About the London Borough of Waltham Forest
The London Borough of Waltham Forest is a London borough in north-east London. There are 276,983 people living in the borough, which borders five other London boroughs: Haringey, Haringey West, Hackney, Newham, Redbridge and Essex, which is outside the London area.
As one of the boroughs hosting the London Olympics in 2012, Waltham Forest provides an ongoing legacy to the UK and London through its Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre.
Founded in 1965 from the merger of Leyton, Walthamstow, and Chingford, Waltham Forest takes its name from the institution that managed deer in south-west Essex.
Epping Forest is a remnant of the former Waltham Forest and forms the eastern and northern edge of the borough. Located to the west of the river, its associated marshes and parkland form a green corridor that separates north from east London, and is the historic boundary between Middlesex and Essex along its reservoir-lined reaches.
Early History
As a unit of local government, the Trinovantes tribe ruled the area during the Iron Age and Roman eras. In time, it became part of the Kingdom of the East Saxons, which may have had its roots in the territory of the Trinovantes. When the Kingdom of Essex lost its independence, it became the county of Essex.
Four manors are listed in the Domesday book of 1086, Chingford, Walthamstow, Higham, and Leyton. These parishes became parishes before or after the Domesday survey, and Higham became a parish within Walthamstow. Our understanding of the extent of these local areas today is based on these parishes' relatively stable borders, which are derived from those of later Municipal Boroughs.
Art, Culture and Sport
A former home of the Arts and Crafts Movement under the stewardship of William Morris, Waltham Forest continues to support numerous contemporary artists and art groups. North East London Independent Artists (NELIA) are based at the Changing Room Gallery in Lloyd Park, 491 Gallery in Leytonstone, and a number of independent artists are also based in Leytonstone. Open studios, exhibitions, and events make up the biggest art event in E17, and a similar event is now held in Leytonstone as well. Stuckist movement founder Eamon Everall is also a resident of the borough, where he maintains a studio.
Some of Waltham Forest's musicians have found success in the UK, including East 17, Blazin' Squad, and Indie band Hefner, which was formed in Waltham Forest. As well as being a center of grime music, the borough is also home to a number of grime bands, including More Fire Crew, Lethal Bizzle, and Jammer.
There were many clubs, artists, and DJs in the borough that played an important role in the history of rave culture. One of the seminal tracks in jungle music, "We Are I.E." was created by Lennie de Ice, who grew up and lived in Walthamstow. DJ Rap and MC Navigator also lived in Walthamstow.
There were a number of pirate radio stations broadcasting from tower blocks such as the Cathall Estate in Leytonstone, including Friends FM, Dance FM, and Eruption FM, which were located on Lea Bridge Road in Leyton.
Located on Brisbane Road in Leyton, Leyton Orient F.C. was the local professional football team in 1962–63. The club played in the top tier of English football, the Football League First Division, but is currently playing in League Two, the fourth tier.
In 2020, Truman's Brewery will move to Waltham Forest near Blackhorse Road underground station, which will become a new entertainment hub.
Waltham Forest is the first London Borough of Culture. This award from the Mayor of London ensures that arts and culture are at the heart of our communities. These include Hennography, Polish Jazz London Series, Human Library, E17: My Home, Waltham Forest Cello Fest - "London Borough of Culture meets Classical Music", We're all bats, E17 Designers Winter Night Market, Red Light Busking, Underground Lunchtime Recitals, Forest Uprising, Welcome to the Forest and Fighter Workshops.
London 2012 Olympics
A total of four east London boroughs hosted the 2012 Olympics, including Waltham Forest. Located in Eton Manor, the northern part of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is where events were held. The borough has three Olympic-sized swimming pools, one synchronised swimming pool, and one water polo pool. Athletes trained in these pools.
Eton Manor hosted Wheelchair Tennis events at the Paralympics, with temporary seating for 10,500 spectators.
As part of the Games preparations, the Ministry of Defence identified Fred Wigg Tower's roof as a potential location for surface-to-air missile defences.
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Want to read about another London borough? Check out the London Borough of Wandsworth.