Posts By: PJG

We are pleased to report the annual opening of the RSA Interpretation Centre as part of London Open House received around 200 visitors on Saturday. An added attraction this year was the last minute inclusion of Film London’s Kino Van, showing historic newsreel footage from around the Enfield area.

The directors would like to thank Ray Tuthill and his volunteers from the Royal Small Arms Factory Apprentices’ Association for manning the Interpretation Centre as well as bringing the story of the Factory to life with their memories of working at the factory.

Date: 23 Oct 2015

Due to media coverage of a Charity Commission Investigation into Enfield Island Village Trust (EIVT) the Board of Trustees of the RSA Trust & Board of Directors of RSA Island Village Limited wish to make clear:

For the avoidance of doubt, RSA Trust and RSA Island Village Ltd are not to be confused with Enfield Island Village Trust, which is a different entity.

Date: 23 Jun 2015

Every Thursday between 9:30 and 12:30 you are welcome to attend the Ordnance Road Library for advice from Enfield Citizens Advice Bureau.

An experienced Adviser is available to provide advice and assistance on enquiry areas including Benefits, Debt, Housing, Employment and Relationship & Family issues.

The Service is funded by The RSA Trust and is available to Residents of the London Borough of Enfield.

Ordnance Road Library
645 Hertford Road, Enfield, EN3 6ND.

Date: 18 Dec 2014

RSA Trust Chairman, Gary Walker, was the proud recipient of an award at the London Leadership and Peace Awards which were held on 10th December 2014 at City Hall.

The London Leadership and Peace Awards celebrate individuals and organisations who make a noticeable difference with their efforts in the capital. The awards ceremony was hosted and arranged by the Peace Alliance, a national charity that focuses on local communities and initiatives aimed at reducing crime.

Gary Walker was presented with the individual award for benevolence by London Mayor Boris Johnson; the award criteria being “An individual who has over the years shown outstanding care, compassion, kindness, sacrifice and commitment for the well-being of others.”

Mr Walker is a local businessman who carried out the regeneration of the Royal Small Arms Factory in Enfield, which generates a surplus which funds The RSA Trust, a charity that he co-founded in 2004, which in the last 10 years has distributed in excess of £4,000,000 to numerous good causes in the north east London vicinity. He also serves on the board of the Enfield Island Youth & Community Trust, which provides support and positive opportunities for young people in and around Enfield Lock & Enfield Island Village.

Mr Walker commented: “Whilst I did not set out to receive this recognition, it is nice to be acknowledged by the London community for the regeneration and charitable work I have done.”

Date: 21 Oct 2014

For Matthew Bourne’s latest production of Lord of the Flies he has been going around the country to find new and local talent to be part of his production. When Lord of the Flies came to Saddler’s Wells in London they asked local organisations if they would like to host a workshop run by Lord of the Flies Ambassadors.

In July 2014 we hosted one of those workshops and 4 young boys were selected to go to further auditions at Saddler’s Wells. From 800 people Tarik Msaouri (18) was selected to be part of the 25 strong cast alongside professional dancers.

Tarik has been attending Enfield Island Village youth Centre since he was 11.

For more information about Tarik and the Lord of the Flies production please click on the following links.

http://www.northlondon-today.co.uk/news.cfm?id=10299&headline=Seamless+leap+from+street+dance+to+ballet+for+teen

http://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/theatre/matthew-bournes-lord-of-the-flies-sadlers-wells–dance-review-games-and-choreographed-larking-about-turn-into-a-footstamping-febrile-tribal-ritual-9787247.html

Date: 13 Nov 2012

In the tradition of the Enfield’s engineering excellence, Metaswitch Networks last week brought the scale model of the Bloodhound Supersonic Car to CHENEL’s Enfield Campus, with the assistance of Chairman of the RSA Trust and EBT Trustee of Metaswitch Networks, Gary Walker, The Bloodhound Supersonic Car is being built to break the Land Speed Record (and the sound barrier), travelling at over 1000 miles per hour. To do this, the car will use a jet engine and a rocket, fuelled by rubber and hair dye.

