The towpath between Ponders End and the Lea Valley Viaduct continues to be closed between 7.30am and at least 6pm until Friday 15 May 2009. There is a signed diversion.

Pages 99 to 101.

It has been a lovely sunny day on the towpath.

However, I have a report that the  towpath closure between Ponders End and Picketts Lock was not lifted for the Bank holiday weekend as advertised.

There are free photocopied maps in racks at either end of the closure showing the diversion route.

The well-signed diversion is via Meridian Way, Lea Valley leisure Complex and Picketts Lock Lane.

The ‘community relations’ hotline is 0800 021 7890.

More news later I hope.

Pages 99 to 101.

Walk London’s ‘Spring Into Summer’ weekend is at the end of this month.

I shall be leading the ‘Lower Lea Valley’ afternoon walk on Saturday 30 May starting at the very south end of the Lea Valley Walk.

We meet at Limehouse DLR Station at 2pm. The first stop will be the swing bridge in Narrow Street where the Lea Valley Walk starts -or ends. This is where Lea navigation joins the Thames.

Then we go into Limehouse Basin and past St Anne’s Limehouse -a magnificent Hawksmoor church – on our way to the Limehouse Cut.

We shall of course pause at Three Mills before starting to follow the Olympic Park.

If we are able to go up to the viewpoint I shall post the news here the day before.

We shall end after about five miles at Hackney Wick Station. But you can of course drop out at Three Mills where there is the nearby Bromley-by-Bow underground station.

All Walk London walks are free.

For a second weekend The Times has been promoting walking.

It is interesting to read the version on its website where the Lee Valley walk is currently the favourite beating other beautiful parts of the country.

The paper’s Lee Valley example is the very short walk from the towpath at Amwell Walkway Bridge to Great Amwell which was included in the first edition of the Lea Valley Walk guide when diversions were included.

Great Amwell is a lovely village with the New River running running throught it. There is even an island.

The current edition still suggests a diversion although not  a circular walk as in The Times. I know some walkers don’t like missing even a mile of the main path on a long distance route.

Next month teas will probably be available again on Sunday afternoons at the church.

See pages 69 and 71.

A stretch of the Lee Valley towpath in the Enfield area has been closed temporarily for essential electricity works. The overhead electricity transmission line between substations at Waltham Cross, Brimsdown and Tottenham is being refurbished.

The towpath is closed between Ponders End and Lea Valley Viaduct.

The path will reopen for the May Bank Holiday weekend and then be closed until Friday 15 May.

There will be a further closure from Monday 15 June to Friday 10 July.

Pages 99 to 101.

Good news from the Olympics at last.

The 2012 event has led to the announcement of a £2 million dredging programme to improve the water quality of the River Lea between Tottenham Lock and Old Ford Lock.

This stretch of the river often looks dank, covered in weed which confirms the lack of craft. Indeed the poor water quality is obvious. Silt and obstructions are now to be cleared

This water, being near the city and Thames, should be the busiest.

The Environment Agency and British Waterways have joined together to take advantage of a European initiative called the Water Framework Directive.

After the flurry of activity at Bow for the Lansbury 150th anniversary it is a further surprise to find English Heritage recognising the historic spot.

It must be the proximity to the Olympic Park.

EH this week listed a tomb and lavatories at Bow.

The grave is in the churchyard and the toilets are at the churchyard entrance where Gladstone stands above. Last Sunday I noticed the disgraceful condition of the closed WC which the Victorian prime minister seems to be pointing out to passers-by.

The listing details even include bollards in Kit Kat Terrace which is named after a former rector.

The the Tomb of Joseph Dawson is classed Grade II for the following principal reasons:

* Special architectural interest as a high-quality Portland stone monument in the neo-classical style featuring his profile in relief and a draped urn;

* Of historical interest as a monument erected by public subscription to a local philanthropist, commemorated by a powerful epitaph recording his virtues;

* Of group value with St Mary’s Church and other listed buildings and structures.

See pages 116-118.

Bow Church is open this week Monday 23 February to Thursday noon to 4pm for visitors to view a small exhibition marking the 150th anniversary of George Lansbury’s birth.

Lansbury was  a local councillor who became the MP and Leader of the Labour Party. He was a member of the church and his funeral was held there in May 1940. It was a huge occasion attended by famous people.

Yesterday I went to a memorial service held in St Mary’s where Fr Ken Leech was the preacher. This was a very enjoyable occasion with student George Lansbury, great great grandson, present along with descendants from America. There was also the daughter of someone who had sung in the funeral choir and a grandson of someone who had worked alongside Lansbury.

Tributes were paid by Bruce Kent and Professor Bob Holman. The Bishop of Stepney read from the diary of his predecessor Cosmo Gordon Lang who visited Bow.

This was a huge history lesson held on the high ground above the River Lea. Indeed we were sitting in a church which was once the focus of a riverside village at the foot of Bow Bridge, the crossing into London.   

The exhibition includes a copy of the Evening Standard for Friday 10 May 1940 -the day Churchill formed the war government just days before the funeral -which previews Lansbury’s funeral.

This is an opportunity to get inside the church which at present is only open on summer Saturdays. In 2011 the church celebrates its 700th anniversary.

Next Saturday 28 February a George Lansbury History Walk starts at Bow Road Underground Station at 2pm.

See pages 116-117.