Helen Johnston invites residents to help mark five years of fun and fellowship A Walthamstow community centre is launching a summer of celebrations to mark […]By Waltham Forest Echo
Helen Johnston invites residents to help mark five years of fun and fellowship
Children’s art at The Mill
A Walthamstow community centre is launching a summer of celebrations to mark its fifth birthday in style with a big beached-themed birthday party.
On Saturday 9th July from 1.30pm The Mill in Coppermill Lane is inviting all local residents to come and party with them at their Beach Birthday Party. There will be food, a raffle, arts and craft activities for all ages, a photo booth, face painting, and much more. It will be free entry, and everyone is welcome, so bring along sun hats and flower garlands and celebrate South Pacific style!
The Mill was established in 2011 after a successful campaign to retain the closed St James Street Library building for community use. Back in 2010, the building was on the brink of being lost to local people forever. So a group of local residents applied to Nesta’s Neighbourhood Challenge to help keep the building in use as a community hub – somewhere open for everyone to bring their skills and talents, to reach out to their neighbours, and to visit, use and enjoy. The old library building was transformed into a welcoming community space and The Mill was born.
The Mill is now a thriving organisation, offering space for groups to meet, drop in social areas and an active arts programme of exhibitions, events and courses. The Mill does things slightly differently, and does not run services or decide what happens on its premises. All of the groups, events and activities that keep The Mill alive are brought there by local people who want to make something happen in Walthamstow.
The Mill’s volunteer coordinator, Ruth Mitchell, shares why she thinks The Mill is special: “The Mill is a place that keeps your world quite round, and big; it’s a space for people across our community to come and interact.
“There is something for everyone, from knitting and sewing social groups, the children’s art club, language classes, yoga and personal development courses, or you can just drop in for a cup of tea and a chat or a game of cards. People know your name, and are happy to see you when you come.”
The Mill’s Beach Birthday Party runs from 1.30-4.30pm on Saturday 9th July at The Mill, 7-11 Coppermill Lane, Walthamstow. For more information:
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