash website) A company in Residence at Ye Olde Rose and Crown Theatre in Walthamstow that produces up to five shows a year there and in other theatres across London.
• E17 Film FEstival – The official website of the International Film Festival in Walthamstow. They sure could use a website facelift before September.
• Waltham Forest Cinema Trust – A not-for-profit company based in Walthamstow, East London. Our aim is to acquire the former EMD / Granada Cinema, a building of outstanding architectural and cultural significance, and restore it as one of the most glorious cinemas in the UK.
• Arts in Waltham Forest – An art listing online service for local events. The website is updated regularly, you might wanna keep an eye on it.
• Apex Arts – the team behind the project above, an independent charitable organisation with an extensive membership which exists to champion the arts in Waltham Forest and also to grant-aid artists.
• Forest Philarmonic – althous they have the second worst website in ‘stow, FP is rated as one of the country’s leading community orchestras. A performance and training orchestra, each string section has a professional leader whose role includes rehearsal and technical advice for the section.
• Padmayogini Forests of Imagination – Local artist working with painting, photography and mixed media; his work is inspired by nature, spirituality and the city scape around and he’s regularly showing his work in both group and solo exhibitions and am involved in the Waltham Forest Arts group, E17 Arts Trail and the Leyton Gallery. See Blogs section above for his blog.
• By Louise – Local artist who designs and hand creates jewellery, homewares and accessories all made from lovely Ceramics! Each unique piece is adorned with vintage prints of nature and flowers once used to decorate your grannies tea set.
• Twinkle Twinkle Jewllery – Something with a little twinkle, a local jewllery online shop. I have been making my own jewellery since I was a child and love designing and making my own pieces of work as much now as I did then. I use a variety of glass beads and to add spectacular sparkle use Swarovski Crystals.
• Jonathan Maker – (nasty flash website) The Walthamstow Dad’s (see in blogs list above) portfolio with interesting images and a shop whre you can buy prints.
• Craft Guerilla – Introducing contemporary art and craft from independent designer makers! Craft Guerrilla select only the brightest and freshest urban designers and indie crafters to bring you the best talent in hand made products.
• Walthams Forest Voluntary Action – We can help you build the capacity of your organisation. We will provide you with advice on your governing documents, funding, recruiting and keeping management committees, and establishing partnerships with the Local Authority.
• Friends of the William Morris Gallery – Become a friend yourself. As a friend of The William Morris Gallery you will be invited to attend events all across the UK where you can meet people with similar interests, learn about Morris and the Arts & Crafts Movement and at the same time.
• The William Morris Gallery – The only public Gallery devoted to William Morris – designer, craftsman, writer, socialist and conservationist – and displays an internationally important collection illustrating his life, achievements and influence. William Morris was born in Walthamstow in 1834. The Gallery is delightfully housed in the 18th Century Water House, Morris’ family home from 1848 to 1856, and set in Lloyd Park in Walthamstow.
• London Forest Choire - The London Forest Choir was established in 1950 in Walthamstow, North East London, and it has been based in that area ever since. With a membership of around 80, we are an eclectic bunch of people who share a common love of choral music.
• CIDA - Although not quite E17, Cultural Industries Development Agency is the place you should go if you’re an artist and need funds or representation.
• 1000 Faces of Walthamstow – A unique collection of portraits of people in E17, celebrating the local area and the rich diversity of people who live, work and visit here. The pictures are all taken locally, mainly in the square or shopping mall.
• Waltham Forest Civic Society – Civic Society members work to improve their local environment, through campaigning, raising awareness, fund raising and taking hands-on action.
• Friends of Lloyd Park – Find information about the Friends Group and find out how you can have your say on the issues that affect the park.
• Walthamstow Memories – A website dedicated to recording the memories of those who were born, arrived, lived, worked or died in the old Essex County Borough of Walthamstow, now part of the London Borough of Waltham Forest.
• Waltham Forest Historical Society – The Walthamstow Antiquarian Society was founded in December 1914. The website aims to promote the study and enjoyment of local history, particularly in the vicinity of Walthamstow.
• Walthamstow War Memorial Project – The website claims to be the most accurate, single source of Walthamstow casualties ever compiled.
• Walthamstow History – A brief history of Walthamstow and surroundings with pictures of other times and lots of memories from its residents.
• Map of the Walthamstow area of London circa 1940
• Walthamstow Dogs – A punters view of the last few months of Walthamstow Dog Stadium, which closed on Saturday 16th August 2008, by by James McCauley.
• Fracis Frith’s – Nostalgic photos, maps, books and memories of Walthamstow.
• Antiscrap – A campaign by local artists and non artists against the attacks on our culture by the local authority. It was formed by local artists when the council announced cuts in the museum service at the William Morris Gallery and the Vestry House museum.
• The Forest Recycling Project – An innovative community business promoting social and environmental justice through practical initiatives to reuse, recycle and reduce waste in East and North London. (Thanks for the paint!)
• The HEET Project – A not-for-profit organisation working in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. We help households and businesses to: Save money on fuel bills / Stay warm & healthy at home / Avoid becoming a victim of burglary or fire / Save energy & cut carbon emissions.
• Walthamstow Now Magazine – A community media project for the Walthamstow area. Distributed direct to homes and via community spaces Walthamstow Now magazine sums up everything that’s best about our corner of London. Although kind of poor in content, too quick to jump into advertising incomes and not quite fairly updated, the project can grow with some quality work and help.
• Waltham Forest Billingual Group – Organised and set up by parents who want to share experiences of raising children bilingually, we are based in East London (Waltham Forest – UK) and we aim to promote and encourage multilingualism.
• Folly & Frill – F&F’s passion is to bring little pieces of history home to Walthamstow with a range of vintage and antique Walthamstow memorabilia.
• Walthamstow & District Photographic Society – We are one of the oldest photographic clubs in London and meet weekly in Walthamstow. Our membership is open to anyone with an interested in photography.
• Screen17 Cinema – Screen 17 is Walthamstow’s microplex cinema, in the heart of the village. Try our evening screenings, Saturday morning Junior Film Club or hire the the cinema for parties. More about the Screen17.
• Friends of Stoneydown Park – A friendly group of local people who all care about our lovely pocket park. We have a variety of play equipment that people can borrow, and we have just been successful in winning funding to help develop a multi use games pitch in the middle of the park.
• Image17 – a collective of photographers based in Waltham Forest who work collaboratively on annual projects.
• The Stow band – Their cross pollination of genres, catchy songs and energetic performances have caused a stir on various stages across London including the prestigious HMV Hammersmith Apollo, Barfly Camden and everything in between.
• Milling Around – A little journalism club at the Mill community centre in Coppermill Lane. It’s just an opportunity for local people to have a go at writing features about things that interest them – mostly with a local flavour

