Author Archives: racheltripp

Rachel writes… After housing / homelessness, and of course the dreaded parking, one of the most common things that people contact Seyi and me about in our roles as councillors is about the physical appearance of Forest Gate. Whether that … Continue reading →

Rachel and Seyi write… Occasionally, but regularly, residents email or tweet us with a picture of on-street bicycle parking, usually from Waltham Forest. Normally accompanied by a friendly message saying, roughly paraphrased, ‘How about having this in Newham?’ Now, we … Continue reading →

Rachel writes… At the weekend, the Gospel Oak to Barking Line, sometimes known as the Goblin line, closed temporarily for electrification works. Although we hope that in the long term this will give us a better service, the long closure … Continue reading →

Rachel writes… This coming Friday the 20th of May Space East, a yoga and pilates studio in a railway arch off Cranmer Road, is hosting two fund-raising classes for the Forest Gate Festival. Full details are in the flyer linked above.  Pilates … Continue reading →

On your bike A drop-in evening to find out more about how you can get cycling May the 26th, the Gate, 5.30 – 7.30pm Do you have a bike you never use? Thinking of getting one? Keen to try cycling … Continue reading →

Rachel writes… I have become a composting bore. I should admit before I start that we actually have two composters in our garden. When I think about this harder, I fear that this is because we do more eating than … Continue reading →

Rachel writes… The last few months have seen Maryland’s first Christmas tree, and a burgeoning community group going from strength to strength, to say nothing of a resident-led clear-up campaign. Inspired by Seyi’s efforts, and by the local energy there, … Continue reading →

Rachel writes… We love our small businesses in Forest Gate. But I’ve had a couple of reminders recently about how precarious life can be for the small, independent businesses that we depend on so much, not only for coffee, food, … Continue reading →

Rachel writes… Another quick post to highlight an interesting local event, this time the open day being held by the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque on Upton Lane. You might remember that the mosque held an open morning as part of the Forest … Continue reading →