LEYTON: Francis Road Jumble Trail
This month sees the sixth annual Francis Road Jumble Trail (although, actually, it feels like it’s been around longer than that). A day of community fun and active recycling, it’s always a more fabulous day than you might expect. And it’s super friendly, as residents set up stalls in their front gardens and sell jumble or crafts, jam or plants…not to mention some fantastic street food too (don’t miss those stalls). Last year there were over 150 stalls and it was chocka; this year should be even busier now there are no restrictions. Click the map below to be taken to a live one. May 15th, 11am-3pm
STRATFORD: Allegra’s summer roof terrace
We’ve been lucky enough to dine a few times at chef Patrick Powell’s excellent Stratford dining room Allegra (most recently for a piece in Conde Nast Traveller here). And so we’re always interested in what he’s coming up with next. This week saw the launch of the (11,290 ft² wraparound!) terrace and minimal Japanese-influenced garden for the summer season. Despite being rainy, the evening sun still reared its head so we could applaud the sunset over a cocktail and pistachio choux bun or two. If you’ve not been, take the lift up to the seventh floor and gawp at that view, perhaps tucking into something from its wood-burning grill afterwards. With live music on Sundays, the terrace is open from 4pm Wednesday & Thursday and 12pm Friday – Sunday. Follow @allegrarestaurant
LEYTONSTONE: High Road’s outdoor gallery, £2 classes, Filly Brook
From today local photographer Jake Green’s striking outdoor exhibition, ‘Drink My Sweat,’ which traces the journey of coffee, launches across ten sites of billboards, shops and window displays along the High Road. Two major works are right by the Overground station railway bridge (next to the new Mammoth taproom), while pictured below is one on the corner of Michael Road. Read the full feature here.
Meanwhile, on the same stretch is Leytonstone’s new Fitness Hub East London – where all month classes are slashed by twelve quid to just £2. Take your pick from 30 discounted weekly classes (out of a total of 50) from pilates, spin, boot camps and boxercise to kickboxing and kids’ dancing. Read more here.
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A little further north in St John’s Churchyard is the next Makers’ craft Market (tomorrow all day), and if you missed the news about Filly Brook’s new kitchen residency, read this.
FOREST GATE: Forest Gayte Pride is in June
Now in its fifth year, Forest Gayte Pride this summer takes place over three days – 24th, 25th & 26th June (rather than mid-August, as with last year when it clashed with other big Prides like Margate). At this stage the team are looking for volunteers and anyone who can get involved – if that’s you hit them up on Instagram @forestgaytepride – where more details will also be announced soon.
WALTHAMSTOW: Farmers’ Market launches ten new stalls
This weekend long-running Walthamstow Farmers’ Market is celebrating its 15th birthday. Expect exciting produce from fresh trout to Sri Lankan streetfood, micro-greens to Scotch eggs. Find out much more about the market, its history and the new stalls in our feature here. And yep, it’s well and truly asparagus season. @londonfarmers
HACKNEY WICK: Burnt Umber
This brasserie-deli in Hackney Wick feels like something of a calm oasis when all around the craft beer bars are heaving with weekend punters. There’s a natural wine store, coffee shop and groceries too, plus a dining room that’s quite stylish and majors on brunch: on a recent Sunday we enjoyed two medium rare sirloin for just £14 each (a snip these days), plus potato wedges, a salad and a side of brassicas. Best of all was the natural Gamay, £28 drink-in price, as only a tenner corkage is added to bottles. 2 Hepscott Road, E9. Follow @burnt_umber_brasserie
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