On Friday night, the London Borough of Waltham Forest hosted its annual Love Your Borough event. Staff, volunteers and beneficiaries from The Mill were out in force—and we came away with an award!
It was a lovely moment, surrounded by other people who do so much for the borough, as well as a chance to reflect a little on The Mill’s history.
We will turn 5 years old in September—that’s five years since local residents re-opened an abandoned building and put it back in the hands of local people. The people of Walthamstow have decided the best way to make the most of The Mill ever since. It has taken a lot of work, a great deal of good will and buckets of creativity to make that journey a success.
Hopefully the award is another small moment to pause and recognise that it is all very, very worthwhile.
Sixteen of us packed onto the stage to pick up the award and get our moment of fame, but even then I thought that wasn’t enough people. There wasn’t room on that stage for all the people who have made The Mill a success, and there isn’t room to list them all by name here.
It is everyone from the last five years: the founding trustees, the first people who brought their ideas to the charity, volunteers past and present, anyone who has popped in to meet their neighbours or drop off a donation. It is our neighbours who arrive early to put up the bunting when we have a community event, and the local residents who stay late to clear up after an after-school arts class or a drop-in session for people who need advice.
I love The Mill, and I am so proud to have played my small part in its story so far. I hope you are too.
The Arts, Culture and Heritage Award was sponsored by CDS and Kier Environmental. Thank you for supporting the borough!
Russell Hargarve