Submitted by: Caramel Quin Higham Hill Hub is an exciting new community space in the heart of Higham Hill. Groups have been using it since September, but […]By wfechoadmin

_MBmrTGwNjxt_cRuDWguphgSib9ZoLpN41zjTTPTDxo Submitted by: Caramel Quin

Higham Hill Hub is an exciting new community space in the heart of Higham Hill. Groups have been using it since September, but the council’s builders were working alongside us for months getting things ship-shape, so 2015 is the year we really open our doors for business.

The Hub is an unusual space, set in the former bowls club on the east side of Higham Hill Park. The club sadly closed its doors shortly after its 90th anniversary due to a shortage of members.

Local charities Waltham Forest Woodcraft Group and the KNI Foundation teamed up with local councillors in the Higham Hill ward to re-open the space and make it available for local groups. We’ve had really positive support from council officers and councillors alike.

Woodcraft volunteers scrubbed the Portakabin to within an inch of its life. KNI installed a sprung floor and floor-to-ceiling mirrors to transform the main hall. Volunteers started work on the garden. Local residents in Higham Hill had a street party and generously donated the proceeds to the Hub. And the Walthamstow Sell or Swap Facebook community donated all sorts of furniture and essentials to help us get up and running.

The space is now very useable. Facilities include a hall, small kitchen, toilets (including disabled toilet) and a meeting room. The hall includes a sprung floor and a cosy corner with a children’s bookshelf. The building is wheelchair accessible and there is also a large, private lawn.

Groups meeting regularly at Higham Hill Hub include StreetJam street dance for ages 6-16, KNI Foundation bereavement service, Woodcraft Folk groups for ages 4-15, Dao Lu tai chi for over 50s and surgeries for local ward councillors. The space can also be booked for community groups or private hire (birthday parties, classes, etc) – ring or email us for more info, or come take a look.

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What’s next? We’re looking for other local charities and groups who’d like to use the space and get involved in developing it. Always with the aim of working with – and serving the needs of – Higham Hill residents.

We have some exciting plans for the space, both indoors and out. Do pop in during our Art Trail sessions (see below) to meet us, see the space and our plans for it, tell us your thoughts and get involved. We want your ideas on what the Hub could be, as well as volunteers to get stuck in doing gardening, DIY, design, admin and more.

Come and meet us – we’re open for the Art Trail

Discover Higham Hill’s new community space, see the plans for the Hub and enjoy work by local artists when we open for E17 Art Trail, Sunday 31st May and Sunday 7th June, 10am–6pm.

On both days we’re hosting We Love Lego, a popular Art Trail event that promises to be great fun for the young and young-at-heart. See some stunning Lego displays and build your own models and minifigs. We’ll supply the bricks, you supply the ideas!

On the 7th we’re also hosting Little Free Library art workshops. Join local artist Kiko Honda-Powell, and Nick Cheshire from the Little Free Library Project, for creative workshops through the day that will help inspire Kiko’s design for a “Little Free Library” for Higham Hill.

Higham Hill Hub, Higham Hill Park, Hecham Close E17 5QT

020 8527 5332

highamhillhub.org.uk/facebook.com/highamhillhub

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