The jet engine will bring the car up to speed over a 12 mile track in the South African desert. Then the rocket will launch the car to supersonic speeds, breaking the Land Speed Record. Sodium Peroxide (used in most hair dyes) will cause a solid rubber fuel inside the rocket to quickly rot down, producing an explosive blast of heat, water and oxygen. If that wasn’t enough a Cosworth Formula One Engine will power the rocket?s fuel pump and the steering and suspension in the car.

Children and young people from across Enfield, including Enfield Island Village saw the car and were treated to many activities, including making their own balloon rocket powered cars. James Musgrave, of the Enfield Island Youth and Community Trust said of the event “the opportunity to stand next to, get a sense of and experience this car was significant for our children. We often talk and encourage participation in events that raise aspiration, but to experience and experiment with ideas and concepts next the ‘the actual car’ was inspiring for young minds. Experiences like this capture the imagination of our children and give us the opportunity to harness imagination with skills that turn ideas into reality.”

Metaswitch Networks brought the car to Enfield in association Gary Walker to help inspire Enfield?s next generation of engineers and scientists, 22 years after the Royal Small Arms Factory closed its doors. He explained the importance of the project and why it came to Enfield, “We know that the UK has a shortage of Engineers and this will get worse over the next 20 years. Unless we inspire our young people and show them how exciting engineering is, the UK will not be in a position to continue to innovate and do top class engineering. Metaswitch is a world class software engineering company and is proud to bring the Bloodhound to Enfield and help inspire our young people.”

The Bloodhound Supersonic Car will attempt to beat the World Land Speed Record in 2013 and then break 1000mph in 2014.

Since 2001 the RSA Trust has donated around £2,500,000 to good causes in North London and is committed to developing opportunities for young people and their families. As well as sponsoring youth provision on Enfield Island Village from 0-19 years of age, the Trust has sponsored Chingford Model Engineering Club to expand its facilities.

Date: 05 Nov 2012

On Saturday 3rd November Oasis Church and EIYCT ran a family event where we invited families to a ‘jacket-potato’ tea before taking a coach ride into Enfield Town for the annual Scouts Town Fireworks Event.

A whole coach load enjoyed tea together at the Oasis Academy, made even better by some families sharing home-made chilli con carne and bolognaise, before loading up for the short journey to Enfield Town.

The fireworks this year did not disappoint with a lovely long display. We reflected on the return journey that we each go to the fireworks on our own, but it was even better going as a community and sharing the fun of firework night together.

We look forward to another night of fireworks at the Prince of Wales Primary School annual firework display on 9th November.

If you want to find out more about Oasis Church Family Events, you can contact James Musgrave on 07825 087252 or email [email protected].

Date: 02 Nov 2012

It’s A Lot is a musical comedy that is currently being filmed at CONEL’s Tottenham Campus and the famous Broadwater Farm Estate. Femi Oyeniran has not only written the film but is also co-directing it with Darwood Grace and producing it. He says, ‘It?s A Lot is a huge challenge but one that I relish. We wanted to write a British teen comedy that kids and adults will enjoy. It?s a coming of age story with some twists and laughs on the way … I’m thrilled to get started.’

BBC London covered the filming at CONEL, next door to both the Bernie Grant Centre and Tottenham Town Hall. The latter, managed by Lee Valley Estates is now a hub for small businesses and the popular Freedoms Ark Church, and will soon host a regularly updated selection civic objects, courtesy of Bruce Castle Museum, co-curated by the RSA Trust.

Femi and Darwoood’s RSA Trust project, I’m That Guy / Girl, interviewed inspiring young people, who have all succeeded, in spite of incredible adversity in their lives. He also hosts and produces the popular web series, Cut the Chat, also along with Darwood.

Date: 28 Oct 2012

EIYCT hosted a family fun-day at Oasis Academy during with October half-term. We spent the morning on the Community Garden digging, weeding, planting bulbs and exploring the nature trail for things to build into our new insect hotel. Since it launched in Spring 2011, more than 1800 hours of volunteers time has been put into creating a growing space on the garden. Adults and children alike enjoy the fun of being outdoors and the achievement of seeing things grow.

In the afternoon we enjoyed our packed lunches followed by a few hours bouncing on inflatable castles, riding around on didi-cars and playing circle games while parents had a chance to catch up and enjoy a hot drink and relax while the children played.

To find out more about the provision EIYCT has for children and families, contact James Musgrave on [email protected] or call 07825 087252.