February 2024 • Vision RCL

Month: February 2024

As Women’s History Month unfolds, Redbridge is gearing up to honour and celebrate the invaluable contributions of women throughout history right up to the present day. This March, join Vision Redbridge Culture & Leisure in paying tribute to the remarkable women who have shaped our world and continue to inspire generations to come.

The Redbridge community is invited to participate in a series of events and activities organised by Vision RCL to commemorate Women’s History Month. This month-long celebration aims to highlight the achievements, equality, and diversity of women.

Event Highlights include:

Special Book Chat – discussions will be based on The Bandit Queens’ by Parini Shroff, longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2023 and a BBC Radio 2 Book Club Pick 2023.

Laugh_Able Comedy Night at Wanstead Library – featuring the best women and new-comers on the London Comedy Circuit

Menopause Awareness Community – a supportive session led by community volunteers at Redbridge Central Library, where you can share your experiences of the menopause in a safe space.

International Women’s Day – meet representatives of a local organisation Walk It Out – passionate about building a better and safer community for women.

Redbridge Libraries have curated a special collection of online resources allowing individuals to further explore and educate themselves on the rich tapestry of women’s history.  The Virtual Library gives library members access to thousands of eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines plus a wealth of information. All you need to do is search Women’s History Month in your chosen platform for a treasury of reading and listening materials.

Vice Chair of Vision Trustees, Catherine Rowan said:

“Women’s History Month is an opportunity for us to reflect on the immense contributions women have made throughout history.

Redbridge residents are encouraged to participate actively in the events and explore the resources available on the dedicated webpage. Together, let’s celebrate the indomitable spirit and resilience of women throughout history, recognising their invaluable role in shaping the world we live in today.”

For more information visit our dedicated webpage for Women’s History Month.

During the Easter period our leisure centres, libraries and other facilities will have different opening hours. Please see the opening hours listed below, or for more information please visit our individual centre pages.
Find out more about your local sport and leisure centre
Find out more about your local library
Find out more about theatre

For more information on our Easter Holiday activities view the Children’s Events page.

Parks & Open Spaces

All of our parks and open spaces remain open as usual.

Theatre & Heritage

Libraries

Sport & Leisure

February half term is just around the corner, and we have a variety of activities and events to keep the little ones busy, from educational and informative workshops to arts and crafts and even sports activities. Vision RCL has you covered no matter what you’re after.

If you need a little help deciding, take a look at our top 5 suggestions.

1.      Sit back and enjoy theatre for the family

This February the Kenneth More Theatre and Redbridge Drama Centre are the place to be.

Are you ready to follow the white rabbit and join us for a dance adventure? Alice in Wonderjam is coming to the Kenneth More Theatre on Thursday 22 and Friday 23 February. This spectacular show celebrates life and dance, as this classic story is retold in a new and captivating way!

Or if you’re looking for something completely different – how about a story of a dog who thinks he’s a ballerina – in Dogs Don’t Do Ballet at Redbridge Drama Centre on Saturday 24 February. This play is based on the original book, follows the story of a dog with a big personality and even bigger dreams, perfect for children of all ages.

Wonka is coming back to the big screen at the Kenneth More Theatre on Tuesday 20 February. This screening of Wonka (2023) follows the origin story of Willy Wonka, a man chock-full of ideas and determined to change to the world one delectable bite at a time.  

If you fancy something more practical, and something a little sweet, join in with our Wonka Workshop at Redbridge Drama Centre on Thursday 22 February. This wonderful workshop gives your child the chance to get involved in imaginative play and movement and features music from Wonka the film.

2.      Splash into Swimming

Our Swimming Crash Courses at Fullwell Cross and Mayfield Leisure Centre are a great way to enhance your child’s swimming ability – whether its learning the basics or developing on pre-existing skills. These crash courses are perfect for young swimmers who want to gain more confidence in the water. Our swimming crash course takes place throughout half term, Monday 19 – Friday 23 February.

3.      Jump onto your bike this Half Term

Redbridge Cycling Centre is hosting a number of cycling sessions for children of all abilities and ages. Our sessions such as Ready Set Ride are ideal for those who are looking to learn the basics of cycling in a short period of time, practicing essential cycling skills throughout the course. Or for those who are already confident in riding but want to learn more – our mountain bike skills sessions are perfect! Enhance your off-road confidence with these sessions.

Each session is different and designed for different levels of cycling. Our cycling sessions are throughout half term, Monday 19 – Friday 23 February.

4.      Head down to Hainault Forest

If your child loves the great outdoors, then Hainault Forest is the perfect place to visit this half term. Our Activity sessions at Hainault Forest are perfect to learn new skills, try out new bushcraft and foraging skills, and to educate your children about the wonders of the forest. Each session has different activities catered for different age groups to suit everyone.

Come along and enjoy the company of our furry friends – Foxburrows Farm at Hainault Forest will also be open throughout the holidays where we have a number of animals waiting to say hello. A visit to Foxburrows farm is free. Check the board on arrival to see what animals are available for the day.  

Children can now enjoy hours of fun at our Outdoor Adventure Play area at Hainault Forest. Kids can enjoy the climbing frame, made from natural wood from the surrounding forest and pop int the visitor centre, and enjoy the family friendly indoor interpretation space.

5.      Visit Redbridge Libraries

Redbridge Libraries is hosting arts and craft sessions this February Half Term, so get creative and try out making your own paper chain or getting creative with designing and colouring activities with our creative community workshop at Redbridge Central Library.

A visit to Redbridge Libraries wouldn’t be complete without storytelling. Join us at Wanstead Library and Gants Hill Library on Wednesday 21 February for Not Yet a Yeti, a story of courage, acceptance and finding yourself,  a fun interactive storytelling session for children aged 4+.

That was our top 5 but there are so many great events throughout this February half term to take part in – take a look at our full programme of events and more details on the events mentioned above on our website.

Find out more about our February Half Term Events
See what’s on this February Half Term at Hainault Forest

This February, residents of Redbridge are gearing up to celebrate LGBT+ History Month with an array of events and activities aimed at fostering inclusivity, understanding, and recognition of the rich history of the LGBT+ community.

Organised by Vision Redbridge Culture and Leisure in partnership with Redbridge Council, Redbridge Rainbow Community, Positive East and Eastside Community Heritage, the month-long celebration aims to highlight the struggles, achievements, and contributions of the LGBT+ community throughout history. This year’s theme, Medicine #UnderTheScope encourages reflection on the lives and work of LGBT healthcare professionals who have made significant contributions to the field of medicine. It will also be a time to examine the health inequalities that LGBT people have experienced historically and still face today. 

The Redbridge Libraries, Heritage & Culture team has curated a compelling line-up of activities including, advice sessions, creative workshops, book events, themed book collections available online and at your local library.

A special Laugh-Able comedy night is also taking place on Wednesday 7 February at Wanstead Library, with a fantastic showcase of LGBT+ acts, featuring Guest MC Alice India and headline act Tik Tok sensation and Essex comedian of the Year 2019. The stage will also be shared with comedians Simon Hall, Victoria Howden, Ted Hill and Martin Dixon! Tickets start at £1.50.

The celebration of LGBT History Month in Redbridge reflects the borough’s dedication to creating an environment where everyone feels accepted and valued, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. As residents unite to commemorate the progress made and acknowledge the work still ahead, Redbridge stands as a shining example of a community that embraces diversity and strives for equality.

View our dedicated LGBT+ History Month page for a full programme of events.

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