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Places

• Glee 17 Comedy Club- A regular open mic stand up comedy club, with monthly shows at Walthamstow’s premier theatre pub.
• The Soul Bar – (nasty flash website) A vibrant intimate cocktail and DJ bar in Walthamstow that offers the largest choice of wines, spirits and award wining cocktails. You can sometimes take pleasure in jazz-themed evenings and quality music.
• Inky Cuttlefish – Local printmaking studio and organising art events for artists and the local community.
• Ye Olde Rose and Crown Theatre Pub – (nasty flash website) About them here.
• Waltham Forest Arts Club – An arts network and meeting point for creative practitioners across the borough. Members include painters, writers, filmmakers, photographers, musicians and craftspeople and monthly meetings are held in the Red Room at Ye Olde Rose and Crown in Hoe Street, Walthamstow.
• Waltham Forest Fuchsia, Pelargonium and Horticultural Society – Although we primarily grow and show Fuchsia’s and Pelargonium’s (Geranium’s), our members do have great experience at growing many other genus of plants and that is reflected in the speakers that visit our Society. If you need help this is the ideal place to come and learn about horticulture in general.
• Waltham Forest Community Learning & Skills Service – The course finder website of Community Learning and Skills Service (CLaSS), the London Borough of Waltham Forest’s Adult Education and Training provider.
• Walthamstow Village Website – A local community group, drawn primarily, but not exclusively, from residents of the two Conservation Areas making up Walthamstow Village – The Village and Orford Road Conservation Areas.
• The Hornbeam - Named after the locally renowned hornbeam tree, the Hornbeam provides a community cafe, a base for local food and environmental education projects, and a space for people to find out what’s going on locally and how to get involved.
• Walthamstow Amateur Cinevideo Club – The WACC is an active amateur film club based in London. Although originally a cine club, we embrace all new technologies trying anything that will help us have fun making films. We are members of the Institute of Amateur Cinephotography (IAC) and have received a number of awards through inter-club competitions. Have a look around the site and see what we’re about.
• Walthamstow Village – At one time this small area, often referred to as Church End, was the administrative centre of Walthamstow, but now it is a picturesque backwater containing many relics from its past history.
• The Old Monovians Association – A virtual place for those who attended Sir George Monoux School in Walthamstow. History, images, memories and mermership programme.
• News from Nowhere Club – Founded in 1996, fosters fellowship and challenges the commercialisation and isolation of modern life.
• Waltham Forest Oral History Workshop – Started in 1983 and probably the longest-established oral history (spoken history, recorded for posterity) project in London. WFOHW has created eleven publications on aspects of life in this part of London, looking at a changing social landscape as well as some personal stories.
• Blackhorse Action Group – (the first website we came across in ‘stow) News, reviews and attitude in the local scene. A must-follow address if you’re planning to have a second opinion about what’s on the area.
• Wood Street Market – The Market is a unique asset to Walthamstow and is the place for quirky antiques, records, crafts and vintage clothes.

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Directory

• E17 Food and Drink – E17foodanddrink is dedicated to providing independent opinions of the food and drink available in the various and varied restaurants and pubs in E17.
• Waltham Forest Freecylce Group – for all who want to find a new home for reusable items.
• Waltham Forest Women in business – A group of Waltham Forest based companies and those with an interest in the borough. We aim to increase our business locally, increase our local contacts, improve the way we run our businesses and network with like-minded individuals.
• Waltham Forest Leisure and Culture – The official .gov.uk WF online presence with lots of info, including latest local cultural events.
• Walthamstow Village Guide – All about what goes on in and around the area, from comedy nights to life drawing, and the live music scene. You can also find a web directtory of local businesses and education points.
• The Unit List – a job vacancy group maintained by Jude Winstanley. Please note that we are NOT an agency.

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Whe need your contribution to make this list a good reference point for everybody, so please send us any website address you think we’ve missed.

*1 Please note that we don’t intend to create a webdirectory-style list, with every website in Waltham Forest, this is merely an attempt to share a list of valuable websites about arts and intellectual fun in our area. We don’t aim to have a huge list of websites with local shops (as you can see, we’re mostly promoting non-commercial websites), but non-profits, charities and mutual help organizations are most welcomed. Also, we’d be grateful if you’d report any broken links. Thank you!

*2 Compiling this list took us 3 days, if you’re planning to use it please mention this website with link and title. Thanks again!