May 2025

ISSN 2059-013X

Est. 2006

McCarty & Smith

wnstd.com Issue No: 231

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INSIDE: VE Day anniversary events • May Music Festival • Local theatre • Wanstead Park update

Community groups • Local events • Useful numbers • Directory of local businesses

Independent directory of businesses, news and events in Wanstead, Snaresbrook and Aldersbrook

2

Wanstead Village Directory

Holiday Activities

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Contents

Features

Wanstead’s war ....................................18–19

Reverend reflections ................................22

Community takes flight ........................ 26

Estate of confusion .................................. 30

Preserving the park ..................................34

In good company ..................................... 38

Carrots and concerts ..............................46

Printed petals ....................................... 50–51

Roll with it ..................................................... 54

Pressures and pride ................................. 58

Park life .................................................... 62–63

Walk this way ...............................................66

Listen and learn ..........................................70

Puzzles & competitions

Sudoku ............................................................ 28

Crossword competition .........................42

Every month

Local news ................................................6–12

Community events ................75–78 & 80

Community groups ................................. 82

Useful numbers .........................................84

Index of advertisers .................................86

Contact Us

020 8819 6645

Welcome...

to a victory worth remembering

“My dear friends, this is your hour. This is not victory of a party

or of any class. It’s a victory of the great British nation as a whole.

We were the first, in this ancient island, to draw the sword

against tyranny.” Sir Winston Churchill

“I remember lines of unknown people linking arms and walking

down Whitehall, and all of us were swept along by tides of

happiness and relief.” Queen Elizabeth II

“Humility must always be the portion of any man who receives

acclaim earned in the blood of his followers and the sacrifices of

his friends.” Dwight D Eisenhower

“Every soldier must know, before he goes into battle, how the

little battle he is to fight fits into the larger picture, and how

the success of his fighting will influence the battle as a whole.”

Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery

“We have known the bitterness of defeat and the exultation of

triumph, and from both we have learned there can be no turning

back. We must go forward to preserve in peace what we won

in war.” General Douglas MacArthur

“We shall have failed, and the blood of our dearest will have

flowed in vain, if the victory which they died to win does not

lead to a lasting peace, founded on justice and established

in goodwill.” King George VI

“Many people laid down their lives in that terrible conflict.

They fought so we could live in peace, at home and abroad. They

died so we could live as free people in a world of free nations.

They risked all so our families and neighbourhoods could be

safe. We should and will remember them.” Queen Elizabeth II

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 June 2025 edition is 16 May 2025.

editor@wnstd.com

wnstd.com

wnstd.com/socials


c/o Wanstead House, 21 The Green, E11 2NT

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.

Printed by Premier Print Group, G02 Lock Studios,

7 Corsican Square, London, E3 3YD

©2025 Marquis IT Ltd All rights reserved. No part of this

publication may be reproduced without prior consent.

4


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May 2025

5

Please mention the Wanstead Village Directory when responding to adverts

6

MP launches petition calling for step-free

access to Snaresbrook station

Calvin Bailey MP has

launched a petition

calling for step-free

access to Snaresbrook

station. “Step-free

access is so important

for our disabled and

elderly residents and

families with young

children. Currently,

people with mobility

challenges struggle to

make quick, everyday

journeys from this

station. Improving

accessibility would not only support these

residents but also boost local businesses by

encouraging more people to visit Wanstead,”

said the Leyton and Wanstead MP. The petition

– which is also gathering personal accounts of

station use – will be presented to TfL and the

VICTORY

As the sirens go off,

We all run for safety.

The gas masks go on,

Many lives could be gone.

As we sit in our Anderson Shelter,

My heart trembles in fear.

A few hours later, the bombs are clear.

Oh, Hitler, you are such a cruel man,

Many people hated your plan.

Fighting here and fighting there,

You really gave people a scare.

Thousands of men risked their lives,

Their families were back home,

And they missed their wives.

Hitler guided Germany into a war,

Which changed the course of history.

Then came along Winston Churchill,

Who led us all to victory!

by

Holly Marquis, aged 11


Mayor of London to show why Snaresbrook is

in urgent need of step-free access. The station

was used for over 1.8m journeys in 2024,

whereas nearby South Woodford station –

which was made step-free in 2019 – facilitated

over 4m journeys. Visit wnstd.com/stepfree

Health inequality

in Redbridge

Redbridge Council is

urgently calling on

men in Redbridge to

prioritise their health.

It follows a report

by the council’s

Public Health Team,

which highlighted

that more men

die prematurely

than women in

the borough. The

top cause of death

was cardiovascular

disease (including

heart disease and

stroke), followed

by cancer and liver

disease. Redbridge

also has the thirdhighest

prevalence of

diabetes in London.

Visit wnstd.com/hlth

Calvin Bailey MP

Council calls for

gambling reform

Redbridge Council

has joined over

30 other local

authorities across

the country in calling

for urgent reform

of gambling laws,

citing concerns over

the number of slot

machine and betting

shops opening on

high streets. “This

follows the council

agreeing a crossparty

motion at the

end of March calling

for councils to be

given the power to

reject premise license

applications that

threaten community

welfare and safety,”

said a spokesperson.

© Geoff Wilkinson


May 2025

7

Save the date:

open-air theatre in Wanstead Park

Save the date:

Wanstead Festival 2025

Open-air theatre will return to Wanstead

Park this summer. The new season will begin

on 14 June with a performance of The Wind

in the Willows by outdoor theatre company

Illyria. This will be followed by the East

London Shakespeare Festival’s production of

As You Like It on 5 and 6 July. Illyria will then

return with Pride and Prejudice on 22 July and

HMS Pinafore on 8 August. All shows take

place in the park’s Temple enclosure and

attendees are encouraged to bring their own

seating and a picnic. Visit wnstd.com/wp25

Save the date:

Wanstead Wildlife Weekend

This year’s Wanstead Festival will take place

on 14 September. Exhibitors, performers and

caterers are invited to apply to take part in

the annual community event. “This popular

event attracts thousands of people, who

come together to enjoy a fun-filled day on

Christ Church Green. So, don’t miss out on this

great opportunity to showcase your business.

And why not invite your friends and family

to Wanstead for a brilliant day out with great

entertainment?” said a spokesperson for

Vision RCL. Visit wnstd.com/festival

kidzworld

A variety of nature-themed events will be

held in Wanstead Park and on Wanstead

Flats next month as part of the Wren Wildlife

Group’s annual Wanstead Wildlife Weekend.

“There will be a range of activities for all ages

and abilities, including moth trapping, insect

walks, botanical walks and practical and art

activities. A full agenda with more details will

be circulated nearer the time, but save the

date!” said a spokesperson. The two-day series

of free events will take place on 21 and 22 June.

Visit wnstd.com/wren

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8


Proposal to demolish and redevelop

Wanstead High Street site

Wanstead Park’s iconic bluebells are

spreading thanks to pathways

© Geoff Wilkinson

©Stefan Rousseau

A planning application has been submitted

to redevelop two single-storey shops on

Wanstead High Street. The proposal involves

demolishing the existing buildings – currently

home to The Wanstead Barber Shop (1A) and

the now closed Simple ‘n’ Natural shop (3A)

– and replacing them with a development

featuring a ground floor retail unit and three

flats above. Developers say the new building

will complement the surrounding architecture

and will in-fill the gap within the existing

three-storey terrace. Visit wnstd.com/1a3a

Wanstead Park’s annual display of bluebells

attracted thousands of visitors last month.

“The bluebells looked magnificent and

have gradually spread over the years with

a helping hand in the winter from the Wren

Wildlife Group, who maintain the pathways

that protect these delicate plants. Thankfully,

we haven’t noticed any new unwanted paths

being created through the flowers. The stems,

however, look shorter this year, possibly due

to a lack of rain this spring,” said Gill James of

the Friends of Wanstead Parklands.

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Volunteers needed to support

Wanstead Fringe 2025

Graffiti meets nature in Wanstead

Park pump house transformation

Organisers of the Wanstead Fringe are keen

to hear from volunteers to help fill a range

of roles. “The Wanstead Fringe is growing

from an annual festival into a larger arts

organisation. Getting it together takes

cunning and effort from a growing team

of wonderful, enthusiastic people,” said

Fringe founder Giles Wilson. Roles that

currently need to be filled include publicity,

fundraising, business operations and event

stewarding. This year’s Fringe will run from

6 to 27 September. Visit wnstd.com/wf25vol

An artist has transformed the pump house

in Wanstead Park – located between the

Ornamental Water and the River Roding –

with a piece entitled What We Leave Behind.

Inspired by a desire to give back to a muchloved

space, the work unifies old markings

and graffiti with patterns inspired by the park’s

natural features, such as rippling water and

tree woodgrain. “It was interesting to engage

with visitors as I worked and explain my idea

of wanting to meaningfully improve this spot

in the park,” said film and TV artist Alex Glenn.


10


Redbridge Council’s garden waste

collection service resumes

Local resident launches weekly

Zoom chat group for dads

Matt with his

son Henry

Redbridge Council’s free garden waste

collection service resumed last month.

“You can present a maximum of five open

bags or sacks. They must be placed at the

boundary of your property by 6am on your

day of the collection,” said a spokesperson.

The fortnightly service collects grass cuttings,

weeds, plants, dead leaves and twigs. Official

reusable garden waste bags are available to

buy from Wanstead Library (£2 each), although

any open black sack can also be presented for

collection. Visit wnstd.com/gdnwaste

A Wanstead resident has launched a free

weekly Zoom chat group for dads. “As a new

dad myself, I’ve really felt that safe spaces

for dads to talk and grow are missing – so I

wanted to create one,” said Matt Lo, who has

named the group The Dad Table. “No pressure,

no advice-giving, just a space to talk, share a

bit or even just listen in if life’s been feeling a

bit full-on. If you’re a dad juggling a lot or just

need some headspace with others who may

be going through the same thing, you’ll be

made very welcome.” Visit wnstd.com/dads

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Help care for the 70 new trees

planted across Wanstead

Redbridge Council to draw up road

safety plans for Hermon Hill

© Geoff Wilkinson

©Andy Nutter

A total of 70 new trees have been planted

across Wanstead between November 2024 and

March 2025. “The Local Authority Treescapes

Fund made this tree-planting initiative

possible. This fund, dedicated to enhancing

our local environment, has also ensured the

trees will be irrigated for the next three years,”

said a Redbridge Council spokesperson.

