September 2021

Contents
Features
Patchwork22–23
Get stuck in 26
Cow-sitting 30
Jokes on U34
Rediscovering art 38–39
A lot to lose42
Rain review48
Cleaner and greener52
Deep roots56–57
Aspire to inspire 62
Endangered in Wanstead66–67
Plan to fail?70
Puzzles & competitions
Mind-bender puzzles 18
Sudoku24
Crossword competition 44
Wanstead anagram 50
Every month
Local news6–8, 10, 12, 14 & 16
Wanstead map60–61
Community events77–80 & 82
Community groups86
Useful numbers88
Index of advertisers90
Contact Us
020 8819 6645
Welcome...
Paddling ankle-deep in cool water. A summer
memory. Or more precisely, two summer
memories: the North Sea lapping over the
golden sands of a Norfolk beach, alongside Great
British summer rain (and drain) water lapping over
our kitchen tiles. I don’t like sand between my toes,
but it’s certainly preferable to the slugs that found
themselves rehomed between our washing machine
and dishwasher as the floodwaters rushed in. We gasped
as our feet got wet, both times: the sea was very cold and
the rainwater was, well, it was very much inside our home.
Some interesting facts about the North Sea. It is more than
600 miles long and 360 miles wide; maximum depth is 2,300 feet.
The average water temperature in summer is 17°C and 6°C in
winter. Wikipedia lists 201 different species of fish that live there.
Some interesting facts about my kitchen. It’s about as long as
the average small kitchen and about as wide too. Floor to ceiling,
the height is fairly standard as well. The average temperature in
summer depends on the weather, and in winter, the thermostat
takes over. Regular inhabitants are a single species of mammal.
In short, I’ve done no research on my kitchen’s vital statistics,
but, barring the occasional washing-up mishap or the weekly
mopping, I do know what the average water depth should
be: zero.
Glibness aside, it’s increasingly well documented that humancaused
climate change has altered the likelihood or
severity of extreme weather events like that
experienced here recently. So, in the fight to
reduce the rise in global temperatures,
we all need to be doing more
than just dipping our toes in
the waters of change.
Lee Marquis, Editor
Calling local residents...
The Wanstead Village Directory proudly supports local
businesses and we encourage you to do the same.
Help us help these businesses by mentioning the
Wanstead Village Directory when responding to adverts.
A note to businesses...
If you are a business based in Wanstead, or if you have a
presence in the local community, we can help you get your
message across to our readers. The deadline for inclusion in
the October 2021 edition is 17 September 2021.
editor@wnstd.com
wnstd.com
@wavidi
wavidi
Wanstead Village Directory
PO Box 2491, Ilford, IG1 8JT
The Wanstead Village Directory is
published monthly with a circulation of
7,000 copies. Of these, 6,000 are delivered
for free to homes and businesses across
Wanstead, Snaresbrook and Aldersbrook.
The remaining copies are available from
local shops. Postal subscriptions are
available from wnstd.com/subscribe
ISSN 2059-013X
Published by Marquis IT Ltd.
Founded in 2006 – and edited until 2010 – by Charlotte
Thompson and Dean McGlinchey.
Marquis IT Ltd cannot be held responsible for any errors
or omissions, or endorse companies, products or services
that appear in this magazine. The views expressed in
feature articles are those of the credited authors and do
not necessarily represent the views of the publisher.
©2021 Marquis IT Ltd All rights reserved. No part of this
publication may be reproduced without prior consent.
Printed by Premier Print Group, 38/40 London Industrial
Park, Eastbury Road, London, E6 6LP.