Here are full details of activities and events taking place this week which are open to newcomers. Details include cost (if any) and if you can drop-in or if booking is required. But – remember, you don’t have to join in an activity. The Mill is Walthamstow’s ‘living room’ and everyone is welcome Tuesday-Friday from 10am-6pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 10am-2pm. You can borrow a book from the honesty library, bring your little ones to enjoy all the toys in the playroom, make a cuppa and have a chat – and we also have leaflets, flyers and posters on display so you can find out what else is going on throughout Waltham Forest.
All week – except Monday
On Tuesday to Friday, and on Saturday and Sunday you can view the exhibition on the walls of the living-room – Tales From the Marsh which unearths the magnetic pull of Walthamstow and Leyton Marshes in this collage of local people’s narratives, reminiscence, poetry, artwork and photographs. The exhibition will continue until early December.
Monday 21 November
9.30am-11am – Discussion on air pollution for parents – Air pollution is a huge problem in London and lots of parents in Walthamstow are worried about how it’s affecting their children. Greenpeace are keen to meet with parents, listen to concerns and find out what you want done about it. If you’re free on Monday morning then please contact Deborah O’Dowd by email and let her know you’re interested in attending. It will be a friendly, open discussion with tea and cake – and children are welcome.
6pm-7pm – Gentle Yoga – Learn some gentle healing poses and relaxation techniques, which you can also do safely at home. For more information and to book your place send an email to Josetta.
7pm-8.30pm – Ashtanga Yoga – This class is also led by Josetta who specialises in teaching beginners this dynamic style of yoga, but all levels are catered for.. For more information and to book your place send an email to Josetta.
7pm-9pm – Make Your Mark –A life drawing course for all abilities. A relaxed approach will allow you to develop at your own pace and explore your own ‘ways of seeing.’ Paper, pencils ,charcoal and pens are supplied, however, having an A3 sketchbook is advisable. The classes alternate between The Chequers pub (Walthamstow High Street) and The Mill. For full details – including cost – and to book your place please contact the tutor by email Jason Hawkridge or by ringing 07786 495005
Tuesday 22 November
4pm-7pm – Community Acupuncture Clinic – This community clinic offers low cost, professional acupuncture treatments making treatments affordable to everyone . Patients receive treatments in small groups in reclining chairs or on massage tables distributed in the same room. You decide what you can afford on a sliding scale between £20-£40. No income verification or questions asked. Bookings are by appointment only and there are limited spaces, so to book visit the website or ring 07809211013.
6pm-8pm – Proposals for street art in St James Street area – artists have been researching and developing ideas of what could be done to enhance various walls around the St James Street Area. At this drop-in event you can see a display of their ideas and leave your thoughts. This is a St James Street Big Local initiative.
7pm-9pm – English for Beginners and Improvers – General English classes for beginners and elementary level, working towards IELTS and the ability to communicate clearly and effectively. The focus is on developing all aspects of the English language including speaking, listening, reading and writing. The syllabus for each lesson is based on a course book, following two well known systems at the same time. The groups are small and students participate as much as possible, working on their own, in groups and as a whole class. The majority of the students are Bulgarians but any other nationality is more than welcome. The classes are a maximum of 10 students and there is a fee. For more information – including details of the cost – email or ring 0778603876.
7.30pm-8.30pm – Waltham Forest Echo Community Social Event – The Waltham Forest Echo would like you to join in celebrating a year of local news, features, interviews and comment articles written by and for the Waltham Forest community. At this social event we will decide the winner of our inaugural Waltham Forest Echo Article of the Year Award, offer everyone the chance to make suggestions for improving the paper and, most importantly, provide some free food and drink as a thank you to our readers, contributors and members! For more information go to Facebook.
7.30pm-8.30pm – Yoga for Cyclists – This yoga course is geared toward the cyclist continues. The 1 hour classes are recommended as a course, though drop ins are also welcome (space dependent). To find out more emaill Vicky at yogainthestow@gmail.com
Wednesday 23 November
10am-2pm – Capable Communities – This free skills-sharing workshop by women on our Community Voices programme will give ESOL learners who live locally a chance to showcase their skills to the local community. Activities include: Healthy food essential oil advise hair styling and African braiding massage knitting / crochet demonstrations make up and nails – floral designs. Donations are welcome and all monies raised will go to UNICEF. For more details please contact Hilary on 0207 2756750
12pm-2pm – Laughter Club – Meets weekly and is for people to socialise and make new friends and enjoy pleasant company. Set up originally for people who are on employment support allowance on the work programme with SEETEC, but others are welcome. For more information email.