While the council’s tree adoption window has

closed, residents are encouraged to help care

for the new trees by watering them during

spring and summer. Visit wnstd.com/tree

Redbridge Council is looking at ways to

improve road safety on Hermon Hill. It follows

multiple collisions in recent years and calls

from residents to address problems with

speeding. “We are pleased to hear the council

will be working on designs to improve road

safety on Hermon Hill and we share residents’

concerns. We have been advocating for road

safety measures for a number of years and

look forward to seeing the draft plans, which

will be subject to consultation with residents,”

said Councillor Jo Blackman.


12


TfL agrees to change W14 bus route

to stop at Woodbine Place

Save Our Local Bus Services campaign

is ‘here for the duration’

© Geoff Wilkinson

Campaigners

outside City Hall

TfL has confirmed the W14 bus will once again

stop at Woodbine Place. “We regularly review

our services according to feedback… We are

now working to change the W14 westbound

service so it stops at Woodbine Place,” said

a spokesperson. It follows TfL’s review of the

W12, W13 and W14 bus routes, which were

restructured last September. The review –

published last month – concludes the services

have not been good enough, with the arrival

of new electric buses in the summer expected

to improve performance. Visit wnstd.com/wr

Windows 10

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Talk to Bob Crabtree

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Email: win10@bobcrabtree.co.uk

Don’t wait until it’s a

Sellers’ market!

Residents are continuing their fight against

the changes made to local bus routes last

September. “We will stand up for residents

until we see the improvements needed,

starting with the W14, now running hourly and

not even stopping at Whipps Cross Hospital

etc… We believe TfL’s decision was based on

profitability rather than residents’ needs…

The struggle continues but we are here for the

duration! Please help by signing the petition,”

said Liz Martins from the Save Our Local Bus

Services campaign. Visit wnstd.com/savebus

Redbridge Council urges Thames

Water to expedite Roding clean-up

Redbridge Council has called on Thames

Water to “prioritise and expedite” remedial

work on sewage outfalls in the River Roding.

Recent monitoring by Thames21 and the River

Roding Trust revealed high levels of E. coli

and intestinal enterococci bacteria, exceeding

safe limits by over 20 times on some parts of

the river, likely due to unauthorised sewage

discharge by Thames Water. At a meeting

in March, the council resolved to maintain

pressure on relevant authorities and continue

to advocate for urgent action.

©The Wub


May 2025

13

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18


Eighty

years

ago

this month,

Wanstead

joined the rest

of the country in

celebrating VE Day.

Amid the jubilation,

Wanstead could also

reflect on a trying time that

had seen residents pushed to their limits.

1

Lane junction of the

High Street. Roughly

500 incendiaries fell

in that area alone,

which destroyed

several buildings,

including two houses

on Grove Road (since

renamed Grosvenor Road) and

a block of flats at the newly built

Shrubbery. Several properties on the

High Street itself were also badly damaged.

By the time war had been declared in

September 1939, Wanstead, like many other

towns across the nation, had been preparing

in case of conflict. The Borough of Wanstead

and Woodford had founded a local Civil

Defence Service in March 1936 and when war

was announced, 43 wardens’ posts, spread

across six districts, were quickly confirmed.

Locations of posts in Wanstead included the

entrance to Wanstead Golf Club, the grounds

of the Weavers’ Almshouses and Nutter Lane,

opposite the junction with Buckingham Road.

Other well-known local sites utilised during

the war included Wanstead High School for

use as a field kitchen, Christ Church Green as

a home for a temporary shelter and Hermon

Hill Methodist Church hall as a rest centre

to provide accommodation for bombed-out

families.

Wardens dashed between these sites night

after night as reports of bombings and fires

were reported to the posts. One of

their most memorable call-outs

occurred in August 1940 when

a British plane crashed in

Hereford Road, bouncing

off two houses before

landing in the road and

sending stray bullets

through nearby walls; the

pilot having baled out

successfully, the sole injury

was sustained by a dog.

5

A week later saw the

commencement of the Blitz and

Wanstead suffered heavily on the

first night, chiefly around the Nightingale

In the meantime, other important measures

were seen to; guardrails were installed at

Eagle Pond to prevent pedestrians falling

in during blackouts, a siren was installed at

Wanstead Police Station to signal the start of

a raid and the all-clear, and Reverend Godwin

Birchenough, rector of the parish, reluctantly

cancelled Wednesday evening services as they

were frequently interrupted by raids.

In the midst of such action on home soil,

countless local residents also received news

of the death of loved ones on active service.

Wanstead residents to die serving their

country included pilot Arthur Lowthian

Barge of the RAF Volunteer Reserve, who,

in April 1943, crashed his plane into

a tree in Wiltshire. Barge’s father,

also named Arthur, was a local

councillor who played a huge role

in civil defence in the borough

throughout the war, at one point

serving as chief warden. A fellow

military casualty was Battle of

Britain pilot David Edward Lloyd,

who passed away in March 1942

when he collided with a Polish

plane over Hayes. Both Barge and

Lloyd, among many other Second

World War military casualties, are

buried in the graveyard at St Mary’s,

Wanstead.

A talk entitled Wanstead at War will take

place at Christ Church on 5 May from

3pm (free; no booking required). For

more information on other local VE Day

anniversary events, visit wnstd.com/ve80


May 2025

19

2

4

3

Wanstead’s War

6

As part of VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations,

local historian Davis Watson will give a talk about the

impact World War Two had on Wanstead

7

1. Wanstead High Street.

2. Rescue workers rest

after a bombing on

Lake House Road on

19 March 1941.

3. The Shrubberies

following bombing

in the early hours of

8 September 1940.

4. Lake House Road

following a bombing

on 19 March 1941.

5. The Hermitage,

Snaresbrook

Road, bombed in

October 1940.

6. Snaresbrook Road.

7. 12–14 Hereford

Road after a

British plane

crashed in

the street on

31 August 1940.

8. Evergreen

House on

Wanstead High

Street following

a bombing on

7 September 1940.

8


20


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22


Reverend Reflections

In the 12th of a series of articles, Revd James Gilder of Wanstead Parish

reflects on the unexpected connection he found between last month’s

Easter celebrations and this month’s VE Day anniversary gatherings

For the last month, my life seems

to have been largely consumed by

preparing either for our Holy Week

and Easter celebrations in the church or for

our VE Day 80th anniversary events in the

town. Aside from a lot of administration,

it wouldn’t initially appear that these two

events have much in common. Yet, as I have

come to think about them both, I have

started to appreciate that in fact, they both

might embody a sense of joy despite a

previous experience of pain.

It is very difficult, 80 years on, to really have

a sense of what the war must have been like

for people day-to-day. With the benefit of

hindsight, we now know, of course, that the

Allies eventually were victorious – and every

picture we see of the Blitz, of rationing, of

D-Day etc, is experienced through the lens

that ‘eventually everything was OK’, that there

was a kind of happy ending and that good

triumphed over evil (although naturally, the

historians of Wanstead would probably say it

was much more complicated than that).

Yet, at the time, such an ending was far from

guaranteed. The Blitz was experienced, not

as something merely to be endured, but as a

very present danger that might have ended

not only in homes destroyed and loss of life

but also in the loss of our entire nation to a

foreign power.

We also see the Easter story in the same way –

ultimately, despite the pain and loss of Good

Friday, we know how the story ends, and it

ends well: with redemption for humanity

in the Resurrection – although I very much

doubt that those who were there on Good

Friday itself were able to see it the same way

as we do now. It must have been a desolate

and painful experience.

Whether one is a person of faith or not, it is

a dismal life indeed if we cannot believe that

there is something of the good in this world

which ultimately has the capacity to triumph

over the bad. Christians believe this is the

hope for us all, and that in effect it has already

happened – that despite the presence of

evil, the good does win out. No doubt this is

a feeling shared in one way or another with

other faiths and those who do not believe

in God.

For many years, it has been the fashion to

question whether such notions of good and

evil are not antiquated. We learn so much

about different places and cultures in the

world and this has led many in the West to

question whether everything is in fact relative.

Who are we to say what is good or not, some

ask? Isn’t that just being judgmental? Yet, I

think that to go down that kind of relativistic

route ultimately gets us nowhere other

than to a place of pain. Indeed, in a world

where much can be bad, we need to know

there is also something that is objectively

good. We need to celebrate the joy despite

experiencing the pain.

For more information on local VE Day

anniversary events, visit wnstd.com/ve80


May 2025

23

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FREE: Just turn up. WAR MEMORIAL 2pm

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Sandra and Janet teach us all to dance like our elegant grandpas and let our

(curled) hair down like our fabulous grannies! No experience necessary. Dressing up encouraged! Licensed

bar and refreshments available. FREE: Just turn up. PARISH HALLS, WANSTEAD PLACE 4pm

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Community takes flight

Wanstead Theatre Co will mark the VE Day anniversary with an

adaptation of a moving wartime play, and in a truly special moment,

the playwright is flying in from New York to see it. Fiona Gordon reports

One of our slogans we like to use

here at Wanstead Theatre Co is

‘for the community, with the help

of the community,’ as since our very first

production we have relied on the kindness

of Wanstead residents and businesses to

lend us their venues, props, costumes and

general expertise. In short, we couldn’t

do our plays without our wonderful

community.

For our fifth production, we knew we wanted

to do something very special for the 80th

anniversary of VE Day. So much is going on in

Wanstead for VE Day, most of it on 5 May to

tie in with the early May Bank Holiday, and we

wanted to be part of it too!

After reading every play written or set on the

Home Front in wartime, we finally narrowed

it down. And once again, our community

stepped in, this time our church community,

who offered us their beautiful buildings to

perform our next show.

The first option – a 1940s farce set in a church

with too many vicars and an escaped Nazi on

the loose – would have been perfect at Christ

Church or Wanstead United Reformed Church,

but we were unable to get the rights. The

second option – a love-letter drama between

a soldier and a girl who have never met –

would have shone under the high-tech lights

at the fantastic and soon-to-be premier

performance space, The Wanstead Curtain in

the old Hermon Hill Methodist church but,

again, the rights were unavailable.

