Forest Recycling Project

Last week was the first time I’d ever been into the Forest Recycling Project (FRP) on Bakers Avenue, near the Bakers Arms. What a cracking find it was too.

FRP is situated next to the Hornbeam Cafe. On first glance it doesn’t look like much, but the place is massive inside and there are all sorts of items available from there. I popped in to see if they would take a TV cabinet which I didn’t need any more. The people who run it were really helpful and came round to pick up the cabinet there and then.

The project was set up in 1989 and I assume it must have been slightly ahead of its time. Anyway, it’s a great place to either donate some good quality items which can be reused, or to pop in and have a rummage around their store. The website is here. I think it’s a bit of a hidden gem in Walthamstow!

Exhibitions at Beautiful Interiors

St Mary's by Hackenbush and Hackenbush

Beautiful Interiors on Orford Road currently has two exhibitions running in the shop. Hackenbush and Hackenbush are displaying an exhibition entitled “Blueprints of Walthamstow”, which started last week. This is described as “dark, funny and subversive”. More details on this are available on the Beautiful Interiors blog here.

Also on display is “Cranes” by Emma Barrett. Emma is a local artist and her blog can be found here. We went down to visit the shop last week and both works are well worth seeing!

The E17 accessory to be seen with this summer

Looking for the perfect accessory for hopping on the Vicky line for a summer stroll in Hyde Park? Jumping on a bus to Epping Forest for a picnic? Or maybe just topping up on your way to Liverpool St? Either way, you will look like the cats whiskers with one of these “I Heart Walthamstow” Oyster card holders.

Yes, this is a shameless plug, but these are cool and all proceeds go to the Walthamstow Film Festival 2011. Available from Beyca Retro Furniture Emporium, 83 Grove Road, E17. Get ’em while they’re hot.

Farewell to The Stow Aquarium

The Stow Aquarium

Sad news to report here. The Stow Aquarium on Queen’s Road is closing down. The shop has been there for over 60 years, but it’s now closing down. We’re gutted about this – the staff were always super-helpful and really friendly. Stow Scene’s own fish (before the little lad went up to fishy heaven) enjoyed a variety of delicious treats from there.

It’s never good when a local independent shop closes in one’s area. I walk past the Stow Aquarium every day on my way to work and I’ll be sad to see it go. They’re selling off their stock so if you want a bargain, I’d get down there this weekend. Stow Scene wishes all the staff there the very best for the future.