FROM TINY ACORNS

The daffodils are out, so it must be time to book for our March 18th event. This will be an online event, and it’s very easy to join in. Here is a taster of what will be covered during the evening. Please line up a drink and a piece of cake to enjoy during the evening, as March 18th is someone’s birthday! Whose will be revealed on the night!

The event will explain the history leading up to the parkland and mansion being bought by the council for the people of Ilford and chronicle some of the developments over the years that have created the Valentines Gardens and Park we all love and appreciate so much today!

Meet members of the Redbridge Neighbourhood Team who can tell us about schemes across the borough to promote health and well-being through enjoying and helping improve our open spaces.

The Garden City Redbridge in 1912, then called the Ilford Garden Suburb.

In 1910 a scheme was devised involving the creation of the Ilford Garden Suburb, whereby funds could be raised from the sale of new houses here to purchase parkland for Valentines Park. There was real concern at the “advance of bricks and mortar” at the time and that the rural nature of Ilford could be lost forever. Fortunately due to foresight and investment, Valentines was preserved! Since when it has developed beyond all imagination.

The Cranbrook Square Garden.

Now the Garden City Redbridge Residents Association have a scheme to raise money to improve this little pocket park situated a stones throw from the Bethell Avenue entrance gates to Valentines Park. If you would like to find out more, click here. After all this area was until 1910 part of the Valentines Estate!

Would you like to help? Please email GCRRA@outlook.com

Getting excited at the thought of a bug hotel in The Square!

Line up your questions for the Question and Answer session! Panelists include members of the Ilford Historical Society as well as the Redbridge Neighbourhood Team, residents from the Garden City Redbridge and Friends of Valentines Mansion.