Our final choice, See Rock City – a love story

that follows the lives of ordinary folk left

behind in WWII – was a good choice to

perform at a series of VE Day parties at Our

Lady of Lourdes parish centre, but it wasn’t

American playwright

Arlene Hutton

exactly straightforward. Originally set in

America, we asked for permission to reset

it in England as we felt our community

would be able to see their own parents’ and

grandparents’ lives in the truly universal

characters and story. And, so thrilled is the

award-winning playwright (Arlene Hutton)

with our British adaptation, she has decided to

fly in from New York especially to see it!

Wanting her to see it in its best possible

light, our impossibly wonderful community

has once again stepped into the breach!

Cue, literal, lights, set, action! The Wanstead

Curtain, The Wanstead Fringe, lighting experts

and staging wizards are all helping to turn

the Our Lady of Lourdes parish centre into an

English garden with a fabulous VE Day party in

the interval.

We are so grateful for this support and truly

hope we can fulfil our side of the slogan.

For the community, with the help of the

community has never felt so important.

See Rock City will run at Our Lady of

Lourdes Parish Centre from 5 to 11 May

with a special matinee on VE Day itself

for older community members. For more

information, visit wnstd.com/theatre


May 2025

27


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Estate of Confusion

Kavita Rana from local solicitors Edwards Duthie Shamash explores the

complexities of disputes relating to the right to inheritance after death

and challenges to the validity of wills

Disputes concerning wills and

inheritance can be tricky and

sensitive. When a person dies, their

estate is administered in accordance with

their wishes in the will. If the deceased

does not have a will and dies intestate, the

intestacy rules govern the distribution of

the estate.

There are a number of grounds to contest a

will. One ground considered by the courts

is whether the deceased had the relevant

mental capacity to understand their decisions

at the time the will was signed. A person

making the will must be of ‘sound mind,

memory and understanding’. Dementia and

old age is often a common complaint in

deciding whether the deceased had capacity,

but it is not the only factor. A failure to satisfy

the test could result in the will being invalid.

It is important that any lawyer advising on

the will checks whether the person making

it understands the consequences of their

actions and is of sound mind. If this did not

happen, you may have a claim of negligence

against the professional.

A will can also be overturned for undue

influence. If you feel the deceased was

pressured, forced or coerced into making the

will or the content of it, this may give rise to an

action to declare the will invalid.

If an individual feels they have been

inadequately provided for in a will, this

might result in a claim under the Inheritance

(Provision for Family and Dependants)

Act 1975. The law allows close family members

and dependents to apply to the courts for

reasonable financial provision from the estate

where there is inadequate provision in the

will. Here, the will remains in place but the law

protects individuals in certain circumstances.

The court’s award will depend very much on

the individual facts.

If an individual relied on the deceased’s

assurance of property and acted to his

detriment as a result, the courts have

jurisdiction to enforce the promise and order

the property be transferred from the estate

to the individual, even if the will does not

provide for this.

In the case of Gee vs Gee (2018), the court

found in favour of a son who was cut out of

a promised inheritance of farmland worth in

the region of £8m. John worked on his father’s

farm since the 1970s for low pay and gave

up his own career in reliance on his father’s

promise that he would receive “the lion’s

share” of the farm. Before he died, the father

transferred the asset to his other son, Robert,

in 2014. Despite this, the court awarded John a

52% controlling interest in the farm and a 48%

interest in the land.

Edwards Duthie Shamash is located at

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more information, call 020 8514 9000 or

visit edwardsduthieshamash.co.uk


May 2025

31

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May 2025

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Preserving the park

In the first of a series of articles, Benjamin Murphy, Chairman of the

Epping Forest and Commons Committee, reports on the improvement

projects that will be getting underway in Wanstead Park this summer

Wanstead Park is a Grade II*

Registered Park and Garden and

has been on Historic England’s

Heritage at Risk Register since 2009. In

1954, the Temple and the nearby Grotto

were designated as Grade II listed

buildings, while in 1970 the Wanstead Park

area was designated as a Conservation

Area. The Wanstead Park Conservation Area

was added to the Heritage at Risk Register

in 2010, while the Grotto was separately

added in 2017.

Over the next few months, work will begin on

several heritage and conservation projects in

Wanstead Park as part of our ongoing efforts

to care for this much-loved historic landscape.

Thanks to donations from the Friends of

Wanstead Parklands and Aldersbrook Families

Association, the play area will be getting

a facelift, including new play equipment,

signage and a surfaced path to an accessible

nest swing. During this time, the play area will

need to be closed completely, and we hope to

have the work finished this summer.

As readers may already know, the Grotto is

in need of work to stabilise its structure to

remove it from the Heritage at Risk Register.

This essential work, led by the City of London

Corporation as conservators of Epping Forest,

will also begin this summer and is expected

to continue until the end of the year. Works

will include removing and replacing decayed

bricks and loose pointing and reinstating new

flaunching – the mortar base holding the

chimney stacks in position. From a distance,

these changes might not look like a lot, but

along with a steel frame that will be erected

at the back of the Grotto, they will stabilise

the brickwork and ensure it remains in

good condition.

As outlined in my January article, Wanstead

Park’s British Isles-shaped ‘Map Tree’ has a

pronounced lean toward the Ornamental

Water and exposed roots at the base of the

trunk (see picture). Sadly, these roots are

being damaged from heavy footfall, so, in

the next few weeks, a low fence will be built

around this 200-year-old cedar to help protect

it. The roots not only carry nutrients and water

but anchor the tree firmly in the ground.

Please help us preserve this much-loved

specimen for as long as possible by keeping

off the roots. There remains some optimism

the tree may surprise us and continue for

decades to come, but we are also making

plans to plant a replacement nearby.

There are also several projects underway

to improve the water resilience in the park.

Our new Wanstead Park Projects Officer is

coordinating these to ensure their successful

delivery over the next couple of years. More to

follow on this in a future issue.

Throughout these important conservation

and heritage works, some areas of the Park

may be closed off to visitors, for your safety.

For more information and updates, visit

wnstd.com/colc


May 2025

35

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In good company

From school play to community stage: the Highams Players celebrate

friendship, talent and a love of theatre ahead of their next production

in Wanstead this month. Rina Davison reports

The Highams Players was founded in

1939 by former pupils of Woodford

County High School, known at

that time as Highams School. Two of the

students formed a drama society and had

to search for men for the male parts as it

was an all-girls school! Since those humble

beginnings, our society has grown and we

pride ourselves on being not just members

of a drama society, but friends.

Sue and Howard Walters have been members

since 1988. Sue is Honorary Secretary and has

taken part in many productions over the years.

Howard is Honorary Treasurer and a dab hand

at set building. Without the loyal support of

people like Tony Wright, who has been setting

up our lights and sound for many years, and

Ruth Lisk, who has joined us recently on the

refreshments side (what would Highams

be without our famous free tea, coffee and

biscuits in the interval?), we would not be able

to function!

Our director Dennis Joyce chose Something

to Hide for our next performance because

thrillers are very popular with the Highams

audience, and this is a very good one! In

this suspenseful tale, novelist Howard Holt’s

country home becomes the setting for a dark

crisis when his wife, Karen, arrives late one

night, distraught after accidentally killing

a young woman in a car accident. This will

be Dennis’ eighth production for us and he

is enjoying working with a lovely bunch of

actors, some of whom are joining us for the

first time, while others are of long-standing. I

am one of the more recent members. I joined

in 2023 when I was looking to add some postpandemic

fun to my life!

Like countless others, Si Hussain’s first

experience of acting was at school. Following

a long hiatus, his passion was rekindled when

he joined Highams Players in 2017. We also

have Bobbie Hindman, who joined Highams

Players in 2012 and since then has spent many

a happy evening either treading the boards

or huddled in the prompt corner trying to

keep wayward actors on track! Another of

our regulars is Stephen Aminzade, who has

been involved with Highams for nearly five

years and Something to Hide will be his fifth

play. Returning to the stage for the second

time is Paskell Meal, who attended the

American Academy of Dramatic Arts NYC,

and although she decided to trade in the

professional world of acting for working with

the LEGO group, she is happier than ever.

Joining the cast for the first time is Harry

Brierley, a graduate of East 15 Acting School,

who brings fresh talent and energy to the

stage. He’s joined by fellow newcomer Jessie

Smith, whose passion for theatre began in

early childhood.

Would you like to join us? Whether on stage or

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For more information and to book tickets,

call 020 8924 6987


May 2025

39

l

HIGHAMS

P L A Y E R S

A M A T E U R D R A M A T I C A S S O C I A T I O N

S I N C E

19 3 9

Three Jewish widows who are close friends meet once a month for tea

before going to visit their husbands' graves. However, Ida feels ready

to move on and Lucille wants to play the field while Doris will never get

over losing the man she loves. One day they meet Sam who is visiting

his wife's grave. Will romance blossom and with whom, or will Sam be

dominated by their friend Mildred?

“Join us for this touching, humorous and poignant play set in New York”

DIRECTED BY DENNIS JOYCE

WANSTEAD HOUSE

21 THE GREEN

WANSTEAD

E11 2NT

Wanstead House

21 The Green

Wanstead

E11 2NT

DOORS OPEN 30 MINS

BEFORE CURTAIN UP

8PM THURSDAY 29 MAY

PLEASE NOTE NEW SATURDAY CURTAIN UP TIMES

8pm Thursday & Friday

2.30pm 8PM FRIDAY Saturday 30 matinee MAY

7.30pm Saturday evening

Evenings

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£10 Adults £8 Adults

£5 Children £4 Children

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£10 ADULTS

£5 CHILDREN

INC PROGRAMME &

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Crossword competition

Win two tickets to The Wind in the Willows in Wanstead Park

May 2025

Across

Down

1. Write together (2-6) 1. Rooster (4)

5. Running wild (4) 2. More ventilated (6)

8. Royal dog (5) 3. Trials and ____ (12)

9. More slender (7) 4. Canada’s capital (6)

11. Type of snake (3) 6. Fixed (6)

12. Foolish, stupid (7) 7. Paraffin oil (8)

13. Great ape (7) 10. Question, probe (11)

15. Spread through (7) 13. Index of terms (8)

17. Young pilchard (7) 14. Moon cavity (6)

18. Floor covering (3) 15. Allow, authorise (6)

20. Opposite word (7) 16. Assert, verify (6)

21. Zodiac ram (5) 19. Russian ruler (4)

22. Three feet (4)

23. Banner, ribbon (8)

The prize on offer: two tickets to The Wind

in the Willows in Wanstead Park on 14 June,

courtesy of outdoor theatre company Illyria.

