February 2022

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40 Wanstead Village Directory Turf wars At this month’s meeting of the Wanstead Historical Society, historians Mark Gorman and Peter Williams will be explaining the various ways Wanstead Flats has been used for agriculture over the years Farming, market gardening and horticulture in the area around Wanstead Flats has a long history, yet Wanstead Flats today shows few signs of a time when farms and fields made the area an important centre for food production. Today, the allotments, which are dotted around Wanstead and Leytonstone, are the only reminder of this not very distant past. As those farms and fields gave way to housing, allotments became increasingly important to local people to help support themselves. During two world wars, supply shortages increased the significance of local food production and led to allotments springing up on Wanstead Flats itself. Not surprisingly, at the end of each of those wars, allotment holders made determined efforts to keep their green spaces, while the City of London Corporation, which has overall responsibility for the Flats, fought to return them to their former use for recreation and leisure. But the story of the struggle to cultivate the Flats goes back much further. From the time of the Norman invasion in 1066 to the 1800s, this was an area of small villages and farms. Wanstead Flats was, as it is today, a large open space on the southern edge of Epping Forest, but then surrounded only by the villages of Leytonstone, Wanstead and Forest Gate, whose inhabitants used their ancient rights to graze their cattle and collect firewood. This led to frequent disputes with the local landowners, who regarded Wanstead Flats as their property. Change was on the way, as by the early 1800s, London was making its presence felt. Market gardeners were involved in extensive potato cultivation for the London market. The Flats was also the destination for drovers bringing Aldersbrook Farm on the edge of Wanstead Flats, now the site of the City of London Cemetery herds of cattle from all over Britain to fatten up their animals before taking them to Smithfield market. The Rabbits pub on Romford Road was a centre for agents and drivers doing deals for cows. Meanwhile, much of the topsoil of Wanstead Flats was being stripped off and sold to feed the growing demand for pot plants in Victorian London. The Flats was a place of intensive activity. By the 1900s, the large-scale cattle drives were over, killed off by the arrival of the railways. Wanstead Flats, stripped of much of its loam and denuded of many trees, was in a sorry state, and the City of London Corporation, as managers of the Flats and the rest of Epping Forest, set about restoring the area. In this they were helped throughout the next 100 years by the presence of small herds of cattle grazed by farmers from Waltham Cross. Wanstead Flats is no longer the setting for struggles over food production, but the important role it played in feeding both London and the locality deserves to be remembered. Mark and Peter’s talk will take place at Wanstead Library on 7 February from 8pm (visitors: £3). Call 07949 026 212 To advertise, call 020 8819 6645 or visit wnstd.com
February 2022 41 Weald Hall Landscapes Weald Hall Landscapes are experts in Indian Sandstone, Block Paving, Decking, Fencing, Patios and Driveways. We are based in Wanstead and have over 25 years experience in the trade. Working with clients throughout Essex, London and Herts, delivering bespoke solutions on all sizes of driveways and gardens, ranging from urban courtyards to country estates. Our Services include: • All driveways and patios • Indian sandstone paving • Block paving • Fencing • All Brickwork • Turfing • Decking • Garden paths Contact us for more information, or a FREE estimate: M: 07734 107 353 / T: 01992 523830 / wh-landscapes.co.uk Please mention the Wanstead Village Directory when responding to adverts
Page 1 and 2: ISSN 2059-013X Est. 2006 wnstd.com
Page 3 and 4: Contents Features A portrait of our
Page 5 and 6: February 2022 5 Chestnut Manor Care
Page 7 and 8: February 2022 7 Road safety in Wans
Page 9 and 10: * Ballet * Modern * Jazz * Tap * *
Page 11 and 12: February 2022 11 HOKEY COKEY PRODUC
Page 13 and 14: February 2022 13 I CHOSE Some years
Page 15 and 16: February 2022 15 Wednesday 30 th Ma
Page 17 and 18: February 2022 17 Please mention the
Page 19 and 20: February 2022 19 Traditional Crafts
Page 21 and 22: February 2022 21 A portrait of our
Page 23 and 24: February 2022 23 GLENWARD ES TABLIS
Page 25 and 26: February 2022 25 THP Chartered Acco
Page 27 and 28: February 2022 27 Homesdale (Woodfor
Page 29 and 30: February 2022 Lillies OF WANSTEAD F
Page 31 and 32: February 2022 31 PLUMBING SERVICES
Page 33 and 34: February 2022 33 from the Petty Son
Page 35 and 36: page 260219 210x280.qxp 11/03/2019
Page 37 and 38: February 2022 37 East End Atmospher
Page 39: February 2022 39 HEATING “PLUS”
Page 43 and 44: February 2022 43 Edwards Duthie Sha
Page 45 and 46: PROPERTY WORTH? SOLD ASHVILLE ROAD,
Page 47 and 48: February 2022 WVD_Invisalign-lady_1
Page 49 and 50: February 2022 49 Get In Touch. For
Page 51 and 52: February 2022 51 The Queen of my He
Page 53 and 54: February 2022 53 McCarty & Smith Wi
Page 55 and 56: February 2022 55 WANSTEAD LOUGHTON
Page 57 and 58: B February 2022 57 Quality BESPOKE
Page 59 and 60: February 2022 59 Park School for Gi
Page 61 and 62: 4 Oxfam Books & Music Shop Donation
Page 63 and 64: February 2022 MILLBROOK bathroomco
Page 65 and 66: February 2022 65 Doodle too Art Gro
Page 67 and 68: February 2022 67 Get your business
Page 69 and 70: February 2022 69 FULL VIRTUAL APPOI
Page 71 and 72: February 2022 71 1-2 Johnston Road,
Page 73 and 74: February 2022 73 BATHWORKS JULY_©
Page 75 and 76: February 2022 75 Community events B
Page 77 and 78: February 2022 77 THE STRUGGLE TO CU
Page 79 and 80: St Aubyn's School - Savills Essex M
Page 81 and 82: February 2022 81 Nurture Curiosity
Page 83 and 84: February 2022 83 My Dream KITCHEN
Page 85 and 86: February 2022 85 Da Silva Pearce Sc
Page 87 and 88: February 2022 87 Please mention the

February 2022

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