From the Archive

How we brought you the news and so much more in 2021

January, Covid has taken its toll in Newham with 33,000 jobs furloughed. Vaccine hesitancy and lack of trust built over decades is high in African, Caribbean and Asian communities making them 2-3 times more likely to die from Covid. Chair of North East London Integrated Care System and the NHS Race and Health Observatory, Gabriel North, appeals to  Newham residents, “come together and save our people.” 

In Bridging our Digital Divide, risks posed by lack of access to technology and devices is highlighted and we look at how forward thinking Maryland Primary School developed strategies to manage this.

A Crunch meeting over fuming residents’ parking protest follows the introduction of the new parking permit system on 6 January. While the Council insists it will improve Newham’s poor air quality, the highest rate in England, over 30 Councillors support residents who consider it a regressive and unfair tax.

Participatory Democracy: why it matters sheds light on the value of being part of the community assembly consultation process .

March-April the Council declares 2021  ‘Newham Year of the Young Person’.  Youth Voices is launched, with an array of editorial content from our newly-formed youth panel.  

An open window on art in lockdown showcases work from local artists and we launch Garden Talk, a new regular gardening column.

May, we go monthly; in Future of NHS at risk after sale of Newham GP practices to US we question the lack of public consultation in a move affecting thousands of patients across four boroughs; Youth Voices reports on the crisis of violent crime in Newham calling for more investment to address the issue after a Second Knife killing follows murder of schoolboy Fares.

June, we shed light on Council plans for new homes starting with 1,000 by the following year; the Clock is ticking for 30,000 on the EU settlement scheme and we remind them to act or risk losing their right to stay; Go Green! Residents vote to make parks and open spaces top priority in the first meeting of the Citizens Assembly, which involves residents meeting locally to decide priorities on how to spend cash from the special £100,000 neighbourhood fund; we witness the spirit of human kindness when Community solidarity raises £40k for the Covid crisis in India.

EU settlement scheme. ©Sylvie Belbouab

July, Carpenters Road Estate is back in the news. Despite the grand vision of 2,500 homes over 15 years, uncertainty remains with only 25 flats out of 430 (between 3 blocks) remaining occupied.  

Alison Steadman opens the Kew Gardens of the East Exhibition in West Ham Park as a celebration of the life and work of botanist Dr John Fothergill. 

Mental health is in focus. In Living a world of difference, Shofa Miah, founder of Ashok’s Vision speaks about her neuro diversity diagnosis, and in Let’s face it, illness is not a taboo, local resident Daphne Stedman, talks about the various conditions she lives with. 

September, we report on life under the Taliban through the experiences of former Afghani residents now living in Newham; In The lasting pain of Coronavirus, Thana Narashiman speaks out about living with long covid and calls for more action to recognise and treat the condition; Summer on the Calais frontline highlights the Forest Gate couple working with refugees,  fixing clothing and repairing bikes; and in Golden sporting moments at Home and Away! Mickey Ambrose celebrates British Olympians in Toyko, and nearer home as West Ham defeat Newcastle 4-2. 

October is a special issue for Black History Month. Stories include black history, racial misconceptions, sports, entertainment, women in business, art and culture; Parks get boost in community project votes as more money is awarded as part of Newham Council’s local democracy programme; resident engagement is expected to see Council tenants benefit from an overhaul of housing services. However, the Closure of City Farm and Stratford Circus, and the pending increase in emissions-based parking fees see many people furious with the Council.

In November we pay tribute to Plaistow born MP David Amess, killed while holding a surgery in Southend; the Alliance for race equality is launched aimed at combatting discrimination and disadvantage; Clean streets will be a priority under a new bid to sweep fly-tippers off the streets; waste recycling will be stepped up.

Shofa Miah

We wrap up the year with more green action. In our campaign for 2022, Newham Voices for Green Action we will share news about how locals are making our air safer, streets cleaner and businesses greener.  

Thank you for your support in 2021. A happy 2022 to all our readers. 


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