Enter by 21 May 2025:

• Post your solution, name and address to:

Wanstead Village Directory,

c/o Wanstead House, 21 The Green, E11 2NT

• Email your entry (subject line: May 2025) to:

crossword@wnstd.com

One winner will be selected at random from all correct entries received before 5pm on 21 May 2025.

The winner will receive their prize within 7 days of the closing date. Full T&Cs at wnstd.com/tc

Congratulations to Janet Kogan from Clayhall,

who won a £30 voucher for Bare Brew in last issue’s

crossword competition.

April Crossword Solution

F O O D P R O C E S S O R

V R E R T E

C A N A L S A L L I E D

L M P U M A L U

E S C A P E P U B L I C

O C G L E

F A C E T C H A I N

B L V A F

U N F A I R S O L E M N

R I C A R S I A

E V E N T S A D V I S E

A L P V I O

U N D E R S T A N D I N G

May Sudoku Solution

3 2 6 9 5 4 1 8 7

8 1 9 6 2 7 3 5 4

4 7 5 8 1 3 2 6 9

1 5 2 4 7 8 9 3 6

6 4 3 2 9 5 8 7 1

7 9 8 3 6 1 4 2 5

2 6 1 5 8 9 7 4 3

5 3 7 1 4 2 6 9 8

9 8 4 7 3 6 5 1 2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10

13

17

11

12

14 15 16

20 21

22 23

18 19

The Wind

in the Willows

Saturday 14 June

The Temple - Wanstead Park

illyria.co.uk


May 2025

43


2

J

t

F

w

t

c

Save the date

M

A

FREE ENTRY

WANSTEAD

FESTIVAL

6 - 30 MAY 2025

ay Half Term

Sunday 14 September 2025

Christchurch Green, Wanstead

ctivities

oin us for exciting events

his half term!

rom fun activities to educational

orkshops and theatre shows,

here’s always something new for

hildren of all ages.

If you are a local business and want

to take part in this festival, there are

sponsorship packages available.

If you are interested in exhibiting or

the sponsorship packages, contact

Redbridge-Events@visionrcl.org.uk

See all summer activities at

visionrcl.org.uk/kidsevents

vrcl.uk/wansteadfestival

46


Carrots & Concerts

From an organ made 100 years ago to recorders made out of carrots,

the late-spring bank holiday will see the return of the May Music

Festival at St Mary’s Church. Festival director Alison Wells reports

I

am really excited about this year’s

May Music Festival programme, which

features family fun with the London

Vegetable Orchestra, rising stars of the

Royal Opera House’s young artist scheme,

music of the golden age of the guitar and a

celebration of St Mary’s organ.

©Aaron Chown/PA Images

As usual, we’ve tried to combine the best of

local talent with amazing musicians at the

start of their careers. Our own Martin Wheatley

– a member of the St Mary’s congregation

and one of our volunteer organists, as well as

being a leading jazz guitarist in the UK and

abroad – will be leading a concert of popular

music featuring guitars, Hawaiian guitars,

banjos, ukeleles, violin and double bass… and

some singing. And there will also be some

rather more eccentric and fun items in this

year’s programme.

The London Vegetable Orchestra certainly

answers to the eccentric description, and

their event on Saturday 24 May is going to

be lots of fun for all ages; we’ve introduced a

family ticket for that event, which is very good

value. They will be showing us how to make

a recorder out of vegetables – yes, really! We

have lots of peppers and carrots on order!

And if you need any further endorsement

of this event, look no further than the King

himself, who played a carrot recorder with

the London Vegetable Orchestra during a

reception at Windsor Castle last month. Also,

we’re excited that Reuters will be filming this

event for a documentary.

That evening, mezzo-soprano Ellen Pearson

and baritone Sam Hird, who are about to

start their Royal Opera House careers, will be

presenting a lovely recital of songs and duets,

showcasing their talents and their wonderful

communication skills. I am honoured to be

King Charles III plays a carrot with

the London Vegetable Orchestra

accompanying them for this performance.

Both these young singers, graduates of the

Royal College of Music, have already won

several competitions and sung operatic roles,

so don’t miss them – you can say you heard

them here first!

The organ day this year is going to be a little

different in that we are having other local

musicians playing alongside our 100-year-old

pipe organ. Susan FitzGerald will play her

flute, Jane Miller her violin and our multitalented

Rector James Gilder will be bringing

his euphonium. Toby Ward, conductor of

award-winning Ensemble Pro Victoria, will also

give a talk about the changing role of organs –

bringing them out of the organ loft and using

them in film is an idea composers have been

latching on to.

We’ve kept ticket prices the same as last year,

with concessions for under-18s and over-65s.

Season tickets are available too and a bar

will be operating in the churchyard before

concerts and at intervals. We look forward to

seeing you.

The May Music Festival will run from 24 to

26 May. For more information and to book

tickets, visit wnstd.com/may25


May 2025

47

Parish of Wanstead presents the St. Mary’s

MAY MUSIC

FESTIVAL

24th - 26th May 2025

SATURDAY 24TH MAY

London Vegetable

Orchestra event

3.00pm

Come and have a go at making a vegetable

recorder. The LVO will show us how

and then give a short recital. Suitable

for children and families.

Tickets: Adults £15, Concessions £10

Family ticket (2 adults & up to 4 children) £30

Rising stars of

the Royal Opera

7.00pm

The festival is excited to welcome two Jette

Parker Young Artists as they start their career

in opera. Ellen Pearson and Sam Hird give

us a wonderful recital of songs and arias and

duets, with festival director Alison Wells at

the piano. You saw them here first…


SUNDAY 25TH MAY

Organ event

A talk by Toby Ward FRCO on the changing

role of the organ, from church to cinema,

followed by tea and cake, and a recital

given by members of the organ

community in our Parish.

Free admission

WHY NOT BUY A SEASON TICKET

FOR THE WHOLE FESTIVAL

£35/£25

*Concessions are under 18 and over 65

3.00pm

MONDAY 26TH MAY

Wheatley’s Arcadians

present Strings ain’t

what they used to be

Our own Martin Wheatley leads his

group in a presentation of music of

the golden era of the guitar. Expect

banjos, guitars, mandolins, double

basses, violins and singing.

5.00pm



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50


PRINTED PETALS

Local artist Verity Watkins is fascinated by

flowers – including Wanstead Park’s

iconic bluebells – and celebrates their

beauty through screen printing

Over Easter, the bluebells were out

in all their glory in our beautiful

Wanstead Park, and I visited there

most days to enjoy these increasingly rare

and delicate plants. There is nothing like

an ancient woodland glade, in dappled

spring sunshine, with a misty blue

carpet of flowers.

Traditional English bluebells (Hyacinthoides

non-scripta) are defined by their arching stem

and almost violet bells that droop in one

direction, and this is what I’ve tried to capture

in my screen print designs. They are also

known as wood bells, wild hyacinths or fairy

flowers, on account of the fluted bells that

look charmingly like tiny fairy dresses.


May 2025

51

I work on an occasional basis for the learning

department at the Chelsea Physic Garden,

the oldest botanical garden in London which

started in 1673, just after the Great Fire of

London. It gives me ample opportunity to

observe the many plants that come and go

during the seasons and I take a lot of pictures

of these. Sometimes, I scavenge leaves, petals,

nuts and berries from the streets around

Wanstead or Wanstead Park itself. I’ve even

knocked on someone’s door and asked if I can

take a picture of their gorgeous flowers. From

these, I create digital collage images, which I

also turn into designs for cards. Sometimes,

I just sit quietly and look. It’s amazing what

you can see when you truly look; this is what

nature teaches us, to appreciate the small

details of the beautiful plants around us.

Screen printing can be a complex process,

but I choose to do it at home on the kitchen

table, cutting out traditional stencils, which

encourages simplicity. I’ve always been

fascinated by plants and flowers and the

character they have when

distilled into simple

shapes. I use acrylic

paints for their

vibrancy

and work

fairly

large, with anywhere between three and eight

colours per screen print. These days, it’s fairly

easy to recreate the look of screen printing

using digital techniques, but it’s the real-life

inconsistencies that give a screen print its

character and joy. I usually start by intending

10 prints, but after some misaligning or

soggy stencils, I usually end up with about

five originals I am satisfied with. I then scan

the image and create artwork to send to the

printers to create greetings cards.

I have lived in Wanstead for 30 years and

always look forward to the show of bluebells

every year. It used to be a local secret. But

sadly, the rise of social media has led to many

more people coming simply to grab a picture

of themselves with these iconic and joyful

plants. Did you know that a bluebell once

stepped on can take six years to recover? We

all need to be careful to protect the natural

heritage we have, otherwise, sadly, all we will

have left are the pictures.

To view more of Verity’s art and to order

greetings cards, visit wnstd.com/verity


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54


ROLL WITH IT

When Bob Pickett joined Wanstead Bowling Club, it not only filled the

void left by early retirement but also improved his health and provided

a sense of community and new friends

I

had the opportunity to take early

retirement. Very exciting, but the

challenge was to fill the space previously

taken up by work. I’m naturally active, so it

was very important I came up with things

to do to fill my time.

I had also just been diagnosed as pre-diabetic;

taking regular exercise would be an important

part of the lifestyle changes I needed to adopt.

As chance would have it, I glanced at the

noticeboard in my local supermarket. There

was a banner offering the chance to try out

lawn bowls at Wanstead Bowling Club for free.

I had played a few games a number of years

earlier, so I visited their Overton Drive green.

The club members were so welcoming, the

green looked fantastic and bowling was as fun

as I remembered.

I signed up as a member the next day.

Joining the club filled a range of needs.

Bowls is a great, low-intensity sport, helping

to maintain muscle mass, stability and

concentration – it has been proven that

concentrating for long periods helps maintain

good mental health. Playing bowls on top of

swimming brought additional exercise into

my life, an essential part of responding to my

pre-diabetes diagnosis.

After six months, blood tests showed my

haemoglobin levels were normal; I was no

longer pre-diabetic. Playing bowls on a

regular basis (along with positive changes to

my diet and sleep pattern) was definitely a

factor in my improved health.

Joining the club also introduced me to a

group of like-minded people. A number of

social events are held throughout the year;

quizzes, wine tastings, there is a lot to take

part in. You can become as involved as you

want. The club plays in a number of leagues so

there are lots of regular matches. If you don’t

feel ready to play competitive games, there is

a roll-up (series of friendly games with other

members) every Friday afternoon.

