17 million people already affected… 

Flood waters are still rising in Pakistan; the area covered to date is larger than the UK. These are the worst floods in many decades, they began a month ago with the rain hammering the country’s northwest region, over 1,600 people have died and the floods are affecting over 17 million people with 1.2 million houses being destroyed, leaving an estimated 8 million people homeless. The waters are now spreading through the rice-growing belt in Sindh province, 4.25 million acres of land and crops have been destroyed or extensively damaged. The scale of the disaster is overtaking the relief efforts and more aid is needed urgently to help the millions of people affected.Please donate to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s Pakistan Floods Appeal by clicking here or by phone on 0370 60 60 900.

When notified that the Council is negotiating to lease Drapers Field to the Olympic Authority for a year and a half, Sport England, the body concerned with encouraging sporting activities across England, were concerned that Leyton would lose its valuable sports area before and during the Olympics.

Only ten years ago the National Lottery Sports Fund awarded nearly a million pounds to build the all weather sports pitch and changing rooms.  This along with another £500,000 from the Council made Drapers Field a valuable sports and leisure facility for local people.  Another £132,000 was spent on the Drama and Music Centre.

To tarmac or concrete over this for use by the Olympic Authority for an Olympic Village holding area for provisions, or a rumoured car park, will be a disaster for local people, schools and sports clubs.  Over 9,000 people a month use Drapers Field, making it one of the best used sports facilities in the borough. 

Cllr. Bob Sullivan is due to meet representitives of Sport England to discuss the loss of Drapers Field and who may be able to stop the Labour councillors hare-brained scheme.

An update from the meeting will follow soon.

If you would like to help in our campaign to keep Drapers Field, then please sign our on-line petition at:   http://ourcampaign.org.uk/DrapersField

If you live in Leyton Ward you will have had this delivered free to your door by local people, but if you have not seen it then click on this :  Leyton Focus Newsletter No 321

If you would like to help us in delivering Focus in your road or area then give me – Bob Sullivan – a ring on 0202 8556 8335

The Focus Team is trying to get a ‘No Through Road’ sign put up at the entrance to Crescent Road, off Church Road, as large lorries attempt to use it as a cut through, only to find it difficult to turn round when they realise it is a cul-de-sac.

The Team is also trying to get a new sign for Goldsmith Road, at the junction with Park Road, as the sign appears to have been taken.

Councillor Bob Sullivan is pressing the Council to investigate making Windsor Road one-way.

This road is too narrow for cars to pass each other which causes angry scenes and hooting as vehicles refuse to reverse.

We will keep you updated on progress.