London: Street Join us for a photowalk to the Olympic Park

The London Region Volunteers are very pleased to be bringing back our programme of photowalks - see the list for August here. So, in this first of five walks in August, why not join us next Sunday 9th at Stratford to enjoy the cosmopolitan and buzzy atmosphere of the Westfield Centre and the Olympic Park.

Opportunities for photography abound including people, the development of the International Quarter, the 2012 Gardens, the various waterways and of course the former Olympic Stadium. Although it was quite busy when we did our recce today (on the hottest day of the year!), there was still plenty of room for social distancing and to enjoy taking pictures.

This event will be limited to just 8 participants plus two co-hosts and is planned to last for just two hours from 11.00am. Some of you may wish to stay longer and explore part of the Lea Valley Walk or the Jubilee Greenway - or simply take a different route through the park and explore Hackney Wick on your way home:  the choice is, of course, yours!

Our meeting point will be in Endeavour Square on the west side of Westfield Stratford effectively the main entrance to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. David and Judy will be there from about 10.30am intending to set off at 11.00am prompt. Note that it is about a 15-minute walk from the station platforms to the meeting point!  See the Olympic Park map here.

Stratford station has services by Central Line, Jubilee Line, DLR, TfL Rail, London Overground, Greater Anglia and C2C - plus a bus station!  There are refreshment places open for business, even if it's only take out. Facilities are available at the Station and in Westfield.

To sign up for the event and receive more details of where to meet etc., please e-mail David at london@rps.org copied Judy at this email londonweb@rps.org. The 8 places will be allocated strictly on a 'first come, first served' basis, and Judy will run a consolidated waiting list for all five August walks.  Initially, we are asking you to only sign up for your preferred walk.

We are very much looking forward to picking up our programme of photowalks again and to catching up with you: it has been a long time!  We do however have to add some special notes below:

The walk leaders will be following safe practices in line with social distancing guidance and will require participants to do the same. 

In addition to the usual reminders about wearing sensible shoes and being prepared for the weather (be it hot or cold, wet or dry!), please remember face coverings (for public transport and any time spent in shops or stores) and hand sanitisers.  Also most retailers are no longer accepting cash, so make sure you have a contactless payment card with you.

Should government advice change and local lockdowns occur, for example, causing us to cancel the event, we will contact you as soon as we can.  However, please keep alert for any potential changes and contact us if you have doubts as to whether the walk will run as planned, or not.