I now play in a number of matches throughout

the season and get involved with the social

side, helping to set up events, and I’ve built

a whole new group of friends. I recently took

over as the club’s marketing coordinator,

giving me the chance to promote the club and

introduce others to a great sport and social

scene. The void created by retirement is well

and truly filled!

If you would like to give bowls a try, we are

hosting an open day this month. It’s free; just

bring a pair of flat shoes and wear comfortable

clothes. A cash bar and cream teas will also be

on offer. So, whether you have a void to fill like

me or just want to see what’s on offer, come

and join us for an afternoon on the green.

Wanstead Bowling Club – located on

Overton Drive, E11 2LW (next to the golf

club) – will host an open day on 11 May

from 12 noon to 4pm. Call 07702 075 788


May 2025

55

OPEN DAY

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May 2025

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58


Pressures and Pride

After years of responding to emergencies across East London,

Inspector Nick Sutton is now proud to be part of neighbourhood policing

in Wanstead and all other Redbridge wards north of the A12

After over two decades on the

frontline in East London, I’ve now

stepped into the role of inspector for

Redbridge North. For the past 18 months,

I’ve served as the Acting Chief Inspector for

Redbridge’s emergency response teams,

so I know this borough well; its challenges,

its complexity and most importantly, its

people, both in the community and in the

teams who serve it every day. Taking on

this new neighbourhood role is a genuine

privilege. But I don’t want to use this space

to talk about me – I want to tell you about

the team I’ve joined.

Neighbourhood policing has faced relentless

pressure. Like many other areas, we’ve

been impacted by financial constraints and

frequent abstractions – with officers regularly

redeployed to support emergency response

teams or central London operations. Despite

this, the Redbridge Neighbourhood Police

Teams have stayed focused on what truly

matters: their communities.

They continue to show up, stay visible,

and engage with those they serve. They

solve problems quietly but effectively. They

work with council and housing partners,

tackle antisocial behaviour, engage with

schools and youth groups and remove

dangerous offenders from our streets. They

do all this with limited resources and without

ever seeking the spotlight. That level of

commitment deserves recognition.

My role now is to support and champion their

work. I want to protect their ability to focus

on the issues that matter locally – to give

them the time, tools and encouragement

to continue building trust and delivering

real results. That means enabling their

ideas, reinforcing the impact they make and

Local Neighbourhood

Police Team

ensuring neighbourhood priorities are not

overshadowed by competing demands.

Neighbourhood policing might not always

make headlines, but it’s the foundation

of public confidence. It’s what reassures

residents, prevents harm and creates safer,

more resilient communities. I’ve spent

my whole policing career on the frontline

and seen time and again how strong local

relationships can make the difference in

preventing crime and building lasting trust.

In my first few weeks, I’ve spent time listening

to officers, to partners and to the people we

serve. The message is clear: there’s more to do,

but there’s a strong base to build from. The

challenges are real. But so is the dedication of

this team. They’ve stayed committed, focused

and deeply connected to their communities.

That’s something I’m proud to be part of.

To contact Wanstead Village SNT, call

07766 247 245 or visit wnstd.com/snt

To contact Wanstead Park SNT, call

07769 498 676 or visit wnstd.com/snt

To join the Met’s WhatsApp channel for

Redbridge, visit wnstd.com/rwa

© Geoff Wilkinson


May 2025

59

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May 2025

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62


Park

Life

Sometimes, you

need to make time.

I have been photographing as a hobby

for 18 years on digital, and before that on

film when I was a teenager. I’m a member

of Woodford and Wanstead Photographic

Society and for a few years now, some of

the members have been participating in

an online photography challenge called 52

Frames, which sets a weekly challenge.

As I’m still working, I never thought I would

be able to find the time to get involved with

the challenges. This year, however, I joined

anyway. Surprisingly, I haven’t dropped out

yet or missed a week. I have managed to find

the time. The challenges are varied and push

you into doing things photgraphically that

you may never have tried. Some examples

so far are self-portraits, mood and levitation!

Often, you don’t feel inspired or motivated

straight away.

One particular week in March, all I had to

achieve was a photo with a shallow depth of

field. That usually means a sharp subject with

a blurry background. I’ve shot a lot of sport

before, so that was doable. Then, all that week,

whilst cycling home from work past Alexandra

Lake on Wanstead Flats, there had been geese

and ducks sitting on a spit of land which

appears as the higher water levels of winter

subside. So, that Saturday evening, I grabbed

my camera and telephoto lens and headed to

the lake to get some shots. When

I arrived, all that was there was a

badly placed duck! I almost turned

around but decided to go and have

a closer look. Maybe I could convince

the duck to move? As I got closer, I

was very surprised to see a large Redeared

Terrapin basking in full view.

Who needs geese and ducks? I set up the

camera and tripod, keeping a decent distance.

People passing by were also intrigued. I had a

conversation with a lady who was convinced

it wasn’t real, and another with a guy and his

friends who said they had never seen one in

20 years.

I’m no wildlife expert. However, I do know

that Red-eared Terrapins are not native to the

UK. I briefly looked into it and it seems they

were probably set free in the nineties; people

had them as pets, possibly linked to the

popularity of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.


May 2025

63

In the 14th of a series of articles

featuring wildlife images from

Wanstead Park and Wanstead

Flats, Kevin Wright presents

three images taken as part of a

weekly photo challenge

Apparently, they can be quite easily seen in

the pond in the City of London Cemetery and

also in Wanstead Park. This one must have

been around a while as it was quite big, its

shell being eight to nine inches in length.

While I was there I got some other shots at the

other end of the lake. First, an Egyptian Goose

(bottom photo), which are also non-native

and first established themselves in the London

area in 1990, and later on Wanstead Flats in

2011. My last shot was of a Coot. I know they

are not exotic but they do make a characterful

subject.

I was glad I found the time.

For more information on the Woodford

and Wanstead Photographic Society, visit

wnstd.com/wwps


64


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66


Walk this way

From Wanstead walks to life-changing work, Misha Gondhia shares her

rewarding experience fostering Ralph, a guide dog in training and

future companion to someone living with sight loss

My name is Misha Gondhia, and I am

writing this article to share with

you my journey as a local volunteer

dog fosterer at Guide Dogs.

I love living in Wanstead; it’s the perfect

balance between a city and a small-town feel,

with greenery just steps away from the central

London buzz. Last year, I found out the Guide

Dogs centre in Woodford Green was recruiting

dog fostering volunteers and I was very

happy to discover that Wanstead (being only

15 minutes away from the site) is a key area

in which volunteers are needed. I had always

wanted to foster a guide dog in training, and it

seemed like the perfect time to try, so I made

the leap.

Before starting my role as a dog fosterer, I

completed training and was provided with

lots of important information. I felt supported

in every step of my onboarding journey and I

felt prepared for this rewarding role. The Guide

Dog’s YouTube page also has lots of insightful

videos on the journey of a guide dog, which I

would highly recommend watching.

Ralph, a beautiful Labrador cross Golden

Retriever, came to live with me from July to

September last year. On Mondays, I would

drop Ralph off at the Guide Dogs centre in

the morning and have a chat with the health

team about how Ralph was doing and laugh

about any of his cheeky moments over the

weekend. The local team is lovely and always

answered any questions I had. I’d then collect

Ralph at the end of the day and keep the same

routine for the rest of the week, with evenings

consisting of lots of rest and cuddles.

Ralph was a big fan of both Costa and City

Place coffee shops on Wanstead High Street,

which we would visit on weekends when he

wasn’t in training. As a dog fosterer volunteer,

you still get to do fun things in your free

time, and for me, it was lovely having a dog

accompany me around town.

The first thing people asked me when I told

them I was applying to be a dog fosterer was

how would I be able to give the dog up when

it’s time? It was difficult; a dog comes into

your home and very quickly becomes a part of

the family. There were tears when Ralph left,

but it was time for him to move on and have

a huge positive impact on someone else’s

life. Knowing that I was a part of that journey

really did help.

So many people rely on the services

provided by guide dogs and without people

volunteering, the process will only take

longer. Reminding myself of that and the fact

that I can do something which contributes

to changing someone’s life is incredibly

empowering. I know there will be another

dog on their journey in need of a loving foster

home that I can go on to help next.

For more information about fostering a

guide dog, visit wnstd.com/gdfoster


May 2025

67

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70


Listen and learn

In the 46th of a series of articles, David Bird discusses the work

of Redbridge Music Society and introduces pianist John Paul Ekins,

who will perform at Wanstead Library this month

One of Redbridge Music Society’s key

aims is to promote and celebrate

the work of outstanding younger

musicians. This month, award-winning

pianist John Paul Ekins makes a welcome

return to Wanstead with a recital of music

by Mozart (the well-known piano sonata in

C major K 545), Brahms and Schubert (four

impromptus).

John Paul Ekins is in much demand as a

piano recitalist, concerto soloist and chamber

musician. After graduating from the Royal

College of Music, he went on to obtain a

Master of Performance degree from the

Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He has

performed at many prestigious venues in the

UK and abroad, including the Wigmore Hall,

the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Prague’s Martinu

Hall, Bergen’s Troldhaugen and the Zurich

Tonhalle.

To date, he has won 19 prizes at international

competitions and has received generous

support from organisations such as Making

Music and the Keyboard Charitable Trust.

Highlights of his career so far include

performances of both Rhapsody in Blue and

the Warsaw Concerto at the Royal Albert Hall

and being presented to Her late Majesty

Queen Elizabeth II at a reception for young

performers at Buckingham Palace.

Besides teaching piano at St Paul’s School,

John Paul also undertakes extensive

educational and outreach work via workshops

and master classes. During the Covid-19

lockdown, he raised money for the NHS

and Help Musicians UK via a series of highly

successful online recitals.

Due to his experience as a performer, listener,

thinker and teacher, John Paul has become

increasingly fascinated by the depth and

variety of the human condition and has

allied this fascination to his pianism to

establish a highly personalised approach

to communicating the power of music to

audiences. His approach, which reaches

beyond the scope of most performers, focuses

on the possible stories suggested by each

piece of music he plays, thereby allowing both

performer and listener to explore the deeper

psychological and symbolic threads that are

woven into the fabric of the great musical

compositions. By sharing these stories with

his audiences, John Paul brings classical music

to life in new and exciting ways and provides

audiences with the opportunity to deepen

their musical experience by imagining and

feeling in ways that include both the uniquely

individual and the universal.

