Below are details of all activities/events taking place this week which are open to newcomers as well as regulars. Information given includes cost (if any), if booking is required or if you can just drop-in, and who to contact for more information.
But – remember – you don’t have to join an activity. Everyone is welcome at The Mill whenever we are open … 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 browse leaflets, flyers and posters on display to find out what else is going on throughout Waltham Forest. There’s always someone on reception to welcome you and give more information. And there’s always an art exhibition in our ‘living-room’ for everyone to enjoy …
All week (except Monday)
Come along to view the latest exhibition – Wonderful Wetlands – which celebrates the wildlife, history and development of the amazing Walthamstow Wetlands. See works by local artists, and look out for swifts overhead. There are poems and photographs too. For more information click here.
Monday 1 May
The Mill is closed all day, and as this is a Bank Holiday there are no evening yoga classes.
Tuesday 2 May
10am-12pm – Real Coffee @ The Mill – call in for the best (and cheapest) coffee in Walthamstow. Just £1 a cup + free home-made cantucci (almond biscotti).
10am-1pm – Sociable Sewing – Whether you are a beginner, intermediate or an experienced sewer, all are welcome. You can bring your own sewing, patchwork, darning or mending. Learn a new skill, have fun with fabric or just sew in company. An experienced sewer, Hilary, will be on hand for help and advice, and we have sewing machines available if you need them. £1 donation + small costs for materials. For more information, please email
4pm-7pm – Community Acupuncture Clinic – For full details of this low-cost acupuncture clinic click here . Booking is essential.
Wednesday 3 May
1.30pm-2.30pm – Learn Urdu – Asima Baig is a qualified experienced Pakistani Urdu teacher. £1 donation to The Mill. For more information email Asima or ring 07450 282735
4pm-5.30pm – Spanish and French for children – Arno teaches Spanish and French, under licence from the well-recognized language programme “La Jolie Ronde”. His classes are for children 5-7 years and are 30mins long with a maximum of 10 children to ensure they all get the attention they need. Cost: £5.50 per lesson + £20 for activity book and CD The first session is free as a taster. Spanish 4pm-4.30pm, French 4.45pm-5.15pm. If you would like further information or to book a free taster session please contact Arno – call 0784601821, email or visit the website.
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 4 May
9.30am-12pm – 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 by email or ring 0207 2756750
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 email Adele Tinman.
12pm-2pm Asian Women’s Support Group – A group for Asian women to socialise and learn skills. For more information email Amarjit
4pm-5pm – Junior Arts Club – For children of 6+. Each week of five sessions there will be a new approach. It’s best if you can make all sessions but we try to accommodate drop-ins and a few younger children. Children under 8 must be accompanied. Remember – being creative can sometimes be messy! Donation (to The Mill) of £2 per child. Spaces are limited so please book – in person by visiting The Mill, or ring 020 521 3211
5pm-6pm – Pure Pulse Pilates – is a blended fitness concept, using rhythmic pulse-work to engage the body on a cellular and deep tissue level. Incorporates dynamic core concepts (Pilates-based), progressive-resistance training and stretch (yoga-based). Early birds £7 per session, £8.50 ‘on the door’. Click to book online.
Friday 5 May
10.00am-1pm – Knitting Group – 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.
10am-2pm – Community Voices – see Thursday 4 April for details.
2pm-4.15pm – Bongalong – Fun music sessions for under 5s and their carers together: Singing, dancing, make believe and amazing percussion instruments. Bongalong provides opportunity for fun and interactive learning aimed at supporting social, physical, creative and intellectual development. Booking essential to build familiarity and confidence. Cost – classes work out at £5.25 a week. Come for a trial session £5.50, then book for the remaining weeks. To book contact Fiona by email or 07811 460114
Saturday 6 May
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 email Roxana or ring 07709937543.
10am-10.50am and 11am-11.50am – Grow your Own Theatre –In these drama and making classes children aged 3-5 and 6-8 can make something with Sarah and use it to inspire adventures. As sessions are child-led and focused, no two sessions will ever be quite the same. For full details, click here.
11.00am-1pm – Mill Gardening Group – Call in to join the team of volunteers who tend The Mill’s “Secret Garden”. The bluebells and forget-me-nots are in full bloom and summer flowers will not be far behind … To find out more email.
Sunday 7 May
11am-1pm Mill Bike Group – A gentle 2 hour cycle paced well for all ages and abilities to join, exploring the River Lea and surroundings and stopping for a cup of tea. Meet at 11am in front of The Mill, 7-11 Coppermill Lane for departure at 11.15am. For more information contact Katja by email: or ring her on 07799 411 587