Estate agents and poetry make a perfect fit
Stroll down Hoe Street in Walthamstow this month and in the estate agents’ windows you’ll find poems amongst the properties.
We blogged about The Walthamstow Poetry Trail which is bringing poetry to the streets as part of the E17 Art Trail (until September 16) before the summer but now it is all and running and has proved to be a big success for all concerned.
Simon Tilsiter, Director of Strettons and a sponsor of the Walthamstow Poetry and E17 Trail said: “The words of 10cc ‘Art for art’s sake, Money for Gods sake’ might be true in the sometimes surreal art investment market but the E17 Art Trail has brought a breath of fresh air to the local community and shown to those visiting the borough for the first time, perhaps on their way to the Olympic Games, the recently refurbished William Morris museum or the longest street market in Europe, that there is more to E17 than the images often presented of a poor, run down no go area on the east side of London.
“Those who live and work in E17 are aware of the hidden attractions of the locality, ranging from its diverse culture to its quick and easy transport links into London and the edge of Epping Forest. Fortunately, for many E17 residents the area has been affordable for a long time. But events like the E17 Art Trail have provided a showcase for both local art and property and, for us, having been based in E17 for over 80 years, this can only be a good thing by bringing a variety people, including artists, to an area they might previously have turned up their nose at but now might have on their shopping list for their next move.”
Project curator, Penny Rutterford comments: “The aim of the Walthamstow Poetry Trail is to display poems by local writers young and old, including pupils from local schools, in public places where everyone can enjoy them – on their way to work, as they go about their business or do their shopping. This is the second year of the Walthamstow Poetry Trail and the project is made possible by the estate agents of Hoe Street in Walthamstow who give up prime display spaces in their windows for the poems as well as providing sponsorship to produce a printed anthology of the poems.”
Another sponsor and supporter of The Walthamstow Poetry Trail and E17 Art Trail is Winkworth. Director Arona Sarwar said: “We see many artists renting, buying in the area and becoming deeply embedded in the community. As more and more artists move to the area the landscape from which we work changes. Houses feature high design and boast period features with high spec contemporary design attracting buyers of a similar type to the area. The inward investment from such individuals leads to extensions and studios of a high calibre being added to existing premises. The knock on affect is an improvement in prices as demand still outstrips supply in the area. Notably we are finding prices are over 2007 prices in many parts of Walthamstow. We have noted more community projects and networks widening – making it socially more attractive for communities to remain and settle, the E17 Arts Trail is enjoyed by many from young children through to the retired community.”
Useful web sites for more information
Property Search Engine
Independent property news
Zoopla Smart Maps
Property for sale in Walthamstow
www.e17arttrail.co.uk
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