This recital rounds off Redbridge Music

Society’s 2024/2025 season and promises to be

an interesting and educative not-to-be-missed

musical event.

The recital will take place at Wanstead

Library on 13 May from 8pm (tickets on

the door; visitors: £12; members: £9). Call

07380 606 767. Redbridge Music Society is

affiliated to Making Music.


May 2025

71

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72


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74


26 - 30 MAY 2025

May Half Term

Activities

Join us for exciting events

this half term!

From fun activities to educational

workshops and theatre shows,

there’s always something new for

children of all ages.




May 2025

75

Community events

CHILDREN’S FUNFAIR

IN WANSTEAD

Date: Saturday 3 to Monday 5 May Time: 11am

Venue: Christ Church Green, Wanstead

MAY

3

What’s happening,

what’s on and where...

Are you organising an event?

Let us know... events@wnstd.com

Please note: all events are

subject to change. Please

check with the relevant

organisers to confirm details.

Booking may be required.

VE DAY ANNIVERSARY:

TEA AND DANCE PARTY

No experience necessary. Dressing up

encouraged! Licensed bar and refreshments

available.

Date: Monday 5 May Time: 4pm

Venue: Christ Church Hall, Wanstead, E11 2SW

Cost: free Enquiries: 020 8530 8743

MAY

5

VE DAY ANNIVERSARY:

SEE ROCK CITY

An adaptation of a moving wartime play by

Wanstead Theatre Co. Matinée on VE Day

(8 May at 2pm) for older community members.

Date: Monday 5 to Sunday 11 May Time: 8pm

Venue: Our Lady of Lourdes, E11 2PR

Cost: £25 Enquiries: wansteadtheatreco.com

MAY

5

SAUGA PLANT

SALE 2025

Hosted by Supporters of Aldersbrook

Uniformed Groups Association (SAUGA).

Date: Saturday 3 May Time: 11am–12.30pm

Cost: free entry Venue: St Gabriel’s Church hall

MAY

3

WANSTEAD

COMMUNITY MARKET

Date: Sunday 4 May Time: 10am–4pm

Venue: Wanstead High Street

MAY

4

VE DAY ANNIVERSARY:

ACT OF REMEMBRANCE


Venue: Wanstead War Memorial, High Street

MAY

5

VE DAY ANNIVERSARY:

WANSTEAD AT WAR

A talk by local historian Davis Watson.


Venue: Christ Church, Wanstead Place, E11 2SW


MAY

5

WANSTEAD

BUSINESS BUZZ

Face-to-face, drop-in business networking.

Date: Tuesday 6 May Time: 10am–12pm

Venue: The Cuckfield, 31 High Street, Wanstead

Cost: £12 Enquiries: wnstd.com/buzz

MAY

6

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT,

GOT THE SYMPTOMS

An inspiring story of a group of people with

Parkinson’s and friends, using comedy theatre

to break down barriers.

Date: Wednesday 7 May Time: 6.30–7.30pm

Venue: Wanstead Library, Spratt Hall Road

Cost: pay what you can Enquiries: wnstd.com/lgh5

MAY

7

WANSTEAD

MAN CAVE

A donation-based peer support space for

men held at Wanstead Mental Health Clinic.

Repeats weekly.

Date: Wednesday 7 May Time: 7pm

Venue: 11–13 Cambridge Park, Wanstead, E11 2PU

Cost: by donation Enquiries: wnstd.com/wmhc

MAY

7


76


GUERILLA AUTISTICS:

ECCENTRICS RETURN

A show about being neurodivergent,

neurodiverse and autistic.




MAY

7

OVER-55s

BRIDGE CLUB

A weekly club. New members welcome.

Date: Thursday 8 May Time: 1.30–3pm

Venue: Allan Burgess Centre, High Street, E11 2AE


MAY

8

ON THE BEAT IN

HATTON GARDEN

Light-hearted memories from a Bobby on the

beat 50 years ago. A talk by Chris Foster for the

Woodford Historical Society. Visitors welcome.

Date: Thursday 8 May Time: 2.30pm

Venue: All Saints Church Hall, Woodford Green

Cost: £5 Enquiries: woodfordhistoricalsociety.org

MAY

8

WANSTEAD

WORDSMITHS

A monthly group for writing and sharing

poetry and prose. No experience required.

Date: Thursday 8 May Time: 6.30–7.45pm



MAY

8

AGATHA CRUSTY AND THE

VILLAGE HALL MURDERS

Murder mystery meets comedy in this WOADS

production suitable for all ages.

Date: Friday 9 to Sunday 11 May

Time: 7.30–9.30pm; Sunday matinée at 3pm

Venue: Redbridge Drama Centre, E18 2RB

Cost: £16.50 Enquiries: wnstd.com/vision

MAY

9

ILFORD HOSPITAL CHAPEL

OPEN DAY

Memorabilia, refreshments and guided tours.

Date: Saturday 10 May Time: 10am–2.30pm

Venue: Hospital Chapel, Ilford Hill, IG1 2AT

Cost: free entry Enquiries: 020 8514 8286

MAY

10

2 HOUR

FIVE TOURS A WEEK

SUN AT 12 NOON

MON AT 1PM & 6PM

WED AT 1PM

FRI AT 1PM

TICKETS: £25

MEET 15 MINS BEFORE START AT

LE PARISIEN CAFE

LEYTONSTONE, E11 1HE

To book a tour or talk on the early life

of Hitch with a local historian, contact

Gary Lewis on 07793 817 759 or email

hitchcocktalksandtours@gmail.com or visit our

website: hitchcock-talks-and-tours.com


May 2025

77

WANSTEAD VILLAGE WARD

COUNCILLOR SURGERY

Councillors Jo Blackman, Paul Donovan and

Daniel Morgan-Thomas. Repeated on 24 May.

Date: Saturday 10 May Time: 10.30–11.30am

Venue: Allan Burgess Centre, High Street, E11 2AE

Cost: free Enquiries: wnstd.com/councillors

MAY

10

OPEN WEEKEND AT THE

TEMPLE IN WANSTEAD PARK

Wanstead Park’s visitor centre explores the

history of the park.

Date: Saturday 10 to Sunday 11 May Time: 12–5pm

Venue: the Temple, Wanstead Park, E11 2LT

Cost: free Enquiries: wnstd.com/temple

MAY

10

RIDE REDBRIDGE: WANSTEAD

PARK TO FAIRLOP WATERS

Join a family-friendly bike ride and picnic.

Organised by Redbridge Cycling Campaign.

Date: Sunday 11 May Time: 11am

Venue: meet at Wanstead Park Tea Hut, E12 5HA

Cost: free Enquiries: wnstd.com/rcc

MAY

11

TENNIS CLUB

OPEN DAY


Venue: Linkside Tennis Club, Overton Drive

Cost: free Enquiries: linksidetennis.co.uk

Have fun, get active, make a difference

MAY

11

WANSTEAD PARK

LITTER PICK

Date: Sunday 11 May Time: 11am

Venue: the Temple, Wanstead Park, E11 2LT


Have Have fun, Have get fun, active, fun, get get active, make active, make a difference make a difference a difference

MAY

11

OPEN DAY AT WANSTEAD

BOWLING CLUB

Date: Sunday 11 May Time: 12–4pm

Venue: Wanstead Bowling Club, Overton Drive


MAY

11


Have fun, Have get fun, active, get make active, a make difference a difference

THE HISTORY OF

UNDERTAKING

A Wanstead Historical Society presentation.



Cost: £4 Enquiries: 07949 026 212

Have fun, get Have active, Have fun, Have fun, get fun, get active, active, get active, make make a make a a difference

MAY

12

SPARKLE SPARKLE WALK

WALK

WALK

WALK

Friday 6 June, 6.30pm

SPARKLE WALK

SPARKLE WALK

SPARKLE WALK

SPARKLE WALK



Friday Friday

6 6 June, 10k Friday and Friday 6.30pm 6 6 15k June, 6 June, walks

6.30pm

Friday 6 June, Friday

10k

6

and

June,

15k

6.30pm

walks

10k and 15k

10k

walks

10k and 10k and 15k and 15k walks 15k walks walks

Starts Starts and Starts and finishes finishes and at finishes Woodford at Woodford at Woodford Rugby Rugby Club Rugby Club Club

Starts 10k and 10k finishes Starts

10k and 10k and finishes

15k at

and and Woodford walks

15k at 15k walks Rugby walks

Club Club

Starts and finishes at Woodford Rugby Club

Starts and Starts finishes

finishes and at Woodford finishes at Woodford

Rugby at

Sign Sign

Starts and finishes at Rugby Woodford

up Club Sign up now now up now

Rugby Club Rugby Club Club

Sign up Sign nowup now

Starts and finishes at Woodford Rugby Club

Sign up now

SPARKLE WALK

Sign Sign up now up now

Sign up now

havenhouse.org.uk/sparklewalk

Sign up now


Sign up now




Charity number Charity number 1044296 Charity 1044296 number 1044296


Charity number 1044296



Charity number 1044296

78


KEEPING IT LOCAL

WANSTEAD

An informal gathering for local business

owners to socialise. Booking required.

Date: Tuesday 13 May Time: 7pm

Venue: The George & Dragon, 155 High Street

Cost: free Enquiries: wnstd.com/kilw

MAY

13

PLANNING

NEW GARDENS

A talk by Jan Karavasili and Ruth Martin for the

Aldersbrook Horticultural Society.

Date: Tuesday 13 May Time: 7.30pm

Venue: Aldersbrook Bowls Club, E12 5DY

Cost: £5 Enquiries: wnstd.com/ahs

MAY

13

CONSERVATION ON

WALLASEA ISLAND

A talk for the North East London Local Group

of the RSPB by Rachel Fancy.


Venue: St Mary’s Church, South Woodford

Cost: £4.50 Enquiries: wnstd.com/rspb

MAY

13

REDBRIDGE MUSIC

SOCIETY RECITAL

Featuring pianist John Paul Ekins.



Cost: £12: members £9 Enquiries: 07380 606 767

MAY

13

NEWPORT: AN ESSEX

VILLAGE BROUGHT TO LIFE

A talk by Dr Ben Cowell for the Woodford and

District Centre of the National Trust. Visitors

welcome.