6.30pm-8pm – Knitting Drop-In – Suitable for experienced knitters or the complete beginner. Support and teaching where required. Everyone welcome for £1 donation. For more information email – or just come along.
Thursday 24 November
12pm-1.30pm – Words, Conversation and Scrabble group – Come along to gain confidence in spoken English, or simply if you enjoy a good game of Scrabble to help improve your vocabulary. All nationalities welcome. For more information contact Adele Tinman: tinman.adele@yahoo.com
12pm-2pm Asian Women’s Support Group – A group for Asian women to socialise and learn skills. For more information contact Amarjit: amarjit786@hotmail.co.uk
2pm-3.15pm – Rhythm, Rhyme and Drumming Stories for
Babies and Toddlers. Weekly music and storytelling sessions for parents, babies and toddlers, including 
nursery rhymes and stories. A relaxing and fun environment for parents and small children to interact together and engage musically with song and stories. Cost: drop-in £7 per session (reduction available for multiple session booking). For more information, email Amie McBye: or ring 07751 717120
4pm-5.30pm –Junior Art Club – These after-school sessions are for young people aged 6+ who want to have fun making art. There are limited places so, please, click here for more information about how to book.
7pm-9pm – English for Beginners and Improvers – see above – Tuesday 22 November – for details.
7.15pm-9pm – Singing Class – Have you ever wanted to join a singing class but felt too scared? Then this is the perfect class for you! Come and enjoy some deeply nourishing singing in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. No auditions or music theory needed. All levels welcome. Perfect environment for complete beginners. All songs are taught by ear. No need to book – just turn up! Classes are £9 / £7 (concs) per session and further discounts are available. .For more information email Ania: or visit website.
Friday 25 November
10.00am-1pm – Knitting Group – Suitable for experienced knitters or the complete beginner. Support and teaching where required. Everyone welcome for £1 donation. For more information email – or just come along.
10am-2pm – Community Voices – A programme of ESOL, aimed at migrant women of all backgrounds who want to integrate into their community, train as a volunteer, run local community events and gain an ESOL speaking qualification. The level is intermediate, Entry 3/Level 1. For more details please contact Hilary on 0207 2756750
1.30pm-2.30pm – Learn Urdu – Asima Baig is a qualified experienced Pakistani Urdu teacher. £1 donation to The Mill. For more information email: asima76baig@yahoo.co.uk or ring 07450 282735
Saturday 26 November
10am – 11am – Spanish for you … Español para usted. Classes run by a native Spanish speaker for beginners and improvers (of any age) The cost is £6 per session (6 week term payable in advance). You are welcome to come along to a class and try it out. For more information or to enrol please contact: Roxana – 07709937543 – roxanaspanish@yahoo.co.uk
10am-12.30pm – Pop-up Pottery – Join us for a morning of festive fun at our pop up pottery. Learn three fantastic pottery painting techniques and create two unique ceramic pieces to take home. Choose to decorate either a mug or a bowl plus a bauble. Pieces will be glazed and fired and you can collect them up to a week later. Children of 6+ welcomed. Cost: £10 payable in advance; includes all materials and all proceeds will go to The Mill. Maximum of 10 participants, and booking is essential – please email or call 020 8521 3211.
10am-1 pm – Baby signing training session for parents and carers of babies and toddlers – Using signs can alleviate a baby’s frustration and avoids the need for the baby to be totally dependent on crying or pointing to communicate their needs and wishes. Signing also provides visual clues which support babies’ understanding of speech. It will really help you in your day to day work with pre-verbal children. Cost £40 – includes certificate of attendance and pack containing all 150 signs taught. Booking essential – please email.
Sunday 27 November
10am-1pm – Mill Radio – A small group that meets at the Mill to make recorded programmes for podcast (distribution on the Internet) and distribution by means of free CDs at the Mill reception desk. Our aim is to explore issues that matter to local people, give a platform to local creative talent and engage in informal chat about our lives, interests and opinions. Please check out our past programmes at Millradio.com and join us to make new ones. For more information email Adele.