Date: Wednesday 14 May Time: 2.30pm

Venue: All Saints Church Hall, Woodford Green

Cost: £3 Enquiries: 07774 164 407

MAY

14

ELECTRONIC

KEYBOARD CONCERT

An East London and Essex Electronic Keyboard

Club event featuring Tony Stace.

Date: Wednesday 14 May Time: 7–10pm


Cost: £12; under-16s: £2 Enquiries: 020 8530 3717

MAY

14

IODS PRESENTS:

COMPANY

A production of Stephen Sondheim’s groundbreaking

modern musical.

Date: Thursday 15 to Saturday 17 May

Time: 7.30–9.30pm

Venue: Redbridge Drama Centre, E18 2RB

Cost: £21.50 Enquiries: wnstd.com/company

MAY

15

UNDERSTANDING

GRIEF TALK

Suitable for those grieving and anyone who

wants to increase their understanding of grief

and how they can support others.

Date: Friday 16 May Time: 2–3.30pm

Venue: Whipps Cross Hospital, E11 1NR

Cost: free Enquiries: wnstd.com/16may

MAY

16

WANSTEAD

LITTER PICK

Date: Saturday 17 May Time: 10am

Venue: meet at the Woodbine Place bus stop

Enquiries: jo.blackman@redbridge.gov.uk

MAY

17

SOUTH WOODFORD

COMMUNITY MARKET


Venue: George Lane, South Woodford

Enquiries: aceeventsltd.co.uk

MAY

18

A WINDOW THROUGH

THE UNIVERSE

A talk by Peter Bull MBE FRAS for the North

East London Astronomical Society about the

basic principles of relativity and quantum

mechanics. Free entry for new visitors.

Date: Sunday 18 May Time: 1.30pm

Venue: Wanstead House, 21 The Green, E11 2NT

Cost: £3 Enquiries: stevek1951@hotmail.com

MAY

18

FLOWER ARRANGING

DEMONSTRATION

A Woodford and District Floral Arrangement

Group event. Visitors welcome.

Date: Monday 19 May Time: 7.30–9.45pm


Cost: £9 Enquiries: 020 8508 9765

MAY

19


May 2025

79


80


BEREAVEMENT CAFÉ

MORNING SESSION

Date: Tuesday 20 May Time: 10.30–11.30am

Venue: Christ Church, Wanstead Place, E11 2SW


MAY

20

LAUGH-ABLE COMEDY NIGHT

WITH ROBYN PERKINS

Fully accessible, affordable and award-winning

comedy night.




MAY

21

WANSTEAD LIBRARY

BOOK SWAP DAY

Celebrate Elmer the Patchwork Elephant’s

birthday with a book swap. Plus, children can

make a special bookmark from 2pm to 3pm.

Date: Saturday 24 May Time: 11am–3pm



MAY

24

MAY MUSIC FESTIVAL:

VEGETABLE ORCHESTRA

Make a vegetable recorder. Suitable for

children and families.

Date: Saturday 24 May Time: 3pm

Venue: St Mary’s Church, Wanstead, E11 2LN

Cost: £15 Enquiries: wnstd.com/may25

MAY

24

MAY MUSIC FESTIVAL:

RISING STARS OF THE OPERA

Featuring Ellen Pearson and Sam Hird, with

festival director Alison Wells at the piano.

Date: Saturday 24 May Time: 7pm



MAY

24

OPEN GARDENS IN

ALDERSBROOK

19 Belgrave Road, 39 Dover Road and

16 Wanstead Park Avenue will be opening their

gardens to the public as part of the charitable

National Garden Scheme.

Date: Sunday 25 May Time: 1–5pm

Cost: £5 Enquiries: wnstd.com/ag25

MAY

25

MAY MUSIC FESTIVAL:

ORGAN EVENT

A talk by Toby Ward followed by a recital.

Date: Sunday 25 May Time: 3pm


Cost: free Enquiries: wnstd.com/may25

MAY

25

MAY MUSIC FESTIVAL:

WHEATLEY’S ARCADIANS

Music of the golden era of the guitar.

Date: Sunday 25 May Time: 5pm



MAY

25

EAST END LIFE

THROUGH THE LENS

A presentation by Danny Wells for the East of

London Family History Society.

Date: Wednesday 28 May Time: 7.30pm


Cost: £3 Enquiries: 07762 514 238

MAY

28

WALKING FOR HEALTH:

WANSTEAD PARK

Date: Thursday 29 May Time: 11am–12pm

Venue: Wanstead Park, Warren Road entrance

Cost: free Enquiries: wnstd.com/walking

MAY

29

HIGHAMS PLAYERS:

SOMETHING TO HIDE

Saturday performances at 2pm and 7pm.

Date: Thursday 29 to Saturday 31 May Time: 8pm

Venue: Wanstead House, 21 The Green, E11 2NT

Cost: £10; kids: £5 Enquiries: highamsplayers.co.uk

MAY

29

MUSIC ON

THE HILL

Featuring pianist Felicia Toni.

Date: Friday 30 May Time: 6.30pm

Venue: Holy Trinity Church, Hermon Hill, E18 1QQ

Cost: £10; under-18s: £5 Enquiries: htsw.org.uk

MAY

30

WANSTEAD

VINTAGE FAIR

Date: Saturday 31 May Time: 10.30am–4.30pm

Venue: Wanstead United Reformed Church

Cost: £3 Enquiries: wansteadvintage.com

MAY

31


May 2025

26 - 30 MAY 2025

May Half Term

Activities

Join us for exciting events

this half term!

15 May

15 19 May June 17 July

19 17 6.30pm-8.30pm

July June

17 Wanstead July Library

Spratt Hall Rd, E11 2RQ

6.30pm-8.30pm

Wanstead 6.30pm-8.30pm Library

Spratt Wanstead Hall Rd, Library E11 2RQ

Spratt Hall Rd, E11 2RQ

A safe and confidential space to meet others who are going through the same thing

A as safe you. and Somewhere confidential you space can to share meet others your who thoughts are going and through experiences the same of thing grief and loss.

as you. Somewhere you can share your thoughts and experiences of grief and loss.

A safe and confidential space to meet others who are going through the same thing

This is a support group and not a counselling session. It’s a friendly and comforting

as This you. is Somewhere a support group you can and share not a your counselling thoughts session. and experiences It’s a friendly of grief and comforting

and loss.

space, where everyone is welcome to have some refreshments, to talk and lend a


This supportive

supportive is a support ear.

ear. group and not a counselling session. It’s a friendly and comforting


supportive This session ear. takes takes place place on the on 3rd the Thursday 3rd Thursday of each of month each and month is delivered and is delivered by by

Creating Conversations CIC CIC & Redbridge & Redbridge Libraries Libraries Death Positive Death Positive Library Project. Library Project.

This session takes place on the 3rd Thursday of each month and is delivered by

Creating Conversations CIC & Redbridge Libraries Death Positive Library Project.

To book, visit

To book, visit

linktr.ee/deathpositivelibrary


To book, visit


Or scan the code

Or scan the code

From fun activities to educational

workshops and theatre shows,

there’s always something new for

children of all ages.

Or scan the code

15 May

19 June

81




82


Local community groups

ALLAN BURGESS CENTRE

Age UK activity centre offering a range

of activities for the over-55s. Located at

2 Grove Park, Wanstead. Call 020 8989 6338

ART GROUP WANSTEAD

For local artists. Visit wnstd.com/art

FRIDAY SOCIAL CLUB

Games, quizzes and socialising every Friday

from 7.30pm to 9.30pm at Wanstead House

(£3 per meeting). Call 020 8556 1585

FRIENDS OF WANSTEAD PARKLANDS

Campaigning for the enhancement of

Wanstead Park. Visit wansteadpark.org.uk

ROTARY CLUB OF LEYTONSTONE

AND WOODFORD

Meeting every Thursday at 6.30pm at The

Royal Oak, Chingford. Call 020 3597 2921

Plumbing, Heating &

Breakdown Services

Covering Wanstead & Woodford

•ANNUAL GAS SAFETY CERTIFICATE

•BOILER SERVICE •HEATING •PLUMBING

•DRAINAGE •EMERGENCY CALL OUT

Join our Prime Care breakdown

cover and enjoy year-round

protection from £20 per month

Call us! 0793 087 7007

Book online! primepropertyrepairs.com

STRIDES BADMINTON CLUB

Every Sunday from 3.30pm at Wanstead

Leisure Centre (over-18s). Call 020 8598 8435

WANSTEAD AND WOODFORD U3A

Meeting on the first Tuesday of the month

with a range of groups and social activities.

For anyone over 55 and not in full-time

employment. First visit is free. Visit u3a-ww.uk

WANSTEAD BOWLS CLUB

Located on Overton Drive, E11 2LW (within

Wanstead Golf Club). Visit wnstd.com/bowls

WANSTEAD CENTRAL BOWLS CLUB

Located on Nutter Lane, E11 2JA. Open from

end of April to September. Call 020 8505 7806

WANSTEAD CLIMATE ACTION

A local group sharing concerns about the

climate emergency. Visit wnstd.com/climate

WANSTEAD COMMUNITY GARDENERS

Tending to the flower beds across Wanstead

and turning neglected patches of space into

community assets. Visit wnstd.com/wcg

WANSTEAD COMMUNITY HUB

A Facebook group for all who live in Wanstead.

Visit wnstd.com/wch

WANSTEAD COMMUNITY FORUM

A Facebook group discussing local issues.

Visit wnstd.com/wcf

WILD WANSTEAD

A project to create a multi-garden nature

reserve across Wanstead. Visit wnstd.com/ww

WOODFORD AND WANSTEAD

PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY

Meeting virtually or at Wanstead House every

Monday. Visit wnstd.com/wwps

WREN WILDLIFE GROUP

Promoting learning and conservation of local

wildlife and carrying out practical work in

Wanstead Park. Visit wrengroup.org.uk


* Ballet * Modern * Jazz * Tap *

* Baby Bear Ballet

May

Parent

2025

& Child Class * 83

* 18 Months to 18 Years * Adult Ballet & Tap *

Redbridge Classical Dance Studios

Redbridge Classical Dance Studios is a thriving local

dance school with an excellent reputation.

A THRIVING LOCAL DANCE SCHOOL WITH AN EXCELLENT REPUTATION

Classes in Snaresbrook, Wanstead & South Woodford

* PERFORMANCE

PERFORMANCE

* REWARD * INSPIRATION * ACHIEVEMENT * PROFESSIONALISM

* REWARD

* INSPIRATION

* Ballet * Modern ** Jazz Ballet * Tap * Modern * * Jazz * Tap *

* Baby Bear Ballet Parent * Baby & Child Bear Ballet Class * Parent & Child Class *

* 18 Months to 18 Years * 18 * Months Adult Ballet to 18 Years &* Tap ACHIEVEMENT

*

Adult Ballet & Tap *

Redbridge Classical Dance Studios is a thriving local

* Ballet Redbridge Classical

* Modern Dance Studios is

* Jazz a thriving local

* Tap *

Baby Bear dance Ballet school with an Parent excellent dance reputation. school & Child with an excellent Classes reputation.

* 18 Months to 18 Years * PERFORMANCE

* Adult Ballet * PERFORMANCE

& Tap *

It’s never too late to shine!

Silver Swans ® classes have been

specifically designed for the over-

55s, but whatever your age, if you

are looking for a new way to keep fit

and active our ballet classes will put

a spring in your step. Whether you’ve

never danced before or want to get

back into the swing of it, our classes

have something for everyone.

* REWARD

* INSPIRATION

* ACHIEVEMENT

* REWARD

* PROFESSIONALISM

FREE TRIAL LESSON : 020 8488 3066

* INSPIRATION

Photo: David Tett

* ACHIEVEMENT

FREE TRIAL LESSON : 020 FREE 8488 TRIAL 3066 LESSON : 020 8488 3066

www.rcds-online.com

www.rcds-online.com www.rcds-online.com

* PROFESSIONALIS

*

NEW

* *

*

SILVER SWANS

TAP CLASSES

NOW AVAILABLE

*

*

* PROFESSIONALISM


84


Useful numbers in and around Wanstead

ADVICE & SUPPORT

Citizens Advice Redbridge 0808 278 7872

National Debtline 0808 808 4000

Samaritans116 123

HEALTH

Aldersbrook Medical Centre 020 8518 8080

Out of hours GP 020 3770 1888

The Evergreen Surgery 020 8518 8746

Wanstead Pharmacy 020 8989 0597

Wanstead Place Clinic 020 8926 1450

Wanstead Place Surgery 020 8989 1968

Wanstead Village

Dental & Health Centre 020 8530 2126

Whipps Cross Hospital 020 8539 5522

LEISURE & LIBRARIES

Aldersbrook Library 020 8496 0006

Sylvestrian Leisure Centre 020 8509 6526

Wanstead Leisure Centre 020 8989 1172

Wanstead Library 020 8708 7400

How can we

help?

Need to raise an important

local or policy issue with

Calvin and the team?

0207 219 7417

Email us!

calvin.bailey.mp@parliament.uk

LOCAL COUNCILLORS Wanstead Village ward

Jo Blackman (Lab) 07435 258 060

jo.blackman@redbridge.gov.uk

Paul Donovan (Lab) 07741 197 406

paul.donovan@redbridge.gov.uk

Daniel Morgan-Thomas (Lab) 07741 194 993

daniel.morgan-thomas@redbridge.gov.uk

LOCAL COUNCILLORS Wanstead Park ward

Sheila Bain (Lab) 07741 904 843

sheila.bain@redbridge.gov.uk

Emma Shepherd-Mallinson (Lab)07350 365 967

emma.shepherd-mallinson@redbridge.gov.uk

LOCAL MP Leyton and Wanstead

Calvin Bailey MP (Lab) 020 7219 7417

calvin.bailey.mp@parliament.uk

LOCAL MP Chingford and Woodford Green

Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP (Con) 020 7219 2667

iainduncansmith.org.uk

POLICE

Emergency 999

Non-emergency 101

Action Fraud 0300 123 2040

Anti-terrorist Hotline0800 789 321

Wanstead Village SNT 07766 247 245

SNTJI-Wanstead-Village@met.police.uk

Wanstead Park SNT 07769 498 676

SNTJI-Wanstead-Park@met.police.uk

REDBRIDGE COUNCIL

Adult Social Service 020 8708 7333

Benefits 020 8708 5690

Children’s Services 020 8708 3885

Council Tax enquiries 020 8708 5670

Customer contact centre 020 8554 5000

Report antisocial behaviour 020 8478 4679

UTILITIES

Electricity (power cut) 105

Electricity emergency 0800 40 40 90

Gas emergency0800 111 999

Thames Water (report a leak)0800 714 614


May 2025

85

Proud to support the

Wanstead Fringe Association

Wanstead Curtain: The new theatre, kinema and

performance space created by the Wanstead Fringe

Association with support from Petty Son & Prestwich.

To find out more, please visit wansteadcurtain.com

11 Woodbine Place, Wanstead, London E11 2RH

T: 020 8989 2091 E: enquiries@pettyson.co.uk W: pettyson.co.uk


86

ACCOUNTANTS

Tax Assist Accountants10

THP Chartered Accountants 73

ARCHITECTS

Loud Architects 4

BALLET

Redbridge Classical Dance 83

BATHROOMS

Bathworks 29

BEAUTY

Dr Sabba 53

BUILDERS

Finch Contracts 36

Glenward 49

North London Loft Rooms 43

Trim Loft Conversions 71

CAREER SERVICES

Connect Coaching16

Public Sector Recruitment 56

CARPENTRY & JOINERY

K&D Joinery 37

Woodthorpe Joinery 88

CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES

Children’s Funfair7

May Half-Term Activities 74


Sylvestrian Leisure Centre 2

Toddletics 5

COMMUNITY & GROUPS

Wanstead House 52

COMPUTER MAINTENANCE

Computer Solutions 12 & 52

CONSERVATORIES

Best Double Glazing 24

DANCE

Eve Wright School of Dancing 8


DECORATORS

Jason’s Decorating 36

MG Décor 40

DENTIST

Smile in London 61

Woodford House Dental Practice 79

DOORS

K&D Joinery 37

ELDERLY CARE

Chestnut Manor Care Home40

Home Instead 21

Radfield Home Care 64

ELECTRICIAN

SW Radley Electrical Contractors 72

ESTATE AGENTS

Churchill Estates 32–33

Dabora Conway 87

Martin & Co 67

Petty Son & Prestwich 85


– Index of advertisers –

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

Children’s Funfair7

Epping Forest Centenary Walk 4

May Half-Term Activities 74

May Music Festival 47

See Rock City 27

Something To Hide 39

Sparkle Walk 202577

The Wind in the Willows42

VE Day 80th anniversary 23

Wanstead Festival 44–45

FITNESS

Fit For All48

Group Exercise Classes 25

Pilates by Charles20

Yanar Mind & Movement 20

FLORIST

Lillies of Wanstead 17

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Compassionate Funerals 60

GARAGE SERVICES

DC Dodd Motor Repairs 28

Dipstick’s Tyres & Exhausts 24

GARDENS & LANDSCAPING

Growing Gardens 64

Lancasters Gardencare 35

Weald Hall Landscapes 55

GIFTS

Creative Giftware 56

Keating Jewellers20

Lillies of Wanstead 17

GRIEF CAFE

Wanstead Library Grief Cafe81

GUTTERING

Cox and Sons Roofing 16

GB Pro Maintenance 41

HANDYMAN

E18 Handyman 28

Stuart Green Property Solutions 72

HOLIDAY PROPERTIES

Dovehouse Developments 14

INTERIOR DESIGN

Loud Architects 4

JEWELLERS

Keating Jewellers 20

LOCKSMITH

Barry & Sons 14

LOFT CONVERSIONS

North London Loft Rooms 43

Trim Loft Conversions 71

OSTEOPATHS

The Osteopathy Centre14

PERSONAL TRAINER

Fit For All48

PHOTOGRAPHY

Geoff Wilkinson Photography 60

PILATES

Pilates by Charles20

PLASTERING

Heritage Plaster Services 65

PLUMBING & HEATING

Heating Plus 48

Prime Property Repairs 82

Rightio Plumbing & Heating 52

POLITICS

Calvin Bailey MP 84

PUBS

Nightingale on the Green13

RECRUITMENT & CAREERS

Connect Coaching16

Public Sector Recruitment 56

ROOFING

Cox and Sons Roofing 16

GB Pro Maintenance 41

SCHOOLS & NURSERIES

Woodford Green Prep School 59

SOLICITORS

Barretts Law 57

Crown Law Solicitors68–69

Edwards Duthie Shamash 31

SPORT & LEISURE

Linkside Lawn Tennis Club 11

Sylvestrian Leisure Centre 2

Wanstead Bowling Club 55

West Essex Ramblers 4

TEA DANCES

Eve Wright School of Dancing 8

VE Day 80th anniversary 23

THEATRE

Highams Players 39

Illyria42

Wanstead Theatre Co27

TOURS

Hitchcock Talks & Tours 76

The Graveyard Shift Tour17

TREE SERVICES

Scott Whitehead Trees 56

TUITION

11+ Centre 9

VENUE & ROOM HIRE

Lily House15

Nightingale on the Green13

WASTE DISPOSAL

Arbis Waste Disposal 36

WINDOWS

Best Double Glazing 24

McCarty & Smith 1

WINDOW SHUTTERS

Woodthorpe Joinery 88

YOGA

Yanar Mind & Movement 20


SINCE

May 2025

87

LANDLORDS:

RENTERS RIGHTS BILL CAUSING

YOU CONCERN?

PROTECT YOURSELF WITH OUR

GUARANTEED RENT SCHEME

VACANT POSSESSION GUARANTEED

guaranteedrents@daboraconway.com

020 8989 5678 ext 242


WOODTHORPE

JOINERY

your local supplier of wooden shutters and blinds

Wanstead • London • T: 0203 589 4879

E: info@wjoinery.co.uk • www.wjoinery.co.uk

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FITTED WARDROBES

ALSO AVAILABLE

Celebrating 14 Years

as your local supplier of window shutters

WOODTHORPE

WOODTHORPE

JOINERY

your local supplier

JOINERY

of wooden shutters and blinds

your local supplier of wooden shutters and blinds

Wanstead • London • T: 0203 589 4879

E: Wanstead info@wjoinery.co.uk • London • • T: www.wjoinery.co.uk

0203 589 4879

E: info@wjoinery.co.uk • www.wjoinery.co.uk

Independent directory of businesses, news and events in Wanstead, Snaresbrook and Aldersbrook

May 2025

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